Yes,won the Star Wars trilogy on laserdisc!!!

[Julie Walker]

I just got word that they are being shipped as I write this.

I won the original versions on ebay all in one package for only $37 with shipping!

Yes they are the original widescreen releases(aka the first WS laserdisc versions). So the quality may not be the greatest. Yet I'm sure the quality will be tolerable..& having the original versions in OAR is what matters most to me at the moment.

Though for those who have seen these laserdiscs. How good or bad are they qualitywise?

It will be great to see the real trilogy again & not the crappy SE versions or the pathetic 'new' trilogy which so far has been just terrible!

[Jackskeleton]

Want a cookie? or is that to boring for you? ;)


You can usually find the original trilogy on LD for about 20-40 bucks. depends where you look. I have a few copies myself and the lowest I picked up a set was for 10 bucks for all three. this was at a flea market.

I've always said it, If you want to see the original trilogy, get it on LD. Owning it myself I have stopped caring if Lucas decides to bring the OT non SE to dvd.


as for the quality on the LD.. well it depends on which one's you got really. for the most part I don't recall any of them having crappy quality. there were a few different releases of the Original Untouched version on LD before the SE's kicked in.

lets see.. is it by chance this one?

http://www.laserblazer.com/images/storeimages/lasers/2303/starwarstrilogyweb.jpg

cause if it is, then you got yourself a nice set. ;)


then again your discription stated original release. so I'm assuming these?

http://upload.pzind.com/upload_files/f7_1.jpg


either way, the quality is the best your going to get for the OT on a disc format. ;)

[mrhan]

Weren't the original releases CLV discs? If that's the case the picture quality isn't as good as the CAV DC set.

[chanster]

I sure hope they aren't the first Laserdisc release, because those are pretty poor. If you got the box set, you did real good, but I doubt this was the case as it usually goes for $80-$120 on Ebay.

[darkflounder]

I picked up the Definitive Collection off eBay for $45, beautiful condition, just some minor shelf wear on the bottom of the case.

Now, just need to get a laserdisc player so I can watch them.

[milo bloom]

The first widescreen releases use the artwork in the second picture, with a Fox Widescreen banner at the top. They are acceptable quality, but the best quality for the least money is the Faces Trilogy. They have the Darth, Stormy, and Yoda faces. If you can ask the buyer, try to get the Kuruay (sp?) pressings.

I think those ones in the second picture are the fullscreen versions.

[BigT]

There were two WS single title releases of the Star Wars Trilogy in the US; the first (list price = $70 each!), which sounds like what you won, are the least desireable. Picture quality and sound were, at best, average for their day and rather disappointing compared to all subsequent releases. The second are the THX releases, which is what you should strive for, but they're generally (but not always!) more expensive. The Defintive Collection (pictured above - also THX) is an option too, but ask if a.) there's any rot, as this set was prone to it. b.) if side 3 of The Empire Strikes Back contains the scene of Leia welding, which is right at the beginning. The original release missed these this scene, which amounts to about 10 or 11 seconds. All THX releases look and sound great; the SE box set, which you hate, is the best.

Actually, the first WS release isn't quite OAR; it's cropped a bit on the sides, but it's close enough.

Your cost, with shipping, is very good.

I realize that you, and many others don't like what Lucas has done to these films. I don't either. But I know that Greedo shot first so the change doesn't bother me. The SE box set is so much better in picture and sound (especially in the bass region - reference quality - and overall clarity) that I strongly suggest that you overcome your dislike of the "enhanced" trilogy, ignore the changes, and get it.

[talemyn]

Originally posted by BigT
I realize that you, and many others don't like what Lucas has done to these films. I don't either. But I know that Greedo shot first so the change doesn't bother me. The SE box set is so much better in picture and sound (especially in the bass region - reference quality - and overall clarity) that I strongly suggest that you overcome your dislike of the "enhanced" trilogy, ignore the changes, and get it.Nice . . . :D

[Fielding Mellish]

I strongly suggest that you overcome your dislike of the "enhanced" trilogy, ignore the changes, and get it.

Right after you overcome your dislike of chewing on tinfoil... pouring salt into your eyes... and exposing your genitalia to a pan of water set at a gentle, rolling boil.

Once you've done all of that, I can hook you up with a nice colorized version of Casablanca on LD, too.

[Julie Walker]

Well I will NEVER over come my dislike for the SEs. Even if they had the best quality in the world. You could not get to me to purchase & sit through those versions again:)

So I will take my chances with the original superior versions in at least acceptable picture & sound quality.

All the remastering & sprucing up of the sound in the world could never get me to purchase/view the SEs again!

Now if Lucas were a smart lad & release both versions in the same set or even seperately. I would gladly purchase them on dvd(the originals that is).

