Alternative to Twilight Time? CDJapan?

[growler]

I’m considering buying 4 TT titles fron CDJapan. Anyone here own any of these BDs (From CDJapan) & can comment on PQ/AQ?

As Good as It Gets
Sleepless In Seattle
Wild At Heart
Christine (the only one listed with lossless audio fron Japan)

I emailed CDJapan asking if 3 of the above titles have lossy audio but, no reply. TT version have lossless audio.
http://www.cdjapan.co.jp

[manicsounds]

All have lossless DTS-HD MA tracks.

[growler]

Originally Posted by manicsounds

All have lossless DTS-HD MA tracks.

Thanks for the reply. So, As Good as It Gets,
Sleepless In Seattle & Wild At Heart all have have lossless DTS-HD MA tracks despite CDJapan listing them as having “ Dolby Digital 5.1ch Surround.”

Can you comment on PQ vs. The TT versions? Is it known that these Japan versions are NOT the same transfer as TT?

Regards,

Steve

[GR44]

Thanks for your thread, I can order Fright Night and Christine from CDJapan now. Awesome.

[NLScavenger]

All mentioned discs are most likely identical to the European discs as those releases contain Japanese language options as well according to the Blu-ray.com listing. You might actually even save money when you buy them from Amazon.de , but you end up with unsightly age ratings on the German packaging.

EDIT:
According to the disc scans there are Japanese dubs and subs on the European discs, so these should be the same as the Japanese release.

Comparison with TT:
As Good as It Gets:
http://caps-a-holic.com/hd_vergleich...ID=236#auswahl

Wild at Heart:
http://caps-a-holic.com/hd_vergleich...ID=817#auswahl

Christine:
http://caps-a-holic.com/hd_vergleich...ID=560#auswahl

And screenshots for Sleepless in Seattle, but no comparison made with TT release:
http://caps-a-holic.com/hd_vergleich...ID=459#auswahl

[growler]

Originally Posted by NLScavenger

All mentioned discs are most likely identical to the European discs as those releases contain Japanese language options as well according to the Blu-ray.com listing. ...

According to the disc scans there are Japanese dubs and subs on the European discs, so these should be the same as the Japanese release.

Comparison with TT:

[Show spoiler]
As Good as It Gets:
http://caps-a-holic.com/hd_vergleich...ID=236#auswahl

Wild at Heart:
http://caps-a-holic.com/hd_vergleich...ID=817#auswahl

Christine:
http://caps-a-holic.com/hd_vergleich...ID=560#auswahl

And screenshots for Sleepless in Seattle, but no comparison made with TT release:
http://caps-a-holic.com/hd_vergleich...ID=459#auswahl

Thanks for the reply & links! I Must verify Region Free since Germany is region “B!”
I checked caps-a-holic & for as good as it gets, saw no PQ dif & both had lossless audio. Wild at heart: same, no diff. Christine: same
Sleepless: Compared German BD with UK DVD & PQ a bit better wi BD but, I see a teal color shift!

Now, trying to decide if I should get German versions (depending on shipping costs) to be sure PQ & AQ = TT. But, some have German title on cover. Or go for Japan version & take a chance? Japan has English titles on cover.


Anyone know shipping costs for 1 or more BDs from Germany?

Update I think region is OK except for Sleepless which is “B” only.

[Show spoiler]AGAIG: Region free: (German title)
https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/As-Go...Blu-ray/65644/


WAH: Region free: (English title)
https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Wild-...Blu-ray/13694/


AND WAH:Region B: Has “JAHR100FILM” @ top
https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Wild-...Blu-ray/59462/

Christine: Region B,A: (English title)
https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Chris...lu-ray/108151/

SIS: Region B: (German Title)
https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Sleep...Blu-ray/67671/

[NLScavenger]

Region codes are listed on the pages with screenshots I posted. All discs are ABC.

I also checked a German site for information about reversible covers. Only Wild at Heart and As Good As It Gets come with reversible covers that hide the age rating. Christine and Sleepless in Seattle don't come with reversible covers so there is no way to hide the age rating.

Shipping from Amazon.de is $4 and for some reason each additional blu-ray only adds few cents to the shipping costs. All four are about $39 with shipping included from Amazon.de and about $54 from CDJapan with cheapest shipping (Assuming you live in the US?). It's not a huge saving so you might be better off with the Japanese releases that don't have ugly age ratings and still have English titles on the cover. Since the German discs have Japanese language options it's probably safe to assume you'll get the same discs with the same PQ and AQ.

[growler]

Originally Posted by NLScavenger

Region codes are listed on the pages with screenshots I posted. All discs are ABC.

I also checked a German site for information about reversible covers. Only Wild at Heart and As Good As It Gets come with reversible covers that hide the age rating. Christine and Sleepless in Seattle don't come with reversible covers so there is no way to hide the age rating.

Shipping from Amazon.de is $4 and for some reason each additional blu-ray only adds few cents to the shipping costs. All four are about $39 with shipping included from Amazon.de and about $54 from CDJapan with cheapest shipping (Assuming you live in the US?). It's not a huge saving so you might be better off with the Japanese releases that don't have ugly age ratings and still have English titles on the cover. Since the German discs have Japanese language options it's probably safe to assume you'll get the same discs with the same PQ and AQ.

