September 15th, 2023
1,485 comments
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Doctor Who The Collection Season 20 Limited Edition Packaging
Available to order from www.amazon.co.uk, www.zavvi.com and various retailers on www.ebay.co.uk
BBC Studios continues to offer Doctor Who fans the opportunity to build their own home archive on Blu-ray with a limited edition NINE DISC box set of the 20th Season from 1983, starring Peter Davison as the Fifth Doctor. This set is the most jam-packed release yet, with hours and hours of new and exclusive material.
- Arc Of Infinity
- Snakedance
- Mawdryn Undead
- Terminus
- Enlightenment
- The King’s Demons
- The Five Doctors (20th Anniversary Special)
Celebrating the 20th Anniversary of the programme, these stories feature the return of old friends, enemies and even past Doctors! Over seven exciting stories, the Fifth Doctor, Nyssa (Sarah Sutton), Tegan (Janet Fielding) and Turlough (Mark Strickson) face off against the Black Guardian, Omega, the Mara, the Master, Cybermen and the Time Lords themselves!
All episodes have been newly remastered from the best available sources including original film elements for The Five Doctors – these classic adventures have never looked or sounded so good on home media.
The Collection: Season 20 Blu-ray box set also includes extensive Special Features including:
THE FIVE DOCTORS – 40TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION
- A brand new version of the 90-minute anniversary special, with updated special effects,
- Dolby Atmos & surround sound, plus an exclusive new commentary with Peter Davison, Janet Fielding and Mark Strickson.
UPDATED 2023 SPECIAL EFFECTS
- Exclusive to Blu-ray, on Snakedance and Enlightenment.
BEHIND THE SOFA
- Seven new episodes with Peter Davison, Colin Baker (The Doctor), Sylvester McCoy (The Doctor),
- Sarah Sutton, Janet Fielding, Mark Strickson, Katy Maning (Jo) and Sophie Aldred (Ace).
BLU-RAY TRAILER
- A brand new episode of classic Doctor Who.
IN CONVERSATION
- Interviewer Matthew Sweet chats to Janet Fielding and Sarah Sutton.
LET’S GO DUTCH!
- The TARDIS crew travel to Amsterdam to revisit locations and reminisce about Season 20 and their time on the programme.
LOOK WHO’S DRIVING
- Join Peter Davison, Janet Fielding and Sarah Sutton on an hilarious European Road Trip.
WHEN JANET MET MARTIN
- Janet Fielding chats to Martin Clunes, 40 years on from his appearance in Snakedance.
MAKING THE KING’S DEMONS
- The regular cast return to the castle location and reminisce.
MAKING THE SEASON 20 TRAILER
- A look behind the scenes
LONGLEAT CELEBRATION FOOTAGE
- A previously-unreleased look at the iconic 1983 convention, plus panels featuring Peter Davison, Tom Baker, Patrick Troughton, Jon Pertwee and many more.
STUDIO FOOTAGE
- Hours of material going behind-the-scenes on production of Arc Of Infinity, Snakedance and The Five Doctors.
LOCATION FILM RUSHES
- From The Five Doctors.
RARE CONVENTION FOOTAGE
- Including Australian interviews with Peter Davison and Janet Fielding shot during production of this season.
ONCE UPON A TIME LORD
- A rare US documentary from the 1980s.
NEW 5.1 SURROUND SOUND MIXES
- On Snakedance and The Five Doctors. Plus Dolby Atmos mixes on The Five Doctors.
ARCHIVE TREATS
- Hours of rare and previously unreleased material from the BBC Archives.
HD PHOTO GALLERIES
- Including many previously unseen images.
INFO TEXT
- Behind-the-scenes information and trivia on every episode.
PDF ARCHIVE
- Including scripts, exclusive unseen BBC production files, the Radio Times 20th Anniversary Special and other rarities.
PLUS LOTS MORE!
This nine-disc box set also includes hours of special features previously released on DVD including Documentaries, Featurettes, Audio Commentaries, The Five Doctors Special Edition and more.
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Jake E
January 11th, 2024 - 2:09pmJust ordered it.
Horror of Fang Rock has NEW CGI!!
Whoooooo!!!!
James
January 11th, 2024 - 10:08amAccording to bbcshopCanada Toms 4th season is due next as they have it up for preorder. (season 15 for UK)
Artwork looks cool
Jake E
January 11th, 2024 - 11:17amIt looks gorgeous.
There’s so much stuff going on with that front cover. I love the colour scheme that’s exactly what I would expect for Season 15. Toms face looks a tad weird but I’m ok with that. The artwork is almost too overcrowded but at the same time I love it, there’s so much to look at. I’m looking forward to seeing the back, discs etc.
Horror of Fang Rock one of my all time favs let’s go!!
Kind of a shame it’s been spoiled but I expect we will see the full thing 3pm today anyway.
Prof Horner
January 11th, 2024 - 11:43amThe cover is not quite what I expected.I thought maybe a dog whistle in his hand . Not sure I like the colour scheme either. But we have another season coming out and that is course for celebration in itself. And it isn’t season 25 ! (Sorry Bobby!)
Gordon
January 11th, 2024 - 12:24pmStill got more stuff to reveal at 3pm so not completely spoiled.
Still got the trailer extras and the actual box art. Looks rather busy but I hope it fits in well with the template box art
daz
January 11th, 2024 - 12:49pmI like the cover. I think of them as a whole now. In my head I’m looking at them next to each other so it flows well from 14.
Be interesting to see where Lee Binding goes next for Season 16. The cogs on Season 15 followed by the Key to Time eventually. Then how 16 flows into 17. But I’m getting ahead of myself…
Roll on the trailer. Be lovely if Tom is in it as a 90th Birthday treat for him.
Nb7
January 11th, 2024 - 1:00pmLove that artwork. Whatever they do inside that box I’ll be happy with!
Auton
January 11th, 2024 - 1:03pmIt’s a beautiful cover, love the Jelly babies and Time Cogs. The great thing about this getting seen early is that we still have tons of stuff for it to be announced and get excited for all over again
Erato
January 11th, 2024 - 1:03pmThe gold-themed artwork is stunning!
Nb7
January 11th, 2024 - 1:56pmI wasn’t expecting any collection set news till end of the month. I know it’s not everyone’s cup of tea but I do really enjoy Invasion of Time. For its time, to defeat one enemy all happy happy friends celebrating stuff and then (spoilers ahead) to reveal another that’s quite progressive for 70s Who.
Jake E
January 11th, 2024 - 2:11pmGordon the picture on the spine looks perfect.
It’s definitely going to stand out the most against all the other sets. So nice 🙂
James
January 11th, 2024 - 9:47amMaybe just an error or an early slip up on Canada BBC Shop side. Apparently season 15 is due to be next / to preorder.
ttps://ca.shop.bbc.com/collections/doctor-who/products/doctor-who-tom-baker-complete-season-4-blu-ray-24220
Alzie Who 66
January 11th, 2024 - 8:41amThere’s talk that BBC America have let slip that Season 15 is due for release next with an interesting cover design. Now the excitement begins of the new extras and for me whether Horror of Fang Rock will get a CGI upgrade?
Anon
January 11th, 2024 - 9:51amYes seen that. A lovely orangey cover based around The invasion of time. I hope Fang gets the CG.
RPG74
January 11th, 2024 - 9:56amOMG I love that cover.
Anon
January 11th, 2024 - 9:59amIts looking like an April release. Cant wait to see the trailer.
Erato
January 11th, 2024 - 1:05pmI’m kinda hoping Underworld gets a CSO spruce-up like Terror of the Autons did on Season 8.
4TH DOCTOR
January 10th, 2024 - 8:01pmReally hope we get Season 13 on Blu Ray this year as Tom The GOAT Baker is 90 and it’s the 50th anniversary of his debut as the GOAT 4th Doctor
Gordon
January 10th, 2024 - 8:49pmIf we are getting season 15 next as I have heard i doubt we will be getting any other Tom’s this year.
Capybara
January 5th, 2024 - 11:01amSo months later, the “investigation” into playback faults with Season 20, has resulted in no action taken, whatsoever.
Glad I backed out of the Limited edition range when I did.
It’s now become a total gamble if you’re actually going to receive a fully playable set of discs, let alone housed in a glued-up-enough boxset, highly prone to falling apart within minutes.
We’ve only (finally) just got Season 17 announced as a ‘standard’ set – but my word is this range just dragging and dragging like a Dachshunds’ crown jewels.
