I know about the expensive R2 Japanese version and I thought it was the only one available. However, I found this supposedly R0 version here:

http://us.yesasia.com/prdDept.asp?se...2716&aid=30605

Why does this have the same cover as the Japanese R2???

Hmmm, maybe I'm wrong... This is the R2 standard edition:

http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/detailview.html?KEY=BCBJ-867

But what is this?

http://www.kfccinema.com/reviews/act...on/avalon.html

I'm confused.

the R0 is a bootleg. they stole the cover from the R2 Japan edition.

the KFC site reviews the Japanese R2 Memorial Box set. It's also available as an R2 single disc.

The only version to get is the R2 Japanese. Too bad it's pricey!

But it has the original polish 5.1 ex track on it, which is important.

There's a new official HK release. I'm not sure of the quality but it's certainly a cheaper alternative.

Yes, the HK release from Panorama Distributions Co Ltd is Region 3 encoded and costs (at DVDShelf.com at least) HK$79 or US$10.13. It has the original Polish DD5.1 audio with Chinese and English subtitles - it doesn't appear to have the Japanese audio dub. Also, it appears to be just the film itself with no second extras disc as was released in Japan.

I have no idea what the picture quality is like, but lately the HK releases seem to be generally improving, so there is hope. Shaolin Soccer has an amazingly good image and audio transfer, as do the HK releases of Japanese films like Ultraman Cosmos - Day and Night, Space Travelers, Brother, and Battle Royale.

As far as the Region 0 release of Avalon goes.. yes, that is a bootleg.

regards, Tim...

Charmes.de also list an R3 but it has a different cover than the one at DVDshelf. The plot thickens...

http://www.charmes.de/cgi-bin/store/....cgi?p_id=2125

so now i'd like to know which one to buy???
the HK version or the japanese version that will do a nice lil' hole in my DVD budget?

The R0 is a bootleg and looks like crap. Buy the single disc Japanese version. It's not that expensive. The extras disc on the Box Set is mostly in Japanese.

well for me, anything over the price of a criterion is expensive

Well, you could buy 2 Japanese ones and give one to me.

I would be cautious and wait for a review of the R3 DVD.

I am glad it says it has the Polish track on it. If it has removeable subs and a decent print then it could be a great alternative to the Japanese R2.

ok, so who is going to be the Guinea pig?

tu peux toujours rever mon petit

I'm getting the R3 Panorama tonight. I'll let you guys know how it is.

-Spider

great

Okay, here's the scoop...

Letterboxed and Dolby 5.1, bare-bones, except for the preview trailers. English subs are very crisp (removable) in the black bar beneath the picture. a few spelling errors, but nothing horrible.

The picture looks pretty good, but i'm not too picky. I'd say a definite alternative to the Japanese disc.

I'm not sure if the Region 3 encoding is authentic. i gotta play around with my player to confirm it.

Hope this helps. By the way, the film is fantastic!

-Spider

How aggressive is the 5.1 mix?

Thanks

where did you order it?

More good news.

The Panorama disc, although calling itself R3, is actually all-region. I'm not sure about the 5.1, as i'm pumping through a stereo, but the cover says DD 5.1

I picked it up at the company I work for. We'll have it for sale real soon.

-Spider

i hope you'll tell us what company it is when you'll put it up for sale

Spider-

Will you list it as R0 on your website? You guys didn't for Memento Mori (Spectrum), and its says R3 on the box, but it is really R0, as well.

It would be nice to know all the "accidental" R0 DVDs out there for our region-locked dvd talkers.

Yeah, the suspense is killing me.

S_Jerusalem, thanks for the review!

I ordered mine from http://www.sensasian.com . It's for sale for $12.99, and shipping is $4 for the first item, $2 more for each additional item. As I have a 5.1 system, I can comment on the mix when my copy arrives.

I will make sure we have it on our site as being all region. As for who employs me, i'd rather keep it ananymous (sp?), ya know, to keep some form of credibility here. Of course, i'm broke as a joke, and some bribe money (or dvd's) will easily do it.

-Spider

Has anyone dealt with Sensasian before?

EDIT: Relevant thread here http://www.dvdtalk.com/forum/showthr...ight=sensasian