View Full Version : The Avengers - Definitive Dossier
Has anyone got these boxsets? If so what are they like? I've read that some of the R2 discs were lousy in terms of picture quality.
Also why have they started with 1967 are there any discs for the earlier series?
I have all three sets (fourth and last one out at the end of the month) and have to say I think they are excellent. The picture is very good given the age, as is the sound.
The extras are a little light (you get the same trailer on every disc although you cant buy the discs seperately!?) and there are no documetaries as such, which is a shame as I am sure there must have been countless programmes examining The Avengers over the years. But they do include several 10 second features per episode that were used either side of the ad breaks when the series was repeated on Granada Plus a few years back (to the extent that they have the 'Granada Plus' logo on the bottom left corner).
There are a few glitches though. The first set was released with a whole scene missing and was then re-released correctly so you need to ensure you dont get old stock, and I get the occasional problem with subtitles flashing up (which I get on a few discs - its a fault that seems to happen with my Sony 725). Also the soundtrack has an odd fault, but this is down to the age, and that Contender apparently cannot alter/clean-up the masters before they release them.
I am hoping they release the rest of the series. The back of the boxes have a list of years from 1961 to 1968 on them with 1967 highlighted so it looks like they may intend to. I guess these were put out first as they were the only colour series with Diana Rigg in and so the most marketable. The entire series is out in the US, but as bare bones releases, and in fact the 'Diana Rigg' box set was quite cheap on DeepDiscountDVD a few months back.
Lik Mearse
15-02-2002, 08:06
Fellow Sixties Crime Fighters,
I can tell you the differences between the R1/R2 Emma Peel discs.
I've done a side by side comparison - on the R1 discs the colours are garish - my wife wondered why Mrs. Peel had dyed her hair! On the R2 it's more natural - but still strong. Of course this is a series renowned for its bright settings, but I doubt anyone would prefer the R1 discs.
And now the clincher - the R2s have been remastered and cleaned up [how well, you can argue about] but the main thing is this - the R2s blow the grainy, scratchy, picture quality of the R1 discs away.
I'll say it again :
The R2 "Avengers" discs blow the grainy, scratchy, picture quality of the R1 discs away.
The R1s are cheaper, but the picture quality is a lot worse.
If you are a fan, the UK releases are the ones to go for, no question. I'd stake my leather catsuit on it.
Yours Avengingly,
Lik.
Portions of this posting have appeared previously, but I don't care.
carryonline
15-02-2002, 08:20
I had my first experience of poor DVD audio compression with the R1 Avengers discs. I bought (second hand, thankfully) the first 1967 box set and the sound was appalling - tinny and completely flat.
In all cases I'd say go for the R2 versions. Of the three R1 sets I had, none came close to the quality of R2.
Andy
jon smith
15-02-2002, 08:25
All of the Emma Peel and Tara King are out in France. Have both Emma Peel series (fantastic) and just need to start getting the Tara King episodes. I have to watch about another 6 Emma episodes before I spend though.
I have a couple of the R1 Honor Blackman discs, but the picture quality is understandably poor and I just can't get into them.
Cornelius
15-02-2002, 16:29
Well I've taken the plunge(not really a 'plunge' having read all the glowing reviews here) and ordered the Dif.Dos 1 and 2 R2 from Play.
cheers
Originally posted by Lik Mearse
I can tell you the differences between the R1/R2 Emma Peel discs.
I've done a side by side comparison - on the R1 discs the colours are garish - my wife wondered why Mrs. Peel had dyed her hair! On the R2 it's more natural - but still strong. Of course this is a series renowned for its bright settings, but I doubt anyone would prefer the R1 discs.
And now the clincher - the R2s have been remastered and cleaned up [how well, you can argue about] but the main thing is this - the R2s blow the grainy, scratchy, picture quality of the R1 discs away.
I'll say it again :
The R2 "Avengers" discs blow the grainy, scratchy, picture quality of the R1 discs away.
