Buckaroo Banzai Region Coding - Blu-ray Forum

Maggot · 11-21-2014, 05:01 AM

Ok, I want to pick this title up, but I'm coming across inconsistency:

German import release listing header per AMAZON seems to suggest region free:
The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension ( The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the Eighth Dimension ) [ Blu-Ray, Reg.A/B/C Import - Germany ]

YET.....a little farther down the listing:
Region: Region B/2

To make things worse, some reviewers who bought the German release state it works fine on US "region A" players, but then we also have at least one "no play" for region A as well.

To make matters even worse, there's at least one statement that says the disc will work on US Sony PS3's.....perhaps not US dedicated players?

Then there's this site, which states the disc is region B, but to add further confusion.....one reviewer states region playback A/B confirmed, but another reviewer states NO region A playback?

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Now regarding the Australian release.......
Case says REGION B
Amazon says ALL REGIONS
This site says REGIONS A/B

Regarding reviews:
This site has someone who says REGION A/B are good.
Amazon reviewer claims it plays on US Sony PS3, but again what about a dedicated player?

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
How hard is it to get a straight answer on this region coding issue? Are we talking a wide range of player tolerances within their electronics that allow such fluctuations?

Certainly, I could risk buying one of those external region switches one sees on eBay that plug into the RS-232 and USB ports, but how reliable are those? What if you have switched the machine to a certain region and then the device stops working......do you end up with a player that thinks it's that region and all your US discs fail? In a case of device failure, do you just un-hook it and reboot, with your machine thinking it's a region A machine or is there a potential to really screw up the machine? Do you end up having to buy multiple of these devices just to insure against failures? And no, I don't want an internally modified player. I have an Oppo-105 that is just wonderful as is.

Regardless of my questions regarding external region switching devices, my main question still stands with regard to this particular title....even region coding in general.....in light of what appears to be confusion and contradiction across many titles.

Again, I'd really like to buy this title, but is the region information, be it on the cases themselves, listed on websites, or spoken of in reviews........trustworthy at this point?

Davidian · 11-21-2014, 05:10 AM

The Australian version of Buckaroo Banzai is Region Free.

Vracer111 · 11-21-2014, 05:16 AM

I have the Australian release of Buckaroo Banzai and a region free Oppo BDP-93... Just checked it and it plays in all region modes (A, B, and C) - it's a region free release.

If you are ever interested in going region free with the OPPO, these guys are excellent (I have the PRO board kit for my 93):

http://bluraychip.dk/category.php?id_category=5

I am running the original firmware with the easiest region changing method ever. Newer OPPO firmware makes things more difficult though...might as well get the standard kit over the PRO for all the hassle you have to go through now.

I KEEL YOU · 11-21-2014, 05:23 AM

Doesn't the German version have a glitch at some point, where there are pixels all over the screen? It only lasts for a split second, but I've heard some here complain about it. Don't know if the Australian version has the same problem.

Thomas Irwin · 11-21-2014, 05:25 AM

According to this site here, which I personally consider the most reliable resource for details on German releases, it appears to be region free - though as I do not own it, I can not say with 100% certainty myself:

http://www.bluray-disc.de/blu-ray-fi...n-blu-ray-disc

Davidian · 11-21-2014, 05:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by I KEEL YOU

Doesn't the German version have a glitch at some point, where there are pixels all over the screen? It only lasts for a split second, but I've heard some here complain about it. Don't know if the Australian version has the same problem.

Yes, the German version does have this glitch, while the AU version is free from it.
Edit: I was quite wrong here, both versions have this glitch.

Vracer111 · 11-21-2014, 05:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Davidian

Yes, the German version does have this glitch, while the AU version is free from it.

Australian release has the glitch - at least on my copy it does... but it's only a few frames. Doesn't affect my love of the film one bit and I honestly forgot about the glitch until it was mentioned...

Davidian · 11-21-2014, 06:53 AM

Sorry, my bad, you're quite correct, both versions have this glitch. I must have missed it on my first viewing.

Happens at 53:44.

Edit: Also has some extras at 1080i.

HD Goofnut · 11-21-2014, 02:14 PM

I just wanted to clarify that the DE disc is indeed region free.

Region_unlocked · 11-21-2014, 02:26 PM

I bought and have just recently watched the German release, the main feature is indeed region free, the menus are in German and the audio defaults to German, but it's easy enough to navigate even if you don't know the language, all of the extras (with the exception of the audio commentary) seem to be PAL though (I tried the disc in 2 PS3s and the extras didn't work). Also, if you have a player that will play PAL there are forced German subs on all the extras (NOT the movie though).

rickah88 · 11-21-2014, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Davidian

Yes, the German version does have this glitch, while the AU version is free from it.

