Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!: The Complete Series (1969-1978)

[DawnShadow]

The screenshots do look incredibly poor... glad I cancelled my pre-order. Guess I'd better quickly buy Season 3 on Prime Video before they replace the quality with this DNR mess.

[kemcha]

Originally Posted by PoorCampBlu

the only good news of an unexpected bill, is that I canceled my pre order before 'cutoff' - i'm still interested and would go with a compact/space saving case over this, but I'm a bit cautious about Warner Home cartoon releases; getting more so with every misstep too

I hate to say it but that's me as well. I hate these oversized Blu-ray sets that studios put out there just to grab that extra few dollars out of collector's pockets. The entertainment industry has turned these "limited editions" releases into a type of secondary collector's market because they know people will buy them. Limiting the sets to 5,000, I saw that coming a mile away. I just prefer uniformity on my Blu-ray shelves.

This is why I'm just going to wait until the mass market release. My guess? We'll probably see such a release for sometime in 2020. This limited edition was, more than likely, released as a preamble for the Christmas shopping season. Judging from the fact that the Johnny Quest complete series set and the Jetsons complete series set are both going for around $20-25 right now, I expect Scooby Doo's mass market release to be somewhere between $25-30, on sale, that is.

[Jar Jar Stinks]

Originally Posted by DawnShadow

The screenshots do look incredibly poor... glad I cancelled my pre-order. Guess I'd better quickly buy Season 3 on Prime Video before they replace the quality with this DNR mess.

Most of the screenshots look good to me. "DNR mess" doesn't seem accurate.

[rdodolak]

Originally Posted by DawnShadow

The screenshots do look incredibly poor... glad I cancelled my pre-order. Guess I'd better quickly buy Season 3 on Prime Video before they replace the quality with this DNR mess.

The background as seen on this image says it all. This never would have happened had WAC released this.

https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/scree...530&position=3

[DawnShadow]

Originally Posted by Jar Jar Stinks

Most of the screenshots look good to me. "DNR mess" doesn't seem accurate.

I'll post some unfiltered screenshots of the original HD version later. When you see what it could have looked like without the DNR, you'll likely agree that it is indeed a DNR mess.

Originally Posted by rdodolak

The background as seen on this image says it all. This never would have happened had WAC released this.

https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/scree...530&position=3

In this case at least we're lucky that the original versions were released to streaming so long ago, so at least we can enjoy the proper HD version. I wish it was on Blu-ray though. All they had to do was burn them to disc, and they had to go and screw it up.

For those interested, the Amazon files have even more bitrate than the Blu-rays, which is pretty sad.

[OneWayFilms]

I already own the entire series on dvd. I'm waiting for comparison images to pop up so I can see if upgrading is really worth it. As much as I LOVE Scooby Doo, it's not something I watch on a regular basis, so PERFECT HD quality is not a priority as much as me simply having a decent copy of the show to watch whenever I want to scratch that itch or share with others.

I have a rather large classic animated TV show dvd collection, and if I start upgrading one, I'm scared I will feel compelled to upgrade them ALL. LOL.

So, the quality will really have to be a major upgrade to justify the obsession.

[DawnShadow]

Originally Posted by OneWayFilms

I already own the entire series on dvd. I'm waiting for comparison images to pop up so I can see if upgrading is really worth it. As much as I LOVE Scooby Doo, it's not something I watch on a regular basis, so PERFECT HD quality is not a priority as much as me simply having a decent copy of the show to watch whenever I want to scratch that itch or share with others.

I have a rather large classic animated TV show dvd collection, and if I start upgrading one, I'm scared I will feel compelled to upgrade them ALL. LOL.

So, the quality will really have to be a major upgrade to justify the obsession.

It's not worth it. You'll get better quality buying it on Amazon Video, probably even iTunes.

[rdodolak]

Originally Posted by DawnShadow

I'll post some unfiltered screenshots of the original HD version later. When you see what it could have looked like without the DNR, you'll likely agree that it is indeed a DNR mess.


