Classic Rock music is especially well suited to the superior audio and video quality that can be achieved with digital mastering and remastering. New material and remastered re-releases take on additional dimension when they're engineered for digital reproduction.
Here are your Guide's picks for the standouts among a bumper crop of Classic Rock DVDs in 2005.
1. The Concert for Bangladesh
It has been 34 years since George Harrison headlined the Concert for Bangladesh at Madison Square Garden. Remastered sound and previously unreleased rehearsal footage make the DVD version a new experience. Appearing with Harrison were Bob Dylan (who was still recuperating from a motorcyle wreck), Ringo Starr, Billy Preston, Leon Russell, Eric Clapton, and Ravi Shankar.
2. Paul McCartney - Live in Red Square
Paul McCartney's first visit to the former Soviet Union in 2003 was historic, both for McCartney and for Classic Rock. The Beatles were banned from Russia, but the reception for McCartney was nothing short of fanatical. The DVD includes a full length concert and A&E documentary.3. The Eagles - Farewell I Tour: Live From Melbourne
The Eagles surprised the skeptics by making it into the 21st century with the same huge international fan base the group has enjoyed since the early '70s. This two-disc set of performances in Australia in 2004 provides ample validation of the group's staying power, and supergroup status.4. Live 8 2005
"One day, one concert, one world" was the theme of the historic series of July 2005 concerts staged across the globe. Musical history was made with a Pink Floyd reunion, and memorable performances were turned in by Paul McCartney, Elton John, U2, REM and The Who, to name just a few. Lest we forget the purpose of Live 8, proceeds from the sale of the DVD go to the Band Aid Trust for the relief of hunger and poverty in Africa.5. Jimi Hendrix: Live at Woodstock
The two-disc DVD set includes previously released but newly edited footage of Hendrix's Woodstock performance, with an added bonus of some previously unreleased footage, and a big helping of documentaries, interviews, and Hendrix memorabilia.6. Cream - Royal Albert Hall London
In 1968, Cream performed its farewell concert at London's Royal Albert Hall. In 2005, they returned to that stage for a series of reunion concerts that are documented in this two-DVD set.7. No Direction Home: Bob Dylan
Originally broadcast on PBS and BBC, the Martin Scorsese-directed film concentrates on the years 1961-66 and includes previously unreleased performance and studio footage, and interviews with the artist and many of Dylan's contemporaries.8. Festival Express
A five day concert tour in 1970 featured Janis Joplin, The Band, and the Grateful Dead. This two-DVD set chronicles their onstage and offstage lives during this unique moment in Classic Rock history.9. Genesis - The Video Show
Genesis began making music videos long before there was MTV or VH1. Their pioneering productions are collected here -- 32 of them, showcasing a huge range of visual and song styles.10. Motley Crue - Carnival of Sins
It's unlikely you'll ever hear the words "intimate", "acoustic" and "Mötley Crüe" used in the same sentence. Their Carnival Sins tour showcases the band's rambunctious use of everything from fireworks to circus performers in their stage performances.