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You know the BIGGEST difference between LD and DVD,BLU-RAY..
https://forum.lddb.com/viewtopic.php?f=32&t=238		 Page 1 of 3
Author:  laserlord [ 27 Oct 2011, 00:13 ]
Post subject:  You know the BIGGEST difference between LD and DVD,BLU-RAY..
For me the biggest difference between Laserdisc and all other formats is the fact that when you own an LD you have the feeling you own a real movie.
It was like owning a little piece of cinematic history.
Laserdiscs were pricey, but then you only bought what you really wanted, and you cherish your LD collection like it are your own children.
I used to save money for a long time back then, to finally be able to buy another movie a really wanted. then i watched it several times, 5 times is not an exception...

Nowadays people and movie collectors in general are different. Perhaps the video and audio quality is better and the packaging is smaller, but the emotional value is almost completely gone. :roll:

And in some ways you see that the home video business is reacting towards that by releasing very special box sets like the jurassic park blu ray box with statue or the Lion King blu-ray with 3D version and several discs extra... these very special editions are somehow inspired by the laserdisc box sets i think.

I wish they would still release 12" box sets with blu-rays, booklets, lobby cards, soundtracks etc... in them.
For example, lets say the re-release the Gladiator movie in a HUGE box set with all extras and goodies, in a beautiful leather look box like the T2 box set, wouldn't you buy it if it was e.g. $85 US ? I would.

Do you agree ?
Author:  ratkins [ 27 Oct 2011, 00:38 ]
Post subject:  Re: You know the BIGGEST difference between LD and DVD,BLU-R
I tend to agree but I don't buy too many "new" films on blu-ray. The majority of my purchases are classic films that have received major restorations or new digital masters. In that market, the box sets like Ben-Hur, Wizard of Oz, and Gone With the Wind are very much in the laserdisc vein. I was actually pretty disappointed that Citizen Kane was not in one of these big boxes. It deserves to take up a huge place on my shelf. haha
Author:  dwalterm [ 27 Oct 2011, 01:03 ]
Post subject:  Re: You know the BIGGEST difference between LD and DVD,BLU-R
Buying Bluray's? My first Bluray was Metropolis - a B/W silent film. The next thing I did was put my favorite Metropolis soundtrack on it. The Alloy Orchestra. If you haven't seen the Alloy Orchestra accompany a silent film you are really missing an event. When I saw the re-re-released Metropolis US Priemier at Graumann's Chinese in Hollywood it was unreal. The house was packed. after the show, I had all kinds of strangers asking if I knew about the Alloy Orchestra, where could they see them again, etc.
Author:  ratkins [ 27 Oct 2011, 01:35 ]
Post subject:  Re: You know the BIGGEST difference between LD and DVD,BLU-R
They are pretty amazing. I saw them perform their score for Underworld at the Academy theater. It was breathtaking.
Author:  mikeystoyz [ 27 Oct 2011, 03:02 ]
Post subject:  Re: You know the BIGGEST difference between LD and DVD,BLU-R
Evil Dead book of the Dead. Lol
Author:  Guest [ 27 Oct 2011, 03:58 ]
Post subject:  Re: You know the BIGGEST difference between LD and DVD,BLU-R
I believe that every media format produces a unique "feel" to it. Some movies I like to watch on LD and then on Blue Ray.
Many LD(s) have a "raw" 35mm film print type of look. The Blue Ray is more refined and processed. It's fun to see how they improved on the original print with remastering. As an example ... Watch the Criterion LD(s) of James Bond and then watch the Blue Ray Remasters. That's how you get to that "wow" factor. I still enjoy seeing both versions ... it's the best of both worlds.

One of the best features I like about the LD is the soundtrack. LD(s) possess the full dynamic range of a 35mm theatrical print. If it's masted properly ... it just rocks.
Author:  laserlord [ 27 Oct 2011, 05:57 ]
Post subject:  Re: You know the BIGGEST difference between LD and DVD,BLU-R
Thanks for the reply. I think it also had to do something about the price of the format. The cheaper it gets, the more widespread it will be available and the less "special" or less "exclusive". Sadly this is an aspect which applies to luxury goods like movie collecting, cars, boats, watches, wine... but i think its in our collectors nature that we want something different than the "mainstream" people in the world. It is true, isn't it ?
Author:  yazorin [ 27 Oct 2011, 06:03 ]
Post subject:  Re: You know the BIGGEST difference between LD and DVD,BLU-R
why get a cheap little plastic case with a peice of paper stuck inside it when you can have a full sized printed gatefold jacket!
i know thats how i feel, you really own the movie when you have the laserdisc!
Author:  svenge [ 27 Oct 2011, 16:59 ]
Post subject:  Re: You know the BIGGEST difference between LD and DVD,BLU-R
I disagree. As cool as LD covers are, I'm glad that 95% of my collection is on DVD/BD. LDs (and LPs for that matter) are too awkwardly-dimensioned to keep massive numbers of in shelves IMO.

