OT on laserdisc

ah yes, thats it.

thankyou.

 

"are laserdiscs, and in particular the SW laserdiscs, anamorphic? i think i read somewhere that there are only a few anamorphic discs, and theyre all japanese. "

I have some knowledge of this. Short answer: Yes, but not Star Wars. There were some anamorphic LD's that came out as LD was on the wane. Terminator 2 is one I can remember off the top of my head. There aren't very many, and unlike DVD players, I do not know if every LD player can play them at the correct aspect ratio. If you are serious about Ana. LD's, I'll look into this for you.

"the basic differences between the different Star Wars Laserdisc sets?"

The THX "Faces" and/or the Definitive Collection have the best picture and sound, period. The big differences are...

1) Side-flips:
-"Faces" This set has each movie on one-and-one/half discs (2 discs, 3 sides). There is roughly one hour of movie per side (with the remainder on the last disc). There's nothing on the back of the fourth side. There are 6 discs in all.

-"Def. Col." this has each movie on two-and-one/half discs (3 discs, 5 sides.). There is roughly a half-hour of movie per side. There is supplementary material on the back of the sixth side for each film.)

2) Visual Quality:
-"Faces" Since this set came after the Def. Col. set, the audio and video are a little cleaner. Both sets are widescreen.

-"Def. Col." This set was recorded in CAV (Constant Angular Velocity), which basically corresponds to the SP "high quality" setting on VHS. As such, the pause/fast forward/fast rewind functions look much better. The drawback of this setting, obviously, is less available recording time (30 mins), which is why you have more side flips. (The "Faces" discs are in CLV (constant linear velocity) which allows for 1 hour of recording time. Be aware that, on some lower-level LD players, you may not be able to see the picture when you pause the movie, or it may not be as clear as the Def. Col. version. Higher-level LD players can pause both versions equally well.)

3) Audio Quality:
-Both sets have analog prologic stereo (similar to the VHS version) and digital PCM surround soundtracks (far superior, even better than Dolby Digital soundtracks on some DVD's) Only the SE's have a Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack.

4) Extras: Here's where the real differences begin...
-"Faces" Each disc set begins with the same Leonard Maltin interview that was seen on the THX VHS version.

-"Def. Col." On the last (sixth) side of each movie set, there is a collection of material consisting of documentaries, photo galleries, makings-of, and so on. Each movie has its own material. This includes several versions of the original movie and television trailers. (BTW, the ROTJ disc has the original "Revenge of the Jedi" trailer!)
-Also, throughout each film, there are mini-commentaries. None are full-length, but they are scene specific. There is a guide to tell you which scenes have commentaries.
-There is an included book, "George Lucas, the Creative Impulse" which discusses all of GL's films, but focuses for the most part on Star Wars. It's a big book , with over 200 pages, including pictures.
-Lastly, all this comes with a beautiful black box to hold all these goodies. This, in and of itself, is pretty impressive to have on the bookshelf.

5) Price:
-"Faces" Each movie can be bought separately, for between $10-$30 dollars. (I wouldn't spend more than $20)

-"Def. Col." You have to buy the whole set (it's extremely rare to find the pieces sold separately, but I have seen it done.) This set goes for between $75 to $150 dollars. (I wouldn't spend more than $100)

Bottom line....

If you just want to watch the films in the best picture possible for cheap, get the "Faces" set.
If you are a serious fan/collector/etc., and want to pause on specific scenes, get the Def. Col. set.

There are so many LD sets of Star Wars, that it's really hit or miss about getting a good set. Many of the older sets are pan&scan. You

 

Okay guys stupid question, but humor me. All the Def. Collections are the original versions right?

I would rather have the "Faces" Version, but the Def. Coll. is far easier to find on ebay at the moment. Probably because you guys have been buying them up before I get there (I not bitter, really). I just want the originals on something that won't turn to dust, and isn't illegal. Dang you GL just release both versions on DVD!!!

 

DarthLuxor,

All of the LD's, except for the SE versions, are the original OT (with minor exceptions, like the Japanese versions, which have the Han Solo/"human" Jabba the Hutt scene.) Soon after the "Faces" versions came out, GL unveiled the Special Editions LD's, and that's all that's been available ever since.

