Seinfeld - The Complete Series 4K UHD Review

[@ElliotCoen]

What other TV shows would you like to see get a 4K disc release?

[@LockeTheCole]

Star Trek Deep Space Nine... *wishful thinking*

[@spfilmviewers5629]

Curb Your Enthusiasm would be ideal

[@dannycalifornia1300]

Airwolf.

[@daniel_s_torres]

DARK

[@MclaughlinTV]

Terra Nova

[@Mr_Quimper]

"No boxsets for you!"

[@gnarwhal7562]

I'm honestly shocked that long running shows like Seinfeld are finally getting 4K releases at all. Just imagine how daunting upscaling all of the footage is. On that note, I would love to see the Sopranos, the Wire, Oz, M*A*S*H, Fraggle Rock, X-Files, and the first 10 seasons of the Simpsons upgraded to 4K as well

[@magnumcornetto]

I very much doubt X-Files will ever get a 4K remaster, unless it is some horrible AI upscaling. The visual effects shots were done for standard definition, and they already had to be upscaled for the Blu Ray releases. Plus, Disney doesn't seem very interested in doing anything with The X-Files. The movie didn't get a 4K restoration for its 25th anniversary.

[@sie4431]

No upscaling needed for Seinfeld, just remastering

[@HOTD108_]

Why would you want 4K releases for shows that weren't shot in 4K? The raw footage isn't 4K, so to get it to 4K would mean AI, and that frequency ends up looking worse than the lower resolution footage anyway. The Simpsons in particular would look awful if it got upscaled from its 480p native resolution (assuming you're talking about classic, pre-HD, seasons since that's all that matters with The Simpsons).

[@sie4431]

@@HOTD108_ Most life action stuff like Seinfeld was shot on 35mm film

[@mathewfuller25]

It was shot on super 16mm film. It has the native resolution to be 4K easily. They just have to do the telecine again. Still a huge pain in the ass though.

[@calebsanchez4429]

It's currently going for $207 USD on Amazon, so this box set better be...spongeworthy. And those who don't have the money for it will be stuck with the DVDs...not that there's anything wrong with that!

[@ElliotCoen]

@@calebsanchez4429 it’s real and it’s spectacular. Giddy up!

[@bertcielen8709]

Unfortunately it is missing a bunch of the bonus features from the DVD release. For instance, S3 is missing these: Extra - Inside Look - The Letter Extra - Inside Look - The Parking Space Extra - Inside Look - The Keys "Kramer vs. Kramer: Kenny to Cosmo" featurette (22:35) "Master of His Domain" stand-up comedy footage (10:11) "Sponsored by Vandelay Industries" Original NBC promotional ads and trailers (1:59) Photo Gallery (3:58) S5 is missing these: Jason plus Larry equals George featurette (25:34) NBC promos and trailers (3:27) Alternate "The Non-Fat Yogurt" episode - Mayor Dinkins version (22:53) "Master of His Domain" stand-up comedy footage (7:52) The set only contains the 5.1 mixes, not the stereo mixes. Subtitles are missing for the bonus content. There is also a subtitle track containing trivia that is missing.

[@CraigCrowder]

This was going to be my question. I wonder if there's any new bonus features that weren't on the DVDs

[@servare2599]

If it’s not one thing, it’s something else, you’ll never be happy with any release most of you always try to pick faults in everything. Who the hell wants stereo audio when there is a 5.1 Mix, that’s insane.

[@bertcielen8709]

@@servare2599 IIRC stereo is the *original audio* for the episodes, and thus that should be included, for the same reason the episodes should be shown in their original aspect ratio. And that isn't even the only missing thing. This *expensive* box set isn't the "one set to rule them all" release; instead you need to keep the ancient DVD sets if you want to have all the extras. Those are not minor quibbles. Moreover, some people have gotten sets with some wrong discs, and when they contacted Sony, they were told there were no replacement discs available.

[@servare2599]

@@bertcielen8709Pirate the original version and remux the 4K with the preferred audio option, If the corps aren’t delivering, deliver yourself.

[@Theomite]

Looks like I'll have to get the DVD set too now that Steve Bannon doesn't get paid for it anymore.

[@SpaceCattttt]

This is a box set of two worlds: the good and the bad. For every good thing, there's a bad thing. Like you pointed out, the box isn't much to write home about, but the cases themselves are perfectly fine. Likewise, the episodes look and sound great, but most of the extras from the DVDs are completely missing. It's definitely worth buying this set, though. It's just that it could've been so much better. Hell, for the price of the thing, you don't even get a proper book with it, like you did with the DVD.

