Info on import Blu-ray titles

[LinkinPrime]

Taken UK release is reportedly locked to B and C and the French release is locked to B.

Damn it! Thanks for the quick reply. Guess I'll have to wait a few months for the US release.

[kannisto]

I finished reviewing UK titles (been a long time since I last updated the UK list). Now adding these 44 titles to the list (removed 2 that didn't actually make it). Also updated region code info and some other details for many discs.

About Last Night (UK - Sony) (3-Aug-2009)
Amazon UK Sendit.com BlahDVD
Audio: English, ?
Region: B | Free ?
Notes: Release date seems to have been postponed from 2-Feb to 3-Aug.

Ashes of Time Redux (UK - Artificial Eye) (26-Jan-2009)
Amazon UK Sendit.com BlahDVD
Audio: Cantonese/Mandarin
Subtitles: English
Region: Free
Notes: more info

Battle of Wits (UK - Metrodome) (26-Dec-2008)
Amazon UK Sendit.com BlahDVD
Audio: Mandarin
Subtitles: English
Region: Free
Notes: more info

Brideshead Revisited (UK - BBC) (9-Mar-2009)
Amazon UK Sendit.com BlahDVD
Audio: English
Region: B | Free ? (likely Free)
Notes: more info

City of Ember (UK - EIV) (23-Feb-2009)
Amazon UK Sendit.com BlahDVD
Audio: English
Region: B | Free ?

Cranford (UK - BBC) (23-Feb-2009)
Amazon UK Sendit.com BlahDVD
Audio: English
Region: B | Free ? (likely Free)
Notes: U.S. release on April 14th. more info

Curious Case of Benjamin Button, The (UK - Warner) (8-Jun-2009)
Sendit.com BlahDVD
Audio: English
Region: B | Free ? (likely Free)
Notes: U.S. release by Paramount not announced yet.

Downfall (Der Untergang) (UK - Momentum Pictures) (15-Dec-2008)
Amazon UK Sendit.com BlahDVD
Audio: German
Subtitles: English (non-removable)
Region: Free
Notes: more info

Eden Lake (UK - Optimum Home Entertainment) (19-Jan-2009)
Amazon UK Sendit.com BlahDVD
Audio: English
Subtitles: English HoH?
Region: B
Notes: more info

Elite Squad (Tropa de Elite) (UK - Optimum Home Entertainment) (26-Jan-2009)
Amazon UK Sendit.com BlahDVD
Audio: Brazilian Portuguese
Subtitles: English
Region: B
Notes: more info

Empress and the Warriors, An (UK - Showbox) (23-Mar-2009)
Amazon UK Sendit.com BlahDVD
Audio: Mandarin and/or Cantonese
Subtitles: English
Region: B | Free ? (likely Free)

Friday the 13th Part 2 (UK - Paramount) (9-Feb-2009)
Amazon UK Sendit.com BlahDVD
Audio: English
Region: B | Free ? (likely Free)
Notes: more info

Friday the 13th Part 3 (UK - Paramount) (9-Feb-2009)
Amazon UK Sendit.com BlahDVD
Audio: English
Region: B | Free ? (likely Free)
Notes: more info

Gazwrx - The Films Of Jeff Keen (UK - BFI Video) (23-Feb-2009)
Amazon UK Sendit.com BlahDVD
Audio: English?
Region: B | Free ?
Notes: more info

Gomorrah (Gomorra) (UK - Optimum Home Entertainment) (9-Feb-2009)
Amazon UK Sendit.com BlahDVD
Audio: Italian
Subtitles: English
Region: B
Notes: more info

Green Street Hooligans 2 (UK - Lions Gate) (23-Mar-2009)
Amazon UK Sendit.com BlahDVD
Audio: English
Region: B | Free ?

Guard Post (G.P. 506) (UK - Showbox) (29-Dec-2008)
Amazon UK BlahDVD
Audio: Korean
Subtitles: English
Region: Free

How To Lose Friends and Alienate People (UK - Paramount) (16-Mar-2009)
Amazon UK Sendit.com BlahDVD
Audio: English
Region: B | Free ? (likely Free)
Notes: more info

JCVD (UK - Revolver Entertainment) (2-Feb-2009)
Amazon UK Sendit.com BlahDVD
Audio: French with some English
Subtitles: English (non-removable)
Region: Free
Notes: more info

Kill Switch (UK - Momentum Pictures) (2-Mar-2009)
Amazon UK Sendit.com BlahDVD
Audio: English
Region: B | Free ? (likely Free)
Notes: more info

Lark Rise to Candleford: Series 1 (UK - BBC) (9-Mar-2009)
Amazon UK Sendit.com BlahDVD
Audio: English
Region: B | Free ? (likely Free)
Notes: more info

Mutant Chronicles, The (UK - EIV) (16-Feb-2009)
Amazon UK Sendit.com BlahDVD
Audio: English
Region: B | Free ?

