This was a welcome surprise. I just woke up and feel awful as am falling down with a cold and now my morning has perked up with a new CD release and a Star Wars one no less!! Thank you Sam for this 😀
Wow, I knew nothing about the Japanese Definitive Collection set. This Star Wars laserdisc rabbit hole is apparently never ending... Just a few months ago, I got the Japanese Special Collection of Empire, which completes all three of the Japanese SC discs for me, and honestly those are my favorite LD editions of Star Wars. I'm still surprised those three were never collected in a box set. Sound wise, I love the Definitive Collection set the most, I love how bass heavy they are, but I prefer the warmer color palette of the JSC editions, and because they are CAV encoded, they look a bit sharper than the Fox Widescreen USA pressings.
Incredibly useful video. I have considered buying the definitive collection several times and I'm glad I waited because I had no idea there were so many versions. I'm a LD novice and only have the US special edition box set. Price will be the deciding factor for the one I get, but I'm glad I can now make an informed decision. Thank you so much!
Today I just got the Star Wars Trilogy Definitive Collection Laserdisc boxset from ebay. It's the USA version before I bought the set I messaged the seller if there were any rot issues on the copy the seller was selling along with that error you mentioned in the Empire Strikes Back. Thankfully the seller said there are no rot issues on the copy the seller was selling but didn't understand the error on one of discs for Empire, so it looks like it's up to me to see if it has that error. Overall I'm excited for this Laserdisc boxset to come in the mail soon. I'm also planning on getting the Japanese Special Collection Laserdiscs of the original trilogy soon, I also want to get the Japanese 1997 Special Edition Laserdisc set, & the 2000 Japanese exclusive Laserdisc boxset of the Star Wars trilogy with the sneak peek to Star Wars Episode II, If I can find that one for at least a decent price.
I've only been collecting a couple years so all I have currently is the 1995 "faces" release. At least for now I'm happy to just have the non special editions.
You're welcome! Thanks for watching! Yeah, it was a bit of a bear to put together. I was ready to launch it yesterday, and then scrapped that version and changed a bunch of the audio at the last minute. Good times! Haha!
Hi Sam, great video, over the years I've enjoyed many of the stars Wars box sets you have shown. I've noticed on your podcasts with the rest of the wolfpack, and here in this upload, a sense of intrigue around PAL laserdiscs, i'm thinking it would be great if you guys did a 'PAL' special video. Go deeper than the usual '4% speed up, no AC3' comments that are thrown around losely. Would be great to see. Here in the Uk and I suspect across Europe and worldwide PAL areas, PAL and NTSC discs have sat side by side for decades, complementing each others characteristics, working in perfect harmony. An idea perhaps, love the work you and the guys produce. Keep them coming.
Thanks! I could probably pull together 4 or 5 of the Wolfpack crew who have PAL discs, so I'll pitch it to them! I'll look into crafting some solo videos on the topic too. I still haven't shown off my CLD-D925 yet, so that would be a good entry point!
great, I hope you can pull something together. CLD D925 is the machine everyone wants. Demand is high for them, but they are great, I've had a couple myself over the years. CLD D2950 is good also if you can get one modded for AC3. If it helps for video content UK PAL boxsets that I don't think we're released in the US (happy to be corrected), Jason and the Argonaughts, Rambo Trilogy, the Hammer collection, Star Trek - the pilots and Jurassic Park - fossil edition. Looking forward to your next uploads.
I wonder if we’ll be talking about laserdisc in another 20-50 years. We’re at 8k resolution and this format still gives a select group of people, “something.” Maybe in 20’years I’ll actually have an X0. Like the doc says in Frankenstein Meets the Wolfman, “I have to see it at full power.”
Yeah, back around 2000 or so I probably wouldn't have believed my future self if I went back in time and said I'd be talking about and still watching LaserDisc regularly in the 2020s!
My sole box set is the 1997 SE US release. I traded in a bunch of stuff for it and walked out paying $12 for it! I waited around for about an hour for them to get all my stuff priced out, and they gave me a little extra for my patience. Can’t beat that! I have the VHS & DVD versions of the THX Definitive Collection masters. So, I’ve never been dogged about picking those LDs up. I have the original CBS FOX Widescreen US LDs and the Technidisc of Star Wars ANH.
