Just bought the BD disc and watched/listened to it on my 2.1 LG HB-354BS system (with 5.1 sound pretty well 'simulated') and my Plasma (non HD) 42'' TV. Here is my review:
1/Package: feels a bit cheap. Does not mention anything about the extras, just has an advert for the MP3 download. The booklet inside is short but not bad, interesting stuff about DS's history. The disc menus are ok, but with some imperfections - selecting "Tunnel of Love" jumps directly to after the "Carrousel Waltz" intro, so if you want the intro, you have no choice but going backwards on the "Two Young Lovers" track...
2/Picture Quality: as said before, it is better than any copy of the VHS I have ever watcher before, but still, nowhere near today's HD standards, as it could be seen of the Police 'Certifiable' BD, for instance. Picture is stuck to 4/3, grainy and noisy; on "Going Home" one camera even has a piece of hair or something on the lense, which is making Mark stop and laugh... I have to check whether this hair was there on the original film, can't remember it.
3/Sound Quality: as can been expected from Chuck, it is breathtaking, even on my lame 2.1 system. Makes me wonder how we could have been satisfied with the original mix for the past 26 years and why they don't re-release the CD. It even makes me entirely reconsider my opinion about the Alchemy concert: I used to think that is was a great concert, but not the best compared to Wembley 85. Now I really wonder. The sound is pristine, the guitars sound smoother, the vocals crystal clear. Some keyboards nuances that were not heard before are now well present. As already said, the sax at the beginning of Solid Rock sounds really new !
4/Bonuses: It is disappointed not to have the entire concert, not even LoG ! I guess that when they said they had found the "original tapes", they really meant that they have found the master of the original film, without any extra. I guess they may also be some rights issues for LoG, as it was issued as a separated video clip (still available on the SoS DVD). But we have a great consolation: the BBC documentary is really great. It features great complete live versions of rare songs, such as Down to the Waterline, Les Boys and Where do you think you're going. The unreleased "Making Movies" soung is there, it is a great plus. They are great interviews about the sudden pressure that came with the sucess to the group, the relationships betwenn Mark and David... At some point Mark is asked ifto which extent DS is just a vehicle for MK's songs. He replies "none really, it's all about the band, being together, being part of a greater whole"
) All in all, very touching HQ documentary.
Overall, I am quite happy but this is not perfect... what's next ?
