I've noticed that two versions of DVD for most anime are available on the market. one is the more "official" version, released by the anime's studio/company. these come in fancy boxes, include both dub and sub for the anime, and are loaded with extra features. the other version of DVD's is slightly more obscure (although i'm sure they're perfectly legal). the discs usually only include original japanese language and english and chinese subtitles. they have no extra features, but their prices are considerably lower than those of the more "official" release.
For example:
Fushigi Yuugi [Season 1] as released by Pioneer Entertainment, $198.95
http://www.towerrecords.com/product.asp ... 746&cc=USD
Fushigi Yuugi [Season 1] as released by ???, $80 and on-sale for $46.99
http://www.toy-island.com/fusyugmaypla1.html
My question is, what is the company (or companies) that releases these cheaper DVD's? and is the video/sound quality lower than that of the more expensive DVD's?
what company retails/markets these DVD's?
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jasper-isis
- P. Y. T.
- Joined: Tue Aug 13, 2002 11:02 am
- Status: catching all the lights
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Senta
- Joined: Sat Apr 28, 2001 9:18 pm
- Location: Maryland
No, those are HK bootlegs. The video quality tends to be worse since they often try to fit 26 episodes on 3 discs. The subtitles suck. They usually get the names messed up and the grammar and translation are incoherent.the other version of DVD's is slightly more obscure (although i'm sure they're perfectly legal).
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jasper-isis
- P. Y. T.
- Joined: Tue Aug 13, 2002 11:02 am
- Status: catching all the lights
oooOOo really? good thing i never got any of those.
what about this one?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 1971253467
what about this one?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 1971253467
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EarthCurrent
- Joined: Tue Feb 12, 2002 8:27 pm
Bootleg
Yeppers, the second disk set is a bootleg.
Senta is correct that the video and subtitling quality of bootlegs is typically crap, as they take little time to correct problems when making the disks. They also regularly butcher the subtitles, chop off the opening and closing credits in order to cram the show onto fewer disks (many times cutting into the actual film), and are more interested in ripping off the original creators by making you give them cash for their "stolen" product. When it comes to grabbing bootlegs it really is buyer beware, and coupled with the simple moral grounds that those selling these products are little more than thieves making money off of other peoples work makes it impossible for me to say it is okay to buy them, even if with shows not available in the U.S.
When shopping, you can almost bet that if an anime DVD set provides Chinese subtitles then the DVD is bootleg. Additionally, the disks are region free. This isn't always an indication that the disk is bootleg, but it's a good measure.
Senta is correct that the video and subtitling quality of bootlegs is typically crap, as they take little time to correct problems when making the disks. They also regularly butcher the subtitles, chop off the opening and closing credits in order to cram the show onto fewer disks (many times cutting into the actual film), and are more interested in ripping off the original creators by making you give them cash for their "stolen" product. When it comes to grabbing bootlegs it really is buyer beware, and coupled with the simple moral grounds that those selling these products are little more than thieves making money off of other peoples work makes it impossible for me to say it is okay to buy them, even if with shows not available in the U.S.
When shopping, you can almost bet that if an anime DVD set provides Chinese subtitles then the DVD is bootleg. Additionally, the disks are region free. This isn't always an indication that the disk is bootleg, but it's a good measure.
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EarthCurrent
- Joined: Tue Feb 12, 2002 8:27 pm
EBAY
BWAHAHA! If it's on Ebay and it's not someone selling a used copy of a US release it's almost gauranteed to be bootleg, and the one you listed is just that. Again if it has Chinese subtitles on it, it is probably bootleg.Jasper-Isis wrote:oooOOo really? good thing i never got any of those.
what about this one?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 1971253467
Very few anime titles have been licensed for region 3 release, as most releases are pirated. AnimeonDVD has a pretty decent list of legal region 3 disks, I recommend you check it out:
http://www.animeondvd.com/reviews/categ ... category=3
Additionally, read this article to learn more about the wonderful world of crappy bootlegging
http://www.animeondvd.com/specials/articles/cn001.php
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RichLather
- Joined: Tue May 15, 2001 8:11 pm
- Location: Lancaster, OH Position: One of the Elder Statesmen of the .org
If....
...you can't make out any American companies' names (like ADV, Pioneer, et.al.)
...it has Chinese subtitles
...it does not have any kind of English dubbing, and has been released in the US
...it is region-free
...it attempts to compress a 25-26 episode series into thre DVDs
It's probably a bootleg. There are a very few exceptions to the third and fourth points, but bootlegs commonly conform with all of the above.
...you can't make out any American companies' names (like ADV, Pioneer, et.al.)
...it has Chinese subtitles
...it does not have any kind of English dubbing, and has been released in the US
...it is region-free
...it attempts to compress a 25-26 episode series into thre DVDs
It's probably a bootleg. There are a very few exceptions to the third and fourth points, but bootlegs commonly conform with all of the above.
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TaranT
- Joined: Wed May 16, 2001 11:20 pm
Another clue: if the box has a logo for Anime Cartoon International, it's a bootleg.
But don't confuse that with AIC (Anime International Co.) which is a legitimate and long-time anime production company.
http://www.aicanime.com/
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But don't confuse that with AIC (Anime International Co.) which is a legitimate and long-time anime production company.
http://www.aicanime.com/
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Genjo_Sanzo
- Joined: Wed Nov 20, 2002 12:54 am
Ive bought several hk box sets. Usually for the sole purpose of making amvs since downloaded material sucks to work with. but the subtitles are usually crap unless you know where to buy from. typically anime cartoon and manga international have great subtitles. go to www.animeniacs.com
They have great prices and sell only manga international.
They have great prices and sell only manga international.