Nice, solid price for the SE box! Yeah, I was okay missing out on the Definitive Collection back in the day too, since I had the old Fox widescreen set and later on the Faces discs. Then I could watch the special features at my friend's house and live vicariously through his box set if I needed more.
40:18 For this release, was there any uptake in Picture Quality? As the last release and with THX approval. Or was it just the '97 versions with the added Episode II Materials
I'll have to do a closer comparison between the '00 and the '97 boxes, but they're basically the same transfers but with the different features. They're both Pioneer Japan pressings, but the 2000 box might take the lead slightly.
I’ve had mine since new. If you think this was expensive back in the day go check out pricing for the original Star Trek TOS. I think it was $1,900-$2,200.
Oh yeah, television series on LD were a major investment. Especially Japanese imports. I remember standing in Boston's Laser Craze store, trying to convince myself that I needed to get the imported Twin Peaks boxes despite their crazy high price tags.
25:02 oh wow. So strange seeing this release turn up. These were the first discs i ever bought and had them months before i could save enough money for my player. Picture on this PAL set from Encore and the Indiana Jones sets are disappointing compared to their NTSC release cousins. The Pal colour bleeds quite badly on Star Wars, with Jedi holding up the best. when i switched them and began watching the NTSC Counterparts they appear far more naturally. So ive hardly ever gone back to the pal sets, sometimes i watched them. I picked up a cheap PAL copy of TITANIC as that was a very late PAL THX Pioneer release and that looks much better for Picture quality. I guess Pioneer pulled all the stops for that one. Still its very cool to own this Star Wars set as it started my Laserdisc rabbit hole.
I bet that PAL Titanic copy looked nice - that seems to look stunning across all releases. I bought the standard AC-3 US NTSC version when it came out and was blown away by that one. It is funny that the UK-based LD collectors I knew in the 90s were all pretty adamant about only collecting NTSC imports. I just collect PAL discs casually now for fun, but yeah - they're very hit or miss in quality.
Thanks for refreshing my memory with the US Definitive Collection issues. I plan to order a set eventually & most likely woulda forgot to try & track down the 2nd pressing instead of the 1st. (Despite the potential rot) Next box set I'm planning is The Godfather Trilogy then Star Wars. Almost bought a decent looking Godfather set on Ebay the other day, then I realized the listing said it was missing the bonus disc 😠😠
You're welcome! Thanks for watching! I picked up two Godfather sets that I love - the AC-3 theatrical version box and the TV cut box with Parts I-III recut chronologically. Hopefully you can find another complete copy on eBay!
@@Culturedog Cool...Oh yea, I forgot to specify. The TV cut is actually the one I'm after. I'm excited to watch all 3 movies in chronological order with some bonus footage. Will probably make it a week long binge with 1 disc per day if possible lol Also if I remember correct, there was a Japan only set that only contained part 1 & 2 in chronological order?? Think most of us can agree 3 is the weakest by far & I did consider that version, but eventually said naahhh might as well get the US trilogy
@@arcadeapocalypsemusic yeah, I've been tempted to get that Japanese version with only Parts I & II, but the US box is great. Love the textured design. The bonus disc and booklet are nice too!
I'm just starting collecting laser discs. I'm not sure if this is a stupid question but..Is it possible to polish and resurface a laser disc that skips and fix it? I tried the novus 3,2,1 and it helped slightly I think but did not fix it. Help please? Thanks
Awesome collection. I have one question. Since you got the UK PAL Laserdisc for the Star Wars Special Edition im kind of curious how you're going to play it, only because PAL laserdiscs are not compatible with NTSC players unless the discs are duel format. I'm just wondering.
Thanks! Yeah, I should make a video about my PAL signal chain, but I do have a dual-format PAL/NTSC player that I need to watch those European boxes. Currently, I've got a Pioneer CLD-D925 in the gear rack for PAL duty.
@@Culturedog , I want to watch them all again and I will after I watch the 1997 set and Indiana Jones trilogy letterbox from Japan. Just wish the THX Indy releases weren't cancelled with AC3 those would have been incredible.
Sorry for the late reply. I've got a mix of IKEA Kallax and Wal-Mart Better Homes & Gardens cube organizers. Though the BH&G ones have been getting worse in quality over the years, so I don't really recommend those as a solid IKEA alternative anymore.
