Sunday, February 08, 2004
Back when "Doctor Who" first started appearing on video, we got 4 x 25 minute episodes per tape. Admittedly the early releases were edited into compilations, but once that was out of the way, the usual format was four parters on one tape, six parters (or longer) over two tapes. This compared with the then standard of 2 x 45-50 minute episodes per tape for the likes of "Babylon 5" or "Star Trek", so the fact that we were getting the episodes on an individual story basis rather than in order didn't really matter. (Of course, the 108 missing episodes don't help when it comes to releasing the series on video.)
The problem with DVD is that we're used to getting most series in season by season boxed sets. Apart from the value for money aspect (most online retailers price a new "Who" DVD at £14.99, whereas a whole season of "Buffy" - which is the equivalent of around 40 standard length "Who" episodes - normally goes for around £70), it's going to be a bloody long wait to get every surviving story out on DVD.
So far we've had a decent mix of stories from all eras of the show, but all released separately. Of course, this allows for a decent package of extras to be assembled, but as far as I'm concerned these are what the name implies - extra. It's the episodes themselves - restored and remastered, of course - that I'm most interested in.
I think this also applies to the subject of commentaries. So far all region 2 releases with the exception of 'The Five Doctors' have had one, but the quality has been variable. It's also debatable exactly how much there is to say about some of the older episodes in particular, as memories will inevitably fade. There are also obvious limitations as to exactly who can take part in the commentaries anyway.
Cherry-picking the best stories from each era is fine in the short-term, but this will only end up with a load of clunkers released in one go after all the good stuff has been used up.
This is where boxed sets could come in, especially if the new series results in increased interest in the original series. The rumoured 'Beginning' set of the pilot, '100,000 BC', 'The Daleks' and 'Inside The Spaceship' would be a good set to test the market for boxed "Who". The stories have all been released before, but several years ago - fully restored and VidFIREd, this would be an attractive package on its own, let alone with a few commentaries and extras (the BSB weekend would provide a few ready-made interviews with the likes of William Russell and Waris Hussein).
Other stories also offer the possibility of boxed sets - 'The Key to Time', the 'E-Space' trilogy, the 'Black Guardian' trilogy. Not only would such sets avoid having all the good starts released first and then all the rubbish ones, but it would also help to speed up releases a little as well.
If the 'Beginning' set is released this year, then perhaps the new series could be released as a complete set to help kick-start releases in this format. 13 x 50 minute episodes would probably fit onto 5 discs (with a few extras), whereas releasing them individually or in pairs would look rather poor value for money when compared to the likes of "Buffy" or "Alias".
The problem with DVD is that we're used to getting most series in season by season boxed sets. Apart from the value for money aspect (most online retailers price a new "Who" DVD at £14.99, whereas a whole season of "Buffy" - which is the equivalent of around 40 standard length "Who" episodes - normally goes for around £70), it's going to be a bloody long wait to get every surviving story out on DVD.
So far we've had a decent mix of stories from all eras of the show, but all released separately. Of course, this allows for a decent package of extras to be assembled, but as far as I'm concerned these are what the name implies - extra. It's the episodes themselves - restored and remastered, of course - that I'm most interested in.
I think this also applies to the subject of commentaries. So far all region 2 releases with the exception of 'The Five Doctors' have had one, but the quality has been variable. It's also debatable exactly how much there is to say about some of the older episodes in particular, as memories will inevitably fade. There are also obvious limitations as to exactly who can take part in the commentaries anyway.
Cherry-picking the best stories from each era is fine in the short-term, but this will only end up with a load of clunkers released in one go after all the good stuff has been used up.
This is where boxed sets could come in, especially if the new series results in increased interest in the original series. The rumoured 'Beginning' set of the pilot, '100,000 BC', 'The Daleks' and 'Inside The Spaceship' would be a good set to test the market for boxed "Who". The stories have all been released before, but several years ago - fully restored and VidFIREd, this would be an attractive package on its own, let alone with a few commentaries and extras (the BSB weekend would provide a few ready-made interviews with the likes of William Russell and Waris Hussein).
Other stories also offer the possibility of boxed sets - 'The Key to Time', the 'E-Space' trilogy, the 'Black Guardian' trilogy. Not only would such sets avoid having all the good starts released first and then all the rubbish ones, but it would also help to speed up releases a little as well.
If the 'Beginning' set is released this year, then perhaps the new series could be released as a complete set to help kick-start releases in this format. 13 x 50 minute episodes would probably fit onto 5 discs (with a few extras), whereas releasing them individually or in pairs would look rather poor value for money when compared to the likes of "Buffy" or "Alias".
