Prince Sign 'O' The Times: VHS or DVD?

[apesmu]

which is the best version to get of prince's "sign 'o' the times". i've done a basic search on the web and have found that it has been released on a Brazilian & European DVD, but am not sure as to the legit/quality of those releases. also, how does the original VHS stack up? thanx!

[22dRow]

I'd avoid those DVDs. Sound like black market things. The orig VHS looks only OK but may be the best there is.

[reechie]

I can't speak for the European DVD, but those Brazillian discs are hit and miss at best. It's definitely taken from a sub-master source. Best case scenario, you're getting a DVD made from the Brazillian VHS tape master. At worst, it's taken from a bad VHS copy. Any 5.1 mix advertised can't be real, as they don't have the original elements. Some of them can be good, especially for something that doesn't look like it'll ever be released elsewhere, but proceed with caution.

[apesmu]

I can't speak for the European DVD, but those Brazillian discs are hit and miss at best. It's definitely taken from a sub-master source. Best case scenario, you're getting a DVD made from the Brazillian VHS tape master. At worst, it's taken from a bad VHS copy. Any 5.1 mix advertised can't be real, as they don't have the original elements. Some of them can be good, especially for something that doesn't look like it'll ever be released elsewhere, but proceed with caution.

thanx for the advice reechie and 22nd row. that's what i was figuring - i think it's best to just go w/ the VHS, as it's the only official copy of the concert, and is still out there and available. maybe someday they'll officially release the concert on DVD. i'm looking to build up my Prince DVD/VHS collection, and heard that the Prince & The Revolution Live show is a great show as well (from 1985, i think?). has this been released on DVD as well? or is it the same deal as the "sign 'o' the times" releases? thanx.

[reechie]

i'm looking to build up my Prince DVD/VHS collection, and heard that the Prince & The Revolution Live show is a great show as well (from 1985, i think?). has this been released on DVD as well? or is it the same deal as the "sign 'o' the times" releases? thanx.
Amazon has the Revolution show listed as VHS only. I know little about Prince, I suggest you look there for more info about what's out on DVD. It looks to me like, apart from Purple Rain and Under The Cherry Moon, there are no legit Prince DVD's with material filmed before 2000.

[Oatsdad]

thanx for the advice reechie and 22nd row. that's what i was figuring - i think it's best to just go w/ the VHS, as it's the only official copy of the concert, and is still out there and available. maybe someday they'll officially release the concert on DVD. i'm looking to build up my Prince DVD/VHS collection, and heard that the Prince & The Revolution Live show is a great show as well (from 1985, i think?). has this been released on DVD as well? or is it the same deal as the "sign 'o' the times" releases? thanx.

There's no official release of the 1985 video or "Sign". Anything out there's under the table...

[apesmu]

There's no official release of the 1985 video or "Sign". Anything out there's under the table...

well, looks like VHS is the way to go on these ones - i'd hate to get a DVD copy of these shows that is actually worse visually/audibly than the original, legit VHS tapes. thanks!

[Jeff H.]

Avoid the DVD of "Sign 'O The Times" at all costs. It appears to be sourced(quite poorly) from a VHS copy. They took the stereo mix and tried to make a 5.1 surround track out of it and the results were disastrous. The only way to get a decent looking and sounding copy is to find the original VHS cassette or laserdisc released by MCA Home Video. The LD will be considerably harder to find since the only copies I've seen were Japanese import pressings. I can't recall if MCA in the US ever pressed this title on LD.

[jjhunsecker]

Will this ever get a legit US release ???? Especially now that Prince is hot again

I also wonder if MCA/Universal still has the home video rights to this title . I remember it was relaesed theatrically by Cineplex Odeon, which I don't think even exists anymore

[joelee]

I have the laserdisc of SOTT and it looks and sounds fantastic.

Joe L.

[apesmu]

I have the laserdisc of SOTT and it looks and sounds fantastic.

Joe L.

i've been considering scoring a decent LD player just so i can collect and view some out-of-print or not-available-on-DVD laserdiscs - joe l., any suggestions on good LD players? i've checked eBay and there are quite a few listed on there - not sure which would be considered a good, standard LD player. i know pioneer still makes one combined w/ a DVD player, but it's a bit pricey and i already have a DVD player. any suggestions?

[Jeff H.]

i've been considering scoring a decent LD player just so i can collect and view some out-of-print or not-available-on-DVD laserdiscs - joe l., any suggestions on good LD players? i've checked eBay and there are quite a few listed on there - not sure which would be considered a good, standard LD player. i know pioneer still makes one combined w/ a DVD player, but it's a bit pricey and i already have a DVD player. any suggestions?


You can usually find used LD players on eBay for a reasonable price.