MooMooMooMoo

I don't know if this has been mentioned here before, but Amazon.UK has the 8 disc/9 film restored "Universal Classic Monsters: The Essential Collection" delivered to the USA for aprox $37.33 USD.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Universal-Cl...ersal+monsters

The identical box on Amazon USA is $58.99 + shipping from 3rd party sellers or + sales tax directly from Amazon USA. There is a second version on Amazon USA that appears to be identical other than the cover art, with prices ranging from $65.48 + shipping to $89.96 + sales tax.

I bought the UK box. My Oppo is region hacked. There is contradictory info on the region issue: the top of the listing states region free; the body of the listing states Region B.

The only one I have seen is Wolfman; it is a significant upgrade from the Legacy, even on my 480i 42" Sony. I am especially excited to finally get a decent restoration of Dracula.

9 restored films in best quality ever for $37 (just over $4 a film) works for me!

whotony

It's been that way since it was released.

E Unit

Yep, this is the set I bought when it was first released. All region free, so no need for a region free player. As with just about every UK Universal disc.

whotony

http://forum.dvdtalk.com/hd-talk/602...10-2-12-a.html

Guru Askew

There are a few extras missing on the UK set. At least a commentary track on Dracula I believe.

MooMooMooMoo

Methinks I can live with that! I've heard sompeople have had issues with the layer break on Creature; but apparently Oppo's don't experience the issue.

E Unit

I think I read that there was a pressing issue with some of them. I got it when it first came out, so I'm assuming mine was part of the initial press, but I never experienced any issues with any of my discs.

DEC29111

So are the disc's region free or not? I have purchased UK disc's that were region free w/out issue in the past.

Lastdaysofrain

It's region free

Decker

And a great set.

davidh777

Yep, I bought that same set from UK and the discs I watched played fine.

DEC29111

Thank You For The Reply, Just ordered it.. What has happened in the past Amazon UK has delivered packages faster than Amazon USA..

MooMooMooMoo

I got the set. 2 comments:

1. The restoration of Dracula is nothing short of amazing; both video & audio. Blacks now resolve to black instead of noise, & for the first time ever, the original audio track is clearly audible.

2. Now the not so good (& I think the first comment here is why BR has been close to still born other than with enthusiasts):

A. There are so many copy guards, that one has time to get a cup of coffee after selecting an option on the menu due to all the "handshakes" between the copyguards & the hardware.

B. This will only efect a small % of users (like me), but it is SO UNNECESSARY:

Like most Full Screen br's the box is "Window boxed" (has a 20% reduction) on all 4 sides that somehow magically makes it look better on wide screen sets. No big deal as a 20% zoom will fill the screen on a full screen old style set, & with a 30mbs average bit rate it will be unnoticeable on a 480p or 480i. Unfortunately, both Universal & Paramount defeat the Zoom function with "UOP's" (User operation prohibitions), so those of us with a full screen set lose 20% of the screen real estate for no reason.

Does anyone know if there is an officially stated reason for this by Universal & Paramount (NOT all companies do this) or if it's just a self defeating boneheaded move? What I am complaining about is defeating the zoom option, NOT the window boxing.

I don't see ANY advantage to the manufacturer, & there's certainly a huge (20%) disadvantage to the end user.

E Unit

Geez, the only thing that rubbed me raw was that the menus have no words on it. Fucking icons only? It sucks.

JoeDoakes

What are you talking about here? I don't understand. Thanks

PhantomStranger

It's made for the entire European market. Many countries in Europe don't speak English or have a disdain for it.

JerryKILL

I don't understand window boxing. All it does is force me to try to adjust my set-up to counteract it. Un-window boxed transfers do not cause any problems. Why is it used?

DEC29111

Received my copy today in the mail.. it took less time to receive into Kansas than it does for standad 'Amazon' orders shipped with in the USA! Have not watched any of the disc's, package was sealed and all disc's in place.

E Unit

Oh I get that, that's what I had assumed. But if they opted for the icon only menu's, then why continue to put that big ass list of language options to select from at the very beginning? Just seems weird.

Spottedfeather

I know the movies on the UK set are region free, but what about the extras ? There's no SD PAL bonus features ?

whotony

Thats a good question.

dvduser6

Finally bit the bullet and ordered this today from amazon.uk. This will make the perfect weekend movie schedule and classic horror movie primer for my kids this October. Let's see how quickly it arrives compared to my usual amazon.com order...

dvduser6

...and the set arrived today. I don't think domestic orders arrive this fast when I do free shipping. Packaging is great. Can't wait to break it open and check this out tonight.

Ironchefjebus

I finally ordered this. Let's see how long it takes to get here...

junglalien

cheaper from zavvi with code DEUT10
http://www.zavvi.com/blu-ray/univers.../10623533.html