Camel – Air Born: The MCA & Decca Years 1973-1984 (box set with 5 albums in 5.1 on blu-ray)

[Horbus]

Yes, unfortunately, the discs are mislabeled. It's a common practice nowadays.

I know it's a bit off topic, but what is your definition of high res? I haven't got my order yet so I can only speak for other DVD-A's I have and they are 96KHz/24bit. Looks high res for me, even not at 192KHz. Of course it could be that the surround channels are rb standard at 44KHz/16bit.

 

[NYMo]

Looks like it's sold out again...on Amazon I had one in the cart from Rarewaves UK @$325 au now the only one available is $724 au !

 

[Healthcare29]

Looks like it's sold out again...on Amazon I had one in the cart from Rarewaves UK @$325 au now the only one available is $724 au !

It was up on Amazon uk for £210 yesterday, saw it this morning again but price reduced to £170, gone now!
If anyone's on the fence & can see it for £170 or less I'd suggest buying it now, the fact that this appears to be selling fast could point to another print run but who knows of course.

These guys have it as of now for £157 + postage no doubt, what's that $300 Aussie?
https://townsendmusic.store/product/123525?awc=18214_1702380671_f88f7895b97341632a249aba454b3ad7

 

[JediJoker]

I know it's a bit off topic, but what is your definition of high res? I haven't got my order yet so I can only speak for other DVD-A's I have and they are 96KHz/24bit. Looks high res for me, even not at 192KHz. Of course it could be that the surround channels are rb standard at 44KHz/16bit.

It's not about "high res" or not; it's about whether a disc conforms to certain standards. DVD-Audio includes a separate folder (AUDIO_TS) with lossless audio-only files (uncompressed LPCM or compressed MLP), while DVD-Video only has one folder (VIDEO_TS) with the audio muxed into video files, and does not support any form of lossless audio file compression. DVD-V can include uncompressed LPCM with up to six channels, but because that takes up so much space, lossy compression (DTS or Dolby Digital) is usually used for surround sound. The only lossless audio you'll routinely find on DVD-V is LPCM stereo.

 

[srbjab]

Well, after placing the order 239 days ago (7 months, 25 days) with 20 of those days spent in transit, I finally received my copy of Camel: Air Born from JPC. Although the box was a bit battered, the contents were completely undamaged and pristine. This was one of the best packing jobs I have ever received - the cds were placed in an inner cardboard box placed in a larger outer box packed with peanuts and strapped. Although there was never any mention of this I did have to sign for it when it was hand delivered.

This is the longest I have ever waited for an order to be delivered, but the ~$117 cost plus the perfect condition does a lot to take the sting out of waiting. Now looking forward to unpacking and digging in to the music. A fine capper to a stellar year of surround goodness.

 

[Healthcare29]

Well, after placing the order 239 days ago (7 months, 25 days) with 20 of those days spent in transit, I finally received my copy of Camel: Air Born from JPC. Although the box was a bit battered, the contents were completely undamaged and pristine. This was one of the best packing jobs I have ever received - the cds were placed in an inner cardboard box placed in a larger outer box packed with peanuts and strapped. Although there was never any mention of this I did have to sign for it when it was hand delivered.

This is the longest I have ever waited for an order to be delivered, but the ~$117 cost plus the perfect condition does a lot to take the sting out of waiting. Now looking forward to unpacking and digging in to the music. A fine capper to a stellar year of surround goodness.

Look forward to your full review in around 7 months & 25 days 30 odd discs & all that.....

 

[GOS]

Well, after placing the order 239 days ago (7 months, 25 days) with 20 of those days spent in transit, I finally received my copy of Camel: Air Born from JPC. Although the box was a bit battered, the contents were completely undamaged and pristine. This was one of the best packing jobs I have ever received - the cds were placed in an inner cardboard box placed in a larger outer box packed with peanuts and strapped. Although there was never any mention of this I did have to sign for it when it was hand delivered.

This is the longest I have ever waited for an order to be delivered, but the ~$117 cost plus the perfect condition does a lot to take the sting out of waiting. Now looking forward to unpacking and digging in to the music. A fine capper to a stellar year of surround goodness.

That's the exact same way they sent mine. Though, the outer box was also in very good shape. You said you had to sign, you must not live in the US?? I'm US, and I didn't have to sign anything. Oops, just remembered mine came via DHL and when they (DHL) send me the shipped email, they give me the option of receiving packages without signature. I have to select that option and then I'm good to go. It could be that if you don't have an account with DHL, they will not offer you that opportunity. Just a guess really.

 

[srbjab]

That's the exact same way they sent mine. Though, the outer box was also in very good shape. You said you had to sign, you must not live in the US?? I'm US, and I didn't have to sign anything. Oops, just remembered mine came via DHL and when they (DHL) send me the shipped email, they give me the option of receiving packages without signature. I have to select that option and then I'm good to go. It could be that if you don't have an account with DHL, they will not offer you that opportunity. Just a guess really.

I am in the US, but I'm not sure what governs the signature process. I don't recall specifying any shipping options when I placed the order - mine was automatically shipped from JPC via DHL, and the tracking number was also from DHL. However, when my package went into customs processing it was handed off to USPS for final delivery. The same DHL tracking number then also worked with USPS tracking. In any case, it arrived safe and sound!

 

[Orgillian197]

I know it's a bit off topic, but what is your definition of high res? I haven't got my order yet so I can only speak for other DVD-A's I have and they are 96KHz/24bit. Looks high res for me, even not at 192KHz. Of course it could be that the surround channels are rb standard at 44KHz/16bit.

