EXCLUSIVE: Malcolm in the Middle Seasons 1-7 Coming to DVD Starting 2012!

mass5160

New member
BBC2 -- I think all but one or two episodes suffer from the frame dupe problem, although I suppose if you can get into it properly, you stop noticing.
The quality of the first season isn't the best imo (I reckon the contrast is off a bit) and considering all the goofs that are visible due to the additional side space, I personally would favor the Region 1 set.
I haven't noticed this problem in season 2 so far, but like I mentioned earlier some episodes do still have the TV PG logos at the beginning, although the visual quality is superior to Season 1.


Cap N Crunch -- I think you've misunderstood my posts, but all seasons are being officially released on DVD in the UK, from Fabulous Films. So the ones I have are not pirate copies, bootlegs, counterfeits or fakes of any kind, but official, factory pressed licensed releases from sources superior to TV or the internet. They are made by a DVD company to be sold in retailers, not by individuals for the black market.
 

Magic-J

New member
Why would a person pay to view what is readily available on the internet for free? When you buy a legitimate dvd movie you see no logos throughout the movie, the same is applied to a tv series, licensed or not...

The episodes on the internet are in poor quality compared to this DVD box set.
These episodes are from the same source as the ones owned by the broadcasts but it doesn't mean the quality is lame. When you download an episode on the internet it's something like 175 Mb with a resolution of 608x340 pixels and an episode on the DVD is approximately 950 Mb with a resolution of 854x480 pixels which makes a huge difference in term of quality.

Seriously, the only thing that seems unpleasant about this Season 2 box set is the "PG" logo but it lasts about 4 seconds which is not a big deal.


@mass5160:
Could you rip the first episode or maybe take some screenshots to show us how it looks? :cool:
 
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Cap N Crunch

New member
BBC2 -- I think all but one or two episodes suffer from the frame dupe problem, although I suppose if you can get into it properly, you stop noticing.
The quality of the first season isn't the best imo (I reckon the contrast is off a bit) and considering all the goofs that are visible due to the additional side space, I personally would favor the Region 1 set.
I haven't noticed this problem in season 2 so far, but like I mentioned earlier some episodes do still have the TV PG logos at the beginning, although the visual quality is superior to Season 1.


Cap N Crunch -- I think you've misunderstood my posts, but all seasons are being officially released on DVD in the UK, from Fabulous Films. So the ones I have are not pirate copies, bootlegs, counterfeits or fakes of any kind, but official, factory pressed licensed releases from sources superior to TV or the internet. They are made by a DVD company to be sold in retailers, not by individuals for the black market.

mass5160, there is no misunderstanding. I never said what all of you are wasting money on to be fake. I did however say in the US what you are buying would be considered as bootleg copies. You've misread my concern completely. I were ready to buy season 2 as well, until your description of logos and the like. But I guess the UK settles for whatever it can get. Fortunately for me I get 2 hours of MITM everyday in HD for free. Again a proper dvd will not have logos displayed throughout the event. And no matter the picture quality, with logos present you are buying sub standard entertainment. And honestly the only reason I mention it at all is that I were completely unaware that this type of thing went on. The US has no 2nd season of MITM for sale on dvd. One other thing you say your 1st season of MITM is not up to par? I got my copy when it first became available, with none of the errors that you describe. Perhaps an American copy would stifle your complaints...
 

mass5160

New member
Cap N Crunch -- I have several friends in the US, and NONE of them consider imports to be 'bootlegs'. Now I'm not even going to reply to you anymore, because you seem to be out to cause trouble by saying we're wasting money on "Sub Standard" products whilst you enjoy them for "free in HD". You go be happy with what you have, and we'll be happy with what we get. Nice talking to you.


Magic-J -- Here you go: http://s1352.beta.photobucket.com/user/mass5160/library/?
 

Cap N Crunch

New member
Cap N Crunch -- I have several friends in the US, and NONE of them consider imports to be 'bootlegs'. Now I'm not even going to reply to you anymore, because you seem to be out to cause trouble by saying we're wasting money on "Sub Standard" products whilst you enjoy them for "free in HD". You go be happy with what you have, and we'll be happy with what we get. Nice talking to you.

Magic-J -- Here you go: http://s1352.beta.photobucket.com/user/mass5160/library/?


If pointing out what is obvious causes trouble, by all means be oblivious. Clearly you are stuck on the word bootleg, there can be no debate with such a narrow mindset. You may not like what I've stated, but that doesn't make what I've said any less true. And lastly for you and this board, I made this account with one purpose in mind, to alert. Having done that, there is nothing more I wish to relate. Hopefully one day the original production company comes to its senses and allow MITM to be put to dvd so that ALL of us may enjoy. Toodles...
 

Wezzo

New member
If pointing out what is obvious causes trouble, by all means be oblivious. Clearly you are stuck on the word bootleg, there can be no debate with such a narrow mindset. You may not like what I've stated, but that doesn't make what I've said any less true. And lastly for you and this board, I made this account with one purpose in mind, to alert. Having done that, there is nothing more I wish to relate. Hopefully one day the original production company comes to its senses and allow MITM to be put to dvd so that ALL of us may enjoy. Toodles...

