If they can't fit the Extended Edition onto just one disc (previously), how in the hell can they fit the whole thing, plus the Theatrical cut, onto a single disc now? Has technology advanced to the point where the discs have a lot more space on them now
Umm, kinda. The movie discs in these new sets technically hold more information than the individual discs in the EE sets, but they're double-sided flippers, meaning (yes) you have to get up and flip the disc in the middle of the movie. But these bigger discs (referred to as DVD-18s) aren't anything new--they've been around for six or seven years now. They're just not all that popular. And just 'cause they're bigger, doesn't mean you can cram hours and hours worth of stuff on 'em and expect 'em to look as good as they would if they were spread out onto several discs.
or is the sound/video quality that much lower on this version that the Extended Edition doesn't take up nearly as much space now?
Sound, yes. The new ones drop the DTS tracks. Oh, and they drop all the commentaries from the EEs, too. Picture? There seems to be some debate about that.
Here's a comparison someone did. To me, the old version looks better.
I'm just wondering how my 3 sets of Ext. Ed's aready (apparently) got superceded so quickly, I guess...
Last-chance cash-grab before the HD versions come out in a year or two?
(And I wouldn't say the EEs have been superceded with these, not by a long shot. . .)
(since I'd much rather not have to change the discs during the film, for starters)
Well, you wouldn't necessarily have to "change" discs during the film, but you will have to get up and flip the disc during the film. How'd that be?
Anyone know?
This guy does:
HTF MINI-REVIEW: The Lord of The Rings Trilogy: Limited EditionAnd so do the IGN people:
Fellowship (4/10)Two Towers (4/10)Return of the King (4/10)In short, the only reason to buy these new discs (besides that gorgeous packaging--and it is gorgeous) is for the new documentaries, which don't even sound all that great to begin wth.
I'd say hold off on these discs, unless you're just a Tolkien nut. Rent them if you want to see the docs, and save your cash for the HD releases in a couple years.