BBC iPlayer’s already heavily hammered major inventive for these sets – surely the best thing to do now would be to bring the standards right up to Season 20 this year, fix every major playback problem, while having a serious rethink on quality control of the Limited range for those spending £50-£60+ on preorders per season, instead of “Oh, who cares, we’re halfway through the range now, sod off to anyone having problems, no one cares, it’s only x amount of people”.
As a fan it’s so frustrating seeing so many paying customers on social media complaining about these sets with zero response from the BBC. For what they are, this should be the absolute cream of the crop range, given the hard work everyone puts into the episode restorations and brand new special features.
Instead it’s really bad practices, terrible quality control, half arsed, or absent online responses, and too many overly forgiving reviewers overlooking every single one of these errors (cheers to millenium effect’s website for calling out many of these errors), on top of distribution delays, total silence as to what the heck is even going on with the range in general, and giving an impression of refusing to want to address – or do anything about – any these problems for the paying customers and fans that keep this range going – all of the above ultimately letting the final output down.
If it’s “only 50 people” with a playback error – why the heck haven’t these paying customers been offered replacement discs, or ongoing communication with regards to television settings, if the BBC apparently know ‘how’ to recreate the error, so-called. Why is it okay and justifiable to ignore these good people that want to enjoy this set that they have paid for, just like everyone else? Are they somehow of lower value? What’s the logic exactly?
What a mess.
Rex F
January 5th, 2024 - 2:46pmIt probably didn’t help that people weren’t providing full details of players, televisions and setup options. That does make troubleshooting more difficult.
These sets were always done in a rush and on the cheap, but apparently that’s the only way to do it and make a profit. People can’t afford and/or don’t want to pay higher prices, I completely understand that. But you get what you pay for. (Except in artists’ contributions, where you get more than you should because the royalties are so tragic.)
Gordon
January 6th, 2024 - 12:40amThey have zero reason to rush out the remaining standards. The versions on iPlayer are mainly in sd. There is no commentaries deleted scenes, alternative effects/versions, making ofs, biography’s etc from the collection sets. The main incentive’s to own the sets are still there. They have a business model regarding the standard editions. It may not be to your liking but it’s a model that continues to be successful.
I don’t understand all this complaining about the radio silence and dragging it out. They only announce things when things are ready to be announced. Always been the way since the range started. I don’t get this idea that people don’t know what’s going on with the range. They have said in more than occasion they have been commissioned to do at least 26 season sets. That should tell you all you need to know. Just because there hasn’t been anything said to keep us up to date that does not mean things are no longer happening. These releases take a massive amount of work. Some seasons take more work than others so the release schedule will always be a little irregular and there will be some instances where there will be gaps of silences. There are a couple of bands I like who are in the process of doing super deluxe releases and they are currently going through back catalogues. There is 1 band in particular that is taking roughly 2 and a half years between releases of super deluxe albums and in between that time how often do they update people to keep people knowing what’s going on? None. They just randomly put the next deluxe set up for preorder when it’s ready. To be honest I can’t think of any band or tv show that is currently going through a major reissue campaign that updates people that there are things still happening when there is gaps in the schedule. Don’t see why this should be the exception to that.
People forget bbc studios who produce these releases are a business. The cost in fixing the errors and doing another print run of discs and posting it to people simply isn’t financially justifiable for just 50 copies. They simply aren’t going to do things at a loss. They simply aren’t our friends. Nothing to do with people’s value. Unlike other errors that required mass disc replacements this is only effecting 0.5 percent of people that bought it and it’s a player issue not a disc issue so their insurance probably won’t cover it. That’s why only 50 People complaining about it is not enough to justify it. If it was a couple of hundred upwards it would be justifiable but not 50. They are not offering replacement discs but however they are more than happy for you to return the product if you are not satisfied with it.
Matthew Sayes
January 6th, 2024 - 9:17amWell I’m with you Capybara – well done for writing what you did.
I think this range is dragging, you are absolutely right.
And a sense that Dr Who fans will buy anything, so who cares.
Gordon
January 6th, 2024 - 11:32amIt will take as long as it needs to take. People don’t seem to appreciate quite how much work goes into them. If it Means dragging to 2 a year for the next six years SO BE IT!!!!
The Time Lord 1944
January 6th, 2024 - 12:11pmGordon. You speak a lot of sense as per usual. If they were to spend money fixing this problem that effects certain players or TVs that’s less money to invest in the next set. I wish there was a way to find out exactly what’s causing the issue and which players are effected. However, there are two people with the same player. Ones effected one isn’t. Is that then a software update needed with one of the players or is it a TV issue? It’s so complicated. What we do know is it effects the Underwater Menace restorations too so it’s not a batch issue or a disc issue.
daz
January 6th, 2024 - 12:12pmThis range is not dragging at all. I really don’t understand the desperate need to have everything straight away. The majority of people still have everything on dvd and some even vhs. And they are on iplayer too now.
Going forward I see us getting 2 releases per year. A small team work on these and they do care. Lee Binding works on 4 sets at once so more are coming. And they do still sell a lot so they are not going to stop until the end. So if it takes another 6 years to complete the range and potentially have more animations added I’m all for it.
Not sure why Capybara is getting so flustered when he/she/they doesn’t even collect the limited editions. The standards have a set release pattern about 18-24 months after the limited versions. A bit like the animations being added to the iplayer.
As for those with picture issues there simply aren’t enough with the issue to do a reprint.
I recommend checking the discs on all your friends Blu-ray players. Check the settings on your player are upto date with recent firmware and that your TV’s are also upto date, especially if it is a potential codex issue too. Your Players could be fighting the settings on your TV causing mixed results.
Anyhoo, here’s to Season 15, 6 and 25 next… maybe.
Nb7
January 6th, 2024 - 12:39pmThe range isn’t dragging at all. If you go back to the earlier collection sets they were always delayed! I personally think they’ve got a total grip on it. The sets are announced and then a date is announced and then the product arrives! A few years ago it wasn’t like that. I’m sure season 26 was delayed something like three times! If you’re into the sets then fantastic if not then that’s cool too. I’d listen to Gordon though as he always is very on the ball!
Prof Horner
January 6th, 2024 - 2:33pmTotally agree. I am happy with two a year, even though I am getting on a bit! if they are up to the quality of season 20 . Let’s have season 6 this year and I will be happy.
Gordon
January 6th, 2024 - 3:34pmAdd to what nb7 said the schedule at the start of the range was only ever planned to have frequent releases to establish the range. It was never sustainable to be a long term deal. Regardless of Covid happening the release schedule would have slowed eventually.
Personally I think we will get 2 a year going forward with maybe the odd year they might squeeze a third . I don’t think they could go back to that early schedule even if they wanted to. Mark has become so phenomenally busy in the past couple of years. In the past year alone mark has
Finished off season 9 (including a new 5.1/Atmos remix for sea devils)
Completed season 20 (including 5 doctors atmos/5.1 mix)
Started work on the next season set
Worked on both uwm and toymaker animations as well as probably starting work on the next animation from the uwm team
Remastered soundtracks for revenge of the cybermen and time and the rani cd/vinyl releases
Was involved with 3 dvd/blu ray German dr who releases
Was a part of the 60th anniversary concert
Worked on the daleks in colour
Worked on the dad’s army animations
Worked on a 5.1/atmos mix for orbital’s optical delusion album
Remixed the song staircase for the deluxe version of Steven Wilson’s harmony codex
Compiled produced and mastered the inventions for radio vinyl box set.
Anon
January 6th, 2024 - 4:30pmNow you are going to get Bobby say. ‘ What no season 25 Prof? Happiness will prevail’.
Mark Moxham
January 6th, 2024 - 9:46pmI’m reading through all the comments on here, and it’s good to see there’s a divergence of views. We are a big community, after all. And there’s No NEED FOR HYSTERIA!!!!
I think it’s a shame there are not more than two sets a year. Perhaps that’s a reflection of the quality of most of the end products, but I do think Capybara makes some good points. These are not cheap sets to buy at the end of the day, and as fans we shouldn’t be making excuses for lapses in quality control.
Rex F
January 7th, 2024 - 2:46amBut they are cheap. Home video is so cheap now, particularly in relation to sales, that it’s barely worth the effort. It’s why we see so little archive TV released on disc, aside from re-releases of the usual where a lot of paperwork and legwork has been done previously. Even with the price increase for the recent sets (and I can’t believe I’m saying this…) it’s still only about half of what it ought to be. But I doubt 10,000 fans would pay £100 per set, twice a year. We’ve been spoilt.
Nb7
January 9th, 2024 - 12:02pmI feel sorry for everyone who’s got issues going on with sets/players. I do understand the frustration when you e forked out for so something that’s not working. Then again it could be worse, you could get the Church on Ruby Road blu ray and it would work!