Nighthawks/Strip Jack Naked - Nighthawks 2 (UK - BFI Video) (30-Mar-2009)
Amazon UK BlahDVD
Audio: English
Region: B | Free ?

On the Waterfront (UK - Sony) (6-Apr-2009)
Amazon UK BlahDVD
Audio: English
Region: B | Free ? (likely Free)

Once (UK - Icon Home Entertainment) (16-Feb-2009)
Amazon UK Sendit.com BlahDVD
Audio: English
Region: B | Free ? (likely Free)
Notes: more info

Panic Room (UK - Sony) (6-Apr-2009)
Amazon UK BlahDVD
Audio: English
Region: B | Free ? (likely Free)

Quick and the Dead, The (UK - Sony) (7-Sep-2009)
Amazon UK BlahDVD
Audio: English
Region: B | Free ? (likely Free)

Rules of Attraction, The (UK - Icon Home Entertainment) (16-Feb-2009)
Amazon UK Sendit.com BlahDVD
Audio: English
Region: B | Free ? (likely Free)
Notes: more info

Saturday Night and Sunday Morning (UK - BFI Video) (23-Mar-2009)
Amazon UK Sendit.com BlahDVD
Audio: English
Region: B | Free ?

Scary Movie 4 (UK - Disney) (19-Mar-2007)
Amazon UK Sendit.com BlahDVD
Audio: English
Region: Free

Somers Town (UK - Optimum Home Entertainment) (12-Jan-2009)
Amazon UK Sendit.com BlahDVD
Audio: English
Subtitles: English HoH
Region: B | Free ? (likely B)
Notes: more info

Splinter (UK - Icon Home Entertainment) (30-Mar-2009)
Amazon UK Sendit.com BlahDVD
Audio: English
Region: B | Free ? (likely Free)
Notes: U.S. release on April 14th.

St. Elmo's Fire (UK - Sony) (3-Aug-2009)
Amazon UK Sendit.com BlahDVD
Audio: English
Region: B | Free ? (likely Free)
Notes: UK release was to be Feb-2 but Amazon states Aug-3.

Starter for 10 (UK - Icon Home Entertainment) (8-Dec-2008)
Amazon UK Sendit.com BlahDVD
Audio: English
Region: B | Free ? (likely Free)
Notes: more info

Stephen Fry in America (UK - West Park Pictures) (7-Nov-2008)
Amazon UK Sendit.com BlahDVD
Audio: English
Region: B | Free ?
Notes: more info

Thick as Thieves (UK - Lions Gate) (16-Feb-2009)
Amazon UK Sendit.com BlahDVD
Audio: English
Region: B | Free ?

Thunderbirds (Complete Collection) (UK - ITV) (15-Sep-2008)
Amazon UK Sendit.com BlahDVD
Audio: English
Region: Free
Notes: Cropped from original 4:3 to 16:9.

Trainspotting (UK - Film 4) (4-May-2009)
Amazon UK Sendit.com BlahDVD
Audio: English
Region: B | Free ?
Notes: Every shop has a different release date…

Trilogy of Life (The Decameron, The Canterbury Tales, Arabian Nights) (UK - BFI Video) (27-Apr-2009)
Amazon UK Sendit.com BlahDVD
Audio: Italian | English
Subtitles: English
Region: B | Free ?

Twilight (UK - Contender Entertainment Group) (6-Apr-2009)
Amazon UK Sendit.com BlahDVD
Audio: English
Region: B | Free ?
Notes: more info

Waltz With Bashir (UK - Artificial Eye) (30-Mar-2009)
Amazon UK BlahDVD
Audio: Hebrew
Subtitles: English
Region: B | Free ? (likely Free)
Notes: more info

Warlords, The (UK - Metrodome) (2-Mar-2009)
Amazon UK Sendit.com BlahDVD
Audio: Mandarin
Subtitles: English
Region: B | Free ? (likely Free)
Notes: more info

What Women Want (UK - Icon Home Entertainment) (8-Dec-2008)
Amazon UK Sendit.com
Audio: English
Region: Free
Notes: Some playback problems reported with Panasonic BD-30 and BD-35.

Yes Man (UK - Warner) (20-Apr-2009)
Amazon UK Sendit.com
Audio: English
Region: B | Free ? (likely Free)

[ahsoka]

ahsoka,

Do you know if French release of Taegukgi is 1080p24 or 1080i (50 or 60) like its Korean counterpart?

