Star Wars: The Complete Saga (1977-2005)

[Geoff D]

Originally Posted by O_V_N

Exactly. You two have different tastes and opinions. There's no problem here. These aren't the droids you're looking for.

Yup. If only all Star Wars discussions were resolved so amicably.

[Turomania]

I'm not sure if this is allowed here, but would anyone be interested if I create a custom case that could hold all the disks? Some type of box that looks like it was made in the star wars universe with some star wars characters sculpted in the spine? Or without any character so that LFL wont get on us for it. Just checking. The box will be made out of resin plastic.

Mods if this is a no no please delete.

[Beast]

Originally Posted by Uxi

I prefer the Blu cases over digibook, so I'll probably change from complete saga to both trilogies separately. Doens't sound like the extras disc is anything to miss anyways. I'll probably leave my preorder until I see what retailer specials there are, too.

Remember, it's 3 discs of extras. Not just 1. Last we heard, the individual trilogys only have the movie discs.

[Uxi]

Originally Posted by Beast

Remember, it's 3 discs of extras. Not just 1. Last we heard, the individual trilogys only have the movie discs.

True that. I was already rethinking that I might get a few vortex cases. Right now leaning on 2 x 4-disc and a slim case for the 9th disc with custom art. Not displeased with this art, really but would need to anyway.

[EVOLVIST]

What's this thread about again?

[Syrus614]

Originally Posted by EVOLVIST

What's this thread about again?

Galaxy Battles or something like that

[aparr]

Let me preface by admitting that I haven't read all 26 pgs here. I've got many comments that I'll reserve for later, but for now, I have just a couple of fundamental questions:

1. Are there any confirmed details on exactly how the video portion of these discs was created? In other words, new 4k transfers? Old 2004 dvd transfers? (Note: I'm not extremely technical, and my knowledge of these matters is pretty limited.)

2. How about the audio portion? I guess it'll all be DTS 6.1 audio, but are these new, discrete mixes, or some patchwork matrixed garbage? (Also, is there any truth to the notion that Dolby audio is preferable to DTS?)

It seems to me that Lucasfilm would wish to present the absolute highest quality audio and video content possible with these HD releases. (Forget CONTENT changes. I'm just talking about QUALITY issues here.) In my mind, they should have generated new video transfers and new audio mixes with this release specifically in mind.

Given everything that's out there, what should my quality expectations really be? Are these just polished versions of the 2004 dvd's, or are we to expect a truly new & stunning entity with this release?

Thanks in advance for your input.

[motorheadache95]

Originally Posted by aparr

Let me preface by admitting that I haven't read all 26 pgs here. I've got many comments that I'll reserve for later, but for now, I have just a couple of fundamental questions:

1. Are there any confirmed details on exactly how the video portion of these discs was created? In other words, new 4k transfers? Old 2004 dvd transfers? (Note: I'm not extremely technical, and my knowledge of these matters is pretty limited.)

2. How about the audio portion? I guess it'll all be DTS 6.1 audio, but are these new, discrete mixes, or some patchwork matrixed garbage? (Also, is there any truth to the notion that Dolby audio is preferable to DTS?)

It seems to me that Lucasfilm would wish to present the absolute highest quality audio and video content possible with these HD releases. (Forget CONTENT changes. I'm just talking about QUALITY issues here.) In my mind, they should have generated new video transfers and new audio mixes with this release specifically in mind.

Given everything that's out there, what should my quality expectations really be? Are these just polished versions of the 2004 dvd's, or are we to expect a truly new & stunning entity with this release?

Thanks in advance for your input.

I don't think anybody knows the details yet. I'm waiting for reviews myself, but my decision to buy the set will be largely based on:

A) What additional alterations Lucas has made-- I'm hoping for completely redone CGI replacing the lame '97 stuff in the Special Editions for one. If we can't get the UOT, then I'm hoping he's at least gone a long way improving the altered editions.

