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Jay

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Join date
22-Feb-2003
Last activity
12-Aug-2025
Posts
2,438

Post History

Post
#69398
Topic
What's better than sitting down and watching the original Star Wars on laserdisc?
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/69398/action/topic#69398
Time
Paying $5 for it

I made a deal with a member from HTF to buy his Pioneer CLD-99 and B&K RF demodulator, both nice and minty. He's a local (Jersey), so I suggest we meet somewhere and avoid the chance of UPS (United Parcel Smashers) destroying these treasures during shipment.

So I meet him in the mall parking lot with cash in hand. I inspect the LD player and it's nearly flawless, as he promised. Great piece. He mentions that he has a bunch of laserdiscs he's looking to get rid of, so he brought them for me to take a look before putting them on ebay. Now I already have a huge pile of LDs--including the THX Faces LDs--and my fiance was standing right behind me shaking her head, but I had to take a look anyway.

I'm thumbing through his box of LDs, and I come across the 1995 ROTJ THX Faces LD. I'm thinking, "Cool. It's only Jedi, but it never hurts to have a backup." I keep going, and then I see ANH and ESB. All opened, but with the shrinkwrap still present. Now I'm psyched. He says he only watched them one time. I ask him how much.

$5 each, he says.

Sold.

I inspected the labels when I got back in my car, and they were all manufactured in Japan. If you don't already know, the ones labeled as made in the US are generally recognized as less durable.

Just got done watching Star Wars for the first time since I sold my CLD-79 almost two years ago. It looked great. Can't wait to watch the rest.
Post
#69140
Topic
Using the '04 SE DVD version to restore the Original (with lots of info)
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/69140/action/topic#69140
Time
I'm going to let this post stand for now, but it's crossing the line a bit. Why?

The 2004 editions are a completely new product. You can buy them in the store.

If you own the box set, that's great. Mix it up all you want with rips from other sources.

However, those of you offering to buy bootlegs made mostly from the 2004 editions with LD cuts spliced in should own the box set. If the end product is 90% 2004 Star Wars with 10% LD rips, then it's only right you pay Fox/LFL for that new content.

I'll let the conversation continue, but no more discussions about the buying or selling of such a hybrid project please.
Post
#69065
Topic
EVERYONE MUST READ: Forum Rules (defunct)
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/69065/action/topic#69065
Time
I see your point and normally I'd agree with you, but I view a forum dedicated to the preservation of the O-OT via LD rips as a risky proposition. We're walking a very thin line.

The 97 SEs are much closer to the 2004 DVDs, and I think making copies of those laserdiscs will be more likely to draw the ire of LFL and Fox. I don't think it's a good idea.

I've added the "no SE bootlegs" rule to the list.
Post
#69109
Topic
Please keep the debates civil (RE: personal attacks and forum moderation)
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/69109/action/topic#69109
Time
This is a passionate group--passionate about Star Wars and its preservation. Our opinions are strong and our arguments justified. The O-OT deserves representation on a high-quality format. Most members here believe that.

It stands to reason that when those with opposing views visit us and share their opinions, some heated discussions will result. For the most part, these discussions are intelligent and enlightening. It's always good to understand where an opposing viewpoint originates; it provides fresh perspective and lets us re-examine our own opinions.

Since the release of the trilogy box set, we've received an influx of new members and forum activity has increased noticeably. This is great.

However, there seem to be a lot of posts that criticize other posters rather than their opinions. I've done it myself. This is not so great.

One of the reasons this forum is successful is because of its light moderation. I don't believe in forum police. The traditional forum model stifles active discussions and prevents a natural community from developing; the moderators' own perceptions and prejudices artificially guide the direction of the forum. People should be allowed to work out their differences for themselves and come to an understanding on their own terms. Only when a very obvious troll presents himself should moderation become necessary.

I want things to stay this way. I've stopped posting at several forums because of heavy-handed moderation.

Before posting a personal attack, consider what you're saying. Is it furthering the cause and supporting our argument, or is it providing ammo to those who label this forum as a group of fanatic Lucas-bashers who spit bile at all those who disagree with them?

I think this is probably the smartest and most civil Star Wars forum there is, despite its misrepresentation on other sites.

Please think before you post. I'm not asking you to keep your mouths shut and stifle your thoughts. Just be a little more considerate in presenting your views. Give respect and you'll get respect.

Thanks for making this the best Star Wars forum online.
Post
#69107
Topic
Please keep the debates civil (RE: personal attacks and forum moderation)
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/69107/action/topic#69107
Time
This is a passionate group--passionate about Star Wars and its preservation. Our opinions are strong and our arguments justified. The O-OT deserves representation on a high-quality format. Most members here believe that.

It stands to reason that when those with opposing views visit us and share their opinions, some heated discussions will result. For the most part, these discussions are intelligent and enlightening. It's always good to understand where an opposing viewpoint originates; it provides fresh perspective and lets us re-examine our own opinions.

Since the release of the trilogy box set, we've received an influx of new members and forum activity has increased noticeably. This is great.

However, there seem to be a lot of posts that criticize other posters rather than their opinions. I've done it myself. This is not so great.