I've worked in the DVD industry. A bootleg is a copy that is sold illegally. These DVDs are not bootlegs. The inclusion of some ratings logos is unfortunate. So is your ignorance.
 

Cap N Crunch

New member
I've worked in the DVD industry. A bootleg is a copy that is sold illegally. These DVDs are not bootlegs. The inclusion of some ratings logos is unfortunate. So is your ignorance.

What is it with some of you. Talk about ignorance, how you were once employed has as much relevance to this thread as the weather yesterday. Again for those having trouble with comprehension. I said "pay attention" what you are selling as MITM dvds is akin to BOOTLEG RIPS. Which is exactly what they are here in the US. Ignorance = being sold shit, and being grateful for it. Get A Clue!
 

Magic-J

New member
Fabulous Films did something about these framing issues due to the open matte widescreen episodes.
Here's an example:
025457897_samll.jpg


They did a nice job, even if it's cropped a little bit, it doesn't really bother me since we get rid of this problem.
 
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Richiepiep

Administrator
New 'official' DVD Season 2 review

http://www.cult.tv/index.php/dvd-reviews-v15-50/item/928-malcolm-in-the-middle-series-2-dvd-review

Written by Emma Ward

"(...) My partner and I thought it would be a good idea to watch the first series as well, as a bit of a primer. Just to get an idea of what was going on. He had never seen Malcolm in the Middle before, but was a little intrigued as Bryan Cranston (of Breaking Bad fame) plays the father, Hal, in the show.

We settled down to watch... and were soon laughing out loud and enjoying predicting what the next predicament Malcolm and his family would get into.

(...)

This second series is as funny as the first. The more you get to know the family the more you grow to love them... as long as they stay over there. You wouldn’t want their trail of destruction anywhere near you.

I normally review films that require a cup of tea and a biscuit to watch on a rainy Sunday afternoon. Not Malcolm in the Middle, a glass of pop (or beer) and a bag of crisps are required for this. The series is ballsy, sometimes quite close to this side of decency, and often breathtakingly funny.

Regrettably, the only extra on this set is a stills gallery."
 
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Richiepiep

Administrator
I don't know if you've been following this discussion on the MITM DVD releases on the board of http://www.amazon.co.uk, but it's been getting rather heated lately, due to some disgruntled and possibly vindictive customer or simply troll, who's been forewarning about seasons not even released yet! Fabulous Films (R. Walker is indeed the name of someone on the FF staff) appears to be threatening with legal action!

I can imagine that such comments can be seen as willfully and maliciously damaging. But I would never have thought that, let's say, a review of mine of a concert DVD which I think is lousy, because image quality is bad, the DVD sometimes freezes, or songs appear to have been cut, just like in between song banter, could lead to legal action!

What do you make of this? (some comments edited together down here)

1.0 out of 5 stars
I LOVE MITM! BITS CLUMSILY CUT OUT OF DVDS, 5 Jan 2013
By Lovely Andy "fatman88_2000"
This review is from: Malcolm In The Middle: The Complete Series 4 [DVD] (DVD)

Please be warned.

I love Malcolm in the middle but I purchased season 1 & 2 and so much content has been clumsily chopped out it's left the epsidoes muddled and in some cases jokes without punchlines and punchlines without set ups.

The picture is stretched to fit widescreen, it wasn't shot in widescreen so everyone looks flattened.

It's so sad, I was looking forwards to completing the collection but I've already wasted £40 on season 1 & 2, they won't be getting anymore of my money for such terribly handled DVD release.

If you can#t licence the music don't release the DVDs, or if you do DON'T CHARGE £20 a season!

I've not done any in depth analysis but after a very quick look at episode 2 an incredible amount has been cut, Hal by himself in the restaurant by himself ordering drinks and sharing his meal and having a good time with the toilet attendant. I'm assuming because they couldn't get the licence to whatever the song is in the background. Likewise Lois decided to try and get the kids to behave by smashing the TV, in the actual episode it has her laying out a sheet and getting prepped to smash the TV in front of the boys to a little tune. This has also been cut.

Your post, in reply to an earlier post on 16 Jan 2013 14:03:16 GMT
Subtle Scrutinizer says:
I'm sorry, but your comments fall very wide of the mark.

Let's take the episode you mention, 'Red Dress' (S01E02). The scenes with Hal at the restaurant, and with the toilet attendant are both there. Running time of this episode on the original US (Fox) DVD release in 2002: 22:08 mins. Running time for the current UK (Fabulous Films) release in 2012: 22:09 mins. 22 mins. is also the running time given on the Internet Movie Database, incidentally.

And the reason the scene with Lois wielding a hammer in front of the TV is cut the way it is, is that it was a 'cliffhanger' edited to fit around a commercial break, which is where the screen goes black. It was like that on the original DVD.

Oh yes, and Malcolm was originally filmed in widescreen, and is presented that way here (albeit with some widescreen goofs, overlooked while they were filming it, so that's understandable even if it can be annoying), so if the image looks squashed, it depends on your TV or DVD player settings, not on the way it is presented on these DVDs.

