Transfer quality on Star Wars: up and down?

[JimDriver2]

I only just got around to watching Ep 1 the other night (i've had tv probs for a couple of months and couldn't bare to watch it on a rubbish set.) and I found that the transfer quality kind of went up and down throughout the film. Sometimes it was just fantastic, sharp, colourful, full of detail and then other times it seemed a little soft. Is this just me or did other people find this?

[Roberto]

Some sences where more gainy then other but in general it was a good transfer (not an excellent one through) I just feel that they have held back for a better transfer with DTS for the box set in a few years.

[StuNew]

I've not seen the film on DVD (once at the cinema was enough!) but is it possible that Luca$ deliberately released a "so-so" version so that he could re-release a "new and improved" version in a few years?

To be followed by a new, "new and improved version" shortly after and then a new, new "new and improved version" after that and then a new, new, new... :rolleyes:

[Squirtle]

Originally posted by StuNew
I've not seen the film on DVD (once at the cinema was enough!) but is it possible that Luca$ deliberately released a "so-so" version so that he could re-release a "new and improved" version in a few years?

To be followed by a new, "new and improved version" shortly after and then a new, new "new and improved version" after that and then a new, new, new... :rolleyes:

But isnt the disk THX? Why deliberately release a crap THX approved disk - hardly a good ad for their services!

Anyway no matter how many times the film is released geeky Star Wars fan boys will buy it :rolleyes:

[Roberto]

As said time and again on these forums, THX is does NOT mean the ultimate transfer (picture or sound) althrough they'd like to think so! No, i can give dozens of examples from my own collection where the picture quality blows a THX tranfer out of the water. Beside, doesn't Luca$ (i like that :D ) pull the strings in the backround like he does with ILM?

[Squirtle]

Why make the disk THX then? If he hadnt then he could re-release a THX version next year.

I'm waiting for it to come out with four different covers like they do with magazines - some geeky fan boys are guaranteed to buy all four!:rolleyes:

[Andy_C]

Of course, the infamous R1 Highlander disk is THX mastered.

http://dvd.ign.com/reviews/719.html

"The THX stands for This Highlander is eXcrement"

"In keeping with the Scottish theme, the visuals of this disc are as frightening as Scottish cuisine, and are uglier than Haggis or Blood Pudding combined.

The print is nasty. It's got imperfections (specks, spots, dust) all over the place. It's also hazy, murky and dark, with more grain than seen in all of mighty Saskatchewan.

As for the digital side... again, ouch. I haven't seen so many moving squares since I last played Combat! on my ATARI 2600. Squares in the matting bars (it's non-anamorphic), squares in the already nasty-looking picture.

It almost belongs in Baron Von Henson's Spotlight of Poo Shame. You honored it as one of the Worst DVD's of All Time. <b>But the weirdest thing about this disc is, it was all mastered under the strict and watchful eyes of THX, whose engineers put their seal of approval on the thing. This makes me wonder what their evaluation criteria are. Do they have any standards at all?</b> Or is this one certified by the highest-paid audio/video engineers not to leave stains on your counter when you put your coffee mug on it? Your guess is as good as mine. I know that I'm not going to confidently buy any disc, assured of its quality simply because those three letters are on it though."

[Squirtle]

I thought THX just over saw the transfer - if the original print is crap then theres not much they can do about it. E.g. Opera

[Cornelius]

I thought the transfer was not up to scratch in places and there's no excuse for it with such a modern film especially with the technology available to Lucas. It's hard not to be suspicious that the lack lustre effort was anything but deliberate.