The R1s are cheaper, but the picture quality is a lot worse.
If you are a fan, the UK releases are the ones to go for, no question. I'd stake my leather catsuit on it.
Yours Avengingly,
Lik.
Portions of this posting have appeared previously, but I don't care.
IMO, picture quality is a) not the sole consideration when purchasing DVDs and b) all a matter of personal taste. I bought the first couple of R2 colour Emma Peel boxed sets and then replaced them with the R1s. Again, this is my humble opinion but I'm quite happy with my R1 discs - I do not find the picture to be "grainy" or "scratchy". The colours are vivid and rich, perfectly tuned into the programme's trippy trappings. I believe however that the recent R1 Tara King releases are disappointing in terms of picture quality and the French R2 releases are allegedly superior.
Again, IMHO, the claims made about the new "remastered" UKR2 releases have precious little basis in truth. There has been *no* genuine remastering on the British Avengers DVD range whatsoever. What Contender actually have done for their "Dossier" DVDs is simply to recycle the earlier French releases flaws and all. The French Emma Peel discs have been littered with authoring problems - subtitles flashing on despite being switched off on the main menu, a missing scene from the episode "Escape In Time" (sadly duplicated in the initial pressing of the UK discs, later corrected), audio encoding glitches, players locking up when the discs are played etc. All of these were reported to Contender as they began work on their DVD range but basically didn't properly check the material they were given by Canal+, the French company that presently owns all rights to The Avengers.
There have been problems reported on every UK Avengers DVD release on the Avengers Forum website and it seems that Contender are alienating the UK fanbase with every release. I honestly don't know if Contender will actually get to release any Tara King or Cathy Gale episodes. I certainly hope they can get over their teething troubles - they did recall and reinstate the missing scene from "Escape In Time" so it appears that their heart is in the right place. I could also direct you to the forum on Canal+'s official Avengers site for feedback on the French Peel discs - the King releases are reputed to be an improvement. But Canal+ didn't like their website being filled with complaints about their product and so deleted it! Picture quality may be an issue here, but if your player won't play the disc, then it's not really worth it!
In contrast, the R1 discs contain no such problems - there were some audio issues on early pressings but these have now been corrected. IMHO, the R1 Emma Peel Megabox Set represents the best value for money. Again, this is just MHO, but unlike their British/French counterparts, the American discs have been manufactured properly and will work on any player without fault. A major plus IMO, and one which puts them ahead of the competition in my book.
It's a shame overall, because I would've liked to put my faith into the British DVDs since The Avengers is such a quintessentially British programme. If Contender had been genuinely committed to releasing a quality product then they would've acted on the requests of UK fans "in the know" and dumped the French glass masters. If they'd simply "remastered and cleaned up" the PAL prints used to make their previous VHS releases, then I'm pretty sure we'd have a faultless range of UKR2 DVDs. I hope they improve when they release the next wave - the black and white Emmas - but at present the R2 discs are not much more than expensive coasters. Not "definitive dossiers" by any stretch of the imagination.
Lik Mearse
18-02-2002, 07:49
Originally posted by bengray
IMO, picture quality is a) not the sole consideration when purchasing DVDs.... I do not find the [R1] picture to be "grainy" or "scratchy".... at present the R2 discs are not much more than expensive coasters.
Fellow Double Agent,
I will politely disagree with you. I did an extensive A/B comparison between the R1 and R2 discs and was amazed at how poor the R1s were. Just check out the opening of "From Venus with Love" to see the battered print the R1 uses.
So, the UK releases just recycle the French ones? This is a big problem for you, but they are still better than the R1s! Yes, it would have been nice for the UK company to really go to town and start from scratch, but I wonder whether the British market could have supported their investment.
The R1s are cheaper - the R2s are better. But in a way, I'm pleased you disagree - I can show your post to the person I sold my R1 discs to and not feel embarrassed about conning them out of getting the UK equivalents... but then they might read the rest of the thread and put two and two together....!
