Split off from the other thread:
http://www.badmovies.org/forum/index.php/topic,130717.msg349022.html#msg349022I watched this new DVD release of "Death Race 2000" the other day. Already had the very old cropped DVD (1998) in my collection, and I've seen the special edition from 2005. The 1998 DVD is very low quality. Shout Factory's DVD is much better than the 2005 as well, though I am basing that off of my memory alone. There are noticeable marks on the print during the first few minutes, but after they became uncommon to the point that I stopped noticing them - even when I made an effort to look for them for a few minutes. It's not a restored version, but the source print was obviously in very good condition and transferred well.
The audio is only fair, but I don't know whether to blame that on the original print or the DVD authoring. I'd imagine that the original wouldn't win an award for sound editing. Spent some time looking through the extras, and I'm going to have to devote another evening to just watching those (along with the commentary).
If you have the 1998 DVD, this is definitely worth the upgrade. If you have the 2005 DVD, it's probably worth the upgrade if you are fond of the film in any way. Now I'm really looking forward to the "Galaxy of Terror" DVD!