Starman (1984)

[Blu-21]

What do you guys think is the better overall deal? Today I saw the DVD for $7 and the Blu-Ray for $13. Now every single time at those clashing prices I'll opt for the Blu-Ray (even if its not spectacle), but in this instance the Blu-Ray is barebones while the DVD has all the extras including a Carpenter commentary. So what does everyone think is the better one to go with?

[Katatonia]

Originally Posted by Blu-21

What do you guys think is the better overall deal? Today I saw the DVD for $7 and the Blu-Ray for $13. Now every single time at those clashing prices I'll opt for the Blu-Ray (even if its not spectacle), but in this instance the Blu-Ray is barebones while the DVD has all the extras including a Carpenter commentary. So what does everyone think is the better one to go with?

I've owned both the DVD and Blu-ray. The R1 DVD never had any audio commentary, its sole extra feature was the theatrical trailer. It was only some of the R2/R4 DVD releases that had the commentary and other features.

The Blu-ray looks really good, and is a substantial A/V upgrade over the R1 DVD. It does not even include the theatrical trailer though.

[Seymour]

Isn't the DVD full screen only now? For some reason, I think this is one of those titles that Sony decided to permanently botch (like Sheena, Silent Rage, Idle Hands, etc).

[Villiam Hayes]

Get both.

[VanDammage80]

Bluray looks great. Huge upgrade over the dvd.

[Geoff D]

The R2/R4 is worth it for the mega-cheesy music video alone.

[HD Goofnut]

The BD is a marginal upgrade in PQ and a substantial upgrade in AQ if that helps you.

[bigdaddyhorse]

Go with the commentary, I imported this disc long ago when I found out it existed (along with Shocker with a Craven comm.), but I love John Carpenter commentaries. If extras are important to you, this is a good commentary. It boils down to what you want more, features or PQ. I haven't watched my dvd in a while so I can't comment on quality of that upscaled or anything. If I recall that music video is cheestastic too, not as great as the Big Trouble in Little China vid, but almost on par.

[kngtmat]

Yeah everyone of the US dvd's now only have full screen but I was lucky enough to find the wide screen, if I can remember right the Fright Night dvd also went to full after awhile.

[bigdaddyhorse]

Originally Posted by kngtmat

Yeah everyone of the US dvd's now only have full screen but I was lucky enough to find the wide screen, if I can remember right the Fright Night dvd also went to full after awhile.

So did hundreds of other Columbia or Tristar dvds. Basically everything that had a WS and FS side that never got a SE (Christine stands out here), was re-issued with FS only. I know it happened for The Fan, Sheena, The Deep, Idle Hands, Last Action Hero, Money Train and hundreds of others. Worst part, they kept the same UPC numbers so ordering online became a gamble as to what you would get. Thankfully I was able to track down all the WS versions I wanted at used stores and pawn shops. Sheena was hardest to find, had to go ebay 3 times before really getting an old one with the WS side. Most listed it as having both but would send me the FS only, which I would promptly return.

I think Fright Night is an exception though and got re-issued with just the WS side. One right, hundreds wrong. Makes me proud to be not supporting Sony.

[kngtmat]

The Ghostbuster dvd gift box was also going to have GB2 in full screen but thankfully they changed it in time back to wide screen after fans reactions.

[kdo]

Originally Posted by Blu-21

What do you guys think is the better overall deal? Today I saw the DVD for $7 and the Blu-Ray for $13. Now every single time at those clashing prices I'll opt for the Blu-Ray (even if its not spectacle), but in this instance the Blu-Ray is barebones while the DVD has all the extras including a Carpenter commentary. So what does everyone think is the better one to go with?

It's a tough call. I own both the R2 DVD (with all the bonus materials) and the Sony Region-A Blu. I also owned the original 1998 Region-1 WS/FS (flipper) DVD which had no bonus features other than the film's trailer. I should note that the transfer of the anamorphic R2 DVD (albeit PAL) is identical to that of the original widescreen R1 DVD. However, the audio of the R1 DVD was a great sounding DD 2.0 track, which I actually preferred over the DD 5.1 track of the Region-2 DVD.

While the Blu-ray offers an excellent presentation of the film (near reference I'd say) in terms of both video and audio, I must admit that it's not leaps and bounds superior to the DVD presentation(s) (which were very good in their own right). And to be completely honest, if I didn't own either release, and knowing what I do now of all of them, I'd say $7 for the R2 DVD (with the bonus materials) would be the way to go, especially if you're watching on an HD display that's under 60" in size. The difference in video and audio quality between the Blu and DVD just isn't going to be that significant. Ultimately though, the decision is up to you, and you need to decide for yourself .