Britfox
January 9th, 2024 - 7:08pmoh Nb7 that did make make me laugh, but its true.
The Time Lord 1944
January 10th, 2024 - 1:46pmNb7 the Gordon being always on the ball thing that you said. Made me think of the Jimmy Grumble film. “Give the ball to Gordon. Give it to Gordon. Give it to ruddy Gordon.”
Anon
January 4th, 2024 - 9:29amHas anyone got DWM to see if there is a preview pic of a new collection boxset?
Andrew
January 4th, 2024 - 10:09amNothing in this month’s magazine.
Anon
January 4th, 2024 - 11:18amThey must just do this for the standard esitions.
Gordon
January 5th, 2024 - 7:12amThe only time they have had a cover or details reveal early for the limited editions in dwm I believe was season 19 and that was just as they started doing the trailer reveals. Considering how successful the trailer reveals are I’ll be surprised if they reveal early in dwm again.
Anonymous
January 9th, 2024 - 5:56pmAnnouncement this week
Bobby Fackrell
January 9th, 2024 - 8:32pmHappiness will Prevail?
Anonymous
January 10th, 2024 - 9:58amSeason 15, so I am told. A few delays making sure the retailers have the information for pre-orders online.
Speculating I think it would make sense for season 25 this year, gives the animation teams time to work on other stories to plug episode gaps on season one, three to six. Wheel in Space or Marco Polo would be on my hit list.
For Marco extras you have Carole Anne, Waris and Derren as contributors.
Anonymous
January 10th, 2024 - 10:01amI would also look to get the Wilderness Years/TV Movie and out to delay the story collections that have gaps with episodes. The only issues I can see are the original negatives not available, unless anything has changed, but they couldn’t find them for the previous releases. Also Dimensions in Time will have to live as an oddity, floating around youtube pickled in time.
Gordon
January 10th, 2024 - 12:29pmI don’t think it matters how far back they push the collections with missing gaps they won’t all get done in time for the collection range ending. Complex Stories like Marco would need at least 2 years to do. Masterplan would probably need 3. The problem they have is this: they can either focus on filling up those 4 parter season 3/4 episodes for the collection or they can tackle masterplan/marco polo. There pretty much isn’t time to do both. They can do masterplan but then that’s 3 years where they can’t do anything else from that animation team and in that time 2-3 other stories could get done in that time instead. Personally I think they should focus on animating the season 3/4 4 parters and wheel (it’s probably the easiest of the 6/7/12 parters). Try and get season 3/4 down to only having 1 gap per season. Try and get myth makers, massacre, savages, and smugglers done and perhaps get highlanders (if they can figure out the problems with it) and wheel and that would just leave Marco masterplan and space pirates to be done after the collection range is done
Gordon
January 10th, 2024 - 1:36pmOh and crusade too
Erato
January 11th, 2024 - 8:56amIn response to Gordon’s comments on the length of time it would take to do Masterplan and Marco Polo, I wonder whether animated omnibus versions of these stories might be a viable alternative… cliffhangers and irrelevant scenes cut out etc. It might help with the cost issue of having multiple characters and scenery to animate.
Anomie
January 11th, 2024 - 11:36amErato I would not be interested in that. Minor edits are fine but cutting out “irrelevant” scenes is a no. What constitutes an irrelevant scene? I’m happy to wait for these stories to be done in full and if that means waiting two to three years so be it.
Gordon
January 11th, 2024 - 12:00pmAfter seeing the reaction to the removal of the rough and tumble scene on the macra animation I’d be suprised if removal of scenes would ever go down well
Erato
January 11th, 2024 - 1:11pmI just want to clarify that I’m NOT for omnibus versions of stories; I’m just putting it out there as a possibility the producers might be looking at. The cliffhangers have always been my favourite thing about Doctor Who, and I never liked the omnibus VHS tapes when I used to collect them.
Don’t get me wrong, I’d love to see it, but surely there’s an argument that The Feast of Steven isn’t all that relevant to the plot of Masterplan…!? (insert eeekkk / gritted teeth emoji here)
Anonymous
January 11th, 2024 - 1:20pmI am glad to see Tom’s release as planned, as I mentioned the other day.
Reference Marco Polo and DMP, yes they would take a long time due to the amount of episodes. However, any thing could be possible. Could 3D computer animations take less time? I am not a fan of them, as Web 3 was bloody awful. But let’s see what Celestial is like.
I understand for commercial reasons that existing episodes are also animated like we have seen with G4, Evil, Faceless ones, etc… but what a waste of time. I think 6×25 minutes animated, that could have been money and time spent on other missing episodes.
Gordon
January 12th, 2024 - 7:28amTo be fair it’s not a waste of time if the only reason the animations happen and continue to happen is that the whole thing gets done. Streamers and broadcasters want a whole story in a consistent format. The animations aren’t viable otherwise and simply wouldn’t happen.
The 6 episodes would not have covered funding other episodes though. Nowhere near it. Most of the assets they used from the surviving episodes that came from other missing episodes of the same story. If they were using that money and time to create other stories they would have to create a ton of new assets which would be far more expensive and time consuming than what they did with those surviving episodes. Doing another story would consist of Creating a dozen plus new characters sets and other assets. No way those episodes covers it. Not even close to it
Jake E
January 1st, 2024 - 2:20pmStill no update on replacement discs for this set.
They are definitely ignoring us because they know they’ve made a costly mistake
daz
January 1st, 2024 - 4:41pmAfter reading comments on here and online there seems to be less than 50 people with the problem though.
Can’t see them doing a replacement for it tbf.
The Time Lord 1944
January 1st, 2024 - 6:45pmThe fact that Underwater Menace had the same judder on the episodes shows that it’s an issue with the restoration software that only shows up on certain TVs and players rather than an issue with batches of discs. The problem will continue for me, you and all the others with same players or TVs unless they can update their software and correct the problem.
Gio
January 1st, 2024 - 9:35pmWhat seems to have been ignored is the fact that the ‘few’ people with the judder issue are expected to put up with it or potentially spend a lot of money replacing a perfectly good player in the hope it resolves the issue. I’m happy for everyone who does not have the problem but the radio silence is the most frustrating thing.
Caleb H
January 2nd, 2024 - 5:19amIt really is quite disappointing. I’ve even tried playing the discs on an older Sony blu ray player connected to an older 1080p TV (as i questioned whether the issues have come about because i am playing them on a Panasonic 4k player with the latest firmware), but even then i still experience the juddering.
I’ll be getting a new region free blu ray player over the coming weeks so it will be interesting to test them on yet another system (haven’t got my hopes up though).
Gio
January 2nd, 2024 - 3:22pmI agree with caleb h. I’ve now tried with 3 different TV and player systems so I have a hard time believing this is an isolated incident. I’ve tried a combination of 4k tv and player and 1080p and blu ray players. With and without firmware updates. I find it bizarre that more people are not having issues.
Nb7
January 3rd, 2024 - 1:39pmI have a Panasonic 4K player also and I no issues whatsoever ever.
Could it be a possible bad batch, some are good some are bad? I’m sure this question has been asked before but seeing as I have the same player as someone else and both are having different experiences, it can’t be the players!
The Time Lord 1944
January 3rd, 2024 - 7:15pmNb7 the restoration team member did say that when he adjusted his own Blu-ray/TV settings he noticed the problem and admitted there was an issue. It might just be that your TV is masking the issue. I know that if you have the TV set to game mode or similar it hides the judder. It just might be that those not experiencing the issue have a certain TV with certain viewing settings that hide it.
Gio
January 3rd, 2024 - 7:22pmYeah NB7 mine is a panasonic 4k player too. Doesn’t explain how underwater menace has the same issue though. If it was a batch issue you would expect UM to be okay. Have we had any confirmation that season 20 has a different encode to the others as never had this problem on any dvd/blu ray/4k before.
Gordon
January 5th, 2024 - 10:12amI know this won’t please everyone but if the number of people it affects is only about 50 I doubt replacement discs will be made for them. It’s less than 1 percent of people that bought it. The cost of paying someone to fix it (people simply aren’t going to do it for free when the other 99 percent of people bought it is fine) and cost of doing a print run of 50 probably isn’t financially justifiable. It would have needed to have been a higher amount to justify it. The fact it’s almost 4 months on from release and there is no sign of a disc replacement for it is probably a sign that there won’t be one. Just hope that it can be somehow fixed for the standard release and any future releases.
Basil Funkenstein
December 31st, 2023 - 11:36pmIt’s all gone a bit quiet on the collection front. Do we think we’ll get an announcement on the 1st or 2nd week of January?
