I currently have the 1993 25'th anniversary pressing of 2001. The box set says the movie was mastered from the MGM archival 65mm interpositive. I see that Amazon has the 1968 Criterion collection pressing for sale which I am considering buying.

Is there any real difference between the 1993 and the 1968 LD's for PQ and SQ?

Criterion pressings were from 88,89 and 90(just different packaging and the 90 pressing is CLV). They also have the correct 2.20:1 aspect ratio which is a good indication for 65mm master. Is the 25th anniversary edition cleaner? I don't know but there is a 97 pressing which has the theatrical 6 track audio folded on ac-3. This 97 pressing comes from a 35mm master as it is 2.35:1 aspect ratio.

My 1993 box set has the Dolby Surround sticker so there must have been some "folding" of the 6 track sound down to 5.1. I am at a loss as to whether to buy the Criterion version. I suppose if I have enough $'s set aside, I will buy it. I always thought that the Criterion collections were sharper in picture detail and color brightness.

Here is the Amazon listing:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00417U8UU/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_2?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A2HNW09OC74ZRC

Its been a while since i've watched it, i had the first CLV MGM release and it was as good as the criterion, if i remember correctly.
Now i only own the CAV Criterion and can't say which is really "better" but there is a nice interview as extras but i'm sure its on every
DVD and Blu ray right now.

I guess based on your reviews that the Criterion is nice; but, not significantly better than a regular CAV copy. I already have 2001 on LD (CLV and CAV formats), CED and HD-DVD (2 copies even) so another copy would be a waste. The price for the Amazon Criterion is above $40 making it no small investment for me. I have researched what is available on E-bay and have found numerous copies below $20 making E-bay the next best alternative.

I think i paid 15-20 for mine years ago.
I would just stick with it unless you need to have every version.
The box is nice to have and nice to think about being almost 125 new.

Um LD as we know it wasn't around in 1968! haha.

I have the MGM 25th anniversary edition and the PQ is definitely the best I've seen.

I also have the Criterion you linked in the Amazon listing and while the PQ isn't up to the standard of the MGM it's worth having for the numerous extras that aren't included on the MGM release. Press conferences etc. As well as the nice low key liner notes.

I think I paid less than $20 for each.

Between them I think I have the perfect home archive of the film.

You are so right about LD not being out in 1968. I have 2001 on CED if I want to see the original theatrical presentation (not that it would be any different than my 1993 version). Your statement that the MGM edition has the best PQ is what I wanted to read. I will use the money I have saved for the Criterion 2001 for another LD title.

I now have the Criterion version of Zulu coming from Amazon as well as the box set of Sleeping Beauty (CAV) coming. I have SB in CLV format and I want the box set to complete its "collection".

Here's how it goes:
The criterion was sourced from a 35mm interpositive supervised by Kubrick himself. The audio is the 70mm six track down mixed to ProLogic.
The MGM used 65mm elements and the six track audio br failed to consult Kubrick and this it is colored completely wrong in places. It has better detail than the criterion and cleaner audio.
The 25th anniversary boxset was corrected in color and contrast. Later reissued with ac3 and ported to the initial DVDs.

The current Warner master is without the original color timing and soundmix. It is. It Kubrick's intended presentation.

Note initial criterion copies are prone to rot from the 3M plant. Later pioneer issues are fine in both CAV and CLV. It also shift the framing the tiniest of degrees.

Screen captures of each of the letterbox pressings which one has the widest picture.

2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) [ML102233]


Using the (just scan) on LG

I saw this one for up for bidding faded to pink but I can see there's 6/7% picture detail over the laserdisc pressing.

Good to hear.