Page 1 of Is Multi Region really worth it?

Hey, another question, I am wanted to know weather multi_regioning for my player would be the best idea as I was thinking due to the introduction of RCE there are bound to be more things that the industry to do to stop Multi Region players. Sure this can be overcome, but only by upgrading the Firmware at a cost, seeing as a lot of support for Region 2 has been introduced, and me having no Region 1 DVD`s (would consider if its worth it), would it be wise to invest in a Multi-Region DVD?

Thx

Bavman

if you want dvd`s way before they come out in the uk, yes. I would say invest in a new player. The pioneer dv-350 from amazon is multi-region + plays RCE discs as well for £125 inc p&p. It is a cracking player.

i could never buy a region encoded player, i have two main players and a portable all multi region. Its worth it so you can shop around for cheaper discs newer releases. And Uncut films

It`s worth bearing in mind that RCE and its ilk can only ever affect multi-region players which determine the region automatically.

If your multi-region player allows you to select (say) region 1 manually, then to all intents and purposes it *is* a region 1 player, and there`s nothing the studios can do to stop you buying and playing R1 discs, short of taking out a restraining order against you!

Mike

This item was edited on Thursday, 17th October 2002, 23:42

I think it is a slightly more tricky one for you, as you already have a R2 player and a stock of R2 discs. As you say, R2 is getting better for extras these days, and release dates ARE getting closer together.
BUT, if I were advising someone who was to buy a new player, then I would always suggest multiregion. R1 and R4 prices are cheaper in general, release dates can still be ahead of R2, and, as mentioned above, some R2 releases have (minor) cuts.
However, if it will cost you (say) £50 to get your player made multiregion, then I`m not sure you will recoup the investment in cheaper R1 prices, so perhaps it makes sense to wait until you NEED to replace your player ;) and then go multiregion.

This item was edited on Friday, 18th October 2002, 08:11

Agree with that RichardH, when i got my player i only bought region 2, mostly due to no access to the internet. But about 3 months later, started buying region 1, the excitement (at first) of geting films that were just in the cinema was too hard to resist. Id say i know probably buy 70% region 1 now.

We also buy mostly region 1, main reason is with the 2 little girls its not very often we get to go to the cinema so if there is a film we want to see chances are we can buy it for less than £15 on R1 and watch it when convinient for us. And a lot cheaper than going to cinema, popcorn & drink, kebab on way home, paying babysitter.........

Of course it`s worth it!

There are a hell of a lot more movies available in R1 than over here. I`m talking about slightly older movies. If you want a movie from the mid 90`s or earlier chances are it will be out in R1 but maybe not here.

I`ve recently bought Trespass, In the mouth of madness, The Ugly and Joy ride all R1 discs. Importantly none are available here, OK they might not be celebrated movies but I like them and wanted them.

They Live and Prince of Darkness only just came out here before you would have had to buy them from Germany, they are the same versions so WHY did we have to wait. They Live came out so long ago in the US that it has already been DELETED!

I saw a preview of Joy ride in January with Empire mag ,it didn`t get released until approx June here (as Roadkill) - 9 months after its release in the US. Who says release dates are harmonizing? We also had to wait ages for Resident Evil, Changing lanes and Supertroopers. OK, the stars can only be in one place at a time to publicise a movie, but 6 months takes the p***.

Maybe, if you`re not a movie fan then you can make the argument that multi-region doesn`t matter and you`re only gonna purchase high budget popcorn fodder where release dates are normally close. This type of DVD buyer also doesn`t mind paying up to 100% extra for a DVD, so shops at HMV or Woolworths.

It`s probably not worth it for the extras as these may die out once VHS is eviscerated and the way things are that`ll be pretty soon. The commentry is normally the holy grail of extras and for my money that and the trailer will do. Lets me honest featurettes are normally crap and are just made to publicise the cinema release. They are good if made a while afterwards for a classic film such as the Terminator, last house on the left or the Thing, where we get some excellent stuff and it`s interesting to see how the cast have aged.

Also, some `stars` have started demanding money for extras e.g Arnie for Total Recall, just to be his boring self in a dull interview. They should do this for free as the actor is contracted to help publicise the film as well as star.

Obviously other advantages are the price as mentioned earlier, buying from Canada, Oz or Hong Kong is simply cheaper.

Definetely:

Many discs come out sooner in R1 or R4
Many discs are a LOT cheaper in R1
Many discs have more extras in R1
Many discs are not cut in R1 and are in R2 (either by the BBFC or more likely by the distributor ro get down to a certain rating)
There`s a much wider choice in R1, especially back catalogue

Ok thanks guys, I am now probably going to make my player multi-region! I would do it myself, but its messy and things can go wrong! Seeing as you mention R1 discs being cheaper, which sites do you use? and also with R4, isn`t it only Latin American Languages (subtitles in English?).
Thanks! :¬)

Bavman

This item was edited on Friday, 18th October 2002, 18:12