I think I'll hang on to my "expensive coasters".
Yours Deviously,
Lik.
Sorry to keep flogging a deceased equine beast here...
[QUOTE]Originally posted by Lik Mearse
I did an extensive A/B comparison between the R1 and R2 discs and was [B]amazed at how poor the R1s were.
You seem to be under the impression that image is the sole be-all-and-end-all of good DVD presentation. It isn't. There's a whole range of other "quality" issues surrounding the R2 Avengers releases. I'm not disagreeing with your opinion of the R2 picture quality. I merely felt compelled to point out that your assertion that they have been "remastered and cleaned up" is factually incorrect.
"So, the UK releases just recycle the French ones? This is a big problem for you, but they are still better than the R1s!"
If you like your DVDs to be full of authoring glitches and have missing scenes for no apparent reason!!!
"Yes, it would have been nice for the UK company to really go to town and start from scratch, but I wonder whether the British market could have supported their investment."
Contender were fully appraised of all the gremlins in the French discs by Avengers fans and assurances were allegedly given that the UK range would be devoid of them. June 2001 comes along and the first boxed set comes out with all the French problems still intact! Most regrettably, the "tag" scene at the end of Escape In Time was completely missing despite being present on the UK VHS release. Although Contender showed their good intentions by recalling the discs and repressing them, inserting the tag scene from their VHS master, this was just plain incompetent and could've been quite easily avoided. However, the remastered first boxed set still contained all the other errors, as have all subsequent releases.
The UK DVDs have caused horrendous problems with some fans' players - subtitles being switched off and then flashing up again, inaudible dialogue, picture break-ups and in exteme cases, the player locking up altogether! If the discs play perfectly on your player, then you should consider yourself very fortunate! However, I don't believe that it's obtuse or disingenuous to expect a R2 disc to play fine on any R2/multi-region player! The general reputation of the UKR2 discs in more knowledgeable Avengers fan circles is that they are incredibly problematic. If anyone goes ahead and orders them, then good luck. I hope they play fine and that you're pleased with them. IMHO, buying the "Dossiers" is like playing Russian roulette with your DVD player - it's just not worth it!!!
IMO, the sole advantage the R2s have over the R1s is that if your player can handle them, they have more extras. Yet "The Strange Case Of The Missing Corpse" (US trailer for the forthcoming Emma Peel colour season), a cringe-inducing German TV interview with Patrick Macnee and Diana Rigg and "Girl About Town" (promo film introducing Linda Thorson as Tara King) are pretty insubstantial curios with little replay value. The R1s offer just the episodes themselves and a photo gallery on each disc but they'll work fine on your player. There have been *no* permanent problems whatsoever on these discs, and whatever issues were reported, have been corrected.
No-one was asking Contender to "really go to town" on their DVDs. They would merely have avoided time and expense in recalling the first lot of discs and presumably lost sales if they'd done a little restoration work on the VHS PAL masters already in their possession. Frankly, their release strategy makes a mockery of the phrase "quality checking."
"The R1s are cheaper - the R2s are better. But in a way, I'm pleased you disagree - I can show your post to the person I sold my R1 discs to and not feel embarrassed about conning them out of getting the UK equivalents... but then they might read the rest of the thread and put two and two together....!"
But this isn't the reason why I'm recommending them. Yes, they are less expensive but they're also, IMO, more reliable as not only is the picture and sound quality entirely acceptable, they've also been authored to a standard the R2s can only dream of.
It is not my intention to disagree for disagreement's sake or to antagonise (although, quite frankly, the fact that you've freely admitted to "conning" someone into buying discs you dislike does dent your credibility somewhat!). I feel that in a supportive environment like the forum, people should be made fully aware of *all* the issues surrounding The Avengers on DVD so they are able to make an informed purchase.
