The West Wing...?

[Vegtramer]

I tried searching the forums for anything related to The West Wing and a possible future blu-ray release but found nothing. Does anyone know or has anyone heard or read anything about a release date for the series?

It's a brilliant show but with multiple viewings I have begun to notice the lacking picture quality and it's beginning to irritate me slightly.

Thank you in advance...

[Deathzorz]

I've been looking for information on this as well and have come up with nothing. There were rumors a couple years back that Season 7 may come out in HD DVD but those were quickly denied, and obviously the denial has held up to the test of time.

I can't imagine what's holding Warner up... this was an award winning series with a devout following (even today) and releasing it would net some serious profits... maybe they're waiting for the Holiday Season?

[Vegtramer]

I thought that I would bring this thread back as I am still looking for this title on blu-ray and still have found nothing. It has been a couple of months now and just maybe someone knows something new?
Now that band of brothers is being released all I really need on blu - as TV-series goes - is the West Wing.

Anyone?

[bg_nyc]

I never watched one episode of West Wing. But my wife and I are considering buying the complete set on Amazon for $150 (used). But I'm not looking forward to watching the 480p on my 52" HDTV. Shows like Mad Men and Lost have spoiled me. I'd gladly much more if i can get West Wing in 1080p.

[KamiAmaya]

Originally Posted by bg_nyc

I never watched one episode of West Wing. But my wife and I are considering buying the complete set on Amazon for $150 (used). But I'm not looking forward to watching the 480p on my 52" HDTV. Shows like Mad Men and Lost have spoiled me. I'd gladly much more if i can get West Wing in 1080p.

It's a great show, I watched all 7 seasons back in June in one week

I thought about buying the set too, amazon had it as a Gold Box deal of the day recently. But I'm trying to hold out, hopefully it will be on Blu-ray soon enough.

[Dygear]

Originally Posted by KamiAmaya

It's a great show, I watched all 7 seasons back in June in one week

Yeah, it's that good, I did exactly the same thing. It's like watch 1 season for 16 hours, sleep for 8, wake up and repeat. Best week ever! Can't wait to see The West Wing in 1080p, I would buy it the day it comes out.

[Deathzorz]

Originally Posted by bg_nyc

I never watched one episode of West Wing. But my wife and I are considering buying the complete set on Amazon for $150 (used). But I'm not looking forward to watching the 480p on my 52" HDTV. Shows like Mad Men and Lost have spoiled me. I'd gladly much more if i can get West Wing in 1080p.

If you haven't seen a single episode, I would at least try to rent it from Blockbuster or something (maybe Season 1 if you can) before you commit so much money to a series you may not enjoy.

So far, I've looked around and no news yet on a Blu-Ray release for the West Wing. Band of Brothers comes out in 4 days - maybe we can hope for a West Wing for the holidays?

- DZ

[Deathzorz]

The holidays have come and gone and there are no release dates to be seen for The West Wing.

What could Warner Bros be waiting for I wonder... maybe it's a technical issue? The early seasons are in 4:3 ratio, maybe that's a problem? At least that's the case in the DVD set.

/sigh - Maybe I can contact someone at Warner Bros...

[cbcmariners77]

Originally Posted by Deathzorz

If you haven't seen a single episode, I would at least try to rent it from Blockbuster or something (maybe Season 1 if you can) before you commit so much money to a series you may not enjoy.

- DZ

If they don't enjoy the series, spending the money on the first season is the least of their problems .

[Hooch504]

Does anyone know if The West Wing will come out on BD? I have the whole series on DVD but watching on my new Sony 40" Bravia really shows the limitation of standard definition. It's watchable but I'm wondering if a Blu-version is in the future. This show premiered in 1999 so I'm not sure what a Blu-treatment would do to it, but I'd probably buy it without even waiting for the reviews.

Thanks!

[ducdebrabant]

They can make a Blu-ray out of anything shot on film, and out of anything shot in hi-def video. When a show is shot on lower-def video, is there anything they can really do that would justify a Blu-ray?

[Bruce Morrison]

Originally Posted by ducdebrabant

They can make a Blu-ray out of anything shot on film, and out of anything shot in hi-def video. When a show is shot on lower-def video, is there anything they can really do that would justify a Blu-ray?

Out of interest, can you (or anyone else) tell me when shooting in hi-def video rather than standard-def video became more or less the standard approach. My impression is that the switchover happened in the early 2000's but I could well be wrong.

