Universal Classic Monsters: The Essential Collection on Amazion.UK for Aprox $37 USD
 

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!

Re: Universal Classic Monsters: The Essential Collection on Amazion.UK for Aprox $37
 

It's been that way since it was released.

Re: Universal Classic Monsters: The Essential Collection on Amazion.UK for Aprox $37
 

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.

Re: Universal Classic Monsters: The Essential Collection on Amazion.UK for Aprox $37
 

Re: Universal Classic Monsters: The Essential Collection on Amazion.UK for Aprox $37
 

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

Re: Universal Classic Monsters: The Essential Collection on Amazion.UK for Aprox $37
 

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.

Re: Universal Classic Monsters: The Essential Collection on Amazion.UK for Aprox $37
 

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.

Re: Universal Classic Monsters: The Essential Collection on Amazion.UK for Aprox $37
 

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.

Re: Universal Classic Monsters: The Essential Collection on Amazion.UK for Aprox $37
 

It's region free

Re: Universal Classic Monsters: The Essential Collection on Amazion.UK for Aprox $37
 

And a great set.

Re: Universal Classic Monsters: The Essential Collection on Amazion.UK for Aprox $37
 

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

Re: Universal Classic Monsters: The Essential Collection on Amazion.UK for Aprox $37
 

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

Re: Universal Classic Monsters: The Essential Collection on Amazion.UK for Aprox $37
 

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.

Re: Universal Classic Monsters: The Essential Collection on Amazion.UK for Aprox $37
 

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

Re: Universal Classic Monsters: The Essential Collection on Amazion.UK for Aprox $37
 

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

Re: Universal Classic Monsters: The Essential Collection on Amazion.UK for Aprox $37
 

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

Re: Universal Classic Monsters: The Essential Collection on Amazion.UK for Aprox $37
 

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?

Re: Universal Classic Monsters: The Essential Collection on Amazion.UK for Aprox $37
 

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.

Re: Universal Classic Monsters: The Essential Collection on Amazion.UK for Aprox $37
 

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.

Re: Universal Classic Monsters: The Essential Collection on Amazion.UK for Aprox $37
 

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

Re: Universal Classic Monsters: The Essential Collection on Amazion.UK for Aprox $37
 

Thats a good question.

Re: Universal Classic Monsters: The Essential Collection on Amazion.UK for Aprox $37
 

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...

Re: Universal Classic Monsters: The Essential Collection on Amazion.UK for Aprox $37
 

...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.

Re: Universal Classic Monsters: The Essential Collection on Amazion.UK for Aprox $37
 

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

Re: Universal Classic Monsters: The Essential Collection on Amazion.UK for Aprox $37
 

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