Columbia TriStar

Region 1 - NTSC

2.35:1 Original Aspect Ratio

16X9 enhanced
Average Bitrate: 5.37 mb/s
NTSC 704x480 29.97 f/s

2.35:1 Original Aspect Ratio

16X9 enhanced
Average Bitrate: 5.18 mb/s
NTSC 704x480 29.97 f/s

2.35:1 Original Aspect Ratio

16X9 enhanced
Average Bitrate: 6.77 mb/s
NTSC 704x480 29.97 f/s

NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes.

Columbia TriStar

Columbia TriStar (Collector's Edition)

Columbia TriStar (SuperBit)

Eng. DD 5.1 & DD 2.0/ Span. Mono

Eng. DD 5.1 / Eng. DTS

Aspect Ratio:
Widescreen letterboxed - 2.35:1

Edition Details:
• The World of Dark Crystal Doc. 57:22 min.
• Deleted Funeral Scene 3:48 min.
• 7 Work Print Scenes 20 min. total
• Character Drawings & Profiles
• 5 Trailers (3Dark Crystal, Labyrinth, Story Teller)
• Talent Files
• Isolated Audio Music Score Track

DVD Release Date: February 5, 2002
Plastic Keepcase

Chapters 28

Aspect Ratio:
Widescreen anamorphic - 2.35:1

Edition Details:
• The World of Dark Crystal Doc. 57:22 min.
• Deleted Funeral Scene 3:48 min.
• 7 Work Print Scenes 20 min. total
• Character Drawings & Profiles
• 4 Trailers (3 Dark Crystal, Labyrinth)
• Talent Files
• Mitra Treatment Story Background 35 slides
• Storyboards 11 slides
• Character Illustrations 10 slides
• Additional Items inside the Collector's Case;
• Miniature Paper Replication of Henson's notepad
• Collectible Senitype
• A special forward written by Cheryl Henson

DVD Release Date: Nov. 25, 2003
Custom Booklike Cardboard Case

Aspect Ratio:
Widescreen letterboxed - 2.35:1

Edition Details:
• None per SuperBit

DVD Release Date: March 4, 2003
Plastic Keepcase

What a strange circumstance. If I didn't know these were all taken from the same system I would think they were duplicates. The file size though indicates they are not "exact". I don't see a lot of difference in the three, perhaps the Super Bit being a shade brighter. Enrique wrote:

"The same 28 chapter stops occur at the same times in all versions. The chapter view images are the same for all versions and the images for the original and Collector's Edition menus are the same. Bit rate graph looks the same for the original & collector's edition. The bit rate may be higher for the SB only because of the DTS track? Many DVD reviews feel that the DTS track on the SuberBit is not vastly superior to the DD track. Captures look the same for all edition. Bottom line, keep the original or if you are looking to buy, consider the music only track & extra trailer on the orignal DVD vs. artwork menu screens, paper goods inside a large box for a LOT more $. (The SuperBit DTS track is NOT worth the loss of the extras this time)". 

Bottom line: For extensive Extras go for the "Collectors Set". For DTS - buy the Super Bit.

 Gary Tooze