Maybe this would be best folded into the official AVS Blu-Ray Topic Thread, but since content is still so sparse, I thought it might be worth creating a thread dedicated to titles that seem to fly under the radar.
For Blu-Ray 3D, I’m region A locked and am always very interested in learning if titles released overseas are region free or not – and since the region compatibility printed on the sleeve is not always a representation of the reality, I figured a topic specifically on this might be of use.
Most folks here probably are aware of the Illustrated 3D Movie List -
http://www.3dmovielist.com/3ddvds.html
– I have a few Blu-Rays that can be added to the list and some region code info that I've yet to see confirmed.
These titles all play in my Region A player and have an English language track:
1) Garfield's Pet Force 3D / Spain release - English Language – available on ebay.es
2) Magic Journey to Africa / Spain release – English language - available on ebay.es
3) Oceanworld 3D / Dutch release – pops up from time to time on ebay
- I can't speak to the quality of the films themselves, but the 3D on all three of these titles (above) looks good on a quick skim through.
4) Jean-Michel Cousteau's Film Trilogy: Sharks / Dolphins and Whales / Ocean Wonderland / I have the Aussie release - pretty widely reported
5) Bear 3D – pretty widely reported - available through amazon.de – bad, bad conversion.
These titles all play in my Region A player and have English subtitles:
5) Child’s Eye 3D / Hong Kong release – available at yesasia.com
6) Shock Labyrinth 3D / Taiwan release – in SBS format - available at yesasia.com
7) Natalie 3D / Hong Kong Release - available at yesasia.com – have this one pre-ordered
I also received the two Grizzly Adams Productions 3D releases out of the USA:
8) Fabric Of Time 3D
9) Friends For Life 3D
I was surprised to find that both of these appear to be burn on demand BD–Rs and both of my copies have major audio issues. The audio track on Fabric of Time skips throughout the film – but the picture remains stable. Friends For Life has a similar problem on the menu music – but I haven’t encountered the issue on the soundtrack in the film itself. I’m waiting for a response from customer service. Hopefully they are just bad discs and not part of a larger problem.
The 3D on Fabric Of Time looks okay (there is some depth) – but at first glance Friends For Life looks awful. These are the first two releases in Grizzly Adam's previously announced 200 million dollar deal to convert their existing 2D catalog to 3D - and I was really expecting a much better job for the money being invested. Most of the film looks untouched. Occasionally on a static establishing shot there is a poor attempt at creating an illusion of depth. If and when I get replacement copies, I'll revisit them and give them another chance.
I also gambled on the German Blu-Ray release of “Inalienable” and that is indeed Region B locked.
I'm curious about region confirmations on a few titles -
Wildlife 1 - Striker 3D (German release)
Alpha and Omega (French)
One title I'm hoping someone can share info about is “Cane Toads: The Conquest”. It appears that there is a Russian Blu-Ray 3D release, but I haven't been able to find much information at all. I'd love to know if it is playable in Region A – and if so, anyone know of a reliable vendor that ships outside of Russia?
For Blu-Ray 3D, I’m region A locked and am always very interested in learning if titles released overseas are region free or not – and since the region compatibility printed on the sleeve is not always a representation of the reality, I figured a topic specifically on this might be of use.
Most folks here probably are aware of the Illustrated 3D Movie List -
http://www.3dmovielist.com/3ddvds.html
– I have a few Blu-Rays that can be added to the list and some region code info that I've yet to see confirmed.
These titles all play in my Region A player and have an English language track:
1) Garfield's Pet Force 3D / Spain release - English Language – available on ebay.es
2) Magic Journey to Africa / Spain release – English language - available on ebay.es
3) Oceanworld 3D / Dutch release – pops up from time to time on ebay
- I can't speak to the quality of the films themselves, but the 3D on all three of these titles (above) looks good on a quick skim through.
4) Jean-Michel Cousteau's Film Trilogy: Sharks / Dolphins and Whales / Ocean Wonderland / I have the Aussie release - pretty widely reported
5) Bear 3D – pretty widely reported - available through amazon.de – bad, bad conversion.
These titles all play in my Region A player and have English subtitles:
5) Child’s Eye 3D / Hong Kong release – available at yesasia.com
6) Shock Labyrinth 3D / Taiwan release – in SBS format - available at yesasia.com
7) Natalie 3D / Hong Kong Release - available at yesasia.com – have this one pre-ordered
I also received the two Grizzly Adams Productions 3D releases out of the USA:
8) Fabric Of Time 3D
9) Friends For Life 3D
I was surprised to find that both of these appear to be burn on demand BD–Rs and both of my copies have major audio issues. The audio track on Fabric of Time skips throughout the film – but the picture remains stable. Friends For Life has a similar problem on the menu music – but I haven’t encountered the issue on the soundtrack in the film itself. I’m waiting for a response from customer service. Hopefully they are just bad discs and not part of a larger problem.
The 3D on Fabric Of Time looks okay (there is some depth) – but at first glance Friends For Life looks awful. These are the first two releases in Grizzly Adam's previously announced 200 million dollar deal to convert their existing 2D catalog to 3D - and I was really expecting a much better job for the money being invested. Most of the film looks untouched. Occasionally on a static establishing shot there is a poor attempt at creating an illusion of depth. If and when I get replacement copies, I'll revisit them and give them another chance.
I also gambled on the German Blu-Ray release of “Inalienable” and that is indeed Region B locked.
I'm curious about region confirmations on a few titles -
Wildlife 1 - Striker 3D (German release)
Alpha and Omega (French)
One title I'm hoping someone can share info about is “Cane Toads: The Conquest”. It appears that there is a Russian Blu-Ray 3D release, but I haven't been able to find much information at all. I'd love to know if it is playable in Region A – and if so, anyone know of a reliable vendor that ships outside of Russia?