B) The transfers-- if these are based on the same 2004 DVD masters with the same color-timing, then that's a no-sale for me. If they are completely redone and look great with proper colors, and don't suffer from DNR or EE problems, then I will likely be picking them up.

[Chordata]

Originally Posted by EVOLVIST

What's this thread about again?

The upcoming VHS release of The Empire Strikes Back.

[Jay444]

Originally Posted by motorheadache95

I don't think anybody knows the details yet. I'm waiting for reviews myself, but my decision to buy the set will be largely based on:

A) What additional alterations Lucas has made-- I'm hoping for completely redone CGI replacing the lame '97 stuff in the Special Editions for one. If we can't get the UOT, then I'm hoping he's at least gone a long way improving the altered editions.

B) The transfers-- if these are based on the same 2004 DVD masters with the same color-timing, then that's a no-sale for me. If they are completely redone and look great with proper colors, and don't suffer from DNR or EE problems, then I will likely be picking them up.

Additonal changes won't bother me or prevent me from getting this set (it is to be expected that there will be changes, so no biggie). However, if I hear 'pink lightsaber' in a sentence describing the blu rays and not some kind of 'adult film' then I will cancel this set right away. The 2004 masters were horrible, but I think they actually finished them this time so there should be nothing to worry about. Can't wait to see a trailer with actual footage!

[octagon]

This is a little strange. There were two different 'sneak peek' articles posted yesterday and both said something to the effect of 'well, you know, the old ones are, well, old and you can't expect them to look that great'.

A Destiny Revealed: Star Wars Media Day Brings Blu-ray and More to New York City

Release of the older films in particular on Blu-ray will be a real challenge for Fox, owing to the limits of cinematic technology of the era, but Episodes II and III should have the potential to truly amaze.

First Peek: “Star Wars” On Blu-ray

While the newer Star Wars films were ready made for high definition, the older films will obviously suffer a little from the all scrutinizing eye of HD. (The only pre-digital, color sci-fi film that holds up spectacularly well to date is 2001: A Space Odyssey; and to quote Malcolm McDowell out of context, you’re talking about Stanley ****ing Kubrick. No offense, Mr. Lucas.)

Obviously these aren't reviews of even the most casual sort, let alone critical reviews. But it does kind of make me wonder if the people hosting this preview were trying to reign in expectations for some reason.

Then again, these two guys could just be dumbasses who haven't seen Alien or Close Encounters or any of a number of other excellent sci-fi BD releases from that era.

Certainly can't rule that out.

[sellcm]

I am paying $20 bucks for the complete saga, sooo excited! Love these movies and the case looks sweet!

[motorheadache95]

Originally Posted by Jay444

Additonal changes won't bother me or prevent me from getting this set (it is to be expected that there will be changes, so no biggie). However, if I hear 'pink lightsaber' in a sentence describing the blu rays and not some kind of 'adult film' then I will cancel this set right away. The 2004 masters were horrible, but I think they actually finished them this time so there should be nothing to worry about. Can't wait to see a trailer with actual footage!

Agreed. At this point, I feel additional changes could only help-- like I said, I think a lot of the added CGI from '97 badly needs updating. Off the top of my head, a lot of the creatures in Mos Eisley, as well as the added beak-thing in the Sarlaac pit need to be redone. Additionally, if he still feels the need to keep the Han/Jabba scene in the first film, maybe third time will be the charm on their rendering of Jabba. The 2004 version was an improvement from the '97 version, but it still looked really plasticy and out of place.

But yeah, the biggest thing for me is the color-timing. I don't know what they were smoking when they released the DVD set like that, but I really hope they came to their senses and fixed it for the upcoming Blu-Ray.