My overall take on The Avengers releases is that we're being short-changed all round - there is *no* ideal presentation of the series on DVD. The R2s are poorly manufactured but will work on some players and they do contain more extras. The R1s are pretty faultless in terms of technical production but are bare bones. Unless Carlton manage to get the rights to The Avengers following their superb releases of The Prisoner, Space: 1999 etc. (Sapphire And Steel out in the summer - terrific!), I don't think the show will ever get the red carpet DVD treatment it truly deserves.
Originally posted by PhilJW
Also the soundtrack has an odd fault, but this is down to the age, and that Contender apparently cannot alter/clean-up the masters before they release them.
The French studio only supplies Contender with the discs components, including pre-compressed video and audio so no further work can be done to clean them up or fix any faults.
jon smith
18-02-2002, 22:39
Bengray - I have to say I bought the French ones because of the better picture quality. Never had a problem with glitches.
You keep saying that they are bad cos there are scenes missing, when you mention the same one (not the end of the world surely).
I'm more than happy with the r2s
Lik Mearse
19-02-2002, 07:45
Originally posted by bengray
I'm not disagreeing with your opinion of the R2 picture quality.
Well, I'm glad we've got that straightened out!
The general reputation of the UKR2 discs in more knowledgeable Avengers fan circles is that they are incredibly problematic.
Then as a favour to this forum, using your insider "knowledge", kindly list all the players that are affected.
....quite frankly, the fact that you've freely admitted to "conning" someone into buying discs you dislike does dent your credibility somewhat!
I object most strongly to this great slur on my character! Handkerchiefs at dawn!
I use "con" in the very loose sense that any disc I sell because I don't like it is "conning" someone else. For them, it may be a bargain - especially if what they buy has not even been announced for UK release, as was the case here. If that destroys my "credibility", I shall wipe my face on an old sock, though I don't see how being a Shyster disqualifies you from rating DVD quality for the benefit of other parties.
My footwear awaits your response.
Yours Fragrantly-Visaged,
Lik.
Originally posted by jon smith
"Bengray - I have to say I bought the French ones because of the better picture quality. Never had a problem with glitches."
Which is why I wrote that buying the R2 discs (either British or French) is like playing Russian roulette. They'll work perfectly on some players, throw horrible wobblies on others. I'm actually seriously contemplating buying the first French Tara King set and if that's okay, I'll get the lot from Amazon.fr.
"You keep saying that they are bad cos there are scenes missing, when you mention the same one (not the end of the world surely)."
Just one missing scene - especially one of the trademark "tag" sequences (and IMO, Escape In Time features one of the best) - is enough to raise my eyebrows. If it's on VHS, there's no excuse for not making it on DVD straight away. It's jarring and spoils my own *personal* enjoyment of the episode. Just a hypothetical question: don't you think that the impact of The Forget-Me Knot might be just a little diminished if the last scene was absent. You know, the one where Emma says goodbye to Steed and Tara is introduced as his new partner?
"I'm more than happy with the r2s"
Good. Very pleased to hear that the R2 discs work fine for you and that you're happy with your purchase. I'm just trying to point out the issues surrounding the R2 releases and people can then make up their own minds.
Originally posted by Lik Mearse
Then as a favour to this forum, using your insider "knowledge", kindly list all the players that are affected.
Check out http://theavengers.tv/forever/dvd_showdown.htm
Reported incompatible players with the British/French Avengers
discs:
LG 3030
Minato G1
Some Pioneer models
Samsung 909
Sony 536D
Toshiba 2109, 3107 & SD100E
IMHO, a well-manufactured, good value for money R2 DVD should be able to play without fault on *any* R2/multi-region player. Full stop.
R1 - No incompatible players reported.
Originally posted by Lik Mearse
though I don't see how being a Shyster disqualifies you from rating DVD quality for the benefit of other parties.
My footwear awaits your response.
If you have any constructive additional points you'd like to make, I'd be very pleased to read them.
