annnnnd...thats the sound of you missing the joke....

i probably lost it in all the back and forth around here, i lurk, but has anyone noted they're using the LD masters and not the laserdiscs themselves? whatever they used for the laserdiscs had to have been of a quality considerably greater than Laserdisc itself allows, much like films mastered in high definition are supercompressed to DVDs pititful (in comparison, especially MPEG-2) but substantial standards.

maybe i'm being too optimistic, but they're not gonna be fucking terrible.

who am i kidding?

hey. it's just letterboxing. besides the occasional hardcoded subtitles, if its nothing but empty unchanging space to the bit per pixel ratio.

I got the joke, I just think it's retarded bullshit.

Anyone here who speaks french?

http://www.dvdrama.com/news.php?15971

http://www.excessif.com/news.php?15971

primitive translation:

To comfort you defeat of the team of France yesterday evening (and which made it possible to the author of these lines to win its bet), our beautiful territory another type of victory gained! The original assemblies of the first trilogy Star Wars soon available in zone 2 will profit from a compatible transfer 16/9ème! It from now on certain, is confirmed by Fox France which would perhaps have, knows one never, heard and retransmitted with the authorities concerned the laments justified of the fans throughout the world to see films only announced into 4/3. And to remain chauvinistic until the end, also let us add that the American discs are not yet very some to profit from the same preferential treatment.

Announced for September 13 in France, these editions will propose each one two DVD: one for the version 2004, the other for the version of origin (1977-1980-1983 respectively). The DVD of the version 2004 will begin again with identical that available in the left box there are one year and half, proposing film approved THX in a compatible transfer 16/9 4/3 to format 2.35, accompanied by tracks Dolby DIGITAL 5.1 EX in French and English, and subtitles in the same languages.

The Digital Bits has CONFIRMED the anamorphic OUT for France:

"And here's a little something that's very interesting: Our friend Arnaud Calistri, who runs the DVDRama.com website in France, e-mailed me yesterday to say that Fox France has confirmed with him that the original versions of the Star Wars films to be released on DVD there will be in anamorphic widescreen (enhanced for widescreen 16x9 TVs).

As many of you know, they were announced for release here in the States and elsewhere in non-anamorphic (letterboxed) widescreen only, causing a furor among fans (and rightly so). This news, if true, means one of two things: Either Lucasfilm quickly got their act together when fans complained and created new anamorphic masters for the DVD release everywhere (and it just hasn't been announced here in the States yet), or France is getting better DVDs that the rest of the world.

If they DID get their act together, expect Lucasfilm's fan relations guru, Steve Sansweet, to make a massive deal about it the company's Star Wars panel at Comic-Con next week. If they DIDN'T get their act together, and France IS getting better discs, expect fans to make a massive deal about it. We'll ask all the right people to see if we can find out the truth of the matter. Of course, we'll let you know."

http://thedigitalbits.com/#mytwocents

Right, so this is good news....assuming that the Anamorphic is going to be an international release (ie for everyone).

I wouldn't imagine they would "just do" an Anamorphic version for France...mind you, they do need all the love they can get at the moment after chokeing at the world cup

Talk about conflicting reports here...

First it's reported that the OUT DVD's will be non-anamrophic now suposedly from Fox France they say they are infact anamorphic. Well which is it?

September 12th can't come fast enough...I know we're only two months away but still it will seem like a long two months.

I'm surprised Darth First hasn't gotten any of these discs yet and provided some information.

Obligatory "I hope they're anamorphic and don't suck" post.

I was going to post this in Duster's thread but DarthFirst loves to browse MF while logged in (because there are forums the require one to be logged in of course). However DarthFirst hasn't logged in for over a month which means he is busy with real life stuff.

In terms of timeframes, the 2004 edition Return of the Jedi DVDrip leaked two months before the official release. DarthFirst got his 2004 edition set two months before also. This time is different.

DarthFirst posted this earlier in the thread:

We'll have to be a bit more patient this time. Fact is, unlike the 2004 set, these films don't have to be classified again by any territory's classification body - cos they've already been released. Which means deadlines can be pushed out much later than last time. However, DLTs will be ready around July at the latest for a September release date, which means you can expect concrete news likely sometime in August.

