Which LaserDisc is the closest to the original?
09-22-04, 05:10 PM
#1
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Which LaserDisc is the closest to the original?
I am unhappy with the current release and have decided to revert to Laser Disc. Which is the best version to get in terms of closest to the original?
-T
-T
09-22-04, 05:13 PM
#2
DVD Talk Legend
Either the Definative Collection or The "Faces" version released in 95 or 96.
The Definative Collection is a CAV set which means a half hour per side..expect to get up a lot to change the discs even with a player that flips the discs.
The picture and sound are almost identical on the two...the CAV set has slightly better picture in my opinion.
The Definative Collection is a CAV set which means a half hour per side..expect to get up a lot to change the discs even with a player that flips the discs.
The picture and sound are almost identical on the two...the CAV set has slightly better picture in my opinion.
09-22-04, 05:32 PM
#3
DVD Talk Hero
I owned the Definitive Collection when it was first released and it was the shit. The hardcover book about Lucas is great. The only downside (other than the sheer size/weight) is the commentary which has large gaps of silence.
09-22-04, 05:49 PM
#4
DVD Talk Gold Edition
Originally posted by TomOpus
I owned the Definitive Collection when it was first released and it was the shit. The hardcover book about Lucas is great. The only downside (other than the sheer size/weight) is the commentary which has large gaps of silence.
I owned the Definitive Collection when it was first released and it was the shit. The hardcover book about Lucas is great. The only downside (other than the sheer size/weight) is the commentary which has large gaps of silence.
I believe both versions are missing Threepio's "tractor beam" line, however. And I read where "Close the blast doors!" may have actually appeared in the 1977 theatrical version, but disappeared from all home video versions until after the 1997 rerelease - so it's not on these laserdisc versions either.
09-22-04, 06:32 PM
#6
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You might want to check out originaltrilogy.com/forum. This forum only deals with Star Wars Trilogy. Itīs HUGE and the absolutely the best one around.
There are members who has added new scenes into ep. 1 & 2, which practically makes them a whole new Star Wars movies.
Mostly, they are hardcore fanatics of the unaltered Original Trilogy, and has even made some fabulous custom covers. Much better than the ones we know of. I was truly amazed what some of these guys can do in cover design. George Lucas really ought to hire some of these guys. At least, they know what we want. Thatīs more than you can say about Lucas himself.
There are members who has added new scenes into ep. 1 & 2, which practically makes them a whole new Star Wars movies.
Mostly, they are hardcore fanatics of the unaltered Original Trilogy, and has even made some fabulous custom covers. Much better than the ones we know of. I was truly amazed what some of these guys can do in cover design. George Lucas really ought to hire some of these guys. At least, they know what we want. Thatīs more than you can say about Lucas himself.
Last edited by Dane; 09-22-04 at 06:40 PM.
09-22-04, 06:55 PM
#7
DVD Talk Legend
Originally posted by rennervision
I believe both versions are missing Threepio's "tractor beam" line, however. And I read where "Close the blast doors!" may have actually appeared in the 1977 theatrical version, but disappeared from all home video versions until after the 1997 rerelease - so it's not on these laserdisc versions either.
I believe both versions are missing Threepio's "tractor beam" line, however. And I read where "Close the blast doors!" may have actually appeared in the 1977 theatrical version, but disappeared from all home video versions until after the 1997 rerelease - so it's not on these laserdisc versions either.
And "Close the Blast Doors" was there in '77 (and is on the Story of Star Wars record album), but was not on any home video version until the 1997 SE came out.
I personally think that the CLV 'Faces' discs have slightly better picture quality... but it's really darn close. I have them both -- the Faces for casual viewing. The CAV Definitive for frame-by-frame and the extra goodies.
09-22-04, 08:52 PM
#8
DVD Talk Gold Edition
Originally posted by bboisvert
Both versions have Threepio's line about the tractor beam.
Both versions have Threepio's line about the tractor beam.
09-22-04, 09:13 PM
#9
DVD Talk Legend
Originally posted by TomOpus
I owned the Definitive Collection when it was first released and it was the shit. The hardcover book about Lucas is great. The only downside (other than the sheer size/weight) is the commentary which has large gaps of silence.
I owned the Definitive Collection when it was first released and it was the shit. The hardcover book about Lucas is great. The only downside (other than the sheer size/weight) is the commentary which has large gaps of silence.
09-22-04, 10:05 PM
#10
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Originally posted by Dane
You might want to check out originaltrilogy.com/forum. This forum only deals with Star Wars Trilogy. Itīs HUGE and the absolutely the best one around.
