Buffy on iTunes?? Quality?

[RickWJ324]

I'm wondering how the itunes copy of Buffy: The Complete Series compares to the dvd's? Is it better/worse/same? Thanks

[Sukie]

I haven't seen the DVD's in quite some time, but the iTunes set seems to be rather the same in most spots and I think a bit worse in other spots. The very beginning of the intro was bad, the beginning act before the musically intro was a bit darker in some spots and from the musical intro to the rest of the episode seem to be the same as the DVD in my opinion.

[XanderAE]

I think people should check out the episode “Where the Wild Things Are” and confirm what they see. I keep watching the preview and am convinced it looks HD, but when previewing other episodes (same season and others) they’re definitely SD. Strange one!

[Rik1138]

Interesting, I have a different experience. The preview for Wild Things looks horrible... Clearly streaming-quality compressed SD. As does episode 16, 17, 20 and 21 from that same season... Basically what I'd expect.
New Moon Rising however, looks to be from an HD source (the preview part at least...). Look at the screen shots below. The first is Wild Things, the second is New Moon Rising. Taken from a full-screen (1080p) playback, and Jpeg'd with the same level of compression. Worlds of difference in quality...





If I resize that second one to SD, then back to HD, there's a lot of detail missing... The first one barely changes.

Of course, if it's the crappy HD conversions referenced here:
https://www.facebook.com/notes/buffy...90282824407343

I'd stay FAR away from them... Seeing that they all have been (horribly) converted to 16x9, I think the DVDs are much better option...

[XanderAE]

Sorry guys, got confused. It must have been New Moon Rising..:

[mulscul]

are all the buffy episodes still in the original 1:33 ratio? I previewed some clips from season 6 and they were full 1:78 so I wonder if the later seasons are from the new HD transfer in SD if purchased. Thanks

[CatBus]

Originally Posted by mulscul

are all the buffy episodes still in the original 1:33 ratio? I previewed some clips from season 6 and they were full 1:78 so I wonder if the later seasons are from the new HD transfer in SD if purchased. Thanks

A 1.78:1 episode from season 4 or later could be either SD- or HD-sourced.

There are plenty of places talking about the botched Buffy HD remasters, with screencaps, to help you determine which one you're dealing with.

Season 6 is better-looking in HD than some of the other seasons, so the easiest way to figure it out is to check the framing:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?...5894225&type=3

The tighter framing is the HD remaster. The wider framing is the 1.78:1 open-matte SD versions.

I honestly just recommend buying the DVDs. Sadly they are the pinnacle of Buffy quality.