Also this morning, we have an update for you on Madman Entertainment’s forthcoming Region B Blu-ray release of Universal’s Buck Rogers in the 25th Century TV series (due on 8/17). Madman tells us they’ve committed to releasing the best possible set they can afford to, given the high production costs and tight margins they face, which is why this is a limited release. This isn’t a full digital restoration – Universal sadly hasn’t paid to do one, only to scan the original episodes in HD. But Madmen tells us that the episodes still look great overall. There’s just the occasional scratch and blemish to contend with. They unfortunately don’t have the budget to approach Gil Gerard and Erin Gray to record new interviews and commentary, though they would certainly have loved to, but they are working to put together “the best collection possible using the materials available.” Universal’s HD scans were apparently done with TV syndication in mind only, so the theatrical film and feature-length episodes aren’t yet available in HD. As such, the Blu-ray will include all 39 episodes (in the original 4x3 aspect ratio) with LPCM 2.0 audio, and the following extras:
Bonus Theatrical Version of the Pilot episode (in Standard Definition)
Bonus Feature-length version of Flight of the War Witch (in Standard Definition)
Ending and Opening sequences for 2-part version of Awakening
Bonus Syndicated 2-part version of Journey to Oasis (in HD)
Opening Titles without narration
Textless Opening and Closing Titles
Isolated Music & Effects Audio Track on each episode
Bonus A3 double-sided poster of Gil Gerard and Erin Gray
Easter Eggs include Textless “in show” footage for most episodes
Meanwhile, the Region 4 DVD version will include all 39 episodes (in the original 4x3 aspect ratio) with LPCM 2.0 audio, and the following:
Bonus disc with the Theatrical Version of the Pilot episode
Opening titles without narration
Textless Opening and Closing titles
http://www.thedigitalbits.com/columns/m ... 61316_1230London. Greatest City in the world.
