Slant: At least they announced that there were going to be multiple editions of LOTR before they even released the initial version. If I hadn't known that I would have been very upset because I would have bought the first version and then had this new one sprung on me. Even with the warning, it took and immense amount of willpower to not buy it when it first came out.
Consequenltly, today's PVP covered this very same subject matter.
I wholeheartedly agree that the new version is worth it. I haven't looked at any special features yet, but the extra footage is a really nice addition. While there are only about 4 new scenes, virtually every scene gets some new dialogue or shots added. Celeborn actually has more than one line now and Gimli finally gets his moment of character development in the gift giving scene.
****SPOILER WARNING****
Well, it looks like we most certainly won't be seeing the Scouring of the Shire as Sam only recieves the rope as a gift, now box of earth.