Cornelius
19-02-2002, 21:35
Well I've cancelled my order for the R2 vol 1 +2. I asked about these sets a few months ago and the jury was out then. It looks like things are still inconclusive. Just have to sit on my hands until things are a bit clearer.
jon smith
20-02-2002, 07:54
Originally posted by Cornelius
Well I've cancelled my order for the R2 vol 1 +2. I asked about these sets a few months ago and the jury was out then. It looks like things are still inconclusive. Just have to sit on my hands until things are a bit clearer.
Surely with the 2 for £25 at HMV it not much of a risk.
Bengray is obviously a big fan and know his stuff, but he is melodramatic about the whole thing. Always saying about the "missing scenes", when there is only one, which has now been put back onto the disc.
If the r2 works on your player (if it doesn't just take it back) then at the HMV prices they are the way to go (and as cheap, if not cheaper than region 1).
Originally posted by jon smith
Surely with the 2 for £25 at HMV it not much of a risk.
Bengray is obviously a big fan and know his stuff, but he is melodramatic about the whole thing. Always saying about the "missing scenes", when there is only one, which has now been put back onto the disc.
If the r2 works on your player (if it doesn't just take it back) then at the HMV prices they are the way to go (and as cheap, if not cheaper than region 1).
Hi Jon,
Apologies if I've come across as manic/melodramatic. "Missing scenes" was a generalisation but despite the Escape In Time tag being reinstated on the UKR2 release, there are still authoring problems with the discs which IMO have not been adequately addressed. Overall, I feel that the UKR2 releases in their present form are just a massive missed opportunity. My disappointment with the discs does not lie in the errors themselves (which as you've said is not the end of the world) but in the fact that they could've been so easily avoided if a bit more time and care had been spent on them.
jon smith
20-02-2002, 18:01
Originally posted by bengray
Hi Jon,
Apologies if I've come across as manic/melodramatic. "Missing scenes" was a generalisation but despite the Escape In Time tag being reinstated on the UKR2 release, there are still authoring problems with the discs which IMO have not been adequately addressed. Overall, I feel that the UKR2 releases in their present form are just a massive missed opportunity. My disappointment with the discs does not lie in the errors themselves (which as you've said is not the end of the world) but in the fact that they could've been so easily avoided if a bit more time and care had been spent on them.
Let's face it, if everybody agreed this place would be incredibly dull. The r2 releases serve my needs, but then you sound a bigger fan than me. The HMV offer makes the r2 the cheapest option at the mo as well. Although the phone box(sets) at amazon.fr look very nice. (if I had the money i'd get them as well).
So, might as well pick your brain. What seen is missing from Escape in Time (is that the Peter Bowles episode?). Let me know what's missing, cos I want to check my Frenchie release... (what is the tag bit you refer to).
Originally posted by jon smith
Let's face it, if everybody agreed this place would be incredibly dull. The r2 releases serve my needs, but then you sound a bigger fan than me. The HMV offer makes the r2 the cheapest option at the mo as well. Although the phone box(sets) at amazon.fr look very nice. (if I had the money i'd get them as well).
So, might as well pick your brain. What seen is missing from Escape in Time (is that the Peter Bowles episode?). Let me know what's missing, cos I want to check my Frenchie release... (what is the tag bit you refer to).
The "tag" scenes are present on all colour Emma Peel episodes from "From Venus With Love" to "Who's Who?" (the first production block of the colour season) along with a "teaser" scene where Steed informs Emma, "Mrs. Peel - we're needed."
For some reason, for the second production block ("Death's Door" to "Mission: Highly Improbable" - Emma's farewell "The Forget Me Knot" was actually filmed after a couple of Tara King episodes had already been made) they were discontinued. They usually take place in Emma's red studio flat where she and Steed discuss their latest assignment.
"Escape In Time" features a scene where Steed takes Emma out for dinner - the French release, I believe, just has the episode finishing after our heroes deck Peter Bowles and his henchman and depart his HQ. Mrs. Peel is wearing a purple "period" dress. Hope that helps.
