Home Theater Forum  ›  Forums  ›  Entertainment and Media  ›  SD DVD - TV Shows and TV Movies  ›  6M$M and Bionic Woman Region 2 release 09/26/05?
Forum Nav More Forums | All New Posts | New Thread

6M$M and Bionic Woman Region 2 release 09/26/05?

#181
Rating: 0
11/7/06 at 1:28am
  • Joined: August 2006
  • Post Count: 44

Re: 6M$M and Bionic Woman Region 2 release 09/26/05?

Well I am halfway through disk 4 of my R4 Season 2 set of 6M$M and I have to admit that while the sound is fine, the picture quality isn't as good as my Season 1 set.

The main problem I am finding as that many of the outdoor shots and stock footage that has been inserted looks a little washed out and sort of yellowy/brown (i.e. the colours aren't as bright as the rest of the scenes). Also many of the slow motion scenes (when Steve is showing his bionic strength or speed), the picture "bounces". I noticed the bouncing in a couple of small places in Season 1, but it was so minor it did not bother me. In Season 2 however the bouncing occurs in around every 2nd or 3rd episode. It is still perfectly watchable, just a little distracting!

I have to say I am still glad I purchased the disks, and am sure I will probably not even notice the imperfections the 2nd time I watch the episodes, however I thought I should mention them because I have seen from your previous comments that many of you are very concerned if the picture quality is not great.

The funniest thing is that, although I am sure I must have seen these Season 2 episodes when they first aired, I have absolutely no recollection of seeing any of them. It is like seeing the show for the first time. It is great :-)

My favourites in Season 2 so far are: "Pilot Error", "The Deadly Replay", "Stranger in Broken Fork", "The Seven Million Dollar Man" and "Lost Love".

I have five more episodes to watch before I get to the Bionic Woman Pt1&2 cross-over episodes. Then two more 6M$M epsiodes and I can start watching my Bionic Woman S2 set. Can't wait!
Export to Wiki
#182
Rating: 0
11/7/06 at 10:01am
  • Joined: January 2005
  • Location: Dallas, TX
  • Post Count: 2,259

Re: 6M$M and Bionic Woman Region 2 release 09/26/05?

Helena,

Thanks for the 6M$M info. We've been hearing the same about the 6M R2 sets on another forum. That's a shame that the 6M sets didn't fare as well as the BW's. I've watched a few BW eps on the R4 set. As with S1, great xfrs and it's sure great to see the un-cut eps after all these years

"Checkmate King Two Out"   Jeff Willis  "Combat! A Selmur Production"

I'm a 50's - mid-90's TV/DVD Collector. One DVD show since '96: Firefly 

The Fugitive/See Hollywood & Die: [Miles] "What, you think I'm crazy?!" [Kimble] "Next question."

Export to Wiki
#183
Rating: 0
11/8/06 at 4:54am
  • Joined: July 2002
  • Post Count: 6,078

Re: 6M$M and Bionic Woman Region 2 release 09/26/05?

from what little I've seen of the set so far, I would agree with Helena as to the quality of SMDM. Pretty weak for Universal product, but compared to other studios its only slightly below par. I can't figure out if its the compression or the masters themselves (which are probably early 90s vintage at the latest), but I see a lot of aliasing and instability in backgrounds and fine detail.
But I also don't regret buying them. I was having just the same reaction as Helena as a matter of fact. While I was a huge fan of the show as a kid (even had the SMDM fan club kit) I barely have any recollection of any of these episodes. Apart from possibly a rerun in primetime, I doubt I've seen more than half a dozen again in last 30 years. They seem all new, and thats a kick.

just one thing puzzles me- I didn't realize Australia had that large a Dutch population.
Export to Wiki
#184
Rating: 0
11/8/06 at 10:07pm
  • Joined: August 2006
  • Post Count: 44

Re: 6M$M and Bionic Woman Region 2 release 09/26/05?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Paul_Scott
just one thing puzzles me- I didn't realize Australia had that large a Dutch population.
As far I know we don't I think that the R4 release is the same as the R2 release (in regards to content), so maybe we got the same subtitles as the UK? The back of my S2 SM$M box states that it covers Regions 2, 4 and 5. Which countries are covered by region 5? That might explain it?
Export to Wiki
#185
Rating: 0
1/3/07 at 10:17pm
  • Joined: June 2005
  • Post Count: 825

Re: 6M$M and Bionic Woman Region 2 release 09/26/05?

I just got my 4 sets from Australia today, seasons 1 & 2 of both. For anyone still holding out for region 1, just bite the bullet and buy these. Universal let the rights lapse to the novel Cyborg, on which both shows are based and I doubt they will be able to get them back any time soon. Any word on when the 3rd seasons are scheduled?
Export to Wiki
#186
Rating: 0
1/4/07 at 6:21am
  • Joined: January 2005
  • Location: Dallas, TX
  • Post Count: 2,259

Re: 6M$M and Bionic Woman Region 2 release 09/26/05?

