14 replies to this topic

[General Atarian]

Can anyone help?

[NE146]

No I can't. But I do know that the laserdisc titles have been ripped to DVD by several hobbyists and they frequently get posted to Usenet. Check alt.binaries.dvdr as the original trilogy on DVD is often posted there.

[video game addict]

What are they like NE1? Quality wise? I have the Laser Discs, but it's not the Definitive Collection box set, I just have the individual widescreen special editions My are 2 disc per movie, 3 sides total, the DC box set was 3 discs per movie, more fliping & swapping around too I guess, but better overall quality. I'm curious how the dvd boot plays compared to the originals. Isn't there some differences in formats between them? Like different audio formats and such, LDs were capable of better audio I think than DVD, but it would need to be compressed to fit on the dvd? Are there many boots of LD to DVD out there?

[tyranthraxus]

NE146 said:

No I can't. But I do know that the laserdisc titles have been ripped to DVD by several hobbyists and they frequently get posted to Usenet. Check alt.binaries.dvdr as the original trilogy on DVD is often posted there.

Thanks for the tip! I'm assuming this is the original version and not
the no-so Special Editions? I've really come to loath the SE, it was cool
to see during the 1997 re-release but now I can't stand it.

[Starscream]

Good luck finding the LD versions. I remember when the set came out it was so difficult to even find and it was pricey as hell.

[Mock]

wonder why they put the new ones out on dvd but they don't put the first 3? kinda annoying.

Mock

[General Atarian]

Got it....Thanks all.

[SS]

Mock said:

wonder why they put the new ones out on dvd but they don't put the first 3? kinda annoying.

Mock

I'm fairly certain that Lucas will start working on DVD releases of the original trilogy once he is done with episode 3. The guys a perfectionist and I'm sure that he wants to include a lot of extras, commentary, and a bit of "tweaking" before putting them out. The one thing that I wonder about is if they’ll be an option on the disks to view the movies in either the original or Special editions.

[NE146]

tyranthraxus said:

I'm assuming this is the original version and not
the no-so Special Editions? I've really come to loath the SE, it was cool
to see during the 1997 re-release but now I can't stand it.

Yes they are the original versions. The same versions that were released on Laserdisc.

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What are they like Quality wise?

I've heard perfectionists say they fall short, but to other they look just great. I also think there are different versions out there from different hobbyists who have ripped it and the quality varies amongst them I guess.

Quote

I'm curious how the dvd boot plays compared to the originals. Isn't there some differences in formats between them? Like different audio formats and such, LDs were capable of better audio I think than DVD, but it would need to be compressed to fit on the dvd?  

I can't tell you how they compare to the laserdisc versions since I don't have them. But since it's basically only a single movie on the disc (i.e. no commentaries, extra scenes, alternate languages, etc.) I think there's very little to no compression necessary. Here is the .NFO file text for the ROTJ rip that I've seen:

Title: Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi

Format: DVD-5



Files (RAR): 361 x 12Mb Files

Files (PAR2): 



Description:

The final chapter in the Star Wars Saga. The ultimate clash of good and evil, on land and in space leading to the climactic resolution of the galactic rebellion and the restoration of the Jedi.



Taken straight from the Definitive Edition Laserdisc box set (originally THX mastered), this is a version of exceptional quality both on sound and vision. This is the original theatrical version, not the Special Edition, so grab it now because it is unlikely it will ever be seen in an official release.



Video:

235:1 Widescreen



Audio:

Dolby Surround 2.0





Extra Materials:

Full Menus and chapter stops

Production Notes

Audio Commentary with Ralph McQuarrie, Dennis Muren and Ken Ralston

Special 'hidden' Easter Egg

Thanks to:

Dr Gonzo for taking the time and effort of making such fantastic transfers available.

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Are there many boots of LD to DVD out there?

Not sure. I think the Star Wars series gets the most attention since it's a high profile film that never made it to DVD.. and then all the purists want the original version rather than the special edition. But are there more? probably

[Tempest]

I the the Star Wars "Definitive" collection that was put out in the early 90's on laser disc (9 discs total!). The quality is much MUCH better than VHS and on par with DVD (as far as I can tell anyway). Changing disc sides every half hour is kinda a pain (my player doesn't have auto flipping), but it's so much better than what's on the tapes. The laserdiscs also have commentary, but so far that hasn't been too interesting (it's only in certain spots). Still, it's nice to have the finest "Pre-Special Edition" version of Star Wars out there. Even when the DVD's come out, I think I'll be watching this one.

Tempest

[video game addict]

Kind of makes you wish they had made 5 disc LD players. Damn that would be HUGE!!

[SS]

video game addict said:

Kind of makes you wish they had made 5 disc LD players.    Damn that would be HUGE!!

Almost as big as a 5200, I'd bet!

[video game addict]

SS said:

video game addict said:

Kind of makes you wish they had made 5 disc LD players.    Damn that would be HUGE!!

Almost as big as a 5200, I'd bet!

But not as sexy! I think my LD player now is larger than the 5200 overall it's tall and square, but times that by 5 if it were a carousel rotating type dealy it'd be like an entertianment center laying on it's side! LOL I WANT ONE!!

[-^Cro§Bow^-]

In the case of multiple LD players, I would think instead of a carosel setup it would be more cost effecient and cheaper to simply make them as a magazine stack unit. That way. only the heads would have to move. There might be a delay between discs while the movement was going on, but it wouldn't be any worse than a carosel rotating.

Just my thoughts. However, this would make the player like over a foot tall easy! And weight about the same as a 70s Le Sabre (Just Kidding...sorta).

[trnsfrguy]

Goerge Lucas has said on many interviews that he'll finally release the original trilogy after he finishes episode 3.
He wants to surpervise the transfer to ensure it's quality.
He also said that the transfer would be the special edition versions of the films...