Downton Abbey - Series 1 UK - $14.41 shipped - More features than US version
 

The Link

I just picked this up with a bunch of other discs I've had my eyes on.

The UK version includes commentaries and deleted scenes which are not on the US Blu-ray. It is also region-free and comes with a slip cover, although I can't guarantee that they would still be shipping with a slip cover.

Re: Downton Abbey - Series 1 UK - $14.41 shipped - More features than US version
 

Thanks OP, great deal!

Re: Downton Abbey - Series 1 UK - $14.41 shipped - More features than US version
 

I have been tempted to blind buy this along with Being Human and Sherlock.

That price drop makes it even more tempting.

Re: Downton Abbey - Series 1 UK - $14.41 shipped - More features than US version
 

so is 6.99 the new MSRP of this, since they don't indicate any % off? If that is so, I'll probably wait a bit.

Re: Downton Abbey - Series 1 UK - $14.41 shipped - More features than US version
 

FWIW, it does stream on Netflix if you'd like to check it out first.

Re: Downton Abbey - Series 1 UK - $14.41 shipped - More features than US version
 

This show is brilliant. I actually gifted this series to two different people over Christmas

Re: Downton Abbey - Series 1 UK - $14.41 shipped - More features than US version
 

I don't know why but Amazon UK stopped showing most list prices awhile ago. If I want to know I go to another UK site to find it.

Re: Downton Abbey - Series 1 UK - $14.41 shipped - More features than US version
 

I don't know about Being Human, but I know that Sherlock is encoded at 1080/50i, and some U.S. players aren't able to play it even though it's region free.

Re: Downton Abbey - Series 1 UK - $14.41 shipped - More features than US version
 

I see there is also a Christmas at Downton Abbey blu-ray which apparently takes place after series 2. It is a 2 hour special. Will the US get this special ? I hope we don't have to wait till December 2012 to see it.
There are spoilers to what will happen in Series 2 in the description so I wouldn't recommend reading it if you are in the US.

Re: Downton Abbey - Series 1 UK - $14.41 shipped - More features than US version
 

Great, thanks OP!

Re: Downton Abbey - Series 1 UK - $14.41 shipped - More features than US version
 

Another reason to buy the UK releases over the American discs is that the UK releases are 1080p, the American version is 1080i.

Re: Downton Abbey - Series 1 UK - $14.41 shipped - More features than US version
 

No it isn't. It's 1080p as stated. I'm looking right at it.

Re: Downton Abbey - Series 1 UK - $14.41 shipped - More features than US version
 

Does this Blu have English subtitles? I tried this in streaming video and couldn't understand half of what was said.

Re: Downton Abbey - Series 1 UK - $14.41 shipped - More features than US version
 

If it's a Blu-ray of a UK TV show, there's a good chance that a lot of Blu-ray players (specifically the PS3) will not play it even if it's region free. There are only a few exceptions and they're primarily older Blu-ray releases (such as Torchwood Series 1-3 and, I believe, the David Tennant Doctor Who Specials)

The two primary video formats that are incompatible in the US are 1080i50 and 1080p25 both of which are used exclusively in PAL regions and aren't NTSC-friendly... so they all get converted to 1080i60 for US Blu-ray releases. PAL folks on the other hand have the luxury of having their TVs completely compatible with NTSC signals... to which I say: grrrr.

Re: Downton Abbey - Series 1 UK - $14.41 shipped - More features than US version
 

I think that some posters on the bluray.com forums have verified that it will play on the PS3. That forum is the one of the best places on the net for checking region compatibility and to find out the answer to the most important question about any bluray, which is if it has a slipcover or not.

Re: Downton Abbey - Series 1 UK - $14.41 shipped - More features than US version
 

Also it seems like most (if not all) of Universal's releases have been payable worldwide. I know the Battlestar Galactica complete series set is also region free and a lot cheaper than the U.S. set.

Re: Downton Abbey - Series 1 UK - $14.41 shipped - More features than US version
 

It looks to me like the BBC sticks to encoding their Blu-rays at 1080i50Hz, which can cause problems for US players and/or TVs if they don't either support 50Hz or convert it to 60Hz. ITV, on the other hand, encodes their TV releases in proper 1080p, which is always 24fps, so will play anywhere. Downton Abbey is an ITV series, so is in 1080p/

Thanks, OP, by the way. I'm staggered that the cheapest the American edition of this on-line appears to be $34.99. You'd think with series two airing on PBS it'd be more heavily discounted. I shall be picking this up along with series 4 of The Tudors on Blu-ray disc, which is £16.99 before VAT is removed, as soon as my income tax refund is deposited.

Re: Downton Abbey - Series 1 UK - $14.41 shipped - More features than US version
 

I got it from Amazon.com for $13.49 back in early December. I'd rather have the UK version for a buck more, but I did get to watch it weeks ago.

Re: Downton Abbey - Series 1 UK - $14.41 shipped - More features than US version
 

My wife thanks you. For ~$15, that's not bad.

... and now I'm thinking of snagging the Sherlock series 1 & 2 pack for ~$50. Hmmmm...

Re: Downton Abbey - Series 1 UK - $14.41 shipped - More features than US version
 

Goldberg74: be aware that blu-ray.com lists the UK Blu-ray of Sherlock series one as being in 1080i50, so I'd suggest finding out if you can play it before buying...

I think there is a making-of featurette on the disc, and it's not in HD on the US edition, so it may well be in PAL on the UK Blu-ray. I could be wrong here, as I don't own any version of this, just going by memory of what I've seen in bricks-and-mortar stores. The US version is currently $22.49 at Amazon.

Re: Downton Abbey - Series 1 UK - $14.41 shipped - More features than US version
 

Thanks for the heads-up.

Re: Downton Abbey - Series 1 UK - $14.41 shipped - More features than US version
 

My order shipped today... only $13.90! That was quick.

Thanks OP!

Re: Downton Abbey - Series 1 UK - $14.41 shipped - More features than US version
 

I watched both seasons of the UK version of Downton Abbey on my PS3, and they worked flawlessly. It's a fantastic show! FYI: I read that the second season of the US DVD/Blu-ray will include the Christmas episode, which is disappointing because I only need that one episode and the price is steep on Amazon.co.uk.

Re: Downton Abbey - Series 1 UK - $14.41 shipped - More features than US version
 

I'm on the fence about getting this. What type of US TV show would you relate this show to? I know that in a recent episode of Chuck, Casey's daughter made him watch this, and he actually liked it...

Re: Downton Abbey - Series 1 UK - $14.41 shipped - More features than US version
 

Probably Game of Thrones, but just without the magic, killing and sex. Very subtle and complex characters, dry wit and surprisingly moving moments. Five stars in my book.