Nova: Fabric of the Cosmos [DVD] [Region 1] [US Import] [NTSC]

This is the clearest explanation I've seen of relativity, quantum theory, the nature of space and time - even Newton. Very very good science documentary.

NOVA has surpassed its usual high standards. It's obvious they thought carefully about how to visually explain the concepts.

They did an admirable job in trying to appeal to a broad audience, including to curious people who aren't well-read about science. If you like eye-grabbing graphics you are in luck here. But this show was also enjoyable to me, even though I was already familiar with many of these ideas.

As is NOVA's trend in recent years, for me there was too much hyperactivity in the presentation. But I assume they do this to appeal to younger audiences, and this show will without a doubt be presented in high schools for years to come.

The last part of episode one was mind-blowing, that our universe is like a hologram. I didn't really understand it, but it's a very interesting idea to say the least. (I did see some science news articles a few months ago saying this idea has now been mostly disproved, but maybe those news articles were premature.)

Having seen the previous Brian Greene series named The Elegant Universe years ago, I had high expectations for this new series. Even more so because where Elegant Universe is mostly about only string theory, Fabric of the Cosmos is broader, covering space, time, quantum physics, and multiverses - all core ideas to physics. Now I'm reading the book, The Fabric of the Cosmos: Space, Time, and the Texture of Reality.

If you are interested in science or just enjoy an excellent documentary, this is a must-have DVD. If you are well-read in science, you may not hear much new here. But you may well see things presented in a new way. And in the end, it's all about the wonder.

[Update] I saw an after-show Q&A with Brian Green at the World Science Festival website. About a third way through, Leonard Susskind joins and gives more good explanation of the holographic principle. It sounds like it's still very much a viable theory.

I have used the 3 DVD's of the original Elegant Universe in my introductory Astronomy courses. Students really liked that series.
I have seen 3 episodes of the "Fabric of the Cosmos" now. The Episode on Time is alright but not superb. The episode called "Quantum leap" is superb and I will definitely use it for my introductory astronomy courses. The 3rd episode on "String theory" is even better than the original Elegant universe.
The part about Einstein and Neil Bohr is superb. The explanation of Quantum Entanglement and then the Teleportation is surprisingly digestible. I am thinking of building a course based on the fabric of the universe series. This is a fantastic series for the curious minded people among us. I am definitely buying these DVD's even though I have seen only 3 of the episodes.

Saw the first two episodes on PBS last night and was glued to the TV. They explain concepts of the universe in such a clear and conscise manner. It put so many things into perspective and I can't wait to watch it again along with the other episodes. Dont miss out on this DVD, they did an amazing job putting it together.