Columbo - The Complete First Season - 22nd October 2018

[CompleteCount]

Originally Posted by BDBert

Japanese set is from the old HD master IIRC. This new set is from the same master used by Kino.

Yep, it's the same. From looking through, they have the same inherent fluctuations in density, but this is probably going to be the last time Universal is going to splash out to have them remastered.

[JR Ewing]

Originally Posted by CompleteCount

Yep, it's the same. From looking through, they have the same inherent fluctuations in density, but this is probably going to be the last time Universal is going to splash out to have them remastered.

Same as Japanese or Kino?

[CompleteCount]

Originally Posted by JR Ewing

Same as Japanese or Kino?

Kino. The FF's come from the same recent 4K remasters.

I watched Swan Song earlier, and it blows any previous presentation out of the water, no question. From comparing the new 4K transfer to its Publish or Perish stablemate, you can see that some titles in this set are in better shape than others. Swan Song is a pretty clean transfer, with not much in the way of damage, but Publish Or Perish has instability and specking right through it.

You can see the disparity in the quality of footage between one shot and the reverse in the same scene. In Swan Song, during a piece where Columbo is asking Brown some questions as he's laying on his sofa, the shots of Cash are in great shape, and look terrific. But the reverse of Falk is much rougher, compounded by an optical zoom they do (and hold) for the last 1/4 of the extended sequence.

The new remasters really expose every optical zoom done in the editing stage, and this was used quite a bit on Columbo.

[JR Ewing]

Originally Posted by CompleteCount

Kino. The FF's come from the same recent 4K remasters.

I watched Swan Song earlier, and it blows any previous presentation out of the water, no question. From comparing the new 4K transfer to its Publish or Perish stablemate, you can see that some titles in this set are in better shape than others. Swan Song is a pretty clean transfer, with not much in the way of damage, but Publish Or Perish has instability and specking right through it.

You can see the disparity in the quality of footage between one shot and the reverse in the same scene. In Swan Song, during a piece where Columbo is asking Brown some questions as he's laying on his sofa, the shots of Cash are in great shape, and look terrific. But the reverse of Falk is much rougher, compounded by an optical zoom they do (and hold) for the last 1/4 of the extended sequence.

The new remasters really expose every optical zoom done in at the editing stage, and this was used quite a bit on Columbo.

Thanks for the detailed info. Think I'll be happy with this set. One more question, any black crush issues like previous FF releases like Knight Rider, Miami Vice and Hulk?

[Tantallon]

My understanding is that Network restored ALL seriesof The Sweeney in HD but when the first series on bluray didn't sell well, they decided not to release the rest, having gone to the expense of restoring them.

[The Hornets]

Originally Posted by Tantallon

My understanding is that Network restored ALL series of The Sweeney in HD but when the first series on bluray didn't sell well, they decided not to release the rest, having gone to the expense of restoring them.

This has been debunked so many times I give up. Read the Network thread here.

Back in the day only series 1 was restored in HD and that was released on BD. As it sold poorly they stopped and didn't do the other series at that time.

Work only restarted in 2022 and by the time they went bust in 2023 all except 4 episodes had been restored. The Andrew Pixley book was written and even things like the box and sleeve artwork had been designed.

Need to see if someone else picks up the pieces from the liquidators. As I note above only 4 episodes left to do and all the other work done.

[CompleteCount]

Originally Posted by JR Ewing

Thanks for the detailed info. Think I'll be happy with this set. One more question, any black crush issues like previous FF releases like Knight Rider, Miami Vice and Hulk?

As with the Kino set, there seems to be no undue tinkering to freshen up or modernise their appearance, to the point where occasionally, some blacks appear slightly lighter than the dead-space outside of the 4:3 viewing area. I'd rather that than swallowing detail through the usual cheats.

[Loftus]

Is there a decent chance that Fabulous also plan to release Columbo: The Return?

