Bond DVDs - Ultimate Edition 2 disc set questions

[Bibby_83]

Hi,
I have an interest in getting one of these DVDs - the Bond remasters which are known as the 'Ultimate Edition'.
Can anyone tell me if there is any difference in the releases since there are 2 disc versions of all the films but I think two different kinds of box art, example: -

Amazon.com: Octopussy - 2-Disc Ultimate Edition: Roger Moore: Movies & TV

Amazon.com: Octopussy (James Bond Two-Disc Ultimate Edition): Maud Adams, Vijay Amritraj, Cheryl Anne, Patrick Barr, Kabir Bedi, Steven Berkoff, Bruce Boa, Hugo Bower, Andrew Bradford, Jeremy Bulloch, Ray Charles, Michaela Clavell, Brian Coburn, Bren

The second one seems a bit more boring and just shows Bond and the Bond girl of the hour with (usually) a silver background. I don't know if one is the NTSC release and the other PAL, but I am sure that I have only seen the latter version in HMV recently.

My other question is, are these DVDs the best quality? I only ask because an earlier release which I believe was called the 'Special Edition' is supposed to be remastered also. I think the difference is in the widescreen format, which was cropped on earlier discs? Probably a moot point since the latest editions are the most widely available but I just thought I'd ask anyway.

Thanks for any help,
Simon

[vader100]

I have this box set

Play.com (UK) : James Bond Complete Collection Box Set : DVD - Free Delivery

which is made up of these DVD's (Region 2)

Play.com (UK) : James Bond: Goldeneye (2 Discs) : DVD - Free Delivery

The quality is excellent. High bitrate transfer for DVD and DTS sound.

[mikegambit]

The Special Editions are best avoided as the quality of the films is not as good as on the UE - the first 3 films in particular are far better on the newer releases although the SE were all in widescreen too.

For best quality though you should get the Bluray discs

[Bibby_83]

Thanks all,
I get the impression that the newer packaging on the DVDs was to coincide with the Blu Ray release - the style is practically identical I think. I suppose the cost of a Bond boxset in Blu Ray will be quite a lot though.