M SQUAD - The Complete Series - Somone Murdered the Picture Quality Too
#1
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M SQUAD - The Complete Series - Somone Murdered the Picture Quality Too
It's great that this series is out in a full 117 episode box set, but whoever is responsible for the video transfers obviously didn't know what they were doing. 16mm syndication prints were the source elements for the transfers and if they were professionally done they would look far better than they do here. It appears that someone ran these off on a home system of sorts as there is no control over contrast levels at all. Sometimes the episodes have completely blown out contrast and are murky in the extreme, other times there is no contrast at all, with everything appearing a milky gray color. The prints are dirty, with hairs often getting in the gate and the sound quality is like mud on some episodes. This show was originally shot on 35mm film and if a proper transfer had been done, it could have looked glorious. As-is, some episodes look like they came off of bad kinescopes, which isn't the case. Even using 16mm prints should have yielded much better results than this. I certainly hope the original elements survive and hopefully someone will one day give this show a proper presentation. Until then, we're stuck with this mess. Yes, I'm glad to have the DVD collection, but it's obvious that every expense was spared in the making of it.
#2
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Re: M SQUAD - The Complete Series - Somone Murdered the Picture Quality Too
I recently downloaded an episode of M Squad with Lee Marvin to check it out to see how good the series was and found that I like it (it also has a high IMDB rating, like 9 out of 10). Then I checked online pricing, mostly around $90 for the series (117 episodes) and figured it could wait a while. But then I found it on sale at Barnes and Noble last night as part of their after Christmas sale, for $60. After taxes, free shipping, and the use of a 10% off coupon I got it for $57.
Those expecting remastering and pristine prints can forget it, but you have to understand the process here to get these made. No one dropped the ball. Basically, these were not going to be released by the studio, too much effort for too little gain in their minds. So small companies like TMG have to pay the rights to release it on DVD but they are not given the original prints, they have to search around and find what prints are available from collectors, and such. While restoring and cleaning up the prints would be great, again the profits are not there for such a series, no matter how good some think it to be.
So in the end, unfortunately, it is this or nothing. Frankly, I own several releases by TMG (e.g., Restless Gun, Guns of Will Sonnett, The Texan, Laredo, and Branded), and without their efforts I never would have known about these great shows because they never would have seen the light of day. Personally, I watch on a 92" diagaonal screen and while the quality can be questionable I find that good content out weighs any other issues.
Those expecting remastering and pristine prints can forget it, but you have to understand the process here to get these made. No one dropped the ball. Basically, these were not going to be released by the studio, too much effort for too little gain in their minds. So small companies like TMG have to pay the rights to release it on DVD but they are not given the original prints, they have to search around and find what prints are available from collectors, and such. While restoring and cleaning up the prints would be great, again the profits are not there for such a series, no matter how good some think it to be.
So in the end, unfortunately, it is this or nothing. Frankly, I own several releases by TMG (e.g., Restless Gun, Guns of Will Sonnett, The Texan, Laredo, and Branded), and without their efforts I never would have known about these great shows because they never would have seen the light of day. Personally, I watch on a 92" diagaonal screen and while the quality can be questionable I find that good content out weighs any other issues.
#3
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Re: M SQUAD - The Complete Series - Somone Murdered the Picture Quality Too
No one dropped the ball. Basically, these were not going to be released by the studio, too much effort for too little gain in their minds. So small companies like TMG have to pay the rights to release it on DVD but they are not given the original prints, they have to search around and find what prints are available from collectors, and such. While restoring and cleaning up the prints would be great, again the profits are not there for such a series, no matter how good some think it to be.
#4
DVD Talk Gold Edition
BUMP
M Squad is priced at $44.99 right now at Amazon.
I haven't followed the pricing history of this set so I can't shed light on how much of a deal that price might be. From a quick check, I do see a previous Amazon listing at $47.99. If it was ever lower during some other type of promotion (sale, gold box, lightning deal, etc.), I can't say. Likewise, if it could have been had at a better price from other online e-tailers (DDD sale/promotion/daily deal, Barnes and Noble sale, Best Buy, Buy.com, etc.)...I can't say.
That being said, I'm going to give it a go at the current Amazon price.
M Squad is priced at $44.99 right now at Amazon.
I haven't followed the pricing history of this set so I can't shed light on how much of a deal that price might be. From a quick check, I do see a previous Amazon listing at $47.99. If it was ever lower during some other type of promotion (sale, gold box, lightning deal, etc.), I can't say. Likewise, if it could have been had at a better price from other online e-tailers (DDD sale/promotion/daily deal, Barnes and Noble sale, Best Buy, Buy.com, etc.)...I can't say.
That being said, I'm going to give it a go at the current Amazon price.
#5
DVD Talk Gold Edition
Checked around a bit regarding the price history on this set and I did find a fellow over at hometheaterforum.com who mentioned getting this during the Summer 2009 DDD Sale for a price of $37.42.
The current DDD price is $81.59 so it doesn't look to work out to that price next time around.
The current DDD price is $81.59 so it doesn't look to work out to that price next time around.