[slimdude]

Originally Posted by Blu-21

What do you guys think is the better overall deal? Today I saw the DVD for $7 and the Blu-Ray for $13. Now every single time at those clashing prices I'll opt for the Blu-Ray (even if its not spectacle), but in this instance the Blu-Ray is barebones while the DVD has all the extras including a Carpenter commentary. So what does everyone think is the better one to go with?

If the superior A/V quality is most important, than having the special features, then go for the blu-ray. Typically, people buy blu-ray movies for the better A/V quality of the movie. You don't have to buy blu-rays, if you're only interested in the extras! You can get the special features on the DVD.

[Blades1370]

Originally Posted by slimdude

If the superior A/V quality is most important, than having the special features, then go for the blu-ray. Typically, people buy blu-ray movies for the better A/V quality of the movie. You don't have to buy blu-rays, if you're only interested in the extras! You can get the special features on the DVD.

Which is messed up, in all honesty everything that was on DVD SHOULD be on the Blu-Ray as well. I found out this the hard way with the Dawn of the Dead remake, some of my favorite extras on the DVD were not ported over to the Blu-Ray release. And I no longer own the DVD release since it was stolen with a large chunk of my then DVD only collection back in early 2008.

[Blu-21]

Originally Posted by slimdude

If the superior A/V quality is most important, than having the special features, then go for the blu-ray. Typically, people buy blu-ray movies for the better A/V quality of the movie. You don't have to buy blu-rays, if you're only interested in the extras! You can get the special features on the DVD.

Originally Posted by kdo

It's a tough call. I own both the R2 DVD (with all the bonus materials) and the Sony Region-A Blu. I also owned the original 1998 Region-1 WS/FS (flipper) DVD which had no bonus features other than the film's trailer. I should note that the transfer of the anamorphic R2 DVD (albeit PAL) is identical to that of the original widescreen R1 DVD. However, the audio of the R1 DVD was a great sounding DD 2.0 track, which I actually preferred over the DD 5.1 track of the Region-2 DVD.

While the Blu-ray offers an excellent presentation of the film (near reference I'd say) in terms of both video and audio, I must admit that it's not leaps and bounds superior to the DVD presentation(s) (which were very good in their own right). And to be completely honest, if I didn't own either release, and knowing what I do now of all of them, I'd say $7 for the R2 DVD (with the bonus materials) would be the way to go, especially if you're watching on an HD display that's under 60" in size. The difference in video and audio quality between the Blu and DVD just isn't going to be that significant. Ultimately though, the decision is up to you, and you need to decide for yourself .

I settled on buying the barebones Blu-Ray edition a while ago guys because I wanted to watch it on the big screen but thanks for the contribution. FYI, I don't watch DVDs on my 55" LED. Generally it exposes too many of the format's flaws and limitations. For DVDs my bedroom 32" LCD on a good quality upscaling DVD player look much better.

[kdo]

Originally Posted by slimdude

Typically, people buy blu-ray movies for the better A/V quality of the movie.

Agreed.

Originally Posted by Blades1370

Which is messed up, in all honesty everything that was on DVD SHOULD be on the Blu-Ray as well.

Yes, I'd like that too...However, outside of the fact that the studios realize most people buying the Blu already have the previous DVD as it is (and hence, the extra features), many times it is matters of legality (rights, licensing issues, etc.) that prevents them from porting pre-existing bonus material over to a new release.

[kiltymchaggis]

I found it a few months ago at a Half Price Books for $12. I knew it was hard to find, so I hopped on it. Very surprised to know that it is OOP.

[harpolini]

One of my prized blu-rays. I'm not sure why it got a subpar video score, the transfer is an excellent and filmlike transfer.

Hoping for a re-release with Carpenter/Bridges commentary track.

[Cortiz]

I found this today at Barnes and Noble. for $14.99. I like this movie a lot and never got around to buy it. For anyone looking to get this, please check Barnes and Noble as it appears they still carry some older Sony titles.

[KeithVK]

Originally Posted by Cortiz

I found this today at Barnes and Noble. for $14.99. I like this movie a lot and never got around to buy it. For anyone looking to get this, please check Barnes and Noble as it appears they still carry some older Sony titles.

You're luckier than I was. None near me and their site listed their cheapest new copy at $75.01. Good find for you for sure!!!