DPHill
January 1st, 2024 - 3:18amI am really hoping we do, would be nice to have a bit more teasers and hints to know it’s still going strong for sure but also it is lovely to have random announcements, cant wait for the next, hope we get a Tom baker very soon, maybe they’ll announce it for his 90th birthday?
Prof Horner
January 1st, 2024 - 8:56amI think 11th of January announcement. Happy New Year to you all.
daz
January 1st, 2024 - 11:50amI definitely expect an announcement this month with a March release.
D84
January 1st, 2024 - 12:30pmIf that rumoured February release slot is a new collection set – one would hope the announcement comes early January
Pete X
January 1st, 2024 - 1:55pmThe Daleks in Colour is being released in February – three months from announcement of the product. That would suggest that either or both the Celestial Toymaker and the Church on Ruby Road are likely to be released in March (tCoRR could be released January). This leaves the only an April release slot for a collection issue in the first half of the year, with an announcement this month, since the BBC/Disney won’t have a competing product being released for sale will the new series is being promoted and broadcast (May-July(?)).
Basil Funkenstein
January 1st, 2024 - 4:19pmI think I remember someone saying their financial year goes from March to March? Seeing as we got Season 9 March of last year I doubt they’d only do technically 1 set in a financial year. Someone said its a strong rumour for the next set in February.
daz
January 1st, 2024 - 4:44pmIt’s only the BBC. Disney have nothing to do with the UK physical media releases.
It does look like they have a say in other markets which is why no physical releases announced of 60th and beyond for USA for example.
Prowl1701
January 1st, 2024 - 7:20pmI could see a set being announced close to Tom’s 90th birthday this month.
Basil Funkenstein
January 1st, 2024 - 9:28pmI’d honestly LOVE that! Season 15 in February as a slightly belated Happy Birthday to Tom, who I maintain definitely should have been Sir Tom Baker by now! He is the definitive Doctor, or at the very least the definitive Classic Doctor.
I’d be overjoyed with Season 15 next and then hopefully a Troughton set. We are long overdue a 2nd Doctor Season in the collection. Most people say Season 6 but I’m happy with either 5 or 6 tbh. Then at the beginning of 2025 I can see us getting Season 25. No idea what to predict after that, it’s too early without knowing any forthcoming animations after The Celestial Toymaker.
Honestly I’ll just be excited with whatever comes out next. I really enjoy this collection and I’m in no hurry for it to finish quickly. If they take their time and get us some premium products I’m happy to wait. I was happy when we got Season 14 during lock down in 2020 after such a long wait, it was worth it.
Anyway… bring on the next set, knight Tom Baker, and Happy 90th to him.
Gordon
January 5th, 2024 - 10:46amI suspect church on ruby road will be out by the end of the month. Those single Christmas releases are normally rush released.
March I suspect will be either the toymaker animation or the next collection set. I know one of the actress that was in fang rock did say feb/march release for s15 but that could always change.
Considering they announced the finalised extras for toymaker they must be closer to release than people think. Might be march to get it out in the current financial year and it would also be out in roughly the same gap between menace’s announcement and release. Also could be out a little later than that.
As for beyond that I feel the next animation isn’t due for an official announcement for another 6-9 months minimum. Depending on what they are working on. Could be more. Next collection set probably won’t be announced till summer. 6 or 25 is my guess
Bobby Fackrell
January 5th, 2024 - 6:50pmSo Happiness will Prevail?
Anon
January 5th, 2024 - 9:12pmBy summer.you mean july or August as the season 22 standard edition most likely be released until late june/ july for preorder?
Gordon
January 6th, 2024 - 12:51amThat sounds about right
Richard
December 21st, 2023 - 4:31pmI’m hoping for 7 probably my favourite classic season. It has a unique style to it that I love.
Matt L
December 25th, 2023 - 7:31pmRIP to Richard Franklin
Prof Horner
December 14th, 2023 - 11:22amLast chance today of announcement of the next season Boxset before Christmas. Do we think?
D84
December 14th, 2023 - 1:43pmI would say so
If no announcement today – will be at least a week after new year.
I suspect it will be that anyway.
S17 standard has 1 month between announcement to release date
If that’s what we are going with, then a Jan announcement could still meet the rumoured February release slot
Bobby Fackrell
December 14th, 2023 - 2:29pmDon’t worry Prof
Happiness will Prevail
Gordon
December 14th, 2023 - 9:09pmStill time next week.
Prof Horner
December 12th, 2023 - 5:41pmHappy Birthday to the lovely Sarah Sutton.
Anonymous
December 12th, 2023 - 5:48pmShe is a lovely polite woman as well. Got to meet her last month.
Bobby Fackrell
December 13th, 2023 - 12:43pmHappy Birthday Nyssa ❤️
Gordon
December 10th, 2023 - 11:42pmWell Chris chapman has just returned from filming abroad. Toby was with him. only 2 places I can think of is lanzerote which would be for s21 and the tv movie. They just went away Saturday morning and considering the length of flight to vancuver and the time difference and the amount of time needed to film a making of and return I just don’t think there was the time to do so more likely lanzerotte. Unless of course it’s a person that lives in the location the went to which could mean it’s from any season
D84
December 11th, 2023 - 11:36amExcellent insight as always Gordon
There was mention previously of stuff being done and banked for Warriors (i think) while Mark was over from NZ
Or was it Janet who slipped they had done Behind the Sofa for it?
Sounds like S21 could be a contender for the next few sets
Then again, we have said before – now they are over half way, one imagens that most sets are now being worked on, material banked for or at least planning for by now
Prof Horner
December 11th, 2023 - 12:42pmIf we are going to get only two sets a year. Then I think it will be a couple of years before we get season 21.
The Time Lord 1944
December 8th, 2023 - 1:59pmSomeone has posted an advert for Season 17 standard edition Blu-ray on Facebook but hasnt said where the advert is from. Anyone know where it’s being advertised for pre order?
Anon
December 8th, 2023 - 2:13pmThis months DWM
Basil Funkenstein
December 7th, 2023 - 6:28pmWith “The Celestial Toymaker” animation being announced it is now much more likely that a Collection set will be announced either after the last 14th Doctor 60th anniversary special or after the 15th Doctor Christmas special.
Matthew L
December 7th, 2023 - 8:42pmHopefully a trailer on 14th or 21st December
D84
December 9th, 2023 - 11:02pmWell we’ve had the next “Standard” edition release as S17
Do we think it’ll be quiet now until January??
Basil Funkenstein
December 9th, 2023 - 11:15pmI doubt that D84.
It seems likely that the next Collection set will be announced within the next fortnight.
D84
December 10th, 2023 - 11:34pmHope so Basil, let’s see what happens next week.
Usually a Thursday for announcements of late
Samuel
December 7th, 2023 - 2:52pmBBC have officially released a teaser of ‘The Celestial Toymaker” animated episodes.
… Damn it I miss Cosgrove Hall.
Jake E
December 7th, 2023 - 9:36amCelestial Toymaker animation LEAKED!!!
booboo
December 7th, 2023 - 9:54amthe animation?
Jake E
December 7th, 2023 - 9:59amYes!
Here’s the link:
booboo
December 7th, 2023 - 10:03amnot sure how amazon putting it up for pre-order is a leak, its there for anyone to see.
Gordon
December 7th, 2023 - 11:02amAnd it’s gone. Someone at Amazon definitely jumped the gun.
Jake E
December 7th, 2023 - 11:17amIt’s a leak because it hasn’t been officially announced and now the page has been deleted.
booboo
December 7th, 2023 - 11:23amI prefer to call that a mistake, leaks tend to be deliberate.
Its out the bag now and loads of dead links all over SM and forums does no one any good
There are no advanced press releases now so impossible to know if anything should be there or not.
Gordon
December 7th, 2023 - 1:25pmThere is now a blu ray listing. It’s definitely happening
booboo
December 7th, 2023 - 1:38pmsteelbook now on Zavvi (out of stock so today)
Jamss
December 7th, 2023 - 9:31amThe Celestial Toymaker has been listed on amazon uk.
Date release 24th December 2024 £14.99.
All 4 episodes animates in colour and b&w, 2 discs. Ep 4 restored
Prof Horner
December 7th, 2023 - 10:17amI think it will be released before then.
Gordon
December 7th, 2023 - 12:49amCan confirm standard s17 advertised in dwm but no release date
DPHill
December 7th, 2023 - 8:03amI wonder if that is a sign a new set is on the way? They tend to line up don’t they?
Prof Horner
December 6th, 2023 - 5:30pmRegarding future releases and if we are going to get only two releases a year. Here’s my release schedule.