One of the reasons this forum is successful is because of its light moderation. I don't believe in forum police. The traditional forum model stifles active discussions and prevents a natural community from developing; the moderators' own perceptions and prejudices artificially guide the direction of the forum. People should be allowed to work out their differences for themselves and come to an understanding on their own terms. Only when a very obvious troll presents himself should moderation become necessary.

I want things to stay this way. I've stopped posting at several forums because of heavy-handed moderation.

Before posting a personal attack, consider what you're saying. Is it furthering the cause and supporting our argument, or is it providing ammo to those who label this forum as a group of fanatic Lucas-bashers who spit bile at all those who disagree with them?

I think this is probably the smartest and most civil Star Wars forum there is, despite its misrepresentation on other sites.

Please think before you post. I'm not asking you to keep your mouths shut and stifle your thoughts. Just be a little more considerate in presenting your views. Give respect and you'll get respect.

Thanks for making this the best Star Wars forum online.
Post
#68995
Topic
EVERYONE MUST READ: Forum Rules (defunct)
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/68995/action/topic#68995
Time
My opinion on the 97 SEs is that they're so close to the 2004 cut I can't imagine someone preferring them. Why buy a bootleg of the 97 cuts when the video and (in most areas) the audio are so much better on the new DVD release? I suppose you could argue that the 2004 changes go too far (Hayden, Ian McD, etc.), but many would say the same thing about the 97 editions.

My logic may be flawed, but I see no justification for 97 SE bootlegs. Anybody who likes and prefers the SEs should be perfectly happy buying the DVD release.
Post
#68993
Topic
Maybe some hope, recent interview with lucas
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/68993/action/topic#68993
Time
Quote
DB: You've said the last time you would issue the original versions was on VHS several years ago. But with VHS potentially becoming obsolete one day, will you release them on DVD?

GL: I don't know. I mean, when VHS becomes obsolete it will probably get released on DVD, I imagine. But I'm not going to spend the effort to restore them (to) what I consider to be the real film.


Lucas does sound like he's giving in a bit there. He seems to concede that VHS is not a viable option for the fans who want the original cuts on a durable format. I know he says that he wouldn't put the effort into restoring them, but they're 90% done already. I don't believe somebody as anal about his work as Lucas would allow even his disavowed original cuts on the market in anything less than a stellar presentation.

And say what you want about Lucas, but the man has fabulous hair. You have to give him that.
Post
#68786
Topic
EVERYONE MUST READ: Forum Rules (defunct)
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/68786/action/topic#68786
Time
George Lucas has declared the original cuts as dead as Fredo, suggesting that fans of the originals seek out VHS or laserdisc copies.

Living in the real world as most of us do, it's not always economical for someone to buy an LD player and spend $100 on the THX "Faces" laserdiscs. Nor is it easy to find a copy of the widescreen VHS tapes in good condition.

If Mr. Lucas claims the original cuts no longer exist, the VHS and laserdisc editions are no longer in production, and there are no plans to release the original cuts in the future, I see nothing wrong with an underground effort to preserve the existing home video transfers and squeeze the most out of them as we can.

At the request of certain members, I've decided it's a good idea to have a separate section dedicated to preserving the trilogy. The purpose of this forum is to share your thoughts on existing alternative transfers and offer up your own experience in transferring these classic films to modern formats.

I've moved a large number of posts from the other forums to this one to try and get everything in one spot. Let me know if there are any stragglers that belong here and I'll move them over.

This forum is not here for you to sell any products.

Let me say that again: DO NOT POST BOOTLEGS FOR SALE HERE

The official rules as of 1-31-2006:

Preservation Forum Rules

  1. Do not offer bootlegs for sale.
  2. Do not advertise sites that offer bootlegs for sale. Do not link to such sites or direct users to them.
  3. Do not post direct links to downloads.
  4. Do not discuss bootlegs of products currently available in general release, such as the 2004 DVD release. If you can obtain an official release through retail channels, do so. This includes official releases outside your local DVD region. NTSC/PAL conversions of currently available retail materials are not permitted. Buy a multi-region player. They're cheap. Members offering such material for download or distribution will be banned--permanently. (Updated 1-31-2006)
  5. The 1997 Special Editions are not to be discussed as possible backup material. I've decided the SEs are too close to the 2004 DVDs, and are more likely to cause problems with LFL and Fox than the O-OT. (Added 10-1-2004)


Some of these rules may not jibe with posts currently on the boards. That's fine. Please observe the rules from now on though.

These rules are subject to change. If you notice this topic has been updated, click on it and read the rules again.

What we end up with may not be as polished as the official DVD release, but as anyone who believes in this site and its cause should know, it's the story that matters. And the story of Star Wars is told best by the original cuts.

Good luck in your efforts.
Post
#68064
Topic
Info Wanted: The laserdiscs vs. The best bootlegs
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/68064/action/topic#68064
Time
The quality of laserdisc captures depends heavily on the LD player used for playback. Unlike DVD players, which can be difficult for people to tell apart, the quality of LD players varies widely.

I believe TR47 used a CLD-79, which is a pretty nice deck. That certainly helps push the quality of his rips to the top.

