DB

Given the popularity of TV seasons on DVD, and the storage space required by having every season take 3-7 DVDs (depending upon the set), I think it would be great to put an entire season on a single HD DVD. The increased cost of the format is balanced by the fewer number of discs/simpler packaging, and the shelf space saving would be enormous -- to say nothing of the convenience of watching all episodes of a single disc. Other than shows where HI Def really adds, like Battlestar Glactica, having the show in DVD resolution would be perfectly fine with me.

I wonder if the studios have considered this option?

RichC2

I'm sure they have, and whichever format wins will likely have this, they'll be like the $1 DVDs they have at Wally World by the registers.

Chew

DVDs require a minimum bitrate to be authored properly, wouldn't the same hold true for Blu/HD? If that's the case, I'm not so sure you could do this.

Draven

I'm sure there are technical reasons, but I've always wondered why this isn't done myself. There are some shows, like "Buffy", that wouldn't necessarily benefit from an HD transfer for the early seasons, which weren't shot with widescreen framing in mind. But I'd love to have all seven seasons on seven discs or so, rather than a huge box set.

I'm sure that would just add one more layer of confusion to the whole mess though.

Tracer Bullet

BtVS was shot on 16mm for its first two seasons and 35mm for the other five. It could benefit from an HD transfer. 16:9 aspect ratio doesn't have anything to do with it.

Qui Gon Jim

Also remember thatthe masses have been conditioned that more discs=more value. Still I think this is a fantastic idea. The thought of having, say, the entire Robotech series on one or two HD DVDs or BDs is very intriguing to me.

Adam Tyner

I have several HD DVDs and Blu-ray with feature-length, standard definition extras, so I don't think that'd be a bottleneck.

I do think "high definition" formats with nothing but SD material would wind up confusing a lot of people and would be highly unlikely unless one of these formats makes some major in-roads.

Maxflier

I doubt if there are enough potential buyers for them to serisously consider this for shows that have already been out on regular DVD. The majority of people who already bought the DVD's are not going to rebuy just to cut down the number of discs.
And of course there is the potential confusion factor.
If they could sell it for cheaper than the DVD sets, then it might be worthwile.

DeanoBKN

It won't happen till the format becomes mainstream. Myself, I can't wait for this to happen.

Draven

I don't know much about film and transfers (I'm a video guy) and maybe I'm being too simplistic about it, but would the 16mm transfer be at a 4:3 ratio?

The Bus

This would be perfect for shows that, for one reason or another (cost, archival quality) cannot be converted/mastered in HD. Especially if TL HD DVDs come about (or if BD still exists) I can see entire series of some shows on one or two discs. That would be awesome.

Tracer Bullet

If that's the OAR (and it is) then yes, it would be. But HD doesn't automatically equal 16:9- that's in the current HD spec, but one look at the Star Trek HD DVD release should tell you 4:3 TV material can be released in HD.

flashburn

I believe the problem with Buffy is like Firefly, where they only did the special effect shots in SD. I don't watch the show, but I imagine that it is probably less of an issue in Buffy.

Tracer Bullet

True, but that's a totally separate issue.

darkside

Agree. It would be great, but the format would have to be in wide adoption for them to even consider it.

Jericho

I think the biggest problem is that no one would want them. Those without High Def players couldn't play them, and those with High Def players would want them in High Def. The market looks to be small at this point.

MBoyd

You will see downloads before this happens. Yes its a cool idea.

And yes I am still in China for anyone wondering.

kvrdave

Agreed. I'm not buying a HD disc to get SD quality on it. THe fact that I end up with a few more DVDs sitting on the shelf isn't a huge issue for me. Though I don't buy TV shows on DVD anymore. Give me HD/BD, or I will just wait.

Overpar

I was thinking the exact same thing. I think this is a pretty stupid idea. The whole point of having a high def player is to view hi def content.

Draven

Ah. See, I wasn't aware that's what they did on the Star Trek releases. I'm a Next Generation/DS9 fan