They only thing I can imagine is that you have a very faulty copy, which should be returned in that case.
In reply to an earlier post on 19 Jan 2013 04:08:53 GMT
R. Walker says:
Hi Lovely Andy, i own Fabulous Films and I am currently getting your details from Amazon. Your reviews are totally incorrect, there is nothing edited , the music is original. Your reviews are defamatory and incorrect on all the seasons. They are damaging to our company. As soon as Amazon hand over your details expect legal action from us. We never take such troll action lightly ....I hope you find a good lawyer
 
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mass5160

New member
I've commented on this guy's review for Season 1, and it's difficult to tell if it's a troll, or if it's just some ignorant person. Personally, I'd have thought the best thing FF can do about these comments is report them to have them deleted.

There's been a new comment on that guy's season 4 'review' since then about a "small cut in Casino" (Someone, presumably the same person, on the FF Facebook page mentioned this also) -- I'm fortunate enough to know someone in the US who has the original airing of season 2 on tape still, and when comparing the DVD with the original airing, there are no differences, so I don't know where this supposed 'cut' came from.
 

Richiepiep

Administrator
Thanks for the reply, Mass! I myself think legal action is a bit drastic, though I can see that a number of highfalutin and abrasive comments like these by this guy on a leading webshop site can be very damaging to sales. I would advocate deletion in that case like you do.

However, there's the issue of freedom of speech, and whether it's malicious intent or not. One of the problems is the unreliability of memory. Ask a number of people to describe one of their favourite episodes or skits, or pop concert experiences they watched ten years ago, and you get all sorts of different accounts. Also, shows you found exciting or funny as a teenager, may be disappointing on review, and inspire negative criticism, sometimes blaming the publishers for bad picture quality, sloppy re-editing, or leaving bits out.

You see a lot of people, for instance, believe they watched a show or movie in colour, while it was in black and white, and perhaps the most famous line from Casablanca, "Play it again, Sam", was never even in the movie.

At any rate, I hope this matter can be resolved without too much bloodletting ;).

Rich

P.S. My recorded version of "Casino" clocks in at 22:14 mins, including end credits and the final Satin, Regency and Fox logos.
 
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tjpeople

Site Administrator
Staff member
Threatening legal action is just silly. Not a good way to deal with bad/incorrect reviews. He should get the details of the customer and try and help them out, not threaten them!
 

jeffhanff

New member
legal action understandable

Threatening legal action is just silly. Not a good way to deal with bad/incorrect reviews. He should get the details of the customer and try and help them out, not threaten them!

normally, I am not on the side of companies taking legal action against individuals. However, I have read these fake reviews on the amazon site myself and was worried about the quality of season 2+. And I'm sure I am not alone which certainly could hamper sales of the DVDs (and put the release of remaining seasons in limbo). And please remember that free speech in most legal systems does not protect defamation and slander
 

gregmasciola

New member
Awesome!

I can't believe this is happening! I found out by accident while searching for pictures from the show on google (a picture of the season 2 cover led me to this site). I've already recieved the second season in the mail and am very pleased with the picture quality. It was a bit expensive (came to about $45 in U.S. dollars), but I've gotten several TV shows at very low prices, so I can't really complain. My season 3 pre-order was a bit cheaper, too.
 

gregmasciola

New member
normally, I am not on the side of companies taking legal action against individuals. However, I have read these fake reviews on the amazon site myself and was worried about the quality of season 2+. And I'm sure I am not alone which certainly could hamper sales of the DVDs (and put the release of remaining seasons in limbo). And please remember that free speech in most legal systems does not protect defamation and slander

I can totally understand the company's side on this. This reviewer is spouting false information (about products he doesn't even own). He says that the show has been "squashed" to widescreen, which isn't true. My guess is he bought season 1 from another user and got a bootleg copy. But he's posting the same review about other seasons, which he didn't buy, so by spreading false information, he might stop others from buying the seasons.
 

mass5160

New member
I think this reviewer is probably a troll, as the exact same reviews appear on Play's listings for seasons 1 & 2.

P.S. My recorded version of "Casino" clocks in at 22:14 mins, including end credits and the final Satin, Regency and Fox logos.

The DVD version runs at 22:15, so all sounds good there! :)

Can't believe Season 3 is only days away now, hoping to get my hands on it next week, I'll post back when I receive it, and let you all know if there's any more TV PG logos, or whether there's subtitles, etc.
 

mass5160

New member
My season 3 set arrived today, and checking out a few episodes the TV PG logos are a little more frequent, and like the last two, this set is still in NTSC format. However, the 'Company Picnic' episode is the two-part syndicated version, as opposed to the one-hour original. This means that a few lines are omitted here and there, as well as the entire "Locker Room" scene at the ice rink being left out. I do have the original hour long company picnic episode, but it's not exactly good quality. Would've been nice for them to include it on this set, but I guess they've done the best they can, it's just another unfortunate case surrounding the release of this show I suppose.

EDIT: There's a "Stills Gallery" listed on the back cover, which is either absent from my DVD copy, or impossible to find. There's also no subtitles again, which was expected due to season 2 not having any.
 
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