Question:
Sorry if this is a stupid question, but I'm wondering whether, on the whole, if there is an obvious advantage to getting Region 2 discs over Region 1 discs.
I can see 2 arguments. 1) Region 2 discs are easier to get over here 2) SOme players are not multiregion.
But does the actual content of the DVDs tend to differ?
If a disc is already available on Region 1 is it usually worth the wait for region 2?
Any replies would be welcome!
Well the only reason I tend to favour Region 2 or 4 now is due to the PAL factor.
We have one old telly at home which gives black & White NTSC and we also have a portable which we take on holidays with us and when playing through their TV sets only play black and white also.
I always check our extras first but if near enough the same will go Region 2 or 4
Des
The majority of older discs, and a good few current R1 discs normally have better features, although there is the habit of filling the discs with crap rather than anything of worth.
So most people go for R1 because of the extras. If the extras are the same on R1 and R2 then i normally go for R2. Even for EIV releases, i don't care if the packaging's crap, it's only sitting on my shelf and im buying it for the film.
Hope that sort of answers your question.
R1 are never cut either, but the British Board of Film Classification will often cut horror and action films. Rarely are we ever missing anything worth seeing, but for some people only the 'best' will do!
Originally posted by Gethinnadin
R1 are never cut eitherNot quite true. For example, Eyes Wide Shut.
And 'BrainDead' is cut pretty bad. Not to mention 'Requiem For A Dream' (though that's available in its unrated version) There's also 'Storytelling' as well - it seems that the more outrages or 'arty' the film, the less it's cut in this country.
The Cell is another title where the R1 (even though it's a New Line Platinum edition) is cut (to get the R rating). The R2 is the uncut director's version as an 18. (the R1 has the cut bits as deleted scenes though!)
The best thing to do is compare regions for a title before you buy if a) you want the best version and b) you want to be sure what the differences are.
I buy quite a few R1 titles.
The reason for this is they normally come out quite a bit earlier than their R2 or R4 counterpart, often they are cheaper, there is a much greater selection ( a lot of titles you simple can't get here), and often they have DTS soundtracks when the R2 doesn't usually because it's been dropped to make space on the disc for a foriegn lanuage soundtrack (which you are highly likely ever to use).
Of course this doesn't matter if you don't have a DTS amp (sound quality is marginally better with DTS (Dolby Theatre System I think)).
Also for some reason the packaging is usually better, for example the Lord of the Rings is in a dark metallic green box with a special insert for the second disc, whilst the R2 version is a rather tatty looking double sided box.
Originally posted by GrossePointeJack
And 'BrainDead' is cut pretty bad.
Braindead is known as Dead Alive in the States and released unrated, so the cuts were unnecessary.
Originally posted by Whiggles
Not quite true. For example, Eyes Wide Shut.
Thats the example I was going to use :( - not many R1 are cut, but there are some.
Also - DTS is not Dolby Theatre System, DTS are a differnt company to Dolby. :)
James
I tend to buy PAL versions - not due to compatibility issues but because I find the 3:2 pulldown really obtrusive when watching an NTSC movie.
_
Personnaly, I am not too distracted by the 3:2 pulldown, and PAL speedup goes mostly unnoticed by me.
Yet I tend to prefer Z1 DVD, but for another reason : NTSC transfers are in most cases of greater quality, than their PAL equivalent.
They often present a better compression, although the output is at a slightly lower rate, with as consequence, less mosquito noise and other image artefacts.
I agree that the difference is not always easily noticeable on a 28" TV screen, but when going with bigger image (rear projection set or projector), these aspects become more and more important.
And second reason that leads me to Z1 DVD : I am a big fan of DTS !
I reckon that you need a decent audio set to fully appreciate the difference in quality between DD and DTS, but when you have the proper gear, it is a serious improvement in sound quality.
By the way DTS stands for Digital Theatre System, and they are nearly at war with Dolby.
About DTS, it is quite funny to notice that it is virtually a non issue in the UK (which is a good thing), while the French litterally go at each other's throat about it on their forums.
The problem being there, that when a DVD is released with a DTS soundtrack in France, it nearly always presents a French speaking one, as 95 to 98% watch DVD in French, according to marketing research.
Therefore, you get that kind of dialogue on many forums :
"- I am fed up with French speaking DTS track ! Dubbed tracks are of inferior quality, compared to the original in English. Why not use the best quality track for the best quality sound system ?"
"- In France, we speak French ! If you want DTS in English, buy Z1 DVDs !"
And I spare you the birds names (if you get my drift ;) ) that punctuate this kind of "debate".
What makes such behaviour really hilarious, is that most people do not have the proper equipment to fully enjoy the DTS track, over which they fight so aggressively !