The PAL VHS special editions had gold coloured Vader boxes for p&s, and silver for widescreen. Kinda weird how the German LD box is coloured like the worse version.
Man, I'm no stranger to Laserdisc but I've never really owned one nor bought any Laserdisc film AT ALL. Now I don't own this set at all honestly. The only set I do own is the 2006 DVD releases of the Original Trilogy (a.k.a The Special Editions) which were the Limited Editions with the bonus discs containing the "Theatrical" versions. I wonder if the Theatrical versions were sourced from this set?
Yeah, the theatrical versions on those 2006 DVD releases were sourced from the same masters that the THX LaserDiscs came from. Though they did make a few changes, like adjusting the title crawl for Star Wars to remove "A New Hope".
I am looking to find out for each movie where are the "cuts" due to 30' duration of each side of discs. Does anyone know a web page giving that information, please? Million thanks.
If you have the 1997 set is paying the extreme price for the 2000 set worth it? Because from what I can tell its identical except for the Episode II featurette. The cheapest I can find is a hundred bucks no OBI and a box beat to hell.
Yeah, pretty much the draw is the Episode II featurette combined with the late release historical curiosity and the overall quality of the packaging. I lucked out and got mine cheap, but I don't think I would have paid a premium like that for a worn copy without obi.
@@Culturedog , I was torn on whether or not to buy it and I just decided to pay that price. Might be awhile before another copy shows up in Broterion's shop or Good Squid. I mean he was selling the same copy for 140 on LDDB John Charles so I bought it for 99.99.
stereo surrounds on AC-3 is dreadful , switch the LCR off and listen to star wars , the dvd seems to have fixed it in the mix , AC-3 seems like a test mix that sounds incomplete , plus i don't play those versions anymore , just the cbs/fox editions which seems , Dolby Stereo 4.2.4 near close to a flashback , especially return of the jedi when played on a real , lucasfilm ltd THX sound system , JBL professional cinema , bass and sub bass extension , wow , what a flashback so this must be what it like at the first , texas THX cinema
I bought a LaserDisc player and this Definitive Collection just so that I could watch Han kill Greedo (with no shot fired by Greedo) and to not see that awful CGI Jabba the Hutt scene in Star Wars. I'll have to check if I have the early or later pressing thanks and yes no dust cover for my book
Thank you man, I bought 1997 Japanese special edition many many years ago, and now, I got a 1995 definitive collection from Japan today. Thanks.
AWEsome, to see some1 else has the same Boxset as I..... Long live LD...
Thanks for this video. A rabbit hole for sure with many winding paths to a galaxy far ..far.....far away!
Haha! You're welcome! Thanks for watching!!
This was a welcome surprise. I just woke up and feel awful as am falling down with a cold and now my morning has perked up with a new CD release and a Star Wars one no less!! Thank you Sam for this 😀
Sorry to hear you're under the weather, but glad I was able to help somewhat! Enjoy the video!
Wow, I knew nothing about the Japanese Definitive Collection set. This Star Wars laserdisc rabbit hole is apparently never ending...
Just a few months ago, I got the Japanese Special Collection of Empire, which completes all three of the Japanese SC discs for me, and honestly those are my favorite LD editions of Star Wars. I'm still surprised those three were never collected in a box set.
Sound wise, I love the Definitive Collection set the most, I love how bass heavy they are, but I prefer the warmer color palette of the JSC editions, and because they are CAV encoded, they look a bit sharper than the Fox Widescreen USA pressings.
Incredibly useful video. I have considered buying the definitive collection several times and I'm glad I waited because I had no idea there were so many versions. I'm a LD novice and only have the US special edition box set. Price will be the deciding factor for the one I get, but I'm glad I can now make an informed decision. Thank you so much!
You're very welcome!! Thanks for watching the video. Glad to hear it was helpful. Best of luck with the Star Wars LD search!
CultureDog Sam "The Voice of the Format" Hatch returns to learn us all something righteous!
Haha! Thanks for watching!
Awesome to see
Thanks, man! Always enjoy watching your pickups videos too. Keep up the good work!