2024 -season 6 and 15
2025 – 11 and 25
2026 – 1 and 16
2027 – 5 and 21
2028 – 4 and 7
2029- 3 and 13
With wilderness the years maybe throw in along the way.
It’s only a bit of fun and I am probably completely wrong . Still think Season 6 will be at least 9 disc’s.
Anonymous
December 6th, 2023 - 5:52pm2029/30 for the final release?! That completes the set only three or four years before the 70th anniversary….?!!?
DPHill
December 6th, 2023 - 6:46pm2024 – 15; 6
2025 – 25; 11
2026 – 5; 16
2027 – 21; 1
2028 – 13; 4
2029 – 7; 3
2030 – WY; NU who…
I mostly agree with you and it is fun to see, I think 2024 & 25 are gonna be exactly as you say! I hope they dip into nuwho afterwards as well, maybe just before the end, I think we have two releases a year now – at least if we think as such we won’t be disappointed when we get two still brilliant sets!
Gordon
December 6th, 2023 - 10:17pmFrom what I gather they have still being delivering things. It’s a simple case that the bbc sales team simply not announcing stuff. Apparently there is an advert for s17 standard edition in the new dwm so i expect that is away to get revealed
DPHill
December 5th, 2023 - 7:01amYes it seems likely that the week In between the Xmas special and the other specials as well as just after are good candidates, we shall just have to wait and see!
January is a bit late for a feb release, maybe january will be the animation announcement? Time will tell although it would be great to have an announcement straight after!
I really don’t know between 6, 15/16, and 25, I think it will probably be a Tom given how long it is and that will be an average sized 7disc set, 6 being a chunky chap, and 25 an easier one to do lees colour palate was also something that someone else said I don’t know how he got the colours for it but it works so could be 16…
RPG74
December 4th, 2023 - 10:37pmCan anyone explain why comments are no longer permitted on The Star Beast thread, and why the entire Wild Blue Yonder thread has been removed? I don’t recall anything too controversial being posted on either, so…technical glitch?
RPG74
December 5th, 2023 - 9:02amAh, never mind. They’re back on.
D84
December 4th, 2023 - 10:41amI guess we definitely wont see another “Collection” set release before Christmas now – disappointing
Another year with only 2 sets out
Anyone got any snippets of when we can expect another set – or what it might be.
Wasn’t there mention of a February release slot a little while ago?
DPHill
December 4th, 2023 - 12:55pmi think Gordon may have said february – don’t quote me on that – lots of people are suggesting a Tom set, maybe they will announce it in January as the legend is 90?
Gordon
December 4th, 2023 - 1:17pmYeah February. Might be next week once the show is out the way. I do suspect russell probably didn’t want things announced around his episodes airing. It will be up to the bbc sales team to announce.
daz
December 4th, 2023 - 2:26pmI expect they’ll announce it on Thursday 14th December once the Specials have finished.
February release.
Rumours all suggest Season 15 although I was thinking it would be 16 first.
D84
December 4th, 2023 - 2:41pmI’m happy with any set to be fair, as long as they keep them coming
Agree on the angle of maybe holding off while the specials are airing
And yes, a Thursday seems to be a favours announcement day
Prof Horner
December 4th, 2023 - 2:45pmI’m thinking 4th of January for the next boxset announcement. Maybe we will get announcement for the next animation after The Giggle, if it is The Toymaker next.
Rory
December 4th, 2023 - 5:03pm@Prof, I’m thinking they announce Toymaker straight after this week’s special.
If it’s not Toymaker then it’ll be much likely to wait for the announcement so they don’t get overshadowed by the 60th
Basil Funkenstein
December 4th, 2023 - 10:59pmSeasons 6 and 15 seem to be strong contenders for the next set. I would have liked Season 16 before 15 but the colour palette teased by Lee Binding doesn’t fit that season in my opinion.
If 15 is next I can see Season 6 and 25 being released as well, or because Season 6 is such a big set maybe we’ll see Season 25 released next year after 15 and Seasons 6 and 11 released in 2025. Who knows.
I think we’ll get an announcement this December definitely, January seems too late for a February release.
Prowl 1701
December 5th, 2023 - 6:43amYeah that color clue Lee gave fits 6 and 15 far better than 16 IMO. And i’d rather have 15 or 6 honestly. season 25 in 2025 would make sense. Rewatching a season 15 story for review purposes now.
Prof Horner
December 5th, 2023 - 11:14amI agree with you prowl, we need season 6 out next year. Of the three remaining Tom’s, season 15 is my least favorite , but I will be happy with any Tom. The real question is will we get three next year. 6 is likely to be a big boxset , probably 10 disc’s. Which will need a lot of work. So maybe two again next year.
Basil Funkenstein
December 5th, 2023 - 8:29pmThat’s my thinking too prof. Seasons 6 and 11 need a lot of work and time spent on them, as do the majority of the remaining seasons left, so releasing 2 a year makes sense financially as well as economically.
It gives them extra time to make sure there are no issues at all with the sets. I adore these sets but sometimes they seem a tiny bit rushed. I don’t say that as a negative dig, just an observation. I’ve been fairly lucky with mine with only a few minor issues here and there but there’s been issues with picture and audio quality, issues with the booklets, issues with the packaging etc.
I completely understand how much work and love goes into the collimator sets and I really don’t have a bad word to say about them but maybe releasing 2 sets a year going forward is the better option. I’d obviously be overjoyed with 3 a year but if we ask ourselves honestly whether we’d prefer 2 sets a year with fewer issues or 3 sets a year with more issues I know which choice I’d pick.
I can see it being 15 and either 6 or 25 next year and then either 6/25 and season 11 in 2025. I hope they can pack these sets with as much material as possible. We are extremely lucky and spoiled with these sets and I look forward to completing Classic Who and hopefully they release Classic-Modern Who (2005-2022) in the collection style in the future as well.
Basil Funkenstein
December 5th, 2023 - 8:30pm*collection not collimator
Prowl 1701
December 6th, 2023 - 12:30amI wouldn’t be surprised if we started getting just two sets a year. I think the season 6 set could be just eight discs, there are only seven stories that season, plus a bonus disc maybe.
Basil Funkenstein
December 6th, 2023 - 5:30amI agree Prowl. I definitely think Season 6 will be 8 discs, maybe 9 maximum but I think that would be pushing it unless they have enough bonus material to fill 2 extra discs. Season 3 and 4 could easily be 10 discs each by the time they are released, which seems very likely if we get 2 sets a year moving forward giving extra time for more animations to be released, and Season 5 could either be 9 or 10 discs as well. Season 6 seems likely to be an 8 disc set. I understand that The War Games is a 10-part story and it would seem logical to be separated onto 2 discs with an extra disc for Bonus content, this would make it a 9 disc set, but I personally think we’ll get all 10 parts of TWG on 1 disc with as much extra content they can add on that disc without causing compression issues and then an extra disc for all of the other Bonus stuff. This would make it an 8 disc set which is still pretty chunky and awesome considering it’s a 7-story season from 1969.
I’m so excited for the final half of Classic Who covering the first 7 Doctors. We’ve got 14 Seasons so far and there’s 12 left to go, possibly 13 if we get a Wilderness Years set, and we still have some absolutely cracking seasons to look forward to. Seasons 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 11, 13, 15, 16, 21, and 25.
I know that we still have so much left to look forward to. If we do end up getting 2 Classic Who sets a year then the collection is likely to finish in 2029/2030, I think this would be a perfect time to segue into releasing Classic-Modern Who (2005-2022) in the style of the current collection sets. I’d be fascinated to see what Lee and the team behind the sets could come up with in 5/6 years time, combining the winning elements of the current collection sets with more modernised approaches and techniques and developments in technology.
With the Doctor Who Figurine Collection coming back and the Classic Who collection sets looking stronger than ever I’ve never been more excited as a fan of Doctor Who than I am now. Bring on the future!
Rob
December 6th, 2023 - 11:27amIf (a big if) “The War Games” is being colourised, then expect a delay of any Season 6 set for a while. There are some small deleted scenes from “The Invasion” that I have on DVD, wonder if all the assets still exist and they could put them on when time comes.
Dave
December 6th, 2023 - 1:28pmwar games is not being colourised at this time, nor is it planned
Basil Funkenstein
December 6th, 2023 - 2:48pmI really doubt “The War Games” will be colourised any time soon. The Daleks was a nice one-off but I’d like them to focus on animations and improving the animations before releasing more colourised stories.
Plus waiting for episodes and stories to be colourised before releasing a specific Season set would be detrimental to the collection not an improvement of it. We already have Season 2 missing 2 episodes, which isn’t a big deal, but if they decide to animate The Crusade in the future maybe they’ll release Special Edition sets with the additional animations/colourised stories added in as well.
