Star Wars Trilogy Collectors Edition VHS

[apesmu]

was going through my VHS collection this thanksgiving weekend and forgot that i had this set - it's from the early 90's (1992 i believe) and comes in a great dark blue box w/ holographic picture on front, booklet and making of VHS doc. anybody know how this set rates amongst all the different version of the films out there on VHS and DVD? i know that many people are iffed about the recently released DVD's not containing the original 3 films as they were theatrically released. just wondering what people think of this set's quality and value. thanx!

[Sckott]

I bought the LD set (Steve too) before they went totally OOP and for a great price. I'm glad I did.

I didn't bother with the DVDs. I like the way it was finally presented in theatres. I also passed because I didn't think buying Star Wars again was a priority for me.

If you wanted to sell them, being VHS, I don't think you're going to find big bucks for it.

[apesmu]

thanx for the reply! i don't think i'd sell them, just surprised that i had the set lying around! i was just interested to know about the quality of the set compared to other VHS releases of the original theatrical screenings, as this set was given the "THX mastered" treatment and all...wondering what sort of print the set was taken from, etc. i'd gather that the LD version of the same set is probably the best quality and presentation of the original theatrical screenings that we're likely to get, or that has been released?

[greg_t]

Yep, the 1995 THX "Faces" editions are the best versions of the original trilogy. Which is a shame because even as far as LD transfers go they are not that great. The PCM sound is very good and in my opinion still the best version there is as far as sound quality. The later 1997 Special edition version lasers are much superior in video, and the new DVD's blow both away in regards to video quality. But of course the DVD's are the newest special editions with even goofier changes than before.

[Michael]

I see that box used all the time...

[JonUrban]

I have the Laser Set with the book and the DD Laser Set with the "new" versions. I never bothered to get the new DVD set, because I probably would not even bother to watch them at this point. Story burnout.

I think my parents have that VHS set. I wonder if it's worth more than a few $$. Checking eBay should provide the info.

[greg_t]

The DVD set is nice because the films look incredible. I have what's considered to be the best LD player made, The pioneer HLD-X9, and even with it the lasers don't compete in terms of video quality. The bonus disc is also very well done.

Unfortunately the dvd's have many issues, such as missing musical cues, A new hope has reversed surround channels, Vaders light saber color in-correct primarily in Jedi, etc. Plus the new scenes in my opinion do nothing to enchance the story. To me, the Faces LD set (or the Definitive Collection box set referenced by Jon) is still the best overall presentation of the Star Wars trilogy. The DVD set is nice to have and is a good price for three movies and a bonus disc. I wouldn't think the VHS set would be worth much.

[fyrfytrhoges]

i own the blue box, the ultimate black box ld's, and the dvds.

my opinion is that if you are ok with listening to the original movies the way they were originally released on video than you (like me) will be satisfied with those tapes, unfortunately they will degrade over time and someday be gone, unless you have the capability to make copies. i enjoy them from a purist point of view, and i'm not so nitpicky about picture and sound quality that i can't enjoy those original vhs tapes just the way i saw them when i was six years and up.... i liken it to enjoying the music and not your equipment.... fwiw

[SamS]

I have at least 3 different officially released VHS versions, as well as the DVD set.

To watch movies, I have a 55" widescreen HDTV that has been professionally calibrated along with a nice DVD player. To experience these movies on DVD is, in many ways, more satisfying than when I saw them theatrically. Picture is 3-D clear and soundfield is convicing.

To pop in the VHS tape is a dissapointment. Shaky picture, blurry colors and mediocre sound make for minimal enjoyment IMO. I consider the DVDs to be 98% of what was originally shown back in '77-'83, and that is close enough for me. I actually prefer some of the new effects fixes to what we were originally presented in the orginal versions. Yes, I woulda left out a couple of goofy things, but ya gotta take the good with the bad sometimes ;)

[Ken_McAlinden]

...unfortunately they will degrade over time and someday be gone, unless you have the capability to make copies.They probably won't degrade much with time unless they are played a lot, actually. I have the same blue box with hologram cover letterbox VHS set, the individual "faces" THX XLV laserdiscs, a letterboxed VHS box of the V2.0 SEs, and the DVD box of the V2.1 SEs. I have been debating whether or not to hold onto the VHS boxes myself, actually.

Regards,