British Film Institute (BFI) Discussion Thread

[cool hand bluke]

Originally Posted by theprestige85

Well, you guys are lucky to have a label like Criterion who has the money and resources to put forth amazing blu rays..and at a high volume too.

True, but don't underestimate Region B-land's resources like MoC, BFI, Arrow etc.

And the blu of The Innocents looks stunning - I saw the re-release in the cinema not long before I bought the bluray. It can't really look much better anyway.
I think I might have recommended it to you so I hope you like it.
Gulp! The responsibility!!

And, of course, kudos to Criterion too.

Btw why not buy a cheap region A player or a model that can
be made region free?

[Judex]

Originally Posted by cool hand bluke

True, but don't underestimate Region B-land's resources like MoC, BFI, Arrow etc.

And the blu of The Innocents looks stunning - I saw the re-release in the cinema not long before I bought the bluray. It can't really look much better anyway.
I think I might have recommended it to you so I hope you like it.
Gulp! The responsibility!!

And, of course, kudos to Criterion too.

Btw why not buy a cheap region A player or a model that can
be made region free?

Giving advice to prestige about going region free is a complete waste of time.
Since he first burst on to the forum well over a year ago(maybe 2). Whinging about Nolan's Following only having a Region A release. Multiple people have pointed out the benefits of going region free, and how easy it is to mod a cheap player.

He might say person X,Y,Z have made good points and he'll "look into it".
Otherwise, he'd rather complain and miss out on some of what he claims are his favourite films. In hope that one day they'll get a Region B release.

This discussion seems to happen every 3 month.

[theprestige85]

Originally Posted by cool hand bluke

True, but don't underestimate Region B-land's resources like MoC, BFI, Arrow etc.

And the blu of The Innocents looks stunning - I saw the re-release in the cinema not long before I bought the bluray. It can't really look much better anyway.
I think I might have recommended it to you so I hope you like it.
Gulp! The responsibility!!

And, of course, kudos to Criterion too.

Btw why not buy a cheap region A player or a model that can
be made region free?

Yeah, i've just had a sneak peak here and there and i'm VERY impressed with the PQ. Maybe the best PQ I have from BFI.

I think we are very fortunate to have labels like BFI, Eureka and Arrow. They are getting better and better in terms of the presentation of the discs, no doubt. I just wish they had more money and rights to certain titles that I want. I think you did recommend The Innocences to me. I'll watch it during the week as theres quite a few other films I want to watch before hand.

Giving advice to prestige about going region free is a complete waste of time.
Since he first burst on to the forum well over a year ago(maybe 2). Whinging about Nolan's Following only having a Region A release. Multiple people have pointed out the benefits of going region free, and how easy it is to mod a cheap player.

He might say person X,Y,Z have made good points and he'll "look into it".
Otherwise, he'd rather complain and miss out on some of what he claims are his favourite films. In hope that one day they'll get a Region B release.

This discussion seems to happen every 3 month.

Going region free isn't as simple as you think. I've had the money to do it AND buy various titles, but it's just not that easy, mate.

[Mansinthe]

Originally Posted by theprestige85

Going region free isn't as simple as you think. I've had the money to do it AND buy various titles, but it's just not that easy, mate.

actually it is. every region A player will do just fine. and if you dont mind not having 3D and wifi and could bother using a "used" device as well you can actually get them pretty cheap. you only need a voltage converter.

you dont even need to bother with a player that supports mods or hacks, since using 2 players should cuz no trouble.

lets say you buy a used cheap player for 30-40 $ shipped.. pay your VAT , get a voltage converter.. there you go .. region free for 30-40 GBP.

and with that you would have access to a shit load of movies you are always asking about...
in a other thread you mentioned that you would be fine with importing the japanese release of night of the living dead..... im pretty sure the price of that one will nearly cover the region A player..


its highly unlikly that everything will be relased in the UK .. even if you wait another 10 years.

