In December we reported on the announcement, from Comedy Central and Paramount Home Entertainment, of their
March 16th release of
South Park - The Complete 13th Season on both
DVD and
Blu-ray Disc. This is the second time season sets of the animated series have been available in both formats, and with the previous
12th Season releases the DVD version was in full screen video format, while the Blu-ray edition came in a widescreen aspect ratio with 1080i resolution.
In
our December 15th update about the
13th Season releases, we commented that "
info provided to retailers shows that both versions (DVD and Blu-ray)
will be presented in widescreen video", and went on to comment about how we weren't sure whether that info was accurate. We've found out this morning, however, that it really IS correct. Comedy Central informs us that the Blu-ray Disc version of
South Park - The Complete 13th Season will be upped to the 1080p level this time, in widescreen format. And that they are downconverting those 1080p widescreen masters to the versions you'll see on the standard DVD release with the same Season 13 episodes.
The Amazon pre-order listing for the
13th Season Blu-ray release, as of this writing, currently shows "full screen" on the "format" line under the "Product Details" section, but Comedy Central assures us that this is an error and they will work with Paramount to get Amazon's information updated. Amazon's listing for the DVD version correctly shows "widescreen" in the same place, so no worries there. Our thanks to various readers who have pointed this out. Don't forget that both versions of
The Complete 13th Season contain Deleted Scenes...a first for
South Park on home video!
