I didn't know that LOTR was split onto two discs a movie. It sounded crazy so I began going through the comments sections of the people that gave it 1star reviews on Amazon. From what I gather they could have fit one movie per disc if they simply had only included the movie and nothing else including multiple audio tracks. They could fit a hundred hours on a disc if they want. It all comes down to what picture quality is acceptable to the viewer.

The discussion goes on for days.... basically it seems that the picture would be better on two discs, however the word better only makes sense if you're 1) playing on a high end player, 2) have a high end plasma, 3) sit relatively close to the tv, 4) and are in an extreme minority that can actually see the most miniscule of details. In short, yea, they could have fit them on a disc, and very, very few people actually benefit from them being on 2 discs. They could have done for sure and probably had them look stunning. But they didn't. I guess its more special or something some marketer feels.


And you're right about them not wanting to put a huge chunk of what could be future matches one one set. I get that. I hate that. I would buy something like a set with 30 matches or even more. This set not so much. It's basically a dozen or so really good matches and then loads of fluff. I'm a wrestling fan, not a fluff fan. That's why the E has essentially lost me as a fan and consumer. Do I want to see Austin's 'salute to Texas'? Or see him answer Twitter questions (WHAT?).

BBMN, can't you make this arguement about ALL Blu-rays? Look at the recently released LOTR sets. You telling me they can't get ONE FOUR HOUR FILM on ONE Disc?

WWE Do it for the same reason the others are: because they can get away with it. A "1 BD Set" doesnt sound good, and having 100 hours of footage on several discs shoots themselves in the foot with future projects like WWE 24/7 or their own network.

It sucks.... the whole Jericho & Benoit run was just incredible. The match you mentioned is an all time classic.

If memory serves Benoit and Austin had just one singles match, which was on Raw, and Benoit did I believe ten Germans in a row to Austin.


All gone....

quote:

---

Originally posted by BBMN
On a related note, it still sucks about Benoit. They had to gloss over all the matches with Austin, Benoit, HHH, and Jericho. That was a GREAT little 3 months or so of top notch wrestling that's just gone.

---

I just don't see the WWE going through archived footage and doing much to enhance it. I guess I should reserve judgement.

I just was elated for what Blu-Ray could have done for wrestling sets, with its 25 or even 50GB size. Three 50GB discs could hold literally 70 hours of SD footage. Is that overkill? Perhaps, but even if they went with single layer discs that's still over 30 hours for a triple disc set. This set has like 3 hours or so of non-wrestling and about 6-7 hours of wrestling (estimates). There is waaaaay more than 6-7 hours worth of Austin matches that are deserving of being put to disc.

It appears that the set has just 11 matches for the DVDs and 15 for the Blu-Ray edition. Kinda hurts my head actually to know that with four DVDS, they only have 11 matches. And with three (I'm assuming single layer) 25GB Blu-Rays discs, they have only 4 more matches. That's 75GB of capacity and just 15 matches. Ugh... They could have made a two disc Blu-Ray set with one disc being the documentary part and some bonus fluff, and the 2nd disc being 40 matches... I'd take 40 matches in SD over 15 in upconverted footage any day.

On a related note, it still sucks about Benoit. They had to gloss over all the matches with Austin, Benoit, HHH, and Jericho. That was a GREAT little 3 months or so of top notch wrestling that's just gone.


edit - [inserting more nerd rage]

[Edited on 10-6-2011 by BBMN]

It's up converted. Depending on the archival method, there is still a decent chance it will look better than previous viewing methods...

So what matches if any are in HD? I don't follow what the fuck is happening here. Wouldn't all the matches be in SD?

And even if the entire thing was shot in 1080p (no way is this possible), they could have fit it on a single Blu-Ray disc. So why use 3? I assume only footage from the past 5 years is in HD. If so, they could have had twice as many matches on this thing. You can get over 20 hours of SD video on a disc.


[/nerd rage]

This really seems to be THE definitive one for Austin, which makes sense as unless he makes his way into a few compilation "Best of" sets or what have you, this is probably the last DVD we'll see for Austin for probably the next decade.

In some respects I'm a little saddened by the release of this set as given the feeling of finality it has I'm doubtful we'll get that one last send off match for him.

If anyone can find the last Austin DVD they did its worth watching for the 2 Austin vs Steamboat matches (which oddly kind of underscores just how long the guy's been around) on there, so I was glad to see they threw a third one on this compilation.

That's definitely worth paying a little more to pick up the Blu Ray. The whole set looks pretty freaking comprehensive

Those lovely folk at silvervision have just confirmed whats on the Austin set - and my gosh, the DVD looks good, but it seems they're pushing the Blu Ray versions of this and the Bret/HBK releases, because much like the rivalry set, the Blu Ray version has a bit more on it too.