Generally it's anything that's 24 bit (or sometimes even higher) although you might not hear much difference if the sampling rate is low, say 44.1 khz. 24/96 khz is a good level that usually provides an audible improvement over 16/44.1khz Redbook.

 

[Steve Bruzonsky]

Well, after placing the order 239 days ago (7 months, 25 days) with 20 of those days spent in transit, I finally received my copy of Camel: Air Born from JPC. Although the box was a bit battered, the contents were completely undamaged and pristine. This was one of the best packing jobs I have ever received - the cds were placed in an inner cardboard box placed in a larger outer box packed with peanuts and strapped. Although there was never any mention of this I did have to sign for it when it was hand delivered.

This is the longest I have ever waited for an order to be delivered, but the ~$117 cost plus the perfect condition does a lot to take the sting out of waiting. Now looking forward to unpacking and digging in to the music. A fine capper to a stellar year of surround goodness.

Mine delivered today - same price, same wait! Ha!

 

[Matt Wilson]

Mine was delivered about a half hour ago. Blasting Camel in 5.1! Are people complaining about the sound? It sounds fine to me. A tad loud, but nothing to worry about.

 

[Steve Bruzonsky]

I wouldn’t get all `HUMPY about turning it up for Camel in 5.1! And here’s to jpc.de for honoring the original inexpensive price on this! I’ve ordered a half dozen items from JPC and not had one issue! And my shipping was E3.50 for a very well packed box set, double boxed with loads of Styrofoam!

 

[ctoelle]

YAY! It's finally here!
Almost 8 months to the day I ordered it back in April. Only cost me $115
What a sweet deal/box.

 

[GOS]

YAY! It's finally here!
Almost 8 months to the day I ordered it back in April. Only cost me $115
What a sweet deal/box.

Amazing! Great price, seriously. It's a wonderful collection of stuff. Love my copy.

 

[jefe1]

Boy you guys are taking all the wind out of me. I thought I was so lucky getting Space Ritual at the low sale price at amazonde and I was but you guys have bought a whole lending library at a great price. You can open up a record store with the Camel box set.....

 

[Horbus]

It's not about "high res" or not; it's about whether a disc conforms to certain standards. DVD-Audio includes a separate folder (AUDIO_TS) with lossless audio-only files (uncompressed LPCM or compressed MLP), while DVD-Video only has one folder (VIDEO_TS) with the audio muxed into video files, and does not support any form of lossless audio file compression. DVD-V can include uncompressed LPCM with up to six channels, but because that takes up so much space, lossy compression (DTS or Dolby Digital) is usually used for surround sound. The only lossless audio you'll routinely find on DVD-V is LPCM stereo.

Thanks for clarification!

 

[Simon M]

It was up on Amazon uk for £210 yesterday, saw it this morning again but price reduced to £170, gone now!
If anyone's on the fence & can see it for £170 or less I'd suggest buying it now, the fact that this appears to be selling fast could point to another print run but who knows of course.

These guys have it as of now for £157 + postage no doubt, what's that $300 Aussie?
https://townsendmusic.store/product/123525?awc=18214_1702380671_f88f7895b97341632a249aba454b3ad7

Keep your eyes on Amazon UK, it seems to keep being in and out of stock for varying prices. I've obviously heard of Camel but never owned any of their stuff so was on the fence a little with this one, certainly until seeing a few reviews as it is a pricey beast, BUT it does have five 5.1 mixes!

About three weeks ago I was still up in the small hours and noticed Amazon UK had it back in stock for £140, but shipping was from Amazon EU. I think they had 11 copies in stock when I started listening to Moonmadness to check them out which was recommended by a friend, they were down to 5 copies by the time I had finished, so based on that album alone (plus you lot singing it's praises!) I ordered one. It said for weeks it would be arriving 11-15th December, that changed at the start of this week to 'Arriving Friday' but it hadn't been dispatched when I checked earlier, so I was expecting a cancellation at some point. I've just checked and it has literally just been dispatched and now says 'Arriving Sunday' so fingers crossed it does arrive and in one piece!

 

[Godman]

found this on youtube. Great review showing few differences in de new mixes (heard and shown here)

 

[Albert Dagger]

found this on youtube. Great review showing few differences in de new mixes (heard and shown here)

Interesting comparison and analysis. It would have been useful to level-match the original vs remix to facilitate the comparison, but overall a very informative video.

 

[timbre4]

Congratulations to all those already enjoying the Camel box and the great deals you got.

I waited for Amazon US to develop a clue about this release as I had a large gift card to burn and wanted to use it up on this release. Long story short, it got rejected on smaller purchases so I lost time trying to get the gift card to be acceptable. Finally after a lengthy chat with 4 support agents, I got the guy who knew what was going wrong and how to make sure the AMEX gift card would be accepted. Placed an order on Nov 23rd and crossed my fingers.

The availability status and delivery date information began to crumble until it disappeared a couple weeks ago. The price was initially $239 + tax with free shipping; this began to fall by 8% then 12 % and so on. But no sign of any stock but I hung on. 'We will email you when we have a delivery date.' ?!

Yesterday, the order reflected only a foreign currency item @ $650! I was about to give it up. Today I looked and it pointed to "1 available" at $215 free shipping - with January 15th delivery date. So I ordered that and saw it was going to be fulfilled by Amazon UK (which I would've used in the first place if not for gift card situation)

Once I saw this was a separate order, I went back and cancelled the order from November. Whew. Looking forward to this one.