[@unclegaga365]

Waited so long for this to be released on bluray. Can't believe we got the 4ks

[@123rockfan]

Glad to hear about the picture quality! But I’m disappointed with the box art, Seinfeld has had the same box art for 20 years lol

[@loltanios]

This is my #1 4k release of 2024. It's one of my favorite TV shows too... and is a huge upgrade from DVD. I wasn't expecting this release and certainly not in the original 4:3 aspect ratio. Very pleased with it.

[@MAFion]

I always heard Seinfeld wasn't very popular in Europe but you're changing my mind.

[@BuckarooBarone]

175 days worth of content? That's amazing!

[@lexlayton7966]

Monk and Psych NEED 4k UHD boxsets

[@orwellianson]

Yes.

[@ElliotCoen]

@@lexlayton7966 I’ve never watched those but they sound great! I’ll have to watch some soon. Cheers

[@sebastianm.2901]

Monk only recently made it to blu ray via Kino Lorber, so the chances of it happening are very low. ..but you never know, it looks like 4K is the last physical media format and maybe sometime almost everything gets a 4K transfer.

[@brianharmon9405]

Thank you for covering this buddy l!

[@994pt4]

Got mine and like you have no complaints other than the thin box. But I can deal with that for 4K + OAR 😃👍

[@KirkRedgate]

I got the Columbo boxsets from Fabulous on Blu-ray (4K restorations) which I highly recommend. Shows like Quantum Leap, The Twilight Zone, Freaks and Geeks, Twin Peaks, all look great on Blu-ray. I’d like to upgrade The Wonder Years, Tales From the Crypt, Eerie Indiana, My So Called Life, Saved By the Bell, to name a few. I can’t see these coming to 4K but one can dream.

[@tompoynton]

Is that the Kino Lorber Columbo?

[@calivalley9056]

“IDEAL” , I would love to see it upgraded. Was one of my favorites, crazy, strange, weird, awesome and Johnny Vegas is hilarious. It’s like a grungy twisted version of Sienfeld.

[@DapprDave]

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Seinfeld!

[@arnaudcalistri2433]

Thanks for that review! The DVD releases were gorgeous to watch for the first seasons back when they released but they dropped in quality the restauration effort after a few seasons for the last box sets. Did you check if the quality was this time the same on every season? Or at least between the first and the lasts?

[@MauriceHotblack]

Detectorists and Inside No.9 both deserve at least a bluray release each IMHO.

[@BeberDag130482]

There's more than just stock shots that are upscaled from old video transfers. That applies as well to shots they obviously couldn't find the film elements and it starts right away with the pilot for which they did not preserve all of it at the time, sadly. The same problem happened with "The X-Files" HD masters. It's frustrating when it happens, but those are still better upscaled shots than the ones made for 16:9 HD masters we've seen on streaming and reruns. Also, the version they put in UHD for the pilot is not the original one, it's the syndicated revision with the same credits as the other episodes. The original pilot "Seinfeld Chronicles" is presented in the bonus section only in HD, still with many upscaled shots of course. There are a couple of other alternate/syndicated version episodes in the bonus sections, such as "The Handicaped Spot" with the replacement actor for George's father. Also, they remixed the whole series in dts HDMA 5.1 and they really should've left the option of the original mono and stereo broadcasting mixes, depending on the seasons, for better authenticity. On the whole, it's still an excellent UHD transfer with better care from Sony than Warner put on "Friends" unfortunately.

[@MovieCheerVideo]

It’s a great show, I’m glad to see it’s got a 4k release.

[@Zeldaboy2k2]

Thanks for the review! I was curious about it, heard about the bad streaming transfer, so I wasn't sure about the set. I WILL get it now.

[@philh5268]

Great review 👍 I’m so tempted to import but kind of hoping it gets a UK release 🤞

[@hblanche]

I preordered this, my all-time favorite sitcom, ages ago. Love it!

[@chrisnightingale5529]

When “it’s always sunny…” eventually concludes, I will be first in line to buy the 4k boxset

[@michaelwhitby7688]

I have the Northern Exposure Blu-ray box set and it has the exact same issue, a super flimsy box!

[@nickrichards9645]

@ElliotCoen did you import or did you manage to find it in the UK?

[@gehrig27]

I was so thrilled to get Seinfeld on 4k after years of wishing it would at least get a blu-ray release. The show itself looks fantastic and faithful to the film source. The b-roll standard def footage has definitely had some processing done to it though. It’s smeary and has a lot of color bleeding that isn’t present on the dvd set when you a/b the footage. Not a huge deal since it’s mainly on fleeting establishing shots (which didn’t look great to begin with) but I wish they had just let it be. Also, the extras weren’t ported over very well, so the frame rates look a bit wonky.

[@dutch3184]

will these play on an uk xbox series x ?

