Smallville: Season Six (http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/newsitem.cfm?NewsID=7588)

Now, if they would only announce "Supernatural" AND "Veronica Mars" on Blu-Ray...


~Alan

...or seasons 1-5 of Smallville.

Guess I can buy this instead of the DVDs.

Can't believe I'm going to end up replacing the first five seasons.

...or seasons 1-5 of Smallville.

I own seasons 1-4 on DVD, and Season 5 on HD DVD, so while I will end up replacing 1-4, and will most likely end up replacing Season 5 with the eventual Blu-Ray version, I'm in no hurry to do so... but Season 6 which I don't have at all (or have even seen since I couldn't get a good CW signal until half-way through the season, and then it was SD-only) is VERY GOOD NEWS!!

VM: S3 would be great since I'd love to have it in HD, and Supernatural: S2 would be good news since I haven't seen any of S2, and I don't really want to buy it on DVD when I could get it in HD...

~Alan

and will most likely end up replacing Season 5 with the eventual Blu-Ray version

Ummmmm why would you do that if you have the HD DVD?

Nice to see Warner waking up with the simultaneous BD releases this go around.

Looks like the BD release will only use 4 discs, which is nice. I don't see a mention of any IME feature on the HD DVD.

Hmm, the Blu-ray version is tempting since I like only having 4 discs in the set instead of 5. But I also already have Season 5 on HD-DVD, so I want them side-by-side on my shelf. Decisions, decisions. :)

Season 5 was almost unwatchable for me it was so bad (in terms of content). Is season 6 any better? I really liked seasons 2-4 of Smallville, so I'm not a hater.

Season 5 was almost unwatchable for me it was so bad. Is season 6 any better? I really liked seasons 2-4 of Smallville, so I'm not a hater.

I assume you mean unwatchable in terms of content since the HD-DVDs looked really good.

I actually thought Season 5 was a major improvement over the dreadful Season 4(Smallville's low point). Season 6 is about on par with Season 5 IMO, maybe a tiny bit better thanks to the inclusion of Oliver Queen(aka the Green Arrow).

I think season 6 is much better then 5

I assume you mean unwatchable in terms of content since the HD-DVDs looked really good.

I actually thought Season 5 was a major improvement over the dreadful Season 4(Smallville's low point). Season 6 is about on par with Season 5 IMO, maybe a tiny bit better thanks to the inclusion of Oliver Queen(aka the Green Arrow).

Sorry about that. Yea, I meant bad as in content, not PQ. The PQ of the HD DVD was fine. I guess what I want to know is, do they drag the Lana/Clark thing out any longer in 6? I want to pull my eyes out everytime the shows focuses on that, and season 5 seemed to feature that more then any of the other storylines. I love it when the show gets into the mythology and the more serious story lines that are not about puppy love and hurt feelings.

Ummmmm why would you do that if you have the HD DVD?

I'm not talking about any time soon, just later down the line so that all my seasons will play on the same player... and color-match.

~Alan

Sorry about that. Yea, I meant bad as in content, not PQ. The PQ of the HD DVD was fine. I guess what I want to know is, do they drag the Lana/Clark thing out any longer in 6? I want to pull my eyes out everytime the shows focuses on that, and season 5 seemed to feature that more then any of the other storylines. I love it when the show gets into the mythology and the more serious story lines that are not about puppy love and hurt feelings.

Granted, I haven't gotten around to finishing my 5th Season HD DVD yet (I'll probably get back to it this month) nor have I seen ANY of the 6th Season, but my main problem with Season 5 (other than one of my favorite characters leaving the show) is the character of Lana who somewhere between the third and fourth season started getting REALLY BORING to me (and other people I know)... which is weird considering Chloe, who could occasionally be annoying during the first couple of seasons started getting interesting around the same time.

~Alan

One comment:

1) The whole season in 1080p on only 4 BD discs compared to what will be 5 on HD DVD! AWESOME! This is the first really excellent and practical use of the BD extra capacity that I have seen yet. I think people will REALLY, REALLY appreciate this kind of thing once they actually start using these maximized capacity discs in their homes. People forget how annoying switching through extra discs are until they are actually in the middle of watching a season of something they are excited about, and I think this will be found to be a VERY cool difference between the formats (and between HD vs SD in general) when seen/used in practice.

