The reason I collect LaserDiscs for the later releases is that you feel like you have something rather than a miniscule DVD or Blu-ray. However I collect early releases for a totally different reason. I like how most early releases were sourced from 16mm. I like the scratches and splices that are on 16mm films. Today's movies are too perfect and have no strange anomlies. I think that sometimes this adds to the feel of the film. e.g. Psycho on Discovision. So why don't I buy the 16mm copies then? Well, it's simple. They can cost sometimes 100 times the prices of a copy on Discovision. for example I recently saw a good copy of King Kong on 16mm go for about $300, money that I don't have. So I made the choice to jump in to the world of Discovision and although there are some things I don't like about Discovision, (Laserrot and Laserlock) I still enjoy collecting them.
So why do you collect Laserdiscs?

Might want to check out this thread since it basically asks the same question:

viewtopic.php?f=32&t=358

The biggest driving factor for me is the SOUND. Well mastered LaserDisc(s) just rock.

I'm also interested in the same thing you are. LD(s) look like "film" ... cigarette burns (changeover marks), scratches, splice marks, worn prints) ... it's all part of a getting the feeling of watching a theatrical print ... in an old movie theater. Many LD(s) appear to be copied directly (with little video/audo processing) from film prints. I still enjoy seeing a well remastered DVD or Blu Ray ... but it's nice to see the original film prints as well ... it's like taking a trip back in time.

Strangely that is what has actually finally made me get into Blu Ray. I like that the resolution is so high you can see the film grain, and when on a big screen it does give a great cinematic experience...assuming it hasn't been blitzed with DNR so everything looks like it's made of playdo.

What made me take the plunge with laserdisc was so I could get the highest quality versions of the original, unaltered Star Wars Trilogy...since then I've just fallen in love with the format. I can't quite place my finger on why I like it so much, I think a large part of it is the curiosity factor...that such a thing worked and existed long before the DVD age.

Of course the luxurious packaging is a big plus too.

Good day hippiedalek,

What made me take the plunge with laserdisc was so I could get the highest quality versions of the original, unaltered Star Wars Trilogy...since then I've just fallen in love with the format. I can't quite place my finger on why I like it so much, I think a large part of it is the curiosity factor...that such a thing worked and existed long before the DVD age.

Of course the luxurious packaging is a big plus too.

I agree with you totally!
The packaging, the handling of the disc's, hearing the players drawer and then the players spinning up, then going from SideA to SideB ect.

A real pleasure to collect each title.