Region Coding on 3D Releases

[PhantomBill]

Originally Posted by hotandserious

Plays in Region A

The Prodigies (Germany)

Thanks! just ordered

[hotandserious]

The Steelbook packaging of The Prodigies 3D is quite neat - - The lenticular art is a big magnet that sticks to the front cover!

[BleedOrange11]

Originally Posted by hotandserious

The Steelbook packaging of The Prodigies 3D is quite neat - - The lenticular art is a big magnet that sticks to the front cover!

How's the 3D? Is there any other movie's 3D that you would compare it to?

[PhantomBill]

Can anyone confirm the region coding on the Australian release of Hybrid 3D?

[atomik kinder]

Originally Posted by BleedOrange11

How's the 3D? Is there any other movie's 3D that you would compare it to?

The 3D is okay, a few pop outs, which is what everyone seems to be after. The animation is not great and overall the movie is not that great either. I will probably end up selling my copy.

Watch out for the Sex and Zen 3D trailer at the beginning!

[BleedOrange11]

Originally Posted by atomik kinder

The 3D is okay, a few pop outs, which is what everyone seems to be after. The animation is not great and overall the movie is not that great either. I will probably end up selling my copy.

Watch out for the Sex and Zen 3D trailer at the beginning!

Thanks, I appreciate the feedback. The story and art style kind of intrigue me. I checked out some screenshots though, and the 3D looks too flat for my taste. I think I'll pass.

[PhantomBill]

Anyone know if the Hong Kong import of Dark Flight is a Blu-ray 3D? No mention of it on the cover that is why I'm hesitant to order.

http://www.dddhouse.com/v3/product_d...roductID=12964

[hotandserious]

Originally Posted by PhantomBill

Anyone know if the Hong Kong import of Dark Flight is a Blu-ray 3D? No mention of it on the cover that is why I'm hesitant to order.

http://www.dddhouse.com/v3/product_d...roductID=12964

It is a Blu-ray 3D. I ordered it from DDD House a while back.

[hotandserious]

And here are another three titles - tested on a USA Region A PS3 & a European Region B Sony BDP S-780 Blu-ray player:


Astérix and Obélix: On Her Majesty's Secret Service 3D (France)
aka Astérix et Obélix: Au Service de Sa Majesté 3D
is Region B locked. I opted for the French release because the German Edition doesn't list any English option. But be warned(!): The English subtitles are on the 2D Blu-Ray disc only! I'm pretty disappointed by this and may try to synchronize the 2D blu-ray with subs on my TV with the 3D Blu on my 3D projector -(they are in the same room) and just glance at the subs as needed. It is a native 3D film and from the little bit I saw, the quality looks good. The steelbook looks nice.
http://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Asteri...Blu-ray/58484/



Sex Pot 3D Blu-ray (Germany)
plays on both Regions A & B so it is probably Region Free (the back cover lists Region B only - but that is incorrect). This is not a German conversion, and is one of a few native 3D films offered by The Asylum (makers of Mega Shark vs Giant Octopus, etc). I need to take a longer look at it, but from the bit I sampled it seems like there may be some issues... At least one scene seemed to have a softer focus in the right eye, than the left, and I think some random scenes may be inverted (left and right eye switched from scene to scene). Has anyone else had a chance to look this one over?
http://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Sex-Pot-3D-Blu-ray/38264/



Zambezia 3D Blu-ray (Germany)
is Region B locked. This is a South African native 3D cartoon that is only being released in 2D stateside. The back cover only lists a German audio track and that gave me a bit of a scare, but it does have the English audio track included. I sat down and watched this one - the 3D quality is very good - but not a pop-out fest. Story and overall character design is kind of "meh" (this one is really one for the kiddies) - but I'm glad to have it in my collection.
http://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Zambez...Blu-ray/60716/

[hotandserious]

Here are some more!:


Dracula 3D Blu-ray (Italy)
is Region ABC and has an English audio track. I'm clearly in the minority, but I loved this. I have lots of respect for Dario's classics, but like most everyone else, have been disappointed in his work over the last two decades or so. "Giallo" was an absolute chore to sit through, but I thought Dracula 3D was a hoot! It's not in the style of the films he's renowned for, but rather a throwback to the gothic horror quickies made in the 50's, 60's and 70's, especially the vampire movies from Hammer Films.