There are members who has added new scenes into ep. 1 & 2, which practically makes them a whole new Star Wars movies.
Mostly, they are hardcore fanatics of the unaltered Original Trilogy, and has even made some fabulous custom covers. Much better than the ones we know of. I was truly amazed what some of these guys can do in cover design. George Lucas really ought to hire some of these guys. At least, they know what we want. Thatīs more than you can say about Lucas himself.
You might want to check out originaltrilogy.com/forum. This forum only deals with Star Wars Trilogy. Itīs HUGE and the absolutely the best one around.
There are members who has added new scenes into ep. 1 & 2, which practically makes them a whole new Star Wars movies.
Mostly, they are hardcore fanatics of the unaltered Original Trilogy, and has even made some fabulous custom covers. Much better than the ones we know of. I was truly amazed what some of these guys can do in cover design. George Lucas really ought to hire some of these guys. At least, they know what we want. Thatīs more than you can say about Lucas himself.
09-23-04, 08:36 AM
#12
DVD Talk Legend
Originally posted by rennervision
I don't own the Definitive Collection, but there is no way the Faces version has this line. I just checked it.
I don't own the Definitive Collection, but there is no way the Faces version has this line. I just checked it.
EDIT: I would have bet some pretty serious money that Threepio's line was there... and I would have lost.
I just checked both the Definitive and Faces discs for ANH and the line is not there. Damn you Lucas for making so many different versions. It's getting confusing! 
Last edited by bboisvert; 09-23-04 at 09:04 AM.
09-23-04, 10:16 AM
#13
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People should understand that LD viewing is HIGHLY dependant on your system. Your TV, your LDp are much greater factors with LDs than with DVDs or even VHS. The CAV box set should have better video, but really only if your player can take advantage of it. And if you have a truly awesome player, it may not matter either way.
So, low end player: CLV could actually be the same or better.
Mid-range player: CAV most likely better.
High-end Japanese player: Probably doesn't matter.
You can see why so few of us have this technology.
I've gotta check to see if I have Leia with the torch, I think I did that years ago, but can't remember.
So, low end player: CLV could actually be the same or better.
Mid-range player: CAV most likely better.
High-end Japanese player: Probably doesn't matter.
You can see why so few of us have this technology.
I've gotta check to see if I have Leia with the torch, I think I did that years ago, but can't remember.
09-24-04, 11:35 AM
#15
Moderator
even though it's not 5.1 and the letterboxed framing is pushed close to the top of the screen and theyare subtitled, I have the Japanese CAV "Special Collection " editions of Episodes IV, V, VI, and the 1989/1990 laserdisc editions as well
(scroll down discs 13 and 17)
http://www.davisdvd.com/misc/ep4.htm
(scroll down: discs 8 and 9)
http://www.davisdvd.com/misc/ep5.htm
(scroll down: 6 and 7)
http://www.davisdvd.com/misc/ep6.htm
(scroll down discs 13 and 17)
http://www.davisdvd.com/misc/ep4.htm
(scroll down: discs 8 and 9)
http://www.davisdvd.com/misc/ep5.htm
(scroll down: 6 and 7)
http://www.davisdvd.com/misc/ep6.htm
Last edited by Giles; 09-24-04 at 11:38 AM.
09-24-04, 01:34 PM
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The 1989 laserdisc was quietly reissued with the newly corrected letterboxed transfer, completely doing away with the "incredible shrinking ratio" problem. This release, pressed by Mitsubishi Japan, features the same catalog number as the 1989 release. So how can you tell the two apart? This corrected edition is released by "Fox Video." Coupled with the 1985 audio mix, this could very well likely be the best presentation of the film [ Thanks to David C. Fein ]
This release is a little-known milestone in the history of Star Wars. When Fox decided to digitally remaster the audio track for this re-release, sound designer Ben Burtt asked to be involved. What Burtt actually ended up doing was that he created an entirely new sound mix for the film. So in reality, the audio for this video release is the fourth official Star Wars audio mix (following the three original theatrical mixes - see the first entry at the top of this page). Among the clean up and digital repairs, some interesting new changes were added. These include sweetened sound effects, new stereo'd effects (Jawa voices after Artoo's capture) and, most noticeably, the addition of C-3PO's line in the Death Star ("The tractor beam is coupled to the main reactor in seven locations. A power loss at one of the terminals will allow the ship to leave"). This new sound mix was used for every subsequent video release until the 1993 THX "Definitive Collection" remastering [ Very Special Thanks to David C. Fein for this important revelation ]
09-27-04, 12:02 AM
#18
In many ways, the STAR WARS DEFINITIVE TRILOGY from 1993 still blows the DVD's out of the water.
