Universal vs. Shout Factory DVDs - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

MichaelMartinD · 01-04-2025, 02:45 PM

Can anyone tell me if there is a difference in sound/picture quality between the Season 1 and Season 2 sets from Universal and those included in the Shout Factory complete series box set? I already have the individual season DVD sets and am contemplating getting the complete series box set. Forget about the new Bluray complete series set, because I wouldn't be able to play it. I'd appreciate any insight about this.

stevea · 01-04-2025, 07:38 PM

If you have season sets, I don't think you'll see any improvement by getting the series set.

I'm unaware of any problems with any season 2 DVDs. With the Shout set for season 1, which I think MeTV uses for broadcast (or Universal used to prepare broadcast masters), there are audio problems with several episodes, and the show openings and show teases are in the wrong order for nearly all the episodes. I just checked Amazon and they are selling the Universal season 1 and 2 sets. I don't even know if Shout did season sets for those seasons.

I really wish Universal had done a season 3 set, since the Shout set has several, probably many, episodes that run short. I suspect they had a lot of problems with that season, and they probably never located the original master negatives. Could they have burned in the Universal fire? We'll likely never know.

When you get beyond season 2, regardless of single season or full series sets, they're all the same DVDs. I know of no issues for seasons 4 thru 6.

stevea · 01-04-2025, 07:47 PM

Oh, and about the Blu-Ray set--not a worthwhile purchase for anyone, in my opinion.

MichaelMartinD · 01-05-2025, 01:00 PM

Thank you for the info. I will get the complete series set, which I found at a reasonable price, and donate or sell my single-season sets. I think the box-set arrangement looks sharp and will take up less space on my shelf. I also found a TAGS set containing all the B&W seasons (1-5) which will go on my shelf right next to the LITB. As you can tell, I'm getting serious about my vintage TV collection!

I saw the LITB complete series set in person at my local Walmart, and the Season 1 and Season 2 are packaged with the same graphics and cover art just like the other Shout Factory seasons, so I wonder if they are really identical to the Universal versions. At any rate, it will be nice to have everything under one "roof."

01-04-2025, 02:45 PM	#1
MichaelMartinD Member Forum Regular Join Date: Dec 23, 2013 Posts: 576	Universal vs. Shout Factory DVDs Can anyone tell me if there is a difference in sound/picture quality between the Season 1 and Season 2 sets from Universal and those included in the Shout Factory complete series box set? I already have the individual season DVD sets and am contemplating getting the complete series box set. Forget about the new Bluray complete series set, because I wouldn't be able to play it. I'd appreciate any insight about this.

01-04-2025, 07:38 PM	#2
stevea 22 Years On Sitcoms Moderator Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 13, 2003 Location: Indy Posts: 44,942	If you have season sets, I don't think you'll see any improvement by getting the series set. I'm unaware of any problems with any season 2 DVDs. With the Shout set for season 1, which I think MeTV uses for broadcast (or Universal used to prepare broadcast masters), there are audio problems with several episodes, and the show openings and show teases are in the wrong order for nearly all the episodes. I just checked Amazon and they are selling the Universal season 1 and 2 sets. I don't even know if Shout did season sets for those seasons. I really wish Universal had done a season 3 set, since the Shout set has several, probably many, episodes that run short. I suspect they had a lot of problems with that season, and they probably never located the original master negatives. Could they have burned in the Universal fire? We'll likely never know. When you get beyond season 2, regardless of single season or full series sets, they're all the same DVDs. I know of no issues for seasons 4 thru 6.

01-04-2025, 07:47 PM	#3
stevea 22 Years On Sitcoms Moderator Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 13, 2003 Location: Indy Posts: 44,942	Oh, and about the Blu-Ray set--not a worthwhile purchase for anyone, in my opinion.

01-05-2025, 01:00 PM	#4
MichaelMartinD Member Forum Regular Join Date: Dec 23, 2013 Posts: 576	Thank you for the info. I will get the complete series set, which I found at a reasonable price, and donate or sell my single-season sets. I think the box-set arrangement looks sharp and will take up less space on my shelf. I also found a TAGS set containing all the B&W seasons (1-5) which will go on my shelf right next to the LITB. As you can tell, I'm getting serious about my vintage TV collection! I saw the LITB complete series set in person at my local Walmart, and the Season 1 and Season 2 are packaged with the same graphics and cover art just like the other Shout Factory seasons, so I wonder if they are really identical to the Universal versions. At any rate, it will be nice to have everything under one "roof."