Limited Edition SW Trilogy The Definitive Collection LaserDisc Set

[@coeurdelion3113]

Technically they are not *entirely* "original theatrical release"; as not only the do the liner notes indicate that they used the best available sourceS for the transfer, but also, as you can see at the beginning of the Star Wars screen crawl, the words "Episode IV: A New Hope" are included, and of course those words were NOT present in the ORIGINAL theatrical release of SW, but were added later. Cheers

[@indiana2096]

The audio was changed a few times as well with distinct differences in each by the time this set came out.

[@Hollywoodsteve]

I still have my copy, purchased on its release day in Sept. 1993. I wonder how many copies of this were made.

[@X2FileWrightonite]

@ Hollywoodsteve - I do not know how many copies were manufactured , but I remember seeing an article in Billboard Magazine back in the day and I believe it SOLD 70,000 copies.

[@Schush]

Got mine around Christmas-time of '93. What a great gift!

[@nicolascervanteslorenzothe5083]

Opening To Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope 2004 US DVD (Widescreen) (Endor) (2006 Reprint) Here is my order: 1. Fox Warning Screen 2. Fox Attention Screen 3. MPAA PG Rating Screen 4. DVD Menu 5. Language Menu Is Spanish 2.0 Dolby Surround And Subtitles Off 6. Lucasfilm THX Optimizer Menu (Audio Tests and Video Tests Options) 7. 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment Logo 8. THX Cavalcade Logo 9. 20th Century Fox Logo 10. Lucasfilm Ltd. Logo 11. "A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away." Screen 12. Opening Crowd Star Wars Logo 13. Start Of Film

[@matthewgaudet4064]

They aren't limited edition at all tons of unsold and sealed copies sell all the time as dead stock of the US pressing. The rarest is the 1995 Japanese pressing and even that I've seen at least a bunch of copies sell through the years. None of the SW wars pressings are, Phantom Menace tons of copies were made. Even the 2000 set which is very hard to buy for a good price is not rare. That is for the Special Edition but by then Lucas had dropped the name.

[@chandlerweber8166]

I just bought the 95 laserdisc release of the original trilogy. Good stuff

[@JFL1988]

I liked that they released this set with the 2006 dvds but the dvds look a bit more grainy then the laser disc hope for a blue ray relase someday

[@JMacQ77]

I picked up this set a few years back from a half-price books store for $20. Yes, Laserdisc video quality pales in comparison to Blu-Ray, but I for one have never been a fan of the remastered original trilogy. These LDs are the best quality way to currently view the unadulterated trilogy. Thanks for the review, John!

[@hooch5277]

+Michael Diaz No they are not

[@hooch5277]

+Michael Diaz Maybe I am misunderstanding you. I am saying that the theatrical versions have never been on dvd in their unaltered form. Only on laserdisc and this defenitive collection.

[@hooch5277]

+Michael Diaz Well I guess I learned something new. Appears to rare and expensive since it is oos and oop. However the master on that dvd is from the 93 laserdisc so quality wise maybe not better just more expensive. Download movies..when I am such a nerd owning a ld player from 1996? Nah...no need. Cheers!

[@Knightmessenger]

The picture on the unaltered dvd is taken from the 1993 THX master, the transfer originally used for this very same laserdisc release. So basically the unaltered dvd is like a pristine capture of the 1993 laserdisc, without any analog video noise and it's on a single sided dvd you never have to flip over.

[@X2FileWrightonite]

Correct you are sir.

[@DarthJokerFett]

Great review John! Quite the interesting format the Laserdisc is. Just like the "HD DVD" trend from several years back, it's one of those lost formats of video history. That book looks like a good read though. A book chronicling the first twenty years of George Lucas's film making career pre-prequels and pre-CGI, count me in!

[@mosi0815]

There are so much sides because this discs are in CAV format. This wastes a lot of space because every track contains exactly one picture. On CLV disks there are up to 3 pictures on the longer (outer) tracks. The advantage is that you can perfectly skip around and do slow motion. Also freezing the picture is no problem. The laser just moves slower or faster which changes playback speed. You can even do single step and watch the movie picture by picture. On CLV disks this things are only possible if you have an (back in the days expensive) LD player with digital frame storage.

