Gerry Anderson's UFO - June 14th - Blu-ray Forum

The Limey · 06-10-2012, 08:47 AM

1 disc each

box 3 disc

Gob smacking news for fans of this classic TV series from Gerry Anderson - Day One buy for me...

HotRats · 06-10-2012, 09:16 AM

Could be a bit pricey, it'll take three sets at 9 episodes per set - €75 in total.

Its to be hoped Amazon have made an error, if 9 episodes really are on one disc picture quality will be awful. I'll hold out for reviews and hopefully Network will do a UK issue.

If you feed the Amazon page through Google translate it comes up with this:

Quote:

In a lunar station, meanwhile, are waiting to Ladies exciting space suits on Starkers commands

The Limey · 06-10-2012, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HotRats

Could be a bit pricey, it'll take three sets at 9 episodes per set - €75 in total.

Its to be hoped Amazon have made an error, if 9 episodes really are on one disc picture quality will be awful. I'll hold out for reviews and hopefully Network will do a UK issue.

If you feed the Amazon page through Google translate it comes up with this:

I notice that they also refer to it as a DVD and according to Bluray-disc.de the audio options are not even specified yet, so I guess this is still breaking news as far as detail goes...
Do Network hold the UK rights though - I thought ITV held these still?

The Limey · 06-10-2012, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HotRats

If you feed the Amazon page through Google translate it comes up with this:

It is nice to see that Google translations remain as hilarious as ever though

HotRats · 06-10-2012, 09:32 AM

I've no idea who owns the rights, its just that I'd like Network to do a UK edition after their excellent work on other old TV series.

If you're a UFO fan keep an eye out for Product Enterprise's diecasts of Skydiver, three SHADO mobiles, a UFO/Interceptor pack and a Gay Ellis figure. Deleted a few years ago and getting pricey. Product Enterprise's successor company Sixteen 12 has done an edition of 50 Interceptor prop replicas, 27 inches long but a far from cheap £1200. More reasonably priced are some very highly detailed and well painted small plastic models by Konami, easily found on ebay.

The Limey · 06-10-2012, 09:42 AM

Network's release of UFO Series 2, ermm I mean Space 1999 was absolutely superb. I would love to see what they could do with UFO but I think ITV still have the rights though.

I saw those collectibles a while back - they look superb but for a price though.
I just wish as a kid I had taken care of my toy Interceptors and Mobiles a bit better though!

Jerome · 06-10-2012, 04:30 PM

be careful, there are cropped HD masters for UFO
http://ufoseries.com/hdtv/index.html

Jerome · 06-10-2012, 04:35 PM

and they announced 9 episodes on 1 disc. Probably only SD masters. Impossible to have HD with 9 episodes/disc

The Limey · 06-10-2012, 05:27 PM

I have just checked their Space 1999 release and that definitely has SD episodes crammed together on one disc. Not good but this is now a bust for me... Why on earth release SD on an HD format?

Indiana Jones · 06-11-2012, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Limey

I have just checked their Space 1999 release and that definitely has SD episodes crammed together on one disc. Not good but this is now a bust for me... Why on earth release SD on an HD format?

I remember people on here and other forums actually asking for exactly that so they could have an entire TV series on a single disc instead of 6/7 DVD's.

The Limey · 06-12-2012, 07:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Indiana Jones

I remember people on here and other forums actually asking for exactly that so they could have an entire TV series on a single disc instead of 6/7 DVD's.

I will definitely pass!

billyearle · 07-16-2012, 09:39 AM

definitely a let down about the SD. Already ordered vol. 1 before reading this. At least I never bought the DVDs so this isn't a total loss for me. Love that pilot episode! And may get tempted to buy the other 2 volumes, as I only got as far as renting episode 13 before moving to Japan.
Edit: Watched the pilot, video quality is no better than the DVDs, maybe worse (I have a different system now). Hopefully A&E could do a proper HD release like they did with Space 1999.

billyearle · 12-23-2012, 07:29 AM

There is a new true HD BD release available on Amazon.jp. Like many Japanese BDs it is quite expensive, ￥24500. It is a limited edition and the packaging looks awesome. It is a new HD restoration from the original 35mm negatives, in original aspect ratio, with 5.1 and mono tracks. I couldn't resist.
I read that they have exclusive rites on the show until 2014, so who knows how long until there is a US or UK release.
I will have it by Christmas, but I read some customer reviews on Amazon.jp and AV Forum and they are all very positive. There is also a video commercial for the BD with some DVD/BD comparisons.
And the box cover has an awesome pic of "Gay", the hot purple haired chick, in the stripped down silver dressing-room outfit from the pilot episode! (the white haired dude is on the flipside, but I'll choose the other side as my "front")
There are also a lot of extras & deleted scenes. From posts on AV forum the release is English user friendly.