In this case at least we're lucky that the original versions were released to streaming so long ago, so at least we can enjoy the proper HD version. I wish it was on Blu-ray though. All they had to do was burn them to disc, and they had to go and screw it up.

For those interested, the Amazon files have even more bitrate than the Blu-rays, which is pretty sad.

Wouldn't have been nearly the mess if they didn't try to stuff all of the content onto 4 discs.

[GeoffOliver]

Yeah, the screencaps look about what I expected. It's clearly from the same source as the (very solid) 2004 DVDs. Would WAC have done a better job? No doubt, but I'm still pleased at how this looks so far.

[DawnShadow]

Originally Posted by rdodolak

Wouldn't have been nearly the mess if they didn't try to stuff all of the content onto 4 discs.

I disagree. The problem isn’t compression, it’s DNR. They could use 8 discs and the original HD versions would still win by far.

Originally Posted by GeoffOliver

Yeah, the screencaps look about what I expected. It's clearly from the same source as the (very solid) 2004 DVDs. Would WAC have done a better job? No doubt, but I'm still pleased at how this looks so far.

It’s a very good source however, I can’t imagine a new can improving much. These blu-rays look very poor, but the actual source (as available on iTunes and Amazon) looks absolutely stunning.

[rdodolak]

Originally Posted by DawnShadow

I disagree. The problem isn’t compression, it’s DNR. They could use 8 discs and then original HD versions would still win by far.

Yes, there is DNR, but there definitely is compression issues as seen in the example image I posted. That is the side effect of the lower bitrate to get them to fit on the four discs.

[DawnShadow]

Originally Posted by rdodolak

Yes, there is DNR, but there definitely is compression issues as seen in the example image I posted. That is the side effect of the lower bitrate to get them to fit on the four discs.

That may be the case, but the DNR already ruined it for me, the compression doesn’t bother me anywhere near as much.

Screenshots from the iTunes version of Season 3. So much better than the Blu-Ray. And the version on Amazon streaming beats them both. See how these screenshots show the character outlines and things have detail, unlike the smudges and blur on the Blu-ray.

[Show spoiler]

Happy to post some screenshots of Seasons 1 and 2 from Amazon Video later if people are interested!

So hopefully, this release sells well enough to motivate further Scooby-Doo releases on Blu-ray, but also, hopefully enough fans will speak up about how bad the DNR was so they learn their lesson and make future releases actually worth owning. Call WB, make yourself heard, make them listen. You can say it's poor quality and they'll just take it with a grain of salt. Let them know how superior the digital versions are, and that their "extensive cleanup" looks like pure shit and it's not what fans want. The review on site has much too high of a rating in my opinion and could do with a bit of an edit. This is the best Scooby-Doo, Where Are You! has ever looked on Blu-ray, but it sure as hell isn't the best it's ever looked in HD. This is the worst it's ever looked in HD.

[raybestos]

It's an awful day when the compressed streaming HD content looks better than a commercial Blu-ray release, by a huge studio, with deep pockets, who *could* have done a stellar job if they'd wanted to.

They didn't even bother to use BD50s, instead we get four (not even full capacity) BD25s and shitty DNR, worsened by the abysmally low bitrates, which further obliterate into oblivion, any remaining high-frequency information that the source once contained. You can't squeeze juice out of an old, rotten turnip! Shame on them for such an incredibly lazy, shovelware release. Might have gotten away with this in 2006, but even then it would have been second-tier. And I'm vociferously calling these profit-grubbing bastards out on their shoddy release of the SCOOBY franchise, and speaking with my wallet in NOT purchasing.

I wouldn't give this release to my dog.

And we get an apologist reviewer giving the video quality four stars.

[InuYashaCrusade]

Man, I'm glad I'm not obsessed with video/audio quality. It seems so stressful. The video quality looks great to me, no problems here.

[DawnShadow]

Originally Posted by raybestos

It's an awful day when the compressed streaming HD content looks better than a commercial Blu-ray release, by a huge studio, with deep pockets, who *could* have done a stellar job if they'd wanted to.

