Blu-ray to Begin Region-Coding this Fall

[dobyblue]

The only things I've ever wanted to import were the German version of The Fifth Element, which I'm glad I didn't as they finally released a version on DVD with all the extras.
The only other thing were the Only Fools and Horses DVDs from BBC, but fortunately, after much coercing, BBC America have now released them.
It means diddly squat to me now, but it sucks for those that it does. If it wasn't such a big deal why do it, except for those crooks in China.

[McBain]

Originally Posted by Bullseye

I buy most of my DVD's from the US so this will suck. I hope Pioneer make a region free player. Sony and there region coding is annoying to say the least.

It's my understanding that under the various agreements manufacturers cannot offer region free players or players that can be so modifed. I think it's reasonable to assume that all the majors will adhere to these contracts so I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for Pioneer.

[McBain]

Originally Posted by nyg

Pioneer made a lot of loopholes in their DVD players so that they could be made regionfree. I think its reasonable to assume they could do the same for their BD players.

The language I've read specifically prohibits manufacturers from incorporating any sort of backdoor so it would be a case of going against business agreements. That isn't to say that a manufacturer might not try to push the limits but I think that more likely with 2nd and 3rd tier producers.

[takezo]

I don't need imported DVD's. I support studios that release foreign films to US. Alot of new releases have the original language, and have better subtitles (gramatically and structure wise). Anime releasing studios are pretty good, most Japanese anime are relases with only 2 episodes per volume. Americans usualy have 3 to 5 episodes per volume. A lot of them have pretty good engish tracks (save releases form Funimation and ADV "red necks tend to like ADV though"), which is an added bonus.

[Stuman]

Wondering if anybody has heard anything more about region coding. I presume the BD's we are buying at the moment are still region free?

We are New Zealanders living in Hong Kong at the moment. H.K is region A/1 where as N.Z is B/2 so when we return home will be a pain. Buy a second PS3? On the positive though; can play BD's import from the States.

PS: Trust I am correct with the codes

[Blackraven]

Originally Posted by Stuman

Wondering if anybody has heard anything more about region coding. I presume the BD's we are buying at the moment are still region free?

We are New Zealanders living in Hong Kong at the moment. H.K is region A/1 where as N.Z is B/2 so when we return home will be a pain. Buy a second PS3? On the positive though; can play BD's import from the States.

PS: Trust I am correct with the codes

Lucky HK is region A.

Scary if it were part of the mainland China (ie. Region C)

[Deciazulado]

Stuman, there's a danish web site that keeps track of the actual region coding of titles. Many seem to be regionless for now. I can understand the frustration region coding is, but at least the situation is a little easier with BDs from DVDs, with only 3 regions, with mostly the PAL and NTSC countries residing on separate regions. It's a little better than the 6 regions (and 2 broadcast standards PAL/NTSC which actually made it into 8 or 9!) of DVD! I can relate because I have family and I like lots of titles tipically released in Region B areas, while I live in region A.

I already want at least for sure one Region B title, and 2 more I have my eyes on, if they don't get Region A releases...

[Grubert]

Even though I prefer Blu-ray, I refuse to buy into a format that forbids me from buying the movies I like where I can find them. It has been that way with me with DVD: I've had half a dozen players and all all them have been multiregion.

Therefore, and as part of region B, I will gladly buy a Blu-ray player if and when it is unaffected by region coding.

[WriteSimply]

Originally Posted by Stuman

We are New Zealanders living in Hong Kong at the moment. H.K is region A/1 where as N.Z is B/2 so when we return home will be a pain.

HK is Region A for BD and 3 for DVD. NZ is Region B for BD and I think 4 for DVD.


fuad

[dialog_gvf]

Originally Posted by Grubert

Even though I prefer Blu-ray, I refuse to buy into a format that forbids me from buying the movies I like where I can find them. It has been that way with me with DVD: I've had half a dozen players and all all them have been multiregion.

Therefore, and as part of region B, I will gladly buy a Blu-ray player if and when it is unaffected by region coding.

This is, of course, a studio demand, not a format issue. Regions are coming to HD DVD too.

It's a darn shame actually. You're one of the most articulate fighters of the good fight, but BD isn't exactly helping you. I doubt we're going to see the same get-around-the-rules stuff that happened with DVD.

You have the A1, which is said to be permanently region-free?

Gary

[Stuman]

Originally Posted by Deciazulado

Stuman, there's a danish web site that keeps track of the actual region coding of titles. Many seem to be regionless for now. ...

Great info - thanks a lot! Would you mind posting the link? Cheers.

Re other posts (couldn't work out how to add more than 1 quote??)- yes N.Z is region 4 for DVD's but never an issue as so many multi-region players available. Certainly wouldn't delay or consider not getting into HD because of region issues though - technology is too good to miss out on!

Cheers

[phloyd]

Originally Posted by Stuman

Would you mind posting the link? Cheers.

http://bluray.lindsite.dk/

No worries mate.

It will be interesting if they manage to get information on the recently released Fox titles.

[dialog_gvf]

Wow, that's a great list.

Certainly enough there to be happy with Warner, Paramount and LGF and p!ssed off with Fox, Disney and Sony.

Gary

[Stuman]

Originally Posted by phloyd

http://bluray.lindsite.dk/

No worries mate.

It will be interesting if they manage to get information on the recently released Fox titles.

Great info (yet again) thanks muchly.