Downton Abbey The Complete Collection vs. The Complete Series

[Templeton Peck]

Does anyone know what the difference is between the two?



vs.



I'm mainly concerned about the episodes available and editing. A lot of misinformation out there and I don't know where it's coming from with regards to "edited down versions". The one set is newer and costs less, so I'd be inclined to pick that one up, but not if it was an edited down version. The Complete Collection has "Original UK Edition" on it.

[jtu128]

Originally Posted by Templeton Peck

Does anyone know what the difference is between the two?



vs.



I'm mainly concerned about the episodes available and editing. A lot of misinformation out there and I don't know where it's coming from with regards to "edited down versions". The one set is newer and costs less, so I'd be inclined to pick that one up, but not if it was an edited down version. The Complete Collection has "Original UK Edition" on it.

I have the top one. I remember researching when purchasing and I believe there is things missing from the bottom release. Maybe it is missing some of the holiday specials?

[MifuneFan]

Content is the same. Both have 21 discs, with all the specials, and extras. There's no cut version on BD as far as I know, I believe it was only edited for the PBS broadcasts. The newer one is just a re-packaging, and from what I hear it's terrible.

This is what someone wrote in a the first film's thread:

Originally Posted by RevolverOcelScott

The packaging is ****ing awful. Discs stacked upon each other, some impossible to remove off the spindles. A few discs arrived scratched.

I hate Amazon, but at least Amazon will send you the new one before you have to ship the other back, so I'd be able to mix and match to get all non scratched discs. I'm betting I'm going to be in an endless return loop with Target.

[critterdvd]

The only difference is the packaging. The colored box each has three bluray cases inside separating the show by series 1&2, 3&4, and 5&6 - with each disc having it's own hub. the black and white box is slimmer, but you have stacked discs, similar to how Paramount and Universal have been releasing their complete series DVD sets...

But honestly if stacked discs doesn't bother you I'd just go with which ever ends up being cheaper. As others have said all released blurays include the unedited episodes as well as the Christmas specials.

[Templeton Peck]

Originally Posted by critterdvd

The only difference is the packaging. The colored box each has three bluray cases inside separating the show by series 1&2, 3&4, and 5&6 - with each disc having it's own hub. the black and white box is slimmer, but you have stacked discs, similar to how Paramount and Universal have been releasing their complete series DVD sets...

But honestly if stacked discs doesn't bother you I'd just go with which ever ends up being cheaper. As others have said all released blurays include the unedited episodes as well as the Christmas specials.

Thanks. I wouldn't mind the difference in packaging usually. The only concern would be the post above mentioning the discs being a pain to get out and being scratched.

It's hard to tell if that is just a one off issue for someone, or if everyone had that issue with the set.

[eas8]

I was wondering myself because I read the white & black box was edited episodes (they way it was aired in US) and the other was the original UK episodes. I've so confused I didn't want to double dip (sorry if I bump this post, I just got into the series)

[RillIris]

Originally Posted by eas8

I was wondering myself because I read the white & black box was edited episodes (they way it was aired in US) and the other was the original UK episodes. I've so confused I didn't want to double dip (sorry if I bump this post, I just got into the series)

The US “The Complete Collection” and “The Complete Series” are identical in terms of disc content. If a certain box did use the edited episodes at some point, it would only be an older not complete set. The older Complete Collection was published by PBS, they no longer have the home video rights however Universal does, and Universal’s release is “The Complete Series”. Same on disc content, just different packaging and publisher.

[kevin87]

Originally Posted by Templeton Peck

Thanks. I wouldn't mind the difference in packaging usually. The only concern would be the post above mentioning the discs being a pain to get out and being scratched.

It's hard to tell if that is just a one off issue for someone, or if everyone had that issue with the set.

The discs have the same content and authoring but are probably new pressings... so this being a 2021 release, it's probably going a widespread issue with scratches. Pre-2020, it was rare to get scratches, post-2020 it's more rare to get one not. Less production factories and probably less people working in them has lead to terrible production quality, stacked cases don't help but even 1 disc releases (Super 8 4K for example) looked like they'd been mauled by a wild animal.

Since PBS had the original set and aired in edited in the US, they likely had to distinguish that they were the original versions, not their edited versions. Since NBC produced it and now has the home video rights, they don't see the need to call it unedited since they never edited it.