Two questions:

1) Why does the Smallville boxart on their DVD/HD season sets always look so basic and lame? The covers always look like ass. Jeez...

2) When and where is S5 that HD DVD got? Not that I care too much because I am one of those people who actually thought the 5th season was the worst season since the weak very first season (season 5 has certain episodes that are great but I think even season 4 is more entertaining on an "every single episode per episode" basis) but stuff/hints like this that Warner does makes me wonder if they will ever be seriously committed to releasing the missing HD DVD titles. Seems like Warner may just start putting more new releases on both once BD-J is everywhere but that they may take forever to actually "re-release" the missing HD DVD titles, stuff like 300 w/IME, etc, etc.

Sorry about that. Yea, I meant bad as in content, not PQ. The PQ of the HD DVD was fine. I guess what I want to know is, do they drag the Lana/Clark thing out any longer in 6? I want to pull my eyes out everytime the shows focuses on that, and season 5 seemed to feature that more then any of the other storylines. I love it when the show gets into the mythology and the more serious story lines that are not about puppy love and hurt feelings.

Well let's just say the Lana/Lex relationship in Season 6 is rocky at best, so Clark is very much still in the picture. The good news is that something major does happen between Lana and Clark that the writers for once did not reset at the end of the episode.

I honestly don't know where the writers are going with the Clark/Lana thing at the end of Season 6 since the fates of quite a few characters are left up in the air. Although this is Smallville we're talking about here, so I doubt any of them will be permanently harmed.

I liked all the seasons some better than others... Nice to see this posted I have Season 1&2 but when I saw eventually they where coming to Blu-Ray/HD-DVD I very happy to see this, I can always go back and resell these to the used place where I picked them up...

Well let's just say the Lana/Lex relationship in Season 6 is rocky at best, so Clark is very much still in the picture. The good news is that something major does happen between Lana and Clark that the writers for once did not reset at the end of the episode.

I honestly don't know where the writers are going with the Clark/Lana thing at the end of Season 6 since the fates of quite a few characters are left up in the air. Although this is Smallville we're talking about here, so I doubt any of them will be permanently harmed.
Well that not resetting things at the end of the episode sounds promising. It's good to hear that the writers are finally at least trying to make a decision on that relationship. I just find that whole never-ending/maturing storyling grating, and it doesn't help that as pretty a she is, Kristin Kreuk is not a very good actress. Thanks for answering my question Adam, I appreciate it.

I guess I'll pick this season up then. Plus I really want to see that Justice League episode. ;)

Why the difference in sound DD for Blu-ray and DD+ for HDDVD?

Why the difference in sound DD for Blu-ray and DD+ for HDDVD?

DD+ is mandatory for HD DVD, but not for Blu-ray... which is fine since Warner's DD+ bitrate (unlike Paramount) is the same as their Dolby Digital bit rate on Blu-ray.

~Alan

I don't think there currently is a market for either format to push previous season of TV Shows (example Smallville 1-4) yet. If anything, U expect Lost or 24 ro be the first that will go back and release those from the start. I would kill for Buffy or Angel.

Great news. It'd be great if they'd also release Season 5 on Blu Ray. I'm ready to drop HD DVD since I only have about 6 discs and if they release Season 5 and when the release Batman Begins on Blu-Ray later this year I really won't have a need for an HD DVD player.

I don't think there currently is a market for either format to push previous season of TV Shows (example Smallville 1-4) yet. If anything, U expect Lost or 24 ro be the first that will go back and release those from the start. I would kill for Buffy or Angel.

Buffy would be a tough sell for those early seasons. If Hustle & Flow is any indication, there's not much you can do with 16mm on HD.

Buffy would be a tough sell for those early seasons. If Hustle & Flow is any indication, there's not much you can do with 16mm on HD.

I imagine Season 1...maybe, but most fans think 2 and 3 are the best.

I wonder if they would use the UK widescreen versions of Buffy for HD even though Joss Whedon prefers the fullscreen versions. Either way, I would buy them again.