The Dario "color" is back thanks to Luciano "Suspiria" Tovoli's cinematography. The 3D greatly benefits from this, as unlike most of the 3D horror films out there now, the image is never too dark. The FX are "bad to not-great" in places, but certainly passable in others. Dario hits all of the beats you'd expect from a Hammer-era vampire film. Gothic atmosphere, goony-looking villagers with a secret to hide, and lots of blood and boobs (Miriam Giovanelli conjures memories of Madeline Smith in the Vampire Lovers with her heaving, corseted - and uncorseted - breasts). Dario goes Hammer one further by going in absolutely bizarre directions - I love the much maligned praying mantis scene.

The script is bare bones and the acting is generally not that good (neither were ever Dario's strong points anyway). I did like Thomas Kretschmann's Count Dracula, but Unax Ugalde's Johnathan Harker recalls Keanu Reeves at his worst. I can't help but enjoy Asia in anything she's in, but she's not showing off any acting chops here. Claudio Simonetti's soundtrack is totally appropriate - it's uber-meodramatic and the heavy-use of the theremin amps up the fun factor.

Special Features are all presented in 3D - though most are 2D interview segements with post production titles & windows presented in 3D. Most of the interviews are in the speaker's native language - but one of the crew members as well as Kretschmann and Hauer are interviewed in English. Simonetti's 3D "Kiss Me Dracula" music video had us rolling on the floor, recalling the cheesiest bits of Evanescence - LOL.

There is one 3D issue that needs to corrected - the opening credits are inverted on the disc. I can invert the left and right eye on my projector, so it's not a deal breaker for me, but opening the film with an eye-straining inverted credit sequence is not the way to kick off a movie. Has anyone else experienced this? I don't know if this can be addressed with a software update, but hopefully Sony is aware of the issue.

I think Dario was dealt a tough blow when the preview sales reel with unfinished special effects went viral on the internet - and Dracula 3D became a laughing-stock months before its release. This movie is undeniably silly and is not the Dario that people have been pining for, but I get the sense that he had fun making this and it comes across. I'm not a "True Blood" fan, but if that crowd set their eyes on it, this movie could really find an audience.

At 72, I think it's admirable the guy is still out there making movies - this is the first one I've enjoyed in a long time. I hope he's got more in him!

http://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Dracula-3D-Blu-ray/64219/


Angkor Wat 3D: Land Of The Gods (Germany)
plays on both Regions A & B so it is probably Region Free. This has English audio and is a native 3D production - divided into two episodes. The subject matter is interesting and the production values are pretty high - however some (many) entire scenes appear to stutter - and are apparently filmed at a very low frame rate. I actually tried using frame interpolation to smooth it out, but it only had a minimal effect. There is a UK release and I'm wondering if that one has the same issue?
http://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Angkor...Blu-ray/64679/


World Natural Heritage: Costa Rica 3D Blu-ray (Germany)
This plays on both Regions A & B so it is probably Region Free. It has English audio and is a native 3D production. Germany has been flooded with 3D content and there are many, many nature docs out there - but I'd rate this one higher than most. It's not at the level of an IMAX production, but the photography is good, the 3d is strong and the narration is interesting. This is part of a series of releases titled "World Natural Heritage" and I'm keen to see if the rest are up to this standard. It will also be released in the UK later this year.
http://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Weltna...Blu-ray/65244/

[hotandserious]

And here are another four titles tested on a USA Region A PS3 & a European Region B Sony BDP S-780 Blu-ray player:


Freddy Frogface 3D Blu-Ray (France)
aka Freddy tête de crapaud 3D
is Region B locked. This is a Danish animated film, released in 3D in France on the Metropolitan label. It's a native 3D production and includes an English audio track. I don't believe it's listed on blu-ray.com (I can't find it). I wasn't sure what to expect, but came away liking this a lot more than I thought I would. It's much less "fantastic" than your typical American 3D animated film - and I found that a nice change of pace. It's much more mundane and everything pretty much happens in a single neighborhood. Some of the humor doesn't really translate. The 3D is quite good - and there are some fun pop outs involving the "Great Bardindi's" nose late in the film. It includes a lenticular slipcover.
Here is the link at amazon.fr:
http://www.amazon.fr/Freddy-tête-cra...dp/B0089ZWDNK/



