Blu-ray Regions & DragonBall

[Raki]

I think Toei is putting Fist of the North Star on Blu-Ray. So it isn't out of the question.

Well Raki just made my evening.

http://www.toei-anim.co.jp/dvd/hokutonoken/

It was released earlier this year.

[kei17]

I recently found out that Japan and the U.S. are the same Blu-Ray region. I've searched for Dragonball content from Japan on Blu-Ray, but I have found none. My question is, does anyone know of any Dragonball related content on Blu-Ray in Japan?

There's no DB content on Blu-Ray in Japan. They've not even released TVSP on DVD yet.. So I bought all of FUNimation's double features on Blu-Ray though I am in Japan.

[SSj_Rambo]

I recently found out that Japan and the U.S. are the same Blu-Ray region. I've searched for Dragonball content from Japan on Blu-Ray, but I have found none. My question is, does anyone know of any Dragonball related content on Blu-Ray in Japan?

There's no DB content on Blu-Ray in Japan. They've not even released TVSP on DVD yet.. So I bought all of FUNimation's double features on Blu-Ray though I am in Japan.

How did you like them, and have you had the opportunity to compare them to the Dragonbox releases, and have you shared them with anyone else over there? I'm interested in hearing how Japanese people view the remastering of the double features, since they are the best looking remastered Dragonball products from FUNimation...not to mention that the cropping shouldn't be viewed as a negative factor to Japanese fans.

[MajinVejitaXV]

The difference in image quality between Blu-Ray and DVD is not apparent to me.

...besides, I was buying into HD-DVD. I have Season One of Heroes in that format. >_>

Sorry, but that statement makes no sense. Aside from some technical factors, most centering around the storage capacity, HD DVD and Blu-ray are practically the same. Both are 1080p. If you can't see the difference in Blu-ray and DVD, then you wasted money on the Heroes HD DVD set because the SD equivalent would have looked just as good to you.

DVD has wider selection and greater usability...in that I know how to rip a DVD. I can lend a DVD to somebody, while far fewer people have Blu-Ray players. There are simply far more titles on DVD, and the cost is lower.

The same could be said of VHS at the onset of DVD. I could buy a blank tape and copy a movie or show. It was cheap, widely available, etc. And far more people had VCR's for the first 2-3 years than had DVD players.

Besides, just as you learned to "rip a DVD'," you'll learn to do plenty with Blu-rays. It'll just take time as it always does with a new format. Otherwise we'd all still be making mixed tapes

Especially since being the only high-def format doesn't necessarily mean it will succeed. =p

With Wal-mart expanding their Blu-ray holdings (along with many other retailers from my personal experience) and titles starting to break 1 million units sold close to a year sooner than DVD did in comparison, it doesn't bode badly I'd say

I'd love fullscreen, no doubt about it. DragonBox, too. But where is the incentive for FUNimation to grow new grass when the cows just keep lining up at the slaughterhouse after eating their own shit?

Lemmy wins the forum. I declare it.

-Corey

[kei17]

How did you like them, and have you had the opportunity to compare them to the Dragonbox releases, and have you shared them with anyone else over there? I'm interested in hearing how Japanese people view the remastering of the double features, since they are the best looking remastered Dragonball products from FUNimation...not to mention that the cropping shouldn't be viewed as a negative factor to Japanese fans.

They were good, I think. But the Japanese audio track was worse than Dragonbox because they took it from the films. Probably there was a problem about the copyright to use the tape which used in Japanese DVDs.
And, my brother also liked them. But I have no friend who is a big DB fan(because I'm 19 old so in my age DBZ is completely out of date) so I haven't shared them except my family.

[Li'l Lemmy]

Lemmy wins the forum. I declare it.

Sweet.

In all honesty, though, it's just common sense. Even a dog knows how to bark when it's hungry or growl when it's threatened. If we don't do so much as complain, then why should FUNimation think that we're anything but happy as pigs in shit?

Contrary to popular belief, FUNimation is not lazy or stupid. Their handling of other properties proves that. No, by this point-- and especially regarding these Season Sets-- we as fans have (at least in part) allowed them to be as such with DragonBall, IMHO. And that's only going to continue so long as we just lay back and be lazy, too.

On a personal note, Corey, I've been meaning to respond to your PM regarding what we discussed late last week. I would have responded sooner, but you saying you were sick kinda made me think to hold off on it awhile . . .

Still, the advice was definitely appreciated. I'll be going with your recommendation on those Cowboy Bebop releases. And if I can find Gungrave, I'll be happy to check it out-- I've been lookin' for a new series.


~Da Lemmy

[Conan the SSJ]

On a personal note, Corey, I've been meaning to respond to your PM regarding what we discussed late last week. I would have responded sooner, but you saying you were sick kinda made me think to hold off on it awhile . . .

Be sure to reply to my most recent PM as well, please. From what my Outbox displays, ya' haven't opened it yet.

Still, the advice was definitely appreciated. I'll be going with your recommendation on those Cowboy Bebop releases. And if I can find Gungrave, I'll be happy to check it out-- I've been lookin' for a new series.

