I want to buy these 2 DVDs, but I would like some opinions on the video and sound quality before I commit to the purchase. If anyone has viewed either and have some input, that would be great.

Thanks!

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I forgot to mention that the Luther Vandross DVD is - Luther Vandross - An Evening of Songs ('94/'95 concert).

As much as I'd love to own PURPLE RAIN, as one of the few remaining Prince fans in the world, I refuse to buy the DVD because it is only available in pan-and-scan format. If you don't care if a film is in its original aspect ratio, first of all, shame on you, second of all, Warner is usually pretty dependable about making nice transfers.

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A curious mix of the best and worst in motion picture entertainment--that's right, it's Filmmaker's DVDTracker list!
...and the fun doesn't stop there--check out how the madness all began with Filmmaker's Laserdisc Tracker list!

I agree that I would GREATLY prefer an 'original aspect ratio' presentation of Purple Rain, it's not THAT big of a deal. This was shot soft matte (1.66), and is an open matte presentation, so you're not really talking THAT big of a difference. I do hear that the european region 2 version is 1.85, so ironically you might be losing info that the director wanted you to see in his 1.66 presentation. Most of the time they will compensate for a 1.85 theatrical framing on a soft matte, but it's still not the way they want to present it. LOL So in other words, if they release it letterboxed, they still might buck the fooch.

Purple Rain, while in the dreaded Pan & Scan presentation, is still worth owning if you're a fan. The SOUND on this disc is incredible (DD 5.1). I remember playing it when I first hooked up my home theater system and being blown away by how good quality the sound mix is for a 1984 film.

If Warner ever got off their butts and released an Special Edition of this movie, I would buy it all over again. Just think: OAR, music videos, deleted scenes (how about the Prince/Apollonia barn footage that circulated on bootleg tapes for years?). I bet they could even dig Albert Magnoli out of obscurity to do a director's commentary. (You just KNOW the Artist would never do anything like that for Warner Bros.)

Anyway, I happily bought this DVD even though I had the LD (same ratio) because it has the theatrical trailer that the LD did not. I was glad I did, for the sake of the film and the sound quality itself!

Now does anyone have any opinions of Prince: The Hits DVD? I still haven't gotten that one yet.

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My DVDs

Thanks for your input on the Purple Rain DVD. Although I was disappointed that it was in Pan & Scan, I am extremely happy to hear that it is DD 5.1!!

With this fact (DD 5.1) and I off to buy it.

Thanks again.

Thanks for your input on the Purple Rain DVD. Although I was disappointed that it was in Pan & Scan, I am extremely happy to hear that it is DD 5.1!!

With this fact (DD 5.1) and I am off to buy it.

Thanks again.