[@danieldaniels7571]

I'm kind of disappointed this video doesn't explain this.

[@nicolascervanteslorenzothe5083]

I brought the Star Wars Trilogy Widescreen 2004 DVD with Lucasfilm THX Optimizer Audio-Video Tests it was a released in December 23rd, 2004.

[@garypranzo9334]

I got Harmy's despecialized, on Blu Ray and also on my network 720p , After I got that I sold My laser disks. But these box sets are great collectables so not advising people to get rid of them just know it is far from the best way to watch these movies. PS: I still own several versions of the original Trilogy and I am sure I will get the 4K versions if they ever some out.

[@markoragnos6757]

The 720p version you have on your network is it Harmy edition?

[@electricadventures]

Awesome set, really wish I had not been talked out of my copy (well I did need the money at the time), but at least I have the separate ones at the moment. It's Dad's movie night again tonight, so it will be Return of the Jedi next :)

[@KITT171]

I still remember Mark of CGR's review, its definitely one of the best releases for the original series out there. Essentially LaserDiscs are nothing more than a video record hahaha, just as big as a 33 1/2" record too.

[@indiana2096]

Apparently, you are not familiar with the RCA CED, they were actual vinal discs that were read with a needle. The quality was at best about as good as VHS, the technology didn't last long and were gone by 1982, but they made the discs until Return of The Jedi came out. Laser Discs are analogue but are read with a laser not remotely comparable to records except for size of the discs (although thicker and way heavier).

[@KITT171]

@@indiana2096 No offense but you are assuming a little much as I am QUITE familiar with that format and its history, hell I have some CEDs in the basement even as it is. Which yes those ARE vinyl material video discs correct. I was also more making a lame JOKE, it was a joke. Just going off the size and how they look only, not how they work I know the difference. If you couldn't tell which, I don't think you did. All I have to say about it, if you choose not to believe what I just said, fine, but its the truth.

[@indiana2096]

No Offence meant!@@KITT171

[@mikekaye3874]

I still have a love this box set! Good Video!

[@Maverick1701A]

Great review John. I have the standalone releases on LaserDisc. However they are not on multiple discs so quality isn't as good as the set you reviewed. I will have to look into buying that set at some point. You should try and buy a player that reads both sides of the disc without you having to flip it. My SonyMDP-500 player reads both sides of the disc without me having to flip it. It I'm It comes in handy on my copy of Se7en put out by Criterion. That has 4 discs for the movie.

[@indiana2096]

If you can't find a nice set at a good price, look for the Faces separate releases, they are comparable to the Definitive set except they don't have the extra features.

[@treystephens4490]

I still need to get this one.

[@نادرالیراحمان]

I have the 1997 special edition of Episode V on DVD transferred from laserdisc and the print is outstanding. I had a copy of episode VI but gave it away. A cousin of mine is looking for the 1997 special editions on DVD for me. Those are my favorite editions at least for Episode V & VI

[@indiana2096]

I downloaded DVD preservations of the OT original and SE that were transferred from LD box sets before the official release of the DVD in 2004 and 2006, I have always been happy with them and didn't need to wear on the old LP player.

[@billvado79]

the problem with the 2006 dvds (which are the ones i have) is that they are still 4:3 letterbox. so they look like balls on your nice hd tv. you have to zoom and stretch to get it to fit right. and still then its a little off. maybe now with disney in charge we will get some 1080p blu ray of the originals

[@billvado79]

+daro2096 yeah isn't that where they got the source from?

[@diegodiaz1834]

There's a way to watch in 16:9 on the gout DVDs of Star Wars. On the PS4 press the options button, go to settings and change it from Normal to Full picture it's easy.

[@Takeshi357]

@daro2096 You expect a multimillion dollar movie studio to use consumer tier software to master their DVDs?

[@matchesmalone79]

The would sell movie DVDs as full screen (4:3) or widescreen, or sometime they would be double sided, including both full and wide

[@mataiguana5]

A great collection.

