View Full Version : Serenity region 3 query
magicmushrooms
20-01-2006, 11:51 AM
I have just received my copy from CD wow and my initial impressions from looking at the case were not good. I have purchased many region 3 DVDs from CD wow and other places so I feel quite familiar with them. Serenity however just feels wrong. I'm not sure how better to put it but the case just seems wrong to me. Usually there is a Hong Kong or whichever Asian country's rating on the box, the region 3 symbol, a secondary language in 5.1 but there is none of that.
Has anybody else receive their copy and what did they think?
Dave H
20-01-2006, 7:16 PM
Me too it looks at first glance to be a pirate, the back cover looks like it was photo copied :eek:
anephric
20-01-2006, 7:38 PM
It seems alright to me: Universal have just scrimped a bit on the packaging.
MR ETOME
21-01-2006, 9:48 AM
It is very low quality packaging, I too thought it was a pirate when I first saw it, especially due to the re-sealable wrap that it came in.
Hope the picture/sound quality is ok, which is what really counts.
magicmushrooms
24-01-2006, 2:02 PM
has anybody thought of contacting CD wow about this? I'm not sure what to do. :confused:
lovemunkey187
24-01-2006, 2:27 PM
has anybody thought of contacting CD wow about this? I'm not sure what to do. :confused:
If in doubt, do it. Peace of mind and all that.
magicmushrooms
24-01-2006, 2:58 PM
If in doubt, do it. Peace of mind and all that.
The main problem is knowing what to say. You can't exactly say are you selling pirate copies.
It would be handy there was a region 3 review on these pages
Simon6776
26-01-2006, 9:31 PM
I was left unimpressed by the packaging of this one too, but I would very much doubt CD Wow would knowingly sell pirates, and it was very cheap, even for an R3. Might be worth pointing it out to them, not as a complaint as such, but as a courteous advisory. Of course, there are places to download a copy of the US packaging, which is much nicer. ;)
magicmushrooms
27-01-2006, 12:51 PM
I was left unimpressed by the packaging of this one too, but I would very much doubt CD Wow would knowingly sell pirates, and it was very cheap, even for an R3. Might be worth pointing it out to them, not as a complaint as such, but as a courteous advisory. Of course, there are places to download a copy of the US packaging, which is much nicer. ;)
It might be cheap by today's region 3 prices of Hollywood movies at CD wow however I have received two disc editions for the same or less money. Or even single disc editions with a nice slipcase. Serenity's packaging just seems cheap and nasty which is not what I have come to expect from region 3. :thumbsdow
Simon, I think that's a good idea to send them a courteous advisory! I'll do that later.:smashin:
Simon6776
27-01-2006, 3:25 PM
Simon, I think that's a good idea to send them a courteous advisory! I'll do that later.:smashin:
Yes, I did so myself last night, and received a nice reply, as expected:-
Hi Simon
Thank you for your comments regarding CD WOW!.
We genuinely appreciate feedback from our customers as it is vital in ensuring that we are meeting our own high standards, and it contributes greatly to our aim of continually improving our service – both in terms of making the site even more user friendly, and delivering orders in a highly satisfactory manner.
Your point is a valid one and I will ensure that it is passed on to management and our DVD Dept for their information.
We value your custom and I look forward to assisting you again in the near future.
Kind Regards
lovemunkey187
27-01-2006, 3:37 PM
We genuinely appreciate feedback from our customers as it is vital in ensuring that we are meeting our own high standards, and it contributes greatly to our aim of continually improving our service – both in terms of making the site even more user friendly, and delivering orders in a highly satisfactory manner
Maybe they should sort out their sites search facility, then.
Simon6776
27-01-2006, 3:40 PM
Why, what's wrong with it?
lovemunkey187
27-01-2006, 4:11 PM
Why, what's wrong with it?
In my (and several other posters' ) experience, searching for titles on the cdwow website is not good.
Admittedly I've not used it lately, but my last purchase from there was thanks to a link that someone else posted in the Bargains section. Everytime I've tried searching for a dvd it has come up with things that aren't remotely close to what I typed in to the search field.
I have to agree their search engine is unreliable at best and terrible at worst .
MrBlofeldt
27-01-2006, 4:54 PM
I really really want to buy this, however I think I may just wait and see if the region 2 is any better, or if there is going to be a special edition/extended edition/box set does anyone know ?