For example if we don’t get “Marco Polo” animated before Season 1, or if the “An Unearthly Child” rights get sorted after the Season 1 set is released, that could have a Special Edition box set, Season 2 could have one, depending on how many stories from this season get animated before its release there’s a likely possibility that it could get a Special Edition release and that’s Season 3, Seasons 4, 5, and 6 are all also possible as well. They might not do it but I think it’s a cool idea to essentially make the collection an actual complete entire archive of Classic Who, (as much as it is possible obviously with missing episodes/stories from this era.)
I would like them to get the Limited Edition and Standard Edition sets done first giving extra time for animations to be worked on and released on their own in Steelbooks, Blu-Ray, and dvd, and then colourisations of 60’s Who as well to be worked on and released, if they do release more i think they should just pick 1 story from each Season instead of doing every single story from Seasons 1-6. That way once the normal collection is complete the standalone releases would have had enough time to sell on their own in various formats and it would then make sense for them to release Special Edition box sets of the Seasons from 1-6 that warrant one, which could potentially be all 6 of them.
Maybe they could add something unique to the Special Edition sets that give them an extra quality compared to the Limited and Standard editions. Potentially a lenticular image as the front and back covers, that would be a phenomenal addition that would embellish and boost the wonderful creativity of these sets. They could also add stuff alongside the booklet in the booklet holder inlay such as stickers or magnets or mini posters or art or literally whatever they fancied really.
I wouldn’t mind paying £10-£20 extra on top of the normal price for a Special Edition set to get Seasons 1-6 in both Limited and Special editions. If they follow that route I think it would be successful, especially with the right timing and marketing strategy. Obviously they’d have to add stuff and make the sets different and unique in some way but if the Limited Edition sets are about £50 now then £70 for a Special Edition set doesn’t sound too bad. They’d have to stick to 2 sets a year because of the expense but Who fans will double-dip if the purchase is warranted and I think having Standard, Limited, and Special editions in the collection is a cosmic idea.
Rex F
December 6th, 2023 - 2:52pmRob: Is one of those Vaughan on the massive view screen? From recent comments, not everyone involved with the discs is aware that those were changed… (Bringing up the huge screen as an example of how “inaccuracies” in the animations are nothing new, with the popular Cosgrove Hall animations having similar big changes to the more recent and more criticised ones. Whoops…)
Gordon
December 1st, 2023 - 12:06pmWell episode 1 of the underwater menace and episodes 2 and 5 of wheel in space have been added to iPlayer. Apparently episode 4 of underwater menace and episodes 1 and 4 of wheel will be getting added soon. The underwater menace episode 1 and 4 is the 2015 recons. God knows why they added that version. If Die hard fans couldn’t get through that how can they expect a casual audience to do that. Wheel in space is the BritBox recon from 2017
DPHill
December 3rd, 2023 - 12:39pmIm not sure why they put those on there, for UWM, why not put the new recons in there until it is feasible economically to put the animations on there, they could put the B&W animation on a little before the collection set and then when the collection set is long out do the colour version on whoniverse as to retain some of the desires for getting the set
Gordon
December 4th, 2023 - 1:19pmI suspect the new recons are too new to be included
DPHill
December 5th, 2023 - 6:31amYes that is true, I just wouldn’t have bothered with the old ones though
Bobby Fackrell
November 30th, 2023 - 12:13pmI don’t know if it’s the magic of late November or just not liking series 21 and 22 but I’ve stopping complete run and gone right back to the beginning again
No hurry for series 25 anymore
Prof Horner
November 30th, 2023 - 2:03pmWatched Delta and the Bannerman the other night, for first time in 36 years. Don’t tell me the series could ever fall lower than this. Nobodies finest hour. From dear old Doddie to the ridiculous so called American agents to the Dick Barton theme tune. Worst of all is McCoys dreadful acting and the fact he can never hold the umbrella by it’s handle. Or the fact on beautiful clear day , a bus drops out of the sky next to a holiday camp and no one noticed. This farce destroyed the shows reputation for many a long year. At the time it was the final straw as as far I was concerned. Now after all these years I can enjoy the sheer awfulness of it. Thanks for iPlayer for letting me watch stories I won’t waste my money on. I may watch Two Doctors tonight. My favourite Doctor Pat and my second least favourite Baker C. Keep enjoying whatever Who you like.
Bobby Fackrell
December 2nd, 2023 - 5:38pmOh Prof you think Silver Nemesis is good!
Delta and the Bannermen is a classic
Prowl 1701
December 2nd, 2023 - 11:25pmHave to agree with the Prof, classic who seldom got as bad as Delta. Modern Who has been much worse at times though.
Bobby Fackrell
December 3rd, 2023 - 6:05amThe second part of that is true, most of the Moffat years
DPHill
December 3rd, 2023 - 12:36pmI think season 25 is a good one personally and bannermen whilst silly as anything is very fun at least even if it is a little like dr who on something, some of the Moffat and chi mall era is far worse, despite there being sone good stuff in it too
Bobby Fackrell
December 3rd, 2023 - 9:56pmThe mistake is take Delta seriously, it’s borderline spoof, it almost spoofs itself but just misses, it’s actually hilarious with some genius writing and cracking lines, it’s a very funny and clever show if you get it but not everyone does.
Our Prowl is American and this one is quintessentially British with very obvious nods to British comedy shows like Hi Dee Hi even the title is a play on the indie band Echo and the Bunnymen. It’s a comedy, in the way the Romans was, it’s a statement that the show can do absolutely anything, there is no other Doctor Who like it. It also have all the fundamental messages that are essentially Doctor Who, liberal and moral and standing up against diversity and inequality all the things Doctor Who has actually always done, but nowadays it is accused of being ‘Woke’ by people who don’t understand what the term means.
Delta is a classic if you get it if you don’t and many don’t which is cool it is just silly
But I get it and I love it
Prof Horner
December 4th, 2023 - 10:58amWell you make some good points Bobby. I suspect we agree more than disagree certainly on ‘so called woke ‘ you only have to look at the reaction to Saturday’s episode regarding Newton to see what you mean. I approach Delta differently now than I did in 1987. Doctor Who was on death row and this really didn’t help the series repetition.
I never said I thought that Silver Nemesis was a classic, just that it was good laugh. McCoy will always be my least favourite classic Doctor but I watch him on iPlayer enjoy them , even if I think most of them are pretty awful!
Gordon
December 4th, 2023 - 1:24pmI like delta despite its glaring faults. It’s very different to what doctor who normally is. I do like it when the show tries to do something different even if it doesn’t work. At least it ain’t boring and that in my opinion is the biggest sin you can commit with doctor who.
Prowl 1701
December 6th, 2023 - 12:35amtbf if I had known more about Delata before watching it and approached it with more understanding of the material I might have had a better first impression of it, but after listening to bobby hype it up so much I had high expectations, lol XD.
Now I just watched the new release of UWM for the first time (black and white animation and surviving episodes), and since I was well aware of UWM’s reputation, and story beats, I went in expecting it. Could be why I ended up finding UWM so enjoyable.
Capybara
November 28th, 2023 - 4:05amSo as of 28th Nov, no update re. Season 20 picture juddering, and no announcement re. the next ‘Sandard edition’.
Also, sadly no improvement re. Series 1-4 Blu Ray sound mix or upscale. Near identical upscale method, and exactly the same uneven sound mix from 2013. Shocking oversight to be honest, particularly the off-putting sound mix for new generations of fans.
As a fan, I want to collect and help fund these projects, and I know there’s people working hard making these sets – but seriously – why isn’t anyone doing any final quality control checks on this stuff? Why has there just been total silence on a limited edition set giving seriously bad juddering, at the retail purchase of almost £60?
There’s already YouTube review comments already saying “ah well, at least we have a base editing source to start fixing, be it remuxing dvd sound mixes from almost friggin 20 years ago – or using purchased ai software to deliver a vastly better / noticeable upscale improvement” – defeating the entire purpose of a value for money physical media home entertainment product – it shouldn’t have to be fixed by the paying customer. That’s hours and hours of unpaid time mending something already paid out of pocket.
Up to a point I understand it comes down to time, expense, marketing, profit, nothing more or less – but as someone that wants to back these sets – c’mon, it’s 2023. Just give us a modern day motive.
Matthew Sayes
November 28th, 2023 - 9:34amWell said. 100% agree.
Jake E
November 28th, 2023 - 4:44pmAgreed! Pathetic that they still haven’t responded to the Season 20 problems and allowed the exact same problem to happen to Underwater Menace!
I returned The Underwater Menace Steelbook because it’s unacceptable at this point.
