Boy, I'm glad I don't own the laserdisks. Pages upon pages of argument and backbiting over rather insignificant issues that only mean anything if you OWN the laserdisks.

I'm sure most want to know details about how these disks look and sound. Go to most any DVD review site (excluding widescreen review) and you won't find anyone comparing the DVD version of a movie to an old laserdisk version no matter whether it was mastered from the same source or not. They talk more about what they are actually seeing and hearing. Maybe if you concentrated on that, there would be less argument.

Only a thought ...

moocher: Well comparing them to the original source is very relevant to the conversation since many here own ld's or might be interested in getting them if the bootlegs are not up to par. This comes into play when people start asking questions like "Wow there is a DTS track" for example. Anyway it has been said a number of times by myself and others that for bootlegs these are extremely well done.

DavidH: There could be many reasons why the bootlegs aren't as good a/v-wise. who knows what kind of ld player they are recording from first of all. Second anytime something is being recorded there will be degradation, even though I wonder why the lack of color is so extreme.Unfortunatley none of us really know the specifics.

Well, call them old or not, they are official and legal. The transfers and soundtracks are stunning. I haven't seen the 5 star DVDs, I was only asking. But, I'd bet anything you want to bet that you take a respected magazine, have them make a fair comparison on identical equipment, and compare every aspect of these discs, and the LDs would be superior to these DVDs.

ugabuga is right that it is relevant. Nobody said the DVDs were bad. But some people that read this thread, might want to know there are still official and legal LDs out there, that probably are better than the DVDs, and less costly.

But to keep it civil, I'll cease the argument, so this thread stays on track.

I just can't wait until I get these Five Stars. They shipped a couple of days ago. I am anxious to compare them to the VHS.

I used my Panasonic DVD recorder to do the original trilogy and am verry happy with it. I can also not tell a difference from the LD (I'm sure there is, but I can't tell). I used the 2 hour mode and spread the Definitive Collection Trilogy over 2 double sided DVD-Rs (4 sides of SW LDs on side 1 of DVD 1, final side of SW + first 3 sides of ESB on side 2 of DVD 1 and so on). This allows watching of the entire trilogy from beginning to finish with 3 flips, one during each movie. Hey, it's better than flipping through 5 sides of LDs for each movie. Quite a fair trade-off for LD quality on DVD, I think. I actually could have fit the full movies on their own discs by using the flexible rate timer. I can set it for any length I want and it adjusts the bitrate to fill the disc while keeping the best quality possible for that time. But I didn't want to go over the SP setting and have no problems flipping once per movie. Yes, there is also a 1hr mode, but to me I only *think* I can see a slight difference, so it'd be overkill for the whole trilogy. The 2hr mode is looks great to me. I have the 5 Star DVD set, but would like to get a hold of the SE LD set and see what I can do. The 5 Star DVDs do have a problem with washed out colors and blown-out detail in bright spots. I think this is the "remastering" that is spoke of on the covers, cranking the contrast.

I don't think anyone who doesn't already have the LDs is going to go buy a player just for Star Wars and if they have a player they likely already have the LDs.

Its really kind of funny. Many people in these SW boot threads were saying to avoid the bootlegs and go buy the official LDs. Judging from this thread, it seems that the people who already have the LDs are the main ones interested in the bootlegs. Go figure...

This is probably because those of us with the LDs know our players wont last forever, and its not like we can buy a new laserdisc player when our old ones die.

Just to recap my opinions on these discs:

1. Are they better than the laserdisc? NO
2. Are they worth the purchase? YES
3. Will I be keeping my 5 Stars? YES
4. Would I recommend these to anyone? DEFINITLY
5. Are they better than the LDs from a cost standpoint? COMPLETELY

God Bless!...Everyone, buy them now if you already haven't

OK. I guess I can buy that. But if your player is still operating, you already have the best version available, why buy now?? Why not wait until your player dies?? By then, there may be a better version out. Is it just to avoid having to flip disks??

Oh, and for everybody else, I was just pointing out an irony - not looking to start an argument .

Deleted. Read the first post in this thread. - Static

I'm not going to do the usual "This is not to turn into a begging for purchase information" thing.

I will. Deleted reply to off-topic post. - Static

Does anyone have any decent front & back scans of the Five Star Collection DVDs? Preferably something in the neighborhood of 350 x 480 or higher res.

My Five Stars are being shipped, but I have been told they don't come in cases. What do they come in? So, I have to print off covers from somewhere?

They ship in a bubble envelope for protection. Each DVD is sealed in a small DVD sized plastic envelope along with cover art to slip into a keepsake case. All you need to do is purchase 3 keepsakes, insert art and DVDs, and voila!

Here's some snaps I took of mine to give you an idea...

Front
Back
The DVDs

Hope that helps

Mox,

Very nice. Where is the cheapest place to buy three keepcases?

Well, I think I may have answered my question. I bought three single Alpha cases for 6.45 shipped at inetdvd.com.

THANK YOU!!!

let me get this straight... you can buy the trilogy for 35.99, or you can buy each individually for 9.99/each? does this make any sense to anyone?

and does anyone know of a place to buy dvd cases that don't rape you with their shipping charges?

Glad I could help. I also bought a bunch of keepsakes a few months back from inetdvd.com. They do rape you on shipping however. Unfortunately, I then found keepsake cases locally for around a dollare each. ARG.

Enthused,

I believe the site you're talking about that sells them for $9.99 individually is not selling the Five Star Collection ones for that price (e-mail them to be sure, I could be wrong). The specs are different though on the singles than the 3 pack of the Five Star for $35.95. So it's probably one of the other DVD versions of the trilogy and not the Five Stars and thus the difference in price.

The only site I've seen selling the Five Star Collection DVDs individually was for $13.99 each (plus $5.00 more for shipping). They also carry the set for $35.95.

ok thanks, mox.

where did you get your cases from? do music stores like sam goody or tower sell them?

Enthused,

Those would be great places to check I imagine. Call around maybe.

My local A & B Sound is where I saw spare keepsakes for sale.

would someone who recently got the 5-star editions and has a scanner be willing do scan these so I can put them up on dvdcoverart for others?

drop me an email (see profile) if ya can plz

mdx--

you got mail x3.

let me know if those scans will work... i have a new scanner and haven't fiddled with it much.

I called Circuit City ahout keep cases and they are charging 4-8.00 a piece!

Do all the companies that offer these discs ship them without cases? Has anyone received the cases too? Thanks.