Just goes to show how much is kickin' around here anyone can miss; I've had this DVD since the day it came out, and never noticed the thread...
A few thoughts:
1. A strong set, all the more important in 5.1 for the fact that Ray Thomas was still in the band(he eventually left due to health reasons)--and therefore, we not only get his talents(and an original Moody, which John and Justin aren't)but his "Legend Of A Mind," one of the best psych songs ever recorded, only lacking in the magic Mike Pinder brought to the band(something always lacking since he left in '78 for good).
2. The running time is deceptive; 81 minutes, yes, but the between-songs transitions have obviously been edited out. Don't know much about the circumstances of this performance, but assuming no songs were omitted(and to be honest, I've never bothered to check on that)or whether there was an intermission, this was like having a catbird seat to the show, without the pauses(or, one wonders, sound glitches)that occur with some live performances.
3. The mix is very good and sensible for the venue; however, there's at least one surround effect--was it a synth moving around the soundfield?--that was nicely, heh, inappropriate(happens early on). Although the band is kept mostly to the front, with an ork in tow, there's plenty of back ambience and, if you listen closely, occasional distinctive sound that make the rears more than mere ambience.
4. Fullscreen version, intended for home video, obviously. Not sure letterboxing would matter, and if this was shot fullframe, what would be the point? Most concert vids work fine in fullframe, or letterboxed IF composed that way(the owners of the Macca box, with its imposed aspect ratios on fullframe sources, would have something to say about that). Video quality, watching it tonite, is also very good, can't imagine how it could be better on DVD(the 'soft' images are typical of such vids, but this one is better than many that I own, especially given the venue and limitations of lighting inherent to the affair. It should look 'soft' except during the brightest passages(as when the lights go up at the finish).
Hard to rate musically, however....very good, but not great in the way the more recent tours have offered. An orchestra would be great if recreating DAYS OF FUTURE PASSED, but rather unnecessary for most of the band's repertoire. And, when you think about it, encumbering, keeps them from pushing their harder rocking songs(even factoring in the rehearsals that must have been done to get it this far).
Conclusion: worth owning for any MC fan; above average in all respects, has some fine passages, but not transcendent.
ED