DVD Buying Question

[koi-choshi.livejournal.com]

Hello. I am trying to save money in buying DVDs and other stuff and I want to ask something. Is there a difference between Taiwan, Korea, and Japanese Versions? If I don't buy the Japanese version, which one would be better? I've heard that there are subtitles in the other 2 versions, can I turn those subtitles (if there are) off?

Thank you. If this post is inappropriate, feel free to delete it...

Comments

[koshifuri.livejournal.com]

I personally go for the Japanese version, but as far as I'm aware, you can hit on official oversea videos that tend to be cheaper. And the subs, as long as it's a DVD, should be able to be turned off.

[tapsilogue.livejournal.com]

The main difference would be that the Taiwan and Korea Versions are Region 3 DVDs, and Japan is Region 2. For this reason, depending on where you live, and what type of DVD player you have, you might not be able to watch it because the DVD region (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DVD_region_code) may not be compatible with your player.

The other versions do have subtitles (I have a copy of the Taiwan Version of AAA + Dome), and, unfortunately, no, you can't turn them off. :( (Not sure if all of them have subtitles though, but mine does.)

If you're going to buy a version other than the Japanese one, I don't think I'd have a recommendation, except maybe to pick which language you feel more comfortable seeing on your screen (I find that Hangul kind of disconcerts me, haha). :)

Good luck with your purchase! Hope you save enough money (^_^)v

[daisuki-arashi.livejournal.com]

cant turn off subs with taiwanese dvds....but there are like some je dvds hk/taiwanese v that didnt hv chi subs at all i.e...v6 Vogager...

no diff with the pkg just the subs and language..and where it was manufactured from..i guess you'll never know until you buy 'em or someone did for the same con u where going for....

[minlilin.livejournal.com]

taiwan & korea presses of DVDs are region code 3 as compared to Japan which's 2 .

Many people have said that Japan editions are way more better in terms of quality but the downside's that they're real expensive .

I don't know for korea presses but for taiwan presses of Johnny's DVDs , you have inbuilt traditional chinese subtitles which either can be a good or bad thing . It's good for me since I more or less can catch what the guys are singing/talking even though I'm not that good with traditional chinese since I was brought up with the normal chinese education system

Price wise , Taiwan & Korean presses are cheaper way cheaper but quality wise it's still equally as good as Japan's .

Sorry if I ramble on too much but yeah & I'm waiting for the Taiwan press of the AAA 2008 DVD to be out in due time :D

[booksandsarcasm.livejournal.com]

I'm not the OP but I'm a little confused. I buy the Taiwan press but you also said the Japanese version is a better quality? Which is it? I've heard that they are the same but... O_O

[minlilin.livejournal.com]

that's for people who die die refuse to buy OS presses . They proclaim that it's better than OS presses

for me I can't tell the difference at all but for an OS press person like myself , I like it .

Cheaper for me to afford & the quality's there

it depends on you at the end of the day really

[daisuki-arashi.livejournal.com]

In my experience and opinion there is no diff in the quality of the video itself. I got NEWS Never Ending, QOP and V6 Voyager Con in taiwanese/hk versions but the quality is hell Good...and considerably lower in price. It's just annoying sometimes when you can't turn off the subs..would have love to have that option...

The thing though is with people who seriously collect their artists' releases and since the artist is Japanese of course it would follow that you'd want to have the original Japanese release yeah? I for one if I have money to spare would get 'em all in Jap Version bec as a die hard fan , you want what the release as sold in Japanese music/dvd stores...

Makes you feel closer to the artist maybe? bec. its manufactured and sold in Japan...maybe I am just OC...hehe

[ai-nino.livejournal.com]

my first DVD is AAA + Dome, Taiwan version and its subtitle cannot be turned off (even though it's DVD).

and i found the subtitle distracting

[lao4eva.livejournal.com]

The other versions will generally be cheaper than the Japanese version. And you can absolutely turn the subs off!

[kareymoop.livejournal.com]

i know that some DVD's have the option of turning the subs on and off but some are just kinda stuck there. you can just try to ignore them but Taiwanese DVD's are in chinese subs and Korean DVD's korean subs. there's no difference in the actual video itself though.

[theahhmoment.livejournal.com]

For the price, I'd totally go for the Taiwanese version, coz it's WAY cheaper! I'm Chinese so I tend to wait for the Taiwanese version to come out, plus I can understand it better w/ the sub! =D

[hontowa.livejournal.com]

Everyone has already explained the differences, so I'm just offering one other little piece of advice :) If you're concerned about the region differences, you have two options: one, you can play the DVD on your computer. Most computers have a setting that will change the region for viewing - the trick though, is that the reigion can only be changed 5 times before it will lock. So if you go back and forth between Region 1 and Region 2 a bunch, eventually it will get stuck in one or the other.

The other option is to buy a region free DVD player. They're pretty cheap these days, but of course it's only worth it if you actually plan to buy a lot of foreign DVDs and not just a few Arashi concerts. :)

[a-brokenangel.livejournal.com]

actually you don't have to change your computer settings in order to play the DVDs. I discovered that my computer can play Region 1 DVDs when I use the VLC player so I assume that it works with DVDs with other Region codes as well.

[chosoo.livejournal.com]

Yeah, some players can play dvd's without changing the region, I think GOM player also is a one that can play all, but I'm not sure. However not all players does that.. Windows Media Player is one who only supports 1 region...

And regarding changing... it's 5 times, the player will give a notice.
however.. it's 5 for a lifetime on that computer, that will say.. it doesn't matter if you up-grade, install it again.. whatever..
It will be locked, and you can't change it.. unless u are very good with computers or a hacker..lol!!
So be aware!!!!!!

But most DVD's you have at home, you can unlock them..search on the net for a code, or go back to the store where you bought it and ask them if they have the code in order to unlock your dvd player!! (^___-)

These are the main regions... (^__^)
South East Asia - Korea, HongKong, Macau + Taiwan = Region 3
West Europe (+ Estonia, Latvia, Lithua), Turkey, Middle East, Egypt, South Africa + Japan = Region 2
US, Canada = Region 1
Mexico, Central and South America, Caribbean, Australia, New Zealand + Pacific = Region 4
East Europe(Ukraine, Belarus, Russia), Africa, Central and South Asia, Mongolia, North Korea = Region 5

All (1-6) = Region 0 + ALL
China (NOT HK and Macau) = Region 6

Region 7+8 = Aircrafts and for future use etc.

[missmomoko.livejournal.com]

I've got the Korean version of time and I could switch those off. So if you're not bothered about subtitles then...get the Korean! It's cheaper too!

[chosoo.livejournal.com]

AAA2008 Korea version will be released on APRIL 8.
However date can change..

And as for now.. no info about subtitle on it, but it can change too...

According to Kyobo (korean site for books,cds and dvds)
PRE-order Price at kyobo is 27 900 won around 21 USD

[chattekim.livejournal.com]

i hope that will be the final date of release. i will be in korea on the 9th, so I'm definitely in luck if it will be released on the 8th. thanks for the info :)

[chosoo.livejournal.com]

hope so too...!!
but when u are there..try to go to Kyobo and see if they have any posters etc.
if not they might postpone it 1-3 days...
but if I see any changes.. I will try to tell u!

[chattekim.livejournal.com]

thanks so much :)

[sheeella.livejournal.com]

Yeah, you can't turn of subs in Taiwan DVD versions.