Do get the Bebop movie as well, it's set between episodes 22 and 23. Very awesome! I also strongly recommend the Sci-Fi/Western live-action series, Firefly, as well as its concluding feature film Serenity.

[MajinVejitaXV]

Contrary to popular belief, FUNimation is not lazy or stupid. Their handling of other properties proves that. No, by this point-- and especially regarding these Season Sets-- we as fans have (at least in part) allowed them to be as such with DragonBall, IMHO. And that's only going to continue so long as we just lay back and be lazy, too.

Agreed 100%. I don't think FUNimation is stupid so much as...diabolical? ;p

On a personal note, Corey, I've been meaning to respond to your PM regarding what we discussed late last week. I would have responded sooner, but you saying you were sick kinda made me think to hold off on it awhile . . .

Still, the advice was definitely appreciated. I'll be going with your recommendation on those Cowboy Bebop releases. And if I can find Gungrave, I'll be happy to check it out-- I've been lookin' for a new series.


~Da Lemmy

Yeah, no worries. I was really, really sick (I ended up practically bed-ridden, but I shook it after a few days), but it wasn't intended as a deterrent to reply so much as a "Hey, some of this might sound retarded, so..."

Definitely check out Gungrave, I think RightStuf has it for insanely cheap in their bargain bin. It's a really good series, as is Texhnolyze (another bargain bin entry I believe, same team that did Serial Experiments Lain but better in my opinion). Neither is light and happy though, so you may want to buffer them with something less harsh.

And I second Conan, Firefly and Serenity are great (as are Buffy and Angel, of course).

-Corey

Edit: Yep, RightStuf has Gungrave very cheap. Gungrave was like $25-30 a volume, now it's $11.00. Here you go.

And Texhnolyze is in stock, but still pricey. The first volume is heavily discounted though, if you want to try it out. It'll give you a good feel of what you're getting into.

[Castor Troy]

Contrary to popular belief, FUNimation is not lazy or stupid. Their handling of other properties proves that. No, by this point-- and especially regarding these Season Sets-- we as fans have (at least in part) allowed them to be as such with DragonBall, IMHO. And that's only going to continue so long as we just lay back and be lazy, too.

Agreed 100%. I don't think FUNimation is stupid so much as...diabolical? ;p

I still remember that Barry Watson picture...

[Li'l Lemmy]

Definitely check out Gungrave, I think RightStuf has it for insanely cheap in their bargain bin. It's a really good series, as is Texhnolyze (another bargain bin entry I believe, same team that did Serial Experiments Lain but better in my opinion). Neither is light and happy though, so you may want to buffer them with something less harsh.

And I second Conan, Firefly and Serenity are great (as are Buffy and Angel, of course).

Light and harsh ain't required. Just so long as a show gets my attention within the first few episodes, then I don't care how it goes about it.

Yo, Conan: I got your PM. I sent an e-mail back at'cha. Did'ja get it?

Edit: Yep, RightStuf has Gungrave very cheap. Gungrave was like $25-30 a volume, now it's $11.00. Here you go.

Even I can afford $11. Although, that particular link doesn't take me anywhere . . .

Doesn't matter. Alls I gotta do is run a search for it myself. The point is, I want it.

And Texhnolyze is in stock, but still pricey. The first volume is heavily discounted though, if you want to try it out. It'll give you a good feel of what you're getting into.

This one does, though. Sure, why the fuck not? The worst that'll happen is that I don't like it; five bucks ain't exactly a risk.

. . .

What was the topic again, now?


~Da Lemmy

[Conan the SSJ]

Yo, Conan: I got your PM. I sent an e-mail back at'cha. Did'ja get it?

Yep, replied. I couldn't tell if your were being harshly sarcastic, wacky sarcastic, or fun in the email? o.o;

And yes Corey, Buffy & Angel are definitely a must to get into. I'm in fact currently getting Duo, our "manga purist" of DaizEX, into Angel (though he wants as little of Buffy as reasonably possible, fella doesn't like Sarah Michelle Gellar). Recommending Firefly to Lemmy 'cause it's got an awesome flare of Bebop, Trigun, and other Western-type anime elements. Plus it's not really a hassle to collect; ya' get "The Complete Series" set (only 14 eps sadly) and Collectors' Edition of Serenity, shabang!

What was the topic again, now?


~Da Lemmy

I believe DVD Regions! I for one dunno if I'll ever be able to get myself a region free DVD player. Hell, I probably will, but I wonder what'll come first; that or a widescreen television.

[Sprite Satan]

I believe DVD Regions! I for one dunno if I'll ever be able to get myself a region free DVD player. Hell, I probably will, but I wonder what'll come first; that or a widescreen television.

Most DVD players allow you to set them as region free just by accessing a hidden menu via an input on your DVD remote. Even a cheap 20 buck Wal-Mart DVD player will do you.

