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Editorial Reviews:

Not only is Planet Earth one of the most jaw-dropping, ambitious, nature documentaries the BBC has ever produced, it?s now taken on another role: as a superb demonstration disc for the potential of HD DVD and Blu-ray.

Spread over a good ten hours, the series charts life and nature in dozens upon dozens of differing locations around the earth. Diligently and warmly narrated by Sir David Attenborough, Planet Earth calmly goes close in on its subject matter when required, and then pulls out some stunning perspective shots that are simply breathtaking. It?s hard to come up with the right superlatives to do the photography on the programme any kind of justice, and that it?s married to such fascinating subject matter is all the better.

And if you think the original broadcast of Planet Earth was something special, or you were gobsmacked by the picture quality on DVD, just wait until you see it in 1080p HD glory. Particularly some of the broader shots here are all but without parallel, and it?s a real reward for those who have invested ahead of the crowd in high definition technology.

Presented over five discs, and matching wonderful content to spot-on visual presentation, Planet Earth is now not just a landmark in nature documentary film making. It?s also a chartermark of quality for just what HD DVD and Blu-ray can offer. A stunning release, in more than one sense. --Jon Foster

Custom Reviews:

Really disappointing

I have ordered this product on 7 Aug 2007, even before the blu-ray version was released and can't descibe how hard was to wait until I've received the package from amazon.co.uk. On 13 Nov 2008 I have ordered for one of my friends the DVD version of this extraordinary documentary pack about our beautiful planet. Even thow I searched for the special features on the BD version thinking I am the one who doesn't know what is doing, I accepted the pack as it was with great footage like nothing ever seen before and was really amazed. After purchasing the DVD pack for this friend of mine I said "let's watch the DVD a little bit for the image comparison" and guess what: at the end of each episode there is a diary of that episode; there are the special features! They are not mentioned on the DVD pack, but they are there! They are mentioned on the back of BD pack and they are NOT there! Why? The problem is at BBC not at amazon. I came with the BD pack at the computer intending to scan the back of the package and attach the image to this review, but I can't find where. I have read the other reviews on amazon.co.uk and found the difference on disc 5. Now I am disappointed even more. I checked both packages and the review that I've read was correct. Why would BBC create such an amazing documentary with this difference between DVD and BD versions. The diaries are great. I've watched only two of them. I couldn't keep myself to watch the other three episodes that doesn't appear on the BD version at all. I just came to write this review and feel like will explode if I won't send back the BD version. But is not amazon's fault and they wouldn't accept the item anyway. In conclusion: the BD version image is great even thow is 1080i only, but the special features on the DVD are priceless. What I would recommend: somebody contact BBC (I am from Romania and don't think BBC will listen to what I have to say) and ask if they are going to release a new BD version with all the materials included and wait for that one. The second option is to purchase both BD and DVD packs. Check the running time on both packages: BD 550 minutes; DVD 643 minutes. Almost two hours more material on DVD. Didn't BBC found enough space on the BD?

Awesome. Absolutely Awesome.

There's not much I can say that hasn't already been said but... this series shows some of the most eye-popping, jaw-dropping, mind-boggling images you're ever likely to see.

If you like nature programmes (in fact, even if you don't) it's impossible to imagine you won't be blown away by this documentary series...

1080i or 1080p argument resolved ?

It is outstanding.
I rented it but then bought the USA import version because of Amazon Reviews. This was a costly mistake and 1 disc less.
My Panasonic Blu Ray player info when playing picture reports this as 1080p. I have a full 1080p 37inch Panasonic TV.
The "extra" disc is 1080i so the packaging reports the whole as 1080i
Some people say the USA import is so much better. I think this is a case of " The Emporers New Clothes" fairy tale.
I have read all the arguments regarding buying the US import version and found this report on an AV forum which I believe to be correct.


Quote
ALL versions of Planet Earth, on both HD DVD and Blu Ray, are 1080P. IT DOES NOT MATTER WHERE YOU BOUGHT IT OR WHAT IT SAYS ON THE BOX, THE MAIN PROGRAMMES ARE ALL IN 1080P, WITHOUT EXCEPTION.

The video files (as in actual size in MB) are exactly the same size on both versions (US/UK); just try both versions in your player, you will not see a difference.

The UK version mentions 1080i on the box because the 'extra' programmes are in 1080i, but this is at 30fps so the motion looks much better than the main programmes anyway. The 1080i on the box is merely the BBC trying to cover themselves against accusations of false advertising.

Whats worse than people on forums talking nonsense is that if you look at Amazon or Play..com there are people posting 'reviews' which are saying it is 1080i and that they are disgusted with the BBC etc and telling people to buy the US version. There people should ask themselves WHY the BBC would release a lower quality product in the UK - this would cost MORE money, and they would gain nothing in return. The answer is THEY HAVEN'T. It's all 1080p. Use yer loaf!

So please lets stop this nonsense, any lack of image quality in Planet Earth is due to the original recording technology used (24p film / early HD cameras) and not the release format.

If you want the best demo 'nature' disc then just get BBC's Galapagos, it's not as interesting but you'll have no complaints about PQ. (and YES it's 1080p, AND 30fps.

Worth every penny!

I have watched this on dvd and it was amazing. Cant imagine how it must be on HD or blu-ray but will be sure to get it when I upgrade my system.

The quality and information is fantastic and well worth watching. My teenagers have also sat through a majority of the series and have been fascinated too! Very educating at the same time as interesting!

Breathtaking

I wholly agree with the review entitled "Jaw-Dropping". The photography in this series is just staggeringly beautiful, intensely moving. The narration is perfectly paced, restrained, witty, thought-provoking. The variety of coverage is amazing and the experience as a viewer is to be carried along entirely, from being distressed at the fate of the creatures, to awe-struck by their beauty, to fascinated by their individuation and adaptation to their environment.

Forget the quibbles - the picture is awesome and the sound is wonderful. This is a Blu-ray must-buy.