[absinthe]

Uh, because they're bootlegs, from the LaserDisc releases.

No, the compression artifacts are a byproduct of bad DVD mastering, whatever the video might have been bootlegged from. Laserdiscs don't have compression artifacts, because they never involved compression.

[js1138]

Visible artifacts are the result of cheap or incompetent DVD mastering, probably a real-time conversion from a tape or laserdisk. I'm pretty sensitive to artifacts since I do a lot of digital photography. There are differences in the quality of various compression algorithms.

[TD911]

Bingo!

I'm shocked, shocked to find bad mastering/compression on a bootleg Asian DVD from a source that has not been released in any digital medium, legitimately at this time.

Actually, as to compression LaserDiscs did have compression. Mostly for AC-3 audio and anamorphic video.

[marajade]

They're bootlegs... Why do you think they're being released now in Region 1 on DVD? Because they haven't been released yet...