That's just the 8th Dimension.

Region_unlocked · 11-21-2014, 06:47 PM

IMG_20141105_220845.jpg
The German release also comes in a white case with a reversible cover that removes the German rating certificate.

Maggot · 11-21-2014, 07:03 PM

Well, I purchased the Australian version and should get it tomorrow. I hope it plays. People have said it should, but considering all the confusion around these things, you'll forgive me if I don't have any optimism going into this.

antennahead · 11-21-2014, 07:23 PM

I have the German release and I was pleasantly surprised with the PQ....... I didn't expect it to look as good as it did.

Region_unlocked · 11-21-2014, 10:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by antennahead

I have the German release and I was pleasantly surprised with the PQ....... I didn't expect it to look as good as it did.

+1
Yeah, it's a great looking transfer.

tylergfoster · 11-22-2014, 05:08 AM

Never expect Amazon to have any worthwhile information about Blu-rays except MAYBE a list of the extras. Have you ever tried to add an item to Amazon? There's literally a section where you just checkmark things like "Dolby" and "Widescreen" and "Surround" -- all very generic terms, none of them organized or sorted in any way, etc. The system assumes all titles are locked. Amazon may be a fine place to buy a product but it's a terrible place to find any information about it.

Maggot · 11-22-2014, 05:49 PM

Received my copy today and it plays! Looks amazing, better than I had hoped. Artwork is awesome too! Thanks to all who gave me information on this.

antennahead · 11-22-2014, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maggot

Received my copy today and it plays! Looks amazing, better than I had hoped. Artwork is awesome too! Thanks to all who gave me information on this.

Isn't it great when that happens ........ when I played my German copy and it exceeded my expectations I was so happy ....... too often it's the other way around.

11-21-2014, 05:01 AM	#1
Maggot Blu-ray Guru Member since:Oct 2009 Location:United States 4K collection:638 Blu-ray collection:1340 DVD collection:49 Blu-ray reviews:81	Buckaroo Banzai Region Coding Ok, I want to pick this title up, but I'm coming across inconsistency: German import release listing header per AMAZON seems to suggest region free: The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension ( The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the Eighth Dimension ) [ Blu-Ray, Reg.A/B/C Import - Germany ] YET.....a little farther down the listing: Region: Region B/2 To make things worse, some reviewers who bought the German release state it works fine on US "region A" players, but then we also have at least one "no play" for region A as well. To make matters even worse, there's at least one statement that says the disc will work on US Sony PS3's.....perhaps not US dedicated players? Then there's this site, which states the disc is region B, but to add further confusion.....one reviewer states region playback A/B confirmed, but another reviewer states NO region A playback? ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Now regarding the Australian release....... Case says REGION B Amazon says ALL REGIONS This site says REGIONS A/B Regarding reviews: This site has someone who says REGION A/B are good. Amazon reviewer claims it plays on US Sony PS3, but again what about a dedicated player? ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- How hard is it to get a straight answer on this region coding issue? Are we talking a wide range of player tolerances within their electronics that allow such fluctuations? Certainly, I could risk buying one of those external region switches one sees on eBay that plug into the RS-232 and USB ports, but how reliable are those? What if you have switched the machine to a certain region and then the device stops working......do you end up with a player that thinks it's that region and all your US discs fail? In a case of device failure, do you just un-hook it and reboot, with your machine thinking it's a region A machine or is there a potential to really screw up the machine? Do you end up having to buy multiple of these devices just to insure against failures? And no, I don't want an internally modified player. I have an Oppo-105 that is just wonderful as is. Regardless of my questions regarding external region switching devices, my main question still stands with regard to this particular title....even region coding in general.....in light of what appears to be confusion and contradiction across many titles. Again, I'd really like to buy this title, but is the region information, be it on the cases themselves, listed on websites, or spoken of in reviews........trustworthy at this point? Last edited by Maggot; 11-21-2014 at 05:06 AM.

11-21-2014, 05:16 AM	#3
Vracer111 Special Member Top contributor Member since:Feb 2011 Home Theater Gallery:34 Blu-ray collection:169 DVD collection:92 Blu-ray reviews: 7 Trading Score:14	I have the Australian release of Buckaroo Banzai and a region free Oppo BDP-93... Just checked it and it plays in all region modes (A, B, and C) - it's a region free release. If you are ever interested in going region free with the OPPO, these guys are excellent (I have the PRO board kit for my 93): http://bluraychip.dk/category.php?id_category=5 I am running the original firmware with the easiest region changing method ever. Newer OPPO firmware makes things more difficult though...might as well get the standard kit over the PRO for all the hassle you have to go through now. Last edited by Vracer111; 11-21-2014 at 05:41 AM.

