Region 1 DVDs

kieslowski

There are a good few films that only seem to be available in Region 1 format. Does anyone know whether a Region 2 version of The Conformist or Hearts of Darkness: A Filmaker's Apocalypse exist? Is a multi-region DVD player the way to go?

krudler

multi region all the way, just so you can get Criterion versions of movies and the R1 versions are nearly always much better

cabrwab

Most Definitely,
You'd be surprised what extra features sometimes appear on Region 1 Dvd's.

The only exception i can think of is Donnie Darko, where region 2 Dvd got all the better features.

I got a multi-region Dvd player because films would be released in america about 6 months in advance but this is not so much the case now.

Its also easier to get the "really" special editions of Dvd's in america.

Anyway +1 on a multi region. always worth it!

phelixoflaherty

You can convert dvd player to Multi-region.


http://www.alldvdcodes.com/

niallon

Indeed. Up until Gladiator, nearly every release here was absolutely, horrendously mediochre compared to the American release. Looked like it was finally going to even out but still today things are the same.

Otis Driftwood

Its not just the Region 1's that are worth getting.Some of the Asian Releases are beyond gorgeous like this one for Pans Labyrinth

True_Blue

what's the best multi region player out there?
Is it really worth it buying one of those cheap one's in Dunnes?

Otis Driftwood

I bought a power-point one about 4 or 5 years ago for €50 and its still going strong.

cabrwab

True_Blue wrote: »

what's the best multi region player out there?
Is it really worth it buying one of those cheap one's in Dunnes?

Depends what you want really....
imo NO i wouldn't buy a DVD player in dunnes!
Unless its an actual decent brand/model. I'd go to a dedicated store myself.

Buy cheap buy twice;)

purple_hatstand

You should definitely try this.........

phelixoflaherty wrote: »

You can convert dvd player to Multi-region.


http://www.alldvdcodes.com/

..........before you go spending cash on a new player.......

mudokon

Region unlocking is the way to go, you could probably get the code for free as well just by searching on google.

Max Power1

purple_hatstand wrote: »

You should definitely try this.........



..........before you go spending cash on a new player.......

Is this legal?

krudler

You can get a Pioneer multi region dvd player that upscales as well, have one at home and its great

mudokon

Max Power1 wrote: »

Is this legal?

According to this yes.

Is it legal?
It's perfectly above board, as DVD region coding isn't a product of law, it's a product of savvy Hollywood execs keen to maintain an iron grip on worldwide distribution. After all, it makes bad economic sense to have people cheaply importing films when they could be paying a premium for their own local releases.

Discussions have also taken place on whether region coding is a violation of WTO free trade agreements or competition law.

Makaveli

Max Power1 wrote: »

Is this legal?

Yes but it's also unnecessary. With a little bit of searching it shouldn't be too hard to find the instructions to unlock you dvd player. There's no need to pay for the information.

Max Power1

Makaveli wrote: »

Yes but it's also unnecessary. With a little bit of searching it shouldn't be too hard to find the instructions to unlock you dvd player. There's no need to pay for the information.

Thanks- I meant the unlocking of region codes in general, in addition to that particular site.

purple_hatstand

Makaveli wrote: »

Yes but it's also unnecessary. With a little bit of searching it shouldn't be too hard to find the instructions to unlock you dvd player. There's no need to pay for the information.

Try this one...

http://www.dvd.reviewer.co.uk/info/multiregion/

Magic Eight Ball

Don't ya need some sort of universal remote for region hacks? I know ya need one for the model I own.

mudokon

Trevor Coulahan wrote: »

Don't ya need some sort of universal remote for region hacks? I know ya need one for the model I own.

I've never heard of that, the remote that comes with the DVD player should work. What model do you have?

Magic Eight Ball

mudokon wrote: »

I've never heard of that, the remote that comes with the DVD player should work. What model do you have?

It's a Sony DVP-NS 300, pretty old model but never once given me any trouble.