I wonder if they would use the UK widescreen versions of Buffy for HD even though Joss Whedon prefers the fullscreen versions. Either way, I would buy them again.

IIRC, Joss prefers the 'full screen' for Buffy and Widescreen for Angel. While Buffy was filmed in Widescreen from Season 4 (IIRC) on, visible boom mics and such could be issues. I remember the same thing with 'The O.C.' Season 1 DVD. 4:3 in USA, 16:9 overseas.

IIRC, Joss prefers the 'full screen' for Buffy and Widescreen for Angel. While Buffy was filmed in Widescreen from Season 4 (IIRC) on, visible boom mics and such could be issues. I remember the same thing with 'The O.C.' Season 1 DVD. 4:3 in USA, 16:9 overseas.
Right, I remember reading that and deciding not to import them because of it. I just hope that if/when Fox does put Buffy on BD, they will keep the 4:3 ratio.

visible boom mics and such could be issues.

If it was filmed in 4:3 then they'd have to matte it to 16:9 so you'd see less of the picture. Visible booms etc. are only a problem when a widescreen formatted image is presented "open matte", so the tops and bottoms of the frame are uncovered.

Haven't really seen much of Season 6, so this MIGHT be a blind buy..

If Seasons 1-4 were re-released, I'd probably only buy Season 1-2 as they're (IMO) the strongest seasons of the show..

If it was filmed in 4:3 then they'd have to matte it to 16:9 so you'd see less of the picture. Visible booms etc. are only a problem when a widescreen formatted image is presented "open matte", so the tops and bottoms of the frame are uncovered.
Actually, no. With Buffy, from a certain point on, they started shooting in 4:3 and protecting for 16:9, meaning the 4:3 frame that is intended is contained in a 16:9 frame. There's extra information on the sides, but nothing crucial. Totally the opposite of the open matte system you're thinking of which has extra info at the top and bottom that is cropped off. So with Buffy, there could be visible gaffes to the sides. There are actually some errors with Angel season 1 (or is it 2 when it starts being WS on DVD?) where you see things you shouldn't on the side. The one I noticed was where they had screens up to keep the sun out of a warehouse room.

So they matted the tops and sides but removed the sides for 16:9 versions? Very odd. Why not just shoot full frame and matte to 16:9

Even "Once More With Feeling" which was the only Buffy episode intended to be shown in widescreen has some camera equipment visible in the outer edges of the frame in one scene.

This is great news. I dont know about other Fans but Smallville seems to get better as the years go. Season 6 is one of the best and better than 1st and 2nd seasons.

This is great news. I dont know about other Fans but Smallville seems to get better as the years go. Season 6 is one of the best and better than 1st and 2nd seasons.

I agree, I loved season 6. Really compelling stuff and Lana is at her absolute best by the end of the season...i mean really at her best. If you hated Lana before, you're in for a surprise.

I agree, I loved season 6. Really compelling stuff and Lana is at her absolute best by the end of the season...i mean really at her best. If you hated Lana before, you're in for a surprise.
Well that's good to hear!

IIRC, Joss prefers the 'full screen' for Buffy and Widescreen for Angel. While Buffy was filmed in Widescreen from Season 4 (IIRC) on, visible boom mics and such could be issues. I remember the same thing with 'The O.C.' Season 1 DVD. 4:3 in USA, 16:9 overseas.

I wasn't aware of that being a problem with "Season One" of "The O.C." which is a show I'm waiting for Warner to release on Blu-Ray...

However, not to go too far off-topic, but other TV shows always pop up in TV show release threads... a DVDFile.com reviewer did a review several years ago of the U.K releases and stated that while he always prefers the filmmaker's intent, he actually really LIKED the 16:9 aspect ratio for "Buffy" even though you could occasionally see the occasional boom mics (which he stated was visible in one of the 4:3 episodes as well) and such. Here's one of the many quoutes he (Joshua Zyber) wrote about the issue:

