The Best of HBO on Blu-ray

Let's face it, there's a lot of good television nowadays, it's much too hard to keep track of it all. DVRs fill up quicker and quicker with so many must watch shows airing on a weekly basis, it's hard to keep up. Thank goodness for TV on Blu-ray.

HBO has long been amongst the leaders when it comes to original programming.

Ever since 'The Sopranos' HBO has paved a pathway for serialized dramas and created an arms race between cable channels to see who could lock down the best original programming.

Every time HBO loses a marquee show they always seem to pick up a new one.

With Christmas right around the corner we'd like to take a look at some of the best Blu-rays HBO has to offer, and maybe one or two shows we wish we could find on the format.

Get your shopping lists ready, because here we go.

'Boardwalk Empire'

The Blu-ray doesn't come out until January, but it's more than likely going to be a great release. 'Boardwalk Empire' filled the much needed mafia drama hole that was left when 'The Sopranos' went away. Now we hardly even notice that Tony and the gang are gone because we have Nucky. HBO almost always puts out demo material when it comes to its shows on Blu-ray, and if handled properly, the lush 20s visuals of 'Boardwalk' will no doubt look great in HD. It won't be around for Christmas, which is sad, but it's one that you can snag with all the inevitable gift cards you'll get.

'Deadwood'

All too often we come across studios that don't bother to go back and release earlier seasons of a show on Blu-ray. While that may be the case with 'The Sopranos' (please release the other seasons soon HBO) that isn't the case with 'Deadwood.' There are no individual releases of each season, however. The only way to own this great show is if you pony up the dough for the complete series set. Though fans of the show know that it's worth every penny.

'The Pacific' and 'Band of Brothers'

It's hard to separate these two, especially after HBO just released a limited edition collector's set with both of these releases packaged together. The Tom Hanks' produced productions are two of the best mini-series ever filmed. Even though you can package both these shows into one, they couldn't be more different. 'Band of Brothers' was more cinematic and romanticized, while 'The Pacific' seemed dead set on showing the gory realities of the war on the Pacific islands. You may enjoy one over the other, and that's fine, but they're both must-see mini-series. Did I mention they look and sound absolutely terrific in high definition? Well, they do.

'Rome'

Its bloated cost of production spelled the end of the show. It just wasn't feasible to keep shoveling out the lofty amounts of money they were spending to keep it going, but that doesn't mean it wasn't worth every penny. 'Rome' seems to be the most overlooked show from HBO. 'The Sopranos' was all the rage, and at the height of its popularity when 'Rome' came into being. Even though, 'Rome' was able to establish itself as a sensationalized historical drama where the money spent on production value was actually seen on screen in every scene. The complete series Blu-ray set of the show is the way to go, even though you can now get season one and two in individual releases. Yet another HBO staple that looks astounding in high-def.

'The Sopranos'

We've talked extensively about 'The Sopranos' already, so it's no surprise that they're included on this list. Although, this is the one show on this list that is missing a substantial number of its seasons. Will HBO double back and release season's two through five? Hopefully. As of now we can only buy season one and part one and part two of season six. Since they've released season one, it should be only a matter of time until we get the subsequent seasons right? Right?! Either way, the seasons that have been released feature killer audio and video and would complement anyone's collection nicely.

'Treme'

I think 'Treme' is my favorite HBO show ever. It's another series that doesn't seem to get as much hype as say 'Boardwalk Empire' or 'Game of Thrones,' but it is a masterfully put together show about the struggles of New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. Season one was, by far, some of the best television I've ever had the pleasure of watching. The way that David Simon orchestrated this whole show, its characters, and plotlines is simply stunning. To watch it all unfold is a real treat. Finally, the show's heavy influence of jazz and Cajun tones is demo material on Blu-ray.

'True Blood'

Vampires are all the craze right now, but the vampires on 'True Blood' are a little different from the ones on 'Twilight.' Well, okay, a lot different. 'True Blood' is a sexed-up tale of vampires and werewolves in the Deep South. It's been an HBO mainstay for a few years now and has consistently provided demo-worthy video with each Blu-ray release.

So whatever your taste in television, be it naked vampires or World War II biopics, the best of HBO on Blu-ray has you covered. Now if only we could get 'The Wire' and 'Flight of the Conchords' released on the format all would be right with the world.

What are your picks for the best HBO programming on Blu-ray?