The Sopranos: The Complete Series [Blu-ray] [2007] [1999] [Region Free]

"What, no f-ing ziti?"I clearly remember watching the Sopranos on opening night January 10, 1999. I was immediately hooked. I was equally excited for HBO to release the complete series on Blu Ray. When I heard the complete series was being released on BR, I cheered. This review is focused on the packaging and HD quality of this new Sopranos Complete Series released on Blu Ray. I am both a fan and a collector. The complete Blu Ray series was released on September 8, 2014, in the UK. The series is "all regions." I paid $145.00 US which included shipping. I choose the cheapest shipping, which I regret because of the time it took to have the package arrive to the States. I purchased the series on 9/8/14, and the package arrived 9/24/14 - 16 days. This is standard. I am impressed that Amazon UK sent a shipping feedback email. Unfortunately, the packaging of the box set was compromised in a few places, primarily on the corners of the outer sleeve. It is too bad that other groups don't take clues from Criterion, in particular, with special box sets (meaning, the quality of the paper weight of the outer sleeve). As a collector, it is noticed when these special box sets reflect better packaging (meaning, heavier card stock on the outer sleeve, in particular). That being said, the inner packing was not damaged.My box set is also having a encoding issue. The disc loads well and displays the menu. But after pushing the "play" button it takes several attempts for the episode to eventually load play. I use a OPPO BDP-83SE and it is up to date with firmware. I am noticing a small ripple effect that others are having the same issue. Last evening it took almost 20 to 30 minutes for the episode to eventually play. It is not a region issue because the complete series is listed as "all regions" and my player has been modified to be region free.Lastly, on the downside of the new box set is you are not able to select scenes for each episode. I was surprised this was the case.Here comes the good news. For me, loading that first Blu Ray disc was as exciting as watching the premiere. For Blu Ray geeks like myself, I am always disappointed when a Blu Ray disc is not truly full 1080p and is "letter-boxed, cut-back crud."Or, selected scenes have been restored to 1080p followed by other scenes that have not been restored to HD, which is an obvious method of cutting corners.I am glad to report that the HD quality of this Blu Ray box set is truly incredible! Every scene is breathtaking. It's much better than the first-generation intermediate Sopranos Blu Ray series released a few years ago. I feel like I am watching the series for the first time. It is spectacular! The quality of HD draws out details that were quietly hiding. This allows the viewer to be deeply immersed into the scenes. For example, being inside the HD "Bada Bing," I felt compelled to place dollar bills on my coffee table. Amazing! Lastly, the high level of HD also highlights the incredible acting. Well done, HBO! Fans will be happy with the special features as well. I am truly impressed that this series was released in true HD fashion. If you are a fan of the series, this is a MUST-HAVE purchase. The complete series will be released in the US on 10/4/14. I am curious if HBO will release a limited edition Blu Ray box set with a few cool bells and whistles. As of this moment, I am more than happy. "Here comes the Prozac!"I use an OPPO BDP-83SE Blu Ray player. OPPO players are bare none the best BR players on the planet!!

Now this is how you package one of the most important TV shows of all time..it's impressive and I'm so happy this is now in my collection,it'll have pride of place..at the price I reckon it's a steal..fantastic picture on Blu Ray and the 4K version of The many saints of Newark a definite bonus..Well done Warner Bros..very happy customer here..just buy it you won't regret it

I'm (maybe temporarily) rating this One Star in the hope it will get people reading it and someone answering my query.IT DID. AND THANKS TO THOSE WHO GAVE INPUT. I STILL DON'T UNDERSTAND THE ISSUE YET - BUT I'VE ELIMINATED THE DISC AS THE PROBLEM AFTER TRYING IT ON ANOTHER BDP-TV COMBO. (IT MAY STILL BE A STRANGE INTERACTION OF H/W & S/W WITH PART OF THE FAULT LYING ON THE DISC - BUT I'VE NO EVIDENCE FOR THAT AND IT SHOULDN'T DETER YOU BUYING THIS GREAT BUT PRICEY PACKAGE)I'M THEREFORE RE-RATING BASED ON THE LAST SENTENCE IN THIS 'REVIEW'.I originally bought the DVD box set and had only watched Series 1 & 2 and Episodes 1 & 2 of Series 3 before buying the BluRay set (DVD set now sold via Amazon..).I sat down in great anticipation to take up where I left off and watched Episode 3 of Series 3. A disaster. The lip sync was SO far out I couldn't anywhere near correct it via either/both the TV or the (Oppo 95EU) BluRay player settings.When I tried the next Episode (4 of Series 3) and a random few of Series 1 & 2 - NO lip sync problems... None.This would tend to point the finger at the transfer rather than any of my kit.It follows that I'm nervous other later Episodes are also duff but I won't find out until too late to return.Any experiences, observations or thoughts out there - very gratefully received.P.S. The picture quality everywhere I've looked kicks DVD a long way into touch.

After waiting for what seemed an eternity for this show to come down in price,I finally got it...and it was worth the wait..!!.Having read some of the negative reviews (some totally stupid) I can say they are completely wrong about this show...it's brilliant...even after all this time...The other negatives complained about certain discs not playing...and or missing...then before they wrote a review about this collection and giving it One star...perhaps they should have resolved their issues first.We all know about the show....well we should by now...so I'm not going into what it's about or story line...My review is simply about the discs themselves run on a sound surround system...Firstly....it's made by HBO...yet another great collection from them ( I also have Nikita...Wow)..they seem to put together the discs well and the cuts made so you don't see any ads was spot on.Secondly...the sound quality was great...speech was locked in to the centre and moved around the speakers where necessary...There's not actually that much steering involved but where it's needed it's there.Thirdly...The picture quality itself was superb...and typically as the shows progressed in time it got better and better...due to better cameras I suspect and technology moving forward...For instance.The first 2 series ran at 20/23 Mbps,,,,but towards the latter discs it improved to 30/35 Mbps...and it showed in the detailing,contrast, and movement.Anyway...like most on here that loved this ...it's a great show from start to finish...get it while you can, and you won't regret it...Cheers.

Excellent condition as promised