[WBMakeVMarsMovieNOW]

What about this ones vs the UK set(s)? Ihear all sorts of talk about 24fps vs 25fps and interlaced or not and so on and correct and incorrect pitch and playback video speed and so on and so forth and much of it is contradictory.

[ElectricPeterTork]

Originally Posted by WBMakeVMarsMovieNOW

What about this ones vs the UK set(s)? Ihear all sorts of talk about 24fps vs 25fps and interlaced or not and so on and correct and incorrect pitch and playback video speed and so on and so forth and much of it is contradictory.

IIRC, on the PBS sets, season 1 was the only one to not suffer from NTSC Slowdown and the resulting pitch correction needed so everyone didn't sound like they were on 'ludes.

So I'd also be interested to know if the new Uni set is the same, or If everything is at its original and proper 25 FPS. That might make it worth a purchase for me.

[dhui1996]

I just got the Complete Series set released last year today, and I can confidently say that everyone here has been misinformed!! The new Universal sets, though also has 21 discs, are NEWLY PRESSED EDITIONS with different special features and episode breakdowns (with the new Universal format menu and all).

I haven’t seen the show, so I don’t know if the episodes are uncut, but in terms of what’s included, I have made a comparison with the earlier PBS set and the disc breakdown in the new set are as follows (unless otherwise mentioned, all listed special features are also included in PBS sets):

Season 1 (Discs 1 – 3)
Disc 1:
- Episode 1 and 2
- Audio commentaries on both episodes (Previously released internationally, NOT on PBS sets, seems to be directly sourced from UK Blu-ray version since the background audio in the commentary tracks is higher pitched).
Disc 2:
- Episodes 3, 4, and 5
Disc 3:
- Episodes 6 and 7
- A House in History – Downton Abbey
- The Making of Downton Abbey
- Deleted Scenes (Previously released internationally, NOT on PBS sets)

Season 2 (Discs 4 – 6)
Disc 4:
- Episodes 1, 2, and 3
- Audio commentary on Episode 1 (Previously released internationally, NOT on PBS sets)
Disc 5:
- Episodes 4, 5, 6, and 7
Disc 6:
- Episodes 8 and 9 (Christmas at Downton Abbey)
- Deleted Scenes (Previously released internationally, NOT on PBS sets)
- House to Hospital
- Fashion and Uniforms
- Romance in a Time of Warfare

Season 3 (Discs 7 – 9)
Disc 7:
- Episodes 1, 2, and 3
- The Wedding of Lady Mary
- The Wedding of Lady Edith
- Shirley MacLaine at Downton Abbey
Disc 8:
- Episodes 4, 5, 6, and 7
- The Men of Downton Abbey
Disc 9:
- Episodes 8 and 9 (A Journey to the Highlands)
- Downton Abbey in 1920
- Behind the Scenes: The Cricket Match
- Behind the Scenes: A Journey to the Highlands
“Behind the Drama”, a special feature included in Disc 1 of PBS edition of Season 3, is NOT included in international editions or this new set.

Season 4 (Discs 10 – 12)
Disc 10:
- Episodes 1, 2, and 3
Disc 11:
- Episodes 4, 5, 6, and 7
Disc 12:
- Episodes 8 and 9 (The London Season)
- The Making of
- The Downton Diaries
- New Arrivals

Season 5 (Discs 13 – 15)
Disc 13:
- Episodes 1, 2, and 3
Disc 14:
- Episodes 4, 5, 6, and 7
Disc 15:
- Episodes 8 and 9 (A Moorland Holiday)
- Behind the Scenes: Day 100
- A Day with Lady Rose
- The Roaring Twenties

Season 6 (Discs 16 – 19)
Disc 16:
- Episodes 1, 2, and 3
Disc 17:
- Episodes 4, 5, 6 and 7
Disc 18:
- Episodes 8 and 9 (The Finale)
- The Cars of Downton
- Farewell to Highclere
- Changing Times at Downton
Disc 19:
- The Manners of Downton Abbey
- More Manners of Downton Abbey

Legacy Bonus (Discs 20 and 21)
Disc 20:
- The Story of Downton Abbey
- The Creators’ Favourite Scenes
- Supercuts
Disc 21:
- Character Documentaries
“BAFTA Celebrates Downton Abbey”, a documentary included in the international sets, is NOT included in the PBS set or this new set.
“Great Houses with Julian Fellowes”, which is Disc 13 on the PBS set, is NOT included in international sets or this new set.