I may have some buyers regret over the price, but at least I live in Japan so I don't have to worry about the weak dollar or shipping/customs.

HotRats · 12-23-2012, 02:01 PM

I'm tempted even at that insane price but there are a couple of things to look out for. Burnt in subs - the Columbo box had removable subs but signs had burnt in subs. Does the episode Long Sleep have the flashbacks correctly tinted sepia? The SHADO Secret File extra originated on Japanese laserdiscs so don't expect English subs. Apparently the episode Ordeal has a mastering fault and goes from 4:3 to 16:9 for about 50 seconds https://www.facebook.com/ufotvseries

billyearle · 12-25-2012, 04:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HotRats

I'm tempted even at that insane price but there are a couple of things to look out for. Burnt in subs - the Columbo box had removable subs but signs had burnt in subs. Does the episode Long Sleep have the flashbacks correctly tinted sepia? The SHADO Secret File extra originated on Japanese laserdiscs so don't expect English subs. Apparently the episode Ordeal has a mastering fault and goes from 4:3 to 16:9 for about 50 seconds https://www.facebook.com/ufotvseries

According to the AVforum review the subtitles are removeable. I did read that the flashbacks in that episode are B&W rather than sepia, but this was not a deal breaker, especially when the German SD BD looks so dissapointingly bad I couldn't watch past the pilot episode. I also read on AVF about that brief mastering fault where an episode switches aspect ratio for about 50 seconds. I thought the 2 cons listed above were FAR outweighed by the pros. The person who pointed them out was still beyond happy with his purchase. And who knows if and when we will ever get a domestic BD. At least it can't possibly be till after 2014 due to copyright.
I recieved my copy today and only had time to enjoy the book and packaging. The book is full of nice color pics. But I will have a chance to actually watch some late tonight and will try to report back. I think there are enough extras in English to offset the ones that may only be in Japanese, we'll see.

HotRats · 12-28-2012, 08:14 AM

I was tempted even at that amazing price but that widescreen mastering error is something even a budget release would have been recalled for.

Sad news about Gerry Anderson, R.I.P.

billyearle · 12-30-2012, 06:23 AM

Gerry Anderson R.I.P. At least he had a full and fairly long life.
I don't blame anyone for passing on this Japanese UFO set due to price. I just couldn't resist, and was really jonesing for it after the poor German release, and watching Flash Gordon (1980) again recently.
I've only watched the first four episodes, but it looks beautiful. Depending on your TV's calibration, the color may look less saturated than the DVD, but just increasing the black level a notch (aka reducing "brightness" control), and then increasing the "contrast" (white level) a few notches to remedy any resultant loss in detail, and it is total eye-candy. (also turning the contrast to 0 worked for me, but this is probably irrellevant.) Anyway, with a probperly calibrated set it should look very filmic and lovely.
The 2 flaws mentioned with this release are, though unfortanate, negligible compared to how great it looks, and that it is not likely to have another release soon. The price is the biggest deterent, but for falling in love with the show again, it was worth it.

06-10-2012, 08:47 AM	#1
The Limey Active Member Member since:Jan 2011	Gerry Anderson's UFO - June 14th 1 disc each box 3 disc Gob smacking news for fans of this classic TV series from Gerry Anderson - Day One buy for me... Last edited by Deciazulado; 06-28-2012 at 10:50 AM.

07-16-2012, 09:39 AM	#12
billyearle Special Member Top contributor Member since:Feb 2012 Location:semi-rural Japan 4K collection:3 Blu-ray collection:2837 DVD collection:470 Blu-ray reviews: 5	definitely a let down about the SD. Already ordered vol. 1 before reading this. At least I never bought the DVDs so this isn't a total loss for me. Love that pilot episode! And may get tempted to buy the other 2 volumes, as I only got as far as renting episode 13 before moving to Japan. Edit: Watched the pilot, video quality is no better than the DVDs, maybe worse (I have a different system now). Hopefully A&E could do a proper HD release like they did with Space 1999. Last edited by billyearle; 07-20-2012 at 05:44 AM.