Fire Ants 3D - The Invincible Army Blu-ray (Germany)
plays on both Regions A & B so it is probably Region Free. This has an English audio track and it is also available in the UK. Much more interesting documentary than I anticipated. It mines territory similar to Cane Toads (One of my favorite 3D documentaries), but this is not quite the exhaustive, big budgeted doc that one is. It is very professionally done - 3D is excellent and everything is crisp and clear. Here's an interview with the director, Michael Watchulonis: http://3dcontentblog.wordpress.com/2...icroplanet-3d/
- and here is the link here at blu-ray.com:
http://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Fire-A...Blu-ray/47646/

-----------------
In the interview, Michael Watchulonis also talks about his film Microplanet 3D, which is listed here:
http://www.blu-ray.com/movies/MicroP...Blu-ray/61409/

- and he has another 3D film Alligator Kingdom, listed here:
http://www.amazon.de/Königreich-der-.../dp/B00BB5OLN0

It looks to me like Microplanet 3D is included in its entirety on The Best of 3D: Volumes 4-6 Blu-ray (along with a bunch of other stuff) and at least half of Alligator Kingdom 3D is on The Best of 3D: Volumes 1-3 Blu-ray - so those may be much better values for the money.
-----------------


The Best of 3D: Volumes 1-3 Blu-ray (Germany)
is Region Free and includes English audio. Lots and lots of interesting odds and ends. I've only sampled this, but if you can find it at a good price, it looks like there is some fun stuff on here. The disc is divided into three volumes, each with a few different short films of varying length:
Best of 3D Vol 1: Fun Sports
Best of 3D Vol. 2: Wonders of Nature
Best of 3D Vol. 3: Animation Festival

There is also a UK release here: http://www.blu-ray.com/movies/3-Defi...Blu-ray/48556/
http://www.blu-ray.com/movies/The-Be...Blu-ray/51834/


The Best of 3D: Volumes 4-6 Blu-ray (Germany)
is also Region Free and includes English audio. A continuation of the series. This one is divided up like this:
Vol. 4: Animation Artists & Eye Candy
Vol. 5: Wonderful Nature
Vol. 6: 3D Sports & Fun Shorts
http://www.blu-ray.com/movies/The-Be...Blu-ray/61422/

[hotandserious]

Here are the three Bit Wel classic 3D conversions.
I ordered from JSDVD.com and it was a very good experience. They were quick to answer questions and I wouldn't hesitate to use them again. Here is a link to their shop: http://dvd.jsdvd.com/index.php?language=us

There is no region info listed, but I tested in my Region A and B player and they worked, so these are likely region free.

The packaging of these is very nice and slick - all three come in black blu-ray cases with slipcovers and will look good sitting on the shelf with the rest of my collection. Unfortunately that's where they are going to be spending most of their time - LOL. These conversions aren't going to be hitting IMAX theaters any time soon.

These appear to be auto conversions in the spirit of the horrid German releases that have been discussed ad nauseam on the board. I've found two kinds of German conversions out there - the more common seems to essentially take the movie and push it a few inches back into the screen (Titanic 2), while others seem to make poorly educated guesses that result in lots of weird errors (Loooser 3D / aka The Grand). These are more like the latter, though it's more conservative in its use. What you come away with is a distorted picture that on rare occasions, accidentally stumbles upon something that looks like proper 3D - but that illusion is quickly shattered as soon as the camera pans or a character moves across the frame.

I watched Dr. No in its entirety and sampled Rope and Rashomon. I can't imagine anyone coming away from a viewing at all satisfied with these, but I found it to be a kind of fun exercise. When a scene almost "makes it", I'd always find myself thinking "Okay - now if they had pushed this railing further out of the frame, and pushed that grate back, this shot would have worked" -LOL. I did come away thinking Dr. No could look really super in 3D if only there was a hand guiding it along.

