I remember seeing the Taiwanese edition on eBay a couple of months back, but watching the item it quickly got quit expensive and was cheaper to buy new.
The easiest place to get the above DVDs is YesAsia, they're quit cheap, they're deliveries are speedy as far as these companies go (I've never had to wait longer than 8 days), they (though this can be said about all the big asian import companies) only deal in legal product, and they also acept PayPal which for creditcard non-belivers like myself is a godsend.
Also about buying Ghibli DVDs off eBay. Despite what some posters on these boards seem to think it is actually a pretty good place to pick up Ghibli product. You only need to avoid items if they are "region 0" or "region free", if the seller states this then they are selling bootlegs.
Though they are, like most UK DVDs, quit expensive I wholeheartedly recommend the UK region 2 Optimum Releasings discs as probably the best out there, that not being a put down of the Taiwanese, USA or Australian (I bought their Porco Rosso off eBay) editions all of which are fine. They have the best picture quality and nicest packaging, though some editions are almost extra free. Also the UK has "Only Yesterday" and "the Little Norse Princes", neither of which are otherwise available outside asia.
"I think you're a load of old crap too, Mr Mulligan."
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paperbullet
17 years ago
I heard that DVDs from other regions won't work in my region. Is that true?
Also, I looked on EBay and found a copy of Only Yesterday that said it was "All Region". Is it the real thing or is it pirated?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZpXwPdJIOJY
Best thing ever.
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hallogallo
17 years ago
Did you buy your DVD player in the USA? Unless you specificaly purchased a multi-region (or region free as they are sometimes called) it will be region 1.
Region 1 means it will only play discs marked region 1 (they almost always have a symbol like a small globe with a "1" on top, region 1 is the USA, Canada, and USA pricipalities) or region 0 (meaning no region coding)
Many region 1 DVD players can be hacked (ie "ilegaly" reprogammed) to multi region. This is generaly done by entering a code on a certain set-up menu. There are discussion boards and websites where these hacks can be found (just enter "(your DVD player make and model) multi region hacks" into your favourite search engine and if there is one you'll find it).
However bare in mind that:
1- If your DVD is still under warrenty said warrenty will be made invalid the momment you hack it.
2- The hack may not work on your specific player.
3- While some hacks automaticly mean your DVD player will automaticly play any disc you choose, with some hacks you have to redo each time you want to change region. This is no big deal (as most hacks take maybe 20-30 seconds once you know what you are doing)
4- Lastly, there are two DVD formats: NTSC and PAL (very broadly speaking, NTSC is the american and asia TV format, PAL is the european format).
If your TV is NTSC only (most european TVs are dual format, it is probably the same elsewhere), check your DVD manual (or online version) to see how to make sure your DVD output is at the right settings so you get correct playback of PAL DVDs.
As for the region 0 DVD, well it is almost definatly a bootleg. It is up to your wether you buy it. Bare in mind picture/sound may not be top notch, and subs may be of variable translation/quality.
Sorry to get so techy. The hacking business is really quite easy once you get the confidence to do it.
"I think you're a load of old crap too, Mr Mulligan."
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paperbullet
17 years ago
My DVD player was included in the purchase of my house and is built into the wall, so I have no idea what make and model it is. I can safely assume that it's a region 1 DVD player. But, I guess it doesn't matter if I can hack it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZpXwPdJIOJY
Best thing ever.
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waru-gaki
17 years ago
I liked "Only Yesterday" but I didn't like "Umi ga Kikoeru" as much. It was a simple human drama with ordinary/colorful human drama characters but the lead girl might get on your nerves.
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