What we really need is someone with one of the higher-end Japanese LD players, such as the LD-S9 or HLD-X9, to rip the LDs. The Japanese models were noticeably superior to the models released in North America and provide the best image quality.

As for the LDs versus the bootlegs, when you're dealing with analog sources (video on laserdiscs is analog, not digital as many assume), transferring the source to a digital format is bound to introduce some artifacts. Especially on consumer equipment.

If you can afford a nicer LD player like a CLD-79, CLD-97, CLD-99, CLD-704, or one of the Japanese imports, then watching the Faces LDs themselves will provide the best experience. The boots are a decent substitute though.
Post
#67480
Topic
I love the DVDs!
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/67480/action/topic#67480
Time
Quote
Originally posted by: Lord Peeler
You know Sam, the fact that the DVDs made about $80 million or so in a single day would seem to indicate that not everyone who likes them is a Lucas mole.


To me, it indicates that:

1. Lucas never bothered to educate the public regarding what they were actually buying, instead opting to deceive them by calling this release "the original trilogy".

2. The tasteless individuals who actually prefer this revisionist trash are unfortunately the vocal majority. Wouldn't be the first time the masses prefer crap in a fancy wrapper.

Quote
Originally posted by: Lord Peeler
If you guys hate this stuff so much go away. I hate Star Trek ever since DS9 went off the air. I don't go to Star Trek fan sites and rant and rave about how much Berman has killed the franchise.


But you'll come to a site dedicated to the original, unaltered trilogy and antagonize the forum members.

Tell you what, how about we all hang out here, and you go away.

Asshole.
Post
#66360
Topic
an idea...Star Wars Trilogy as a SUPERBIT release
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/66360/action/topic#66360
Time
I actually wrote to Criterion about Star Wars. Never got a reply.

I think they'd provide a better box set than Lucasfilm ever could. I'd be concerned about the image quality though. Criterion is wildly inconsistent in that regard. The Rock is a reference transfer in every respect--no edge enhancement, no noticeable artifacts, nothing. Then you look at The Royal Tanenbaums, and you have to wonder what the hell they were thinking when they mastered it.
Post
#65548
Topic
Star Wars DVD Music Mix Botched!!
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/65548/action/topic#65548
Time
Fixed the link for you. FuseTalk code is unfortunately different from the vBulletin code a lot of people are familiar with.

I've been reading your clashes with the fanboys over at HTF in the big Star Wars thread. For all their talk, I don't think any of those morons cares a bit about the quality of the presentation. They go on and on about the improvements in image quality, but have no problems overlooking the many obvious screwups, both audio and video. I've pretty much stopped posting at HTF because the membership there has become dominated by a bunch of posers who pretend to be movie and home theater enthusiasts.

I listened to the audio clips you posted comparing the laserdisc mix to the new DVD mix, and it's true--the background score really is butchered. I've seen the screen grabs of Luke's green lightsaber on the Millennium Falcon, and I can't help but wonder what moron let that go through.

Where's the quality control?
Post
#65196
Topic
HD-DVD vs. Blu-Ray
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/65196/action/topic#65196
Time
Warner had some level of ownership in the company that manufactured the snapper cases. That's why they've used them for so long. I believe that relationship is over now, which is why you're seeing new releases in keepcases.

Warner is probably my favorite studio when it comes to DVDs. Their releases are consistently reference-quality, and as Patrick says, their re-releases offer genuine improvements over the original disc. The Good Fellas remaster is gorgeous. One of those DVDs that makes my DLP projector look like it's projecting film.
Post
#65195
Topic
LD Players, What is the machine of choice??
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/65195/action/topic#65195
Time
In the land of "budget" LD players, the CLD-704 is king. Basically the same guts as the Elite CLD-79 but without the fancy Urishi finish. Probably the best bang for your buck.

Stay away from the Sony LD players. Horrible reliability problems. Panasonic made some good ones though. If you find an LX-600, pick it up. I've heard some say it's equal to the Pioneer players, and it's supposedly built like a tank.

Be careful with ebay. Lots of junk on there. LD players also break very easily during shipping if they're not packed well, and most used decks don't include the original box.

I'm also looking for an LD player myself. I had a CLD-79 and an LD-S9 (imported from Japan, beautiful machine). Both bought new, both immaculate. Sold them a couple years back and have regretted it ever since. Someday I'll replace the LD-S9, but funds are too tight right now for that. I sometimes dream of getting an HLD-X9, also a Japanese import, but they run anywhere from $2500 to $5000 depending on condition. They're special because they use a much more advanced laser pickup than traditional LD players, making them capable of seeing through rot and other disc problems.

I was hoping to have an LD player by the time the Star Wars DVDs hit the shelves so I could watch my THX "faces" LDs, which I kept after selling my LD players, but I haven't found what I'm looking for yet. I've sworn not to purchase the DVDs, but a small part of me hopes my fiance secretly buys them for me just so I can get my Star Wars fix. I watched AOTC a couple weeks back. What a poor excuse for Star Wars the prequels are. Unsatisfying in so many ways.

Good luck in your search.