For 55%-60% of the picture, "legitimacy" can go stick it where the sun don’t shine

Agreed.

Yeah, but the LD's are better then the boots.

Sweet! As soon as I find the SWT on LD and a LD player for $30, them I'm all over that one. Until then, I'll just keep my DVDs that I paid $27 for all 3.

I bought these way back when it came out (same time as the VHS re-release). They were OK to keep me occupied at work, but the PAL sound speed up drives me nuts. I'm very sensitive to pitch (musician), and the movie is sped up enough that the pitch is equal to almost a semitone higher than it should be.

I honestly think in this day and age they are pretty much useless.

Damn, guys...calm down...those of you that had informed replys about my subject, thank you!..it was just a simple subject about whether i should by the LEGIT VCD set...that's it...i know the rules, and i'm not interested in purchasing bootlegs...anyway, thanks to those of you who deserve it

You're welcome svras. I'm sure tons of folks will say that bootleg versions are better, atleast you came in asking about the legitimy of the VCD's. glad to help.

and smart-ass, if you look around at flea markets you can get the whole shabang for about 20 bucks. While you are at it, you can also get Blade Runner Criterion, Hearts of darkness, and many other films on LD that might never see the light of day on dvd. but I suppose you can just settle with your pirated dvd's for the time being..

May I also suggest those who do choose to go the pirate route, don't be an idiot and pay for them. Just download them yourself and save your money. No need to give someone else 30 bucks for something you can do yourself very easily.

I wonder how much money Lu$as will/has lost because of these bootleg DVDs? Some people don't really care which version they have.
I guess this what happens when Lu$as mucks the people around.

Lucas mucks people around so badly that they can't even figure out where to put the dollar sign when they make fun of his name!

DJ

Actually, I'm willing to put money in my mouth and say that when the trilogy comes out on dvd, people who have the bootleg are still going to put down the green for it. Much like this VCD, the bootleg will suffice for the time being, but when the higher quality version comes out from lucas with all the bells and whistles, people will buy it. I'm even willing to bet that those who call lucas the devil for the altering of the trilogy will be one of the first in line to buy it. I should know, I'm a SW collector. we may complain to high heaven, but you offer trash wrapped with plastic and a backboard and put "star wars" on it, and we'll buy it. Twice if you make it have some stupid paint variation.

So are they losing money? nope. if they can provide an item that is better in the long run then what we have now, then lucas will get my hard earned cash.

I've known about these for a while, but never picked them up because of the OAR issue (I am one who hunted down widescreen VHS back in "the day.") But for 20.00 I might consider picking these up for the heck of it, but one of my questions about them remains unaswered: are they the unchanged OT or are they the special editions?

I agree here. The boots look OK on a regular size TV, but put them on a big screen and the quality suffers. Plus I am sur that anyone who plunked down $30 for the boots will want them in the eventual reference quality they will be released in. Finally, the DVDs will be the trilogy's first time on home video with a true 5.1 audio mix. I think the LD had only a pro logic mix on them.

Bottom line, the boots will look sad next to the official releases.

Actually, this has been covered. The VCDs are the same exact set as the last VHS P&S release of the SE trilogy.

They are the Special Editions.

hehe... don't be so sure that ALL of us will do that. Although I prefer the original OT, I'd pick up the SE if that is released. However, if there are additional alterations beyond those made in the SE it is unlikely that I would buy THAT official release.

I have this set and here are my thoughts:

1. Not nearly as good as DVD--but since there is no DVD release, they're "second best"
2. There is some artifacting on action sequences, but sound is consistently good.
3. For about $6.50/disc, it's a great price until the DVDs are released.
4. The quality is better than VHS and this is a good alternative for those of us who have DVD players and TiVos, and no longer use VCRs.

I am willing to put money on it, regardless of any change, alteration, edit, cover change, etc. the star wars fandom will still buy the legit versions and in no way will settle on the boots. Folks claim it is the end of all ends but it doesn't fill that role. the quality suffers just a little and when the actual set does come out, no matter what is changed, no die hard star wars fan will pass it up. mark my words.

Indiana Jones had almost the same big market of boots floating around when it hit dvd and look how well it sold, look how well it was discussed. You will have to be a moron to miss out on the excitement and NOT buy it. I'm sure that that itself will be the selling point. everyone else happy about the release so you get all happy and bam, you put down your pre-order. I'm sure folks will try to justify it while the same time bashing lucas. it's the way of the star wars fan.