Posted by Derek22464 on
URL: https://www.shado-forum.com/Network-s-UFO-Blu-ray-now-shipping-tp4023381p4023431.html

Okay, I've finally watched "Identified" again, but this time on Blu-Ray and these are my thoughts.

Before I start, I must say that, for me, the reference for TV series Blu-Ray restoration has to be "Star Trek:TNG" - the sharpness, the clarity, the detail and the colours are simply outstanding. Does this match that standard? No. But then, Paramount assembled a big team, took years and spent millions; Network can only dream of such resources.

The picture in the episode was about a shade lighter, maybe more, which means colours are not strong. And if you've got your TV's Brightness setting set to stun mode, then it will probably look even lighter.

Also, sharpness and grain varies from scene to scene and shot to shot, it's nowhere near as uniform as "TNG".

However, there is a scene whereby Straker is talking to Lieutenant Ellis over a video link and he says something about Moonbase, "seeing some action". Ellis looks directly at the camera and smirks (in a Carry On stylee) and I can state now that with the soft DVD haze removed, Gabby Drake's stunning beauty just shines through! This is good enough reason to get the set as far as I'm concerned!

Also, the 5.1 is far, far better than the original Mono soundtrack. The iconic title sequence just BOOMED out of my system! And there's a scene involving Straker, General Henderson and a government minister (plus the iconic briefcase) in a Rolls-Royce being escorted by motorcycles on their way to Chequers. At one point, one of the motorcyclists looks up at the sky and phones though to the car as if to imply that there is an aerial threat, and the entourage subsequently speed up.

On the Mono soundtrack (both DVD and Blu-Ray), you can barely hear the distinctive sound of the lurking UFO above the whine of the police sirens and the rumble of the motorcycles. But on the 5.1 it is been mixed much more prominently and there is subsequently a much clearer sense of threat and danger. A big improvement!

Plus, you get the remarkably detailed book and the extras exclusive to this release.

So is this worth getting now? Yes, absolutely. It is rather overpriced for just six Blu-Ray discs and if you're not interested in the book, so it's worth keeping an eye out for any reductions. Around £50 makes it very good value, I think.