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Rating the DVD Releases of Sound Serials; Best picture and sound quality available on DVD
Topic Started: Jun 16 2014, 07:30 AM (21,448 Views)
The Batman
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Pa, I promise to update all the serials that have been updated, once I get back to work on Wednesday. I wasn't kidding, it will be a great way to pass the time at work.

And Willie, two things:

1) I'm going to update every serial that I have a copy of, and let everyone know, hey I edit this chart, I can put what I want. Let's see if that sparks some debate/input.

2) Glad you and Mr Hale made up, before I even saw this thread. Mr Hale wants nothing more than to encourage conversation on these boards. His is a dry wit, very appreciated by this guy, but could be read the wrong way, by the wrong guy. You are both more alike than you realize, when it comes to keeping this board alive, and could easily find yourselves, side-by-side, banging your respective heads against the wall.

Mr Hale, hope I got that right, I calls them as I sees them.


Always be yourself! Unless you can be Batman...then always be Batman!
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JazzGuyy
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BTW, you have to throw Alpha in as a semi-dependable source for serials. Generally their quality is poor to mediocre but every once in a while they do better than that. At least they don't do all of the digital noise reduction that has been ruining some of VCI's more recent releases.
TANSTAAFL!
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williejg
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Well Bats,

I can't wait to see all of your updates. Also looking forward to the updates from this thread from where you left off.

I hope to add a few more ratings myself, but that always takes some time.

I hope you're right about Mr. Hale and myself. I can use all of the friends that I can find, but hopefully without the headbanging. But I knows what you mean. LOL!!

'Cat
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The Batman
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Thanks, Willie, just be a little patient. I've actually had to work at work, this week, so hope to start updating in the next couple of days.

Always be yourself! Unless you can be Batman...then always be Batman!
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Chandu
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Dunno if this is the place to mention it, but I've now watched 2 1/2 serials since I purchased my 65" OLED 4K TV and they've all appeared really crappy! I've watched Grapevine's Burn 'em Up Barnes, Hermitage's (Ithink) The Red Rider and I'm now watching the SS Lost Special. The first two I'd rate no more than a 6 and the Lost Special, I'd give barely a 2, as it's almost unwatchable. I hafta think it's the equipment I'm watching them on, as none of the serials in my previous viewing experience on my old 36" CRT TV appeared this bad. Would anyone like to wade in here and confirm or deny my suspicions? And if my suspicions are true, then are all the serial ratings Bats has compiled subject to what equipment the beholder (rater) was using?
Not plane, nor bird, nor even frog. It's just little ol' me...
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Frank Hale
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I think there's been a lot of wishful thinking in some of the ratings. A few years ago I posted here on another thread that the Mill Creek issue of "The Lone Ranger" was, from all accounts, probably the best available, but, nevertheless, in terms of pure film/home video, absolutely awful. Someone really took me to task for saying that.

No question that your home set-up is going to be a factor. Nevertheless, I welcome the input of knowledgeable people, and I think this poll remains a worthwhile project.

If there's a serial I'm keen on acquiring, I process people's reviews here and elsewhere, and simply discount for the factor that their standards are likely not mine. I think that's about the best I can do, and it saves some heartache.

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williejg
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Chandu,

I think you've just had a "Shock Treatment"! The difference between 540 and 1080 definition is immense. So, first, are you using a Blu Ray player, an upscaling DVD player or a DVR (most will upscale). I believe that these will give you something like around 720.

Second, are you using HDMI cables? Again, another difference maker.

I'm by no means an expert on any of this stuff. Like Mr. Frank Hale, I use this thread as a tool, and realize that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. In other words it's just a helping hand guide and not absolutely perfect by any means.

As a matter of fact I'm still watching everything on a 36" CRT just like you were. I don't have a room large enough to support a 65 " Flatscreen, so I'm quite happy and comfortable with my system. I realize the day will come when I have to upgrade, and I think 52" is about the largest I could fit into my TV room.

The 3 titles you watched are not bragging quality releases by any means. Try a few better titles, like Olive's INVISIBLE MONSTER or COMMANDO CODY. The DVD's should be quite good and the BD should be phenomenal, as long as you're using the right equipment and cabling.