Yes, I agree the new phone box style French sets look wonderful - pity about the discs inside however!!
Cornelius
20-02-2002, 21:09
Originally posted by jon smith
Surely with the 2 for £25 at HMV it not much of a risk.
Bengray is obviously a big fan and know his stuff, but he is melodramatic about the whole thing. Always saying about the "missing scenes", when there is only one, which has now been put back onto the disc.
If the r2 works on your player (if it doesn't just take it back) then at the HMV prices they are the way to go (and as cheap, if not cheaper than region 1).
Thanks, I don't go into HMV much. I've got a Sony player and as you say if the discs don't work I can take them back. Sound suggestion.
Lik Mearse
22-02-2002, 09:36
Fellow Contenders,
the most amusing aspect of the excellent-if-they-play-on-your-machine R2s is the "Follow the Bowler Hat" "commentary". I see that the egostistical* wind-bag Dave Rogers now gets a box credit for this.
You can access this feature directly from one of the menus instead of having to watch the episode with it enabled, which will save you time having to sit through all that boring stuff with Steed and co. Thus you can get straight to such gems as the one when Warren Mitchell appears :
"Warren Mitchell was a star of 'Till Death Us Do Part"
or the truly stunning piece of background info for Peter Cushing :
"Peter Cushing appeared in many Hammer films as Dr. Frankenstein."
Thank goodness we have an expert available to fill in the blanks, eh?
*This is the guy who wrote in one of his fanzine editorials :
"I 'phoned Patrick McNee the other day - it was a personal call...."
Yours Small-headedly,
Lik.
Anyone interested in this might want to know that Benson's World are doing the 1963/64 Definitive Dossier for 29.99. I took the plunge and decided to order this. Good price.
Rex Trueform
26-06-2003, 11:47
Originally posted by TinTin
Anyone interested in this might want to know that Benson's World are doing the 1963/64 Definitive Dossier for 29.99. I took the plunge and decided to order this. Good price.
'Tis indeed a jolly good price, but it would seem that HMV have now bested it, with the set on offer at £25, according to a post by Maringo in this thread (http://www.thedvdforums.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=202181). :)
The Deejatron
26-06-2003, 12:31
Is the Cathy Gale set that is available for £25 of good quality? I'm thinking about getting this as a present for quite a big Avengers fan and was hoping someone here could give me the low down. Are all the episodes complete - there aren't any missing bit like some earlier releases are there? What about picture and sound quality? Is the quality reasonable?
Thanks to anyone who can help
Deejatron
The UK 1963/64 Cathy Gale set is very good value. The episodes are complete, look and sound pretty good considering their age and are well worth the money.
The 1962/63 Cathy Gale episodes are so far only available in France, and the French Cathy releases are apparently a vast improvement on the duff Emma Peel/Tara King releases.
Cornelius
26-06-2003, 16:35
Originally posted by Rex Trueform
'Tis indeed a jolly good price, but it would seem that HMV have now bested it, with the set on offer at £25, according to a post by Maringo in this thread (http://www.thedvdforums.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=202181). :) That right. I'm happy to report that I just picked up a copy for the princely sum of 24.99. :thumbs:
Mark Orme
26-06-2003, 17:07
HMV also has the NEW Avengers boxset for £24.99.
Originally posted by bengray
The UK 1963/64 Cathy Gale set is very good value. The episodes are complete, look and sound pretty good considering their age and are well worth the money.
The 1962/63 Cathy Gale episodes are so far only available in France, and the French Cathy releases are apparently a vast improvement on the duff Emma Peel/Tara King releases.
I was reading that some releases have had compatibility problems, does this apply to the Cathy Gale releases? I have a Pioneer 636D.
The Cathy Gale releases are fine.
It's only the Emma Peel releases that have authoring problems.
Originally posted by bengray
The Cathy Gale releases are fine.
It's only the Emma Peel releases that have authoring problems.
What is the R1 mega box set like?