[@JFL1988]

that set could help save Star Wars I think they could use the masters from those versions up scale the land then scan them to 4k

[@benkleschinsky]

What I like about the 1997 versions is they don’t go overboard on the CGI. They have great color correction, and less CGI than what you will see on Blu Ray today.

[@generalgrevious2005]

hey john I used to have a laser disc player it was a pioneer dvd/ld. it was an elite 909. what was great about it that it could read both sides of the disc and didn`t have to flip it over

[@danieldaniels7571]

most decent players play both sides

[@indiana2096]

My Pioneer CLD-D704 also does the "auto-flip" but as it is over 20 yeas old the flip gets stuck sometimes. I picked up another a CLD-M401 for $15.00 at Goodwill, not as nice as the CLD-D704 but as a backup, I am happy.

[@LaughItupFuzzball70]

An interesting vid John, man that would keep you fit changing those discs over and over, sort of assuming you still have a laser disc player? It's value will remain given it's one of a few ways you can watch the original theatrical release, really enjoyed as always. Cheers, Fuzz.

[@starwarsnut77]

Yeah, it's a lot of work to change them in and out often for sure. :)

[@X2FileWrightonite]

The 1995 issed CLV Faces set ( Hate the Art ) also used the same exact D-1 Videotape Masters that were used to create The Definitive Collector’s Set as a budget alternative to the bulky box set, each one carrying a retail price of $59.99 and later reduced to $24.99 in the late 90s, compared to the $249.99 price tag for the 1993 box set - because there are so many less disc.

[@X2FileWrightonite]

Because of the fact that they are produced in CLV mode, the image produced by these disc seems to be a tad bit softer overall when compared to the CAV presentation of the Box Set. Of course - this could be a result of the player I use ? My Pioneer LDV8000 Industrial LD Player does have Digital Frame Storage - but doesn't handle CLV disc nearly as well as it does CAV. The “Faces” set also lacks all of the features and audio commentary of the Box Set.

[@indiana2096]

Kind of like The Beatles Let It Be LD, still costs quite a bit, the only way you can see the original version.

[@indiana2096]

Now you can find the Faces release for $5 each, but the price on the Definitive set seems to go up.

[@SonicSpyroHeeler]

I never used Laserdisc but this Star Wars collection could be very valuable

[@TriforceRich]

I have feeling Disney will release the theatrical versions around the time episode vii is coming out. It will hype up the new movie and get the hardcore fan base pumped up. Too much money not to do it, but Lucas may have a little hidden clause in his contract stating he only has the right to greenlight that decision.

[@THOMASSU63]

Oh, I hope so. I have them on laser disc, but no player alas. I also got the special edition set on LD with an autograph by David Prowse.

[@starwarsnut77]

I hope you're right.

[@joeyp9524]

we can only hope, my idea is a 4 disk blu ray set for each film with all the versions from theatrical to 2011

[@bruhmaster6950]

That did not age well at all... 😬

[@Leprechaun33]

Laserdisc of Star Wars definitive collection is the best way to watch it. I wouldn’t buy it on DVD Blu-ray or 4K.

[@SonicSpyroHeeler]

One problem Laserdiscs are so expensive people like me have choice but to use either DVD Blu Ray or Disney+

[@matthewgaudet4064]

The Mitsubishi pressing has very bad rot. And the worst part is they did the second pressing with the fixed Leia Welding in Empire. The Pioneer pressing supposedly the unfixed has none. I have both of the Japanese pressings the initial with Creative Impulse has no rot, the second pressing with making of trilogy has very minor speckling. The thing that made no sense about my copy of the 1995 set The Leia welding scene is missing minutes not seconds on Empire Strikes Back. It can't remember if its a beginning side or ending side.

[@PixarMan2001]

Can you do a review of the Special Edition LaserDisc & Episode I LaserDisc?

[@coeurdelion3113]

I suppose he could, if he were ever going to do a review of complete garbage. LOL

[@indiana2096]

I have the SE LD box set and I like it and it is actually different from the 2004 DVDs, Lucas just keeps changing it. The Episode I LD was only released in Japan and may have Japanese subtitles hard coded in the video, I hate that.

