Hero 120-min. version available?
 

Extended Hero version pre-order

The extended version of Hero is now available at AV89 for $15.89 American. Anybody buy from these guys?
J

I used them last month for the first time. No problems. Good CS.
I picked up some good mainland titles, Missing Gun, Together, Spring Subway.

so... AV89 denotes this 120 minute version as Region: O, NTSC, is this really correct info?

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I'm guessing they are taking pre-orders under the assumption, but don't actually have confirmation themselves yet. Its a clever marketing trick to get all the early pre-orders from people who can't wait to pre-order it somewhere else after an official announcement.

Bah - I'm waiting... I already picked up the VCD and the DVD. I wanna get the extended, but I want to pick up the End-All Be-All Ultima-Viagra version.

I received an email from someone I ordered the original Hero DVD from. It appears that there are now 4 DVDs available:

Edition 1: DVD-9 Edition (released 3/12/2003): DTS (9.4 GB): Single disc, Single layer.

Edition 2: DVD-5 Edition: (released 2/20/2003) (4.7GB): Single disc, Single layer.

Edition 3: DVD-9 Limited Collector's Edition (released 3/12/2003): Elegant Boxset, DVD-9 disc with DTS audio. Limited Collector's booklet and Director Zhang YiMou's signature. Only 3,000 units distributed worldwide. This is a Director's Cut Limited Edition, 116 minutes long (as compared to the normal 98-minute theatrical cut DVD-5 Edition). The 18 minutes added into the movie are done according to Jet Li's ideas and directions and finalized by Director Zhang YiMou.

Edition 4: DVD-9 Uncut edition (released 3/31/2003): DVD-9 disc with DTS audio. 130 minutes instead of 98 minutes (the DVD-5 and DVD-9 editions both have only 98 minutes playback time [Editions 1 and 2]).

Preorder won't necessary let you receive the DVD earlier. Can they guarantee they will get them in stock earlier than others? Acutally for a store not based in China, there are normally at least 3-4 days delay.

And what if it's not released on time? are they going to refund you or hold the money?

RichardW, nice quick summary of the dvds. I think there is one more for the list. The edko version is a two disc HK verision with DTS, DD EX, and is anamorphic. Maybe I'm wrong and this is the 4th edition you list but the run time isn't listed and I assumed it was the cut version. It can be found here http://www.dvdshelf.com/cgi-bin/ncom...e=1&LANGUAGE=1

There are couple errors in RechardW's post

DVD-9 is 8.5GB maximum. 9.4G is impossible. Single side, dual layer.

Limited box is theatrical cut. so it's 98mins, not 116 mins. (as printed on the back of the box).

Uncut version will be 120mins instead of 130mins. And release date is not confirmed yet. Apr. 1st is just an estimate date, just as Feb 27th.

Edko is released, it has DTS-ES, but some people reported it's Letterboxed, not anamorphic (unconfirmed).

Just FYI, the average bitrate of DVD-5 is 4.96Mbps, DVD-9 is 8.2Mbps. (more than most superbit version's average bitrate)

The person sent you info doesn't really know what he's talking about.

How can DVD-9, DVD-5 are both single side, single layer? 9.4G is DVD-10, not DVD-9

oi.. my head hurts, wonder what DVD is gonna come through my letterbox, have two DVD's headed my way... :hscratch:

Ok so now the question would be...err..which one do I buy?... so confused.

sweet I have the VCD and enjoyed the movie. Held off buying the dvd waiting for extended version. If it is not R0 i'll still get it. If it is region free all the better.

I just watched the first release DVD (what we are calling Edition 2 in this thread). I loved the film but am wondering what kind of extra footage will be involved in the extended cut. Scenes involving just dialogue, or more actual fight scenes? Any entire scenes or just extensions of current scenes? Is this info posted anywhere?

I confirm Edko disc is 16 x 9.

Yup, the Edko disc is anamorphic alright.

and it is the one to get because it is the most reasonably priced and has best packaging, video and audio performance to boot.

Edko is the best one so far, and really, more talk and slo mo flying scenes this movie does not need.

Okay... So is the 120 minute cut out on DVD yet? And who is putting it out? I'm so ****ing confused by all these releases!

http://www.av89.com/item.asp?id=cndvd73451
It comes out in early april and we don't know any specs on it yet.

Any idea if it will be PAL or NTSC?

ntsc.

So is this film worth picking up? Opinions please, I'm thinking of going for the Edko release, as I know their stuff is generally of good quality.

...take your pick...

. . . :o . . .

^ to see if anyone's heard any more about the extended cut. I went shopping in Chinatown today and they haven't heard of it.

Jeremy

I just received an email from av89.com and they said that the extended version wouldn't be out until early next month.

But, I wrote them five minutes ago for clarification and got this response:

"Actually we are still waiting for our suppliers' confirmation on the extended version of Hero. I guess the version will come out soon.
Please don't worry about it."

So, let's sit back and cross our fingers!