Good move, Mike I went "down under" myself for the S2 sets. Better price/exchange rates than the UK route. No word on the S3's but I'd guess that they'll get released sometime in the fall since the 1st 2 seasons' releases were about a year apart.

As for the legal issues, anyone out there with a Crystal Ball might know when that'll clear up for R1's. Good news is that all of the main players in both series are available for commentaries/extras if the R1's get those in the release's. Lindsay Wagner, Richard Anderson, Alan Oppenheimer & Martin Brooks (both "Dr Wells"), Jennifer Darling ("Callahan" in the BW series), Rita Egleston (LW's Stunt Double), and possibly Lee Majors would be willing to contribute to any R1 release.

With Universal, it's anyone's guess how they'll handle the R1's when/if it happens.

"Checkmate King Two Out"   Jeff Willis  "Combat! A Selmur Production"

I'm a 50's - mid-90's TV/DVD Collector. One DVD show since '96: Firefly 

The Fugitive/See Hollywood & Die: [Miles] "What, you think I'm crazy?!" [Kimble] "Next question."

Export to Wiki
#187
Rating: 0
1/4/07 at 11:05am
  • Joined: August 2001
  • Location: Connecticut
  • Post Count: 1,450

Re: 6M$M and Bionic Woman Region 2 release 09/26/05?

Did anyone catch the news last couple days about NBC having greenlit A pilot for a new Bionic Woman series. Hopefully that leads to R1 releases of the DVD'S!!
the DVD Collection
Export to Wiki
#188
Rating: 0
1/4/07 at 12:00pm
  • Joined: January 2005
  • Location: Dallas, TX
  • Post Count: 2,259

Re: 6M$M and Bionic Woman Region 2 release 09/26/05?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Aryn Leroux
Did anyone catch the news last couple days about NBC having greenlit A pilot for a new Bionic Woman series. Hopefully that leads to R1 releases of the DVD'S!!

Yep, I saw that news article too. If it helps get the R1's released then it's good news. There was some info posted on another Bionic forum site about the producers, etc, that are planning the possible series. The early word is that the new series, if it materializes, won't resemble the original series. I look at the news as a possible "tie-in" that might speed up any R1 release of the original series.

"Checkmate King Two Out"   Jeff Willis  "Combat! A Selmur Production"

I'm a 50's - mid-90's TV/DVD Collector. One DVD show since '96: Firefly 

The Fugitive/See Hollywood & Die: [Miles] "What, you think I'm crazy?!" [Kimble] "Next question."

Export to Wiki
#189
Rating: 0
1/4/07 at 3:52pm
  • Joined: June 2005
  • Post Count: 825

Re: 6M$M and Bionic Woman Region 2 release 09/26/05?

In looking briefly thru the Bionic Woman discs it seems some episodes have suspiciously short running times. Anyone do any checking on this? I know about the PAL transfer thing but even with that there's no way an episode should come in around the 45 minute range and still be complete.
Export to Wiki
#190
Rating: 0
1/4/07 at 4:15pm
  • Joined: January 2005
  • Location: Dallas, TX
  • Post Count: 2,259

Re: 6M$M and Bionic Woman Region 2 release 09/26/05?

Miike, I can verify that the Universal R2/4 PAL BW sets (both S1 & S2) are complete and uncut. There is no missing footage in any of the eps in both sets. I guess the PAL speed-up phenomenon is the reason for the ep times.

I can't verify firsthand the 6M$M sets since I don't have those R2/4 sets yet, but I know from another forum (and from "Matt" on this forum) that those eps are also complete and uncut. I have delayed getting the 6M$M sets since the xfrs didn't fare as well as the BW sets.

The only difference between the BW Uni DVD's and their original airings is the "grouping" of some of the eps. For example, in the BW S1 set, the 1st ep "Welcome Home, Jaime Pt 1" was originally aired as a (Sun eve) 6M$M ep. Pt 2 of Welcome.... was aired on a following Wed eve in '76 which was the first aired ep of the BW series.

Just speaking for myself, the BW sets are jems for me since I haven't seen these eps uncut since they aired back in '76-'77. Also, as you've seen, the BW set xfrs are very good.

I'm still in the minority here, as I can't hear or see the PAL speed-up issue. I guess if I had an R1 set and started both on 2 TV's next to each other, I'd see/hear a difference. OT: I've started viewing another PAL set, the "Saint" complete black/white set, and the sound/picture looks great. Can't tell the difference between these PAL sets and my other NTSC/R1 TV/DVD's. Maybe I need a bionic ear/eye checkup at "Dr Well's" Colorado Springs facility?

"Checkmate King Two Out"   Jeff Willis  "Combat! A Selmur Production"

I'm a 50's - mid-90's TV/DVD Collector. One DVD show since '96: Firefly 

The Fugitive/See Hollywood & Die: [Miles] "What, you think I'm crazy?!" [Kimble] "Next question."

Export to Wiki
#191
Rating: 0
1/4/07 at 7:00pm
  • Joined: January 2003
  • Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma
  • Post Count: 4,164

Re: 6M$M and Bionic Woman Region 2 release 09/26/05?