Some other titles to try:

The SS The Secret of Treasure Island.
The VCI Dick Tracy serials
The VCI Perils of Pauline
The Image Flash Gordon serials
The VCI Green Hornet serials
DVD Downunder's The Desert Hawk

Obviously, these are some of the better serial releases out there, and as I stated, I'm no expert by any means. I hope this is helpful.

willie

Edited by williejg, Oct 18 2016, 11:48 AM.
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JazzGuyy
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Chandu
Oct 17 2016, 02:32 PM
Dunno if this is the place to mention it, but I've now watched 2 1/2 serials since I purchased my 65" OLED 4K TV and they've all appeared really crappy! I've watched Grapevine's Burn 'em Up Barnes, Hermitage's (Ithink) The Red Rider and I'm now watching the SS Lost Special. The first two I'd rate no more than a 6 and the Lost Special, I'd give barely a 2, as it's almost unwatchable. I hafta think it's the equipment I'm watching them on, as none of the serials in my previous viewing experience on my old 36" CRT TV appeared this bad. Would anyone like to wade in here and confirm or deny my suspicions? And if my suspicions are true, then are all the serial ratings Bats has compiled subject to what equipment the beholder (rater) was using?
Blowing up a 640x480 (at best) picture to the 2160X3840 picture and from a small screen to a large screen is always playing with fire. You're asking for a lot when you do, so the results may be less than perfect, as you have found out. You may have to play with both settings on your Blu-Ray player and your TV to get the best results. The first step would be to try various output resolutions on your Blu-Ray player (available in its setup menu) and see what gives the best results. Overall, though the results you will get are probably akin to what I saw when feeding VHS to a HD TV which was barely watchable.
TANSTAAFL!
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The Batman
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I'm working on updating the list, now. Since the last time I updated, there have been several posts, some I need to get a consensus on.

Andy Fish posted that "Adventures of Sir Galahad was put out by Restored Serials and it's from a Western Trails source material run through an enhancer of some type (or that's how he explained it) and it comes out a solid 7".

I have the release from Hermitage Hills, which I also consider a solid 7/10. And at this point, I can't find either for sale online (is Restored Serials still in business? Hermitage Hills definitely is not) so which to post to the list. Or both?

I've got the same situation with MYSTERY TROOPER. It seems I had a Grapevine release already listed (with no rating, weird), but Pa has stated the Squadron version is a nice 7/10. Can anyone comment on the Grapevine version?

I've added the ratings for a couple of Serial Squadron releases, but I can't determine if there are any extras on these releases. Any input is appreciated. The serials are:

The Lone Ranger Rides Again
The Wolf Dog

All the ratings posted since my last update of the list (in April of 2016) have been added.

Let's keep it going, guys!

Always be yourself! Unless you can be Batman...then always be Batman!
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Pa Stark
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Bats, The Squadron releases you mentioned, LONE RANGER RIDES AGAIN and WOLF DOG have no extras. The problem with THE LONE RANGER RIDES AGAIN is the only known print that is known to exist has Spanish subtitles, and Grood used some weird process to freeze the bottom part of a frame before the subtitles appear to eliminate them. The results is while there are no subtitles, the frozen part of a person doesn't match the rest of him. If the person moves at all during the scene, his legs might be disconnected from the rest of him. Weird.
Edited by Pa Stark, Oct 18 2016, 01:38 PM.
Honest and Lovable Pa Stark
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Pa Stark
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There are many gray market dealers who sell copies of every available serial, no matter what the print quality. The Squadron only sells serials if it obtains a print that is as good as any other out there. Grood also manages to find prints that no one else has, such as three chapters from the otherwise lost silent Mascot serial, ISLE OF SUNKEN GOLD, and HOPE DIAMOND MYSTERY. But beware, sometimes Grood likes to get creative, and adds tinting, etc to releases. Stay away from his PHANTOM EMPIRE, he added background music where there was none, put bright purple tinting for ray gun blasts, etc.
Honest and Lovable Pa Stark
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rodney
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Two chapters into Holt of the Secret Service. I'm watching the VCI release, and have not seen the Serial Squadron release. However, I feel this is probably one of the nicest looking serials that VCI have done.

Really, really well done.
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The Batman
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Thanks, Rodney. I have the Squadron version and it, too, looks amazing. One of the Doc's best efforts. According to our list, both versions are rated an 8/10 and the deciding factor seems to be what extras you want with your release.

Always be yourself! Unless you can be Batman...then always be Batman!
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Frank Hale
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It looks like nothing has been entered for the Olive Blu-Ray serials, "The Invisible Monster", "Flying Disc Man from Mars", and "Commando Cody - Sky Marshal of the Universe" (a serial in spirit, even if it doesn't have cliffhangers).

They're all marvelous prints and I give them a 9. (I'm personally reserving 10 for those future Ultra HD copies. But since "The Shadow" seems to rate a 9 also, 10's would be perfectly reasonable.)
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williejg
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I just got Olive's DVDs of The Invisible Monster and Commado Cody theatrical version. Even though I'm watching on a 36" Tube TV, the clarity and sharpness are quite evident. Readily give both titles a 9.
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