I mean, granted, Ken Burns puts on a mean documentary, but there still are SO many extras that the LD box set has that the DVD's don't.
Such as:
1) Storyboard to film comparisons
2) Tour of the Lucasfilm archives (old models, costumes, props)
3) the Revenge of the Jedi trailer (did that ever make the DVD? I can't remember now....maybe it did)
4) Featurettes on making the snow walkers walk
5) Animatics for the speeder chase and the Battle of Endor
6) Individual interviews with John Williams, Ben Burtt, Dennis Muren
and also...
it doesn't hurt to have the original trilogy included as well.
I mean, granted, Ken Burns puts on a mean documentary, but there still are SO many extras that the LD box set has that the DVD's don't.
Such as:
1) Storyboard to film comparisons
2) Tour of the Lucasfilm archives (old models, costumes, props)
3) the Revenge of the Jedi trailer (did that ever make the DVD? I can't remember now....maybe it did)
4) Featurettes on making the snow walkers walk
5) Animatics for the speeder chase and the Battle of Endor
6) Individual interviews with John Williams, Ben Burtt, Dennis Muren
and also...
it doesn't hurt to have the original trilogy included as well.
09-27-04, 12:29 AM
#19
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The closest for me, sadly, is the pan and scan CAV LD. It has a very nice picture and it's the only high quality issue of the original Dolby Stereo soundtrack. All other LD issues with that track were time compressed, while this disc wasn't.
The 1985 mix is very close to this, but there are subtle changes, most notably the 3PO line, which was previously only heard in the mono mix. Thats why it's on the "Story of" album. Thta album used the mono dialogue track. The 3PO line is there, as is "Close the blast doors" and a different voice for Aunt Beru.
The 1993 THX mix is nice, but too many things are changed for my liking. The addition of some really new and out place sound effects, like the blaster fire that gets 3PO into the escape pod, are too distracting.
Neil
The 1985 mix is very close to this, but there are subtle changes, most notably the 3PO line, which was previously only heard in the mono mix. Thats why it's on the "Story of" album. Thta album used the mono dialogue track. The 3PO line is there, as is "Close the blast doors" and a different voice for Aunt Beru.
The 1993 THX mix is nice, but too many things are changed for my liking. The addition of some really new and out place sound effects, like the blaster fire that gets 3PO into the escape pod, are too distracting.
Neil
09-27-04, 11:31 AM
#21
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[QUOTE]Originally posted by rennervision
[B]Don't forget the infamous missing 8 seconds (which was corrected with later pressings). That, and the issue with having to only change discs once in the "Faces" set is what finally convinced me to buy that version off Ebay instead of the DC.
They did offer a replacement disc for this at the time.
[B]Don't forget the infamous missing 8 seconds (which was corrected with later pressings). That, and the issue with having to only change discs once in the "Faces" set is what finally convinced me to buy that version off Ebay instead of the DC.
They did offer a replacement disc for this at the time.
09-27-04, 05:15 PM
#22
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Originally posted by jeffkjoe
I mean, granted, Ken Burns puts on a mean documentary, but there still are SO many extras that the LD box set has that the DVD's don't.
I mean, granted, Ken Burns puts on a mean documentary, but there still are SO many extras that the LD box set has that the DVD's don't.
09-27-04, 06:31 PM
#23
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Originally posted by Class316
[B]"pan and scan", "closest" and "star wars" have no place in the same sentence!!
[B]"pan and scan", "closest" and "star wars" have no place in the same sentence!!
Neil
09-29-04, 06:46 PM
#24
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Ok, I picked up "the faces" DVD's and they should be arriving in the mail shortly.
No I need a damn player. Preferably one that plays both sides, has digtal audio and S-VHS out.
Any suggestions?
No I need a damn player. Preferably one that plays both sides, has digtal audio and S-VHS out.
Any suggestions?
09-29-04, 07:08 PM
#25
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Originally posted by tacomantt
Ok, I picked up "the faces" DVD's and they should be arriving in the mail shortly.
No I need a damn player. Preferably one that plays both sides, has digtal audio and S-VHS out.
Any suggestions?
Ok, I picked up "the faces" DVD's and they should be arriving in the mail shortly.
No I need a damn player. Preferably one that plays both sides, has digtal audio and S-VHS out.
Any suggestions?