Singapore DVDs

[simmdogg113]

Hi, I recently bought a 34 DVD Dragonball Z set from the UK. It says it was made in Singapore, and has a sticker stating that the Parental Guidance is PG from the Singapore Association. I am wondering if it was a bootleg or not. All the DVDs were split up between 3 plastic box sets, and then placed in a Hard Paper Slipcase. I found a link as well that has some pictures of the set:

<bootleg eBay item removed by administrator>

Please help.

- Nate

[Jerseymilk]

Yep, those are bootleg. They're Region Free/otherwise known as Region 0 and contain Chinese and English subtitles. Those are two key characteristics of Hong Kong bootlegs. Another key characteristic is the fact that the entire seires is all on three discs. With bootlegs, squeezing an entire series onto 3 to 5 discs in a fold-out case is very common.

[simmdogg113]

There are 34 discs in the set, and have about 8 episodes a piece. Why would it say Singapore on it if its from Hong Kong? I know Odex was distributing DVDs for a while, I also found a Toei Sticker on one of the boxes as well. Each plastic box contained about 11 dvds and were in sleeves attached together like a book.

[Jerseymilk]

Well, what concerns me is the fact that they have English/Chinese subs(and yes I am aware that there's a significant population of Chinese in Singapore), and that they're Region Free. As I stated in my previous post, those are two *extremely* common signs of bootleg DVDs. I never said they were *from* Hong Kong, just that that region is swarming with bootleggers. And relating back to my statement of that nation having a good proportion of Chinese, all the more reason for a bootlegger to include Chinese subs on DVDs being sold in Singapore. Of course I'm aware you could say the opposite too that therefore legit DVDs would also have a vaild reason. *shrug*

I should also say that the low price for it also sets off alarm bells. Sixty-nine pounds is roughly one hundred and thirty dollars American, and that's a really good deal for the entire series of 291 episodes. Plus there's also the fact that Toei certainly never made any English subtitles. The only company I know of that's done that is Funi, which means that they would also need Funi's approval on this and not just Toei's. Even the Australian DVDs use Funi's subtitle work.

But hey, perhaps you're right and they are above board.....I'm just way too cynical to believe a good deal like this is legit.

[simmdogg113]

Thanks for all the help, Jerseymilk, I just looked at <bootleg link removed by administrator> and it had a review about the similar Dragonball Z DVDs produced by MI. Mine has the same menu screens as the MI menu....curses frequently. I only paid US$80, so I'll just have to keep looking for the Dragonboxes then to get the real deal. If you see anyone trying to sell them, let me know

[Tanooki Kuribo]

Why is there so many "Are these bootleg" post? Of course these are bootleg. If its not on any official site then why would you even think they were legit?

It says it was made in Singapore, and has a sticker stating that the Parental Guidance is PG from the Singapore Association.

That and there were no official logos on the box should have been your first clue. Also if its region free its screaming in your face and writing "Iam bootleg" on a post it note, underlining and pointing to the word "bootleg" and is sticking it on your forehead. What?