Why won't MGM/UA Reissue a DVD of "The Compleat Beatles"?

That's the version I have. Despite its age, it is still copy-protected. At least I can't make a back-up copy with a standalone DVD recorder.

 

I had forgotten about that! I think it was one of the first copy-protected VHS tapes I had.

 

The second release, which I have, could be copied onto dvd-r.

 

I have the VHS as well. I do remember some audio issue for a minute or segment. I can't recall what it was, but I do think it's a solid overview for a more limited time.

 

The way I used to get around this was to use an older VCR that didn't recognise the Macrovision signal. This would be most VCR's made in the 80's and early 90's.

 

I had the CED(RCA Selectavision) and Laser Disc. Just checked You Tube, they have it up in 12 parts!

 

For old times sake, I put on the laserdisc last night.

 

My sentiments exactly. Pre-Internet, pre-full Apple/Beatles involvement, The Compleat Beatles was great for its time, but I think nostalgia makes it more valuable than it really is. The info about the Liverpool/Hamburg/pre-EMI days was the doc's strong point, but it's almost as though the year 1966 is passed off as just a year of discontent.

 

I have the copy-protected VHS version but I was able to make a DVD-R copy by waiting a split second into the program before I hit the record button. All other attempts failed if I tried to record before that first sound. I was also using that old Radio Shack black box hacker.

 

I had no idea there copy protected VHS tapes.

 

You can trasnfer it to digital with no problem on a computer with a good video capture card. Macrovision has three different kinds of copy protection, including dodgy sync, the brighter-than-white pulse, and tweaking the colorburst signal. They've made literally billions of dollars on this stuff, but in truth, it's not that hard to get around it.

 

I like the conciseness of THE COMPLEAT BEATLES and bought it on LaserDisc and it's since been transferred to DVD-R. It's great to pop in and get through The Beatles' story in under two hours.

Harry

 

It's a different film. I can't say it is better.

 

I remember Paul a few years after said something to the effect that they had talked about doing a "Long and Winding Road", various things happened so another group came in and did "Compleat". The impression I got was he thought it was decent but brief. Kind of surprised it sold well.
This also came out just when VCRs first became affordable to the middle class. In 1976 Sony did massive advertising for its new BETA, showing a guy switching channels but missing a triple play. At the time I was working an evening shift job (4:18 PM to 12:48 AM) and a whole bunch of us said we buy one.as soon as it became affordable ($500 as compared to the $1,000+ they were in 1976). Plus there is also the rather curious thing that you can rent video but not audio.

 

This was pre-digital era. We take it for granted now, but it must have been a challenge to retain quality over multiple analogue generations, especially if copy or production masters were used instead of original tapes, and it clearly shows on this movie.