Planet Earth (US Version) - Pre-release Buzz

[jed]

Can't get enough 'Planet Earth' on High-Def? Now there's a new edition of the groundbreaking series bound for Blu-ray and HD DVD.

The series first hit both next-gen formats back in April from the BBC, featuring the original narration by legendary nature documentarian David Attenborough. That edition went on to break High-Def sales records, generating more revenue than any other HD DVD/Blu-ray release to date.

Now a second version of 'Planet Earth' is hitting both HD DVD and Blu-ray -- the version that was presented in the series' US television run, which replaced Attenborough's narration with the decidedly less British actress/conservationist Sigourney Weaver.

This new version is being released by The Discovery Channel (which aired 'Planet Earth' in the US), although it would seem that the cable network's distribution rights to the series are limited to direct sales.

Full story:
http://www.highdefdigest.com/news/show/768

Disc Details:
http://bluray.highdefdigest.com/planetearth_us.html

[Cymbol]

Very annoying that they couldn't include both commentaries. It certainly can't be about disk space on either format. I'm sure there is some legal reason. At least I would hope the company wasn't this short-sighted and frugal.

I enjoyed Weaver's commentary. Never heard the other so if I ever get this series, which should I get.

Any suggestions from those who have heard both?

[Nicodimus22]

Both do a good job, although to be honest, I prefer Attenborough. Something about a british accent = instant credibility. That guy could tell me the moon is made of cotton candy and I'd believe him.

[Ben]

Originally Posted by Nicodimus22

Both do a good job, although to be honest, I prefer Attenborough.

Me too. One thing about this Discovery Channel release is that
Discovery shorted each episode by ten minutes to allow for
commercials. The Discovery Channel Store doesn't have
enough in the spec's to compare time with the BBC version.
I'd stick with the BBC version. It's proven.

[glocks out]

They should have just done both audio tracks on one set so you can chose which you want to listen to without doubling their SKUs and shelfspace.

[Nicodimus22]

I agree, but at the same time I'm just thankful it came out on Blu-Ray, and
was done so well regardless of the specific narrator.

[godlistrom]

with share the commentator, do you see of another change?

[Ashamed Pegasus]

Originally Posted by godlistrom

with share the commentator, do you see of another change?

Sounds like a question Yoda would ask...

Appears it seems, cover is different also...

[willxcore]

I own the BBC version and enjoy the narration included on it. I have also watched Planet Earth on Discovery HD and heard Sigourney Weaver's narration and it wasn't bad at all. The one thing that pisses me off about the BBC version is that everything is described in non-US formats (meters and stuff like that) which I have no idea how they compare so telling me how tall the tallest tree is in meters or kilometers does nothing for me

[Nicodimus22]

Originally Posted by willxcore

everything is described in non-US formats (meters and stuff like that) which I have no idea how they compare so telling me how tall the tallest tree is in meters or kilometers does nothing for me

A meter is roughly 3 feet, just multiply what he says by 3.

[godlistrom]

does it have audio French track in the box?

[Flat_Webb]

Originally Posted by Nicodimus22

A meter is roughly 3 feet, just multiply what he says by 3.

...The UK and USA are pretty much the only countries that use imperial units of measurement at all these days, and even then the UK government is stopping food from sold in imperial weights etc. to get more in line with europe et al. Guess the BBC scriptwriters were trying to be politically correct or summit...

[Herby]

When do we get a review of this new version? I was wondering if there was any difference between the UK version and the US version.

[Herby]

According to Seawoof, in HD-DVD thread about Planet Earth US version. He says the US version has the extras that we saw at the end of each of the shows and also has a pop-up menu. Can anybody confirm this is the case with the BD version?
I loved those extras at the end of the show and would definitely buy the US version if this is the case for BD.
I am surprised nobody has done a review on this new version. It has been two weeks already.
According to the website -
But it doesn't say if these are available on the HD versions. I imagine they are.
Features:

* 11 episodes and bonus materials
* A behind-the-scenes look at the equipment, technology and danger that went into the making of this incredible series

[Kinematic9]

I watched some of the specials on Discovery.. and then promptly purchased the BBC edition with Attenbourough. If i had to listen to one more minute of Weaver, I would have much rather shot myself in each of my feet and then smashed my head between a car door and the frame numorous times.
She was the most boring, mundane, crappy narrator ive ever heard in my life.

I say put a ban on the purchase of the US version of Planet Earth.