I also got word from the seller that he included as a bonus a SWs book he found...& that the laserdiscs are all in mint condition!

[Pants]

I've got the THX "Faces" release (CLV) and it's excellent (for a laserdisc). My friend has the first widescreen release (the ones with the original artwork) but, they don't look quite as good.

The "faces" release is the CLV version of The Definitive Collection (which was CAV). Only extreme videophiles can tell the difference.

[Jackskeleton]

well with cav, you can really go through frame by frame and so forth. it's a slightly better increase in quality. either way you can't go wrong.

[Pants]

Yes, definately an increase in the viewers ability to freeze frame, slo-mo, etc. But not a recognizable increase in picture quality.

[milo bloom]

I realize that you, and many others don't like what Lucas has done to these films. I don't either. But I know that Greedo shot first so the change doesn't bother me. The SE box set is so much better in picture and sound (especially in the bass region - reference quality - and overall clarity) that I strongly suggest that you overcome your dislike of the "enhanced" trilogy, ignore the changes, and get it.

There is an ancient Jedi saying, "you can't polish a turd."

I'll stick with my Faces LDs.

[laserdogg]

Originally posted by Pants
Yes, definately an increase in the viewers ability to freeze frame, slo-mo, etc. But not a recognizable increase in picture quality.

As far as CAV vs CAA/CLV goes, I get a little weary of the side flip/disc swaps. I have the "faces" version of all three and it is the release I prefer.

I also have the SE box in 5.1 and enjoy it as well, but prefer the original version(s).

[JimRochester]

I've got one of the original sets and the quality is fine. The important thing is the OAR and unedited version. I'm one of the few on this board that was old enough in 1977 to see this in the theater and drive at night. So although it's not the panacea of movie making others feel they are, I enjoy the movies and like watching them with my son. Nice purchase JW. Enjoy.

[highlinder]

Excellant! I'll have to make do with my letterboxed VHS version until Lucas decides to put on dvd but I'm am beginning to think it will never happen.

[Pants]

BTW, I've got a set of "Faces" THX widescreen VHS tapes for sale. $75 for all three films (includes 3 part George Lucas interview) all in a super cool triple pack box + free shipping. Email me.

[BrunnenMatt]

Never got in to laser discs but would love to own the original versions on laser discs.

Is there any laser discs review sites on the net any more what compare all 3 versions of the movies, Taken from the above comments it sounded like there was 3 versions of the original series.

Friend has Laser disc player what I could borrow.

[laserdogg]

Originally posted by BrunnenMatt
Never got in to laser discs but would love to own the original versions on laser discs.

Is there any laser discs review sites on the net any more what compare all 3 versions of the movies, Taken from the above comments it sounded like there was 3 versions of the original series.

Friend has Laser disc player what I could borrow.

Several reviews reside here. You can also download back issues of the excellent laserdisc newsletter

Doug Pratt's DVDLaser website (http://www.dvdlaser.com/)

[Josh Z]

Originally posted by BrunnenMatt
Is there any laser discs review sites on the net any more what compare all 3 versions of the movies, Taken from the above comments it sounded like there was 3 versions of the original series.

There were numerous versions of the original movies: Pan & scan, letterboxed, remastered letterbox, CAV, CLV, analog sound, digital sound, box set, imports, etc.

See this page (http://www.mindspring.com/~laserguru/askjosh.htm#software) at my site for info on the ones actually worth collecting.

[Kinyo]

Originally posted by darkflounder
I picked up the Definitive Collection off eBay for $45, beautiful condition, just some minor shelf wear on the bottom of the case.

Now, just need to get a laserdisc player so I can watch them.




That's like buying a CD when you don't have a CD player.

[milo bloom]

Originally posted by StevenSpielberg
That's like buying a CD when you don't have a CD player.

My first DVD was the silver cover of Tomorrow Never Dies that I had a few months before I got my player. I had heard it would only be a limited issue.

[Julie Walker]

My first laserdiscs were Scream:Unrated & They Shoot Horses Don't They SE & This Is Spinal Tap:Criterion almost a year before I found my first LD player for $20 at a pawn shop(it works perfectly:)).

Granted,those were all $10-$15 each bought over the course of a few months. Yet I had to get those,depsite not having a LD player at the time.

Good thing to,as the store quickly got rid of selling used LDs as no one turned any in.

[bboisvert]

Originally posted by Julie Walker
Yes they are the original widescreen releases(aka the first WS laserdisc versions). So the quality may not be the greatest. Yet I'm sure the quality will be tolerable..& having the original versions in OAR is what matters most to me at the moment.

I don't mean to rain on your parade, but you would have been much better off paying a bit more for the THX 'faces' release. The difference between that one and the first WS release is night and day.