They didn't even bother to use BD50s, instead we get four (not even full capacity) BD25s and shitty DNR, worsened by the abysmally low bitrates, which further obliterate into oblivion, any remaining high-frequency information that the source once contained. You can't squeeze juice out of an old, rotten turnip! Shame on them for such an incredibly lazy, shovelware release. Might have gotten away with this in 2006, but even then it would have been second-tier. And I'm vociferously calling these profit-grubbing bastards out on their shoddy release of the SCOOBY franchise, and speaking with my wallet in NOT purchasing.

I wouldn't give this release to my dog.

And we get an apologist reviewer giving the video quality four stars.

Are they actually BD-25s? The review doesn't make mention of this.

Also, on an interesting note, The New Scooby-Doo Movies looks much better, I'd say the cleanup on that is the perfect amount. Very disappointing that they went overboard on this one and ruined it.

Originally Posted by InuYashaCrusade

Man, I'm glad I'm not obsessed with video/audio quality. It seems so stressful. The video quality looks great to me, no problems here.

Why are you buying a Blu-ray set if you don't even want it to look better than a digital purchase on iTunes? Hell, it isn't even equal quality, it's worse. And they want $89.99 for it.

[The Watcher 69]

Thanks, I was just about to ask about those ones

[ArnoldLayne56]

Originally Posted by rdodolak

Yes, there is DNR, but there definitely is compression issues as seen in the example image I posted. That is the side effect of the lower bitrate to get them to fit on the four discs.

The DNR allows the lower bit rate by removing the high frequency information- in the case of this type of animation, firstly the grain, secondly sharp edges.
This reminds me of the first 2001 Blu-ray- DNR'd the grain away, then encoded it at less than 13 mb/s. And compared to DVD it was great!

[ArnoldLayne56]

"Are they actually BD-25s? The review doesn't make mention of this."

But the listing data is four BD-50

[xXx$uicide_Ma$terxXx]

Originally Posted by InuYashaCrusade

Man, I'm glad I'm not obsessed with video/audio quality. It seems so stressful. The video quality looks great to me, no problems here.

You don't have to be obsessed to think it looks bad. The difference between the amazon version and the blu-ray is pretty obvious.

[DawnShadow]

Originally Posted by ArnoldLayne56

"Are they actually BD-25s? The review doesn't make mention of this."

But the listing data is four BD-50

That's why I'm asking.

The review gave the Blu-ray 4 stars, which is why I don't exactly trust that the BD-50 listing is correct. Especially with bitrates that low, I don't really see how they could manage to fill 4 BD-50s. It's no wonder WHV still sticks to it's horrid DNR use when reviewers don't bother to call them out on it.

I just sent this email to whv@wb.com. I suggest others do similar.

Hi Sherri,

I received the Batman replacement discs today, thanks very much for that! I just wanted to ask if there was any update on the replacement disc for The New Scooby-Doo Movies? I've just had to cancel my pre-order for Scooby-Doo! Where Are You! after seeing the screenshots online and being extremely disappointed by the extreme amount of digital noise reduction that was used, in addition to cramming the episodes on 4 discs. The digital noise reduction is not something that fans want, and it destroys the quality of the original animation. Warner Archive did a fantastic job with Jonny Quest and The Jetsons. Warner Home Video could really learn something from them. Anyway, I have no desire to pick up Scooby-Doo, Where Are You! since the iTunes copies I have are much better quality, which is very sad. If Warner Home Video learns their lesson here and finally abandons the use of DNR, I will be interested in further Scooby-Doo releases in the future! Since this set was an extreme let down, I'm hoping The New Scooby-Doo Movies can at least get it's replacement disc issued so the one Scooby-Doo Blu-ray set I have isn't flawed. It really disappoints me that Warner won't just let Warner Archive handle the Scooby-Doo releases and give the show the respect it deserves.

Thanks!