Warning to anyone planning to purchase the Back To The Future Widescreen DVD

[Towncrier]

Apparently Universal Studios messed up the widescreen transfer on the 2nd and 3rd movies in this set. Universal has setup a toll free (in the US) number to call with instructions as to how to get replacement DVDs when they are available. The number is:

1-888-703-0010

I have been waiting YEARS to get a copy of this movie on DVD. I used to own the Laserdiscs of all three movies, but loaned them to someone who never returned them. I even purchased the video CDs from a legit source in Taiwan last year, but the quality of those VCDs left a lot to be desired. Now I find out that my copy is defective. At least Universal is willing to replace the defective DVDs.

For more details about this problem, you can check out the following link:

http://www.thedigitalbits.com/#bttfexplained

 

[gina2000]

I just bought the full screen version for DH for Christmas.

I'm assuming that's okay. At least....I hope....

 

[becka]

Are the 2nd and 3rd movies still watchable but just not widescreen?

 

[PandyPaws]

ARGHHHH!!!! ....and I JUST ordered this! Id also been waiting YEARS for this, John. thanks for the heads up...perhaps it's not too late to cancel my order.

 

[Towncrier]

The full screen version (pan & scan) is fine. The widescreen versions are watchable, but there are scenes where some of the action is cut off. The whole point of purchasing a widescreen version is to see those details, so that's why there is such an uproar among the DVD community. The fact of the matter is that a large portion of the folks who purchase the widescreen version will never notice the problem. And that's what Universal is counting on.

A similar problem happened with Monty Python's Holy Grail DVD was released. Some DVD players had difficulty playing the DVD due to mastering errors. If you complained to the manufacturer, they would replace the DVD. Silent recalls are a pain in the you know what.

 

[wvjules]

Silent recalls are a pain in the you know what.

No, what?

 

[Towncrier]

Keister

 

[caitycaity]

well that sucks!!! i just bought this for dh.

i guess we'll have to call for the replacement.

 

[becka]

I was just wondering if they were viewable because if I bought the widescreen version and then got the replacement DVD's I could give the "bad" widescreen versions to my little brother. He probably could care less about the edges being cut off especially if it is relatively minor because he would have two "free" movies to watch.

 

[Towncrier]

If you check out the following thread on the Home Theater Forum, you can see a couple of examples of framing mistakes.

http://www.hometheaterforum.com/htforum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=112569

 

[DonnaS]

We almost bought them at Costco last night. Thanks for the heads up.

 

[Towncrier]

 

[helenabear]

Bump for Becka

 

[Desiree]

Wow thanks for posting this... I got this for Christmas and only made it thru the first movie anyways! I will definately call for the replacement!

Thanks again!

Des

 

[olena]

Ah, the Home Theater Forum....my husband's second home. Chris has already participated in that rant. We'll be sending ours back. Thanks, John!

 

[ead79]

Thanks for the heads up, John. I just bought the 3 DVD set with some of my Christmas money. I will have to get the replacements so my fiance will not complain, LOL!

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

<font color=navy>Thanks for the heads up. I almost bought the set @ Sams this weekend.

 

[dizneegirl]

Since the call only gives you information (they ask for your zip code, but nothing more), here's the return info they give.

Universal is aware of a framing problem on the widescreen DVD releases of Back to the Future 2, and Back to the Future 3. Most widescreen viewers will not notice the framing problem, and it affects 2 minutes of Back to the Future 2, and 4 minutes of Back to the Future 3.

If you would like replacement discs, mail the DVDs, but not the cases to (this may be regional, I'm not sure):

Back to the Future DVD Returns
PO Box 224468
Dallas, TX 75260

Include your full name, mailing address, and reason for return.

Replacement discs will be available in late February.

---

For those people who are just buying these to have the movie, and are not DVD "afficiandos", you're probably not going to know what the fuss is about. There's nothing wrong with the video... the movies play just fine. The problem comes in the cropping of the scenes... if you compare laser disc releases with the new DVD release, the scenes in question are zoomed into the action more, so that the bottom of the scene is cropped slightly. Much like what happens with putting a widescreen movie on a regular TV without the letterbox bars (only there, it's cut off the sides).