Back to the Future Trilogy-Any way to tell frame ratio is OK

[louv68]

I bought this collection today, but I think I got one of the old pressings.
Is there a way to tell the which one I have without opening the package?

This problem has been know for such a long time now that I was wondering if maybe the one I have is good. I'd hate to open it and not be able to return it to Best Buy or go through the hassles of exchanging them through the mail.

I found this website which indicates what you need to look for. The thing is, I've never seen any packages in the U.S. that look like this.
http://www.angelfire.com/film/bttf2/

Q. How can I tell the difference without playing them?
A. If it does not have a V2 on the packaging and disc, then it is NOT a fixed version. Some territories will also have a green and white on-pack sticker that states "Remastered". If you have a DVD-ROM drive on your computer, another test is the date of creation: most flawed pressings were last modified between 4/09/2002 and 10/21/02, whereas the new V2 discs were made on or after 03/08/03. The date for Part III is 20/8/2003 (or 18/11/2003 for mainland Eu). Here is a pic of the new edition of Part III. Note that the R stands for Revision (this is Region 2, not 1) and note also the ©2003 date at the bottom.

Q. But I don't live in the US. Can I still exchange my Region 2/4/(other) version?
A. Yes. No matter where you live, and no matter which version you bought, you can change them in the relevent territory. Slovenia, Colombia, Turkey and the Philippines are the only countries so far quoted as not offering replacments. You can even send, eg, some R1 discs back to the US from Europe, and they are obliged to treat everybody the same.

[Doramius]

Look at the copyright date. It should say 2003. If it doesn't have the 2003 copyright date, then it's the previous version. This was old new when it was released and to avoid hassle I didn't get it at all. However, my father in law did. I got my copy at www.deepdiscountDVD.com for an unbelievable low price and the releases they have are all the new ones as they personally contacted many of the people who bought the other versions and offered to replace the set. You basically bought the new set, and when the old set arrived, they credited your account back. They no longer ship the bad version from that retailer. There's an online site that people list all the different movies that have odd frame creations when they are found, but I can't recall the name of it. Universal was notorious for doing it. I think it has something to do with how they transfer it to DVD. Not exactly sure.

[louv68]

Doramius,

Thank you for your response. I have also heard of looking for the 2003 copyright, but I don't see it anywhere on the package. I guess I'll have to open the pack in order to see it on the discs. This sucks that they still have the old stock circulationg around. You would assume that they would have discarded this old stock, but I guess Universal is wanting to dump it on us. Most people probably don't know about the framing issue or just don't care. I'm a purist and want it exactly how the director intended it to be watched.

-LouV68

[Doramius]

It should be on the back of the case. near the botthom in small print. It usually has to be somewhere on the outside of the case, but maybe that's just an option most companies use, but Universal doesn't do. They do some strange things from company to company. IE: the funky cheap cardboard cases. I usually scan the artwork and then print it on nice photo paper to slide in an actual DVD plastic keep case.