Originally posted by ljp
What is the R1 mega box set like?
Edited
Originally posted by Adamant
Edited
Explain??????
Is it a worthwhile purchase compared to buying many R2 boxes?
Cornelius
27-06-2003, 00:35
Originally posted by ljp
Explain??????
Is it a worthwhile purchase compared to buying many R2 boxes? Have you even read the beginning of this thread?
If you have a decent player, you should have no problems with the 1967 R2 discs. And they are 12.99 each in HMV at the moment so work out cheaper.
The R1 edits are small and few but annoying and only affect Cathy Gale and B&W Emma Peel episodes.
Not true. There have been problems reported with several different manufacturers' players re. the UKR2 Emma Peel discs. See overleaf.
Originally posted by ljp
What is the R1 mega box set like?
Authored to a higher standard than the UK releases and very good value for money.
Lik Mearse
27-06-2003, 10:43
Originally posted by bengray
Authored to a higher standard than the UK releases and very good value for money.
Fellow Crime-Fighters,
Oh no it isn't! :D :wave:
Yours Jocularly,
Lik.
Originally posted by Cornelius
Have you even read the beginning of this thread?
I have but as the posts above this show no-one has a definitive answer do they?
I'll just get the cheapest discs I reckon. I suppose the quality issue depends on the kit you've got and I havent really got that much stuff anyway - just some Denon kit ;)
Originally posted by Lik Mearse
Fellow Crime-Fighters,
Oh no it isn't! :D :wave:
Yours Jocularly,
Lik.
Yes it is!
The R1 players have had no compatibility problems reported with any make of player - unlike the R2s.
Lik, the only opinion you have is of the picture quality which I'm not really convinced by. You've already been proved wrong about the quality of the R2 discs, which should work with no problems on *any* DVD player but they don't.
Cornelius
27-06-2003, 12:58
Originally posted by ljp
I have but as the posts above this show no-one has a definitive answer do they?and that's why I presume you got the 'Edit' reply. ;)
..But then again I could be wrong only Adamant can provide a definitive answer as to his/her reply.
John Mardaljevic
27-06-2003, 18:57
I found the Emma Peel R1 box set acceptable. In fact, the quality of some of the episodes was far better than I had expected. Caveat - only 2/3 of the way through the 50-odd episodes in the set. Unlike movies of a similar, or older, vintage, I don't have a clear impression of what 'benchmark' quality might be. Nonetheless, whatever the ultimate in DVD quality that is attainable from the source material, the R1 edition provides great entertainment and very good value.
It'll be purely academic which damn set is the best in a few months, as Contender's licence for "The Avengers" has lapsed and owners Canal Plus are pulling the plug on further international releases (according to Avengers fan sites). A&E's releases may also be affected.
The R2 releases are excellent (in spite of a few minor problems). With various sales including discs at knockdown prices (see HMV's current sale), you won't buy them cheaper and it may be your last chance because reissues look unlikely.
B&W UK R2 releases are very obviously higher in resolution. The R1 releases appear far softer. For the 1967 colour discs, both have compression artefacts so there isn't much to choose from apart from do you want extras or assurance they will work? Then if you go for the megaset R1, do you want cuts and incorrect director/writer credits in the B&W season?
The Uk region 2 discs play almost fine in, of all things, a Wharefedale 750. If your player has no problems with branching or unrequested subtitles, these discs will be fine. I noticed a lot of new cheaper players bring up branches and subtitles unrequested anyway, whatever the discs.
French R2 is a total no-go, except for their 1962 boxed set.
Where do I get my knowledge from? Is it worth listening to? Well, I did buy both! :dork:
But who wants my R1 discs on ebay? :D
Cornelius
27-06-2003, 23:31
Originally posted by jmoates
...you won't buy them cheaper and it may be your last chance because reissues look unlikely. Why do you say that?
Contender's licence to issue anything Avengers related has expired. They are selling off remaining stock.