Thanks! I still haven't pulled the trigger on those 4 titles. Hoping to hear from someone who actually purchased any from CDJapan. I know their customer service is bad since they failed to respond to my email asking some of the questions in my 1st post. While I dislike the German age stickers just as I dislike the UK ones, it is not a deal breaker. However the German titles are really bothersome & I bet the spine has German titles as well. Probably the back cover is all German text & maybe the menus as well? B4 shipping, 4 German BDs = $37.88 vs. 4 CDJapan BDs = $47.21. I don't really mind the extra $10 if I knew rather than strongly suspected that the PQ/AQ on Japan versions were exactly the same as on German versions. I am not sure but, think the Japan version may have English text on the back since they have English titles with only small Japanese lettering on the bottom. I wish I could hear from someone who has the CDJapan versions.

Update: CDJapan titles will have all Japanese text on back! See photo of “Christine”


https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread...234510&page=19

[Monroville]

All of the european releases are region free. I would get AS GOOD AS IT GETS and the rest from amazon.it or amazon.es. If you just want FRIGHT NIGHT and CHRISTINE, then go to amazon.de (which has really affordable shipping prices).

[scissorpuppy]

Cdjapan has this Fright Night/Christine double feature for around $15 bucks! Description says it's two discs as well.

http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/product/BPBH-903

[strumdogg]

Originally Posted by growler

I’m considering buying 4 TT titles fron CDJapan. Anyone here own any of these BDs (From CDJapan) & can comment on PQ/AQ?

As Good as It Gets
Sleepless In Seattle
Wild At Heart
Christine (the only one listed with lossless audio fron Japan)

I emailed CDJapan asking if 3 of the above titles have lossy audio but, no reply. TT version have lossless audio.
http://www.cdjapan.co.jp

Was thinking about "Philadelphia" too. May be a good alternative.

[jstxanothrxstory]

Does anyone know if Sleepless in Seattle and Philadelphia come with special features?

[growler]

Originally Posted by jstxanothrxstory

Does anyone know if Sleepless in Seattle and Philadelphia come with special features?

From CDJapan:
"Sleepless In Seattle."
Special Feature / Bonus Track: making-of documentary, music video "When I Fall in Love" by Celine Dion & Clive Griffin
However, they also state: Audio Track English Dolby Digital 5.1ch Surround
And others have posted here that it has lossless audio.

TT edition:
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1

• Audio Commentary with Nora Ephron and Delia Ephron. This is a perhaps surprisingly matter of fact commentary by the Sisters Ephron (who seem to have been recorded separately), going into the long script development and fine tuning process as well as technical aspects of the shoot. Interesting, but a little dry.
•
• Love in the Movies (480i; 13:09) is a vintage featurette with brief interviews with the principal cast and crew discussing love and how it's portrayed in the movies.
•
• "When I Fall in Love" Music Video (480i; 4:22) features Celine Dion and Clive Griffin.
•
• Original Theatrical Trailer (1080p; 2:32)
•
• Isolated Score Track. Marc Shaiman's score is presented via DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1. The source cues (including the theme music of "As Time Goes By") are not included.

So, No commentary or Music only track for Japan edition. Probably get the other special features & maybe get lossless audio.

CDJapan still has not replied to my email sent 1-17-15 asking about audio & special features.

http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/product/BLU-19799

https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Sleep.../44129/#Review

[strumdogg]

I decided to jump in. CDJapan did so well with my first order, so why not another/bigger one:

Christine
Fright Night
Sleepless In Seattle
Philadelphia
As Good as It Gets


In the end...about $64 total including shipping.


Note: When I first placed the order, it was declined, and they said they would try the card again in 1-2 days. I called my card company, they saw the charge (denied for security), and allowed it to go through on my authorization.


Now...Just waiting for them to ship!

[GR44]

Originally Posted by strumdogg

I decided to jump in. CDJapan did so well with my first order, so why not another/bigger one:

Christine
Fright Night
Sleepless In Seattle
Philadelphia
As Good as It Gets


In the end...about $64 total including shipping.

This is my first time order from CDJapan, since I've missed Twilight Time's Fright Night & Christine, and I won't be able to order from Amazon.co.jp since they're using DHL. Just curious, are they custom friendly when putting the value on the package?

[growler]

Originally Posted by strumdogg

I decided to jump in. ....

Christine
Fright Night
Sleepless In Seattle
Philadelphia
As Good as It Gets

Would you be so kind as to post here when you receive your order & settle whether or not:
Each title has lossless audio.
What special features/commentaries are included compared to Twilight Time releases.
If the back cover is indeed all in Japanese.
Your opinion on the PQ/AQ.

The best guess here is they do have lossless & PQ/AQ = German & European releases.

[strumdogg]

Originally Posted by strumdogg

[Show spoiler]I decided to jump in. CDJapan did so well with my first order, so why not another/bigger one:

Christine
Fright Night
Sleepless In Seattle
Philadelphia
As Good as It Gets


In the end...about $64 total including shipping.


Note: When I first placed the order, it was declined, and they said they would try the card again in 1-2 days. I called my card company, they saw the charge (denied for security), and allowed it to go through on my authorization.


Now...Just waiting for them to ship!

Just received my package. Shipped on January 27, and it was packaged beautifully!








As promised, I'll report back on the specs later today, but man I love CDJapan!!!