Today I just got the Star Wars Trilogy Definitive Collection Laserdisc boxset from ebay. It's the USA version before I bought the set I messaged the seller if there were any rot issues on the copy the seller was selling along with that error you mentioned in the Empire Strikes Back. Thankfully the seller said there are no rot issues on the copy the seller was selling but didn't understand the error on one of discs for Empire, so it looks like it's up to me to see if it has that error. Overall I'm excited for this Laserdisc boxset to come in the mail soon. I'm also planning on getting the Japanese Special Collection Laserdiscs of the original trilogy soon, I also want to get the Japanese 1997 Special Edition Laserdisc set, & the 2000 Japanese exclusive Laserdisc boxset of the Star Wars trilogy with the sneak peek to Star Wars Episode II, If I can find that one for at least a decent price.
I've only been collecting a couple years so all I have currently is the 1995 "faces" release. At least for now I'm happy to just have the non special editions.
Yeah, the 'Faces' releases are solid. They were my go-to viewing choice for the longest time. I'll have to do a video about those too!
The 2000 Japan set is so shiny. I love it
Right? It's like twice as glossy as any of the other sets. More glossy than glossy!
Thanks for another new video! I know it must of taken a lot of time to prepare for a video like this. Awesome as always.
You're welcome! Thanks for watching! Yeah, it was a bit of a bear to put together. I was ready to launch it yesterday, and then scrapped that version and changed a bunch of the audio at the last minute. Good times! Haha!
Wow! very informative!
Thanks!!
Man, I have 2 Definitive US box sets. Now I have to check if they different all thanks to you! Thanks for all the info, good vidi.
You're welcome! Glad you enjoyed the video! Hopefully you have that 6 seconds of high quality welding footage on one of those boxes!
Hi Sam, great video, over the years I've enjoyed many of the stars Wars box sets you have shown. I've noticed on your podcasts with the rest of the wolfpack, and here in this upload, a sense of intrigue around PAL laserdiscs, i'm thinking it would be great if you guys did a 'PAL' special video. Go deeper than the usual '4% speed up, no AC3' comments that are thrown around losely. Would be great to see. Here in the Uk and I suspect across Europe and worldwide PAL areas, PAL and NTSC discs have sat side by side for decades, complementing each others characteristics, working in perfect harmony. An idea perhaps, love the work you and the guys produce. Keep them coming.
Thanks! I could probably pull together 4 or 5 of the Wolfpack crew who have PAL discs, so I'll pitch it to them! I'll look into crafting some solo videos on the topic too. I still haven't shown off my CLD-D925 yet, so that would be a good entry point!
great, I hope you can pull something together. CLD D925 is the machine everyone wants. Demand is high for them, but they are great, I've had a couple myself over the years. CLD D2950 is good also if you can get one modded for AC3. If it helps for video content UK PAL boxsets that I don't think we're released in the US (happy to be corrected), Jason and the Argonaughts, Rambo Trilogy, the Hammer collection, Star Trek - the pilots and Jurassic Park - fossil edition. Looking forward to your next uploads.
i got the NTSC Definitive edition in 1994, US imported from France, awesome !
Nice! Such a cool box. I took the US release for a spin again to prep for this video and fell in love with it all over again!
I wonder if we’ll be talking about laserdisc in another 20-50 years. We’re at 8k resolution and this format still gives a select group of people, “something.”
Maybe in 20’years I’ll actually have an X0. Like the doc says in Frankenstein Meets the Wolfman, “I have to see it at full power.”
Yeah, back around 2000 or so I probably wouldn't have believed my future self if I went back in time and said I'd be talking about and still watching LaserDisc regularly in the 2020s!
Has had them all at one point but kept 3. Japanese White collector’s set, 1997 US special edition and Japanese 2000 special edition.
Yeah, if I had to pare down the box set collection I'd probably choose the '95 Japanese Definitive, the Collector's Set and the 2000 Special Edition.
@@Culturedog
Love that definitive edition with the making of discs. To me a while to get those discs individually.
My sole box set is the 1997 SE US release. I traded in a bunch of stuff for it and walked out paying $12 for it! I waited around for about an hour for them to get all my stuff priced out, and they gave me a little extra for my patience. Can’t beat that!