Ed Parsons
28-06-2003, 09:46
I've got all of Contender's R2 'Avengers' releases and am very happy with them despite some minor flaws. If you're based in the UK and intend to invest in 'Avengers' episodes then I recommend buying the R2 sets whilst they're going cheap. The Honor Blackman series is selling at HMV for £25 and the Emma Peel / Tara King sets are selling for around £10 / £13.
Cornelius
28-06-2003, 15:34
Originally posted by Adamant
Contender's licence to issue anything Avengers related has expired. They are selling off remaining stock. But what's stopping someone else from picking up the licence?
Would you buy the licence from a collapsing French media conglomerate for a TV show that's already got most the DVD sales it is likely to get?
CrazyHorse
28-06-2003, 16:28
Having recently bought the Cathy gale set from Bensonsworld (wish I'd waited a week as I could have saved myself a fiver at HMV :oh-hum: ) and got the final 2 volumes of Tara King on their way from HMVonline (there are only 4 double disc Tara sets, aren't there?), my Avengers R2 collection is finally up to date.
So what episodes - if any - are left to release here in UK R2 land and what are the chances of them getting a release now that Contender's licence has expired?
For instance, how many of the very early shows with Ian Hendry still exist and are they of reasonable quality, pic/sound wise?
Cornelius
28-06-2003, 17:03
Originally posted by Adamant
Would you buy the licence from a collapsing French media conglomerate for a TV show that's already got most the DVD sales it is likely to get? erm...
I get your point.
I was hoping against hope I wouldn't have to buy them all at once but now that the 'clock is ticking' I guess I'll have to buy the lot in one hit. Fortunatley I picked up the Cathy Gale Box set in the HMV sale. I didn't bother to see how much the rest of the series' were, but I reckon it'll cost between £150 and £200 to complete the set.
Ed Parsons
28-06-2003, 18:10
Originally posted by CrazyHorse
So what episodes - if any - are left to release here in UK R2 land and what are the chances of them getting a release now that Contender's licence has expired? For instance, how many of the very early shows with Ian Hendry still exist and are they of reasonable quality, pic/sound wise?
'Avengers' episodes not yet released on DVD in the UK:
2 x First Season stories starring Ian Hendry
'The Frighteners' and 'Girl On A Trapeze'. It is also reported that approx. 20 minutes worth of material from the first ever story 'Hot Snow' has recently been found.
26 x Second Season stories starring Honor Blackman, Julie Stevens and Jon Rollason
You can currently import a box set from France featuring the entire second season and the Ian Hendry story 'The Frighteners'.
There are rumours that the R1 releases will end next year with the remaining unreleased episodes.
I'm going R1 to complete my collection because my distrust of Canal minus (they are to blame for any faults on the R2 discs and dodgy remastering over all regions) overrides the urge to get the early videotaped seasons in non standards converted PAL.
I've just picked up every Avengers dvd's that HMV had on sale and I've got the 1963/64 set thru to the 1968 set. How many dvd's were there per year as some have 5 discs per year and some 8 disc per year. What I want to know is have I got eveything that's available in R2?
thanks TT
Originally posted by TinTin
I've just picked up every Avengers dvd's that HMV had on sale and I've got the 1963/64 set thru to the 1968 set. How many dvd's were there per year as some have 5 discs per year and some 8 disc per year. What I want to know is have I got eveything that's available in R2?
thanks TT
Look at my thread on the avengers in the region comparison forum. To save anyone re-typing the same answer!
Mark Orme
03-07-2003, 17:04
Originally posted by TinTin
I've just picked up every Avengers dvd's that HMV had on sale and I've got the 1963/64 set thru to the 1968 set. How many dvd's were there per year as some have 5 discs per year and some 8 disc per year. What I want to know is have I got eveything that's available in R2?
thanks TT
That's everything at the moment. The picture on the spine of all the boxes should show you if there's any missing, as the pictures spread across all the boxes available including the New Avengers set.
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