×
  • remind me tomorrow
  • remind me next week
  • never remind me
Subscribe to the ANN Newsletter • Wake up every Sunday to a curated list of ANN's most interesting posts of the week. read more

Forum - View topic
HD DVD might create a region code. (semi OT)


Goto page 1, 2, 3, 4  Next

Anime News Network Forum Index -> General -> Anime
View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
Randall Miyashiro



Joined: 12 Jun 2003
Posts: 2451
Location: A block away from Golden Gate Park
PostPosted: Sun Aug 13, 2006 1:02 am Reply with quote
This might be worth reading to those who buy import DVDs. While researching the two formats I discovered that the currently codeless HDDVD format might eventually have region codes. While the current Toshiba players do not check for a region, this might change since they do get periodic software updates. It would really suck to one day wake up and discover that your Japanese anime titles no longer work on your player. I for one will hold out on an HDDVD (or at least import DVDs) until the regions are announced.

Blu-Ray on the other hand has already implemented a region code system consisting of only three regions. Fortunately Japan and the United States share Region 1. I'm really tempted to pre-order the Air Blu-Ray boxset which is slated for November. Since Sony is the main force behind the format I hope to soon see a remastered Advent Children, and there have already been Steam Boy rumors. The only reason I haven't bought one is that the only available player (Samsung) has some bugs, so I'll wait for the equally priced Sony or the much nicer Pioneer.

Although it might take some time for the US anime companies to release HD versions of anime, I really believe we will see them in Japan in 2007. I've noticed the increasing number of tv shows like GITS and Samurai 7 with a high definition tech listed in the credits.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website My Anime
hentai4me



Joined: 25 Oct 2005
Posts: 1313
Location: England. Robin is so Cute!
PostPosted: Sun Aug 13, 2006 2:58 am Reply with quote
Who else is in Blu-Ray region 1? Is the UK in it? Or are we still stuck in region 2?
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Urd



Joined: 17 May 2006
Posts: 317
Location: Paris, France
PostPosted: Sun Aug 13, 2006 3:01 am Reply with quote
* Region 1: North America, South America, and East Asia (excluding China)
* Region 2: Europe (including Turkey), and Africa
* Region 3: China, Russia and others
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Deltakiral



Joined: 07 Oct 2004
Posts: 3338
Location: Glendora, CA (Avatar Hei from Darker than BLACK)
PostPosted: Sun Aug 13, 2006 3:49 am Reply with quote
Randall Miyashiro wrote:
I'm really tempted to pre-order the Air Blu-Ray boxset which is slated for November. Since Sony is the main force behind the format I hope to soon see a remastered Advent Children, and there have already been Steam Boy rumors. The only reason I haven't bought one is that the only available player (Samsung) has some bugs, so I'll wait for the equally priced Sony or the much nicer Pioneer.


I don't think that I am going to buy either Blue ray nor HDDVD until there is a clear cut winner in the format war. Althought I would like to buy a PS3 the price tag certainly is up there, but then again Xbox 360 with the HDDVD attachment will be the same price if not more.....
Till next time,

Delta Kiral
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail My Anime My Manga
Richard J.



Joined: 11 Aug 2006
Posts: 3367
Location: Sic Semper Tyrannis.
PostPosted: Sun Aug 13, 2006 9:45 am Reply with quote
Personally, I'm not so sure there's a point in swithcing over from DVD at this time. How much better is the image really? From what I've seen, it's not that much better and you have to have an HDTV to really see it. Plus right now the price is absurdly high.

I'll wait until a few years have passed and the price has come down. Or until the format has died horribly like UMD seems to be. (Have no hard data on this but most of what I've read says UMD is a sinking ship.)

Although I have to say that I wish all of this region coding crap would just end. Release it all at once and stop screwing with people by letting one country have more extras or a director's cut while the rest of us have to suffer. Why can't everyone get the same version with all the features? Isn't half the reason pirating is so bad is that there are these delays between one country getting a DVD and another country getting the same one?
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
goins007



Joined: 30 Mar 2006
Posts: 291
PostPosted: Sun Aug 13, 2006 9:56 am Reply with quote
I haven't seen a single reason to switch yet. I haven't seen them side by side, but i've seen both of them demo'ed and I haven't been that impressed. Sure it looked nice but for the price they are probably going to be asking, no way would I pay that much.

Anyway, I came accross this and thought it might be a good read for anyone wanting more info about HD and Blue ray played next to eachother.

http://www.gizmodo.com/gadgets/home-entertainment/hd-dvd-and-bluray-compared-using-identical-source-material-192100.php
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
daxomni



Joined: 08 Nov 2005
Posts: 2650
Location: Somewhere else.
PostPosted: Sun Aug 13, 2006 10:08 am Reply with quote
I don't see any serious connection between high-def and enjoyment of anime. The only thing I wish Region 1 anime companies would do is release their DVD's in native progressive mode with slightly higher bitrates. Blu-ray and HD-DVD have their advantages, but when it comes to anime it's not that big of a difference in my view. I love anime, but in the grand scheme of things most anime is pretty low-resolution compared to most media and it doesn't need or benefit from high-resolution formats as much as most other content.