The bit I sampled of Rope seemed to have less 3D applied than Dr. No - and Rashomon almost looks like it works here and there, but I haven't seen enough to have an opinion as to which is the least horrible. I feel safe in saying these are all in the same ballpark quality-wise.

One other thing - who is this on the cover of Bit Wel's Dial M For Murder release? That doesn't look anything like Grace Kelly to me. Anyone know the origin of this photo?


EDIT - Thanks to member punkskins who replied:
"It is Charlize Theron there was a magazine out in 2008 with modern actors recreating famous Hitckcock scenes."

Anyway, you'll find the Blu-ray.com links for all of the Bit Well releases here:
http://www.blu-ray.com/movies/movies...leasetimestamp

Also in the package from JSDVD was another classic 3D conversion and I've got good news to report on this one...


The Monkey King: Uproar In Heaven 3D Blu-ray (China)
is Region ABC. Finally a worthy classic 3D conversion! The Monkey King: Uproar In Heaven is based on the 16th century classical Chinese novel “Journey to the West” by Wu Ch’eng-en. The blu-ray presents the frame-for-frame restoration and 3D rendering of the original 1961 Wan Laiming film, China’s most celebrated work of animation. The restoration and 3D conversion was a big-budget collaboration between the Shanghai Animation Film Studio and Technicolor and is on par with the quality of Disney's animated Blu-ray restorations.

For a great write up on the film, read this user review from blu-ray.com member toddly6666:
http://www.blu-ray.com/movies/The-Mo...4/#UserReviews

The 3D conversion is incredibly well done (though quite conservative) and in keeping with what the film would have looked like in 3D if the cells had been filmed that way back in 1961. To compare it to something already released on Blu-ray, the use of 3D is similar to the 1953 Donald Duck short Working For Peanuts on the Disney 3D Showcase disc, rather than the recent conversions of The Lion King or Beauty and the Beast.

This is an incredible looking film - there is nothing else like this out there in 3D and the "metalpack" packaging is very nice - very highly recommended!

http://www.blu-ray.com/movies/The-Mo...Blu-ray/53984/

[hotandserious]

It's very difficult to determine which German Blu-ray releases are native (or legitimately converted) 3D films and which are rotten auto-conversions. Here are three native 3D films not available in the USA that will play on US players. I tested these on a USA Region A PS3 & a Euro Region B Sony BDP S-780 Blu-ray player:



Julia X Blu-ray 3D Blu-Ray (Germany)
plays on both Regions A & B so it is probably Region Free. English audio track. The 3D version of this is not currently listed here at blu-ray.com, but it is available to order via amazon.de (link is below). If you're into contemporary slasher / torture porn films this one is a winner. I'm fond of the 80's slashers, but stuff like Saw leaves me cold - this has a good sense of humor about itself, moves at a quick pace throughout and exceeded my expectations. The 3D is excellent - native and strong throughout the film. Interesting camera placement, bright picture, not overly gimmicky and an appropriate budget for what they are doing (this is not a Z-grade slasher). Kind of "I Spit On Your Grave" meets "All The Boys Love Mandy Lane". Here's a review I pretty much agree with: http://www.destroythebrain.com/revie...iew-julia-x-3d Sadly no USA 3D release - but this will play on US players. Released by Studio Canal in Germany. If you like contemporary horror films this is a keeper in 3D.
Here is the link at amazon.de:
http://www.amazon.de/Julia-3D-Ungekü...dp/B00ATREENS/




Universal Soldier: Day of Reckoning (Germany / Austria)
plays on both Regions A & B so it is probably Region Free. Here's another 3D version not currently listed here at blu-ray.com, and I'm not seeing it available to order via amazon.de either. I'm not sure about the region coding on the UK steelbook, but this one will play on US players. I'd never seen a Universal Soldier film before, but - wow - I really enjoyed this - an ultra-violent, gory, smart "Manchurian Candidate" / "Memento" mash-up meets an action-packed grindhouse flick. I picked it up solely because I was curious to see the 3D and expected little from the movie, so this was the biggest surprise of the year so far for me. Sadly no USA 3D release (a disturbing trend!) - but this will play on US players and is worth it for the solid 3D presentation. If you're looking to pick this one up, do a search using the barcode: 4260041335431