Gordon
November 28th, 2023 - 11:11pmFrom what I gather the series 1-4 box set is a mixed bag. It sounds better in some ways and worse than others. Not the definitive version it should have been but it’s probably the best in terms of picture quality you can currently get and it’s finally on blu ray in the right speed. I’ll get it but once it drops to about £40. I ain’t in a rush
Matthew purchase (cyberdevil on twitter/x) has labeled out the pros and cons:
Pros
All episodes presented in 50i at the correct speed
Born Again (2005 Children in Need Special) presented with correct sound for the first time
Several faults from previous releases corrected (e.g. – Missing One Year
Later Caption from Blink, Sound Fault on Rose, To Be Continued caption on The End of Time)
Whilst not a massive upgrade, it’s still the best picture quality offered.
Sound slightly better quality than previous Blu-ray releases (still has issues)
NEW! 17 minute Documentary with RTD and David Tennant looking back at this era (and looking forward)
Podcasts Commentaries for The Next Doctor, Planet of the Dead and The Waters of Mars included. First time they’ve had a commentary on disc.
Audio Description on every episode (missing from previous Blu-rays)
Quicker to use DVD Menus
Scene Selection (missing on some original Blu-rays)
Easter Eggs now listed as a Special Feature rather than being a hidden item
Cons
The Next Doctor + specials missing as broadcasts credits (except The End of Time Part 1). The next doctor used the correct as broadcast version “stacked” version on the 2010 and 2013 blu rays. Planet of the dead, waters of mars and the end of time 2 uses 2 Column style credits (like those from Series 1-3)
Bonus Disc from the Steelbook release with The Infinite Quest, Dreamland, The Wedding of Sarah Jane Smith and a David Tennant interview not included
New Podcast Commentaries out of sync with visuals
Some edits not fixed to match as broadcast (Dalek “You Tortured Me” Voice in Dalek, Gramophone Music in The Unicorn and The Wasp, Cyber stops in The Next Doctor)
Two Episodes of Confidential edited for compliance reasons (The World of Who cuts out about 2 minutes featuring the filming of Captain Jack’s naked scenes.
Why on Earth? has a tiny edit. Intact on iPlayer)
Episode Selection Menus now gone (easy enough to get to using scene selection though)
Menu designs more basic
Blink Easter Egg joke now lost due to no longer being hidden
Stereo mix offered on DVDs missing
The Last of the Time Lords commentary with Tennant | Agyeman | Barrowman is missing. In its place is the podcast one with RTD, Julie and Phil. The cast commentary was replaced on the original US release due to John Barrowman breaking into song, which prevented licensing abroad.
Capybara
November 29th, 2023 - 2:05am@Jake E – The Underwater Menace also has the same judder issue? Wow.
@Gordon – It’s cheapskating, cutting corners, being honest – feeling misold by initial marketing tricks, that’s really making me reconsider today’s Dr. Who physical media.
I feel similarly with the latest iterations of the 4k Star Wars saga from 2020 – similar issues, laziness to fix previous editing errors, poor colour grading, worst of all; there’s literally much clearer frames in the 2011 non-4k boxset.
Saying “this is the best picture we have” now for Series 1-4 is a conclusion based on a bare minimum pittance upscale algorithm, of which hardly compares to an algorithm from 2013.
I highly, highly recommend everyone to take a look on YouTube for “Doctor Who | Children in Need Special 2005 | AI Upscale” by the channel “Season26B”, uploaded 2 years ago – a ground up overhaul; colour grading, new faithful sound mix, far better upscale (unsurprisingly, the reviews I’ve seen, claim that this new official 2023 boxset hasn’t even upscaled the 2005 CIN special)
Also recommend on YouTube “Comparison of Doctor Who The Movie Blu-Ray vs 4k” by the channel “TJ DW” – again, a visually outstanding upscale edit considering the condition of that official retail Blu Ray transfer.
As a fan since 2005, having collected all the dvd range, for it’s time being a vastly impressive range – It really pains me to see the latest Blu Ray range in such a pickle, only for some YouTube channels to come along and make better copies of the same episodes.
There’s people out there such as Rob Ritchie giving the official sets every ounce of their time and energy – only for, presumably the higher ups in charge deciding it’s not in the customer’s interest to just give the discs a check – tell you what, I wouldn’t trust any of them to help run a butchers shop at Christmas time, I’ll say that much.
@Matthew Sayes – Thanks for the kind words, appreciated
Gordon
November 29th, 2023 - 2:24pmI can’t say I’m a fan of ai upscaling or ai involvement in general. Looking at born again by season 26b it’s very sharp but tenant’s face looks very waxy in places. Almost if they used dnr on it. Not a huge fan of TJDW ai 4k work either. A few of his 4k restorations have artifacts which are distracting. His 4k version of the movie should have grain as it was originally recorded on film. His version has none of that.
Regarding the tv movie blu ray. It wasn’t restrored by the restoration team (neither was the s1-4 box set) unlike the collection range. It was a botch job and will probably be done properly done when they get round to the wilderness years set.
As for the juddering the issue with sorting it out is it doesn’t affect all players. The discs are absolutely checked by multiple people. I can confirm that. Richard bignall is one of them that does it. If he’s using a player that doesnt cause the juddering issue of course it’s going to get missed. I got both season 20 and underwater menace and I can confidently say my copies do not judder in the slightest.
Capybara
November 29th, 2023 - 3:54pmAi video / audio editing has been involved in pretty much all re-released dvd/blu ray media, including Doctor Who.
Mark Ayers mentioned on Twitter that ai is generally involved on soundtrack / dialogue tracks.
I understand ‘The Collection’ range itself receives criticism for overly-softening the visuals – however what many don’t realise is the sheer lack of image resolution, let alone the amount of original image noise that simply would be too distracting to watch. Again, similarly with Star Wars with Harmy’s Despecialized editions – ai noise reduction and softening was still applied in Harmy’s hd edits of Star Wars, because of the overwhelming amount of noise and artefacts on the source videos.
For me The Collection, so far, has done a best-as-possible job with ai upscaling / tidying the video and audio of Classic Who.
What I feel misold on, is the latest claim by the Doctor Who Blu Ray range, and I quote, “first four series freshly upscaled to high definition using the latest technology” – when, honestly, it is clear as day that is simply not been the case.
Likewise, the first four series’ audio tracks are the exact same poor quality as the 2013 Blu Ray range.
While I do highly recommend the work by Youtubers ‘season26b’ and ‘TJDW’ (TJDW’s 4k upscale of The Runaway Bride is leaps and bounds better than the official latest Blu Ray boxset – season26b’s edit of ‘Born Again’ and TJDW’s ‘tv movie’ edit might not be your own cup of tea, but as an HD presentation, they are both a million times better quality than the so called “upscales using the latest technology” of the BBC.
Also TJDW’s work on ‘The Seeds of Doom’ – using a dvd resolution source – wow. To my eyes it looks magnificent.
Regarding juddering – then why is it that many people are suddenly experiencing these playback issues with Season 20 and Underwater Menace? Why wasn’t this ever a widespread issue before as it suddenly is within the last couple of months?
Collectively, for me it just feels like, as much as there is dedicated, passionate people actually working on improving the source material for these Blu Rays – it either comes down to not properly checking the picture and sound of these sets before they go out to retailers – or it’s mad dash cost cutting, corner cutting business decisions to avoid properly sorting out vital stuff such as audio – without good audio, everything on screen simply isn’t going to be appreciated for what it is, good and/or bad.
It’s got to the point for me that I can now see channels on Youtube, while are still naturally self improving on their own work – are already delivering far better quality results compared to the official Blu Ray range. That’s not to talk down those genuinely capable and highly respected artists such as Mark Ayers and Rob Ritchie, especially given the latter’s personal story in his interview with Josh Snares with regards to the work loads – but I genuinely get the feeling that higher ups are either being ignorant or unaware when making these big final decisions of not properly reviewing these products – only for the masses and masses of paying customers – be it many like myself have followed Doctor Who’s media range for the last 20+ years, or simply customers that deserve a product that stands up to the competition / convenience of streaming, popping that first disc in, and within 5 minutes feeling like “wait, what the heck is this?”
To me that sense of feeling unsure about a product I’ve paid £60 for – when I can easily spend maybe a fraction of that amount for a 2005 edition of the dvd boxset from CEX with a far more decent sound mix, that doesn’t mis-sell me on a “latest technological upscale innovation via the BBC” slogan – is unfortunately now more palpable than ever. It’s a matter of trust – the dvd range had that trust over the course of almost 20 years, but from about 2017, with the Shada dvd encoding errors, I suppose that was the start of the warning signs, sadly.
