Possible problem on Mackinaw/Thunderbean Popeye re-release?

[GeorgeC]

As most of us know by now, Thunderbean's prior DVD releases are now being handled by Mackinaw Video and are starting to pop up in some local video stores as well as Amazon.com

I've seen both the Popeye and Attack of the 30's Character re-releases recently at Suncoast.

I bought the Popeye DVD and it's giving my 6-year-old Pioneer DVD player fits on the bonus section material. The video files will play fine but the audio and still sections cause the player to "lock up" if you attempt to enter them.

I even tried the DVD on my PS2 which while NOT the best player of DVDs is of newer vintage (from last year). Still no dice on audio-only files' playback, but I did see the still photos for the interview subjects and the still photo sections fly by at warp speed on the TV.

I'm beginning to wonder if this DVD was mastered properly, if there's a problem with my DVD player, OR if I got a defective disc. I'm going to give the DVD another try on a different brand player before I take it back to the store for an exchange.

Problems like this are really annoying with DVDs... It makes you wonder if DVD standards are being followed by different production companies or if the manufacturer of your DVD player is following the agreed-upon DVD consortium specs!

[cpdavison]

George:

I just got finished reading an e-mail from Steve and he mentioned that the first version Mackinaw burned had trouble in many players. I sure hope they didn't mistakenly scrap the good run and then ship the duds! (Kinda sounds like they did though, doesn't it?)

Hope everything can be worked out as they sound like a promising video concern. Let us know how you make out...

Craig D.

[Steve Stanch]

This is the second post about problems with the Popeye DVD. I wish I could see a finished copy of my own disk (!) to see what's going on with it!! I've been hunting stores here without much luck.

The master was originally a duel layer. The replicator had problems with that and I asked that we pull it back (after pressing about 2,000 disks!). I supplied a new single layer master that worked well, but I haven't seen the check disks or final copies. It's frustrating! I haven't been able to get a copy at all around here, and my distributor claims all theirs are sent (they moved to Colorado a few months back) and they'll be sending me copies asap. In the meantime, I'm left to wonder if the replicator made copies off the right disk. If anyone has troubles with the disk, contact me (steves@thunderbeananimation.com) and I'll send a DVD-r replacement that works (along with a free advance copy of "cartoons for Victory") It's a cool disk.

The Popeye DVD disk was mastered using DVD studio pro. We had thought of remastering, but the company they (Mackinac) deals with would have charged a very high price with all the bonus stuff I had in there....

It's a mini- nightmare for me hearing this stuff! Replication has been a difficult task. My thought it that they didn't trash all the duel layer copies and sent them to some of the stores. I've found thsoe copies play perfectly on some players and not at all on others. The interviews/ audio are PCM on this disk; the rest is AC3. I'm surprized that is giving any trouble; makes me think it's the duel layer disks.

[Cdawg]

I've got to chime in on the problem with the new Popeye disc. So far I've only been able to watch the 3 color 2-reel Popeye shorts. Every other menu choice stops the disc & kicks me out to the Load DVD menu. Since I bought the DVD at Media Play which is going out of business and will not accept returns I guess I'll have to take this up with Mackinac Media.

[MF TOON]

yikes, I'm starting to regret having sold my first pressing! :befuddled


I hope none of the other reissues are subject to this...

[GeorgeC]

yikes, I'm starting to regret having sold my first pressing! :befuddled


I hope none of the other reissues are subject to this...


Another guy said he bought the Mackinaw re-press of "Attack of the 30's Characters" and said that it was fine.

That DVD apparently doesn't have the extras/dual layer info and therefore loading problems of the Popeye DVD, however.

It's sad Mackinaw screwed this up.

I've also seen the DVDs in the Family section at Best Buy now.

You don't have to buy them at Media Play.

Media Play is really the last place to buy these DVDs, btw. Like another poster said, Media Play IS going out of business and won't accept returns/exchanges any more. The last DVD you want to get there is one that has known defects.

[Steve Stanch]

Sorry about the problems folks! I've forwarded the messages to Mackinac,. and they've said they'll replace any bad ones. I've had a handful of people send me the defective ones, and sure enough- they're the duel pressed ones that should have been destroyed (I've been told by Mackinac they were, so either the replicator screwed up by pressing the wrong one or....?). They've said they're checking into it to see what happend.

At any rate, they've said they'll replace any bad ones. Here's their contact / address:

Donald Rottenbucher
Production Manager
Mackinac Media, Inc.
5921 S. Middlefield Rd., Ste. 200
Littleton CO 80123
P: 720.283.2299
F: 303.798.0670
W: www.mackinacmedia.com

I'm very upset at the situation, one that they were aware of and should not have happpend. It's my first product in stores and I depended on them to deliver a good product. Anyone who's had a bad one, make sure to contact me too, and I'll send out an advance copy of 'Cartoons for Victory', one of our new titles.

Steve Stanchfield
Thunderbean Animation