Why Does Australia Get Inferior Versions of Releases?

[adamclark83]

When Australia gets its own version of different releases, why do we tend to get inferior versions of them?

[Cevolution]

Originally Posted by adamclark83

When Australia gets its own version of different releases, why do we tend to get inferior versions of them?

Most releases are identical worldwide. When releases differ it's generally because they are released by different distributors between regions. Every country has some inferior releases, as well as some superior releases, or superior in one aspect but inferior in another. It's up to you to do your research by using the resources available to you, on this site and others. If you want the best versions then you have to be prepared to import from all over the world, it's really as simple as that.

[Boschy]

Originally Posted by adamclark83

When Australia gets its own version of different releases, why do we tend to get inferior versions of them?

This has been discussed many times before.

I think the main reason is that disk production budgets for local releases are limited due to the small Australian market place, and the buying habits of that market. In other words, return on investment (ROI) is much lower/riskier than in the US or Europe for certain genres.

A small percentage of inferior Australia releases will be due to mistakes and distributor ignorance, and/or timing and licensing restrictions.

[LordCrumb]

Originally Posted by adamclark83

When Australia gets its own version of different releases, why do we tend to get inferior versions of them?

Please elaborate. Are you talking about smaller distribution companies or comparing Warner with Warner.. ?

[BozQ]

Originally Posted by adamclark83

When Australia gets its own version of different releases, why do we tend to get inferior versions of them?

Could you point out a list of titles and where exactly did you feel you're getting an inferior version? (poorer video, lower quality soundtrack, no 7.1, etc)

[hanshotfirst1138]

Probably the the reason for region codes, I would guess that it has to do with some weird legal reasons about what can be released where.

[L-Rouge]

Originally Posted by BozQ

Could you point out a list of titles and where exactly did you feel you're getting an inferior version? (poorer video, lower quality soundtrack, no 7.1, etc)

Maleficent is one. 5.1 lossy vs lossless.

[rip63]

It's the many cheapskate 1080i BD's released here that really gets on my wick. That, and the incorrect aspect ratio thing... Anything else is usually down to the smaller market thing here, as noted above.

[adamclark83]

There are a number of things: fewer extras, different soundtrack etc.

And when the distributors are asked "Why an inferior version?" they say "It was a business decision."

Also, I have to say it's the people supervising the releases. America gets people that clearly want to make the best product they can because they are fond of the title they're working on and the work speaks for itself, whereas Australia gets versions overseen by people who clearly don't care at all.

[Marlow27]

It's largely the reason why I now buy so many blu-rays online (a multi-region player is a godsend). Great selection, with some truly brilliant restorations and special features that you can't get here.

[adamclark83]

It was like this with the DVD releases of The Bill. The UK version gets lovely treatment whereas ours look cheap, rushed with plenty of factual errors (Des Taviner on the cover of Series 15) and the distributor didn't seem to care one bit. When asked about them, I was told "Does it really matter if the facts are wrong?" Also, why Des was on the cover of 15 when he didn't show up until 17: "He was relevant to that series."

Plus, the show switched to 16:9 around series 14/15 yet the DVD release didn't start getting done in widescreen until Series 19.

On the cover of a TV season from 2010, who puts "PLEASE NOTE: Whilst every care has been taken to ensure the quality of this programme, due to the "age" of the original materials the technical quality will be varied in places"??

With this attitude towards a release, I don't know why the licence holder didn't simply take the rights off them?

[iank]

I still laugh at the DVDs listing Burnside being among the fan favourites in the series in 1994, 95, 96 etc when he left in 93.

[adamclark83]

Not to mention DCI Mickey Webb and DC Jack Meadows. If a company can't do a good job and do it properly, they shouldn't do it at all.

[iank]

Is the whole series even out in the UK though? They'd only done the first few last I checked. I'd rather have it all (or the ones I want anyway, i.e up to and including 2001) with slightly hilarious packaging than not at all.

[adamclark83]

I think the UK currently has up to Series 6. The big problem with our release is the encoding of 15-18. Considering it was done in 16:9 yet the company cropped it to 4:3. You're missing quite a bit of image.

[Coenskubrick]

Well it's not all bad I think but I do get disappointed when I see for example the Australian ASOUE release with no special features. Uh....