[@Alleexx01]

Everybody Loves Raymond and News Radio at least on Blu-Ray would be great !

[@tomaszszeliga7531]

Hi, I have a question, can anyone confirm if the 4K set ( because of 4:3 aspect ratio) does it come with white bars or black vertical bars ? thanks

[@pauloconnell8079]

Is it available in the UK & Ireland. Doesn’t seem to be on Amazon

[@cap.haddock4017]

Is there gonna be a nordic / european 4K release with more subtitles?

[@LordDementus1987]

I'd get it but I'm not willing to pay $220 for it. If it was closer to $70-100, I would get it.

[@1stMarDiv4341]

Agreed. It's also missing a significant amount of bonus features included on the DVD set. Regardless, I'll add it to my collection once the price drops ($100-$140 range would be reasonable for me).

[@LordDementus1987]

@@1stMarDiv4341 I would also be more likely to go for the blu-ray because 4Ks have terrible reliability.

[@ozzy.....7383]

Are all episodes on here. I don’t see a pilot. On the dvd has 2 versions of George’s 2 dads on pilot maybe. Could use a book like friends are they uncut. Friends is edited on 4k

[@andypickeringmusic]

For me I'll just stick with the dvd and play them on a CRT TV. They look brilliant and what it's designed for. Agree that the netflix version looks rubbish

[@joshhamester]

Please tell me the discs are just as goofy as the old dvds with their waists all where the hole is

[@jasonsimpkins9069]

Lets me ask though. I have the full series. It's it honestly worth getting this? Visually wise.

[@garyturley2435]

Just pre order dirty Harry pale rider and the outlaw Josey Wales 4k steelbooks and Street trash collector's edition 😊😊 smile 2. . 4k steelbook in the post on the way 📫

[@RyanWard1987]

Fantastic review. Couldn’t agree more, one of my favorite releases of 2024!! Sony does such amazing work. And this bodes well for a potential/hopeful 4K release of my *other* favorite Sony show: Breaking Bad!! 😅🤞 (and El Camino & BCS while they’re at it!😆)

[@jasonsimpkins9069]

I'll never buy into the streaming scene. I rather have things on DVD or Blu-Ray. Which i do. Tv series from the 60s to late 90s-00s. You'll always have it. Don't need internet. So when our power goes out i can still watch things. (Generac Generator piped into the whole house)

[@brunochambre]

Sony now gets all their releases scanned at Warner Bros. Digital Imaging.

[@TheLadsBandLive]

Wish I had realized the digital set on Apple TV was cropped before I made the purchase. 😒

[@TMontanaSF]

On a slightly different subject…have you picked up the 4K limited edition release from A24 for ‘Midsommar’? That’s a reference quality disc, and one of the best I’ve seen on the format. Could have done with some extra’s I guess, but it’s still the movie experience that counts most.

[@Quast]

0:47 That still happens, even with VoD services? When is this, are we still in the late 2000s? o.o

[@YouTubeAddict50]

Puerto Rican Day Parade episode???

[@notoriousmurderz59]

The Original Hawaii Five-O (1968-1980) and include the unaired 1997 pilot Hawaii Five-O continuation but other show that only needs a blu ray set is 21 Jump Street desperately needs to be remastered and as a bonus feature include the spin off Booker but who knows what will get remastered and released on either 4K blu ray or 2K blu ray we just have to wait and see

[@domdombear]

The TV shows I'd love on 4k would all sadly just be dreams. Loads of old BBC sitcoms, but sadly due to being shot on tape it just isn't possible. (Dad's Army would be my dream 4k I think)

[@RobsShinyDex]

I love Seinfeld but im not paying $200 for the set. Ill wait for a sale around black friday.

[@unityoc]

3:00 4200 minutes surely, not hours?

[@ElliotCoen]

@@unityoc it says minutes right there on the video :)

[@TheJayson8899]

Do you have eyes mate

[@danbrixey8545]

I heard Warners are doing a 4K on The Sopranos. I hope this is true

[@Theomite]

Looks like I'm gonna have to buy all 3 editions. Oh, these First World problems.

[@orwellianson]

EXCITED KRAMER NOISES

[@123rockfan]

*sudden table slaps

[@brandonhamaguchi]

What is the difference between blu Ray and 4K?

[@994pt4]

BD = Widescreen (16:9) 4K = Original Aspect Ratio (4:3)

[@jaymcgrath2910]

🔥🔥

[@mcgruff3309]

20 cents cardboard box! 🤣

[@CinemaATTACKS]

4200 consecutive hours is like 6 months straight without sleep. I love Seinfeld too but that sounds unhealthy!

[@happyfilmman2004]

Episodes are not in the right order which is kind of annoying.

