The Avengers International Fan Forum

Before I start spending loads of hard earned money I thought I'd ask you all out there how pleased you are with the quality of the new dvd box sets so far? Have they done a good enough job? I think there are only 3 to date. Seasons 2, 3 and TNA. I'd love to hear your views on these. Thanks, Rich.

I don't know if it's they same in english, but I've the new german dvd boxes and they have a very good quality.

This was the first thing I did when I got the first/second season set: checking the difference between the old one and the new one.
The picture quality is much better, no doubt about that. The sound, though, is still (alas) poor.

The Optimum releases (not including the New Avengers as that isn't part of these new releases) are the best that the series have ever had.

The initial three videotape series are never going to be perfect as the quality isn't there to be restored. The film onto which the episodes were telerecorded look as good as they are probably ever going to look (and are an improvement and what we've had before) - i.e. the dirt, scratches, hair etc has been dealt with. The faults from the actual telerecording process haven't been tidied up as the expertise wasn't there in the company that rights holders Canal used - so the episodes still have the odd picture breakup etc.

Previously episodes like Death of a Great Dane suffered from terrible sound - and although the studio errors are still present they are far clearer than ever before. In Conspiracy of Silence, the early location insert previously had a few sound effects yet barely audible music but now the music is at its proper volume.

And then of course there are extras, the like of which we've never had before. It's great to have commentaries and the photo galleries.

And even better is yet to come.

I'm very pleased with what we have so far and of course the early screengrabs at Alan's website show what treats we are due with the film restorations of series 4, 5 and 6.

I have the TNA set, though I've only really watched it for the commentaries, not for a normal episode viewing, so I can't comment.

I do have the season 2 set, though, and the sound and picture quality or so much better than the A&E sets. I can actually see and hear what's going on for a change. Naturally, the Gale episodes are never going to have the same sound quality as the later seasons no matter how much you do to them to restore them, but in watching this set I've really been able to relax and enjoy the Gale episodes for the first time. It's made a world of difference. I can't wait to get the rest of the sets.

Klaus wrote:This was the first thing I did when I got the first/second season set: checking the difference between the old one and the new one.
The picture quality is much better, no doubt about that. The sound, though, is still (alas) poor.

yup...same here...picture's better...audio...needs to be beefed up. sad.

I'm not sad. I'm more than happy with the quality. Knowing the history of these early prints I don't think we could ask for better.

Dandy Forsdyke wrote:I'm not sad. I'm more than happy with the quality. Knowing the history of these early prints I don't think we could ask for better.

I agree Dandy! I am absolutely thrilled for these, especially since none of us ever thought we'd see the day come.

Klaus wrote:This was the first thing I did when I got the first/second season set: checking the difference between the old one and the new one.
The picture quality is much better, no doubt about that. The sound, though, is still (alas) poor.

That's a bit misleading. The sound is much improved over the older versions. OK, it's not up to modern standards, but these are from optical audio tracks that are nearly fifty years old. They are much clearer than before.

Agreed, the sound is definitely much improved and probably the best we'll ever get. I for one now find the Cathy Gale episodes much more enjoyable with the improved picture and sound quality and would wholeheartedly recommend these sets.