US to get a 25th Anniversary Gen1 DVD release.

[griffin]

The US are getting yet another release of the Gen1 cartoon on DVD (too bad if anyone was a completist with merchandise like DVDs).
Since Madman appear to still have the rights to the original series here in Australia, we probably won't get this new version. But Madman might consider doing their own 25th anniversary packaged release as well, to cash in on the TF2 movie.
http://tformers.com/transformers-transformers-generation-1-the-complete-first-season-25th-anniversary-edition/11121/news.html

Most re-releases of DVDs with fancy new packaging have stuff added to make it worth buying, even by those who have an earlier version, but this one appears to just be the episodes, with the bonus disc from the original release removed.

[SGB]

Might get this DVD release if it has English subtitles for the deaf and hearing impaired.

[GoktimusPrime]

I wouldn't get it, but I agree that the G1 and BW DVDs need to be re-released with subtitles for the hearing impaired. This was something that someone brought up with Madman several years ago but nothing eventuated from it - basically the person who made the complaint went about it the wrong way.

The only TF DVDs I've seen released here that have subtitles are the Japanese G1 DVDs (more incidental than intentional), the Beast Machines DVDs released by Sony and Transformers movie DVD from Paramount.

The conversation between the TF fan and Madman rep (it was on an IRC channel) went something like this:

Fan> Why don't the Transformers DVDs have subtitles? I want subtitles.
Madman> Transformers was originally made in English.
Fan> I'm deaf.

Awwww SNAP! :p

[SGB]

The only TF DVDs I've seen released here that have subtitles are the Japanese G1 DVDs (more incidental than intentional), the Beast Machines DVDs released by Sony and Transformers movie DVD from Paramount.
The Aussie TFA DVDs have English subtitles as well.

[Kyle]

I thought the Madman tin can boxset released during the period of TF1 movie was pretty decent. Let's see if they can top that... :p

[Tabias Prime]

I'm quite happy with the box set i bought last last with all the gen1 and 2 and the digitally remastered version of the US version of the original movie that i brought the year before.unless there digitally remastered i might consider it. why have another copy of some bad editing and drawing?, why do i need another?. I don't need anything else. its just an attempt to make more money out of the consumer to boost profits. to release a 25 anniversary edition i think is a blatant attempt to pull more money out my wallet.we have 2 different set out now for the Transformers why do another.Do they think that just because they put 25 anniversary edition on the front I'm going to buy it?:mad::mad::mad:

[Gutsman Heavy]

perhaps its for people who don't own the original sets, dvd reissues happen ALL THE TIME, get used to it.

[SGB]

The DVD is up for pre-order at BBTS:

http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=VEN10000&mode=retail

[griffin]

More details on this US re-release of the original Gen1 series. From the Home Media Magazine (http://www.homemediamagazine.com/tv-dvd/shout-factory-transforms-with-hasbro-deal-15326) website, it claims to have the sound and imagery reverted to the original form, and not the Rhino alterations (which I think Madman also used in their release).
It also looks like there will be added bonus stuff, never before added to any previous release, plus plans to release the entire series this year, along with the GIJoe cartoon (which some here would be happy to hear).


Shout! Factory’s first release under the agreement will be The Transformers: The Complete First Season — 25th Anniversary Edition. The set is slated for June 16 (prebook May 19), a week before the big-screen debut of the Michael Bay-directed feature film sequel Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, due in theaters June 24.

The $29.99 three-DVD set will include the original broadcast versions of all 16 episodes from the 1984 season in the intended storyline order, with remastered picture and a new stereo soundtrack created from the original audio. The Rhino releases featured incomplete work prints of episodes and modified sound effects.

Tentative extras include the featurette “Triplechanger: From Toy to Comic to Screen: The Origins of the Transformers,” a printable script, rare PSAs, toy commercials and a limited-edition Autobot magnet.

Foos said Shout! Factory would follow the release with special complete-series sets of “The Transformers” and “G.I. Joe” later this summer.

[griffin]

And now an official press release on the deal:


Los Angeles, CA and Pawtucket, RI – Shout! Factory and Hasbro, Inc. (NYSE: HAS) today announced a multi-year, multi-property alliance to bring the original animated TV series THE TRANSFORMERS and the G.I. JOE: A REAL AMERICAN HERO animated series, along with MY LITTLE PONY Twinkle Wish Adventure to the home entertainment marketplace. The announcement was made today by Shout! Factory founding partners Richard Foos, Bob Emmer and Garson Foos, and Lisa Licht, General Manager, Entertainment & Licensing, Hasbro.

Under the multi-year agreement, Shout! Factory will be the exclusive U.S. and Canada home entertainment distributor for the original animated TV series The TRANSFORMERS and G.I. JOE: A REAL AMERICAN HERO DVD franchise properties, and a MY LITTLE PONY animated direct-to-DVD release.

[griffin]

This new release is sounding better by the day. The people releasing this new set have been doing Q&A here (http://www.shoutfactory.com/community/1551/thread.aspx), and even though the new company is run by people who ran the old company (Rhino), they confirm that their release should be free of all the sound and visual problems of the Rhino (and Madman) versions.
They also say that they intend to release the complete series before season 2, so that those of us who would want the whole series anyway, don't have to wait as long for it.

And from here (http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Transformers-25th-Anniversary-Matrix-of-Leadership-Set/11731), the entire set is being debuted at SDCC, and then to US retail stores soon after.


Bonus material includes "a 'conversation' with Bob Budiansky" and a "roundtable discussion" with 8 G1 voice actors, including Frank Welker.


Interesting... :)

Pity we won't be getting this here, since Madman are re-releasing their version here at about the same time (see the AUS news section).

[roller]

perhaps a nice person could burn me a disc of the extras? :cool:

[mangis]

Pics of the inside of the Season 1 set release
The thinpak cases look nice and shiny

http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Transformers-DVD-Update/11708

The Complete Series is being called 25th Anniversay Matrix of Leadership Edition Collector's Set

Unfortunately though I found this quote from a discussion here
http://www.shoutfactory.com/community/1551/thread.aspx


And, finally, a word about the "Matrix of Leadership" packaging. Make no mistake. We've not steered you toward a package that will harm your discs. We've not actually constructed a replica of the Matrix itself (though it was my dream package!! And we actually had it priced!!). Your discs will be safe and sound.

[griffin]

Minor update.
This set is going to be on display at BotCon, but an image of the packaging has been put up on a DVD website:
http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Transformers-25th-Anniversary-Matrix-of-Leadership-Set/11907