Dragon Ball Z on Blu-ray

[Afrobean]

Originally Posted by krumlin

DBGT is crap. Akira Toriyama had nothing to do with it.

This is not true. He was involved in DBGT in the same way he was involved in the DBZ films. They weren't based on manga work of his, but he was involved in character and story development.

DBZ was inspired by his original manga, but when he retired they wanted to keep making money so they made up some random Dragon Ball stuff.

He didn't retire at all; he's still doing manga and art in general. Sometimes he even dips back into the Dragon Ball universe for crossover projects and things.

He just didn't want to keep going with Dragon Ball any more. If I recall, he even wanted to end the manga when Gohan killed Cell, but was pressured to keep going by the studio. Frankly, I think ending it after the Cell Games would have been more poignant.

If you are familiar with the concept of a "filler" where they create random episodes of a show that aren't based on anything to kill time/airspace, you could think of DBGT as one giant filler.

I think a comparison to the DBZ films is more apt than comparing it to filler. It's original material that stands on its own; its not meaningless fluff made only to waste time. I mean, DBGT isn't exactly a two season arc about Goku getting a driver's license.

[SlmShdy1]

Originally Posted by Afrobean

I wouldn't use the word "cropped" to describe the feature length material. Subtle hints are there to tell you that it was intended to be seen in a widescreen format. For example, look at the opening sequence on the series DVDs in the early episodes and compare it to the opening sequence used in the early films. The clearest point is at the end of it where it shows Goku, Tien, Yamcha, Master Roshi, and Chiaotzu I think. In the DVD episodes, Master Roshi's head is chopped off, on the movies, it is not.

If I had to guess, I'd think the movies were designed for 1.85:1, and Funimation either cropped a tiny bit off the sides to make 16:9 or expanded vertically a tiny bit.

Correct, the movies were designed for widescreen, but the image was still cropped. Originally they made the movies in a 1.33:1 aspect ratio but intentionally made it widescreen for the theatre releases. When they made the movies, they knew they would be cutting the top and bottom off. Daizex has a nice read about this.

Originally Posted by Afrobean

If I recall, he even wanted to end the manga when Gohan killed Cell, but was pressured to keep going by the studio.

Actually, he wanted to end DBZ when Goku defeated Frieza. Goku was supposed to die when Planet Namek blew up. But, like you said, he was pressured into continuing DBZ.

[jd213]

The Bardock specials avaialble on Blu-ray were originally designed for 4:3 however, but of course Funimation still cropped them just like they did for the TV series box sets.

[Afrobean]

Originally Posted by SlmShdy1

Correct, the movies were designed for widescreen, but the image was still cropped. Originally they made the movies in a 1.33:1 aspect ratio but intentionally made it widescreen for the theatre releases. When they made the movies, they knew they would be cutting the top and bottom off. Daizex has a nice read about this.

See, I hate things like that. It puts a bad name on OAR, because when you compare the OAR to what gets broadcasted, the "black bars" really do hide part of the picture. I wish that "hidden" picture was stricken from the record and was never allowed to see the light of day.

If something is designed in a widescreen format and they want to broadcast it in 1.33:1, they need to figure out a way to pan-and-scan, not pull up additional peripheral footage that shouldn't even exist.

Actually, he wanted to end DBZ when Goku defeated Frieza. Goku was supposed to die when Planet Namek blew up. But, like you said, he was pressured into continuing DBZ.

I've never heard it told that way, but that would have been awfully poignant as well. I like the Cell Games idea though, because in having Gohan be the one to defeat Cell, it's like Goku had passed along the duty of protecting the Earth to his son.

[Batman00]

Originally Posted by Afrobean

I've never heard it told that way, but that would have been awfully poignant as well. I like the Cell Games idea though, because in having Gohan be the one to defeat Cell, it's like Goku had passed along the duty of protecting the Earth to his son.

I thought it was the best saga, it finally showed the hidden power Gohan had the whole time. Im watching GT right now and i just love the whole show in its entirety.

I love talking about DBZ as well, i was just watching when Goku got stuck in hell and had to fight Frieza and Cell and they were no match lol

[JamesKurtovich]

Originally Posted by RIKANA

I think that Funamation is waiting to see how well Dragon Ball does in the theaters.

Damn, I forgot all about the existence of that movie. The cast is an abomination and my expectations are extremely low.

[Blu-Curry]

Dragon Ball Z Blu-ray releases

I'm just wondering if anybody does indeed buy those Dragon Ball Z episode blu-rays. How are they? I've always been a fan of the show when i was a kid. My favourite section is the Cell Saga. Are the current ones worth buying? Thanks

[Batman1980]

You mean Dragon Ball Kai? They haven't even finished that show yet, not to mention I imagine it'll be a LONG time before FUNimation brings it over here on blu-ray.

