‘Seinfeld’: The Complete Series 4K UHD Blu-Ray Review – The Most Rewarding Television Release Of The Year

Emmy® Award-winning SEINFELD is one of the most popular shows of all time. Mining his rich comedic resources, Jerry Seinfeld provides a hysterical look at life as a single adult in the ’90s. Along with a refreshing cast and top-notch writing, this series quickly revealed itself to be a beloved comedic classic.

For thoughts on Seinfeld: The Complete Series, please check out my thoughts on No Streaming Required:

Video Quality

The new 4K UHD Blu-Ray of Seinfeld rewards audiences with a presentation that felt like an impossible dream until the moment it was announced. Nearly 20 years into the Blu-Ray format, it still felt like finally getting Seinfeld on Blu-Ray was a long shot given the landscape of television on Blu-Ray from certain studios. The fact that Sony has rocketed past Blu-Ray and went straight to 4K UHD Blu-Ray is a miracle for fans. There is a Blu-Ray option being released at the same time that is presented in the cropped 1.78:1 widescreen aspect ratio that has been available on streaming services for several years. The 4K UHD Blu-Ray set only contains the 4K UHD discs in the original 1.33:1 aspect ratio that avoids some of the egregious cropping found in the widescreen presentation that really ruins the viewing experience. This is a set made for enthusiasts who want to watch their favorite show in the absolute ideal presentation. Sony rarely fails to deliver first-rate quality for their releases, and this one is a showstopper. 

This fresh transfer delivers a picture teeming with sumptuous film grain that resolves evenly without being clumpy or unnatural. This is a sitcom so things are not too visually ambitious, but no backgrounds suffer from loose grain or unsightly banding. At worst, there are fleeting traces of noise in some backgrounds that are never intrusive. Sony has avoided any digital tinkering on this transfer, so this disc is free of DNR, compression artifacts, and other encoding issues. The production design and clothing are presented with ideal clarity and texture. In every new space, you will find an array of wondrous details that are newly visible thanks to the 4K resolution. The textural output on display is a joy to behold with everything executed without any issues. The only problem episode is the pilot due to the way it was shot and the materials available for an upscale to 4K UHD. The rest of the series is a stunner, so do not get discouraged. 

A strong aspect of this transfer is the utilization of HDR10 for an expanded color palette. With this being a sitcom, the color palette is bright and full of life throughout with a vivid visual presentation. Colors are more complex, natural, and authentic when compared to the old DVD copies. This is especially helpful in elements of the costumes and set design which show a more dynamic representation of the hues. The peerless command over the contrast is not to be taken for granted. Black levels maintain a deep and inky look with unbelievable detail while the highlights present more firmly with no instances of blooming to be found. Skin tones appear enriched when compared to the previous DVDs with healthy doses of fine detail apparent on faces such as pores. We are thankful for Sony as they are one of the only who are bringing this level of care to a 4K UHD release on a major studio level. 

Audio Quality

This 4K UHD Blu-Ray upgrades the audio with a DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio track that gives the series a slightly more expansive soundscape than the Dolby Digital 2.0 track on the original DVD releases. Since this is a sitcom not intended for a truly enveloping sonic onslaught, you should not expect something from this presentation that was never in the cards. The star of the show is the dialogue, and every witty exchange comes through with the utmost clarity. Atmospheric sound effects are rendered accurately within the mix while largely staying focused on the front channels. The musical stings have a good amount of clarity and power to them, also providing some of the only low end response necessary in this track. The bass seems to mostly originate from your standard speakers rather than making the subwoofer come to life. This track has some heft to it, but most importantly it seems to honor the source well. Sony has done great work here. Optional English and English SDH subtitles are provided. 

Special Features

Season One

• Audio Commentaries

• • The Stake Out: Jerry Seinfeld and Larry David

• The Seinfeld Chronicles Alternate Episode (23:05)

• Inside Looks

• • Seinfeld (4:21)

• • Male Unbonding (2:37)

• • The Stake Out (5:24)

• • The Robbery (2:17)

• Deleted Scenes 

• • Male Unbonding (3:12)

Season Two

• Audio Commentaries

• • The Busboy: Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Jason Alexander, and Michael Richards

• • The Baby Shower: Larry Charles

• • The Heart Attack: Larry Charles

• • The Revenge: Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Jason Alexander, and Michael Richards

• • The Deal: Jerry Seinfeld and Larry David

• The Revenge Alternate Episode (23:00)

• Inside Looks

• • The Pony Remark (3:02)

• • The Busboy (3:07)

• • The Baby Shower Out (2:03)

• • The Jacket (4:33)

• • The Chinese Restaurant (4:52)