I'm interested partly because, in addition to films and TV series, I'm also collecting classical music concerts and opera performances on Blu-ray now, and I'd like to know from how far back I can expect such performances to re-appear on Blu-ray.

[Hooch504]

Originally Posted by Bruce Morrison

Out of interest, can you (or anyone else) tell me when shooting in hi-def video rather than standard-def video became more or less the standard approach. My impression is that the switchover happened in the early 2000's but I could well be wrong.

I'm interested partly because, in addition to films and TV series, I'm also collecting classical music concerts and opera performances on Blu-ray now, and I'd like to know from how far back I can expect such performances to re-appear on Blu-ray.

I agree with all that was said here, however my original question of if TWW will ever come out on Blu is still unanswered. I haven't anything so that was why I was asking.

[Bruce Morrison]

Originally Posted by Hooch504

I agree with all that was said here, however my original question of if TWW will ever come out on Blu is still unanswered. I haven't anything so that was why I was asking.

The West Wing was shot on film as far as I know (most US TV shows are), so there's probably a fair chance that it will be remastered for Blu-ray at some point - just when is anyone's guess.

[Clark Kent]

Originally Posted by Bruce Morrison

Out of interest, can you (or anyone else) tell me when shooting in hi-def video rather than standard-def video became more or less the standard approach. My impression is that the switchover happened in the early 2000's but I could well be wrong.

I'm interested partly because, in addition to films and TV series, I'm also collecting classical music concerts and opera performances on Blu-ray now, and I'd like to know from how far back I can expect such performances to re-appear on Blu-ray.

It depends on each respective television show or production. There is no one answer, unfortunately.

[Bruce Morrison]

Originally Posted by Clark Kent

It depends on each respective television show or production. There is no one answer, unfortunately.

I've done a quick survey of performances of my favourite operas that have been released on Blu-ray, and the earliest ones date from 2002. So it may be that 2002 was when shooting in HD digital video became pretty much the standard for the major production companies.

I suppose earlier concerts and opera performances could benefit from being re-released on Blu-ray with remastered lossless audio. However, the Blu-ray format has always been marketed as being primarily about HD video, so somehow I don't see that happening.

[knifethrower]

Originally Posted by Bruce Morrison

Out of interest, can you (or anyone else) tell me when shooting in hi-def video rather than standard-def video became more or less the standard approach. My impression is that the switchover happened in the early 2000's but I could well be wrong.

I'm interested partly because, in addition to films and TV series, I'm also collecting classical music concerts and opera performances on Blu-ray now, and I'd like to know from how far back I can expect such performances to re-appear on Blu-ray.

As long as it was shot originally on film you could theoretically see an HD transfer. The issue gets complicated by editing and other weird things. Some content was originally shot on film but edited on tape (ST:TNG comes to mind, most if not all of the editing/vfx work was done on tape, Life on Mars is another) so an HD transfer would mean having to go back and entirely reworking the edits. Some content technically exists on film but is actually just a recording off a special tv screen (go look up Kinescope), it's tricky. I doubt it will happen but if the rights holders wanted to you could see HD transfers of shows as old as "I Love Lucy" or "The Honeymooners" (both were shot directly on 35mm) but I can't see that happening any time soon.

[Hooch504]

Anyway, I'm keeping my fingers crossed that this great series will be released on BD soon. I know there are many factors involved, but I believe it would be a worthy effort and they would be rewarded with robust sales.

[Tns49]

Originally Posted by knifethrower

As long as it was shot originally on film you could theoretically see an HD transfer. The issue gets complicated by editing and other weird things. Some content was originally shot on film but edited on tape (ST:TNG comes to mind, most if not all of the editing/vfx work was done on tape, Life on Mars is another) so an HD transfer would mean having to go back and entirely reworking the edits. Some content technically exists on film but is actually just a recording off a special tv screen (go look up Kinescope), it's tricky. I doubt it will happen but if the rights holders wanted to you could see HD transfers of shows as old as "I Love Lucy" or "The Honeymooners" (both were shot directly on 35mm) but I can't see that happening any time soon.

Note: all but the first season of The West Wing were shown in 1080i. So a HD release is quite possible. But for some reason they haven't chosen to release 3 years later. Would be happy to upgrade my SD set.

[Brightstar]

I know S1 will be out in usa but any chance they will bring the whole serias to blu ray? I have never brought the dvd box set (only £50) just in case the blu ray comes out.