I'm actually tempted to buy the SE LD's, in case the Super-Duper-Uber Editions come out with even more mind-numbing changes.

 

Pardon me a moment, MBJ, but I must correct something. In the later years of LD, they released many anamorphic movies, including many, many popular movies. In fact, from 94 on, it was hard to find non-anamorphic LDs. Also, as best I can tell, the aspect raion is more percise than it is with VHS, and about the same as it is with DVD.

 

thankyou very much for all your info.
for what you've said it sounds like the Definitive Collection would be best for me, especially as my aim is to transfer them to DVD (so side-flips arernt that much of an issue.
but can you just confirm, the Definitive Collection is the pre-95 version, i.e. doesnt have the cleaned-up image that the Faces set has? do you know what the difference in picture quality is between these?
thanks again.

 

I've got the "Faces" set, but nothing to watch them on since my player died a couple of years ago. I guess I better start checking ebay...

 

"In the later years of LD, they released many anamorphic movies, including many, many popular movies. In fact, from 94 on, it was hard to find non-anamorphic LDs. Also, as best I can tell, the aspect raion is more percise than it is with VHS, and about the same as it is with DVD. "

If I may make a guess, I think you are confusing "anamorphic widescreen" with "widescreen". The two terms are not interchangeable. "Anamorphic widescreen" is a subset of widescreen. That is to say, they both give you a "wide" picture, but regular widescreen is placed (or "letterboxed") within a 4X3 picture, while anamorphic widescreen fills a 16X9 display device. There were very few of these LD's made, especially since there were almost no widescreen TV's in the U.S. (Although you could place an anamorphic lens onto a projector).

Here are some good visual examples...

Anamorphic widescreen on DVD's

All About Aspect Ratios

Most of the anamorphic LD information I've found is similar to this..
So far only few LD titles have been released in 16:9. As I'm writing this (97-08-13), some titles have been published but none are available at the moment in USA

Otherwise, you are correct about most (though not all) movie LD's being in widescreen format.

"any recommendations on where to purchase the face LD's at the price range you mention? "

They are always on E-bay, but the price fluctuates, so be patient. I got a sealed "Faces" ANH for $10 bucks on Half.com. When I was bidding on my Def. Col. set, they were going for about $150 dollars, but I had the high bid at $78 bucks. After that, many other sets started going for less. (This was about 6 months ago. I've not checked recent prices.)

Also, keep in mind that as more people get into LD for Star Wars (or Raiders, etc.), the prices are likely to start creeping up again.

 

"can you just confirm, the Definitive Collection is the pre-95 version, i.e. doesnt have the cleaned-up image that the Faces set has? "

Forgot about this question

Yes. The Def. Col. came out in 1993, before the '95 THX Faces version. THX refers to the mastering process (actually putting the material onto the disc) but not to the material itself (you can have a poorly written movie mastered at the highest bit-level ) That being said, it still looks fantastic. There are some noticeable differences (matt-lines, etc.) but it is not a day-&-night comparison. You really can't go wrong with either set (though having both would be the best situation. The Def. Col. for supplements and screen caps, and the "Faces" set for everyday viewing -- fewer flips.)

In case I haven't posted this link already, this is the Laserdisc details for Star Wars at imdb.com. This info is also good for ESB and ROTJ, but you can look them up separately if you want.

Lastly, I wanted to make this a little clearer...

"Otherwise, you are correct about most (though not all) movie LD's being in the letterbox widescreen format. (widescreen in a 4X3 box, black lines on top and bottom.)"

 

OK, true widescreen then. Most all LDs I saw after 94 had the correct threatical ratio.

Oh, and even though the Def Ed's are pre-95, they are still THX, so that's a nice plus.

 

" Oh, and even though the Def Ed's are pre-95, they are still THX"

Damn, how'd I leave that out?

Yes, that's true. I left out the part that both versions are THX-certified (so they both look great), but the "Faces" set has cleaned up some effects.

 

"what are the basic/minimum requirements needed to play the faces/def coll.?"