[@xshadowscreamx]

Do we need this show in 4k though? It’s just people talking.

[@ElliotCoen]

@@xshadowscreamx yes we do need it.

[@TheJayson8899]

What a silly comment

[@awill891]

Can't stand people who say "why does ______ need to be in 4K?!!!". Because some of us are not blind. Those are the same people who said "I can't see the difference between DVD and Blu-ray, it all looks the same to me". Cool enjoy your DVDs, we are happy for you, why do you need to come and comment on 4K stuff that you apparently have no interest in? Anyway I haven't bought a TV show on disc in the last decade outside of The Sopranos on Blu-ray which I am watching for the first time and LOVE so I think maybe I will get this for $185 on GRUV. Stopped watching the show on TV reruns when they made the god awful transition to 16:9 in 2009 and cut off the bottom half of the actors in every scene. It will be my first time watching as an adult and I'll be the same age as the actors during that time so it will be cool to revisit.

[@hadinasrallah8928]

i was so scared itd be AI garbage

[@ElliotCoen]

@@hadinasrallah8928 definitely a possibility these days. Some other TV show releases have had AI related problems.

[@hadinasrallah8928]

@@ElliotCoen yeah friends having an awful release made me worried

[@dachivado9492]

I love Lucy.

[@cianog]

This was never a thing in the U.K

[@ElliotCoen]

@@cianog it was a thing in my house and I live in the UK

[@cianog]

@ I’ve lived in the U.K during the 90s and it never had a following.

[@tompoynton]

Never a fan of Seinfeld really… the Larry Sanders Show on the other hand is crying out for a remaster

[@juno1597]

Not to be an alarmist, but I think the 4k Seinfeld is already going OOP. I've been watching it since release and yesterday it went out of stock at Amazon/Wal-Mart and neither seller is listing they have more on the way. I was hoping there was enough printed where one day it might go on sell but it seems Sony was serious when they stated it as a limited release and I'm not taking any chances.

[@BensonFarris]

I appreciate the review. But I have no desire to pay for an old sitcom in 4K. I'm glad it has a market though.

[@ChocolateMilk1978]

Who needs a 4K of a 90’s tv show?

[@ElliotCoen]

@@ChocolateMilk1978 me and everyone else who got this set already!

[@ChocolateMilk1978]

@ meh waste of money. Great show, but I didn’t need Jerry and co. In 4K. Especially if it’s not in the original aspect ratio 🤷‍♂️

[@SWATTECHNOLOGIES]

This is good news all around. I never understood the concern over box quality. It is not as if we are going to be hanging the box from the ceiling by a string. The box just sits there. I suppose for some collectors the quality issue extends to the box as well.

[@nicholasthill7151]

It's overkill. Seinfeld visually merits a 4K like Gilligan's Island does. Bluray is more than sufficient.

[@TheJayson8899]

4K is a massive improvement and advantage with *anything*. It doesn’t need to have hit explosions to be worthwhile. I don’t understand this mindset.

[@stuffandnonsense8528]

I've tried to like Seinfeld for such a long time. On paper it should be everything I love, but I just can't enjoy it. It used to make me feel like I'm just missing something, but recently it dawned on me why I don't like it. I was watching a few episodes and I realised how frequently the premise of a gag depends on one or other character needing to double down on absurd lies, and I don't think that is clever or funny. It makes for a repugnent set of characters who, despite their potential virtues, are overwhelmed by their mutual implicit approval of a fundamentally dishonest kind of engaement with the world and others. That might sound overly po-faced for what is obviously supposed to be a very light hearted sitcom, but ideas matter and so do characters. I'm going to keep trying, but I'm beginning to wonder if I might actually have got it right.

[@TheJayson8899]

They’re not meant to be good people. They’re pretty obviously not. If you can’t get behind that, that’s fine, but you’re missing the point a bit if you’re trying to love their senses of morality.

[@stuffandnonsense8528]

@TheJayson8899 I'm not trying to like their senses of morality, but I need to have a reason to want to spend time with characters. Why should I want to spend time with them? Because they're funny? Sometimes they're funny, but there is a lot of humour based on the idea that it is funny to lie, and I don't think that usually is terribly funny. I don't need a character to be morally laudable for a story to be good or humour to be worthwhile. Bojack Horseman (for instance) is a pretty dreadful person, but that character flaw is itself a fulcrum of the story, the writing never praises him for the harm he does. Seinfeld repeatedly asks me to be on side with these people, to enjoy their lies, to find that funny. I want to find the thing which is good about Seinfeld, I want to be persuaded, so many people love it that I struggle to imagine I am correct. P. S. I have no time at all for moral or aesthetic relativism so let's not resort to that.