Thanks,

According to BDInfo the French disc is 1080p/23,976 fps and the Korean disc is 1080i/29,970 fps.

Taegukgi [FR]:

                                                                                                                Total   Video                                             
Title                                                           Codec   Length  Movie Size      Disc Size       Bitrate Bitrate Main Audio Track                          Secondary Audio Track
-----                                                           ------  ------- --------------  --------------  ------- ------- ------------------                        ---------------------
00032.MPLS                                                      VC-1    2:28:12 34*560*989*184  40*687*511*262  31,09   24,92   DTS-HD Master 5.1 2292Kbps (48kHz/16-bit)

DISC INFO:

Disc Title:     FRERES_DE_SANG
Disc Size:      40*687*511*262 bytes
Protection:     AACS
BD-Java:        No
BDInfo:         0.5.2

PLAYLIST REPORT:

Name:                   00032.MPLS
Size:                   34*560*989*184 bytes
Length:                 2:28:12 (h:m:s)
Total Bitrate:          31,09 Mbps
Description:            

VIDEO:

Codec                   Bitrate             Description     
-----                   -------             -----------     
VC-1 Video              24915 kbps          1080p / 23,976 fps / 16:9 / Advanced Profile 3

AUDIO:

Codec                           Language        Bitrate         Description     
-----                           --------        -------         -----------     
DTS-HD Master Audio             French          2292 kbps       5.1 / 48 kHz / 2292 kbps / 16-bit (DTS Core: 5.1 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 16-bit)
DTS-HD Master Audio             Korean          2027 kbps       5.1 / 48 kHz / 2027 kbps / 16-bit (DTS Core: 5.1 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 16-bit)

SUBTITLES:

Codec                           Language        Bitrate         Description     
-----                           --------        -------         -----------     
Presentation Graphics           French          0,346 kbps                      
Presentation Graphics           French          26,901 kbps                     

FILES:

Name            Time In         Length          Size            Total Bitrate   
----            -------         ------          ----            -------------   
00038.M2TS      0:00:00.000     2:28:12.967     34*560*989*184  31*091          

CHAPTERS:

Number          Time In         Length          Avg Video Rate  Max 1-Sec Rate  Max 1-Sec Time  Max 5-Sec Rate  Max 5-Sec Time  Max 10Sec Rate  Max 10Sec Time  Avg Frame Size  Max Frame Size  Max Frame Time  
------          -------         ------          --------------  --------------  --------------  --------------  --------------  --------------  --------------  --------------  --------------  --------------  
1               0:00:00.000     0:06:41.025     21*005 kbps     40*767 kbps     00:02:07.710    34*963 kbps     00:02:56.259    32*812 kbps     00:02:56.259    110*590 bytes   486*740 bytes   00:02:33.528    
2               0:06:41.025     0:08:08.863     23*162 kbps     42*056 kbps     00:14:44.133    33*929 kbps     00:07:51.971    31*929 kbps     00:07:49.635    121*096 bytes   379*844 bytes   00:07:57.310    
3               0:14:49.889     0:04:29.018     22*927 kbps     38*183 kbps     00:15:49.990    32*880 kbps     00:15:59.959    32*365 kbps     00:15:59.708    119*531 bytes   399*703 bytes   00:15:51.283    
4               0:19:18.907     0:06:51.911     26*422 kbps     39*738 kbps     00:21:54.146    33*687 kbps     00:25:08.048    32*968 kbps     00:24:59.956    138*100 bytes   385*763 bytes   00:20:43.450    
5               0:26:10.819     0:06:02.737     26*520 kbps     41*990 kbps     00:29:53.833    33*807 kbps     00:26:43.685    32*539 kbps     00:31:44.485    138*265 bytes   399*886 bytes   00:26:12.153    
6               0:32:13.556     0:08:11.240     24*373 kbps     43*101 kbps     00:39:27.490    33*339 kbps     00:36:50.249    32*343 kbps     00:39:26.822    127*068 bytes   446*681 bytes   00:35:59.407    
7               0:40:24.797     0:05:40.882     23*810 kbps     39*268 kbps     00:42:41.684    33*302 kbps     00:42:40.474    31*815 kbps     00:42:40.307    124*133 bytes   430*450 bytes   00:40:31.512    
8               0:46:05.679     0:08:45.441     25*238 kbps     42*623 kbps     00:54:37.649    34*812 kbps     00:54:37.399    32*882 kbps     00:54:36.398    131*580 bytes   360*634 bytes   00:52:17.384    
9               0:54:51.121     0:07:52.597     25*872 kbps     43*135 kbps     00:58:31.049    33*779 kbps     01:00:05.268    32*634 kbps     00:58:22.832    134*884 bytes   466*386 bytes   00:58:41.059    
10              1:02:43.718     0:02:26.145     17*769 kbps     30*454 kbps     01:03:13.998    28*268 kbps     01:03:11.579    26*469 kbps     01:03:06.574    92*638 bytes    313*035 bytes   01:03:03.196    
11              1:05:09.864     0:07:55.308     29*832 kbps     43*570 kbps     01:09:51.395    34*452 kbps     01:08:14.465    32*777 kbps     01:05:31.218    155*530 bytes   375*771 bytes   01:12:24.006    
12              1:13:05.172     0:06:47.240     24*580 kbps     37*406 kbps     01:14:19.037    32*453 kbps     01:13:59.184    32*077 kbps     01:13:58.350    128*148 bytes   396*543 bytes   01:14:19.246    
13              1:19:52.412     0:08:41.395     24*177 kbps     38*622 kbps     01:26:42.238    33*610 kbps     01:23:26.209    31*224 kbps     01:27:06.262    126*049 bytes   408*969 bytes   01:27:24.530    
14              1:28:33.808     0:05:08.725     24*934 kbps     37*728 kbps     01:29:58.935    33*542 kbps     01:29:55.223    32*044 kbps     01:31:28.566    129*995 bytes   424*644 bytes   01:29:39.374    
15              1:33:42.533     0:04:57.630     28*630 kbps     42*178 kbps     01:36:19.356    34*001 kbps     01:38:35.159    32*007 kbps     01:36:29.283    149*264 bytes   406*052 bytes   01:34:19.820    
16              1:38:40.164     0:03:22.744     25*444 kbps     32*680 kbps     01:39:10.653    30*974 kbps     01:39:01.435    30*516 kbps     01:39:02.102    132*651 bytes   325*091 bytes   01:42:01.490    
17              1:42:02.908     0:08:32.470     24*295 kbps     43*429 kbps     01:42:04.368    33*443 kbps     01:43:54.144    32*758 kbps     01:48:12.402    126*660 bytes   423*357 bytes   01:42:05.577    
18              1:50:35.378     0:05:39.380     22*932 kbps     39*258 kbps     01:52:23.528    34*465 kbps     01:55:30.214    31*802 kbps     01:52:21.151    119*866 bytes   480*807 bytes   01:53:22.378    
19              1:56:14.759     0:05:30.538     22*119 kbps     43*689 kbps     02:00:52.078    32*598 kbps     01:56:22.684    30*853 kbps     02:00:49.075    115*317 bytes   496*133 bytes   02:00:53.079    
20              2:01:45.298     0:03:05.393     25*160 kbps     37*362 kbps     02:01:46.716    33*956 kbps     02:04:32.715    31*227 kbps     02:04:28.794    131*173 bytes   420*618 bytes   02:02:28.966    
21              2:04:50.691     0:06:09.077     29*793 kbps     44*783 kbps     02:08:53.016    34*633 kbps     02:10:15.015    32*864 kbps     02:08:46.468    155*326 bytes   486*684 bytes   02:08:46.510    
22              2:10:59.768     0:09:51.257     28*732 kbps     44*535 kbps     02:15:05.514    34*095 kbps     02:12:13.759    32*624 kbps     02:12:15.344    149*797 bytes   466*241 bytes   02:20:12.445    
23              2:20:51.025     0:03:54.108     20*717 kbps     34*809 kbps     02:24:06.012    29*550 kbps     02:23:20.967    27*984 kbps     02:23:21.134    108*301 bytes   460*147 bytes   02:21:52.921    
24              2:24:45.134     0:03:27.832     18*119 kbps     34*983 kbps     02:27:44.564    32*143 kbps     02:27:42.103    31*387 kbps     02:27:42.311    94*519 bytes    357*224 bytes   02:27:51.112    

STREAM DIAGNOSTICS:

File            PID             Type            Codec           Language                Seconds                 Bitrate                 Bytes           Packets         
----            ---             ----            -----           --------                --------------          --------------          -------------   -----           
00038.M2TS      4113 (0x1011)   0xEA            VC-1                                    8892,842                24*916                  27*696*575*046  150*653*711     
00038.M2TS      4352 (0x1100)   0x86            DTS-HD MA       fra (French)            8892,842                2*292                   2*547*973*180   15*238*714      
00038.M2TS      4353 (0x1101)   0x86            DTS-HD MA       kor (Korean)            8892,842                2*027                   2*253*046*912   13*640*837      
00038.M2TS      4608 (0x1200)   0x90            PGS             fra (French)            8892,842                0                       385*088         2*199           
00038.M2TS      4609 (0x1201)   0x90            PGS             fra (French)            8892,842                27                      29*903*701      171*742

[xradman]

According to BDInfo the French disc is 1080p/23,976 fps and the Korean disc is 1080i/29,970 fps.