Battle
27-01-2006, 5:11 PM
I really really want to buy this, however I think I may just wait and see if the region 2 is any better, or if there is going to be a special edition/extended edition/box set does anyone know ?
Theres a nice tin boxset on EZYdvd - this is the Austrailan version and it apprently has more extras than other versions
Racquel Darrian
27-01-2006, 6:42 PM
When I got my R3 version of Stealth the cover looked like a pirate copy too.
Up until then all my R3 discs were top quality.
Now I'm having second thoughts on R3 discs.
Simon6776
27-01-2006, 10:50 PM
It does seem as though, if you are concerned about packaging, the only way to go is to pay the extra few quid for the genuine US versions of R1s, or go for the R2. Even Aussie DVDs now have a huge classification logo on the front. :(
partyweb
28-01-2006, 1:49 AM
...Even Aussie DVDs now have a huge classification logo on the front. :(
Huge is an understatement. Even an extralarge bandaid wouldn't cover it up. :mad:
Rampage
29-01-2006, 12:09 AM
My R3 copy from cd-wow had poor packaging too, I even showed the girlfriend it! There was no region shown on the cover anywhere. The disk also has a soft of wavy line going around the circumference in the middle (I've seen it before but only on a few disks).
I seem to remember that the picture quality was bad too, I thought this about Transporter 2 R3 too as well. Maybe I just havn't watched another R3 disk on my new equipment before this.
I seem to remember that the R2 version of Serenity had more extra's than the other ones, something about a directors film making guide or something.
Simon6776
29-01-2006, 9:46 AM
R3s have always been slightly lower quality than R2s or US R1s, but until now, for the price, more than acceptable. I would rather have an R3 with a flimsy case, than a canadian R1 with French writing all over it, but if this is going to be the standard of future R3s, I will think twice before buying them. I suspect that CD Wow don't actually see the products before they arrive in stock, so you can't really blame them for the poor quality, and I am sure, with their excellent customer service, they would replace any products the customer is not happy with. I haven't had time to watch my Serenity R3 yet, but it would be useful to know if the PQ is not up to scratch, compared to other regions, as I may well change my mind then, regarding replacing it.
The_Wierd
29-01-2006, 11:20 AM
I got the R3 Stealth from CD-wow and had similar concerns about this one - the cover printing looked like photo-copy, and the disc was only a single layered DVD5 with a much worse transfer than the other regions. I don't think cd-wow are to blame as the disc itself looke genuine, but I think the studios are cutting costs with some releases in Asia.
anephric
29-01-2006, 6:30 PM
The PQ on the R3 seems fine to me. I haven't checked on a PC to be certain, but it seems like a progressive transfer - I certainly don't get combing etc.
Simon6776
29-01-2006, 7:33 PM
OK, that's something. Thanks. :)
pete18
29-01-2006, 8:02 PM
i watched mine a thought that the picture quality was ok,
but I did have the same feelings about the cover, when I got it I thought that it look like a copy but it put it in my pc and it read around the size of a dual layer disc (panic over!) :)
cheers from pete
Gromit
29-01-2006, 8:09 PM
R3s have always been slightly lower quality than R2s or US R1s
You couldn´t be more wrong, mate. :lesson:
Most R3 has the same quality as the R1. I have a bunch of R3 disc with outstanding image and sound quality. Many even got DTS, which you won´t get in other regions. Million Dollar Baby & Sky Captain to name a few.
Anyhow, there is nothing wrong with Serenity R3 image & sound wise.
pete18
29-01-2006, 8:14 PM
I agree with Gromit, Sky captain in dts beats R2 hands down
I also got Cliffhanger which is on region 3 dts and uncut
Simon6776
29-01-2006, 8:18 PM
R3s have always been slightly lower quality than R2s or US R1s, but until now, for the price, more than acceptable. I would rather have an R3 with a flimsy case, than a canadian R1 with French writing all over it, but if this is going to be the standard of future R3s, I will think twice before buying them. I suspect that CD Wow don't actually see the products before they arrive in stock, so you can't really blame them for the poor quality, and I am sure, with their excellent customer service, they would replace any products the customer is not happy with. I haven't had time to watch my Serenity R3 yet, but it would be useful to know if the PQ is not up to scratch, compared to other regions, as I may well change my mind then, regarding replacing it.