/ducks
Author:  elviscaprice [ 27 Oct 2011, 20:52 ]
Post subject:  Re: You know the BIGGEST difference between LD and DVD,BLU-R
svenge wrote:
I disagree. As cool as LD covers are, I'm glad that 95% of my collection is on DVD/BD. LDs (and LPs for that matter) are too awkwardly-dimensioned to keep massive numbers of in shelves IMO.

/ducks


Bingo, go even further, digitize to a hard drive and rid yourself of all the clutter. Makes travel or moving alot easier and allows one to combine libraries in an easy alphabetical/categories.

Downfall, if your hard drive goes out with no back up. Ouch, always keep a backup, never get down to one copy. I keep two backups in different locations in the world.

Upfall, you can never lose material due to Laser rot, scratches or any other physical mishaps.

8-) Elvis
Author:  xtempo [ 27 Oct 2011, 21:02 ]
Post subject:  Re: You know the BIGGEST difference between LD and DVD,BLU-R
I feel like I own a something cool and different since DVDs and BDs are now common place. LDs are more of a niche. I like the look and feel of perfection that of a quality release on LD like some of Japan's premium boxes are awesome and so cool to own. Also some of American releases like Nightmare Before Christmas I love more because the extras aren't cut and there's a book with it. I do also like the idea of having it on a HD though if something were to happen to the HD then you're probably screwed though something could easily happen to the disc either way it sucks but right now I just plan on collecting some releases and digitzing or making a dvd copy to have as a back up.
Author:  kris [ 27 Oct 2011, 21:03 ]
Post subject:  Re: You know the BIGGEST difference between LD and DVD,BLU-R
I know I know!! isn't it the size? :D

These days "everyone collects"

so what? you own movies on dvd and blu ray...! wow
I say, You never own a movie like on laserdisc
Maybe it's the artwork that does it, or the great special edition writings all over the cover. The boxsets... the Japanese rarities...
until this day I don't know for sure why I fell in love with the format back in 93 . it was love at first sight .

Image quality was unseen back then.
5.1audio was never heard , dts was a dream. the right set up a niche market for sure. I'm a dts fanatic, not that all releases are top noch but they sure look cool!
I remember having my player modified for ac-3 rf out, not once asking about the price. "just do it " was my thinking.

It was (and still is) a collector's format and that was the big difference.
You had a movie in the ultimate format
Author:  publius [ 27 Oct 2011, 21:11 ]
Post subject:  Re: You know the BIGGEST difference between LD and DVD,BLU-R
Exclusivity doesn't appeal to me. The possession of the media object, however, does, & LD is a prime choice for this. It's certainly far more convenient than even 16 mm film prints!
Author:  Guest [ 27 Oct 2011, 22:08 ]
Post subject:  Re: You know the BIGGEST difference between LD and DVD,BLU-R
laserlord wrote:
Thanks for the reply. I think it also had to do something about the price of the format. The cheaper it gets, the more widespread it will be available and the less "special" or less "exclusive". Sadly this is an aspect which applies to luxury goods like movie collecting, cars, boats, watches, wine... but i think its in our collectors nature that we want something different than the "mainstream" people in the world. It is true, isn't it ?


I can see your point, but for ME (and I'm only referring to me) it's never been about exclusivity. I could care less what the mainstream public considers popular or unpopular. When I started to collect vinyl records some 12 years ago ... it was considered an exclusive hobby for audio nerds :geek: ... audiophiles as at it were. Now it's more semi-main stream with more and more "new' albums being mfg on vinyl. I still like vinyl to this day ... regardless of what the public thinks. An album played on vinyl (I'm talking about at least a rudimentary audiophile system here) has a unique "sound" to it ... a signature. Same with a well mastered (sound wise) LD. I have many copies of movies on both LD & DVD format. Many of the differences I notice could be due to mastering ... I believe that mastering engineers have a greater effect on the end product then the plus or minuses of the format itself.

As far as Blue Rays ... I rent them mostly. (I only own two) Just like I rented LD(s) almost exclusively, back when they were "new". It's probably due to the fact that I am a bargain hunter at heart. You just can't beat getting a LD box set of Dances with Wolves, including Coffee Table Book "The Illustrated Story of the Film" , soundtrack CD, 6 theater lobby cards and three like new LD(s) all for $5 plus shipping. :thumbup: .