[SlmShdy1]

They haven't released any of the episodes on Blu-ray yet, just movies. I've bought a few of the movies (waiting to buy the rest when I get money). I just wish there was an option to choose between 4:3 and 16:9. That's why I keep my old DVD's.

[MOONPHASE]

I pretty much have almost all of the movies and all of the tv specials that have come out to Blu-ray for DBZ. Like the reviewers say it does show it's age because after all DBZ is about as old as I am when you think about it so it does have film grain but not enough to distract you from enjoying it. Overall the only real complaint I have with them is the whole 4:3 image becoming a 16:9 image by cropping the top and bottom of the screen but adding more image on the sides(but I didn't notice as much cropping with the newer releases though).

[F-Man]

Correct me if I'm wrong but the Widescreen ratio is most likely the intended theatrical one. You know, composed for 1.85:1, protected for 1.33:1.

[MOONPHASE]

Originally Posted by F-Man

Correct me if I'm wrong but the Widescreen ratio is most likely the intended theatrical one. You know, composed for 1.85:1, protected for 1.33:1.

Well the current releases have all been 1.78.1 including the tv specials Bardock and History of Trunks for Blu-ray

[Kyo28]

I have the Japanese DVD releases for all these (which cost me a pretty penny, I might add). Given the fact that the only upgrade is the PQ and the people at Funimation were 'kind' enough to replace the original Japanese title screens and credits, I think for now I'll stick to my DVD's.

By the way, my DVD's are all 16:9 Letterbox, which was the original aspect ratio I presume?
http://www.toei-video.co.jp/DVD/sp21/dragonball.html

[MOONPHASE]

Originally Posted by Kyo28

I have the Japanese DVD releases for all these (which cost me a pretty penny, I might add). Given the fact that the only upgrade is the PQ and the people at Funimation were 'kind' enough to replace the original Japanese title screens and credits, I think for now I'll stick to my DVD's.

By the way, my DVD's are all 16:9 Letterbox, which was the original aspect ratio I presume?
http://www.toei-video.co.jp/DVD/sp21/dragonball.html

Well the upgrade is of the PQ and AQ(for English dub not Japanese dub unless you count that the Japanese music is upgraded just not the dialogue). Those Saiyan scouters look awesome.

[Kyo28]

Originally Posted by MOONPHASE

Well the upgrade is of the PQ and AQ(for English dub not Japanese dub unless you count that the Japanese music is upgraded just not the dialogue). Those Saiyan scouters look awesome.

Yeah well, I'm afraid the English dub doesn't mean much to me, as I'm used to watching Dragon Ball in Japanese and I don't think I would be able to get used to the English voices. Besides, the Japanese voices contain certain connotations that are hard to transfer to an English dub. So basically, for PQ would be the only reason.

Still about the aspect ratio, though, my DVD sets are as follows:
- Movie set (all theatrical movies)
- TV series part 1
- TV series part 2
The TV Specials are part of the TV series sets and not the theatrical movie sets. As such, those are in 4:3 aspect ratio, which was the original aspect ratio when they aired on TV I presume. The theatrical movies (which are 神龍の伝説 [Shenron no Densetsu] up to 最強への道 [Saikyou e no michi]) are in 16:9 LB.

So for the TV specials, Funimation cropped them to make them fit in a 16:9 ratio?

Also, any idea of the DB movies, including 1996's 最強への道 (Saikyou e no michi) will also be released on Blu-ray by Funimation?

[MOONPHASE]

Originally Posted by Kyo28

Yeah well, I'm afraid the English dub doesn't mean much to me, as I'm used to watching Dragon Ball in Japanese and I don't think I would be able to get used to the English voices. Besides, the Japanese voices contain certain connotations that are hard to transfer to an English dub. So basically, for PQ would be the only reason.

Still about the aspect ratio, though, my DVD sets are as follows:
- Movie set (all theatrical movies)
- TV series part 1
- TV series part 2
The TV Specials are part of the TV series sets and not the theatrical movie sets. As such, those are in 4:3 aspect ratio, which was the original aspect ratio when they aired on TV I presume. The theatrical movies (which are 神龍の伝説 [Shenron no Densetsu] up to 最強への道 [Saikyou e no michi]) are in 16:9 LB.

So for the TV specials, Funimation cropped them to make them fit in a 16:9 ratio?

