DVD/BD importing

[Musashi]

I've read a few FAQs on circumventing Universal's distribution of certain films via importing from Europe or Japan. Before I get any of them, my first ? was if EU BDs work on a US HDTV. Are we past the NTSC/PAL split with the onset of hi-def?

Also: I was a fan of 3 Ninjas and have seen a slightly different cut of the film on HBO before. I've also read on IMDB that the cut shown in Sweden was a good 14 minutes longer than my US DVD version. So what I'm wondering is if would be practical for me to get a copy from Germany or Scandanavia to have the longer versionm knowing that a PAL movie probly won't work on my US HDTV.

Could I make it work by say, putting it on my PC, converting to AVI, and reburning to DVD with a US-NTSC encoding?

[WickyWoo]

I've read a few FAQs on circumventing Universal's distribution of certain films via importing from Europe or Japan. Before I get any of them, my first ? was if EU BDs work on a US HDTV. Are we past the NTSC/PAL split with the onset of hi-def?

Yes, but there are still potential region coding issues, so make sure your disc is region free before dropping the cash

[Iceman_II]

Originally Posted by Musashi

...Could I make it work by say, putting it on my PC, converting to AVI, and reburning to DVD with a US-NTSC encoding?

It should work, but the sound will be a bit "off"

I have aquired MKV files of various publicly broadcasted episodes from England. The video looks fine when converted to MP4 files with the x264 codec (a file playable on the PS3), unfortunately, the audio does not survive as well... it is shifted a bit upward in frequency (I figure it is from speeding up the 25fps sound to 30fps). It is not always too terribly noticeable, but there are certain actors/actresses whos voices are seriously impacted... I actually thought they had overdubbed Claudia Black's voice because it sounds SO much different

[WickyWoo]

have aquired MKV files of various publicly broadcasted episodes from England. The video looks fine when converted to MP4 files with the x264 codec (a file playable on the PS3), unfortunately, the audio does not survive as well... it is shifted a bit upward in frequency (I figure it is from speeding up the 25fps sound to 30fps).

Some shows pitch correct, but not all

Yes PAL speedup drives me insane. From the unnatural pacing to the chipmunking of the voices, I can always tell when something's been PAL-ified just by how it plays

[w_tanoto]

PAL and NTSC does not matter in HDTV, except the likes of me. I am still using my PS3 on SDTV, which caused some games that are designed for PAL or HDTV does not work on my NTSC-J PS3

I import it all the time.
My PS2/3/PSP are all Japanese. My Laptop's DVD region matched with Japan (Region 2 DVD, Region A BD).
My BD region, however does not match where I live (UK - Region 2 DVD, Region B BD), but also match where I live (Indonesia - Region 3 DVD, Region A BD).
But BEWARE: some country charge large amount of import tax. I was caught twice, and forced to pay £13 for £100 worth of merchandise.

I'm currently use Region 2 DVD, Region A Blu-ray, Japanese PlayStation games
So, I often import DVD from Japan. BD from Japan and USA.
I plan to switch to Region B Blu-ray completely when I get my laptop with BD.

My PS2 is modified, so I can use all regions of DVD.