Here's a link to the the site's US 2D release review:
http://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Univer.../58361/#Review




Parkour Beat your Fear 3D Blu-ray (Germany)
plays on both Regions A & B so it is probably Region Free. WARNING: the back cover and amazon listing states it has English subtitles, but I've yet to find them on the disc. It only has a Mandarin and German audio track. This is a Chinese studio film shot in 3D, and is not a Parkour documentary. I've emailed the distributor to see if they are aware of the subtitle issue and haven't gotten a response yet. I've only skimmed through this - looks extremely cheesy. May be good fun - so I hope the subs issue is resolved.
http://www.amazon.de/Parkour-Beat-yo.../dp/B00A4C467M

[hotandserious]

Here are a few more I picked up recently, tested on a USA Region A PS3 & a European Region B Sony BDP S-780 Blu-ray player:


The Adventures of Tadeo Jones 3D Blu-Ray (Germany)
aka Las aventuras de Tadeo Jones aka Tad Stones - Der verlorene Jäger des Schatzes! 3D 3D
is locked to Region B, but it has an English audio track. A few months earlier, I'd ordered this one from Spain: http://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Las-Av...Blu-ray/63643/ because it originally listed that it had English, but when it arrived it did not - and very strangely - it was encoded in the Side-By-Side format, so I returned it. I haven't watched this one yet, but it looks like a lot of fun. It is a native 3D computer animated film in the spirit of Indiana Jones.
Here is the link at amazon.de:
http://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Tad-St...Blu-ray/65230/



Bloody Mary - The Legend Returns 3D (Germany)
plays on both Regions A & B so it is probably Region Free. I'm not finding this 3D disc listed here at blu-ray.com, but it is available to order via amazon.de and the link is below. Unlike "Julia X 3D" mentioned earlier, this IS a true Z-grade amateur-hour schlock fest, shot home video style. I picked this up because it has world famous You Tube DVD collector personality "coolduder" ( http://www.youtube.com/user/coolduder ) in a supporting role as a security officer. If anyone remembers the homegrown 3D flicks that came out as field sequential DVD releases back in the day - like "Blood Sisters", "Bloody Tease" or "Camp Blood" - thats the kind of thing we have here. The most interesting thing about this one is it was apparently filmed with two sets of cameras - a high(er) res 2D set up and another lo-res 3D camera. I haven't invested a lot of time investigating this - LOL - but the 2D and 3D versions look like they are the same takes, but are from different angles. The 3D version is in very low resolution (worse than DVD quality, but a very slight step up from run of the mill compressed you-tube quality). No real redeeming value or creativity to be found here, but its cheap and might be good for some laughs.
http://www.amazon.de/Bloody-Mary-Ret...dp/B00856MXMY/



Patagonia 3D: Volume 1 / 3D Blu-ray (Germany)
aka Patagonien 3D: Auf den Spuren von Charles Darwin: Von Buenos Aires bis Cabo dos Bahias
plays on both Regions A & B so it is probably Region Free.
I picked this up because it was from the same director as "World Natural Heritage: Costa Rica" 3D Blu-ray ( http://forum.blu-ray.com/showpost.ph...&postcount=735 ). This one is good too, and doesn't just focus on wildlife, but on the people too. I'd rank it under Cost Rica though content-wise, but the 3D is good and I enjoyed it. It has a nice lenticular card glued to the front of the blu-ray case.
http://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Patago...Blu-ray/46364/

there is also a second part listed here:


Patagonia 3D: Volume 2 / 3D Blu-ray (Germany)
aka Patagonien 3D: Auf den Spuren von Charles Darwin: Von Camarones bis Darwins Rock
...And here is the follow up.
I haven't watched this one yet, but it plays on both Regions A & B so it is probably Region Free.
Here is a link at amazon.de:
http://www.amazon.de/Patagonien-3D-C.../dp/B0085B89FO

[hotandserious]