I recently received the Region 2 title Mind Game and the production and mastering quality is just so much better than 99% of the Region 1 anime titles I've seen (100's). Paying better attention to the mastering process is all I want most Region 1 anime companies to do. Paying $45 per disc in return would be really hard to swallow though.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message My Anime
unhealthyman



Joined: 20 Jun 2006
Posts: 306
PostPosted: Sun Aug 13, 2006 10:14 am Reply with quote
I remember reading an article about the HDDVD players, saying that the way they worked, they can control what they play after selling it (through the software updates.) So it will be possible (I don't know whether they plan to do it though,) to disable a player if it plays a pirated disk - as in the player will no longer work at all. This way it will probably help them fight agains the pirates and even further control and limit imports. Although, as experience has taught people, pirates always find a way around things...

Anyway, it is hardly surprising that they will do region coding again. I kinda assumed that they would.

I'm certainly not going to be queueing up to buy a new one when it comes to the shelves. I want to at least wait to see the winner of the VHS vs Betamax style fight. And then I also want to wait for the price to come down. And for me to have a new HD TV. And for Blu-ray/HDDVDs to become standard. And cheap. So basically, a lot of questions I want answered before I even think about buying one... Wink
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Dargonxtc



Joined: 13 Apr 2006
Posts: 4463
Location: Nc5xd7+ スターダストの海洋
PostPosted: Sun Aug 13, 2006 1:27 pm Reply with quote
Regarding the war:
I hope Blu-ray wins out in the end. It is a much more durable disc, and although I take very, very good care of my discs, I don't mind the extra protection. Not to mention that it can hold more than HD-DVD.

But as others have mentioned, in anime it won't make a very big difference. And like I said Blu-Ray is more scratch resistent, so thats what I am pulling for.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website My Anime My Manga
Webki



Joined: 20 Jul 2006
Posts: 299
Location: Albany, NY
PostPosted: Sun Aug 13, 2006 1:48 pm Reply with quote
Woah, I think if Blu-Ray is, in fact, following those region guidelines posted, then I really hope Blu-Ray proves to be the victor!

That way I can just buy a region 1 Blue-Ray player and then I won't have to worry about regions when I buy DVDs from both America and Japan.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message My Anime My Manga
goins007



Joined: 30 Mar 2006
Posts: 291
PostPosted: Sun Aug 13, 2006 3:20 pm Reply with quote
I'm pulling for HD-DVD myself, if I'm forced to buy one. All signs point towards this being more wallet friendly for people. I'll just keep the originals in the box and buy a burner when they finally come out, and make copies of the stuff and watch those. The disable function on the HD dvd player so far is just a myth, and i've heard the same thing about the blue ray players as well. But untill I actually see it happen, or see it being reported by a credited source i'm keeping it in the rumor pile.


And for anyone looking for a DVD player I recommend the Philips DVD Player (DVP642), I got one last week and theres a code you punch in and it makes it region free . I've tried it out and it seems to work pretty good. And their going pretty cheap too.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Webki



Joined: 20 Jul 2006
Posts: 299
Location: Albany, NY
PostPosted: Sun Aug 13, 2006 4:17 pm Reply with quote
goins007 wrote:



And for anyone looking for a DVD player I recommend the Philips DVD Player (DVP642), I got one last week and theres a code you punch in and it makes it region free . I've tried it out and it seems to work pretty good. And their going pretty cheap too.


Oh, wow, you're right. Amazon has it for $50. Not bad at all!
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message My Anime My Manga
unhealthyman



Joined: 20 Jun 2006
Posts: 306
PostPosted: Sun Aug 13, 2006 5:06 pm Reply with quote
Webki wrote:

That way I can just buy a region 1 Blue-Ray player and then I won't have to worry about regions when I buy DVDs from both America and Japan.

And Europe gets shafted again! Woohoo! If I remember correctly PS2 was multi-region, so that was quite cool (as a DVD player, not as a games machine...) but I doubt it will be the same with the PS3, which will probably be the best choice Blu Ray player for the average person.

Not only do we have to pay shipping and customs costs to get R1 DVDs, we also need to buy the goddamn player.

Anyway, like I said, I'm steering clear of the whole next gen thing until well after the dust has settled.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Deltakiral



Joined: 07 Oct 2004
Posts: 3338
Location: Glendora, CA (Avatar Hei from Darker than BLACK)
PostPosted: Sun Aug 13, 2006 5:58 pm Reply with quote
unhealthyman wrote:
And Europe gets shafted again! Woohoo! If I remember correctly PS2 was multi-region, so that was quite cool (as a DVD player, not as a games machine...) but I doubt it will be the same with the PS3, which will probably be the best choice Blu Ray player for the average person.


I believe that was an error on Sony part.....I had a first generation system (Launch system) and it was region free, but that an accident. Later on I got a second gen system with the region code intact....I haven't try the new slim PS2 yet but I bet there region encoded.


Last edited by Deltakiral on Sun Aug 13, 2006 6:28 pm; edited 1 time in total
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail My Anime My Manga
goins007



Joined: 30 Mar 2006
Posts: 291
PostPosted: Sun Aug 13, 2006 6:25 pm Reply with quote
Quote:
but I doubt it will be the same with the PS3, which will probably be the best choice Blu Ray player for the average person.


I don't know to many average people that will pay 600 bucks for a dvd player. My guess is sony has some sort of deal with the Blue ray player makers that they won't release anything till after the PS3 launches thinking that people are just going to eat these things up. Give it a few months after the launch. You'll see the market flooded with 150-100 dollar boxes...
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Display posts from previous:   
Reply to topic    Anime News Network Forum Index -> General -> Anime All times are GMT - 5 Hours
Goto page 1, 2, 3, 4  Next
Page 1 of 4

 


Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2005 phpBB Group