I'm fairly surprised there are still blu-ray/dvd distributors that deliver films not restored and/or only partly restored. This happens so little anymore that it really stands out when they do. My main concern and worry is often getting the packaging undamaged through the mail (especially when the packaging is cardboard), but I hardly worry about the image quality of the films anymore, because nearly always it is good.
I just got Valerie and Her Week of Wonders (1970/Czechoslovakia), which is one of the most beautiful films ever made. It looked to be released by a totally reliable distributor, with all the usual signs of quality - there is a booklet, there are plenty of extras, including three short films from the same director, there are two audio commentaries.
The distributor (Second Run) claims it's a brand new transfer from the original materials from the Czech National Film Institute, but it is scratched and damaged the whole way through. On top of that the sound of the dialogue is really bad, with voices hissing constantly (especially on the 's's).
The most positive thing that can be said is that the image is quite sharp and colours look mostly bright, but in every other respect it's very disappointing.
Really it's a shame, as there seems to be a perfect restoration from Criterion, but it's not in region B.
It only makes me realize how little this happens anymore and I don't understand why they do this, because nobody's served by it. I'm thinking strongly of trying to get a region free player to avoid things like this, but, as I said, it hardly happens anymore.
I still watched it, but it's painful, when you realize how great it would look properly restored. Strangely the trailer which also looks good in region A is damaged also in region B.
I can't praise and recommend the film itself highly enough, but I wish companies like Second Run didn't exist anymore.