Dr Who (New Series) - What Is The DVD & Blu-ray Release Plan?

[Rasczak]

Hi guys,

Trying to work out what to do with the Dr Who disc releases. Seasons 1 to 4 were easy, they were shot in SD so picking up the DVD boxsets was the obvious choice. However the new specials are being shot in HD and the first, Planet Of The Dead, is being released on Blu-ray. Therefore a few questions if I may:

1) Was the 2008 Christmas Special (The Next Doctor) filmed in HD? (Believe the answer is no)

2) Is the DVD release decent? (AFAIK previous single disc releases didn't have DD 5.1 sound)

3) Are there any (known/rumoured) plans for a BD 'specials' boxset? Or is it just worth going for the individual releases (which look fairly well specified).

Thanks in advance!

[brian s]

I'd like to know what the plan is as well. As you suspect The Next Doctor was shot in SD. If it were to be included in any Blu-Ray boxset it would have to be as a SD extra. The DVD and Blu-Ray of Planet Of The Dead both appear to have the Dr Who Confidential episode included so there may not be any boxsets. I haven't seen The Next Doctor DVD so I can't comment on it other than it doesn't have 5.1 sound.

All the best
Bri

[Rasczak]

Originally Posted by brian s

The Next Doctor DVD ... doesn't have 5.1 sound.

That's annoying - I bet the only way to get the best version is to buy a 'Specials Boxset' with the four 2009 TV movies and the 2008 Xmas Special. I also bet the only Blu-ray verisons are the individual releases! Might just hold back any purchases for now and see what happens.

[brian s]

Originally Posted by Rasczak

That's annoying - I bet the only way to get the best version is to buy a 'Specials Boxset' with the four 2009 TV movies and the 2008 Xmas Special. I also bet the only Blu-ray verisons are the individual releases! Might just hold back any purchases for now and see what happens.

Common sense tells me to hang backbut I'm gagging for Who on Blu-Ray. Any boxsets won't be out till at least next year so I'll most likely buy the Planet Of The Dead Blu-Ray at the end of the month. I don't kn0w if you're interested but series two of Torchwood is out this month on Blu-Ray.

Regards
Bri

[Rasczak]

Originally Posted by brian s

I don't know if you're interested but series two of Torchwood is out this month on Blu-Ray.

Never really got into Torchwood. I like adult Sci-Fi and I like family Sci-Fi. But Torchwood seems to get a strange mix - family Sci-Fi with swear words and sexual dialogue (all said with a Welsh accent!). That said my opinion is tainted by the first few episodes of season one so it might be alot better than that!

[brian s]

Originally Posted by Rasczak

Never really got into Torchwood. I like adult Sci-Fi and I like family Sci-Fi. But Torchwood seems to get a strange mix - family Sci-Fi with swear words and sexual dialogue (all said with a Welsh accent!). That said my opinion is tainted by the first few episodes of season one so it might be alot better than that!

You've pretty much said what I thought about the first series but it improved very much in the second. I got to see the first series again and I enjoyed it much more second time round.

Best wishes
Bri

[brian s]

According to this the Blu-Ray is to be stereo only. So it maybe there will be a boxset later on.

Blu-ray.com - Doctor Who - Planet of the Dead Blu-ray

Bri

[Rasczak]

Originally Posted by Rasczak

Are there any (known/rumoured) plans for a BD 'specials' boxset? Or is it just worth going for the individual releases (which look fairly well specified).

Sorry to resurrect an old thread - and to quote myself - but, for those interested, there does now seem to be a Doctor Who: The Complete Specials Box Set (Blu-ray) scheduled for release in Jan 10.

No idea yet if this includes The Next Doctor which, as discussed above, was not shot in HD.

EDIT: According to Zetaminor the package will include The Next Doctor. If correct - and Zetaminor are normally very good IMHO - this makes things alot clearer with regards to DVD/BD purchases! At last!

[brian s]

The BBC will release The Waters of Mars and the two-part finale on DVD and Blu-ray on Tuesday, February 2, 2010 both as individual releases and also as part of a 5 disc specials collection including The Next Doctor and Planet of the Dead.

[PoochJD]

Hi,

Just as an addendum, the next Dr Who story will be turning up on BBC1 in just over 2 weeks on Sunday 15th November 2009! (Source: BBCi Entertainment section) Will almost certainly air at the same time/date on BBC-HD too.


Pooch