Thank you very much. It sounds like a winner.

[ahsoka]

These BDs from the Japanese Imports List are Region Free:
20th Century Boys
Climber's High
Corzon de Melon
Johnny Mnemonic
Lust, Caution

[kannisto]

These BDs from the Japanese Imports List are Region Free:
20th Century Boys
Climber's High
Corzon de Melon
Johnny Mnemonic
Lust, Caution

Thanks! I'll update the info soon.

[ahsoka]

Thanks! I'll update the info soon.

I recieved the Akira Kurosawa BD Collection today and there are no English subtitles as expected. At least all four discs are Region Free!

[kannisto]

I recieved the Akira Kurosawa BD Collection today and there are no English subtitles as expected. At least all four discs are Region Free!

I also wanted that collection but I'm still on a low budget for purchasing so I'm not buying it for now, probably I'll buy it later on though. How do the movies look?

Thanks for confirming the region info for those too

[kannisto]

I updated the Japanese list with the region information that was provided by Ahsoka. I also removed Little Miss Sunshine from the list as that is not an import exclusive now. I reviewed the recently announced Japanese releases but didn't find anything new to include as I'm not including most of the Anime releases that are not English friendly.

[kannisto]

I created a new combined version of import title list:

Combined Title list: 767 titles. Last updated: 11-Feb-2009.

It combines the sub-lists into one alphabetically ordered list. I'm using Excel for alphabetical ordering and it seems to order scandinavian special characters wrong (Änglagård should in reality appear as last title in the list but Ä seems to be treated as equal to A) but I guess it's not too big of a problem.

I'll keep updating the country / area specific lists as well as the combined list from now on.

I'm also planning to do some simple software that can pick up e.g. releases for a certain time period to be able to post upcoming release lists for the next week etc. from the total list.

[MrLEdge]

Got some more French updates for you

Dîner de cons, Le (The Dinner Game)
Audio: French
Subtitles: English, French HoH
Region: Free

Visiteurs, Les
Audio: French
Subtitles: English, French HoH
Region: Free

Lee

PS: The UK edition of Chocolate also has some English spoken which is also subtitled. I didn't mention it before as you can't select English as an audio track and I didn't want to give the impression there was a dubbed track.

[Onslaught X]

Just wondering, has anybody imported from DVD.co.uk? I was just wondering how fast they shipped to the US

[kannisto]

Just wondering, has anybody imported from DVD.co.uk? I was just wondering how fast they shipped to the US

I have a feeling that BlahDVD and dvd.co.uk are closely related, the shops look very similar and their policies and prices and almost everything on the help page seem to be the same. I haven't ordered from dvd.co.uk but I order a lot from BlahDVD and their stuff arrives to Japan as fast as Amazon UK's, sometimes a bit faster, usually in 3-6 days from shipping. They seem to ship my packages from Switzerland typically and dvd.co.uk also seems to ship from Switzerland to some destinations.

[ahsoka]

I also wanted that collection but I'm still on a low budget for purchasing so I'm not buying it for now, probably I'll buy it later on though. How do the movies look?

I've I only watched the 2008 remastered Rashomon in full and it looks great IMO. Unfortunatly Ran has DNR applied to it, the image is very soft. The PQ of The Quet Duel and Madadayo are OK although the master of The Quiet Duel has lots of scratches especially in the beginning of the movie. It's a shame it couldn't be remastered as well.
I was going to post some screenshots but none of these movies worked with my copy of AnyDVD HD.

[kannisto]

I've I only watched the 2008 remastered Rashomon in full and it looks great IMO. Unfortunatly Ran has DNR applied to it, the image is very soft. The PQ of The Quet Duel and Madadayo are OK although the master of The Quiet Duel has lots of scratches especially in the beginning of the movie. It's a shame it couldn't be remastered as well.
I was going to post some screenshots but none of these movies worked with my copy of AnyDVD HD.

Thanks for the info on those. Studio Canal's Ran on HD DVD had pretty bad PQ as well, maybe the source materials for that one are not in a good shape.

Quite often AnyDVD HD needs to connect to the network to load something when I try some very newly released discs with it enabled but it's not usually failing to decrypt anything. I wonder what the problem is with those.