Miami Vice

[Damage Inc.]

I didn't know if I should put this under "Blu-ray"-movies since I'm more wondering about a Blu-ray release, but since it's a TV-series I guess this might be a better spot.

I've watched through the series on DVD and I really enjoyed it. And I think I had already made a topic about it maybe one or two years ago (although I can't find it anymore) wondering if this would and could even come to Blu-ray.

I was just thinking about the series and that I would like to see it again. But I'd rather watch it in HD this time around, hopefully also in widescreen, rather than DVD-quality again. Even though it actually looks very good (for SD). So I'm still wondering the same thing today; Will this series ever come to Blu-ray?

And I'm also wondering; How many people around here are even interested in this series in general, and also for it to come to Blu-ray? Has anybody been waiting for a long time as well? Or would you like to see it on Blu-ray now that you think of it?

I'm very curious about whether or not this series was filmed on widescreen film and if it was framed for widescreen as well. When watching the series on DVD, I definitely noticed shots that could indicate it wás framed for widescreen, as they looked kind of tight or like they were cut off on the sides and were supposed to show more of the image. But that could just have been coincidence.

In any case... Is this series not popular/important enough to remaster all of its 5 seasons? It was certainly a success and, in my view, it still holds up today, although, again, I don't know how many people are still interested. It's not like it is as many seasons and thus episodes as some other series, and I doubt it would need a lot of repairing, unless the films (if they still exist) have gotten damaged in some way. And they could and should also include new extras from this HD-era. They could even do new interviews with all the main actors, since all of them except maybe some guest-actors, are still around today. Michael Mann is still around (and I think he should be the one taking advantage of this anyway). They should definitely do a nice documentary, especially if they can find some old production-footage back if there ever was any. Otherwise do some good commentaries on some key-episodes or something.

Anyway, I always thought Universal was a cool studio, with the projects they take on and such, but did they completely forget about this iconic series?

[kemcha]

There are lots of classic TV shows from the 80's that have yet to be released to Blu-ray. Studios have been reluctant to release those shows to Blu-ray because of the costs associated to such an event and with the economy in not so great shape, studios have abandoned plans on releasing shows that are long since finished in favor of releasing shows that are currently being broadcast with new episodes.

Studios are concentrating more on releasing season sets of shows currently in production and that it's highly doubtful that this will change any time soon.

Miami Vice, A-Team, Knight Rider, Incredible Hulk, Magnum P.I., Murder She Wrote, Simon and Simon ... there just isn't an incentive for the studios to release these as they are more interested in re-releasing the season sets through re-issues rather than to commit to Blu-ray releases.

You might have better luck sending an email to Gord Lacey or Dave Lambert over at TV Shows on DVD as they could give you a better answer on why these shows haven't been released on Blu-ray.

[Damage Inc.]

Yeah, I thought so, that studios didn't want to invest in it. To be honest, I think I would, in terms of business. I would have as many products out there as possible, with DVD-releases, DVD re-releases, Blu-ray-releases, and more, just to take advantage of as much of the market as possible. But I guess they don't think like that, or can't afford to like you said. And yes, I already though that modern and more current series are probably prioritized because of more current potential and popularity I guess. It makes sense.

Still, I really wonder why they don't release something like 'Miami Vice' on a new format in some form of marketing. I guess the investment (of the new product, a new HD-transfer and such) and the question of whether anyone would buy it wóuld scare them off.

Anyway, thanks for your reply. I'll have a look over at TVShowsOnDVD then.

[kemcha]

It's not even that. TV shows that have already run their course don't often get any attention because those studios then have to create a budget to restore those TV shows to Blu-ray quality. With only Shout currently grabbing the rights to various TV shows, what's needed is more companies like Shout who are willing to convert those TV shows to Blu-ray and just license the shows from the studios.

Additionally, the studios have only been concentrating on releasing current season sets on TV Shows currently in production. We've been seeing more DVD releases on TV shows rather than Blu-rays. Just take a look at such studios like Sony Pictures Home Entertainment and Universal Studios. They've been reissuing and re-releasing season sets of their popular TV shows.

A-Team has been re-released as cheaper priced, repacked DVD sets along with such shows as Chips, Columbo, I Dream of Jeannie, Bewitched and the list goes on and on. It's just doubtful that we'll see these classic shows released to Blu-ray unless Shout grabs them up and even they are being slow as molasses.

Just take a look at shows like Bones. To date, Fox Home Video still hasn't released Seasons 1-3 and it's doubtful they will and consumers are reluctant to support newer season sets if they don't make an effort to release the earlier season sets.