Babylon 5 DVD: first season

[Perogy]

Has anyone else besides me bought the B5 DVD set?
I got it for $76 CDN at Futureshop.

I have watched the first 2 episodes, and
I find the picture quality a bit grainy.
There are even some spots where there are thin
blue vertical lines across the picture. The computer graphics aren't as clear as they should be. While the "normal" scenes was widescreen and reasonable quality, they don't appear to be as clear as a regular movie on DVD. It almost looks like it was "projected" on a screen, and the DVD made from that.

Over all tho....a great DVD set for the SCI-FI addict..like me.

[DavidH]

I've got it as well and yes, the video quality leaves room for improvement - although I have not found it detracting for my enjoyment.

There's been a lot of discussion online about the special effects. The short version of it is that while the live footage was filmed in widescreen, the special effects were generated in full-screen 4x3 format and at a relatively low quality by today's standards (for the first season, they were done on an Amiga!).

If you visit JMSNews.com and look through the December postings, you can see JMS's comments on this issue. Note for non-B5 fans - JMS is J Michael Straczynski, the creator of the show and writer of most of the episodes.

[Perogy]

Season 2 should be available on DVD by the end of April 2003. I can't wait.

[Winnterpeg]

I got the season 1 discs and am now anxiously awaiting season 2. It's nice to be able to own this great show. The only problem is that after the buying 5 seasons worth of discs and hopefully the additional B5 movies, I will be spending over $700 on this stuff. Not really a problem I guess.... /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
I've heard that there's a new B5 spin-off series on the Sci-Fi channel that follows the adventures of the Rangers. Does anyone know if it will be shown here in Canada any time soon?

[Perogy]

You're paying too much then. Season 1 cost me $72 + GST. I assume that subsequent seasons will be the same price. The movies are < $20 each also....

[Winnterpeg]

5 seasons * $80 = $400.
5 or 6 movies * $20 = $100.
If the Rangers movie + episodes are ever available another $100? That's about $600 right there. Add in special editions or superbit ( it might happen! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif )... it really starts to add up. Might have to cut back on my Noam Chompsky dvd addiction /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

[Perogy]

I stand corrected. I have all the movies on VHS, and don't plan on getting them on DVD, if they are ever released that way.

Too bad they aren't show B5 on Canadian TV. Space channel used to have it daily, but not any more. The SCIFI channel
in the USA has it daily. I guess they think we don't like quality SCIFI here..

[BCTripster]

</font><blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr />
I've heard that there's a new B5 spin-off series on the Sci-Fi channel that follows the adventures of the Rangers. Does anyone know if it will be shown here in Canada any time soon?

[/ QUOTE ]

You're thinking of Babylon 5: Legend of the Rangers, it was a one off movie that never materialized into a series, it depended on the ratings of the movie but unfortunately it aired against some huge football game and only garnered decent ratings on the west coast so it was never approved into a series.

I've seen the movie, it wasn't bad and looked like it could have been a promising series, as far as I know the movie has not aired in Canada and likely never will as it's about 2 years old now. Space/CHUM actually don't pickup many SciFi Channel original productions, they have a made-for-SciFi movie usually once or twice a month.

SciFi Channel does have its downside too though, programs like Crossing Over with John Edwards, The Dream Team and Scare Tactics are hardly sci-fi materials and are really just cheap filler ... then there's Tremor's the Series ... blech!

[Perogy]

B5: Legend of the Rangers was available in Canada as PPV thru BEV.

[Perogy]

Got my B5: Season 2 6 DVD set today at FutureShop for $78 + tax. Whoo Hoo..... This way-cool sci-fi series is worth every $$, and since it isn't being show on Canadian tv anymore, the DVD is the only way to get it.

Alas, if we legally got the SCIFI network....well, it's on every morning there..