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

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.

At last, a truly AMAZING and beautiful transfer 100% worthy of this essential landmark series.I report this as, IMHO, the pilot and earlier episodes of Season 1 in DVD format were at times a touch grainy and 'flat' - more like 'video' quality in some scenes - a factor exacerbated by the way in which 'we' are now viewing TV shows on far higher quality flat-screen TVs that reveal imperfections. Moreover, at times were some issues with the sound in terms of vocal synchronisation on DVD.However, all of this has thankfully and gloriously been repaired and re-mastered to a level of absolute cinematic perfection.From the iconic title scene, the picture is truly stunning and the pulsating music rich and exciting, with the anamorphic depth and colour palate of episode1, like a series of Caravaggio paintings!This is one of the most satisfying and gorgeous transfers and Blu-ray releases I have ever had the pleasure to watch and, with it arriving yesterday, I am so besotted that I stayed in last evening and am already nearly on to S2!A must-have IMHO for any fans of these truly brilliant series. 10/10