Buying foreign region dvds

[Hermiod]

^I'm sure they might, however this message is still not getting through to DVD producers.

 

[jgdst]

I can understand this. However, for us folks in the UK, for instancee, we are motivated by the fact that all (pretty much all) of the frakkin' amazing shows come from region one! But, we're lucky that they are usually released on region two, too. Still, they are (or were until recently) somtimes less expensive and sometimes have better features and packaging on region one.

Speaking of frakkin - while region 2 is usually hot on the heels of region 1, we do seem to get screwed over sometimes on content: The BSG season 3 boxset jumping instantly to mind. The Resistance webisodes, as I understand it, were included as part of the Region 1 boxset, but not Region 2. The Sci-Fi channel's US website denied me because I'm not in that region, and the UK site doesn't have the videos.

I resorted to more desperate measures. I wouldn't steal a handbag or a car, but dammit, I stole the internet to get my own way!

The Family Guy and American Dad R2 DVDs are all over the place too, splitting up the seasons in weird places, so half of season four of FG is now on the season five boxset...

When will the madness end?!

Aside from audio and subtitled language content, what are the other reasons for splitting DVD releases up into regions anyway? I've never really understood.

 

[Bob The Skutter]

I can understand this. However, for us folks in the UK, for instancee, we are motivated by the fact that all (pretty much all) of the frakkin' amazing shows come from region one! But, we're lucky that they are usually released on region two, too. Still, they are (or were until recently) somtimes less expensive and sometimes have better features and packaging on region one.

Speaking of frakkin - while region 2 is usually hot on the heels of region 1, we do seem to get screwed over sometimes on content: The BSG season 3 boxset jumping instantly to mind. The Resistance webisodes, as I understand it, were included as part of the Region 1 boxset, but not Region 2. The Sci-Fi channel's US website denied me because I'm not in that region, and the UK site doesn't have the videos.

I resorted to more desperate measures. I wouldn't steal a handbag or a car, but dammit, I stole the internet to get my own way!

The Family Guy and American Dad R2 DVDs are all over the place too, splitting up the seasons in weird places, so half of season four of FG is now on the season five boxset...

When will the madness end?!

Aside from audio and subtitled language content, what are the other reasons for splitting DVD releases up into regions anyway? I've never really understood.

It's to make more profit, as most things are. I f the movie/TV show is released in the US 2-3 months before R2, and you can get it for $10 cheaper, what's to stop you buying it and stopping them making that extra $10 profit. Well nothing but that's what the regions are supposed to do.

 

[jgdst]

It's to make more profit, as most things are. I f the movie/TV show is released in the US 2-3 months before R2, and you can get it for $10 cheaper, what's to stop you buying it and stopping them making that extra $10 profit. Well nothing but that's what the regions are supposed to do.

I thought that might be the reason, but I wasn't sure if I was being too cynical. Apparently I wasn't. I'm not even sure if that's a good or bad thing

 

[Bob The Skutter]

It's to make more profit, as most things are. I f the movie/TV show is released in the US 2-3 months before R2, and you can get it for $10 cheaper, what's to stop you buying it and stopping them making that extra $10 profit. Well nothing but that's what the regions are supposed to do.

I thought that might be the reason, but I wasn't sure if I was being too cynical. Apparently I wasn't. I'm not even sure if that's a good or bad thing

Well the official reason is to control the copyright, and make sure the people who own international rights can choose when they wish to distribute it...

 

[The Laughing Vulcan]

I love my multi-region player. Although I hate NTSC-PAL conversion. When the disc producers do it, it results in ghosting, when a player does it, lower resolution and flicker. Yeah, I need a newer TV. But practically every DVD player sold in the UK can be remote hacked. Even the ones that 'can't' like the Sonys, can via All-in-One remotes. The supermarket ones that retail for less than a new DVD are easiest of all to hack.

But in terms of content, it's essential. I like me some anime, and for all the anime that is released in the UK, ten times the volume is released in the US, and it's a rare UK anime disc that trumps the US. Ghost In The Shell Innocence, and Millennium Actress are two that spring to mind that had English dubs in the UK, but not in America.

Last year, with the exchange rate, I was loving America for DVDs. Take Cowboy Bebop. The UK had the original stereo discs, few extras, and they still retail for around £20 each. There were two boxsets released, but getting both would set me back around £60. I got the Region 1 Remix Collection on the day of release, with extra commentaries and featurettes for under £15.

It isn't that much different even now. I can get the Wolf's Rain Collection in the UK for about £100, but I've pre-ordered the US version for £18.

But I've also bought Region 4 and Region 3 discs. Region 4 offers PAL video, and titles not available elsewhere. You won't find the Wings Of Honneamise remastered on DVD anywhere else. You have to buy it packaged with Bluray in the US. I also got the uncut Commando from there, not released in the UK.

Actually I can understand not buying UK Region 2 for playback on US players because of the conversion issues, but American audiences should lap up Region 3. Those discs are NTSC, and as well as stocking up on kung-fu movies and other Asian cinema, you'll also get your Hollywood blockbusters at a significant discount.