As you can see, this new set from Universal for the most part follows the international sets released years ago, which were also distributed by Universal. Both “Behind the Drama” and “BAFTA Celebrates Downton Abbey” are available on YouTube, so I think this new set should be the definitive set. With that being said, if you’re really keen on the packaging, you can get the PBS set and get UK editions of Seasons 1 and 2 separately (which is region free, as far as I can recall) if you want the missing commentaries and deleted scenes.

[cherbert]

Originally Posted by dhui1996

I just got the Complete Series set released last year today, and I can confidently say that everyone here has been misinformed!! The new Universal sets, though also has 21 discs, are NEWLY PRESSED EDITIONS with different special features and episode breakdowns (with the new Universal format menu and all).

Can you link to this exact set for me?

Also.. are Season One & Two at the correct speed? i.e 1080i/60 25fps?

[hariseldon]

Originally Posted by cherbert

Can you link to this exact set for me?

Also.. are Season One & Two at the correct speed? i.e 1080i/60 25fps?

Given the thread OP and "Released last year" I will assume it's the newest US set which would 100% guarantee none of the material is 1080i/50 since some US equipment still wouldn't be able to play it.

As far as I'm aware, the only Complete Series box released in 2021 was the US collection linked in Post 1

There were several EU/Uk boxsets released in 2020 but as far as I can tell, none of them have S1 or 2 at 1080/50 unless the specs listed on the boxset are incorrect.

[cherbert]

Originally Posted by hariseldon

Given the thread OP and "Released last year" I will assume it's the newest US set which would 100% guarantee none of the material is 1080i/50 since some US equipment still wouldn't be able to play it.

As far as I'm aware, the only Complete Series box released in 2021 was the US collection linked in Post 1

There were several EU/Uk boxsets released in 2020 but as far as I can tell, none of them have S1 or 2 at 1080/50 unless the specs listed on the boxset are incorrect.

The original PBS Season One and Two individual releases I have from the US are 1080i/60 at the correct framerate. Unfortunately they messed up Season Two and its a bit stuttery.

[Hammerlover]

I like the YouTuber who calls this "Downtown Abbey." Makes it sound like the name of a high-priced call girl.

[James Luckard]

I'm not familiar with Downton on disc, but I'm definitely familiar with the issues that come with putting 25fps UK shows on US home video. I always try to buy British BDs of British shows, as a result.

I wasn't aware, however, that 25fps British TV material could be transferred at 25fps in 1080i/60. How would that work?

I'm only familiar with normal British BDs of TV shows, which are 1080i/50 25fps and then most American discs of UK shows (like Prime Suspect and Wallander) which are usually 1080p, slowed down to 24fps, with resulting pitch shift and slower movement.

I've also bought a few TV BDs direct from the UK that were slowed down to 1080p/60 24fps, like The Lost Prince, and I've read that the UK BDs of Life on Mars and Pride and Prejudice are similarly slowed down. I guess they just decided that would be easier and hoped nobody would notice.

I thought those were the only two options - run the video at native speed and do 1080i/50, or run it slowed down at 1080p/60.

Can someone explain this 1080i/60 option a bit more? Would it end up looking like those old PAL-to-NTSC conversions that were common in the DVD era, where each frame was actually a fuzzy composite of two frames?

[kevin87]

Originally Posted by Hammerlover

I like the YouTuber who calls this "Downtown Abbey." Makes it sound like the name of a high-priced call girl.

Downtown Julie Brown's sister

[hariseldon]

Originally Posted by James Luckard

I'm not familiar with Downton on disc, but I'm definitely familiar with the issues that come with putting 25fps UK shows on US home video. I always try to buy British BDs of British shows, as a result.

I wasn't aware, however, that 25fps British TV material could be transferred at 25fps in 1080i/60. How would that work?

I'm only familiar with normal British BDs of TV shows, which are 1080i/50 25fps and then most American discs of UK shows (like Prime Suspect and Wallander) which are usually 1080p, slowed down to 24fps, with resulting pitch shift and slower movement.

I've also bought a few TV BDs direct from the UK that were slowed down to 1080p/60 24fps, like The Lost Prince, and I've read that the UK BDs of Life on Mars and Pride and Prejudice are similarly slowed down. I guess they just decided that would be easier and hoped nobody would notice.