11-21-2014, 06:53 AM	#8
Davidian Blu-ray Guru Top contributor Member since:Jun 2008 Location:Perth 4K collection:94 Blu-ray collection:1985 Blu-ray reviews: 4 Trading Score:12	Sorry, my bad, you're quite correct, both versions have this glitch. I must have missed it on my first viewing. Happens at 53:44. Edit: Also has some extras at 1080i. Last edited by Davidian; 11-21-2014 at 07:11 AM.

11-21-2014, 05:10 AM	#2
Davidian Blu-ray Guru Top contributor Member since:Jun 2008 Location:Perth 4K collection:94 Blu-ray collection:1985 Blu-ray reviews: 4 Trading Score:12	The Australian version of Buckaroo Banzai is Region Free.

11-21-2014, 05:23 AM	#4
I KEEL YOU Blu-ray Samurai Top contributor Member since:May 2011 4K collection:67 Blu-ray collection:458 DVD collection:42	Doesn't the German version have a glitch at some point, where there are pixels all over the screen? It only lasts for a split second, but I've heard some here complain about it. Don't know if the Australian version has the same problem.

11-21-2014, 05:25 AM	#5
Thomas Irwin Blu-ray Count Top contributor Member since:Feb 2013 4K collection:- Blu-ray collection:- DVD collection:- Trading Score:87	According to this site here, which I personally consider the most reliable resource for details on German releases, it appears to be region free - though as I do not own it, I can not say with 100% certainty myself: http://www.bluray-disc.de/blu-ray-fi...n-blu-ray-disc

11-21-2014, 02:14 PM	#9
HD Goofnut Blu-ray King Top contributor Member since:May 2010 Location:Far, Far Away Home Theater Gallery:114 4K collection:743 Blu-ray collection:2372 DVD collection:128 MA collection:751 Digital collection:1093 Prime collection:598 Blu-ray reviews:133 Trading Score:39	I just wanted to clarify that the DE disc is indeed region free.

11-21-2014, 02:26 PM	#10
Region_unlocked Power Member Top contributor Member since:Jan 2014 Trading Score:2	I bought and have just recently watched the German release, the main feature is indeed region free, the menus are in German and the audio defaults to German, but it's easy enough to navigate even if you don't know the language, all of the extras (with the exception of the audio commentary) seem to be PAL though (I tried the disc in 2 PS3s and the extras didn't work). Also, if you have a player that will play PAL there are forced German subs on all the extras (NOT the movie though).

11-21-2014, 06:47 PM	#12
Region_unlocked Power Member Top contributor Member since:Jan 2014 Trading Score:2	IMG_20141105_220845.jpg The German release also comes in a white case with a reversible cover that removes the German rating certificate.

11-21-2014, 07:03 PM	#13
Maggot Blu-ray Guru Member since:Oct 2009 Location:United States 4K collection:638 Blu-ray collection:1340 DVD collection:49 Blu-ray reviews:81	Well, I purchased the Australian version and should get it tomorrow. I hope it plays. People have said it should, but considering all the confusion around these things, you'll forgive me if I don't have any optimism going into this.

11-21-2014, 07:23 PM	#14
antennahead Special Member Member since:Apr 2014 Location:Charleston, SC Home Theater Gallery:14 Blu-ray collection:989 Blu-ray reviews:12 Trading Score:3	I have the German release and I was pleasantly surprised with the PQ....... I didn't expect it to look as good as it did.

11-22-2014, 05:08 AM	#16
tylergfoster Blu-ray Knight Top contributor Member since:Nov 2009 Location:Seattle, WA 4K collection:890 Blu-ray collection:4457 DVD collection:1148 MA collection:2163 Digital collection:1725 iTunes collection:50 Prime collection:3 Trading Score:249	Never expect Amazon to have any worthwhile information about Blu-rays except MAYBE a list of the extras. Have you ever tried to add an item to Amazon? There's literally a section where you just checkmark things like "Dolby" and "Widescreen" and "Surround" -- all very generic terms, none of them organized or sorted in any way, etc. The system assumes all titles are locked. Amazon may be a fine place to buy a product but it's a terrible place to find any information about it.

11-22-2014, 05:49 PM	#17
Maggot Blu-ray Guru Member since:Oct 2009 Location:United States 4K collection:638 Blu-ray collection:1340 DVD collection:49 Blu-ray reviews:81	Received my copy today and it plays! Looks amazing, better than I had hoped. Artwork is awesome too! Thanks to all who gave me information on this.

Best Blu-ray Movie Deals