Take into account that there is a chance DarthFirst may not even get the OUT DVD set early or may have real life stuff going on that might prolong him getting info out, like with his ROTS DVD info.

Also, recall that the actual Revenge of the Sith DVDrip (not to be confused with the first workprint or the second Internal DVDrip) leaked only one or two weeks before the actual release.

It's also possible that HB can step in once again with some details while we wait.

With all that said, I am hoping the french sites are correct and DarthFirst gets his set early one more time.

It's news to me - I'm going to start looking into it.

Fox titles in France are released by Pathé and it's not uncommonfor them to "do their own thing..." I've seen them change content and menus, so tis may be an interesting turn of events. Sansweet may have his hands full next week.
Also, I believe DarthFirst is corrct about the certification issue - these versions are most likely on the books.

Apparently people "in the biz" still don't know what anamorphic means...

http://thedigitalbits.com/#mytwocents



Someone needs to send Zidane over there to crack some skulls.

So can Bill Hunt now resume whining like a little bitch?

Let the bitching resume...

I swear I'll never fully understand the need for bitching and complaining about movies...especially for 20 years...

In the words of Threepio, "I'll never understand human behavior..."

I was telling someone else this earlier....it's just become the general message board culture to complain. About anything. Incessantly. And I just got tired of it.

I remember being stunned to read people complaining about TPM on a Star Wars messageboard. The whole concept seemed so hypocritical to me. And it's only grown since then.

Thousands of people screamed and begged for the OUT OT...no changes, no nothing. Untouched. Well, they got it, and look what's happened....

Non-anamorphic DVDs in the year 2006(when HD discs are already on the market) should be complained about. If you have a widescreen TV, these DVDs will look like ass plain and simple. It wouldn't have cost LFL anything to make these DVDs anamorphically enhanced for widescreen displays, but GL doesn't want them to look good because he hates the original versions of his films. I've always defended the guy in the past, but this is one time when I think he's clearly sticking it to the fans. The movies could still be untouched, unchanged, etc. all while being anamorphically enhanced, but apparently a lot of people don't understand what that means.

The people still defending this bogus release and whining about complainers are, clearly, Lucas gushers/apologists who prefer the Special Editions, own 4:3 televisions and can't actually comprehend the issue at hand. Of course, they don't understand any other point of view. Of course, the issue is as simple as "You got what you asked for" to them. Of course, somebody recognizing a product is sunstandard is "whining". You don't care that these DVDs are letterbox and sourced from LD masters? Alright, fine. How does that change the fact that these cheapo overhyped "DVDs" are substandard in 2006 and essentially incompatible with the equipment many people view films on? I'll bet you apologists also believe LFL searched through the archives exhaustively for these things, right? Jesus.

It's really quite simple and an oft-missed point...don't like em, don't buy em!

I know I won't be wasting my money. But you can bitch till you're blue in the face, no-ones listening...nor is it going to change anything.

I'll prolly get em given to me for free sooner or later.

Am I a supporter of George Lucas?
Answer: Fuck yes I am and proud of it and will continue to be until I die. Don't like it tough shit. If that makes me a "gusher" then fine it does but I don't give a shit.

Do I perfer the Special Editions over the OUT DVD's?
Answer: Yes I do because I enjoy the more current special effects on them. Unlike a lot of people I don't always live in the past when it comes to movies. All though I will admit it is intresting to see the Original Unaltered Trilogy to see what they changed.

Do I own a 4:3 TV?
Answer: Yes I do, because I can't fucking afford to spend the $1,000+ for a 16:9 Widescreen TV. Yes I know you can get some under a $1,000 but I still can't afford them. My 4:3 TV has lasted me 10 years and counting and I'm not about to buy a new TV until this one dies on me.

Do I understand another "point of view" from someone?
Answer: Yes I do, everyone is entitled to their opinion and I can choose to agree with it or not.

Do I care if the movies are letterboxed source and from the LD masters?
Answer: Yes and no. I am on the fence about this one.

Do I believe LFL "searched" through the archives exhaustively for the LD masters?
Answer: Fuck no not in the least bit. Most everyone knows that's just a b.s. statement. I think they said that just to have something to tell about the release, even though I'm sure they as someone I believe on this board suggested they were probably just sitting in some dusty drawer and they pulled them out.

