Video:

Lots of Macroblocking on action scenes and some on non-action scenes! EZ have kept alot of the previews from the R1's and there's evewn a 30 minute preview episode of another series on there... Wasted space if you ask me!!

Audio:

Nice sounding Audio, crisp and clear! they're both stereo though, so if you're watching them on a 5.1 system you'll expect to hear some "tinnyness" when the system splits the feed across the 5 channels. but ignoring that (cause I've not got 5.1) it's the best thing about this set

Subtitle:

If you're a fan of watching anime in it's original form (like me) stay away from this set, EZ have ripped the "Hearing Impaired" subtitle stream, resulting in subtitles being displayed whilest nothing is being said, and the story elements that were cut for US release (Ed calling the Chrimera a "Pussy bastard" for instance) are still cut or not mentioned... You may aswell watch the dub, VERY DISSAPOINTING

Comment:

A very strange set all in all, with some unforgivable errors! The 3 disc szet contains episodes 1-24 which is strange seeing as though the series break in Japan was at episode 25! Quite why EZ decided the stick with the "extras" (A load of trailers) and not use the disk space to up the resolution on the episodes is a total mystery!?!? I also own the MAC set of this, which has episodes 1-26, Proper English subs (as well as the "Dubtitles" included here) none of the "extras" and a damn sight less macroblocking!! I'd get the MAC or wait 'til October and get the full series perfect on which I hope to see these mistakes rectified!

Video:

There is some definite quality loss at some points in this set, but it still comes out really great on a TV. Colors are still bright and looks great all the way through.

Audio:

Again, this was about as bad as Samurai Champloo. Airy and Streamy like a compression of 96kbs. I didnt notice it as badly because of the more deeper toned voice actors. the music and Sound FX seemed to be ok but I still believe this audio compression could have been recorded better.

Subtitle:

Not bad. usually the subtitles are the ones getting the butt-end of the treatment, but I didnt find any problems with them. synched right on with the words and a fair translation.

Comment:

The series itself is definitely a big following. I've never been one to jump on the bandwagon of popular anime, but this series was found out before I knew about it so I couldnt really do much. This Set is pretty good. However I dont feel as though EZ has done a better job than when they were FX. I hope to see some other companies come out with releases of Fullmetal and Samurai Champloo so I can compare. I'm obviously not disapointed in the set, but it could have done better