Skoobooz

From Home Media Retailing:

http://www.homemediaretailing.com/ne...rticle_ID=9277

Seems weird that they're doing this now (not at the holiday season), with branching of both versions on one disc (?), and not on HD. Hoax?

The Antipodean

How could they fit 5-6 hours of movie with both versions on one disc and not have it look like crap?

Lt Ripley

So they are cramming what took 2 discs for the extended cuts onto 1 disc now. I wonder if the transfer will suffer for this.

Well, there are enough fan boys that will buy these even though they already own the theatrical and extended cuts, kind of like Star Wars fanboys.

I sold my extended cuts (never had the theatrical cuts) a few months ago. I just can't get into them anymore.

Billyspunk

I cannot even imagine how they can possibly fit 2 versions of Return Of The King on one single dvd. It just is not possible, could these be flippers maybe? Even then the extended cut is almost 4 hours...

nemein

I suspect the 4 commentaries are going to be missing so that'll probably save some space. I don't know if it'll be enough to make the difference though. The documentaries might be interesting but unless they package those on their own I can't see dropping any more money on these. Although I guess it depends upon the final price and what deals there may eventually be

gryffinmaster

Disc 1 will probably = flipper (It's possible to squeeze them both onto the disc front and back, but as stated above, the transfers will definitely suffer). And no disc art ... grrr. Plus, I wouldn't want to sacrifice the quality of owning both the EE and the theatricals if the transfers were shoddy. Who knows, but I highly doubt that they will contain DTS like the EEs. Maybe it's two flipper discs with NO disc art.

Cover art is VERY nice, though. Now, a three-disc set w/ the theatrical on one disc, the extended on a flipper (with some interesting ring design or what not in the middle where no data is PLUS dts), and these new documentaries might have worked. I'll await details.

Interesting ... they street one week before another trilogy of "limited edition"s. What an odd release.

TheMovieman

"with an exclusive behind-the scenes documentary"

Um, exactly what's left to see between the 2-disc and 4-disc releases? I like the covers but there's no way in hell I'll shell out money for 'em. I would be willing to pay a little for all 3 slipcovers, however.

rdclark

Keep in mind that with branching you use repeated footage only once when authoring. So it's not the total time for both versions, but rather the time of the longer version plus any scenes that have to be added from the shorter version because they were different.

Five hours on a DVD-18 is not a stretch, especially if they leave off the commentaries and the DTS track.

nemein

Take a look around they look VERY familiar and I think they might be available for d/l somewhere.

Edit: check here http://www.rixgrafix.com/index_050.htm

milo bloom

I still don't like the idea of cramming the extended version on a single disc. I would have rather seen the chronological order versions of the whole story.

josepotato

Wow, didn't see that coming, and $28.98 each! I think you could probably pick up the EE and theatrical editions for that price now days.

Snowmaker

I've already got both versions of each. No need for these.

I wish they'd used those covers for the original 2-diskers though.

Paul Arnette

Maybe they're borrowing a page from Lucasfilm's genius and presenting them in non-anamorphic widescreen because the 'fans demanded it".

I'm generally a sucker for double-dips if the picture/sound quality is improved, I seriously doubt that's the case here. I'll wait for the HD DVD or Blu-Ray release.

Subgeniusguy

I wouldn't have minded those covers on the 4 disc sets.

needlz

Sweet covers!!! I doubt I will drop any more money for these . . . unless they can be had for a good deal. I'm eager to get more details on these disks . . . I just can't see how they can cram the extended cut without losing some quality on the transfer or possibly dropping the DTS ES track.

NitroJMS

Those are the best covers for LOTR thus far, but I can't justify triple dipping for nothing new. I still haven't finished the documentaries for Two Towers or ROTK.

EdTheRipper

I already own the extended editions. Those are good enough for me.

DVDho78DTS

I'll pass.

At this point, if I have an adequate transfer and sound mix I won't upgrade until I make the leap to HD-DVD/Blu-Ray.

fryinpan1

dsa_shea

I looked at the Blu-Ray discs at Best Buy and they sure didn't impress me as far as overall content goes. The audio and video might be greatly improved, but why cut out most of the already available special features? I dont see how they're going to make these new editions without making some sacrifices. The covers are nice but I'm not buying again.

tofferman

Barring extraordinary circumstances with these releases, I'll pass as well. I'm very content with the extended versions, and I like the "library" look to them. I suppose these days any title is open to a possible double/triple dip.

MovieExchange

Hell, the gift sets cost around that price or less. You get the 4-disc set, a bonus disc, and whatever little statuette is in each box. During the DDD 20% off sale they were less than $20 each.

Wick

Argh. That's just a piss-off.

I'll be sticking with my Extended Editions and regular versions.

Michael Corvin

Exactly. Time-wise it is still only the length of the EE on the disc. The theatrical will play and "branch" the extended scenes on the fly. 4 hours on one 9GB isn't a stretch. Unusual, but not totally out there.

DeanoBKN

I LOVE the covers, but is it worth another version, considering I already own the 2 and 4 disc? Probably not..