i just scanned through the discs, and here's my opinion ...
i own both the faces and the definitive laserdisc collection (and the japanese discs). i have a reference quality elite LDS2 pioneer laserdisc player ($5000 new), as well as two LD-V8000 industrial players that were previously owned by lucasfilm (the only LD players lucasfilm ever used). they aren't XO, but they produce a damn good image. i also own the editdriod rips and the rowman/47 rips.
to my eye, when played, these official discs look several factors better than any of the other copies i own. SEVERAL factors.
i am more than pleasantly surprised by the quality here (though anamorphic would have been nice, and i'm still holding out hope).
i for one am satisfied. am i alone here or are some of us breathing a collective sigh of relief? if you've seen the discs, please post your impressions.
(i already posted this in the best buy tin thread, but i think it deserves its own thread).