The reviews i've read state that this is the same transfer as the prior release, but none of them has specified if the bitrate is any higher. Bascially, i'm wondering from a video/audio standpoint if this release is exactly the same as the prior release or is there at least a marginal improvment in the video/audio department to warrant a re-purchase.

Wait. I'm confused now. Doesn't the old DTS edition have some extras on it that aren't on the new set? And doesn't the new DTS/DD edition have NO extras on disc #1?

So, isn't it a better situation to take the old DTS disc and make that disc #1 of your boxed set. Then you get the same audio/video, but a few more extras?

Or am I completely confused? (Not ruling that out...)

No, bbisvert, you're kinda right.

In order to get ALL of the content from all four releases you need to own:

The original DD version.
The new DTS boxed set version.

AFAIK, there are no additional extras on the new double-disc DD version over the new DTS version.

The original DD version had an extra feature over the DTS version.

I don't have the original DTS, but the bitrate on the new DTS is even higher than the original DD - and the image looks nearly identical (with the exception of some minor differences in compression artifacts that would be inherent in any different re-compression).

I'm a little disappointed that the new discs didn't fix the problems with the originals. The only reason to upgrade is for the extras, which thankfully are substantial.

but the extra doc thats on the original dd version is just a crappy hbo first look special right?

Yes, and some of the footage is included in the new doc.

So if you don't have the original DD, you're not missing much, if anything.

So then the verdict is that despite the same transfer being used the video is marginally improved on the most recent release?

The original SPR DTS is encoded in 754kbps. What about the new DTS?

Here are four reviews:
http://www.dvd-basen.dk/uk/home.php3...land=%25&ok=go

The reviews I've read mention that the picture quality is identical to prior releases--they used the same transfer.

I have the DTS+Dolby version and the picture looks fine to me. I also had the regular Dolby version (released a few years ago), but tossed it.

dvd.ign.com's review mentions the following:

These *******s man, it's obvious they are trying to make you buy the box set just so you can get the DTS version. Such BS, I just bought the stand alone 2-disc but I'm gonna return it.

It's 768 kbps.

Guys..

The 2 disk set is 14.99 at Walrmart....

Is that cheap?

Yes, $15 is a good price for the two disc. It's $19.99 at Best Buy.

Because I'll probably only watch the extra's once, is it worth upgrading to this new version?

Not really, if you don't care about the extras. As the other posts say, this has the same picture and sound as the previous edition, with no real improvements.

Actually, if you read up you'll see that the picture and sound is NOT the same. It's the same *transfer* but not the same exact picture and sound.

The bitrates are different, and the compression artifacts are lesser (but still present) in the newer version.

The print flaws are exactly the same. EXACTLY. So it's obviously the same transfer, just re-downverted to a new data stream.

The DTS track sounds the same to my ears, but then again, I'm not all that sensitive to the minute details of the track. In this case, the original was SO GOOD that there's not much room for improvement anyway.

The image on the new disc is still disappointing. The extras are great, though, and the two discs in the boxed set are really well done - one of the documentaries was written by Stephen Ambrose of "Band of Brothers" fame. He really knows his stuff.

Or knew. He died in 2002.

All in all, I'm glad I double-dipped. I just wish they'd included the two featurettes that were on the original DD release in the new set - that way I could sell off the old disc.

If you are interested in picking up the 4 disc box set, it is now $22.99 at costco (at least the Costco in downtown SF, maybe more; see here ).