Difference between regions?

[CSD]

I have a PAL PS3, which means I have to check before buying any region A blu-rays. It also means that I can't pre-order any movies and must wait until after their release to verify that they're region-free.

I'm thinking of just avoiding it all by buying region B discs and be done with it. Another thing is that region B discs have Arabic subtitles, which my best friend appreciates.The problem is, how do I find out if both versions are identical when it comes to additional features? I'd rather wait for a region 1 disc than get a region B disc with less extras.

For example, I want to pre-order the region B version of Iron Man, but the description and picture found on Amazon UK shows only one disc, while Amaon US shows two discs.

What's a reliable site I can use to find out about any differences between the two? And are the two regions usually different?

Thanks.

[richieb1971]

Regions are almost always different for content.

I would suggest buying a region A PS3 which is what I done. There are more region ABC discs in the UK than there is in the USA so parting with your PS3 B machine and buying an A machine makes sense since your B movies will mostly work on it. I kept both machines.

Out of 80+ movies in my collection, only 5 don't work on my A player. Stuff like Sunshine, Day after tomorrow.. but those movies are available cheaper from the USA anyway.

Thats my advice, sell your PS3 and buy a USA model.

[Grubert]

Don't trust amazon specs. Use DVD specialized sites instead.

For example, WRT Iron Man, DVD Times lists all contents of the UK edition and it confirms that it'll have two discs.

[CSD]

Thanks for the replies, guys.

Although I doubt I'll be getting another (or replacement) PS3, I'm glad to know that there's almost always a difference between regions.

Grubert, excellent site. It's going to make things much easier on me.

Thanks again.

[alexakajeff]

I have been the same way with a lot of French movies:

Frontier(s)

Not region free!!!

[Clark Kent]

This is the site you want for comparing various Blu-rays from around the world.
http://www.dvdcompare.net/

[ADRiiAN`]

Quick Question

Is there a reason why they make movies Region specific?

[Clark Kent]

Originally Posted by ADRiiAN`

Quick Question

Is there a reason why they make movies Region specific?

Some studios like to control the distribution of their movies through their local division (ala Fox). Other times a studio may only hold rights to that movie in one territory (for example Lionsgate or New Line). Another reason is that many movies do not get a simultaneous global theatrical release so a movie might come to home video in the U.S. long before it has made the theaters in other countries.

[quexos]

Well personally I have a B player so I never have to worry about compatibility whenever I buy a B region movie here in Europe. As for the few times I would rather get an A release (e.g. The matrix trilogy) I'll just need to find out whether it is region free. In this case it's Warner so it should be. In other cases, yeah I must wait for it to be released to make sure its region free.

[Dark Lord]

This site is handy, CSD: http://bluray.liesinc.net/

[CSD]

Thanks for the sites, Clark and Dark Lord.