[theprestige85]

Originally Posted by Mansinthe

actually it is. every region A player will do just fine. and if you dont mind not having 3D and wifi and could bother using a "used" device as well you can actually get them pretty cheap. you only need a voltage converter.

you dont even need to bother with a player that supports mods or hacks, since using 2 players should cuz no trouble.

lets say you buy a used cheap player for 30-40 $ shipped.. pay your VAT , get a voltage converter.. there you go .. region free for 30-40 GBP.

and with that you would have access to a shit load of movies you are always asking about...
in a other thread you mentioned that you would be fine with importing the japanese release of night of the living dead..... im pretty sure the price of that one will nearly cover the region A player..


its highly unlikly that everything will be relased in the UK .. even if you wait another 10 years.

Yeah but I mean what about the future of my important region locked discs? Theres no way to future proof that, is there? What if I get a region free/a player but then it breaks or something? All those pretty Criterion discs will be absolutely worthless to me. Or what if 4K becomes the dominant force in the next 5 years and I find it won't play my region locked content?

And i'm confident that most of the films I want will be released on blu ray....the good thing about being region B is that it extends to places like Austr
its highly unlikly that everything will be relased in the UK .. even if you wait another 10 years.[/QUOTE]

Yeah but I mean what about the future of my important region locked discs? Theres no way to future proof that, is there? What if I get a region free/a player but then it breaks or something? All those pretty Criterion discs will be absolutely worthless to me. Or what if 4K becomes the dominant force in the next 5 years and I find it won't play my region locked content?

And i'm confident that most of the films I want will be released on blu ray....the good thing about being region B is that it extends to places like Australia and Germany, France, Sweden, etc. Why, sod knows, but it does therefore we have an entire continent and a Pacific Island to choose from. I think even South Africa is region B, too. I can't imagine that the films I want won't pop up in any of those countries. Studios are going to have to look for catalogue titles to release every year, so it's really only a question of when rather than ever, to be honest. alia and Germany, France, Sweden, etc. Why, sod knows, but it does therefore we have an entire continent and a Pacific Island to choose from. I think even Sop in any of those countries. Studios are going to have to look for catalogue titles to release every year, so it's really only a question of when rather than ever, to be honest.

[Mansinthe]

Yeah but I mean what about the future of my important region locked discs? Theres no way to future proof that, is there? What if I get a region free/a player but then it breaks or something? All those pretty Criterion discs will be absolutely worthless to me. Or what if 4K becomes the dominant force in the next 5 years and I find it won't play my region locked content?

all these things apply to your region B player as well ;D
arent you gonna replace that one if it breaks down in 5 years from now?
if 4k content becomes the dominant force in a few years you will need a new player anyway. since your bluray player wont play "real" 4k discs.

and your TV wont even support hdpc 2.0 / 2.2 at all. so you will need a new TV on top of that. and even if that wouldnt be the issue your 1080p display wont be able to show real 4k content.

you know, you only live once... there could a atomic war happen in 2 years and we are all dead...
its kinda odd thinking about a future proof movie collection.. (laser disc , vhs , beta max , VCD / SVCD , bluray , streams , 4k....)

maybe in 20 years half of your DVDs/blurays stop working for whatever reason...

[Chad Plainview]

Originally Posted by theprestige85

Going region free isn't as simple as you think. I've had the money to do it AND buy various titles, but it's just not that easy, mate.

It is mate, I've bought a region free player myself in the UK - very easy.

http://www.mrmdvd.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=159

Live a little.

[Mansinthe]

even money should not be a issue if we are talking about a player and a few movies.. so just do like everyone else? work extra hours at the weekends..
i do that myself.. sometimes i work 6-7 days a week.. nightshift. or work 11 days straight... and get paid overtime...

and these days you are able to order from all over the world with a english friendly customer support.. with paypal and free prepaid creditcards... srsly.. it was never that easy to buy stuff from other countrys...

i remember my first VHS recorder.. paid around 200 GBP for that one !!!
and i saved for that thing as a teenager.


if you want something you have to work for it.. thats life..

