Import DVDs?

delliott101

I don' know if I can ask this... but I want to get the complete collection on DVD, and don't have $300.00 to shell out... SOOOOOOO I've been checking the bay and see these Chinese DVDs. The sellers say (and they look like) they are authentic official product.

Anyone have a set of them? Any special features and how is the quality?

Any input?

s96024

Not sure on the chinese ones, and I probably shouldn't say this but there are plenty of exact copies of the UE going for a fraction of the price. There not that expensive anyway tbh. You are getting 20 films 40 discs!

BestBondSean

without a link i can't be 100% certain, but 99.5% of these are bootlegs, not only that but they are usually compressed onto a single layer DVD holding 4.7 GB instead of a dual layer disc the film companies use, if they are region free they are also bound to be illegal copies, legitimate Asian discs (China, Korea) are either Region 3 or Region 2 (Japan).
If you give me the link i can tell you for sure, then make your decision.

BestBondSean

without a link i can't be 100% certain, but 99.5% of these are bootlegs, not only that but they are usually compressed onto a single layer DVD holding 4.7 GB instead of a dual layer disc the film companies use, if they are region free they are also bound to be illegal copies, legitimate Asian discs (China, Korea) are either Region 3 or Region 2 (Japan).
If you give me the link i can tell you for sure, then make your decision.

Sir Miles

s96024 wrote:

Not sure on the chinese ones, and I probably shouldn't say this but there are plenty of exact copies of the UE going for a fraction of the price. There not that expensive anyway tbh. You are getting 20 films 40 discs!

No, you shouldn't be saying this. This site does not condone the buying or selling of copyrighted goods. The quality of these DVD's are usually poor and you don't often get the extras - and what happens if they go wrong ? You will not be able to take them back to swap or get a refund - piracy is wrong !

Save up and buy the official DVD's, over here in the UK the DVD's are buy 1, get 1 free at the moment - I'm sure the US will have a similar offer soon.

delliott101

Well, here's a link to one of the auctions...

http://cgi.ebay.com/James-Bond-007-Collection-20-DVD-Boxset-Brand-New_W0QQitemZ130059633640QQihZ003QQcategoryZ617QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

And another...

http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-JAMES-BOND-007-20-DVD-collection_W0QQitemZ170061997154QQihZ007QQcategoryZ617QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

These are representative of what I'm looking at.

crowe007

Dont know about the first one, but if you look closely at the second one, the title on the silver box is "The JRMES BOND Collection', thats why the pic isn't so clear...to cover up that R where it should be an A.

delliott101

??? How can you SEE that?

s96024

It did look like an R to me to begin with. But closer looks it looks alright.

BestBondSean

second link, the region free bit gives the bootleg away, also the packaging.
first link, if they are 'legal' imports why does it say '1' for Region one on all the prints on the discs, this would indicate that they are North American discs.
They could both be professionally made, yet they are still copies, i wouldn't bother.

Zach

Back a few years ago, I bought the exact same chinese dvd's. I hear it differs from set to set, but on mine there were no special features (except a commercial for the TND videogame) and the dialogue didnt match up with the mouthes. I don't think its like that for all of them, so you can risk it if you want I guess.

delliott101

I don't think they are boots... unless they make TONS of copies in the same packaging...

The claim is that these are the official Chinese release of the films, but who knows?

Sir Miles

delliott101 wrote:

I don't think they are boots... unless they make TONS of copies in the same packaging...

Yes, they make TONS of copies in the same packaging - that's how bootleggers work, they make thousands at a cheap price.

My advice is still to steer well clear. If they are defective, how will you return them ?

s96024

Simple issue of whether you think it's morally right or not. Also weighing up whether it is worth it. Considering imo movies are such a rip off anyway. Dvd's are say £15 each genuine. £1.50 each copies. You can get 10 for the price of 1. Even if just 2 work your better off. As I say this is down to peoples own opinion of what is right and wrong. I think in the same bracket is the question. "If you were offered a TV in the pub for a 10th of it's retail value would you buy it?"

Sir Miles

s96024 wrote:

Simple issue of whether you think it's morally right or not.

Very true.

s96024 wrote:

Also weighing up whether it is worth it. Considering imo movies are such a rip off anyway. Dvd's are say £15 each genuine. £1.50 each copies. You can get 10 for the price of 1. Even if just 2 work your better off.

But is the quality any good ? Dolby Sound or DTS - seldom will you get those on bootleg copies, especially at the price you mentioned. And where does your money actually go ? Its always to a criminal organisation - don't fool yourself otherwise.

s96024 wrote:

As I say this is down to peoples own opinion of what is right and wrong. I think in the same bracket is the question. "If you were offered a TV in the pub for a 10th of it's retail value would you buy it?"

