Steels vs Laserdiscs

[OxfordNick]

I was thinking to myself that the last time I really appreciated the packaging of film, game or music stuff was back in the early to mid 90's when I was pretty addicted to Laser Discs. Here in the UK they were pretty hard to come by and I used to import mine in from Ken Cranes in California.

I used to really look forward to the artwork on them and they produced some real talking pieces. Steels, at least to me, are very similar in that I have become more interested in the packaging than the contents.

Anyone been through that journey?

 

[Sir Hilary Bray]

I've been tempted to buy a laserdisc player for years, just for
the fancy artwork on the laserdiscs.

Especially the James Bond and Star Wars ones.

 

[Wreck]

I feel more confident with the longevity of steels tho vs. laser discs. But the artwork of the steel is definitely my top reason as to "Why" I buy certain steels. Half the time I already have the movie inside anyways and dont care much about the content inside. I just throw in the better discs (if not already in there) and then switch discs around and sell off the plastic case version.

 

[bigrob]

i've still got my laserdiscs and still collect them if the price is right just for collectablity

here's my collection --> http://www.lddb.com/collection.php?action=list&user=bigrob

but i agree, i still think Laserdiscs were the best for cover art.

very hard to find a BD/DVD cover that actually uses the theactrical poster (especially on the older titles)

 

[Walshy]

i've still got my laserdiscs and still collect them if the price is right just for collectablity

here's my collection --> http://www.lddb.com/collection.php?action=list&user=bigrob

but i agree, i still think Laserdiscs were the best for cover art.

very hard to find a BD/DVD cover that actually uses the theactrical poster (especially on the older titles)

Thanks for the link to your collection really like the artwork and never seen a lazer disk case

Blade and the Star wars ones look awesome, off to find some youtube videos on them

 

[Wreck]

I can get a lot of these, (laserdiscs) there is a used store that has them by the records close to me. If anyone is searching for any in particular PM me your wants.

But back to topic at hand...

I still think the art on metal and how you can contrast that with different finishes looks better in that regard then say a laser disc.

 

[OxfordNick]

The LDs have the advantage of size. Some of the artwork in the gatefold LDs was fantastic. I also used to get, and I am going sound a saddo here, a buzz from people not knowing what the hell they were looking at. "Is it an album?" was usually the reaction.

The problem with them was they were hard to keep in good condition and themselves were prone to decay etc.

 

[bigrob]

I can get a lot of these, (laserdiscs) there is a used store that has them by the records close to me. If anyone is searching for any in particular PM me your wants.

But back to topic at hand...

I still think the art on metal and how you can contrast that with different finishes looks better in that regard then say a laser disc.

good point there. Steelbook art can be stunning if the right touches are applied (recent Fox wave, upcoming Terminator steelbook as you know Wreck )

there are some steelbooks though which doesn't offer much inspiration though (a few of those UK sticker books like Source Code for example but that's my IMHO)

a Digipack could be considered the same as a gatefold LD as well when you think about it.

 

[dominator1983]

Terminator 2 Laserdisc

I'm pretty sure I've got my T2 laserdisc some where. It was special one in a leather bound box with a metal T2 Judgement Day plaque on the front.

That was some 'superior' packaging

 

[Wreck]

I'm pretty sure I've got my T2 laserdisc some where. It was special one in a leather bound box with a metal T2 Judgement Day plaque on the front.

That was some 'superior' packaging

damn that does sound awesome.

 

[VRob98]

Yep, I'm another who used to import the LDs from Ken Crane's (and others), and I actually took a trip out to CA to visit the store in person. Happy days And just like steelbooks I used to love the Japanese and Asian editions too - they always had such great packaging. Interesting comparison actually, I'd never equated the experience of collecting both, but come to think of it there are lots of similarities.

 

[bigrob]

damn that does sound awesome.

Got it in my collection

cost me about £120 back in the day. Worth every penny

 

[neilski1963]

Same as. My T2 cost £120, with the gold logo. NBK is my favorite, with the uncut directors version for the first time, and hours of extras. Cost me £120.
One of my faves is the *** double disc version of Pulp Fiction. £70. That was a lot of money then, sell thru vids were about £10.
Others i have....
The Killer....3 disc Criterion.
Aliens....3 disc boxset.
Blood For Dracula and Flesh For Frankenstein....both Criterion.
2 different Dawn Of The Dead 2 disc sets.
Cannibal Holocaust.....German disc.
This was the only way, back in the day, to see uncut versions of horror movies in the UK, as EVERY horror movie was cut or banned. Cost me a small fortune. I still have them all, along with my Sony player..(£600). Keep thinking about selling it all, but the market value has decreased so much, its not worth bothering. For instance, the T2 Boxset that i paid £120 for nearly 20 years ago, i saw go for £5 on ebay a few years back. I`d rather keep it, than sell for that price. :tear:

 

[terry44]

Is it true that one side of a laser disc is less than 3 gig in size?

 

[bigrob]

I asked that question over at LDDB and got a three page answer

 

[sirdizzy]

I own only one Laserdisk and that is Star Wars was given to me as I am huge Star Wars fan.

 

[OxfordNick]

Which edition do you have sirdizzy?