I thought those were the only two options - run the video at native speed and do 1080i/50, or run it slowed down at 1080p/60.

Can someone explain this 1080i/60 option a bit more? Would it end up looking like those old PAL-to-NTSC conversions that were common in the DVD era, where each frame was actually a fuzzy composite of two frames?

Can't help with the technical how/why, but 1080i/50 to 1080i/60 can be pretty close. I've always assumed it's similar to the 3:2 pulldown technique changing 24fps film to 1080/60i TV. The Monty Python Flying Circus discs were taken from PAL sources up to 1080/50 in UK for the UK discs and 1080/60 in the US -- I have watched a couple of those back to back on Native Rate and couldn't tell the difference at all. From folks that have watched those side by side, the difference is negligible when done properly (unlike the screwed up Downton Season).

Moving to 1080p/24 is a different animal though as long as it's pitch corrected I have a hard time telling the difference on the video and dialog even watching side by side. Occasionally music sounds odd since the tempo is different even if the pitch is correct.

Everytime I try to read about the actual technique I end up dizzy. I can do the math part, but I just don't know enough about video editing and the software to put it all together.

[James Luckard]

Originally Posted by hariseldon

Can't help with the technical how/why, but 1080i/50 to 1080i/60 can be pretty close. I've always assumed it's similar to the 3:2 pulldown technique changing 24fps film to 1080/60i TV. The Monty Python Flying Circus discs were taken from PAL sources up to 1080/50 in UK for the UK discs and 1080/60 in the US -- I have watched a couple of those back to back on Native Rate and couldn't tell the difference at all. From folks that have watched those side by side, the difference is negligible when done properly (unlike the screwed up Downton Season).

Moving to 1080p/24 is a different animal though as long as it's pitch corrected I have a hard time telling the difference on the video and dialog even watching side by side. Occasionally music sounds odd since the tempo is different even if the pitch is correct.

Everytime I try to read about the actual technique I end up dizzy. I can do the math part, but I just don't know enough about video editing and the software to put it all together.

I'm unusually sensitive to pitch shift and changed speed. I've had to return some things, like the US Prime Suspect BD set, because I couldn't deal with the altered audio and video.

3:2 pulldown looked awful, and gave everything that "soap opera" effect, but at least it maintained native speed, as far as I know.

It's funny, I grew up thinking all British TV had the "soap opera" look, from watching shows on PBS as a kid, until I learned that it was merely an artifact of the PAL-NTSC conversion.

I try to buy British DVDs and BDs of British programming, as a result.

I would assume the UK BDs of Downton run at the native 25fps, but I haven't looked into it. There are, occasionally, British BDs that are slowed down so they can be 1080p.

[cherbert]

Originally Posted by James Luckard

I would assume the UK BDs of Downton run at the native 25fps, but I haven't looked into it. There are, occasionally, British BDs that are slowed down so they can be 1080p.

I only wish that were true and in the case of most stuff you are right. But with Downton they really messed up. Season One in the UK is 1080p 24fps with no pitch correction. It sounds god awful!

Season Two is slowed down but has been pitch corrected - so it's watchable. S3 onwards are 1080i/50. I think there maybe one or two 1080i/60's I can't remember since I last checked.

But the 1080i/60 discs (including the region A S1 of Downton) they look great and sound great. I don't see any noticeable pull down or anything. I believe with 1080i/60 they double up the frames or something.

When the US boxset came out apparently they reverted to 1080p as they had too many complaints of consumers not able to watch the discs due to incompatibilities with certain equipment. Namely PS3 I believe.

Like I said before - the individual S2 US release is also 1080i/60 but they messed up something as it has a lot of judder.

There are lots of releases throughout Europe but it's so hard to find out if any of them are in the proper framerate. Even the UK iTunes releases are sped up!! But apparently the US iTunes versions are the proper speed.

Downton on physical media is a bit of a mess. The best I can recommend is the individual Season One from the US with the rest of the UK seasons. That would be as perfect as you can get if you can put up with the UK S2 being pitch corrected and slightly slowed down. One side note is that the individual S1 from the US lacks the Audio Commentaries of the UK discs. But as op says, looks like this has been rectified with the re-pressing of the Universal release.