• • The Phone Message (1:39)

• • The Apartment (2:29)

• • The Statue (3:19)

• • The Revenge (4:02)

• • The Deal (7:19)

• Deleted Scenes 

• • The Ex-Girlfriend  (2:43)

• • The Jacket (3:28)

• • The Chinese Restaurant (0:58)

• • The Heart Attack (5:12)

• Bloopers (13:41)

Season Three

• Audio Commentaries

• • The Library: Larry Charles
  • The Pen: Jerry Seinfeld and Larry David
  • The Parking Garage: Tom Cherones and Tom Azzari
  • The Subway: Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Jason Alexander, and Michael Richards
  • The Pez Dispenser: Jerry Seinfeld and Larry David
  • The Boyfriend (Part 1 & 2): Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Jason Alexander, and Michael Richards
  • The Limo: Larry Charles
  • The Parking Space: Tom Cherones and Tom Azzari

• Inside Looks

• • The Note (5:06)

• • The Library (1:46)

• • The Pen (6:19)

• • The Parking Garage (6:37)

• • The Cafe (4:48)

• • The Nose Job (3:07)

• • The Red Dot (3:01)

• • The Suicide (4:13)

• • The Subway (3:00)

• • The Pez Dispenser (1:52)

• • The Boyfriend (Part 1 & 2) (10:06)

• • The Fix-Up (3:51)

• • The Limo (2:08)

• • The Good Samaritan (1:41)

• Deleted Scenes 

• • The Note (0:43)

• • The Dog (2:31)

• • The Parking Garage (0:37)

• • The Nose Job (1:12)

• • The Alternate Side (1:51)

• • The Red Dot (0:27)

• • The Boyfriend (Part 1 & 2) (1:19)

• • The Fix-Up (1:47)

• • The Good Samaritan (2:45)

• • The Letter (3:49)

• Bloopers (15:17)

Season Four

• Audio Commentaries
  • The Trip: Part I: Larry Charles
  • The Trip: Part II: Larry Charles
  • The Cheever Letters: Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Jason Alexander, and Michael Richards
  • The Contest: Jerry Seinfeld
  • The Airport: Larry Charles
  • The Outing: Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Jason Alexander, and Michael Richards
  • The Implant: Peter Mehlman
  • The Junior Mint: Jerry Seinfeld
  • The Pilot (Parts 1 & 2): Tom Cherones and Tom Azzari

•  
• The Airport Alternate Ending (0:45)
• The Handicap Spot Alternate Episode (22:22)

• Inside Looks

• • The Trip: Part I (4:52)

• • The Pitch/The Ticket (6:44)

• • The Bubble Boy (4:39)

• • The Cheever Letters (4:19)

• • The Opera (3:22)

• • The Contest (10:07)

• • The Airport (4:21)

• • The Pick (3:27)

• • The Visa (1:41)

• • The Outing (5:16)

• • The Old Man (4:07)

• • The Implant (3:48)

• • The Handicap Spot (5:48)

• • The Junior Mint (4:47)

• • The Smelly Car (3:02)

• Deleted Scenes 

• • The Trip: Part I (2:07)

• • The Wallet (2:42)

• • The Cheever Letters (3:38)

• • The Opera (3:05)

• • The Virgin (0:51)

• • The Contest (2:02)

• • The Airport (0:29)

• • The Pick (1:44)

• • The Movie (1:48)

• • The Outing (2:28)

• • The Old Man Alternate Ending (0:54)

• • The The Old Man (0:53)

• • The Junior Mint (0:59)

• Bloopers (21:12)

Season Five

• Audio Commentaries

• • The Mango: Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Jason Alexander, and Michael Richards
  • The Glasses: Tom Gammill and Max Pross
  • The Lip Reader: Peter Mehlman and Carol Leifer
  • The Non-Fat Yogurt: Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Jason Alexander, and Michael Richards
  • The Masseuse: Peter Mehlman and Carol Leifer
  • The Cigar Store Indian: Tom Gammill and Max Pross
  • The Marine Biologist: Tom Cherones and Tom Azzari
  • The Pie: Tom Gammill and Max Pross
  • The Hamptons: Peter Mehlman and Carol Leifer
  • The Opposite: Jerry Seinfeld and Larry David

• Inside Looks

• • The Mango (2:07)

• • The Glasses (2:35)

• • The Puffy Shirt (10:23)

• • The Sniffing Accountant (4:15)

• • The Lip Reader (2:35)

• • The Non-Fat Yogurt (4:29)

• • The Barber (2:34)

• • The Conversion (1:45)

• • The Stall (3:54)

• • The Marine Biologist (7:07)

• • The Pie (3:14)

