THe box set is just a cardboard box basically, with the documentaries coming in regular dvd cases and SPR in the new collectors edition case, which i personally like, all inside the closed box...

The box is basically meant to be thrown away. It's flimsy and cheap.

There are three separate cases for the three films. The SPR case looks similar to The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly case, but it opens like a book, instead of the lid lifting off completely. This case looks similar to the SPR 2-disc sold separately in the B&M's.

The box set SPR version definitely has a DTS soundtrack. The back of the box and disc case mentions DTS. When you place the film in a DVD player the first menu displayed requests that you choose which soundtrack you want played: DTS or Dolby Digital. After you choose DTS their Yamaha piano keys animation is played. BTW, you can switch soundtracks during film play.

Also, the boxset does have a little collector's booklet.

can you tell me what was sacrificed (if anything) on the boxed set version to include the DTS track?

Video bitrate. All of the special features are on the bonus disc (or rather, *the* special feature is on the bonus disc).

The bitrate for the DD 2-disc version averages around 7mpbs, whereas the DTS version averages around 5mpbs.

Is the difference noticeable? Not really, since both versions look pretty bad.

Do we have any consensus on whether to bother keeping either of the first 2 versions (I have both), if you get the WWII collection (which is on the way)?

Is the booklet that comes inside the box set similar to the 96 pager you can purchase at Amazon titled, Saving Private Ryan: The Men, The Mission, The Movie and is it hardcover?

Thanks for any help.

nothing wrong with made in mexico, it's just that they put the sticker right where they list the sound specs.

and thanks for the info Mr. Salty

it is the shortened version and it's one of the best booklets out there.

Thanks for the info. Is it hardcover and is it only smaller in size but not in content?

is everyone throwing away the box for the WWII collection??

I did, but I suspect most will keep it.

it has the paperback cover. The booklet is 32 pages long and it features selections from the 96 page book that is availabe from Amazon. The booklet is probably the shorten version or summary of the complete book.

who kept their box here, vs. throwing it away??

I just checked this thread, and had no idea that there was no DTS in the new version. I was planning to (and actually trying to) get rid of my DTS version in order to get the new set, but luckily I didn't. I don't have enough interest to get the complete box set.

I was wondering why I was getting so many offers for my DTS version when there was a better release with more features available at basically the same cost (or so I thought at the time). Makes sense now!

I got a quick question that I should know, but I don't... I plan on upgrading my receiver to DTS by the end of the summer, gotta get the plasma first. Anyway, if I get the DTS version of SPR will it play 5.1 Digital on my receiver now, or will it be in dolby surround? I remember reading where it wouldn't have the 5.1 Dolby Digital soundtrack, I could be confused though.

alright, the version thats in the world war 2 collection, has dts and dobly surround. the dts version that came out a few years ago, was the same way. the 60th anniversery d day version has 5.1 only

I listened to the Normandy sequence in the World War II box earlier this afternoon, and it was astounding. I was blown away by the DD5.1 mix on the previous version, but this even took that to new heights. The sound was jaw dropping. This weekend I'll have more time and get to watch the whole flick in DTS and check out some of the special features and programs on the other three discs.

By the way, I'm keeping the WWII box. I think it's classy, though I did put the booklet into the SPR DVD box.

how did you fit the booklet into the SPR dcd case?
i tried but couldn't do it.

Is the original DD5.1 release still available? I'm not interested in the special features on the re-release and the first one is a lot cheaper.

Brute force, perhaps? I also tried to put the book inside the case so I could toss the box, but it prevents the case from closing.

Yes:

http://dvdtalk.pricegrabber.com/sear...rid=108415508/

5 copies, $13.45 shipped ($10.95 for disc + $2.50 for shipping):
http://www.secondspin.com/buy/viddtl.cfm?vidID=2105932

Thanks for the information.

So, is the original DTS version a keeper when comparing to the new DTS version in the boxset, in terms of video and audio?

i doubt it, if your going for the new version in the boxset, buy it and sell the other one. maybe keep the insert, but thats abotu it