I have the VHS & DVD versions of the THX Definitive Collection masters. So, I’ve never been dogged about picking those LDs up. I have the original CBS FOX Widescreen US LDs and the Technidisc of Star Wars ANH.
Nice, solid price for the SE box! Yeah, I was okay missing out on the Definitive Collection back in the day too, since I had the old Fox widescreen set and later on the Faces discs. Then I could watch the special features at my friend's house and live vicariously through his box set if I needed more.
Loved your most recent podcast on Episode 1, despite being a fan of it. Im still looking for one of these sets at a good price. One of these days....
Thanks! Yeah, even with all of the back and forth on Phantom Menace, it's still an amazing disc! Hope you find a good box set too!
40:18 For this release, was there any uptake in Picture Quality? As the last release and with THX approval. Or was it just the '97 versions with the added Episode II Materials
I belive it's the same, the VHS is pretty much the same
I'll have to do a closer comparison between the '00 and the '97 boxes, but they're basically the same transfers but with the different features. They're both Pioneer Japan pressings, but the 2000 box might take the lead slightly.
I’ve had mine since new.
If you think this was expensive back in the day go check out pricing for the original Star Trek TOS. I think it was $1,900-$2,200.
Oh yeah, television series on LD were a major investment. Especially Japanese imports. I remember standing in Boston's Laser Craze store, trying to convince myself that I needed to get the imported Twin Peaks boxes despite their crazy high price tags.
I have the same C3PO mug ! I have the Darth Vader one as well !
Excellent! We must have the same design team!
Hey Sam, any progress with the 'PAL' player and disc review? I've just become LDCE 'special edition' complete over here, Pro-logic at it's best.
25:02 oh wow. So strange seeing this release turn up. These were the first discs i ever bought and had them months before i could save enough money for my player. Picture on this PAL set from Encore and the Indiana Jones sets are disappointing compared to their NTSC release cousins. The Pal colour bleeds quite badly on Star Wars, with Jedi holding up the best. when i switched them and began watching the NTSC Counterparts they appear far more naturally. So ive hardly ever gone back to the pal sets, sometimes i watched them. I picked up a cheap PAL copy of TITANIC as that was a very late PAL THX Pioneer release and that looks much better for Picture quality. I guess Pioneer pulled all the stops for that one. Still its very cool to own this Star Wars set as it started my Laserdisc rabbit hole.
I bet that PAL Titanic copy looked nice - that seems to look stunning across all releases. I bought the standard AC-3 US NTSC version when it came out and was blown away by that one.
It is funny that the UK-based LD collectors I knew in the 90s were all pretty adamant about only collecting NTSC imports. I just collect PAL discs casually now for fun, but yeah - they're very hit or miss in quality.
Thanks for refreshing my memory with the US Definitive Collection issues. I plan to order a set eventually & most likely woulda forgot to try & track down the 2nd pressing instead of the 1st. (Despite the potential rot) Next box set I'm planning is The Godfather Trilogy then Star Wars. Almost bought a decent looking Godfather set on Ebay the other day, then I realized the listing said it was missing the bonus disc 😠😠
You're welcome! Thanks for watching! I picked up two Godfather sets that I love - the AC-3 theatrical version box and the TV cut box with Parts I-III recut chronologically. Hopefully you can find another complete copy on eBay!
@@Culturedog Cool...Oh yea, I forgot to specify. The TV cut is actually the one I'm after. I'm excited to watch all 3 movies in chronological order with some bonus footage. Will probably make it a week long binge with 1 disc per day if possible lol Also if I remember correct, there was a Japan only set that only contained part 1 & 2 in chronological order?? Think most of us can agree 3 is the weakest by far & I did consider that version, but eventually said naahhh might as well get the US trilogy
@@arcadeapocalypsemusic yeah, I've been tempted to get that Japanese version with only Parts I & II, but the US box is great. Love the textured design. The bonus disc and booklet are nice too!
I'm just starting collecting laser discs. I'm not sure if this is a stupid question but..Is it possible to polish and resurface a laser disc that skips and fix it? I tried the novus 3,2,1 and it helped slightly I think but did not fix it. Help please? Thanks
Sorry for the late response. Novus is the go-to solution, so if that isn't helping out the disc might be beyond repair unfortunately.