Have't been able to unlock the region block on it, remote has no digits so can't hack.

mudokon

Trevor Coulahan wrote: »

Have't been able to unlock the region block on it, remote has no digits so can't hack.

Not having digits on the remote makes it more diffiicult, I had a quick look at that model & it seems to have parental controls on it & they normally have a numeric password so there must be some way to enter digits. You can download a copy of the manual here, if you can access the parental controls then it may give you a hint on how to enter digits. If that doesn't work then buying a universal remote is the next best option.

kieslowski

Thanks for all the replies, that's been a good education, will try unlocking and if I fail in that endeavour I'll just get a multiregion player.

Magic Eight Ball

mudokon wrote: »

Not having digits on the remote makes it more diffiicult, I had a quick look at that model & it seems to have parental controls on it & they normally have a numeric password so there must be some way to enter digits. You can download a copy of the manual here, if you can access the parental controls then it may give you a hint on how to enter digits. If that doesn't work then buying a universal remote is the next best option.

Cheers for that man, I'll give it a go.

Red Sleeping Beauty

kieslowski wrote: »

There are a good few films that only seem to be available in Region 1 format. Does anyone know whether a Region 2 version of The Conformist or Hearts of Darkness: A Filmaker's Apocalypse exist? Is a multi-region DVD player the way to go?

www.dvdcompare.net is pretty good for comparing different releases but it's not completely up to date but it's good considering
Also dvdbeaver.

As far as I know Hearts of Darkness was only released in UK/Ireland on VHS many moons ago. No DVD release unfortunately which is a shame as there was a nice steelbook (well it's not bad) released last year with both versions of Apocalypse Now but with mere filler material for the extras (deleted scenes and the odd random interview).
Don't know about the conformist.


Some info here at the Home Entertainment forum. Not all DVD players can be unlocked but most can and sometimes a code or "hack" for one player can be used on another. Lots of them cheap players are often the same innards as the name brand or at least produced in the same factory on the same assembly line!

Check out the AVForums as well

nedtheshed wrote: »

Its not just the Region 1's that are worth getting.Some of the Asian Releases are beyond gorgeous like this one for Pans Labyrinth

Some of them Asian releases can be bootlegs or semi-boots. But yeah, some really nice artwork and packaging sometimes

Dances with Wolves Korea :




Deathproof/Planet Terror Japan (region 2) release :





region 2 isn't as rubbish as it was. There's some transfers and releases and audio mixes which rate higher such as a lot of the Tartan ones like Hard Boiled :cool:

Otis Driftwood

The best one Ive ever seen is the Starmax release of Oldboy.Ive been outbid on it so many times its not even funny.Ive never seen it go for less than €200 online.

http://www.skullface.com/review33.html

Drool.

If anyone knows where I can get one (preferably with all discs intact-for what ever reason some of them are missing one of the extras discs) I will be forever in your debt.

Red Sleeping Beauty

nedtheshed wrote: »

The best one Ive ever seen is the Starmax release of Oldboy.Ive been outbid on it so many times its not even funny.Ive never seen it go for less than €200 online.

http://www.skullface.com/review33.html

Drool.

If anyone knows where I can get one (preferably with all discs intact-for what ever reason some of them are missing one of the extras discs) I will be forever in your debt.

HMV in Grafton St in Dublin have the purple box with the 2disc editions of all three films and the hammer and schematics but it's about €120-€140


I like nice packaging and design but only if it's affordable like. I got Lady and Mr Vengence in there for a few quid and then picked up the 2discer of Oldboy 2nd hand. Sentitypes are overrated I think - but I would say that after working as a projectionist . I don't know where you'd get that box though, the usuals I suppose , maybe amazon (try the Asian ones if you can read the language(s) :pac:), I thought ezydvd might have so I did a check there but nah.


The Oldboy tin was nice if you didn't have the Band of Brothers one