• • The Stand-In (4:54)

• • The Fire (3:30)

• • The Raincoats (Parts 1 & 2) (4:01)

• • The Hamptons (2:55)

• • The Opposite (7:14)

• Deleted Scenes 

• • The Mango (1:11)

• • The Glasses (1:39)

• • The Puffy Shirt (2:17)

• • The Non-Fat Yogurt (1:37)

• • The Conversion (3:37)

• • The Stall (1:03)

• • The Marine Biologist (2:11)

• • The Pie (1:36)

• • The Fire (1:15)

• • The Raincoats (Parts 1 & 2) (1:11)

• • The Opposite (3:35)

• Bloopers (13:17)

Season Six

• Audio Commentaries

• • The Gymnast: Jerry Seinfeld, Andy Ackerman, Alec Berg, and Jeff Schaffer
  • The Mom & Pop Store: Tom Gammill and Max Pross
  • The Race: Jerry Seinfeld and Andy Ackerman
  • The Label Maker: Alec Berg and Jeff Schaffer
  • The Beard: Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Jason Alexander
  • The Doorman: Tom Gammill and Max Pross
  • The Fusilli Jerry: Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Jason Alexander
  • The Diplomats Club: Tom Gammill and Max Pross
• Inside Looks

• • The Chaperone (4:36)

• • The Big Salad (3:59)

• • The Pledge Drive (2:03)

• • The Couch (2:58)

• • The Mom & Pop Store (1:58)

• • The Soup (1:30)

• • The Switch (1:37)

• • The Race (5:21)

• • The Label Maker (2:13)

• • The Kiss Hello (1:13)

• • The Doorman (4:36)

• • The Jimmy (3:14)

• • The Fusilli Jerry (4:38)

• • The Diplomats Club (2:33)

• • The Face Painter (2:20)

• • The Understudy (10:28)

• Deleted Scenes 

• • The Chaperone (0:55)

• • The Big Salad (0:37)

• • The Pledge Drive (1:54)

• • The Chinese Woman (1:52)

• • The Couch (3:25)

• • The Gymnast (1:48)

• • The Mom & Pop Store (1:50)

• • The Soup (3:12)

• • The Switch (2:04)

• • The Race (0:57)

• • The Label Maker (2:28)

• • The Scofflaw (0:49)

• • The Beard (0:40)

• • The Doorman (1:46)

• • The Jimmy (1:36)

• • The Doodle (1:10)

• • The Diplomats Club (0:55)

• • The Face Painter (1:09)

• • The Understudy (2:48)

• Bloopers (22:25)

Season Seven

• Audio Commentaries

• • The Postponement: Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Jason Alexander\
  • The Soup Nazi: Jerry Seinfeld, Andy Ackerman, and Spike Feresten
  • The Secret Code: Alec Berg and Jeff Schaffer
  • The Pool Guy: Jerry Seinfeld, Andy Ackerman, and David Mandel
  • The Sponge: Peter Mehlman
  • The Gum: Tom Gammill and Max Pross
  • The Shower Head: Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Jason Alexander
  • The Doll: Tom Gammill and Max Pross
  • The Friar’s Club: David Mandel
  • The Calzone: Jerry Seinfeld, Andy Ackerman, Alec Berg, and Jeff Schaffer

• Inside Looks

• • The Engagement (4:03)

• • The Maestro (4:22)

• • The Soup Nazi (7:31)

• • The Secret Code (2:26)

• • The Pool Guy (5:37)

• • The Gum (3:44)

• • The Rye (7:19)

• • The Caddy (2:08)

• • The Cadillac (Parts 1 & 2) (3:30)

• • The Friar’s Club (8:11)

• • The Wigmaster (1:56)

• • The Calzone (2:07)

• • The Bottle Deposit (Parts 1 & 2) (5:30)

• • The Invitations (8:21)

• Deleted Scenes 

• • The Engagement (1:38)

• • The Hot Tub (2:23)

• • The Rye (0:47)

• • The Caddy (1:29)

• • The Seven (0:37)

• • The Doll (0:57)

• • The Friar’s Club Alternate Ending (1:06)

• • The Friar’s Club (3:53)

• • The Wigmaster (2:23)

• • The Invitations (3:34)

• Bloopers (21:19)

