DejaEeyore | Columbia, MO United States | 09/15/2003
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I was very glad to see the first two seasons of Due South finally available on DVD. It's about time! However, I am slightly disappointed in the sets so far. This set would have gotten 5 stars except for two reasons: there are absolutely NO extra or bonus features on the set, and the design of the case leaves a lot of room for improvement.The set comes with two double-sided discs, and a third single-sided disc with two episodes (18 episodes total). This set, as well as the first, contains only the episodes. There are no extra goodies, other than the option of either French or English subtitles, and French-language dubbing. It's a bare-bones set as far as that goes. For the price, they could have done better. However, I'll admit that the picture and sound quality is beautiful. The DVD case is also a bit problematic. The case design requires that two of the discs overlap on the right side of the case. It's difficult to get the discs out, and I am not the only person worried about breaking or scratching the discs in the process. I wish that Alliance Atlantis had gone with individual cases for the discs (as the Stargate SG-1 sets have).Overall, I like the sets a lot, and I sincerely hope that the future sets have something added in the way of bonus features."
This Canadian DVD is superior to the cheaper U.S. version.
Paul J. Mular | San Carlos, CA USA | 09/28/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
"The VHS tape masters were used for the U.S. Platinum DVDs. The budget minded buyer can go for the cheaply mastered U.S. DVDs.
But those wanting quality will go for THIS much higher priced Canadian DVD from Alliance. These are mastered for DVD by the production masters. You can save alot of money by ordering them directly from Amazon's Canadian Division (click on the Canadian button at the bottom of this page)."
Due South Second Season
Mr. S. Nunn | Norwich, Norfolk, United Kingdom | 10/14/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is a great DVD set. I had some trouble on a couple of Season One episodes with poor visual quality and breaking up of the on-screen image but, glad to say, Season Two is entirely trouble-free. Maybe better protection for the discs in the packaging would help? What a great, feel-good series this is. 5 stars without hesitation."
Wonderful program; wierd packaging; price is nuts!
Michael Malloy | Columbus, OH USA | 02/05/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I agree with others who wrote about the odd packaging for all seasons of the delightful short lived program. Getting the holders out of the tightly fitted sleeve is a pain in the butt.
I don't have the ultra high priced version, so I can't directly compare the two. Mine is the U.S. DVD version. I see no poor quality at all. The DVD's are vastly superior to my old VHS off-cable personal tapes. (I'm happy to re-cycle the tapes now!)
Both versions on DVD, the ultra high priced and the normal priced, are sadly lacking in extras. These days it seems every motion picture released has some sort of worthwhile background production bonus material, so the absence of anything with this much loved show is a dissapointment - but not enough to keep me from buying the whole set! Even the printed material on the packaging is pretty skimpy although the photos are well done.
I have a theory on the price differential. I read in another review the Canadian version includes either French dubbing (?) or French sub-titles. There you have it: If it's got French, the price is outrageous.
Save your money and buy the English only version, but by all means if you like the show BUY the DVD!
One last important issue: I recently purchased "Call of the Wild" because someone wrote that it is not included in the series packing. It's there, the last two episodes of Season Three. Save more money, DON'T BUY "CALL OF THE WILD" if you own Season Three because you already have it!"
Great DVD--terrible packaging and engineering
R. Kyle | USA | 11/14/2004
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Despite only lasting three seasons, Due South has spawned a number of loyal fans. The show depicts the adventures of Mountie Benton Fraser and Chicago PD Detective Ray Vecchio. The pair work together to solve crimes with the occasional assistance of either Ben's or Ray's dead father's ghosts, Ben's deaf wolf, and several others. Episodes have wonderful, quirky humor and an excellent selection of then-up-and=coming Canadian musicians, e.g.: Sarah McLachlan, Ashley McIsaac, etc.
The one reason I gave this set less than 5 stars was the quality of both the packaging and engineering. I won't belabor the point about the poor package design and labeling. To preserve your disks, put them in another CD case. Engineering, on the other hand, is dreadful. I can see ghosting and artifacting on my 27 inch TV, so I can only imagine what it would look like on a larger screen.
Season Three is on its way and I am hoping the quality is much better."