Having read the above reviews, I have noticed they are generic, and do not represent a review of the actual item shown. This is the MP3CD edition, and while it therefore offers a cheap alternative to the full sets, and is squeezed onto two CDs, the encoding quality is appalling.
I have dealt with MP3s for a long time now, and the quality, although often not as good as CDs, is certainly comparable when it comes to speech and sound effects, and is therefore an absolutely ideal alternative to CD recording, especially if you intend putting it on an iPod or something.
I have also been an absolute fan of Hitch hiker's and jumped at the chance to replace my tired, worn tapes. However, when I listened to the episodes, there is a huge (and I mean huge) amount of pooing and hissing in the encoding, so much so that I could no longer listen. It is by far the worst piece of commercial encoding I have EVER heard, and coming from the BBC, I can only assume it is to make the audience buy the (overpriced) boxset. Do NOT buy this MP3 edition.
In conclusion, buy the INDIVIDUAL series on CD, not the boxset, as this works out MUCH, MUCH cheaper.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Advantages: sit back, relax, let the madness unfold, refold, become an origami penguin, then do something else... Disadvantages: sadly cannot be paid for in un-earthly moneyage!
Advantages: Hilarious, Classic, Well-written, Well-acted, generally brilliant. Disadvantages: Not in a terribly convenient format for listening to one episode at a time
Mar 1st, 2005
helpful by (93%):
somewhat helpful by (7%):