Answer is no - it's stolen and if it doesn't work just you try and get your money back !

crowe007

Its an R...I can scan in a better pic of it if you'd like.

s96024

crowe007 wrote:

Its an R...I can scan in a better pic of it if you'd like.

I think whether it is an R or an A makes absolutely no difference.

crowe007

Well I guess that depends on the person, If you're looking at these as an alternative to the official ones and you dont mind that they're bootleg (if they weren't the packagine would spell James correctly) then it doesn't matter at all.
If on the other hand you think these are official ones, well the fact that the A is really an R kinda sets that off.

s96024

I mean if I was going to buy non-genuine versions, which obviously they are. A spelling error/translation mistake would be the least of my worrys. The poor quality dvd's used. Possible lack of extras. Possible poor quality picture/sound. Would concern me more.

delliott101

Maybe I should just look for the Special Editions, used...

Andy362

I bought the same boxset that's in the second link. It's fine, not a bootleg at all.

The only problem is the the menu buttons are in chinese, and you have to turn the chinese subtitles off every time you watch one of the films.

delliott101

Well, I took the plunge yesterday and ordered a set from China. $55.00 including shipping. Everything I've read shows they are official MGM product over there, so I'm comfortable with it. Also checked with folks on Ebay who have gotten them and say nothing but good things about them.

Honestly, I just want the movies again, on DVD this time (had them on VHS since '86 -- DN to AVTAK, then the others as they came out, then gave them all to my Dad)

For me, I can't see paying $60.00 per volume at WalMart for the Ultimate Editions. In 5 years MGM is going to replace them all, anyway, I'm sure!

s96024

Indeed I buy loads of stuff from China. Usually electronics because there half the price of the stuff in the UK and we also have to wait 10years longer than the rest of the world! I'm still in a quandry about how to replace my bond collection. When they first came out on VHS I bought the genuine set. Then quite recently I bought copies for about £20. They still work ok now. I am looking to replace these though with the ultimate editions, and still unsure whether to go for a genuine boxset or something a lot cheaper.

Be sure to give us some feedback on them when you get it.

I highly doubt there official, but as long as the quality is good that is all that matters.

delliott101

Well, I got the box TODAY... JANUARY 1!!!

There was a postal worker doing some OT.. he called me at home and said I had an Express Mail Parcel from China, so I booked it to the Post Office.

Here's the scoop:

The box, DVDs, etc look legit... genuine MGM product. No special features (can't access any from the menu, even though there is a menu item there for them). I can't seem to turn off the subtitles, but that might be my DVD player (I have 2 of them, so I'll check the other one in the TV room later).

The DVDs I checked all had great picyure and sound, too.

More as I watch them!

delliott101

There is also a bonus disc that says "Original Certificate 007 Music". I am playing it now in my PC and it is the Casino Royale Soundtrack (although I don't see "You Know My Name" listed).

Okay.. here's the thing... I got the first 20 movies, with the CR soundtrack for $55.00 shipped to me from China. That's $2.62 a disc. A bargain to me!!!!

s96024

I think I would go for the genuine ones, to get the extras and for peace of mind. You may as well just download copies and burn them for a couple of pence per dvd if your going to go non-legit.

delliott101

Well, if these are boots, then they are the best authentic looking boots I've seen.

I watched FYEO last night and the picture, sound, etc was excellent.I haven't watched it in years and the first time letterboxed. I did get the captions off, too... plus I could access Special Features

Hey, I'm happy. I'm planning on sharing the joys of 007 with my 2 teenage stepsons and can't afford to plunk $275.00 or so at Wal*Mart for the US DVDs.

Heck, I spent more than $2.62 for the NSNA DVD and the quality of the packaging and DVD art is 100% better on these Chinese DVDs than on the USA NSNA DVD! PLUS it doesn't look like NSNA has ANY special features (I haven't watched it yet, but judging from the liner notes it doesn't), which is sad since NSNA is still a pivotal Bond movie that deserves a wealth of commentary and behind the scene stuff!

s96024

You paid 55$ and you think there legit. Come on mate whake up. If it sounds too good to be true it is. Although saying that I buy loads of copies and the quality is virtually always exactly the same as the genuine ones. Thank god for those chinese websites and ebay.

delliott101

s96024 wrote:

Indeed I buy loads of stuff from China. Usually electronics because there half the price of the stuff in the UK and we also have to wait 10years longer than the rest of the world! I'm still in a quandry about how to replace my bond collection. When they first came out on VHS I bought the genuine set. Then quite recently I bought copies for about £20. They still work ok now. I am looking to replace these though with the ultimate editions, and still unsure whether to go for a genuine boxset or something a lot cheaper.

Be sure to give us some feedback on them when you get it.

I highly doubt there official, but as long as the quality is good that is all that matters.

Um.. am I missing something, s96024? I'm giving feedback per your request as quoted, now I feel like you're chastising me... huh?