As far as the whole "You asked what you got for" deal...well I believe that is true becaue I think (unless someone here has the original petition to post) even the petition at OriginalTrilogy.com said nothing about 'demanding' a complete digital restoration for OUT DVD set and having a 5.1 surround sound mix. I do remember a lot of posts from over the years of people saying they'd just be happy to get the OUT on DVD no matter what. Well Lucas is finally releasing them and all people can do is just continue to bitch about it.

Again I do understand that the release is substandard in comparison for regular DVD's today...but Lucas has said many times over the years that he refuses to spend the vast mounts of money to restore something he feels inferior and incomplete.

I'm sure you're thinking I'm talking out of my ass on this but I'm not, this is just my opinion and I was answering your questions. If you don't like it then I don't give a shit plain and simple.

hahah, as he gives his fans the cuts of his movies they've wanted for 5 years.

Yeah, in total ass quality. For shit's sake, this is 2006 when were on the verge of 1080p quality video and these transfers are going to be sourced from 1993 laserdiscs. It's kinda hard to get really jazzed about that.

Lucas has long said he doesn't want to invest in a remastering job for the originals. Frankly, this release isn't anything less than I thought we'd be getting.

I know perfectly well the issue at hand in terms of HDTV's, it just doesn't concern me since I own a 4x3 TV. Frankly, I don't think I'd be much more irritated if I actually did have an HDTV since I don't anticipate watching these discs very often anyway.

I hear sirens, it must be the Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahmbulance coming to collect you whining little bitches. You ask for the unaltered movies and that's what you're getting.

So to all you ungrateful fucktards:

Fuck you,

FUCK ALL OF YOU!

Thanks, but Lucas already has.

That was beautiful, man.

It'll be fun to see these boards in about 5 years' time, reading all the posts from people who've finally bought 16:9 TVs. Maybe then the importance of an anamorphic release will be clear.

Crazy.

I look at it this way - it's just the way business is done nowadays. Marketing departments make all these decisions. They rarely understand what the audience really wants. They also skew maximum profit vs. minimum cost. A lot of big companies would rather put out a cheaper product and reap higher profits - which is fine, but does it serve the company and it's customers in the long run?

This situation is exactly that - with a little bit of effort, LFL could have releasd a product that was in line with today's technical specs and would have properly archived the original versions of these films for another generation at least. But they didn't. It's their right to do whatever they want with the films, but in the long run you have to ask if this is helpful or hurtful to the company and many of the fans.

To discuss these facts is not to be an ingrate, in my mind. it's about being an informed consumer and above all a fan of these amazing films. Maybe it's my age, and the fact that I saw the OT films numerous times , each in their original theatrical runs (and all the subseuent re-releases) but I'm quite insulted by some of the obviously younger members' commments here in regards to this issue.

fixed.

What an eloquent post. I love the pearls of wisdom that come from a fifth grade education. Keep up the good work, Einstein.

Sadly, a lot of these morons still won't have widescreen TVs in 5 years and even if they did they still wouldn't know what an anamorphic transfer was if it bit 'em in the ass.

It's clear right now. These letterboxed OUT DVD's won't "fill up" an anamorphic display. I can't speak for everyone but there was never any confusion on my part.

It's not that I don't care about anamorphic (I'm less likely to buy a DVD that isn't even though I don't own an HDTV), I just don't care whether the OUT is anamorphic or not since I'll probably only watch it maybe once a year... although I only watched my DC bootleg DVD-R's once since getting them two years ago so take that for whatever it may be worth.

I understand there are many fans out there who prefer the 2004 editions of the OT, and hence don't care much about these non-anamorphic transfers... that's cool. But many other fans (such as myself) want a quality transfer of the trilogy they watched while growing up, and sadly many won't realize they're not getting this until 1) they get the DVDs in September or 2) finally get a 16x9 TV.

The other thing that bothers me, as many others have already pointed out on these boards, is that Lucasfilm's marketing for these DVD releases is very questionable: they make it seem as though fans are getting quality transfers of these films when in fact they are not, and despite the ad campaign revolving around the OUT, the truth is these versions are merely "bonus material" on the DVDs... rather underhanded and dishonest marketing in my opinion.

All I know is that if it weren't for boards such as these, I'd have gone out in Sept. and bought these DVDs, only to get home and curse like hell when I saw that the image was the size of a postage stamp on my screen.