Season Eight

• Audio Commentaries

• • The Bizarro Jerry: David Mandel
  • The Little Kicks: Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Jason Alexander, and Spike Feresten
  • The Fatigues: Gregg Kavet and Andy Robin
  • The Checks: Tom Gammill and Max Pross
  • The Chicken Roaster #1: Alec Berg and Jeff Schaffer
  • The Chicken Roaster #2: Jerry Seinfeld and Andy Ackerman
  • The Abstinence: Jerry Seinfeld, Andy Ackerman, and Steve Koren
  • The Comeback: Gregg Kavet and Andy Robin
  • The Susie: David Mandel
  • The Pothole:  Jerry Seinfeld, Andy Ackerman, and Dan O’Keefe
  • The Nap: Gregg Kavet and Andy Robin
  • The Yada Yada: Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Jason Alexander, and Peter Mehlman
  • The Muffin Tops: Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Jason Alexander, and Spike Feresten
  • The Summer of George: Alec Berg and Jeff Schaffer

• Inside Looks

• • The Foundation (7:13)

• • The Bizarro Jerry (4:32)

• • The Little Kicks (5:36)

• • The Fatigues (5:04)

• • The Chicken Roaster (5:33)

• • The Abstinence (7:14)

• • The Comeback (4:15)

• • The Money (1:55)

• • The Van Buren Boys (2:42)

• • The Pothole (6:52)

• • The Nap (3:51)

• • The Yada Yada (6:54)

• • The Muffin Tops (7:48)

• • The Summer of George (8:26)

• Deleted Scenes 

• • The Foundation (0:46)

• • The Package (0:43)

• • The Fatigues (0:38)

• • The Chicken Roaster (0:55)

• • The Little Jerry (0:53)

• • The Comeback (2:01)

• • The Money (0:59)

• • The Van Buren Boys (1:56)

• • The English Patient (0:57)

• • The Nap (2:50)

• • The Yada Yada (1:07)

• • The Millennium (1:30)

• • The Muffin Tops (0:46)

• • The Summer of George (0:51)

• Bloopers (24:00)

Season Nine

• Audio Commentaries

• • The Voice: Alec Berg, Jeff Schaffer, and David Mandel
  • The Serenity Now: Steve Koren
  • The Merv Griffin Show: Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Jason Alexander, Andy Ackerman, and Bruce Eric Kaplan
  • The Slicer: Gregg Kavet, Andy Robin, and Darin Henry
  • The Betrayal: David Mandel and Peter Mehlman
  • The Strike: Jerry Seinfeld, Andy Ackerman, and Dan O’Keefe
  • The Dealership: Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Jason Alexander, Patrick Warburton, and Andy Ackerman
  • The Reverse Peephole: Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Jason Alexander, Patrick Warburton, and Spike Feresten
  • The Burning: Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Jason Alexander, Patrick Warburton, and Andy Ackerman
  • The Maid: Alec Berg, Jeff Schaffer, and David Mandel 
  • The Puerto Rican Day: David Mandel and Steve Koren

• The Seinfeld Roundtable: A 58-minute retrospective featuring Larry David, Jerry Seinfeld, Jason Alexander, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, and Michael Richards nine years after the end of the series in which they happily discuss fond memories and the experience of making the series. 

• • Part 1 (30:09)

• • Part 2 (28:13)

• Inside Looks

• • The Butter Shave (2:12)

• • The Voice (3:32)

• • The Junk Mail (1:27)

• • The Merv Griffin Show (4:32)

• • The Betrayal (5:41)

• • The Strike (5:18)

• • The Bookstore (1:55)

• • The Frogger (3:09)

• Deleted Scenes 

• • The Butter Shave (0:40)

• • The Voice (1:15)

• • The Blood (2:22)

• • The Junk Mail (2:18)

• • The Betrayal (2:36)

• • The Strike (1:08)

• • The Dealership (0:52)

• • The Reverse Peephole (1:41)

• • The Cartoon (3:08)

• • The Wizard (0:56)

• • The Burning (2:05)

• • The Bookstore (0:50)

• • The Frogger (3:42)

• • The Maid (0:37)

• • The Finale (15:05)

• Bloopers (18:38)

Final Thoughts

Seinfeld is simply one of the greatest sitcoms that has ever existed. For a show about “nothing” as it were, it has lingered in the cultural consciousness by tapping into the universal eccentricities that many foolishly believe are unique to their experience. The writing is also bitingly hilarious with a penchant for escalation that many have tried to replicate but few have achieved as brilliantly. To tie everything together, you have a quartet of lead characters and a lovingly bizarre expanded universe of colorful personalities to keep you crying with laughter. Sony has released a phenomenal new 4K UHD Blu-Ray set featuring a nearly flawless A/V presentation and a great selection of special features. This is a must-buy for fans of the series. Essential

Seinfeld: The Complete Series is currently available to purchase on 4K UHD Blu-Ray and Blu-Ray through MovieZyng or various online retailers. 

Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the 4K UHD Blu-Ray.

Disclaimer: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment has supplied a copy of this disc free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.