12-23-2012, 07:29 AM	#13
billyearle Special Member Top contributor Member since:Feb 2012 Location:semi-rural Japan 4K collection:3 Blu-ray collection:2837 DVD collection:470 Blu-ray reviews: 5	New Japan Ltd. true HD BD release! There is a new true HD BD release available on Amazon.jp. Like many Japanese BDs it is quite expensive, ￥24500. It is a limited edition and the packaging looks awesome. It is a new HD restoration from the original 35mm negatives, in original aspect ratio, with 5.1 and mono tracks. I couldn't resist. I read that they have exclusive rites on the show until 2014, so who knows how long until there is a US or UK release. I will have it by Christmas, but I read some customer reviews on Amazon.jp and AV Forum and they are all very positive. There is also a video commercial for the BD with some DVD/BD comparisons. And the box cover has an awesome pic of "Gay", the hot purple haired chick, in the stripped down silver dressing-room outfit from the pilot episode! (the white haired dude is on the flipside, but I'll choose the other side as my "front") There are also a lot of extras & deleted scenes. From posts on AV forum the release is English user friendly. I may have some buyers regret over the price, but at least I live in Japan so I don't have to worry about the weak dollar or shipping/customs. Last edited by billyearle; 12-23-2012 at 07:55 AM. Reason: remembered her hair was purple, not blue.

12-30-2012, 06:23 AM	#17
billyearle Special Member Top contributor Member since:Feb 2012 Location:semi-rural Japan 4K collection:3 Blu-ray collection:2837 DVD collection:470 Blu-ray reviews: 5	Gerry Anderson R.I.P. At least he had a full and fairly long life. I don't blame anyone for passing on this Japanese UFO set due to price. I just couldn't resist, and was really jonesing for it after the poor German release, and watching Flash Gordon (1980) again recently. I've only watched the first four episodes, but it looks beautiful. Depending on your TV's calibration, the color may look less saturated than the DVD, but just increasing the black level a notch (aka reducing "brightness" control), and then increasing the "contrast" (white level) a few notches to remedy any resultant loss in detail, and it is total eye-candy. (also turning the contrast to 0 worked for me, but this is probably irrellevant.) Anyway, with a probperly calibrated set it should look very filmic and lovely. The 2 flaws mentioned with this release are, though unfortanate, negligible compared to how great it looks, and that it is not likely to have another release soon. The price is the biggest deterent, but for falling in love with the show again, it was worth it. Last edited by billyearle; 01-04-2013 at 04:47 AM.

06-10-2012, 09:32 AM	#5
HotRats Blu-ray Ninja Member since:Mar 2009	I've no idea who owns the rights, its just that I'd like Network to do a UK edition after their excellent work on other old TV series. If you're a UFO fan keep an eye out for Product Enterprise's diecasts of Skydiver, three SHADO mobiles, a UFO/Interceptor pack and a Gay Ellis figure. Deleted a few years ago and getting pricey. Product Enterprise's successor company Sixteen 12 has done an edition of 50 Interceptor prop replicas, 27 inches long but a far from cheap £1200. More reasonably priced are some very highly detailed and well painted small plastic models by Konami, easily found on ebay.

06-10-2012, 09:42 AM	#6
The Limey Active Member Member since:Jan 2011	Network's release of UFO Series 2, ermm I mean Space 1999 was absolutely superb. I would love to see what they could do with UFO but I think ITV still have the rights though. I saw those collectibles a while back - they look superb but for a price though. I just wish as a kid I had taken care of my toy Interceptors and Mobiles a bit better though!

06-10-2012, 04:30 PM	#7
Jerome Blu-ray Insider Member since:Dec 2008 4K collection:200 Blu-ray collection:1416	be careful, there are cropped HD masters for UFO http://ufoseries.com/hdtv/index.html

06-10-2012, 04:35 PM	#8
Jerome Blu-ray Insider Member since:Dec 2008 4K collection:200 Blu-ray collection:1416	and they announced 9 episodes on 1 disc. Probably only SD masters. Impossible to have HD with 9 episodes/disc

06-10-2012, 05:27 PM	#9
The Limey Active Member Member since:Jan 2011	I have just checked their Space 1999 release and that definitely has SD episodes crammed together on one disc. Not good but this is now a bust for me... Why on earth release SD on an HD format?

12-23-2012, 02:01 PM	#14
HotRats Blu-ray Ninja Member since:Mar 2009	I'm tempted even at that insane price but there are a couple of things to look out for. Burnt in subs - the Columbo box had removable subs but signs had burnt in subs. Does the episode Long Sleep have the flashbacks correctly tinted sepia? The SHADO Secret File extra originated on Japanese laserdiscs so don't expect English subs. Apparently the episode Ordeal has a mastering fault and goes from 4:3 to 16:9 for about 50 seconds https://www.facebook.com/ufotvseries

12-28-2012, 08:14 AM	#16
HotRats Blu-ray Ninja Member since:Mar 2009	I was tempted even at that amazing price but that widescreen mastering error is something even a budget release would have been recalled for. Sad news about Gerry Anderson, R.I.P.

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