Criterion DVDS?

[JGDragov]

Hi.
I have a question about Criterion(spelling) dvds. What are they? I see advertisement for dvds that are "Criterion Edition" but I don't know what that means? Is that the studio name? Is the picture quality somehow better?
Any feedback on this subject would be greatly appreciated.

[Stansell]

Criterion is a company that releases films on video.

Before DVD's were around they made many special edition laserdiscs that were known for their excellent quality and extra features such as director's commentaries, stills and high quality film transfers. Many of the features they had are pretty common on DVD's today, but were not so common on laserdiscs and unheard of on videotape.

Most of the films they choose are critically acclaimed types or ones they felt worthy of the "Criterion" treatment. I think they have sort lost their nitch market now that studios are making their own special edition DVD's. Per their web site, they can't re-release the laserdiscs they put out on DVD because they don't have the rights to do so.

I guess the Criterion DVD's are given the same attention to detail as their laserdiscs were.

Here is their website:
http://www.criterionco.com/