why are R2 dvds better than R1s?
10-11-05, 12:41 AM
#2
DVD Talk Legend
I always wondered this myself. R2 always gets better releases of AMERICAN movies. Makes no sense to me, you would think it would be the other way around but we constantly get the short end of the stick.
10-11-05, 01:04 AM
#3
DVD Talk Limited Edition
It annoys me quite a bit. I still don't own a region free player, but I think it's about time I do, because I'm tired of becoming jealous at other regions versions of movies.
10-11-05, 01:06 AM
#4
DVD Talk Legend
or do you own a region free player, and not know it....all you have to do is type in a code in most players to go region free... no harder than the contra code, which I'm sure many of you still know by heart.
10-11-05, 01:36 AM
#7
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Originally Posted by big e
I was wondering why R2 versions of movies have 3 discs of special features while R1 only have 1-2 discs?
Because God gave us Miramax!!
Pro-B
10-11-05, 02:00 AM
#9
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It's very funny. I am from The Netherlands and here people say the opposite. We have the crappy versions with less special features, without DTS and lame covers so we import all those better R1 dvd's and giftsets. The only thing that's better is that it is PAL beceause you have a sharper image they always claim (a difference I don't notice at all). So that's just the opposite of what's been said here as well. I prefer region 1 mostly, although Japan and Korea have some nice editions as well. Region 2 is mostly crappy (with some exceptions of course).
10-11-05, 02:34 AM
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Originally Posted by big e
I was wondering why R2 versions of movies have 3 discs of special features while R1 only have 1-2 discs?
It's a matter of picking through what's available and buying the best version.
Multiregion is the answer.
10-11-05, 05:43 AM
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Originally Posted by Buzz Lightyear
It's very funny. I am from The Netherlands and here people say the opposite. We have the crappy versions with less special features, without DTS and lame covers so we import all those better R1 dvd's and giftsets. The only thing that's better is that it is PAL beceause you have a sharper image they always claim (a difference I don't notice at all). So that's just the opposite of what's been said here as well. I prefer region 1 mostly, although Japan and Korea have some nice editions as well. Region 2 is mostly crappy (with some exceptions of course).
Winners by region:
Region 1: 2266
Region 2: 1198
Region 3: 78
Region 4: 91
Region 5: 7
Region 6: 0
Region 0: 826
Draw: 3482
10-11-05, 08:04 AM
#14
DVD Talk Legend
The grass is always greener ....
Having said that, I, too, am always amazed when I find a great R2 release of a U.S.-made movie. One that comes to mind immediately is THE DEER HUNTER with the Cimino commentary, but there are many titles that have surfaced elsewhere with NO release here in the U.S., as well as others that have great extras we have yet to receive. Fortunately, region-free players are really not any more expensive, and ordering from around the globe has become quite simple.
Having said that, I, too, am always amazed when I find a great R2 release of a U.S.-made movie. One that comes to mind immediately is THE DEER HUNTER with the Cimino commentary, but there are many titles that have surfaced elsewhere with NO release here in the U.S., as well as others that have great extras we have yet to receive. Fortunately, region-free players are really not any more expensive, and ordering from around the globe has become quite simple.
10-11-05, 09:48 AM
#15
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Here in Region Two land, I've noticed that we rarely get DTS, whereas in the States it's more common. True, we do get a picture with a bit more resolution, though I personally don't really notice the difference, but as someone said, we also get just as much shit as you do! 
10-11-05, 09:57 AM
#16
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Take it from someone who lives in r2land (UK) - this isn't true. What can happen is that we will get no release at all of something, until the "special edition" comes out.
In r1, you nearly always have the advantages of -
Release times - usually ahead of r2. Mostly because out theatrical releases lag behind as well.
Price - r1 discs are very often cheaper than ours - to the point where it;s cheaper to pay international shipping and import taxes, and still save money.