Oh, in case you wonder : I am neutral, as I am from Belgium ! :smokin:
François
Originally posted by Paul490
Braindead is known as Dead Alive in the States and released unrated, so the cuts were unnecessary. [/B]
Necessary or not, the fact is that seven minutes of material was cut from the unrated American version - and it's cases like these that make a nonsense of claims that US discs are invariably uncut.
Originally posted by Michael Brooke
Necessary or not, the fact is that seven minutes of material was cut from the unrated American version - and it's cases like these that make a nonsense of claims that US discs are invariably uncut.
Seven minutes?!
I thought it was more like four or five!
Can someone explain to me that if u have a ntsc compatible tv and a multiregion dvd player why u get the 3:2 pulldown .Surely the yanks dont suffer from this ???
The Americans do suffer from 3:2 pulldown, as do the Canadians, Japanese etc. This is because NTSC DVDs sourced from film are stored at 24 fps, and the player must convert them to 30 fps.
Originally posted by lowbatt65
Sorry if this is a stupid question, but I'm wondering whether, on the whole, if there is an obvious advantage to getting Region 2 discs over Region 1 discs.
Not really unless you must have PAL. R1 discs tend to have less language options than R2 discs, which can mean more extras can be fitted on the disc.
R1 discs can be released much earlier then R2 although that's less prevalent these days and in some cases it's even reversing.
I buy more R2 then R1 mainly because my kids have a PS2 and an unhackable JVC player. If I'm buying for myself then I base my choice on price, availability and content. If I'm down to content then I have a look at http://www.dvdcompare.org.uk/, which is a pretty good region comparison site.
Buying R1 discs also runs the risk of coming foul of the Customs and Excise and getting some duty slapped on.
Originally posted by lowbatt65
If a disc is already available on Region 1 is it usually worth the wait for region 2?
There is no rules for that and the comparison is not limited to R1 and R2[UK]. The best is to look for the best edition possible and several parameters have to be taken into account:
1/ Anamorphic (too many R1 are not anamorphic) and they often use pan and crap in the US
2/ Uncut
3/ Quality of the edition (picture, sound, ...)
4/ Price
5/ Extras
6/ Packaging (you will find people complaining about the Canadian covers and the tapes ruinning the covers of R1)
The best is to look for compraison sites like
http://www.bytesandbobs.com/dvdcompare/
Personnaly I go R2, R4 when cheaper than R2 (and to get an amaray for the Warners) and then R1 when the title is not available elsewhere.
I can see 2 arguments. 1) Region 2 discs are easier to get over here 2) SOme players are not multiregion.
But does the actual content of the DVDs tend to differ?
If a disc is already available on Region 1 is it usually worth the wait for region 2?
Any replies would be welcome!
Answers:
Well the only reason I tend to favour Region 2 or 4 now is due to the PAL factor.
We have one old telly at home which gives black & White NTSC and we also have a portable which we take on holidays with us and when playing through their TV sets only play black and white also.
I always check our extras first but if near enough the same will go Region 2 or 4
Des
Answers:
The majority of older discs, and a good few current R1 discs normally have better features, although there is the habit of filling the discs with crap rather than anything of worth.
So most people go for R1 because of the extras. If the extras are the same on R1 and R2 then i normally go for R2. Even for EIV releases, i don't care if the packaging's crap, it's only sitting on my shelf and im buying it for the film.
Hope that sort of answers your question.
Answers:
R1 are never cut either, but the British Board of Film Classification will often cut horror and action films. Rarely are we ever missing anything worth seeing, but for some people only the 'best' will do!
Answers:
Originally posted by Gethinnadin
R1 are never cut eitherNot quite true. For example, Eyes Wide Shut.
Answers:
And 'BrainDead' is cut pretty bad. Not to mention 'Requiem For A Dream' (though that's available in its unrated version) There's also 'Storytelling' as well - it seems that the more outrages or 'arty' the film, the less it's cut in this country.
Answers:
The Cell is another title where the R1 (even though it's a New Line Platinum edition) is cut (to get the R rating). The R2 is the uncut director's version as an 18. (the R1 has the cut bits as deleted scenes though!)
The best thing to do is compare regions for a title before you buy if a) you want the best version and b) you want to be sure what the differences are.
Answers:
I buy quite a few R1 titles.
The reason for this is they normally come out quite a bit earlier than their R2 or R4 counterpart, often they are cheaper, there is a much greater selection ( a lot of titles you simple can't get here), and often they have DTS soundtracks when the R2 doesn't usually because it's been dropped to make space on the disc for a foriegn lanuage soundtrack (which you are highly likely ever to use).
Of course this doesn't matter if you don't have a DTS amp (sound quality is marginally better with DTS (Dolby Theatre System I think)).
Also for some reason the packaging is usually better, for example the Lord of the Rings is in a dark metallic green box with a special insert for the second disc, whilst the R2 version is a rather tatty looking double sided box.