[ycbbh]

I'm not much of a poster but I do own a region-free player.

I bought it, plugged it in, connected it to the TV and it played the discs I put in it. I assume the experience was similar for everyone else?

[Chad Plainview]

Originally Posted by ycbbh

I'm not much of a poster but I do own a region-free player.

I bought it, plugged it in, connected it to the TV and it played the discs I put in it. I assume the experience was similar for everyone else?

Yeah, no different to my PS3 which I previously used.

[adrian333]

Originally Posted by Mansinthe

actually it is. every region A player will do just fine. and if you dont mind not having 3D and wifi and could bother using a "used" device as well you can actually get them pretty cheap. you only need a voltage converter.

you dont even need to bother with a player that supports mods or hacks, since using 2 players should cuz no trouble.

lets say you buy a used cheap player for 30-40 $ shipped.. pay your VAT , get a voltage converter.. there you go .. region free for 30-40 GBP.

Everywhere I looked the players were indeed cheap, especailly used ones, but everything always stopped at shipping which was three times the price of the player. Any suggestions from where to get it to Germany for the price you mention?

[Mansinthe]

Originally Posted by adrian333

Everywhere I looked the players were indeed cheap, especailly used ones, but everything always stopped at shipping which was three times the price of the player. Any suggestions from where to get it to Germany for the price you mention?

keep your eyes open at ebay... i got me a panasonic bdt210 around 3 years? ago from someone that purchased that one to get the avatar 3D exclusiv bluray. that one was more expensive of course since it was a new panasonic player with 3D and wifi etc..

for example Sony S1100 are dirt cheap players

http://www.ebay.de/itm/Sony-BDP-S110...item5d4f738041


21,25€ for the player , 20€ shipping.. if your not lucky around 8€ Tax...
you dont even need the remote that is missing.. my receiver for example works fine with 2 different bluray players , only cuz they are huged up via hdmi.

thats less than 40 GBP / 50€ to be region free...and there are sometimes even cheaper players avaible.

[David M]

Yeah but I mean what about the future of my important region locked discs? Theres no way to future proof that, is there? What if I get a region free/a player but then it breaks or something

Then you either have it repaired or you buy another. Buying a Blu-ray player from outside the country you live in is not a once-in-a-lifetime event. You are allowed to do it more than once.

In other words, pretty much the same situation as when your Region B-locked player breaks

[cool hand bluke]

Looks like I opened a can or worms here or
Pandora's Box.
Hopefully we'll all be opening Pandora's Box blu-ray soon.

Back onto BFI stuff
Anyone hoping they'll release the Chaplin Mutual shorts on blu?
In better quality than across the pond
Putting off the Spanish release till I know.

[theprestige85]

Man, it's not even a question of money. I know that region a/free players are relatively cheap. Like I said before, I have had the opportunity to buy them on may occasions this year...but I didn't because of the reasons I listed. Yes, i'm sure it's not complex to set up but I am talking about not being able to play these things after a few years.

Then you either have it repaired or you buy another. Buying a Blu-ray player from outside the country you live in is not a once-in-a-lifetime event. You are allowed to do it more than once.

In other words, pretty much the same situation as when your Region B-locked player breaks

You make it sound so easy. Buy another, Lyris? Region free players are a LOT more rare than region B ones. They could probably be obsolete within a few years, who knows? You already have to do some funny modification type thing with them. If mine breaks and there are only a handful online that are probably going to go for thousand quid, i'm stuffed, aren't I? Theres no guarantee that it can be repaired, too.

and your TV wont even support hdpc 2.0 / 2.2 at all. so you will need a new TV on top of that. and even if that wouldnt be the issue your 1080p display wont be able to show real 4k content.

you know, you only live once... there could a atomic war happen in 2 years and we are all dead...
its kinda odd thinking about a future proof movie collection.. (laser disc , vhs , beta max , VCD / SVCD , bluray , streams , 4k....)

maybe in 20 years half of your DVDs/blurays stop working for whatever reason...

