Ahh..I've gone back over these and they're pretty bad. The player image wasn't the best to start with and in trying to fight some of the bad combing that came out of the Spy transfer it had made the image appear a bit soft, and the LD was already soft. It also continually fights the grain that was on the transfer, something that the DVDs simply have as video noise. The print used is a bit worn, so there are a few big glue spots, and the audio even has what appears to be a tearing noise during the "ride to atlantis" sequence. I wasn't ever able to fully match the side break either, and that was using VHS frames in addition to the LD.

I also think the cheapo capture card I had to use may have had something to do with this.

I think the best thing to do with TSWLM is to utilize the LD audio with either the THX or SE DVD. Despite their flaws they look miles better than this particular pressing and retain all proper colors etc. I've gone back and forth between the two DVDs and I think the THX may be slightly-and I mean very slightly-better. The 5.1 mix isn't bad, and actually keeps the mix identity. It was very well done from the Dolby Stereo original and does not really have much if any stereo separation in the surrounds. This should be the exact one done for the 98 LD when they knew how to upmix properly.

After extensive comparison between all, I think TSWLM had a video master done in say 1989/1990 for LD and this was later scrubbed and applied with EE for the 98 LD and THX DVD. Then this was ported to the SE disc with perhaps a bit more compression for the added features. The UE utilized the video master but Lowry went overboard in scrubbing and completely re-timed the film to suit modern sensibilities.