[CompleteCount]

Originally Posted by Loftus

Is there a decent chance that Fabulous also plan to release Columbo: The Return?

This depends on how the first set goes. Sales of the 1st series released in 2018 weren't as strong as hoped, which put paid to any more of them coming our as individual seasons. Hopefully the whole of the first run being all together (rather than a Monk-like drip feed) will get fans opening their hearts (and wallets) to Fabulous Film's excellent efforts this time around.

[CouncilSpectre]

£92 from HMV with the 20% off. Cancelled my £99.99 pre-order from Evil Inc.

[CrockettTubbs]

Originally Posted by Loftus

Is there a decent chance that Fabulous also plan to release Columbo: The Return?

Originally Posted by CompleteCount

This depends on how the first set goes. Sales of the 1st series released in 2018 weren't as strong as hoped, which put paid to any more of them coming our as individual seasons. Hopefully the whole of the first run being all together (rather than a Monk-like drip feed) will get fans opening their hearts (and wallets) to Fabulous Film's excellent efforts this time around.

If FF decides to release the remaining episodes in future, I wonder if FF will present them in their original aspect ratio.

[CompleteCount]

Originally Posted by CrockettTubbs

If FF decides to release the remaining episodes in future, I wonder if FF will present them in their original aspect ratio.

They'll come from the same masters as Kino, so they will be cropped, as is expected of their releases.

[CouncilSpectre]

From memory even the (much) earlier JP release used 16:9 versions of the later seasons.

Doubt we'll ever see anything different in HD form....

[WaverBoy]

Originally Posted by CompleteCount

They'll come from the same masters as Kino, so they will be cropped, as is expected of their releases.

They need to tell Universal to give them proper masters instead of f**ked up masters. Seriously. It will hurt their sales otherwise, like it’s hurting Kino’s sales.

[CompleteCount]

Originally Posted by WaverBoy

They need to tell Universal to give them proper masters instead of f**ked up masters. Seriously. It will hurt their sales otherwise, like it’s hurting Kino’s sales.

I fear Universal's response will be along the lines of: "It's these, or you know when you can stick them..."

[Martoto]

Jeez. I love Columbo. I'm pretty familiar with every episode of the original run. HAve them on DVD and invariably have to watch if they are on 5USA on a Sunday.

After all the hoopla about the planned Kino extra s before the rug was pulled, and we ain't even getting those that did get a release, I ain't paying a hundred quid for this on several general principles. Who do they think I am? A Columbo suspect with money to spare? I don't care if the new transfers are almost 3D like quality. I have some HD versions TIVOd from when ITV still showed them. Good enough for me until the bug up the arse of the folk preventing the special features dies and the price also comes down.

[The Hornets]

You will have a long wait for a price reduction in the UK. Fabulous Films are one of the rare labels who stick to their prices and it takes years to see discounts.

[CouncilSpectre]

£92 isn't too bad. Especially considering they RRPd season 1 alone at £30. Probably right at the upper range of what I'd have been reasonably happy to pay on day 1 though.

[pferreira]

Originally Posted by Loftus

Is there a decent chance that Fabulous also plan to release Columbo: The Return?

Let's hope so.

Originally Posted by Martoto

After all the hoopla about the planned Kino extra s before the rug was pulled, and we ain't even getting those that did get a release, I ain't paying a hundred quid for this on several general principles. Who do they think I am?

They really teased people interested with extras. It's sad we're getting something that is more vanilla for the same big price.

[StrayButler91]

Originally Posted by CouncilSpectre

From memory even the (much) earlier JP release used 16:9 versions of the later seasons.

Doubt we'll ever see anything different in HD form....

Which is a huge shame because the Australian DVD releases of the later seasons have each episode in BOTH aspect ratios. The original 4:3 presentations look damn good by DVD standards, and don't look like ancient SD broadcast masters. So, HD masters do exist in the 4:3 aspect ratio of the later seasons.