Kids' Favorites: Scooby Doo! (DVD)

The animation quality and 1080p/AVC video presentation of Scooby-Doo! and the Legend of the Vampire present some challenges. The source material exhibits various issues, including pixelated line art, static artifacts in the backgrounds, and other anomalies, though these are generally easy to overlook. However, some sporadic problems, such as banding and minor ringing, may give videophiles pause. Nonetheless, the high-definition image is a significant improvement over the outdated DVD counterpart. Colors are bright and bold, primaries pop, black levels are deep and inky, contrast is spot-on, and overall clarity and crispness are quite good, considering the source limitations. While the line art and color fills are not always seamless, most of the visual flaws can be attributed to the original animation.

The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track is a welcomed inclusion, but the movie's sound design does not fully capitalize on the lossless format. Voices are clean, clear, and intelligible, effects are punchy and playful, and the LFE channel and rear speakers provide exciting moments during the Yowie Yahoo attacks. However, the soundfield lacks immersion, directionality is inconsistent, pans are merely decent, and low-end output lacks nuance. The track performs well within the constraints of the source material, delivering a satisfactory audio experience.

In contrast, Scooby-Doo! and the Samurai Sword showcases a noticeable improvement in both animation quality and video presentation. The 1080p/AVC-encoded video boasts vibrant colors, punchy primaries, deep black levels, and satisfying contrast. The level of detail is quite good, with fewer instances of the rampant pixelation and other anomalies that plagued the previous release. While some minor issues, such as banding, macroblocking, and ringing, are still present, the overall visual experience is a significant step up.

The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track for Samurai Sword also benefits from the five-year gap, with more engaged rear speaker activity, fiercer and more nuanced LFE output, and more refined dynamics. The prevailing two-dimensional cartoon soundstage still dominates, but it does not detract from the overall bright and bombastic audio presentation.

Scooby-Doo! Legend of the Phantosaur continues the trend of impressive video quality, with a sharp, vibrant 1080p/AVC-encoded presentation. The animator's eye-popping primaries, inky blacks, and exacting lineart are rendered with great care, and every detail is well-represented. While occasional banding and source-inherent macroblocking are still present, they are less severe than in some previous Scooby-Doo! and other animated releases, suggesting a positive trend in Warner's Blu-ray efforts.

The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track for Legend of the Phantosaur is also impressive, with clean and clear voices, punchy sound effects, and a beefy LFE channel that brings the Phantosaur's roars and other intense moments to life. The rear speaker activity is fairly ferocious, and the overall dynamics are unexpectedly arresting, making for a satisfying audio experience for fans.

product information: