Page 1 of Star Wars 5 Star collection...

Does anyone have these?

This item was edited on Saturday, 30th November 2002, 20:09

Don`t get them. The presentation is outstanding (the cover inserts look like they came from Lucasfilm themselves), but the best film, Empire, has sound flaws. I also noticed a few problems with Jedi. There is a 30 min documentary at the end of Star Wars though.

If you want the original trilogy on DVD, and can`t wait for the official releases (who can?), get the single disc versions of the films. These were produced prior to the 5 Star Collection, and have superior audio and video in my opinion. There are no errors at any rate. Presentation wasn`t as good, but I think they come with nicer covers now.

I have owned the original (non SE trilogy), which is best avoided as it has sound sync issues and puases, the single disc SEs (I still have these and play them regularly) and the 5 Star discs (they went to my cousin).

To be honest, the discs I have are better than VHS/VCD, slightly inferior to laser, are non-anamorphic (biggest fault I have with them), but are still decent for £21 delivered. The 5.1 sound is great: Hmmm, TIE Fighter fly-by in 5.1! I have retail products in my collection with worse transfers than these discs, so they`re not all that bad.

I don`t ususally condone silvers, and these are the only three silvers I own, but it`s a case of not wanting my already chewed VHS tapes to get any worse. As far as I`m concerned Lucasfilm are ignoring the fan`s pleas for DVDs, and trying to squeeze every last drop out of the now defunct VHS format. I have spent hundreds on Star Wars merchandise, and like most people I have already bought multiple versions of the VHS tapes, so I don`t feel as bad about buying these. As soon as there`s an official product, I`ll be the first in the qeue. Obviously I won`[t publicise websites that sell them on these forums, but don`t, whatever you do, buy them at eBay rip-off prices of £50+ when you can get them for £21 delivered to your door.

That`s my 2p anyway, although I`m sure there will be an outcry from people who loathe piracy now...

This item was edited on Saturday, 30th November 2002, 23:56

Where can i get a set for my sons christmas prezzie?

I don`t like piracy but this is STAR WARS. My poor old VHS tapes are worn out, and that is the Special Editions. I have the pre SE versions on VHS and they are in ok condition, but I`m afraid to play them as Lucas has already said they won`t ever be released again, so they are collecters items.

I know what you mean about Ebay, although I have just sent a cheque for the OFFICIAL Star Wars Trilogy VCD boxset. Its £10, so not too damaging to the pocket. I have heard they are good - to not so good, but I bet my DVD collection they are better than my VHS tapes. But I refuse to buy another VHS boxset especially since they are only Pan & Scan and £30. I don`t mind the VCD being Pan & Scan because they are so cheap and hopefully they will do me till the official DVD`s come out.

But if they don`t, I`ll keep your advice in mind.

Cheers.

Don`t these discs have non-removeable Chinese (and in some cases also English) subtitles on them?

I saw some screen shots from `A New Hope` and although the picture quality looked quite good, there were big red English subtitles at the top and even bigger white Chinese subs at the bottom!

Which basically looked.....sh*t!

This item was edited on Sunday, 1st December 2002, 18:13

No, they don`t have burned in subs. The older discs that were doing the rounds a few years ago did, but these are far more professional. However, they do have removable subs in Thai, Malay and English, but the English subs are so poor they`re almost hilarious!

The discs also feature "DTS" tracks, but of course these aren`t real DTS tracks at all. There`s no way they could have got hold of DTS tracks for the original trilogy, because as far as I know they don`t exist on any medium they could have ripped it from (laserdisc etc). They sound worse than the Dolby tracks anyway.

all good things will come for those who wait.

But George Lucas is taking the p**s now isn`t he?

one question would the people who bought the bootleg versions, would you buy them again when they officially do come out on DVD?

floyd

I haven`t bought the bootleg versions, but if I did I would still buy the official DVD boxset, because I`m a massive Star Wars fan and the quality would be higher.

Of course I would, as I said in my original post. The quality of the bootlegs, while superior ro VHS is vastly inferior to a properly mastered, official product from Lucasfilm.

For a start, none of the bootlegs are anamorphic, and you get no commentary or other features. I for one welcome the release of an official box set of the trilogy, but I`m not holding my breath. If they had any decency, and felt like rewarding the loyalty of fans, they would release a set that contains the original and SE cuts of all three films. I can`t see that happening though...

I`m looking at the bootleg star wars, and I am really tempted to get them. So your saying to avoid the five star collection and go for them singularly then?

floyd