Awesome collection. I have one question. Since you got the UK PAL Laserdisc for the Star Wars Special Edition im kind of curious how you're going to play it, only because PAL laserdiscs are not compatible with NTSC players unless the discs are duel format. I'm just wondering.
Thanks! Yeah, I should make a video about my PAL signal chain, but I do have a dual-format PAL/NTSC player that I need to watch those European boxes. Currently, I've got a Pioneer CLD-D925 in the gear rack for PAL duty.
the definitive with making of trilogy is my jam. Too bad about the Leia welding scene partially being missing.
Yeah, filming this has gotten me amped up to do a making of marathon!
@@Culturedog , I want to watch them all again and I will after I watch the 1997 set and Indiana Jones trilogy letterbox from Japan. Just wish the THX Indy releases weren't cancelled with AC3 those would have been incredible.
@@matthewgaudet4064 yeah, it was a total missed opportunity! I definitely would have bought an AC-3 Indy set!
Where did you get the laserdisc holder that are on your shelf behind you in this video
Sorry for the late reply. I've got a mix of IKEA Kallax and Wal-Mart Better Homes & Gardens cube organizers. Though the BH&G ones have been getting worse in quality over the years, so I don't really recommend those as a solid IKEA alternative anymore.
@@Culturedog thanks
The PAL VHS special editions had gold coloured Vader boxes for p&s, and silver for widescreen. Kinda weird how the German LD box is coloured like the worse version.
Yeah, it is interesting that it doesn't match up with the established packaging color scheme. They just really liked that gold look I guess!
Man, I'm no stranger to Laserdisc but I've never really owned one nor bought any Laserdisc film AT ALL. Now I don't own this set at all honestly. The only set I do own is the 2006 DVD releases of the Original Trilogy (a.k.a The Special Editions) which were the Limited Editions with the bonus discs containing the "Theatrical" versions.
I wonder if the Theatrical versions were sourced from this set?
Yeah, the theatrical versions on those 2006 DVD releases were sourced from the same masters that the THX LaserDiscs came from. Though they did make a few changes, like adjusting the title crawl for Star Wars to remove "A New Hope".
Does the original Definitive Collection pressing show Leia welding at all or is it completely missing?
1:32a.m. 6/4/2024
I am looking to find out for each movie where are the "cuts" due to 30' duration of each side of discs. Does anyone know a web page giving that information, please? Million thanks.
Interesting question. The LDDB doesn't usually list that information, but I could definitely compile that and add it.
@@Culturedog That would be amazing! Thanks.
If you have the 1997 set is paying the extreme price for the 2000 set worth it? Because from what I can tell its identical except for the Episode II featurette. The cheapest I can find is a hundred bucks no OBI and a box beat to hell.
Yeah, pretty much the draw is the Episode II featurette combined with the late release historical curiosity and the overall quality of the packaging. I lucked out and got mine cheap, but I don't think I would have paid a premium like that for a worn copy without obi.
@@Culturedog , I was torn on whether or not to buy it and I just decided to pay that price. Might be awhile before another copy shows up in Broterion's shop or Good Squid. I mean he was selling the same copy for 140 on LDDB John Charles so I bought it for 99.99.
Nice! Enjoy the Episode II bonus material and of course the films themselves!
stereo surrounds on AC-3 is dreadful , switch the LCR off and listen to star wars , the dvd seems to have fixed it in the mix , AC-3 seems like a test mix that sounds incomplete , plus i don't play those versions anymore , just the cbs/fox editions which seems , Dolby Stereo 4.2.4 near close to a flashback , especially return of the jedi when played on a real , lucasfilm ltd THX sound system , JBL professional cinema , bass and sub bass extension , wow , what a flashback so this must be what it like at the first , texas THX cinema
🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉
Cheers!
Hey culture how's it going?
Going well! Just wrapped this video up late at night and thought, what the heck, let's launch it now! Haha
I bought a LaserDisc player and this Definitive Collection just so that I could watch Han kill Greedo (with no shot fired by Greedo) and to not see that awful CGI Jabba the Hutt scene in Star Wars. I'll have to check if I have the early or later pressing thanks and yes no dust cover for my book
Nice! Enjoy that box set!!
If I had a dollar for every time a SW fan has whined about Greedo shooting first or about CGI in general, I would be able to retire today.