AndyMcKinney
Senior HTF Member
Anyone here had a chance to compare the R1 and R2 releases? How about you, W.B.?
From what I remember, the main difference seems to be that the R2s still retain the vintage "AdCaps" (ad break caption slides), which are edited out on the US sets. I also understand some of the VT countdown clocks may be included on the R2s.
Packaging, release patterns, etc. aside (the type of stuff which isn't very important), can anyone weigh on on any other substantial differences in the episodes on the R2 discs as compared to the R1s? Are the correct vintage opening/ending Thames bumpers present on either set of episodes?
How does picture quality stack up? I seem to remember some people talking about picture quality issues on the "shot on film" stuff when they compared the A&E sets to the earlier HBO compilations, saying the filmed segments looked worse in the A&E sets (if I recall correctly). Does the R2 surpass (or at least do no worse) than the A&Es?
Presumably, most of the important extras are the same? I think the Eddie film did finally turn up on Network's sets.
Wonder if it's too late to hope that Network are able to (or can be bothered to) secure rights to issue Benny Hill Down Under as an extra on their (hopefully) upcoming 1980s releases.
Just thought I'd ask as the prices on the R2s are starting to drop to levels low enough that it is tempting to import them rather than buying the A&Es, unless Network made a major cock-up I'm unware of.
From what I remember, the main difference seems to be that the R2s still retain the vintage "AdCaps" (ad break caption slides), which are edited out on the US sets. I also understand some of the VT countdown clocks may be included on the R2s.
Packaging, release patterns, etc. aside (the type of stuff which isn't very important), can anyone weigh on on any other substantial differences in the episodes on the R2 discs as compared to the R1s? Are the correct vintage opening/ending Thames bumpers present on either set of episodes?
How does picture quality stack up? I seem to remember some people talking about picture quality issues on the "shot on film" stuff when they compared the A&E sets to the earlier HBO compilations, saying the filmed segments looked worse in the A&E sets (if I recall correctly). Does the R2 surpass (or at least do no worse) than the A&Es?
Presumably, most of the important extras are the same? I think the Eddie film did finally turn up on Network's sets.
Wonder if it's too late to hope that Network are able to (or can be bothered to) secure rights to issue Benny Hill Down Under as an extra on their (hopefully) upcoming 1980s releases.
Just thought I'd ask as the prices on the R2s are starting to drop to levels low enough that it is tempting to import them rather than buying the A&Es, unless Network made a major cock-up I'm unware of.