'The Waltons,' 'Ranger' and more new to DVD

These are TV shows that are new to DVD this week.

TV series

"The Waltons: The Complete Fourth Season" (Warner, 1975-76, five discs, $39.98). The fourth season takes place during 1936, as Hitler and Mussolini are building forces in Europe. Highlights include John-Boy (Richard Thomas) finding work as a screenwriter, and an episode in which the family's home burns down. This Depression-era family keeps chugging along, and it remains a highly entertaining and heartwarming show about life in another era. Kathleen Quinlan, John Ritter and Utah's own Wilford Brimley are among this season's guests.

Extras: Full frame, 24 episodes

"Walker, Texas Ranger: The Complete Second Season" (CBS/Paramount, 1994-95, seven discs, $54.99). More of Chuck Norris as the title character kicking the stuffing out of bad guys. Who could ask for more?

Extras: Full frame, 23 episodes

Documentaries

"Mystery of the Megavolcano" (WGBH, 2006, $19.95). This PBS "NOVA" documentary investigates an ancient volcanic eruption and what it might have done to the environment thousands of years ago. Evidence gathered from around the world has scientists concluding that a giant eruption blasted debris across an entire continent, causing a global deep freeze. Fascinating stuff.

Extras: Widescreen, printable materials

Animated shows

"The Animation Show Box Set" (MTV/Paramount, 1986-2004, two discs, $26.99). These discs contain 3 1/2 hours of independently produced animated shorts from around the world, some of which are quite artistic, others that are clever and witty — and some that are just smutty and stupid. It's a mixed bag, to say the least, but animation buffs may find it worthwhile. Collected by Mike Judge ("Beavis and Butt-Head," "King of the Hill").

Extras: Full frame, 20 shorts, audio commentaries, pencil/motion tests, art galleries, featurettes, trailer

"Avatar: The Last Airbender, Book 2: Earth, Volume 1" (Nick/Paramount, 2006, $16.99).

"Noein, Volume 2" (Manga, 2005, $19.98).

"Tactics, Volume 3" (Manga, 2004, $24.98). These are all anime shows, "Avatar" from Nickelodeon cable TV, and "Noein" and "Tactics" from Japanese television. All are bizarre supernatural fantasies with striking visuals.

Extras: Widescreen, five episodes each, featurettes