Thunderbirds DVD

Hi all,

It's been a long long time since I posted and I haven't been reading
the list diligently so I don't know if anyone else has mentioned the
DVDs.

Although it's not exactly on topic I thought people on this list might
be interested because of a possible UFO release.

I bought the box set of Thunderbirds which arrived last week. This
consists of 8 discs of episodes and a ninth disc of "documentary". The
ninth disc is largely forgetable except for a short documentary made in
1965 with some behind the scenes footage in black and white.

The other discs contain 4 episodes each making it 200 minutes per disc.
This is good value when you consider that Star Trek is being released
with 2 episodes per disc.

The episodes have been digitally remastered and it shows. The picture
quality is superb and most of the scenes look like they were shot
yesterday. Some of the stock footage shows up a little grainy but for
the most part the picture is really sharp and the colors are great.

The difference between the DVDs and the Japanese laser discs is quite
noticeable.

The soundtracks have a choice between stereo and dolby 5.1 (the
default). I got used to using the Dolby and find it quite ok. The
sound is much crisper then the LDs.

My only disappointment is that Carlton seem to release all their DVDs
with the subtitles defaulting to on so that everytime I put a disc in I
have to turn them off. This is the same for a Dangerman DVD I have.

Let's hope that UFO gets the same treatment.

Simon

"Simon J. Wright" wrote:

> I bought the box set of Thunderbirds which arrived last week. This
> consists of 8 discs of episodes and a ninth disc of "documentary". The
> ninth disc is largely forgetable except for a short documentary made in
> 1965 with some behind the scenes footage in black and white.
>

Hi Simon, glad to hear it's largely forgettable .. I passed
on the box set since I already had the first four! :)


> The episodes have been digitally remastered and it shows. The picture
> quality is superb and most of the scenes look like they were shot
> yesterday. Some of the stock footage shows up a little grainy but for
> the most part the picture is really sharp and the colors are great.
>
I agree and I think they have done a great job. Some folks have
complained about the occasional added stereo effect or added
explosion, but these add to the experience rather than detract,
for me, on balance. They aren't intrusive and I reckon if you
were to listen through standard TV speakers in mono, like you
would have in the '60s, you'd be unlikely to notice.


> My only disappointment is that Carlton seem to release all their DVDs
> with the subtitles defaulting to on so that everytime I put a disc in I
> have to turn them off. This is the same for a Dangerman DVD I have.
>

My own Thunderbirds DVDs don't default to subtitles .. are you
sure it's not something you've set on your DVD player?

> Let's hope that UFO gets the same treatment.
>

Seconded! It's _bound_ to come out on DVD eventually.

James