Need: Standard RCA video output (S-video may or may not be necessary, depending on quality of tv. Very few LD players have Component Video outputs, usually the combo DVD/LD players.)

Need: Standard RCA analog stereo output (for Pro-logic surround)

Want: Optical/Coaxial digital output (for digital PCM surround or DTS surround)

Might Want: RF/AC3 digital output (for Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack, only found on Special Edition or The Phantom Menace LD's)
* In addition to this, you will need an RF demodulator to "decode" the DD 5.1 soundtrack for your receiver (it removes the radio frequency information from the soundtrack). This is not the same thing as the RF modulators sold at Radio Shack! These add the radio frequency to the audio/video signal.
* You can add an RF/AC3 digital output to most LD players. You can buy kits, or send it to Precision Laserdisc, but this option usually starts at around $100. Some of the LD players on E-bay already have this modification.

Might Want: A player with auto-flipping (plays both sides without flipping disc) is nice, especially with the Def. Col. It'll play both sides of each disc, but you'll still have to swap all 3 discs for each film. With the "Faces" disc, it'll play both sides of disc 1, but you'll still need to swap with disc 2 to finish each film.

 

hello again,

i have just won an auction on eBay for a sony MDP-650 LD player, which i will be picking up next weekend. so now i just need the star wars LD's.

most of the definitive collection's on eBay are pretty expensive, so i'm still not sure. can anyone (MeBeJedi, probably) give me a run down of the extra features on this set, e.g. how in-depth are the making-ofs, is there one for each film, and how long are they? also what else is on the discs?

thanks.

 

for anyone who's interested, what i intend to do when i have the laserdiscs and a LD player is buy a DVD writer and create my own O-OT DVD set.

each film will be a 2-disc set, with the first disc being:
- an anamorphic transfer of the film from the LD source
- the commentary from the definitive collection
- the original soundtrack in 2.1 probably.

disc two will be supplemental material for each film, what i've thought of so far is:
- interview with George Lucas (taken from the 1995 THX video's
- theatrical and teaser trailers, and TV spots
- original storyboards (taken from the definitive LD, i hope)
- music video (ROTJ only)
- original concept artwork gallery (mostly by Ralph McQuarrie)
- behind-the-scenes image gallery
- theatrical poster campaign gallery (including international posters)
- stills gallery (from the film)
- publicity material gallery
- deleted scenes (biggs scene from ANH, as well as images of deleted scenes from all films)
- screen tests (ANH only)

i'm also hoping to get copies of 'From Star Wars to Jedi: The Making of a Saga' and 'The Making of Star Wars' on video, which i will either include on the 2nd disc for each film (one for each film), or have a seventh disc called 'Supplemental' with these documentaries, and also a few parodies like 'Troops', 'Quentin Tarantino's Star Wars', and Kevin Spacey's SNL auditions.

i am also in the process of making some DVD covers, to match the prequel covers. anyway, thats all i can think of for now, but if anyone has any suggestions for other things to put on the discs, or places i might be able to find such material, i would be very grateful.

i'm not sure if this is the best place to post this but i can't think of anywhere else.

 

"Remember that you're going to have to split each film onto 2 to 3 DVDs since DVD-R's can only hold an hour of video"

are you sure about that? from my limited knowledge of DVD burning, i thought that the amount of video on a DVD-R depended on the data rate of the video/audio, meaning that 2 hours could fit on one disc if a little picture quality was sacrificed.
as i'm only going to be capturing the films at about 2 or 3mb/s (otherwise i wouldnt have room on my hard drive) i think i should be able to fit each film on one disc.
but i have been known to be wrong. from time to time.

 

i guess i'll have to wait til i get a DVD burner to see.

btw does anyone have that list of features of the Def. Collection?

 

ok, i've just finished my ANH DVD cover. i've tried to make it fit the prequel DVDs as much as possible.
anyway, here it is, and please tell me what you think of it.

 

ah yes, sorry.
i think it works if you copy and paste the link, otherwise i dont know how to get it to work, perhaps its a problem with geocities.

http://uk.geocities.com/leicestereighteen/starwarsanhdvdcover.jpg