Cheers :)
Author:  laserdisc_fan [ 27 Oct 2011, 22:41 ]
Post subject:  Re: You know the BIGGEST difference between LD and DVD,BLU-R
The digital revolution has certainly simplified the storage of music and movies in the home but at a huge price - collections are now so utterly bland and faceless.
Who wants to see a collection that consists of millions of files on a hard drive?
I could assemble that myself in no time at all - just doing dubs, bootlegs or backups....big deal. That is not what collecting is about. That is just being a nerd on a computer.

I used to spend hours browsing LP records in music stores or record fairs. As they say the chase is often more fun than the catch!
When there is nothing to research, browse or look at the whole experience seems very shallow and superficial.
As a passionate music fan I could never reduce things to just bits and bytes!
I want to see the artwork, read the sleeve notes and completely immerse myself in the music. Artistic association is very important as that is how you often remember your favourite music.
Author:  admin [ 27 Oct 2011, 23:00 ]
Post subject:  Re: You know the BIGGEST difference between LD and DVD,BLU-R
One thing that really turn me down in DVD/BR/etc. these days is that they "engineer" so-called "Collector's Edition".

That's a total lack of respect for the purchasers and a twisted definition of what a "collector's item" is.

One does not label something as a collector's something. The market will decide, on the long run, if something that got commercially available at some point in time will retain its value (or even increase value) due to some unforeseen conditions, special contents not available anymore, etc.

"Special Edition" makes sense: they give us a little more at release time.
But "Collector's Edition" is just a joke. Nothing is collectible when just released. It might become over time.

Maybe just my different understanding :lol:

Julien
Author:  publius [ 28 Oct 2011, 02:59 ]
Post subject:  Re: You know the BIGGEST difference between LD and DVD,BLU-R
admin wrote:
"Special Edition" makes sense: they give us a little more at release time.
But "Collector's Edition" is just a joke. Nothing is collectible when just released. It might become over time.

As a coin collector, I see this so much. The catalogues are full of "NCLT" pieces, which aren't intended to circulate as money at all, or actually can't, but are made purely for sale to "collectors", or rather dupes who buy them hoping that the prices will rise.
Author:  mlcsmith [ 28 Oct 2011, 13:18 ]
Post subject:  Re: You know the BIGGEST difference between LD and DVD,BLU-R
For me, it was something so unattainable and yet so desirable. I say it on my little 'about me' comment on the lddb site; when you pick up an LD there is a sense of grandeur. It's not 'I'm gonna throw in a movie', it's 'I'M GONNA HEAVE IN A FRIGGIN' MOVIE'.

Lately menus have been annoying me too. Sometimes I just want the movie to start without having to navigate a series of menus and waiting for an endless number of disclaimers and anti-piracy messages.
Author:  elviscaprice [ 28 Oct 2011, 15:38 ]
Post subject:  Re: You know the BIGGEST difference between LD and DVD,BLU-R
laserdisc_fan wrote:
The digital revolution has certainly simplified the storage of music and movies in the home but at a huge price - collections are now so utterly bland and faceless.
Who wants to see a collection that consists of millions of files on a hard drive?
I could assemble that myself in no time at all - just doing dubs, bootlegs or backups....big deal. That is not what collecting is about. That is just being a nerd on a computer.


:lol: Assemble in no time. What a laugh. Takes alot of time and patience. Especially if striving for quality. In fact, it takes way more time than just collecting the hard copies. Here you need to buy the hard copy, digitize, then sell the hard copy or keep and store. Not many folks doing this, and then exposing others through vj events at clubs, seeing kids look at the artist in their prime and ask you questions is priceless. The art is in the video and sound, duh. No one can determine what collecting is for others. It's their passion that determines it for themselves. Besides, what is more fun, being a packrat, to only enjoy the thrill of the find for oneself or collecting the videos and sharing that art with others. Humm,
8-) Elvis
Author:  publius [ 28 Oct 2011, 17:05 ]
Post subject:  Re: You know the BIGGEST difference between LD and DVD,BLU-R
elviscaprice wrote:
Besides, what is more fun, being a packrat, to only enjoy the thrill of the find for oneself or collecting the videos and sharing that art with others. Humm,
8-) Elvis

I can't speak for anybody else, but I take my LDs & even (when necessary) players out to events, to 'share the art with others' as you put it. I'm doing one tomorrow night, in fact. I also invite people to come to my place for showings.

It's one of the reasons I refer to my discs as forming a "library" rather than a "collection". It's also one of the reasons people have been willing to let me have anime LDs, some of them rather scarce & exotic, at minimal prices : they know the discs are going to be watched, not just sit around growing mold.
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