The ones you got are certainly watchable, but as some else said, the quality is mearly average... even compared to other titles released at the time. There is a HUGE difference between that one and the later remaster, for both picture and sound.

But, you can always look for a good deal on the Faces discs, get them, and then put your current set up on eBay later. Instant upgrade! ;)

[rexinnih]

I'm going to have to bust out my definitive colllection and relive it all....

[Josh Z]

Originally posted by bboisvert
I don't mean to rain on your parade, but you would have been much better off paying a bit more for the THX 'faces' release.

The irony here, of course, is that the THX 'faces' discs aren't any more expensive than what he paid. When I got the Definitive Collection box set, I sold off my 'faces' discs at $25 for the complete set.

[RandyC]

At one time, I had a large number of "faces" laserdiscs, as did other dealers. I think we paid about $6 each for them.

I have owned every version of the trilogy put on on LD. And then sold them too. The Definitive Collection was cool because it was so freaking huge. A monolith that blocked the sun.

[Julie Walker]

Actually the 'Faces' LDs are going for $40+ on ebay last time I looked. I tryed bidding on them before to get the entire trilogy for as little what I just payed for them & always got outbidded to pretty high prices.

Besides these versions have the original artwork(which I love). So it's all good with me:)

[Class316]

Aren't the 'Faces' LDs better than the Definitive in terms of quality??

[Pants]

Originally posted by Class316
Aren't the 'Faces' LDs better than the Definitive in terms of quality?? In some ways yes. The faces LD have no known problems. The Definitive Collection had a bad disc that was missing 10 seconds of Empire on side 3. The DC is also known to have Laser Rot problems. But, as was said 50 times so far, there is no recognizable difference between video or audio quality between the two, but the faces is CLV which means you can't take advantage of all the slow-mo, freeze frame, etc. of the CAV Definitive Collection

[BigT]

Pants: The missing 10 seconds in the Definitive Collection was restored in later releases and a corrected disc was made available to those owning the first. I have owned both. As far as rot is concerned; yes, some people did experience rot with their sets. However, for whatever it's worth, I've owned about 10 of these sets, both early and late releases, and none had rot. I went through every disc too, just to make certain before I sold it.

The Definitive Collection was also supposed to suffer from somthing called the "rolling bar" problem. To tell the truth, I don't know exactly what this is as I never saw anything that I could describe as "rolling bars". I firmly believe this was machine dependent; I've always used top machines that tracked better than average.

[Josh Z]

Originally posted by Pants
But, as was said 50 times so far, there is no recognizable difference between video or audio quality between the two, but the faces is CLV which means you can't take advantage of all the slow-mo, freeze frame, etc. of the CAV Definitive Collection

Most mid-level or better LD players incorporated digital field memory which would allow freeze-frame and slo-mo effects on CLV discs.

[mdX]

Originally posted by darkflounder
Now, just need to get a laserdisc player so I can watch them.

Darkflounder,

I have a player for sale and am right down the road from you (no shipping!). Drop me an email or IM if you are interested

thanks!

[cultshock]

Originally posted by Josh Z
Most mid-level or better LD players incorporated digital field memory which would allow freeze-frame and slo-mo effects on CLV discs.

Yep, my player can do this, so the "Faces" discs are good enough for me. The laserrot/missing footage issue makes me too worried about buying the Definitive Collection sight unseen on Ebay (plus all the damn side/disc changes).

[AdamGott]

Originally posted by Josh Z
Most mid-level or better LD players incorporated digital field memory which would allow freeze-frame and slo-mo effects on CLV discs.

This is not true, most mid-level players did not have this feature, which was reserved for few high-end players.

That is unless, of course, your and my definition of mid/high-level is markedly different.

[laserdogg]

Originally posted by Josh Z
Most mid-level or better LD players incorporated digital field memory which would allow freeze-frame and slo-mo effects on CLV discs.



Originally posted by AdamGott
This is not true, most mid-level players did not have this feature, which was reserved for few high-end players.

That is unless, of course, your and my definition of mid/high-level is markedly different.

Mid-level units usually touted side flipping as their major feature. The high end units usually featured everything the line offered plus Digital Field Memory and a few other odds & ends.

[durden007]

Any models suggestions for laserdisc players? I just won the trilogy myself (definitive edition!!), now looking for a player.

[milo bloom]

All I know is Pioneer. Someone else should chime in with some model numbers.

[laserdogg]

I would personally be happy with:

Non-Elite top of the line Pioneer players (easiest and cheapest to locate. All non AC-3 players can be modded to output AC-3)

CLD-D703 - no AC-3
CLD-D704 - AC-3

Elite players

CLD-97 - no AC-3
CLD-99 - AC-3

Japanese (expensive! All are AC-3 capable)

LD-S9
HLD-X0
HLD-X9

[durden007]

Thanks for the suggestions. Are there any sites besides Ebay? I might check a few pawn shops. My buddy thinks he has one, but has no idea if it works.