In my review of the Region 2 DVD release, I argued in favor of the widescreen framing offered on those discs, which adds picture on the sides of the image and opens up the framing for a more cinematic feeling. Series creator Joss Whedon disagrees on this matter, and has specifically included a printed note in the Region 1 box set explaining the choice of standard 4:3 aspect ratio. He claims that the episodes were not composed for widescreen and are meant to be seen as they aired on American television. In other sources he has also stated that if any particular shots happen to look better in widescreen that is purely by accident or coincidence, and that the production staff was not planning for it. Well, if that is truly the case, I have to say that to my eye about 90% of the show's shots just happen to accidentally look better in widescreen. Maybe that's coincidence, but I won't belabor the matter. The show's composition is perfectly functional at 1.33:1, and in most cases only appears needlessly cramped if watched in direct comparison to the widescreen version. This is the way the show aired on television and is a fully legitimate and valid presentation for the series.

In other respects, the show's picture quality has been progressively improving as the budget increased from season to season. Although not as significant a jump as the quality of Season 3 over those before it, Season 4 has very strong colors, contrast, and black level, better than anything seen previously. There are occasional shots that look fuzzy (especially one stock shot of the campus quad area that is reused throughout the season) and a slight bit of edge enhancement intrudes from time to time, but I cannot claim to have noticed any distracting compression problems, which is much more than can be said about the first three boxes. This is the best Buffy has looked up to this point, even if it would be even better in widescreen. Sorry, Joss.

~Alan

There are actually some errors with Angel season 1 (or is it 2 when it starts being WS on DVD?) where you see things you shouldn't on the side. The one I noticed was where they had screens up to keep the sun out of a warehouse room.

"Angel" was released in 4:3 on Season One, and 16:9 on Season Two... and you are correct that there were noticeable gaffs in Season Two including one where Cordelia is talking, but her lips aren't moving... ;)

That's all I'm saying on this matter, so back to "Smallville"!!

~Alan

Not to throw this even more off topic, but what's the deal with Dark Angel? UK has widescreen, US doesn't. What was the "intent" for that? Anyone know if they recorded it in HD? I'd like to get both seasons, but I'm not holding my breath... mainly because it's a Fox series.

I wasn't aware of that being a problem with "Season One" of "The O.C." which is a show I'm waiting for Warner to release on Blu-Ray...
~Alan

http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/newsitem.cfm?NewsID=1986

All this for the suggested price of $69.98 US. We can expect the DVD to contain a 1.33:1 image, along with an English stereo audio track and English, French and Spanish subtitles. Please Note: I called the production office and asked about the aspect ratio and was told that season 1 should be full frame, while season 2 will be finished for widescreen. It sounds like 1.33:1 is the proper aspect ratio for the first season, and is how the DVDs should be released.

Many preferred the import version that was in Widescreen.

Many preferred the import version that was in Widescreen.

Furthermore, season 1 of the O.C. was shown in the U.S. in widescreen - Fox broadcast it in its "not HD resolution but widescreen format" on its digital channel. And that's how I watched it, in widescreen. It seems nonsensical to me that the production issues were not so severe as to prevent the producers and Fox from broadcasting the show in widescreen when it aired in the U.S. but suddenly became so distracting that it could not possibly be released in widescreen DVD in the U.S. Apparently, Europeans are either less attentive or Josh Schwartz just doesn't care about them because they got the flawed widescreen version.

Smallville: The Complete Sixth Season
Blu-ray | Blue BD Case Studio: Warner Bros.


Format: Blu-ray
Product Type: Sell Through
Latest Promotion: New Release
Announce Date: 7/3/07
Order Date: 8/14/07
Street Date: 9/18/07
UPC: 085391126225
Cat#: 112622
ISBN: 1-4198-4704-X
Closed Captioning: Yes
MSRP: $79.98
Packaging Type: Blue BD Case
Media Quantity: 4
Disc Configuration:
1) BD-50
Soundtrack Language: English
Run Time: 836
Units per Carton: 30
Branded Line: Smallville


Subtitles: English SDH, English, Francais, Latin Spanish
Aspect Ratio: Original Aspect Ratio - 1.85, Widescreen [16:9 Transfer]
Sound Quality: English: Dolby Surround 5.1


http://www.stopdave.com/images/WHV/smallville6_bd_fnt.jpg