Also, any idea of the DB movies, including 1996's 最強への道 (Saikyou e no michi) will also be released on Blu-ray by Funimation?

Was that the 10th anniversary Dragon Ball movie? Just checked and yes it was. Well Funimation doesn't have 100% full rights to Dragon Ball because they don't really own the 1st 13 episodes of Dragon Ball and they don't fully own the 1st Dragon Ball movie. So the answer to that question is they will release that 10th anniversary movie as soon as the current licensing from I believe Kidmark or whatever that company is called expires. Funimation does have full rights to the rest of the original Dragon Ball series and does own the movies for Dragon Ball 2nd, 3rd, and the 10th anniversary movie but thing is they probably want to give it the same treatment they did with DBZ and DBGT.

[kndy]

(Information on Double Broly which on video quality which they continue to use on newer Blu's): “DRAGON BALL Z” is featured in High Definition Widescreen at 1920 x 1080P. According to a flyer inside the case, there is information about the transfer and how the original Japanese film masters were transferred via an industry-standard Spirit DataCine, passing through a Digital Vision DVNR10000 to remove film grain and another round of processing using a Teranex VCooo video computer. These digital noise-reduction units helped to remove thousands of instances of dirt, scratches and debris.

The cleaned footage signal went through a da Vinci 2K Plus color system to ensure that the colors were true to the original film prints. The final media for transfer was Sony’s HDCAM, a high-definition digital tape.

With that being said, the audio for Double Broly was featured in DTS-HD and after that point the releases are now Dolby TrueHD 5.1.

I've been a hardcore "Dragon Ball Z" fan and early in my college years, I would watch what was coming out from Japan courtesy of the Japanese video rental store near my area. I would watch them in straight Japanese and absolutely loved the series. Back then during the old years of anime cons, we would have these "Dragon Ball Z" parties where we'd watch a marathon of these episodes back in the early 90's.

Anyway, if you are a DBZ fan and are buying the season box sets on DVD, it's hard not to get the Blu-rays because when you're hooked, you're hooked.

With that being said, I have had my opinions on the transfer. The first film (or two films) on Blu-ray was littered with scratches, dust, etc. If FUNimation's process couldn't clean that up, it gives further validity to what we knew of the anime industry back then that a lot of film for those classic television shows and films were in bad shape.

Definitely looking forward to watching the Fusion film on Blu and getting season 9 on DVD.

[MOONPHASE]

Originally Posted by kndy

“DRAGON BALL Z” is featured in High Definition Widescreen at 1920 x 1080P. According to a flyer inside the case, there is information about the transfer and how the original Japanese film masters were transferred via an industry-standard Spirit DataCine, passing through a Digital Vision DVNR10000 to remove film grain and another round of processing using a Teranex VCooo video computer. These digital noise-reduction units helped to remove thousands of instances of dirt, scratches and debris.

The cleaned footage signal went through a da Vinci 2K Plus color system to ensure that the colors were true to the original film prints. The final media for transfer was Sony’s HDCAM, a high-definition digital tape.

With that being said, when they first started, the audio was DTS-HD MA and now they are Dolby TrueHD 5.1.

I've been a hardcore "Dragon Ball Z" fan and early in my college years, I would watch what was coming out from Japan courtesy of the Japanese video rental store near my area. I would watch them in straight Japanese and absolutely loved the series. Back then during the old years of anime cons, we would have these "Dragon Ball Z" parties where we'd watch a marathon of these episodes back in the early 90's.

Anyway, if you are a DBZ fan and are buying the season box sets on DVD, it's hard not to get the Blu-rays because when you're hooked, you're hooked.

With that being said, I have had my opinions on the transfer. The first film (or two films) on Blu-ray was littered with scratches, dust, etc. If FUNimation's process couldn't clean that up, it gives further validity to what we knew of the anime industry back then that a lot of film for those classic television shows and films were in bad shape.

Definitely looking forward to watching the Fusion film on Blu and getting season 9 on DVD.

Correction it was DTS-HD HR not MA and that was only on the Broly double feature. Oh and I stopped getting the season boxsets that have been coming out after season 6.

[kndy]

Originally Posted by MOONPHASE

Correction it was DTS-HD HR not MA and that was only on the Broly double feature. Oh and I stopped getting the season boxsets that have been coming out after season 6.

Oops you're right on the audio. Curious, why did you stop after season 6?

Originally Posted by Kyo28

Also, any idea of the DB movies, including 1996's 最強への道 (Saikyou e no michi) will also be released on Blu-ray by Funimation?

That would be wonderful if they release this on Blu!

[[1080-p]]

nope