Region 3's? / Region 3 DVD's - as good as R2 or what?

I've noticed you can pick up quite a few region 3 bargains on the net but never actually bought any. Just wondered how they tend to be quality wise? are the transfers and audio as good as region 2's?

 

In most cases I've found that to be true The odd disc isn't as good but for the price your paying I'm not complaining. Some of the titles have been better offering a DTS track when the region 2 only offered the dd. The quality varies from disc to disc (much the same as reg2) so you take your chance or do your homework like you do usually any way. the cheapest place I shop at is www.layoyo.com the prices are from around £2 + shipping (which is usually about £5 for 4 or more discs). www.dddhouse.com are very good too. Both have good cs and I've had no problems getting replacement discs.

 

Also worth checking out these sites for reviews and whatever you do avoid the region 3 version of Wrong Turn

http://www.dvdcompare.net/

http://www.dvd-basen.dk/uk/home.php3

Those sites above are well known for giving reviews and opinions on the different region versions available.

 

Hi!
I've bought a alot off region 3 DVD's from cdwow. Quality wise I've found them ok.

 

Another very useful site (similar to dvdbasen) is Movie review index

 

It might be worth bearing in mind that some R3s could be subject to Korean censorship of 'extreme violence' and 'frontal nudity' - that is, more censored perhaps than other regions. I was fully intending to order some R3's on CD Wow, as the prices are so good, but having found that out, I'm thinking twice now.

 

I don't think all region 3 DVD's are cut. For example-
the region 3 version of Kill Bill DVD on cd wow- say's it uncut(don't know if this is true or not-havent watched it yet!)

 

Region 3 DVDs differ from country to country. Only if it's a release from a major label I would trust the quality but note that sometimes soundtracks (e.g. additional DTS tracks) are dropped for Asian languages/subtitles.
As well some R3, even from major lables, are censored.

 

Thanks for all the replies.
I'm going tp give those recommended sites a scan and see if it's worth saving a few quid.
Cheers.

 

The best R3 yet for me is Bad Boys 2, a cracking movie and as a bonus, a cheap price thanks to cd wow. I have ordered Matrix R but still awaiting delivery.

 

The only R3 DVD I have is Hero. It's a good quality disc with a brilliant DTS soundtrack.

I have ordered A Knight's Tale R3 for £3.49 off CD-WOW to see what the quality will be like. And Kill Bill R3 for £8.49, but it's going to be returned I think... after I've inspected it of course

 

I see a lot of real bargain priced Region 3 DVD's but what's the catch - are they not as good as Region 1 or 2 DVD's? Don't care much about subtitles as don't use them so as long as you can switch them off what's the difference? Is there sound degradation or picture quality? Anyone any thoughts?

 

I've had a few R3 dvds through now including Matrix reloaded and revolutions from cdwow- personally I've found the quality to be excellent plus the dts/dd soundtracks as good as other regions. The freeway scene in matrix reloaded is a good one to test the sound and in my opinion it doesnt disappoint!

 

R3 dvds are cheap because of the market they are targeting.

Prices in Asia are usually cheaper for most things and this includes DVDs.

It rarely has anything to do with quality.

People expect more for their money and won't hand over a wad of cash for a substandard product.

 

There is one thing you may wish to be aware of:

Quote from www.koreandvds.com:

* Titles produced in Korea are subject to government censorship when it involves nudity and violence. Although the censorship has been lessened over the years, frontal nudity and extreme violence (although rare) are forbidden. Please be careful especially when purchasing erotic movies. When you are worried about censored and deleted scenes of graphic violence and frontal nudity, do not buy from our site.

 

Merged the two threads, hope all went well and nothing got lost ...

Reiner
Moderator

 

Just ordered 'Tears of the sun' and 'Black Hawk Down' from CdWow to see what they're like. Nothing to lose when they're no more expensive than hiring them out!

 

You should have gone for the 4 disc Superbit DTS of Black Hawk Down, which is only available on R3, but CD Wow don't stock. I believe you can get it from www.koreandvds.com, but I've never used them.

 

Well, I watched my £3.49 R3 DVD of A Knight's Tale and the quality was excellent. I imagine it's just the same master as the R1 version. All the extras are included too. There are optional English subtitles, but they're hilarious, with a spelling mistake in almost every line

But there is nothing to indicate that it's a R3 DVD as everything is in English, even the menus and boxart. The picture and sound quality is just as you would expect on R1 (since it's NTSC).

Kill Bill R3 has brilliant quality picture and audio as well, but obviously the lack of english subtitles is a bit of a problem

I think I'm going to buy more R3 DVDs because they're a lot cheaper and seem to be just the same quality