So am I better off getting the big complete series or the individual sets? I don't have Blu-ray. Thanks!

I dont have Blu-ray either so thumbs up on that. anyways, I would recommend getting the individual releases. Packaging is very nice for all sets and you wont have to worry about the crappy paper slips that tend to scratch the disks in the complete series set.
the sets are wonderful though. So much great entertainment and a very very generous amount of special features on every set.

Yeah- a lot of the reviews have complained about the packaging. Just ordered S4.5 via the DDD sale and snagged S1, 2 and 2.5 for $50 on Half. Just two more to go. Thanks!!

I have the Blu-ray and I can tell you that if i had the option i would have bought the individual seasons, even if it cost more to do so. The packaging of the complete series is abysmal, and I'm not one to complain about packaging.

Individual sets.

That complete set is unwieldy, has no episode guide whatsoever, and the disc packaging is woeful. There are a few deleted scenes exclusive to that set (which is ridiculous considering all the stuff that Universal could have included to make the purchase sweeter), but it also ditches a few things from the individual releases. Plus, they're cheaper than buying the big set.

Hmm.. this is all a little unsettling- since I just purchased the complete set from DD.

But I thought there were many additional commentaries only on the complete set.

Maybe I'm wrong or thinking of the Blu-rays.

Witht eh release of the complete set, the individual season sets shoule be able to be had for cheap from people getting rid of their season sets in favor of the series set.

Bottom line is, this is a fantastic show, so you can't lose either way. I also prefer the single sets since it's easier to find an episode, but the reviews on the complete set say it's high quality.
Based on the sheer amount of extras, the differences between the single and complete sets are very small so neither group is really missing out on anything very substantive.

anyone have any pics of how the packaging is for the complete series set? i'm curious to see it now

You can see some at the bottom of the page here.

Thanks for the link. Does look a little harsh with the cardboard holding the discs there.

I think that disc-packaging looks fine - especially when you consider blu-ray's scratch-resistant coating.

That looks absolutely horrible. I passed on the M*A*S*H Martinis and Medicine box because of it's paper sleeve packaging (bought all the individual seasons instead), and seeing BSG's makes me glad I've been picking up the seasons all along.


And like jjcool said, I see used sets all the time for much cheaper than regular street price.

Doesn't apply to those of us who are interested in the DVD version.

Regardless, the absence of an episode listing booklet kills the complete set for me. I will wait until the price drops on the individual seasons and buy them separately.

Have you actually handled the packaging? Because I can tell you that getting discs out is a pain in the ass.

This is a really disappointing set.

Even overlooking "The Plan," there's a lot that does seem to be missing, like the Last Frakkin' Special, The Phenomenon (with people like Joss Whedon and Scott Ian), and the "Face of the Enemy" webisodes (which kind of sucked, but they addressed a dangling plot point).

I don't whether we should expect another "Ultimate" set at a later date or not. Considering the way Universal split the second and fourth seasons, I wouldn't put much past them.

That scratch-resistant coating better be good, because that box set looks like it will scratch the hell out of some blue rays.

I don't own the BSG set, but I do own the Wild Wild West complete set which has a similar design. And it is definitely a pain to take out and replace a disc without having it come into contact with (i.e., rub against) another one. It's almost like playing that game 'Operation' where the nose lights up red and a buzzer goes off if you touch the sides.

At least the WWW set was only $58 and it does come with an episode guide that tells which episodes are on which discs, so in that particular case I accepted the crappy packaging. But since the BSG set is considerably more expensive and doesn't have an episode booklet, I am going to pass on it. Why, oh why, couldn't we get the same packaging as the European version?

Actually, I just got it in the mail today. And it's fine. The folded-in cardboard looks a little half-assed, but the packing of the discs is fine. Removing them is no hassle at all - you either have to jostle the package a little (like a pack of smokes) or grab a disc by the edge. And even if the discs weren't blu-rays with the protective coating, there wouldn't be any scratching as the paper in the boxes are super-slick and not at all abrasive. The only disappointing thing is the lack episode/content listing per disc - they could've easily printed this info on the inside back of the Cylon face that flips up.