Star Wars Laser Discs

[Trinity]

I have the opportunity to buy the Special Widescreen Editions of the Original Star Wars Trilogy on Laser Disc and I was wondering if anybody had them already. Are they worth it? From what I've read, these are the editions that came out right before Lucas added all of the new effects. Is that right?

Thanks!
Trinity

 

[Treadwell]

There were a bunch of releases. The last ones before the Special Editions were the "faces" individually packaged movies:

These were simply CLV versions, with no extras, of the CAV Definitive Edition box set:

Both use the same transfer*, so either one counts as the "last available version on laserdisc".

*the same transfer used for the bonus disc DVDs a few years back.

 

[Trinity]

Here's a picture of them:

Do you know anything about these?

 

[robn1]

I don't know about those, but I have the "faces" editions. Unfortunately neither of my players work anymore :cry This version of Star Wars is missing a couple of dialog tracks: 3PO's line about the tractor beam connected to the main reactor in seven locations, and the trooper's line "Close the blast doors!"

It also has the Episode IV: A New Hope subtitle. The DVD version doesn't have this, but has the missing dialog.

 

[Jack T Chance]

I remember wanting a Laser Disc player back when that Definitive Edition boxed set came out. It was supposed to have hours of unseen bonus material on it. Always meant to buy one of those combo Laser Disc/DVD players so I could get that... then the aftermarket price went through the roof. :unsure

 

[Treadwell]

Those releases came before the ones I mentioned before. They're just fine, though, the others were just a little bit better. But they're only worth about five bucks apiece.

 

[Trinity]

Well I can get a Laser Disc player plus the three movies for $40. Is it worth it?

 

[cayman shen]

Are the laser discs better than the OT "bonus features" release on DVD? I really want the non-SE trilogy in the best format possible, and I might be willing to track down an old laser disc player for the effort...

 

[Treadwell]

Supposedly the OT bonus feature DVDs look a little better, but not much. But a lot more convenient!

$40 would be worth it for the player alone, unless it's a lesser model.

 

[Trinity]

The player is a Sony MDP-333. I know absolutely nothing about Laser Disc players, but the seller says it works perfectly.

 

[Treadwell]

That player (and Sonys in general) has a bad reputation, and it's a bare-bones model to boot. You could do much better for the same or slightly more money. Google for some old LD forum discussions...

 

[Trinity]

Okay. Thanks, man. You've been a big help.

 

[micdavis]

I have 374 laser discs you can have for FREE. Including three different sets of the OT.

You just have to pay shipping which is about $400 in the US.

 

[robn1]

Are the laser discs better than the OT "bonus features" release on DVD?...

Supposedly the OT bonus feature DVDs look a little better, but not much...

My LD players broke down several years ago so I haven't had a chance to compare (has anyone here done a comparison?) But as far as I can tell, the DVDs are at least as good. And as I mentioned earlier, the Star Wars DVD is just as it was released with no episode subtitle, and complete audio.

...But a lot more convenient!

Definitely! All three movies are three sides in CLV. If your LD player isn't auto reverse don't bother. I hate to say anything positive about the DVD "bonus" release, but it's a plus in this case :lol

 

[Capn_Jack_Savvy]

I would test the LD media first before you buy. LDs that are going on 10 years can sometimes have "disc rot" in which the media degrades. Also you can get warping in the media too since the discs are so big. Check with the seller and ask them to test them before you buy.

 

[Dpp1978]

Are the laser discs better than the OT "bonus features" release on DVD? I really want the non-SE trilogy in the best format possible, and I might be willing to track down an old laser disc player for the effort...

Just get the DVDs with the bonus copies. I've got the laserdiscs and the DVDs and I only keep the laserdiscs out of nostalgia.

The source is exactly the same as that used for the Definitive Collection and "Faces" laserdiscs, but as noted it is far more convenient to put a DVD in and hit play than it is to run (a minimum of) 3 sides of laserdisc.

The picture is in all likelihood going to be better from the DVD, unless you have a very high spec laserdisc player and a good external processor where it'll probably be a wash at best.

The only advantage in getting the laserdisc would be for the better sound quality: uncompressed stereo PCM vs compressed Dolby 2.0 stereo. The mix is exactly the same: a slightly modified fold down of the 6 track 70mm mix (which is why the C-3PO line is missing). I don't know if that is likely to sway you.

The DVD even has the original crawl, complete with properly timed music cue for the reveal of Tatooine. The addition of "A New Hope" threw it off slightly.

The bonus discs may not be all we could hope for, but until such time as George Lucas decides to put out a better version of the original cuts, they are the best version available.

 

[Trinity]

Just get the DVDs with the bonus copies. I've got the laserdiscs and the DVDs and I only keep the laserdiscs out of nostalgia.

Thanks, man! I've decided against buying the laserdiscs. They don't seem very necessary.

 

[hdtheater]

I know you made your choice, but thought I would throw in my two cents, having owned every version discussed, but the DVD version bonus feature.

The version you posted is nothing, but the movies themselves, no bonus material. The DVD is the same quality if not just a little better. The only LD version worth owning IMHO is the Definitive Collection.

In addition to all the other points already brought up, no LD player will have an HDMI or Component output. Best output you will get from LD is S-Video. Best picture quality you could hope for would be 480i. Even though the DVD bonus is letterboxed quality, an upconverting DVD player or Blu-Ray player will upconvert the output to your TV. Then you could play with the different aspect ratios on your TV to get the best picture possible from that content.

It will probably not be that noticeable of an improvement, but will be better than LD and you won't need another component in your setup.

-Eric

 

[niennumb1]

If you have a small TV and a laserdisc player, totally should buy this.

 

[MFP 2020]

Seconding the comments on quality. I have a Pioneer LD player and a small collection of discs (including the SW widescreen), and if I have the DVD I won't even bother with the LD. Mostly I keep the player around for things I can't get on DVD in their original version. For example, the US DVD of "Gunhed" is badly dubbed and omits the original Japanese dialogue, and the "Timerider" DVD sanitizes Reese's death. It would be nice to be able to have them digitally transferred to DVD at a reasonable price.

What I can't figure out is why I'm still hanging on to the widescreen VHS trilogy set.