Answers:
Originally posted by GrossePointeJack
And 'BrainDead' is cut pretty bad.
Braindead is known as Dead Alive in the States and released unrated, so the cuts were unnecessary.
Answers:
Originally posted by Whiggles
Not quite true. For example, Eyes Wide Shut.
Thats the example I was going to use :( - not many R1 are cut, but there are some.
Also - DTS is not Dolby Theatre System, DTS are a differnt company to Dolby. :)
James
Answers:
I tend to buy PAL versions - not due to compatibility issues but because I find the 3:2 pulldown really obtrusive when watching an NTSC movie.
_
Answers:
Personnaly, I am not too distracted by the 3:2 pulldown, and PAL speedup goes mostly unnoticed by me.
Yet I tend to prefer Z1 DVD, but for another reason : NTSC transfers are in most cases of greater quality, than their PAL equivalent.
They often present a better compression, although the output is at a slightly lower rate, with as consequence, less mosquito noise and other image artefacts.
I agree that the difference is not always easily noticeable on a 28" TV screen, but when going with bigger image (rear projection set or projector), these aspects become more and more important.
And second reason that leads me to Z1 DVD : I am a big fan of DTS !
I reckon that you need a decent audio set to fully appreciate the difference in quality between DD and DTS, but when you have the proper gear, it is a serious improvement in sound quality.
By the way DTS stands for Digital Theatre System, and they are nearly at war with Dolby.
About DTS, it is quite funny to notice that it is virtually a non issue in the UK (which is a good thing), while the French litterally go at each other's throat about it on their forums.
The problem being there, that when a DVD is released with a DTS soundtrack in France, it nearly always presents a French speaking one, as 95 to 98% watch DVD in French, according to marketing research.
Therefore, you get that kind of dialogue on many forums :
"- I am fed up with French speaking DTS track ! Dubbed tracks are of inferior quality, compared to the original in English. Why not use the best quality track for the best quality sound system ?"
"- In France, we speak French ! If you want DTS in English, buy Z1 DVDs !"
And I spare you the birds names (if you get my drift ;) ) that punctuate this kind of "debate".
What makes such behaviour really hilarious, is that most people do not have the proper equipment to fully enjoy the DTS track, over which they fight so aggressively !
Oh, in case you wonder : I am neutral, as I am from Belgium ! :smokin:
François
Answers:
Originally posted by Paul490
Braindead is known as Dead Alive in the States and released unrated, so the cuts were unnecessary. [/B]
Necessary or not, the fact is that seven minutes of material was cut from the unrated American version - and it's cases like these that make a nonsense of claims that US discs are invariably uncut.
Answers:
Originally posted by Michael Brooke
Necessary or not, the fact is that seven minutes of material was cut from the unrated American version - and it's cases like these that make a nonsense of claims that US discs are invariably uncut.
Seven minutes?!
I thought it was more like four or five!
Answers:
Can someone explain to me that if u have a ntsc compatible tv and a multiregion dvd player why u get the 3:2 pulldown .Surely the yanks dont suffer from this ???
Answers:
The Americans do suffer from 3:2 pulldown, as do the Canadians, Japanese etc. This is because NTSC DVDs sourced from film are stored at 24 fps, and the player must convert them to 30 fps.
Answers:
Originally posted by lowbatt65
Sorry if this is a stupid question, but I'm wondering whether, on the whole, if there is an obvious advantage to getting Region 2 discs over Region 1 discs.
Not really unless you must have PAL. R1 discs tend to have less language options than R2 discs, which can mean more extras can be fitted on the disc.
R1 discs can be released much earlier then R2 although that's less prevalent these days and in some cases it's even reversing.
I buy more R2 then R1 mainly because my kids have a PS2 and an unhackable JVC player. If I'm buying for myself then I base my choice on price, availability and content. If I'm down to content then I have a look at http://www.dvdcompare.org.uk/, which is a pretty good region comparison site.
Buying R1 discs also runs the risk of coming foul of the Customs and Excise and getting some duty slapped on.
Answers:
Originally posted by lowbatt65
If a disc is already available on Region 1 is it usually worth the wait for region 2?
There is no rules for that and the comparison is not limited to R1 and R2[UK]. The best is to look for the best edition possible and several parameters have to be taken into account:
1/ Anamorphic (too many R1 are not anamorphic) and they often use pan and crap in the US
2/ Uncut
3/ Quality of the edition (picture, sound, ...)
4/ Price
5/ Extras
6/ Packaging (you will find people complaining about the Canadian covers and the tapes ruinning the covers of R1)
The best is to look for compraison sites like
http://www.bytesandbobs.com/dvdcompare/
Personnaly I go R2, R4 when cheaper than R2 (and to get an amaray for the Warners) and then R1 when the title is not available elsewhere.
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