Should this be its own topic? I don't want to thread-jack!

[Logic 7]

By the way Julie there is NOT a night and day differance between the set you got and the faces set. Ive owned both and the faces set does look and sound a little better but it is certainly not night and day as someone stated. Enjoy your trilogy. :)

[Rypro 525]

what are the trillogy wide vhs's goin for? (i'm too lazy too look) since i've been lookin for them for a while

[Jackskeleton]

I dunno.. I would consider the one Julie got to be in a sense... censored.. :eek: :eek: :eek:

[Logic 7]

??????

[Pants]

Originally posted by Rypro 525
what are the trillogy wide vhs's goin for? (i'm too lazy too look) since i've been lookin for them for a while As stated above, I'm selling my "faces" VHS widescreen three pack in a cool three disc case for $75 (which includes free shipping). Buy it...you know you want it. :)

[DarthMustapha]

Here's the real question: a friend of mine has been trying to take my SW DC LD set and transfer it to DVD for me. Unfortunately, there are quite a few problems involved in doing this -- anyone have any on-line resources that would help?

Of course, we'd never have to consider this if the evil Flannelled One would just release the darn original trilogy the way it was originally filmed. ARGH.

[BigT]

DarthMustapha: What problems could he be having? It ought to be a snap, at least the film part. The CAV extras could be difficult, depending on how they were encoded.

[HoNuts]

Are the "Faces" LD's in 5.1, or are they 2.0?

[laserdogg]

Originally posted by HoNuts
Are the "Faces" LD's in 5.1, or are they 2.0?

Not 5.1

Only the 1997 SE Trilogy boxset is 5.1

[DarthMustapha]

BIGT:

I believe the video problems stemmed from going from 30fps to 24fps and all the horrible after-effects of the 3:2 pulldown/telecine originally used to put the features on LD.

That problem may have been dealt with, but I'm not sure. I have to find out from my buddy. However, I think he was also concerned about preserving the Dolby PL signal upon transfer. I will find out more and get back to you.

Do you have much knowledge of this type of transfer? THANKS.

[Julie Walker]

Well I got them in the mail last Tuesday in perfect mint condition. The discs look great & hey alittle film grain is always a nice thing:)

[Terrell]

There is an ancient Jedi saying, "you can't polish a turd."

There's another ancient Jedi saying "opinions are like assh*les. Everyones got one and they all stink." :p

[jim9]

Were'nt theses LDs put on DVD by the bootleggers (please do not discuss where you could by the DVDS)??? and how was the quality?

[Forum Troll]

Originally posted by jim9
Were'nt theses LDs put on DVD by the bootleggers (please do not discuss where you could by the DVDS)??? and how was the quality?

There have been several versions of bootleg Star Wars DVD's. Most of the OT versions are total crap, out of sync audio/video and a horrendous menu system (Jar Jar must have made them). The best (?) is the "5-star" version of the SE releases. They were mastered from the laserdiscs, but the video is a bit washed out. They include a DTS soundtrack and a DD 5.1 and 2.0, but the only bearable track is the 2.0. Really it's best to avoid them all together and stick with LD.

[Todd B.]

For information on the Star Wars DVD bootlegs, one should refer to this archived thread:

http://www.dvdtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=98637

and refrain from any further discussion of the topic in this thread (or on the board), as the subject matter is now forbidden.

[Rypro 525]

I'm about to win this (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2199673128&category=37887). I'm trading my 2 trillogy vhs tapes (orighinal and se soon)

[chanster]

Uhh, those are tapes too.

[Pants]

Yeah those are tapes. That's the set I have for sale. Anyone? Anyone?

[digitalfreaknyc]

Originally posted by Todd B.
For information on the Star Wars DVD bootlegs, one should refer to this archived thread:

http://www.dvdtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=98637

and refrain from any further discussion of the topic in this thread (or on the board), as the subject matter is now forbidden.


But Todd...

What if....say....you have some information about NEW versions of the Star Wars DVD's that are being "released?" Are we able to share that information as well? ;)

[Rypro 525]

Originally posted by chanster
Uhh, those are tapes too. I know they are. I don't have a laserdisc player. Actually since the price of that one got too high (now at 51.00!) I decided to go for the se version for now 10 bucks.

[milo bloom]

I once found one of those black box WS sets for $25 at a used CD shop. I sold it for about $40. Kinda wish I'd kept it a little longer but I already had a copy of my own, plus the blue holo-box set, plus the SE set. (All WS baby!)