Department S: Volume 1

[Spiderwalk]

Available direct from Network from 27/02/2017.

I'm really looking forward to more ITC releases from Network, hopefully they'll announce The Champions next.

[chip75]

I'm all for these great shows getting BD releases, but Department S will work out around £70-80 for the show (it's 28 episodes). I know it's spread out and some people like that (it reminds of the VHS days and those fortnightly magazine collections), but hopefully they'll produce cheaper sets at the end of the run of volumes.

[timeschange]

Originally Posted by chip75

I'm all for these great shows getting BD releases, but Department S will work out around £70-80 for the show (it's 28 episodes). I know it's spread out and some people like that (it reminds of the VHS days and those fortnightly magazine collections), but hopefully they'll produce cheaper sets at the end of the run of volumes.

No it won't.
From the Network site:

This is a PRE-BUY for Department S: Volume 1 out of six Blu-ray and is only available while stocks last.

5 episodes per disc is the standard for Network ITC Bluray releases but they adjust the numbers to even them out just as they are currently doing with Randall where only Volume 5 and 6 will have 5 episodes.

Dept S will be 2 volumes of 4 then 4 volumes of 5

It's unlikely the boxsets due to appear sometime later this year will be cheaper initially so you'll have to wait for a sale but this volume by volume release format has 2 intentions. One is for Network to get some income while the restoration is ongoing and not have to wait until its all done and out there and secondly it makes it easier to purchase. So many people complain about shelling £60 in one hit and this way makes it easier. Seems they can never win.

There have been rumours about the financial stability of Network so this volume by volume thing helps them to cover their costs. I think it's a good idea as it seems to be the one chosen to ensure that we have Bluray releases of much more of the ITC catalogue.
2 boxsets a year never felt good and I think this way we will get titles quicker.

Another vote for The Champions here

[chip75]

So I was out by £10 ... As I said I'm all for Network putting out these shows and they give them the attention they deserve, but at the end of the day £60 for one season is expensive.

I do also wonder how much money is going from these volume's into restoring other episodes, whether it's going to other series I'm not sure. I can't imagine them sending off four/episodes at a time and waiting for the piggy back to fill up from a few thousand volume sales.

And with financial instability there is always the risk of not getting the complete series, it's unlikely, but it's happened with other distributors.

I understand what they're doing and why their doing it (and it's great that we're get these great shows), but after years of VHS and DVD volumes, it was nice to move away from that for a while. I'd be tempted if the series' were split in two, but half a dozen volumes puts me off a bit.

When they did the retro-ACTION! BDs did they just cherry pick episodes of The Saint, Department S, The Champions et cetera to master in high definition or were they older masters?

[timeschange]

Originally Posted by chip75

So I was out by £10 ... As I said I'm all for Network putting out these shows and they give them the attention they deserve, but at the end of the day £60 for one season is expensive.

I do also wonder how much money is going from these volume's into restoring other episodes, whether it's going to other series I'm not sure. I can't imagine them sending off four/episodes at a time and waiting for the piggy back to fill up from a few thousand volume sales.

And with financial instability there is always the risk of not getting the complete series, it's unlikely, but it's happened with other distributors.

I understand what they're doing and why their doing it (and it's great that we're get these great shows), but after years of VHS and DVD volumes, it was nice to move away from that for a while. I'd be tempted if the series' were split in two, but half a dozen volumes puts me off a bit.

When they did the retro-ACTION! BDs did they just cherry pick episodes of The Saint, Department S, The Champions et cetera to master in high definition or were they older masters?

£60 for an entire series on Bluray isn't expensive. As for them waiting for income to continue- who said that. Sales in any business usually allow for some cash flow. Obviously it makes Networks bank account healthier if they're getting a steady stream of income from these restorations than it would if they did all 26 and then didn't get any return until the end of the year.

If you want to pay less then as I said , buy the boxset in a sale. If you buy all 6 from Network they will send you a box to put them all in with the final volume.

I doubt many people want a series like this split into halves. So they're releasing it in individual volumes for people who can't wait and they're also releasing a boxset as normal. Yet you're still not happy!!

I have no idea how the Retro Action episodes were selected. Network said at the time those episodes and only those episodes were being mastered into HD - probably to stop emails constantly asking when the rest of each series would be out.
The selection was odd and I don't know the logic behind it

[chip75]

I haven't said I was unhappy and I hadn't realized the box sets were confirmed for later in the year (I don't follow the on social media).

[malcy30]

Originally Posted by chip75

I haven't said I was unhappy and I hadn't realized the box sets were confirmed for later in the year (I don't follow the on social media).

What they have said is that Network have an exclusivity of sales via their own website until 3 months after the final volume is released.

So that means end September for R&H and end October for Department S.

They have not said if they will release a complete boxset only via their website at the same time as volume 6, which would get me to buy, or if you have to wait a further 3 months for the general release. The assumption is that this is a complete boxset as I can't see individual volumes working or selling in the general market on Amazon as everyone wants the boxset these days.