For the record, I am not planning on getting unless every title I want to own is available in the format. But what you are talking about here is a different issue,. I can sell my TV, no problem. What am I to do with the region locked stuff I buy? Certainly can't sell it off to CEX, can I?

Anyways, I can see how it sounds illogical on my part to not invest in a region free player especially since they are so cheap, but I just don't feel the need to do it. If I knew for a fact that the films I wanted were going to be restricted to other regions, I might reconsider, and I did in fact seriously consider buying one when you last gave me advice about it, Lyris...but I just don't think I can do it.

[Mansinthe]

sell it ebay.. trade it.. give it away for free... there are not many blurays anyway that bring back some serious money if you resell them after years..

take a look for how little money most UK blurays go at ebay.
if you want something you are able to resell no matter what. go for criterions...

i gave all my DVDs for free to my friends. and blurays i double dip on go to my gf or friends if they are interesstet in... i prefer to make someone happy instead of getting a few bucks back on movie i paid much more for.

you really think someone will care in 5-10 years from now on for some BFI / AE / MoC / Arrow release? if its not some rare OOP movie like une femme marie i highly doubt that.

[huntauk]

We should either all chip in and buy Prestige a region free player, or perhaps do a kickstarter for one. Top perk; digital copy of Prestige enjoying Ginger Snaps captured in Super Slo-Mo loveliness on the Phantom Flex4k with commentary tracks by 3 disgruntled forum members chosen at random.

[Mansinthe]

i think even with a region free player he would find some reasons to avoid finally buying his favorite movies.. who knows what might happen in the next 10-20 years.. everything could get worthless... ;P

[David M]

Prestige, you've got be trolling, surely.

You make it sound so easy. Buy another, Lyris? Region free players are a LOT more rare than region B ones.

Yes, but you only need to buy one (or two or three) of them, not an entire warehouse's worth.

You already have to do some funny modification type thing with them.

No, you don't. You buy the player PRE-modded.

If mine breaks and there are only a handful online that are probably going to go for thousand quid, i'm stuffed, aren't I?

A thousand quid? The prices of consumer electronics go down, not up!

[mattyl149]

Originally Posted by theprestige85

Yeah but I mean what about the future of my important region locked discs? Theres no way to future proof that, is there? What if I get a region free/a player but then it breaks or something? All those pretty Criterion discs will be absolutely worthless to me. Or what if 4K becomes the dominant force in the next 5 years and I find it won't play my region locked content?

And i'm confident that most of the films I want will be released on blu ray....the good thing about being region B is that it extends to places like Austr
its highly unlikly that everything will be relased in the UK .. even if you wait another 10 years

Yeah but I mean what about the future of my important region locked discs? Theres no way to future proof that, is there? What if I get a region free/a player but then it breaks or something? All those pretty Criterion discs will be absolutely worthless to me. Or what if 4K becomes the dominant force in the next 5 years and I find it won't play my region locked content?

And i'm confident that most of the films I want will be released on blu ray....the good thing about being region B is that it extends to places like Australia and Germany, France, Sweden, etc. Why, sod knows, but it does therefore we have an entire continent and a Pacific Island to choose from. I think even South Africa is region B, too. I can't imagine that the films I want won't pop up in any of those countries. Studios are going to have to look for catalogue titles to release every year, so it's really only a question of when rather than ever, to be honest. alia and Germany, France, Sweden, etc. Why, sod knows, but it does therefore we have an entire continent and a Pacific Island to choose from. I think even Sop in any of those countries. Studios are going to have to look for catalogue titles to release every year, so it's really only a question of when rather than ever, to be honest.

Did you not think about proofreading this comment first? It looks like you've repeated the same two paragraphs twice