You couldn´t be more wrong, mate. :lesson:
Most R3 has the same quality as the R1. I have a bunch of R3 disc with outstanding image and sound quality. Many even got DTS, which you won´t get in other regions. Million Dollar Baby & Sky Captain to name a few.
Anyhow, there is nothing wrong with Serenity R3 image & sound wise.
I was referring mainly to the packaging. Most of the R3s I have bought have had quite flimsy cases, and no inserts, but yes, you do sometimes get DTS, which you don't get on other regions. However, if Stealth is as bad as reported, then perhaps there is cause for concern.
Gromit
29-01-2006, 8:27 PM
Oh, and here is a few more superior R3 titles:
Avalon - 2-Disc (full bitrate DTS-ES)
Boogeyman - 2-Disc (full bitrate DTS-ES)
The Brothers Grimm - 2-Disc (DTS-ES)
House of Flying Daggers - 2-Disc (full bitrate DTS-ES)
White Noise - (DTS-ES)
Equilibrium - (only region to have DTS)
The Aviator - (only region to have full bitrate DTS)
In closing, you can always find poor releases in any region. But in my world Region 3 makes some of the best DVD releases.
Gromit
29-01-2006, 8:35 PM
As for R3 releases, you really need to research who´s the distributor. That´s the important issue. Deltamac and MediaAsia makes outstanding releases. Whereas, Universe Laser are just terrible.
Just do your research and stay away from the bad distributors. Then you wont´t be dosappointed. ;)
No problem with Any R3 release I have had, in fact I can only think of one title I have had that was poor quality and that was Sahara, but like has been said before many titles are superior.
I have Stealth R3 2 disc, and have no worries about the quality, the case and cover are all as a R1/2 would be and the Pic/Sound quality on the disc are tops.
magicmushrooms
30-01-2006, 2:15 PM
R3s have always been slightly lower quality than R2s or US R1s, but until now, for the price, more than acceptable. I would rather have an R3 with a flimsy case, than a canadian R1 with French writing all over it, but if this is going to be the standard of future R3s, I will think twice before buying them. I suspect that CD Wow don't actually see the products before they arrive in stock, so you can't really blame them for the poor quality, and I am sure, with their excellent customer service, they would replace any products the customer is not happy with. I haven't had time to watch my Serenity R3 yet, but it would be useful to know if the PQ is not up to scratch, compared to other regions, as I may well change my mind then, regarding replacing it.
I'm also having second thoughts about region threes if this is going to be the standard of future region threes. One good thing that can be said is that serenity R3 features the same extras as the region 2 will which includes a 20 minute featurette not on the region 1. :)
meansizzler
31-01-2006, 4:30 PM
As for R3 releases, you really need to research who´s the distributor. That´s the important issue. Deltamac and MediaAsia makes outstanding releases. Whereas, Universe Laser are just terrible.
Just do your research and stay away from the bad distributors. Then you wont´t be dosappointed. ;)
I think you got it the other way round, deltamac and media asia have pretty poor tranfers, there picture is grainy, but U333 usually have a great picture and soundtrack..
Gromit
31-01-2006, 4:54 PM
I think you got it the other way round, deltamac and media asia have pretty poor tranfers, there picture is grainy, but U333 usually have a great picture and soundtrack..
What on earth makes you think that? Reviews says otherwise.
I think you got it the other way round, deltamac and media asia have pretty poor tranfers, there picture is grainy, but U333 usually have a great picture and soundtrack..
If U333 is Universe then I think you may have got it the wrong way around, there quality is not very high at all, unless I have been unlucky with the titles I have got.
anephric
31-01-2006, 5:26 PM
Every Universe Laser disc I've been unfortunate enough to buy has been awful, or at best fairly crappy: frequently DVD5s, even 2hr+ movies.
woodmaster
31-01-2006, 5:29 PM
I've got a number of R3 and generaly try to get them over other regions mainly down to cost,I robot & Alien v Preditor and Sky captain all came in sleaves which I think is a great touch espesialy for £10.99 or a quid or so more.:smashin:
Gromit
31-01-2006, 7:10 PM
If U333 is Universe then I think you may have got it the wrong way around, there quality is not very high at all, unless I have been unlucky with the titles I have got.
They are one and the same.
I think meansizzler must have been drinking a pint to much. ;)