Hey everyone   I'm wondering what extra stuff comes with the boxed set that makes it so expensive (around 260 usd on Amazon), vs. the three, individual and self contained series (each about 18 - 20 usd). Is there anything that justifies the big price difference? Thanks!

 

I *think* the only difference is the inclusion of the single episode of Zone.

Plus the box to put the sets in.

 

I got the Shout! Factory's DVDs for the Japanese Series and am watching Victory at the moment. I have to say I am disappointed. I think the Metrodome ones are better. They got the names right (Jan not Jean, Blacker not Gripper, etc.) they kept all the subtitles at the bottom of the screen (shout puts them at the top during the intro) and the image is sharper. The subtitles themselves are thicker and easier to read on the Metrodome releases. Also Shout! Factory changed certain things like "Damn You" to "Scrap You". They also changed the titles of the episodes, for example "Clash! Fortress vs Victory Unity" becomes "Showdown! The Fortress Vs. The Victory Unification" Shout! Factory's image quality, while softer, brighter, and blurrier, is still far cleaner and smoother overall. They don't put subtitles for songs during action scenes which is actually kinda nice because we already heard the songs and don't need them subtitled every time. The audio is louder on Metrodomes, but again smoother with Shout! Factory's. They also include 5 of the 12 clip shows, Metrodome didn't include any. If you want the closest thing to the original, get the Metrodome. If you want punched up visuals, quieter audio, and screwed up names, go for Shout! Factory. Also, on extras, Metrodome is better. Shout! Factory has art galleries. Woot. Metrodome has commentary tracks and a booklet done by Chris McFeely, and the 'Zone' episode.

 

Some factoids.

The JP series, especially Season 1 and 2 had some episodes scrambled( no pun intended) in chronology. Shorter episodes than the USA version.


I don't have them(Metrodome) but from what Analogue Ninja posted, the resolution used by the Shout version (for Headmasters, Masterforce and Victory) kind off sucks (as in low quality res even when I set my flatscreen to 4:3).

The Shout! Season 1 to 4 has corrected some of the errors from the Rhino versions though with mixed results (the corrected scenes have a sudden drop in resolution quality.)

Subjective input

Not sure but most likely, Season 1 to 3 used the same resolution as Masterforce through Victory. The JP version had always that blurred effect over the domestic very bright colors.

Compared to the import JP Zone DVD I own, the resolution was immaculate. Toei either hates Shout! or Shout! scrimped on the negotiations for the license. Compared to Eastern Star's 1972 mazinger Z (also by Toei), the DVD resolutions was awesome. Too awesome that you can actually see imperfections. For a 1972 product while TF was like 1985 in Japan.

The price difference more or less might be for the packaging and demand.

You want it cheaper? Rightstufanime.com

Shout!

Transformers The Japanese Collection DVD at $44.98

Transformers Complete Original Series DVD at $52.48

I highly recommend the site (my anime "p!mp" of sorts   ). They use FedEx or if you are domestic USA, probably USPS.

I hope this helps.

 

This thread is like 4 years old. So chances are the OP has long since made whatever decision they were going to.  

It appears that the only reason this is even up here is that the poster above you searched out every single thread he could find referencing the JPG1 series so he could post that identical "paragraph" post about what he likes/dislikes about the Shout and Metrodome sets across each thread.

 

LoL indeed! I did get the collection (the Shout Factory version) as a gift and loved it. Still haven't finished Victory (need to do that!).

Regardless, thanks for the input!