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View Full Version : Canadian R1 vs. USA R1


SithLordSi
03-12-2001, 12:10
I usually tend to go for American R1 releases from companies such as *********, rather than Canadian R1 releases from, say, Play247 or DVD Box Office. The reason for this is two-fold:

1) Sometimes Canadian releases differ significantly from their US counterparts (and yes, I am aware that sometimes Canadian releases are superior), and I worry that features might be dropped to make way for a French language track, or that the bitrate of the English tracks may be compromised.

2) Sometimes they have those annoying Canadian ratings stickers all over them, and while this is less of a problem with keep-cases, as they can be replaced, in the case of gate-fold packaging or snappers, it can damage the artwork.

I'm sure that a lot of you have experienced one or both of the above.

Recently I ordered Se7en from *********, thinking I'd get it from the US. Alas, when it arrived, it was the Canadian version with 'Manufactured by Atlantis Alliance' or whatever plastered on the back. In trying to remove it (carefully), it ripped the packaging. Now, I specifically went to the trouble of the getting R1 because I hate the R2 Se7en packaging, so this made it even more annoying. My point is, I thought ********* provided US releases, not Canadian ones? I want to know if I'll be alright ordering Moulin Rouge from them, because it's got rather nice packaging that I don't want to ruin.

I mean, aren't C20th FOx discs generally the same for both US and Canada (apart from The Abyss). I can't find a decent comparison of features on the ones sold in each place, so I don't know if all R1 versions include the French soundtrack, or just the Canadian one. Help!

Shingster
03-12-2001, 15:04
I think ********* use Canadian suppliers. In fact, you 'll also probably find that most of the uk based e-tailers use Canadian suppliers, as they are the cheapest.

As for your worries that Canadian releases may be inferior, I personally don't know of a single dvd release that was worse in Canada then USA (Though, there probably are a few, no doubt).

Phill
03-12-2001, 15:15
Shallow Grave.

There's one for starters. The Canadian release is full-screen.

charlie angel
03-12-2001, 16:24
But then the Canadian releases of Ginger Snaps, Trainspotting & Existenz are all much better than their US counterparts.

Me? I just go for the cheapest ;)

DeadKenny
04-12-2001, 13:03
Yeah I was about to say Trainspotting and eXistenZ (the latter I assumed would be the same so I bought the US R1 because it was out first only to find the Canadian was better, but then thinking about it, Cronenberg being canadian and all...).

Canadian version of Trainspotting is the completely (or most) uncut version isn't it, but there's a downside isn't there (no extras or something??), or maybe I just haven't got it because I was hoping for an SE, can't remember now.

Not sure about any Canadian versions that are worse.