I really feel for the customers here of the Season 20 Limited Edition boxset – the lack of updates and communication, and now to have that juddering effect happen to copies of ‘The Underwater Menace’ – it’s a heavy shame.
Gordon
November 30th, 2023 - 3:02am“first four series freshly upscaled to high definition using the latest technology” Clearly it’s marketing and pr speak. Pretty much the norm when trying to sell a new remaster. BBC ain’t the first company to claim that and they won’t be the last either.
Not even the first this year to claim it either. Robocop the 1994 series was supposedly digitally remastered and enhanced with the best possible equipment but with ramming 21 45 minute episodes and a 90 minute pilot on 2 discs it was barely better than vhs. Trust me this season 1-4 release could have been way worse.
I suspect if it had been remastered to the state that the pr had advertised it would have been a lot more costly than the £55 for 4 seasons advertised. Look at other recent shows that got blu ray remasters like stingray or worzel gummidge down under they are charging like £55- £60 and that is for 22/32 25 minute episodes. A fraction of runtime of the season 1-4 set.
For products like this where the quality of upgrade is in question it’s always advisable to wait for reviews. Mind you If you are unahappy with the quality of this you are more than free to send it back and claim a refund. As I never bothered with the 2013 blu rays due to the slowdown and other issues that have been fixed and despite it not living to the hype it’s still a step up from the dvds though I will be upgrading once it comes down to a price which I feel is appropriate (£40)
Regarding the juddering how many people that it effects is many? If it’s even as many as 100 it’s still like less than 1 percent of the people that bought the release. That’s not really widespread. The point I was trying to make when I said the juddering did not effect me was that for those that are complaining that the juddering was not spotted in checks and people questioning if there was checks at all. If it affects less than 1 percent of copies bought it can easily be missed if the players used in checking that cause the problem were not used. You brought up the shada dvd. You wanna know how many people actually complained about it. Steve Roberts said the total was 8.
Jake E
November 30th, 2023 - 10:04amYes, it has the juddering issues unfortunately. Not on the animation just on the surviving episodes
Gordon
November 30th, 2023 - 2:55pmWhich suggests it’s a player issue. If it was a disc issue I’d be having problems with it.
David Minter
November 21st, 2023 - 2:34pmDoes anyone know if there’s a street date set for the North American release of this season on Blu-Ray?
Thanks!
Matt L
November 21st, 2023 - 7:01pmSo does everyone think we will get an announcement/trailer of the next box set in December?
D84
November 21st, 2023 - 7:39pmI think something will get announced on Thursday afternoon
DW day + it’s a Thursday
SV7
November 24th, 2023 - 3:07pmVery disappointed that we didn’t get any new DVD/Blu-ray announcements for the 60th. 🙁
Rex Farrel
November 24th, 2023 - 5:56pmWaiting because of the judder issue maybe?
David Minter
November 24th, 2023 - 8:58pmI think we “technically” did with the announcement of the 60th Anniversary Specials DVD, Blu-Ray, and Steelbook releases.
Prof Horner
November 21st, 2023 - 12:02pmWell replying to my post on his Facebook group site. Ian Levine says Jeremy Bentham told him that there is going to be announcement of a missing episode on Thursday. As Ian says, I’ll believe it when I see it.
Prof Horner
November 21st, 2023 - 12:23pmCorrection, Jeremy Bentham told Ian that someone told him that there was going to be announcement on Thursday about a missing episode. Wishful thinking perhaps? Let’s see. I hope there will be something exciting.
Gordon
November 21st, 2023 - 5:29pmNot going to 100 percent dismiss it but it sounds very a friend of a friend. Could easily have been misquoted.
Alzie Who 66
November 20th, 2023 - 9:25pmBest announcement this week is confirming the find of lost episodes….
Rex F
November 20th, 2023 - 9:42pmIf they did have anything, anniversary week would not be the time to announce it. It would distract from promoting the new stuff, or get lost amongst the new stuff. Hence Web and Enemy being announced in October for the 50th.
Craig
November 20th, 2023 - 10:34pmIf it Happens it with be on the Thursday 23rd.
Gordon
November 21st, 2023 - 8:31amI doubt we will get anything. There has been very little hype over legit rumours plus I’d have thought they would have wanted a physical release about now so it would have had to have had an announcement before that. There is no buzz about a find either. Unless it’s a random missing episode of a completely or almost completely missing story I ain’t expecting anything
D84
November 21st, 2023 - 9:44amIf anything, I’m expecting either a Collection set – or an animation – or both
Prof Horner
November 20th, 2023 - 11:54amAny chance we might get announcement on Thursday about the next season Boxset or next animation? Enjoying watching stories I haven’t got on DVD on iPlayer. Even watched a couple of McCoy’s! Silver Nemesis is a good laugh . But of dear Ghost Light! What hell is going on there! It looks good, there are some good actors in it . But the script was total gibberish. Needed Robert Holmes to rewrite it. Still each to its own.
D84
November 20th, 2023 - 12:35pmI would imagine yes something will be announced on DW day – it has been for the past few years – and with RTD involved – he knows the fan base as he is one of us
This year – it also falls on a Thursday which seems to be a favoured BBC Studio’s announcement day too regardless of how the dates fall – alot gets unveiled and put up for pre order on a Thursday
My guess is yes, something will be announced but have no clues as to what
Collection Set, Animation, both, lost episodes recovered (doubtful) – new colourisations (possible) we will see something i am sure
Bobby Fackrell
November 20th, 2023 - 5:47pmProf behave!
How can you rate Silver Nemesis and slag off Ghost Light in the same breath?
Silver Nemesis is dreadful and Ghost Light is a belter, nothing wrong with that script at all it’s one of the very few in the 80s with a decent script
And why are you watching series 25 on iPlayer?
Don’t be impatient it’ll be out soon
Happiness will Prevail
Prof Horner
November 20th, 2023 - 8:10pmDear Bobby, how dull this site would be without are bit of banter.
I didn’t say I thought Silver Nemesis was a classic. All I said was it was fun in the same Horns of Nimon is fun. Sorry, but I still say Ghost Light is a mess. Why does nobody ask why The Doctor and Ace are wandering around the house and how did they get in.
Hopefully we will hear something positive on Thursday.
Rex F
November 20th, 2023 - 9:36pmProf: It’s Victorian times, everybody’s too polite to ask.
Samuel
November 21st, 2023 - 1:27am@Prof Horner – Well said reg. Silver Nemesis.
I rate Silver Nemesis highly myself. I fully acknowledge the similarities with Remembrance of The Daleks – however given how much New Who has really revved up the level of humour to the extremes (particularly the recent Children in Need episode, though not complaining at all about that) I’d argue Nemesis was ahead of its time where comedy in Doctor Who is concerned.
In terms of non 60’s composers – I utterly love listening to Keff McCulloch’s tracks. Maybe it’s a guilty pleasure – but then again so is Murray Gold. McCulloch just knocks it out the park yet again. It isn’t just Cybermen, it’s Cybermen kicking arse against machine guns and flying arrows. It’s Ace singlehandedly getting chased around a factory by endless Cybermen – the immense filmwork on that chase. Nobody online that I’ve seen bats an eyelid at Ace being badass with a catapult! Sylvester McCoy, as usual being the icing on the cake, delivering that haunting figure decades ahead of David Tennant’s ‘lonely God’ pose.
Stories like Silver Nemesis and Delta & The Bannermen can be considered a laugh, and why not – but my word do they both go hell for leather on entertainment factor. It’s like a shot of decent adrenaline to watch. It just scratches an itch for me that no other era can quite do in the same way.
It kind of throws everything including the kitchen sink and pipes, and out of nowhere develops ideas decades ahead of its time.
Gordon
November 21st, 2023 - 8:48amI suspect it will be a collection set or an animation but perhaps not both unless it’s a standard release. I Remember in 2020 they held back the s8 announcement till the Wednesday as they revealed the web of fear special edition and the 50th steelbook on the Monday.
As for ghost light I feel it makes sense when you watch the work print version on the s26 set where it adds the deleted scenes in
Bobby Fackrell
November 21st, 2023 - 11:08amIt’s true, it gets quiet for a while, we get a few
‘when is the next announcement’ messages which you have to love people’s enthusiasm but you can only really reply with ‘I don’t know’ but then along comes Prof with his love of McCoy and boom we have exciting debates
Now did someone mention ‘Delta and the Bannermen’ ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Anon
November 21st, 2023 - 12:42pmThe standard edition season 17 should be due December. Almost 2 years since the collection boxset.
Season 22 standard probably around june 2024.