I'll just give the Blu Ray listing, as if I'm buying it that's the way I'll go, and you're still a DVD guy, just ignore the extras.



DISC 1
Football and Wrestling
Rookie of the Year
From Hollywood, California
A Platform
Fang McFrost
Main Event Momentum
1 % Tough, 99 % Lucky
Raising Hell
Tyson & Austin
Austin Era Has Begun
Cultural Phenomenon
Stooges
The Boss
Rattlesnake vs. Brahma Bull
Difficult Decisions
Return to Mania
Stone Cold Comedy
Really? I�m not coming!
One More Round
The Law of Monday Night Raw
The Show Never Ends
New Horizons
Somewhere Down In Texas

Special Features
The Autograph
Hair Club
The Rattlesnake
Tangled
Punked
The Stunner
Bleed For Me

Blu-ray Exclusive Matches
SCSA vs. Undertaker vs. Triple H - No Mercy � 16th May, 1999
SCSA vs. Kurt Angle - Raw � 8th October, 2001
SCSA vs. Kurt Angle vs. Rob Van Dam No Mercy � 21st October, 2001
SCSA vs. The Rock WrestleMania XIX � 30th March, 2003

DISC 2
An Introduction From Stone Cold Steve Austin
BOLD matches have alternative commentary by SCSA & JR
SSA vs. Gentleman Chris Adams USWA � May 1990
SSA & Ric Flair vs. Sting & Ricky �The Dragon� Steamboat WCW Saturday Night � 30th July, 1994
SCSA vs. Jake �The Snake� Roberts - King of the Ring � 23rd June, 1996
SCSA vs. Bret �Hit Man� Hart - WrestleMania 13 � 23rd March, 1997
SCSA vs. Rocky Maivia In Your House: D-Generation X � 7th December, 1997
SCSA vs. Shawn Michaels - WrestleMania 14 � 29th March, 1998
SCSA vs. Dude Love - Over the Edge � 31st May, 1998
SCSA vs. Undertaker - SummerSlam � 30th August, 1998
SCSA vs. Big Show - Raw � 22nd March, 1999
SCSA vs. The Rock - WrestleMania XV � 28th March, 1999
SCSA vs. The Rock - WrestleMania X-7 � 1st April, 2001

DISC 3
A Flare for the Old - WCW Saturday Night � 5th June, 1993
"A Bunch of Violent Crap" - Hardcore TV � 10th October, 1995
Monday NyQuil - Hardcore TV � 31st October, 1995
"Flat Out Disgusted" - Hardcore TV � 19th December, 1995
"My Exact Opinion of Bret Hart" - In Your House: Mind Games � 22nd September, 1996
Stone Cold on Livewire - Livewire � 19th October, 1996
Home Invasion - Raw � 4th November, 1996
1996 New Sensation Award - Slammy Awards Show � 21st March, 1997
Freedom of Speech Award - Slammy Awards Show � 21st March, 1997
Ambulance Attack - Raw � 21st April, 1997
The World�s Most Famous Stunner - Raw � 22nd September, 1997
Tyson and Austin! - Raw � 19th January, 1998
The Easy Way or the Hard Way - Raw � 30th March, 1998
Zamboni 3:16 - Raw � 28th September, 1998
Paging Dr. Austin - Raw � 5th October, 1998
McMahon�s Cement Corvette - Raw � 12th October, 1998
Bang 3:16 - Raw � 19th October, 1998
Stone Cold Beer Truck - Raw � 22nd March, 1999
The Funeral of Stone Cold Steve Austin - Raw � 19th April, 1999
Austin�s Revenge - Survivor Series � 19th November, 2000
Jim Ross Interviews Steve Austin and The Rock - SmackDown! � 22nd March, 2001
Gift Giving Mood - SmackDown! � 5th July, 2001
Mr. McMahon�s Alliance Woes - SmackDown! � 12th July, 2001
The Old Stone Cold - SmackDown! � 19th July, 2001
Whataburger - Raw � 14th January, 2002
The Highlight Reel - Insurrextion � 7th June, 2003

Blu-ray Exclusive Special Features
Stone Cold Answers Your Twitter Questions
The Sportatorium
The T-Shirt
The Broken Skull Ranch

Blu-ray Exclusive Special Moments
A Flair for the Gold - WCW Saturday Night � 15th May, 1993
The Biggest Draw in the World - Superstars � 17th November, 1996
The Foundation of the WWE - Superstars � 23rd March, 1997
You Want a Pear? You Want an Apple? - Raw � 18th August, 1997
Post-Raw: Stone Cold Has Some Words with The Rock - Raw � 17th March, 2003
Vince McMahon Inducts Stone Cold Steve Austin into the Hall of Fame � 4th April, 2009
Stone Cold Steve Austin Salutes Texas - WrestleMania 25 � 5th April, 2009