[Spiderwalk]

Originally Posted by timeschange

I have no idea how the Retro Action episodes were selected. Network said at the time those episodes and only those episodes were being mastered into HD - probably to stop emails constantly asking when the rest of each series would be out.
The selection was odd and I don't know the logic behind it

I doubt they're in a hurry to release the complete series of Shirley's World anytime soon.

[oddbox83]

Technically, the individual releases are already the box set providing you buy all 6. I can't see Network selling the box set any cheaper until a reasonable amount of time has passed.

[malcy30]

Originally Posted by oddbox83

Technically, the individual releases are already the box set providing you buy all 6. I can't see Network selling the box set any cheaper until a reasonable amount of time has passed.

I would rather though have all 6 BDs in one small plastic case than 6 cases even though they are slim ones and a flimsy card out box. Given they are mailing the box to subscribers who buy all 6 volumes it will be some type of flat pack self assembly card so not likely to be very sturdy.

[oddbox83]

Originally Posted by malcy30

I would rather though have all 6 BDs in one small plastic case than 6 cases even though they are slim ones and a flimsy card out box. Given they are mailing the box to subscribers who buy all 6 volumes it will be some type of flat pack self assembly card so not likely to be very sturdy.

I'm happy to be getting something practical, guaranteed. Space 1999 got good packaging but Persuaders and UFO got flimsy digipaks/stacks. I'm careful with mine but I don't care why anyone says, they fall apart as much with age as misuse.

The card will probably be their usual type, mailed flat. Pretty standard thickness, not one of the solid thick ones but hardly anyone still uses those given the expense.

[Desk.]

Originally Posted by Spiderwalk

I'm really looking forward to more ITC releases from Network, hopefully they'll announce The Champions next.

Return of the Saint for me, please!

I almost bought one of those Retro Action releases just for a single episode.

Desk

[timeschange]

Originally Posted by chip75

I haven't said I was unhappy and I hadn't realized the box sets were confirmed for later in the year (I don't follow the on social media).

Sorry, I got the impression your post saying about the price being too high meant you were unhappy.
I don't follow social media either but this info was posted by Network on their own site alongside the info on the volumes

Originally Posted by malcy30

What they have said is that Network have an exclusivity of sales via their own website until 3 months after the final volume is released.

Except that brand new copies are already available on ebay with multiple copies from some sellers and cheaper than Network too although you won't get the box to put them in at the end

[Spiderwalk]

"A bit too early for coffee; I'll have a Scotch."

My copy has arrived!

[timeschange]

Got volume 1 today. Images are up to the same quality as Randall but regardless of what order they are in Department S ends up less than the sum of its elements.
Great teasers, great opening titles, some lovely character moments particularly with Jason King but ultimately the enticing openings are usually let down by very weak overall plots.
I will still buy the whole series of course

[Ben_C]

Watched the first episode last night, and thought it looked very good (much like other Network releases I've seen like Persuaders and Professionals).
Looking forward to watching the show for the first time, mainly down to the horribly dated but brilliant dandy, Jason King.

Would have obviously preferred a complete set straight off the bat with a lower rrp, but beggars can't be choosers (can't complain too much, as I managed to get all the Professionals sets for good prices, and they're fantastic).

[timeschange]

Originally Posted by Ben_C

Watched the first episode last night, and thought it looked very good (much like other Network releases I've seen like Persuaders and Professionals).
Looking forward to watching the show for the first time, mainly down to the horribly dated but brilliant dandy, Jason King.

Would have obviously preferred a complete set straight off the bat with a lower rrp, but beggars can't be choosers (can't complain too much, as I managed to get all the Professionals sets for good prices, and they're fantastic).

There is a complete set on the way later in the year but whether the initial RRP will work out cheaper is unknown.
I'm looking at these individual releases as a bit of a bonus.
Network did explain at the start that these releases are appearing as and when the episodes are completed so rather than us needing to wait for months and months for the boxset we can have them at the earliest opportunity and I'm sure the income being generated for Network is helping them continue to fund the restoration of the ITC catalogue which was the main thing I was hoping for when they announced their current 10 year deal with ITV although it's taken them a while to get started.

The Champions next hopefully

[docforce]

Or MAN IN A SUITCASE!

Still waiting on delivery of my DEPARTMENT S set 1...hopefully later this week.

[oddbox83]

As much as I want more ITC series on Blu-ray, I think they should get the individual volumes of this and R&H(d) done with first before doing another. I;d hate for them to oversaturate their market and these releases stall.

[timeschange]

Originally Posted by docforce

Or MAN IN A SUITCASE!

Still waiting on delivery of my DEPARTMENT S set 1...hopefully later this week.

I would be very surprised if MIAS appears anytime soon. I would expect The Champions at least before it. While Suitcase does have some hardcore fans I think it's too much of a standard action man hour like The Saint, The Baron and Danger Man and its the shows that are a bit off kilter that are generally more popular so I would think The Champions would be next.

Originally Posted by oddbox83

As much as I want more ITC series on Blu-ray, I think they should get the individual volumes of this and R&H(d) done with first before doing another. I;d hate for them to oversaturate their market and these releases stall.

Individual Randall should be completed by early May so I really hope they announce something else not long afterwards so that we can get 3 or maybe even 4 complete shows this year.
2 volumes per month is an easy way to build the series up without splashing out