[MerrickG]

Originally Posted by motorheadache95

Agreed. At this point, I feel additional changes could only help-- like I said, I think a lot of the added CGI from '97 badly needs updating. Off the top of my head, a lot of the creatures in Mos Eisley, as well as the added beak-thing in the Sarlaac pit need to be redone. Additionally, if he still feels the need to keep the Han/Jabba scene in the first film, maybe third time will be the charm on their rendering of Jabba. The 2004 version was an improvement from the '97 version, but it still looked really plasticy and out of place.

But yeah, the biggest thing for me is the color-timing. I don't know what they were smoking when they released the DVD set like that, but I really hope they came to their senses and fixed it for the upcoming Blu-Ray.

Personally if there was only one change that I demand he make it would be to restore Han shooting first. That is really truly the only change I can't stand not because of the principal behind the change, but for how bad it looks on screen.

[Ernest Rister]

The 2004 masters were horrible.

Last I heard from LucasFilm, they were "intentionally horrible".

I'm personally interested in viewing Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith on Blu-Ray, as they theoretically should have a clarity and vividness to them that hasn't really been seen before (transferred to film and projected, they were bright, but noisy. Projected digitally, they were darker, but sharper). Someone said they were, in a sense, created for HDTV - and so, quibbles about the screenwriting aside ("Only a Sith thinks in absolutes! Wait, what did I just say?"), I'm looking forward to them on Blu-Ray.

[chip75]

Originally Posted by octagon

Then again, these two guys could just be dumbasses who haven't seen Alien or Close Encounters or any of a number of other excellent sci-fi BD releases from that era.

The 2001: A Space Odyssey comment was slightly ill-informed. I'm hoping the original trilogy looks amazing and has the potential to be equally good as any Blu-ray creating from a film of that era.

I like the cases but I always thought if I did buy the separate release that it would take up more space on my shelf, it seems strange but Star Wars should be big!

Was anyone surprised that the discs weren't on the table with the cases? We maybe in for a surprise there over the plain ones we saw a while back.

[nmycon]

Originally Posted by octagon

This is a little strange. There were two different 'sneak peek' articles posted yesterday and both said something to the effect of 'well, you know, the old ones are, well, old and you can't expect them to look that great'.

Obviously these aren't reviews of even the most casual sort, let alone critical reviews. But it does kind of make me wonder if the people hosting this preview were trying to reign in expectations for some reason.

Then again, these two guys could just be dumbasses who haven't seen Alien or Close Encounters or any of a number of other excellent sci-fi BD releases from that era.

Certainly can't rule that out.

Just looking at the blu-ray trailer on YouTube, it looks great. Even with YouTube's compression when viewing 1080p you can tell that there's nothing to worry about

I mean, the 2004 DVDs of the original trilogy didn't appear to suffer from the fact that they were shot in the 70s on film with models and strings and puppets did they? They looked great (save for the quirky colouring in some scenes), I see no reason why the blu-rays would suffer from the limitations of the tech...

[kenkraly2004]

Let's keep on fingers crossed that the problems of the 2004 OT Transfers that where on the DVD release are addressed and fixed for the blu-ray box set. Their are many issues that are too many to list. That topic has been talked about too many times it's unreal.

[Scooter1836]

Originally Posted by Uxi

I prefer the Blu cases over digibook, so I'll probably change from complete saga to both trilogies separately. Doens't sound like the extras disc is anything to miss anyways. I'll probably leave my preorder until I see what retailer specials there are, too.

They are not Digibook

They are book style like "Alien Anthology" and "Rome: The Complete Series" and others

[Jay444]

Originally Posted by nmycon

Just looking at the blu-ray trailer on YouTube, it looks great. Even with YouTube's compression when viewing 1080p you can tell that there's nothing to worry about

I mean, the 2004 DVDs of the original trilogy didn't appear to suffer from the fact that they were shot in the 70s on film with models and strings and puppets did they? They looked great (save for the quirky colouring in some scenes), I see no reason why the blu-rays would suffer from the limitations of the tech...

I think that trailer was made up of clips from the 2004 master which would be a bad thing (color issues...).