Here are three more less-discussed 3D Blu-rays that I picked up recently. I tested these on a USA Region A PS3 & a European Region B Sony BDP S-780 Blu-ray player:



Twixt 3D (Germany)
is locked to Region B. This is Francis Ford Coppola’s “horror” film. It still hasn't been released in the USA, but this German edition has the English Audio track and the two “put on your glasses now” 3D scenes. I haven't watched the movie, but did check out one of the 3D scenes and the 3D is competent.
http://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Twixt-Blu-ray/59738/



Space Dogs 3D (Brazil)
plays on both Regions A & B so it is probably Region Free. This animated Russian film has had lots of releases around the globe, but I believe this blu-ray in Brazil is the only one to offer 3D and the English Audio track starring “Hit Girl” herself - Chloë Moretz. This was released pretty early in the current 3D wave and the biggest surprise to me was that it is converted ala "Clash of the Titans", rather than rendered in 3d natively using a second viewpoint (as the old Pixar and Dreamworks animated films have). I only skimmed through it, but the result is pretty wonky. Some scenes look fairly good. It's not an auto conversion, and there is a hand guiding this, but 3D conversion has come a long way since this.
http://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Space-...Blu-ray/69720/



Vicky and the Treasure of the Gods (France)
aka Vic le viking 2 - le marteau de Thor
is locked to Region B. I had the German edition of this movie and the native 3D photography is excellent, but unfortunately it had no English subtitles or audio track. This recently released French edition does have an English track (but oddly enough, does not include the native German audio). It's based on a series of children's books by Swedish author Runer Jonsson (these were also adapted into an animated series that my wife watched as a kid growing up in Austria). The film is aimed at children and families, and will probably appeal to folks who enjoy the Asterix films. Comes with a nice lenticular slipcover.
http://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Vic-le...Blu-ray/50229/

[hotandserious]

Here are another three- tested on a USA Region A PS3 & a European Region B Sony BDP S-780 Blu-ray player:


Magic Silver 2: Quest for the Magic Horn 3D (Norway)
aka Blåfjell 2: Jakten På Det Magiske Horn
plays on both Regions A & B so it is probably Region Free. This is a big budget Norwegian Christmas movie based on a popular TV series. There is a German edition but it did not have an English option. This one comes with English subtitles. I'm saving this 'til the holidays to give a watch, but I took a quick look - the 3D is native and looks good. There is a lenticular card stuck directly to the front of the blu-ray case.
http://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Blafje...Blu-ray/60157/



Amphibious 3D (Germany)
seems to be Region locked to B. Member Villiam Hayes mentioned that it was at least encoded for A & B playback, but my Region A PS3 won't play it (There may be PAL encoded trailers that auto run when the disk is inserted that are causing issues. I don't think it a 50 hz issue.). It has an English Audio track, but the top menu incorrectly lists it as Italian - LOL. This is from director Brian Yuzna, who is probably most famous for having produced Re-Animator, but he's got quite a reputation as a director in his own right. Story is in the SY-Fy vein, but there are a lot of practical gore effects and the monster looks pretty darn great – like a great grandson to the star of the 1957 Willis O'Brien stop-motion creature feature, “The Black Scorpion”. The 3D is native and looks good. The first few minutes are converted, but that ends quickly. Watch with a group of friends.
http://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Amphibious-Blu-ray/61284/



Santa's Magic Crystal 3D (Germany)
is locked to Region B. I think this German 3D disk is the only release of this animated Christmas film - a Finland / Belgium co-production. There is a website here: http://www.santasmagiccrystal.com/index.asp The disc has an English Audio track and is presented in native 3D. The cgi animation looks dated and is not really up to modern standards, but I haven't watched it yet and don't have any opinion on it. The disc has three positve reviews at amazon.de
http://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Santa-...Blu-ray/60940/

[seregloth]

Any notion if the German release of The Hole is region free like the dutch one? I know the Italian one is B only, but I'm not seeing anything about the German, and I was ordering some sb's at amz.de. I just saw that Asterix 3D was locked and was able to cancel that off the order in time, but I was hoping the Hole would be ok.

ED: It does not play.