[SSj_Rambo]

How did you like them, and have you had the opportunity to compare them to the Dragonbox releases, and have you shared them with anyone else over there? I'm interested in hearing how Japanese people view the remastering of the double features, since they are the best looking remastered Dragonball products from FUNimation...not to mention that the cropping shouldn't be viewed as a negative factor to Japanese fans.

They were good, I think. But the Japanese audio track was worse than Dragonbox because they took it from the films. Probably there was a problem about the copyright to use the tape which used in Japanese DVDs.
And, my brother also liked them. But I have no friend who is a big DB fan(because I'm 19 old so in my age DBZ is completely out of date) so I haven't shared them except my family.

Even without having ever watched a Dragonbox DVD I've noticed that the Japanese audio sounds pretty bad on FUNi's remstered Dragonball DVD's. It's pretty pathetic since the Japanese BGM sounds great on the English track but crappy on the Japanese track.

[MajinVejitaXV]

This one does, though. Sure, why the fuck not? The worst that'll happen is that I don't like it; five bucks ain't exactly a risk.

Sorry, my other link lead to my search results. I realize now that probably didn't work for you because it required the cookies I generated by running the search ;p

Feel free to PM or AIM or Facebook or whatever me. I'm happy to share other shows, since we seem to have similar interests.

Even without having ever watched a Dragonbox DVD I've noticed that the Japanese audio sounds pretty bad on FUNi's remstered Dragonball DVD's. It's pretty pathetic since the Japanese BGM sounds great on the English track but crappy on the Japanese track.

It's really fairly amazing how bad it sounds. I mean, the DragonBoxes (with the exception of the movies) don't make it sound like Uncompressed PCM vs. a 64kbps Mono MP3, but still...

That being said, I'm fairly certain Toei gave FUNimation some stereo masters of the BGM to work with. Does it still sound like they're running the BGM in the studio next door in the 5.1 mix?

[lawl how i use protools?]

-Corey

[Li'l Lemmy]

Yep, replied. I couldn't tell if your were being harshly sarcastic, wacky sarcastic, or fun in the email? o.o;

I wasn't harshin' on ya, dude . . .

Sorry, my other link lead to my search results. I realize now that probably didn't work for you because it required the cookies I generated by running the search ;p

Feel free to PM or AIM or Facebook or whatever me. I'm happy to share other shows, since we seem to have similar interests.

That we do. I am so there. You feel free, too!

Except that the only shows I have to share are of the Star Trek and Law & Order variety, and I already know that you do some Star Trek.


~Da Lemmy

[MajinVejitaXV]

That we do. I am so there. You feel free, too!

Except that the only shows I have to share are of the Star Trek and Law & Order variety.


~Da Lemmy

TNG, DS9 and the Law and Order franchise are some of my favorites. We should be golden there

-Corey

[SSj_Rambo]

Even without having ever watched a Dragonbox DVD I've noticed that the Japanese audio sounds pretty bad on FUNi's remstered Dragonball DVD's. It's pretty pathetic since the Japanese BGM sounds great on the English track but crappy on the Japanese track.

It's really fairly amazing how bad it sounds. I mean, the DragonBoxes (with the exception of the movies) don't make it sound like Uncompressed PCM vs. a 64kbps Mono MP3, but still...

That being said, I'm fairly certain Toei gave FUNimation some stereo masters of the BGM to work with. Does it still sound like they're running the BGM in the studio next door in the 5.1 mix?

[lawl how i use protools?]

-Corey

The latest stuff I've seen is season 4, and it does sound like "they're running the BGM in the studio next door in the 5.1 mix".

They also don't play the BGM at the same time as in the Japanese audio track for the English w/ Japanese BGM track. For example, in this clip of the Japanese version (00:37) and this clip of the FUNi version with the Eng. dub with Jap. BGM (03:30) you can clearly tell that they do not start playing the BGM at the same time.

[Conan the SSJ]

Most DVD players allow you to set them as region free just by accessing a hidden menu via an input on your DVD remote. Even a cheap 20 buck Wal-Mart DVD player will do you.

Mine was $40 and doesn't seem like it has such a hidden feature. Curses.

I wasn't harshin' on ya, dude . . .

Ah, phew ^^;

Except that the only shows I have to share are of the Star Trek and Law & Order variety, and I already know that you do some Star Trek.


~Da Lemmy

I think Law & Order and The X Files share the same 'verse, thanks to Munch. It's pretty much in continuity with everything and their brother.

[Freeza Heika]

Sort of a subtopic under this is: because Funimation and Toei will be releasing to the same region (once the format picks up a little more), is it possible that Toei could become a little less charitable towards Funimation, in fear that they might do something right and start taking business from Toei?

[Raki]

Sort of a subtopic under this is: because Funimation and Toei will be releasing to the same region (once the format picks up a little more), is it possible that Toei could become a little less charitable towards Funimation, in fear that they might do something right and start taking business from Toei?

All Toei would have to do is make something and give it to Funi so they could sell it here. Same region or not, Toei still needs Funi to sell stuff in North America. They can't do it on their own.