[@leonardoalphonsnarciavilla9222]

Good afternoon, I have the Star Wars trilogy in the same version, I really want to sell it but I do not know how rare it is, if it is limited edition and as soon as it is, if you could give me more information, I would appreciate it.

[@christopherdunn317]

I'm sorry but i doubt anyone back then could afford something like this, or even knew much about it,When i was a kid 9 years old in 1980 ,you rented a VCR and movies,for birthday or whatever, and that was a cool thing back then to do this,compared to how it all works now lol.In fact i remember when i bought my first dvd writer in 2001, cost me $560.00 with tax, ya huge money, because i wanted it now,and it merely costs 14 dollar's now lol.

[@indiana2096]

I saw Star Wars on first release, 9-years-old summer 77 and had to listen to the soundtracks and read comics to relive it. In 1982 my mom bought our first VCR when the first Star Wars VHS release came out. I didn't buy my first LD player until it was almost obsolete when I could afford it and the discs. I actually bought my first DVD burner when I got cable internet and found DVD preservations of the Star Wars LDs and then I was in heaven and happy until the DVDs came out in 2004.

[@matthewgaudet4064]

Never mind the cost of the set 250, a laserdisc player itself was like a thousand bucks right? VCR's could go for hundreds of dollars too but only 250 for an entry level one. And the Star Wars tapes might cost a bit 69.97 in 1995 Like 99.99 when the letterbox tapes were released in 1992.

[@brewt1mer]

I wish we could just have the originals without the changes on 4k..i don't want the new films by Disney I just want the films I saw in the cinema in the 70s and 80s

[@CliffjumperLP]

4K77/80/83 might be the solution

[@thorbahn3]

Fun Fact: Howard the Duck is the first ever live action Marvel Comics movie.

[@Horzzo]

That is a very fun fact. I enjoyed the movie as a kid but it was rather bad. Perfect cult classic and I still enjoy it to this day. I just never knew it was based off a comic.

[@imanolalonsotegui7999]

Qué diferencias hay con la trilogia en laserdisc de 1989?

[@mikedelgado8888]

Awesome

[@deckofcards87]

I have Harmy's Despecialized Bluray trilogy. Blows these out of the water.

[@larrylaffer3246]

Anybody have any clue on why I can't listen to my Definitive Trilogy Laserdisc Boxset? What I mean I all I hear is the audio commentary tracks not the movie sounds, video is a ok. The player I use is a Pioneer LD-V2200. I think its one of those industrial school models. I believe it was built in the early 90's. Basic, built like a tank, but works perfectly even now. It even has the CX system. Funny enough it works well enough with early Disc-o-vision discs, and end of life discs just fine. I'm stumped and really want to watch the Trilogy without a million edits added to it.

[@Schush]

You have to select a different audio channel on the remote.

[@danieldaniels7571]

because your player doesn't support digital audio

[@JFL1988]

question I own this set but sadly can't get the audio working right it only works with the audio commentary is there a way to turn that off and view the films without the commentary

[@CK2012]

use the audio button on the remote to set it from commentary to the films soundtrack

[@danieldaniels7571]

that depends on your player. does it support digital audio? analog audio only players will only play the commentary.

[@indiana2096]

It has been a while, but it should have an analog track on it as well.

[@sorrystateout]

Changing the discs over would kill it for me. That's why I never liked vcds

[@Trojan0304]

4K project scanned original 35mm at 4k .

[@111highgh]

I have to go to Blockbuster and rent the original Star Wars trilogy.

[@dstardutch3802]

Got one for €50 in 2016 sadly it has some rot.

[@TheDevilBurning]

Very Difinitive, much Limitid.

[@ericdelgado1224]

I bought this when it came out, and I still have it... I paid over 300 for mine... I just don't have a player any more, bummer.... Your video makes me want to buy a player now....

[@danieldaniels7571]

I have several for sale

[@bmw128racer]

You misspelled "Definitive" in your video: "Difinitive."

[@cookingwithjesus]

Is anyone else cringing at the page bending?