Availability - r1 has many titles you just don't get in r2. This is because r1 is still a larger, unified market that (mostly) shares one language. Therefore, sales volumes make it worth the cost of releasing stuff that r2 will never see because not enough of it would sell. At least 30% of my discs are from r1 because they don't exist in r2. I know r2 does have some stuff not in r1, but this is much rarer.
In r1, you nearly always have the advantages of -
Release times - usually ahead of r2. Mostly because out theatrical releases lag behind as well.
Price - r1 discs are very often cheaper than ours - to the point where it;s cheaper to pay international shipping and import taxes, and still save money.
Availability - r1 has many titles you just don't get in r2. This is because r1 is still a larger, unified market that (mostly) shares one language. Therefore, sales volumes make it worth the cost of releasing stuff that r2 will never see because not enough of it would sell. At least 30% of my discs are from r1 because they don't exist in r2. I know r2 does have some stuff not in r1, but this is much rarer.
10-11-05, 11:53 AM
#17
DVD Talk Legend
I agree with many others here. R2 isn't always (or even usually) better than R1. But certainly there are many cases where it is. The obvious solution is to get a region-free player (you can get one for $20-30 in most cases, if you just want something quick/cheap) and buy from whatever region is the best.
DVDCompare and DVDBeaver make the decision making a lot easier...
DVDCompare and DVDBeaver make the decision making a lot easier...
10-11-05, 12:17 PM
#18
DVD Talk Ultimate Edition
I've got my R2 order all set up for Friday when I get paid. Picking up some catalog titles that I've been meaning to pick up.
Rocketeer
Flash Gordon
Mimic
Trapeze (an old favorite, not available in R1)
Rocketeer
Flash Gordon
Mimic
Trapeze (an old favorite, not available in R1)
10-11-05, 01:12 PM
#20
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videohelp.com will let you know if you have a player that can be region free.
I think the reason we see this is because we DVD geeks are constantly looking for the Best/Coolest release, generally the only time I buy R2 or R3 is if I can't get the movie in R1 but there have been those instances when I thought "Damn I have to get that packaging"
I think the reason we see this is because we DVD geeks are constantly looking for the Best/Coolest release, generally the only time I buy R2 or R3 is if I can't get the movie in R1 but there have been those instances when I thought "Damn I have to get that packaging"
10-11-05, 02:11 PM
#22
I know that many massive SE's and cool packaging are made for Asia (R2 and 3) to counteract piracy. Since it's so easy to get just the movie ultra-cheap, they have to put more extra to get the money of people actually willing to pay. BTW, I do agree with the "grass is greener" argument. In R1-land we notice all the better R2/3 editions, but ignore all the times when we get the better version.
10-11-05, 03:13 PM
#23
DVD Talk Legend
Originally Posted by kakihara1
... generally the only time I buy R2 or R3 is if I can't get the movie in R1 ...
1) Not available at all in R1. The other 6 Weissmueller Tarzan films from R4 for example, and, in R2 it goes from the sublime (early Powell-Pressburger films) to the ridiculous (those outrageous Timothy Lea "Confessions of...." comedies)
2) Better release. Usually more extras (Starman, They Live, The Hitcher, Deer Hunter, etc) sometimes simply getting a film in OAR (Moonstruck, Star 80 etc)
3) Every now and then I find a much cheaper foreign edition - but that's happening less and less as R1 prices continue to drop for catalog titles.
10-11-05, 05:47 PM
#25
And yet when studios try to release innovative packaging in America, people whine and complain about how the packaging doesn't line up on their shelf with their other DVDs, will flood the studios with emails and phone calls begging them to stop it, or supply them with an alternate case, or will post in length how they put the special packaging in a box in their closet and made their own custom cases for the DVDs. It's pathetic, really, but it's really true.
Now, can't we just settle on the idea that all regions have their great releases and not so great releases? The best thing? Go region free and get the release you feel is best and stop whining!
Now, can't we just settle on the idea that all regions have their great releases and not so great releases? The best thing? Go region free and get the release you feel is best and stop whining!