Page 1 of Region 3 vs Region 2 etc.

Okay, I might be a bit thick ;) but I was hoping you guys could explain something to me. Now that I know that my dvd player is region free (having played some R1 titles) I was having a look at cdwow (a popular choice I believe) to see what other stuff was on offer.

Whilst looking I noticed the fact that the R3 title of a given film (say Spider-man 2 for example) was 4-5 quid cheaper than the R2 version. Why?

I understand somertimes the extras etc are different but presumable I`m getting the same film (barring cuts) but for 5 quid less. Is it that simple? :/

Cheers
Riggs

I`m too old for this sh*t!

The Region 3 DVDs that CD-WOW sell are from Hong Kong, where piracy is a major problem... so the official DVDs are dirt cheap. Most major studio R3 DVDs are the same as the Region 1 (ie. NTSC) so there is no dip in quality. I have many R3 DVDs now and the only difference is the other language and subtitle tracks (something that doesn`t effect me) and I have Spider-Man 2 R3 pre-ordered with CD-WOW :D

So yes, it`s that simple. Cheap 8)

Thanks for the quick answer chewie. One further question - can I assume that the `other language` subtitles for an original English language film can be switched off? It`s just that with certain `cheap` versions in Austria they retain the English language dialogue but with German subtitles you can`t turn off :/

Riggs
I`m too old for this sh*t!

For the R3 titles I have (Hellboy, The Day After Tomorrow, Dawn of the Dead) the extra audio and subtitles are optional.

Ditto ;)

Just to add my two cents, i asked similar questions in a thread not too long ago before coughing up for CD Wow DVDs. Now, while not always the case i would imagine, the big Hollywood films i have on Region 3(DotD, Hellboy etc) have been exactly the same as you would expect from a Region 1, except catering to the Asian languages in terms of extra audio/subtitles, and with the exception of a few, Most of the films i`ve got have little or no Asian writing on the packaging (something that may bother some).

What i will say is, (probably) because of the NTSC format, i do find the colouring a little sharp and intense on some R3 dvds, but this is could be down to my TV or the individual titles.

The big Hollywood releases that CD-Wow carry in R3 tend to be identical bar the replacement of the French language with Thai. I`ve got a few now, such as Hellboy, T3, The Last Samurai, Lost In Translation, Phantom Menace and The Two Towers EE, and they`re all great. I have Spider-Man 2 on the way, and that only cost me £7.24. Shrek 2 is only £10.49 with vouchers as well. If given the choice I usually buy R3 over R1 because of the price, although Two Towers was a little disappointing because it has player generated subtitles as opposed to the burned in subs on the R1.

The colour differences that have been mentioned are most likely down to NTSC, which is different from PAL in that respect. Buy with confidence! If you do get one that isn`t as advertised (such as the Kill Bill Vol. 1 DVD) then CD-Wow will pay for you to return it to them.

Thanks a lot for the help guys. Spidey and i-Robot will be ordered tonight (using a voucher if I can find one of course ;) ):D

Cheers
Riggs

I`m too old for this sh*t!

My I, Robot was dispatched today by CD-WOW :D

The only thing i would say about R3 titles is that the packaging looks a little cheap.

Well R3s of US films anyway, as the packaging for there own is usually exceptional.