Wish i had the desire to go region free, but i dont. I still wait. Good things come to those who wait...right?
Export to Wiki
#192
Rating: 0
1/4/07 at 7:46pm
  • Joined: January 2002
  • Post Count: 3,128

Re: 6M$M and Bionic Woman Region 2 release 09/26/05?

Right there with ya Rick. *sigh* Don't understand why these aren't available for R1. Perhaps this new pilot/series might move things along...
Export to Wiki
#193
Rating: 0
1/5/07 at 5:45am
  • Joined: February 2004
  • Post Count: 3,141

Re: 6M$M and Bionic Woman Region 2 release 09/26/05?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Tony Whalen
Right there with ya Rick. *sigh* Don't understand why these aren't available for R1. Perhaps this new pilot/series might move things along...

Well, I thought that if the (ill-conceived, IMO) Jim Carey movie of SM$M had made it to production, we would have seen release of the TV series, but as that (thankfully) is not happening, the studio is left without a tie-in. Now that BW is a go at NBC, R1 releases of that show will likely be tied to its premiere.

It really is too bad that studios see the need to have these tie-ins. Take the DVD release of Get Smart for example -- there is a Steve Carrell movie in the works, but Time Life went ahead and released the entire series and by all reports, it is selling very well. Meanwhile, the Carrell movie is at least a year or more away.

Studios need to have more faith in their programs.


I don't have time enough to watch all these DVDs!

DVD Comment: Reviews Of DVDs & Digital Formats - 30 Rock Season 2
Export to Wiki
#194
Rating: 0
1/5/07 at 5:50am
  • Joined: January 2005
  • Location: Dallas, TX
  • Post Count: 2,259

Re: 6M$M and Bionic Woman Region 2 release 09/26/05?

Quote:
Originally Posted by RickER
Wish i had the desire to go region free, but i dont. I still wait. Good things come to those who wait...right?

Rick, you'll probably turn out to be rewarded some day In spite of the legal issues, I think these 2 series will get to R1 eventually. I took the Region-Free route for a couple of reasons, although my "Holy Grail" series (BW) was the 1st reason. Having a Region-Free/Code-Free/PAL-NTSC Player has been great for me but it's a decision that may not make sense for others here. I've been able to enjoy a couple of other series that aren't available in R1, one that has been out in R2 since 2003. But, I only have 4 PAL TV/DVD sets in my collection (2 of which are BW S1 & S2) so I will buy R1's 99% of the time. I like the flexibility that the player gives me.

If...I mean, When the Bionic series' get released in R1, I'll probably get those as well, depending on if there are any extras/interviews included. If they come with no extras, I might get one BW set to compare this PAL "speedup" thing that some can detect when viewing their R2/4 sets.

Tony, I hear you *sigh* The legal/rights issues might clear up this year, next year, etc. Until we get an "insider" tip on it, Universal will guard the info like NORAD's computer password Fortunately, there's a few on this forum that have an "inside contact" connected to a major star of the series The word will be posted when/if we hear something that's legit.

"Checkmate King Two Out"   Jeff Willis  "Combat! A Selmur Production"

I'm a 50's - mid-90's TV/DVD Collector. One DVD show since '96: Firefly 

The Fugitive/See Hollywood & Die: [Miles] "What, you think I'm crazy?!" [Kimble] "Next question."

Export to Wiki
#195
Rating: 0
1/5/07 at 6:28am
  • Joined: January 2003
  • Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma
  • Post Count: 4,164

Re: 6M$M and Bionic Woman Region 2 release 09/26/05?

On a side note i see your TV wish list looks a bit smaller Jeff, cause you added some movies.
At least Universal has stopped with the DVD 18s, and they like to use the slim cases for TV sets ( i like them for TV too). But Universal almost never gives you any extras, and thats OK cause we get a good presentation for a fair price.
However, Paramount continues to get so much money from me for classic shows Universal better be looking!
Export to Wiki
#196
Rating: 0
1/5/07 at 7:15am
  • Joined: January 2005
  • Location: Dallas, TX
  • Post Count: 2,259

Re: 6M$M and Bionic Woman Region 2 release 09/26/05?

Quote:
Originally Posted by RickER
On a side note i see your TV wish list looks a bit smaller Jeff, cause you added some movies.
At least Universal has stopped with the DVD 18s, and they like to use the slim cases for TV sets ( i like them for TV too). But Universal almost never gives you any extras, and thats OK cause we get a good presentation for a fair price.
However, Paramount continues to get so much money from me for classic shows Universal better be looking!

"Recent TV/DVD release news = smaller Wish List" I guess the film list really belongs at another forum at HTF but I have so few movies left to buy anyway.

I agree with you about Uni's sets. They have their problems (past DVD 18's) but they're good at releasing the un-cut complete eps in their sets. You're also right about their track record on lack of extras.

I just wish they had done a better job (xfrs) with the PAL 6M$M sets. Although I don't have those yet, Matt has provided excellent reviews on them and the sub-par xfrs are causing me to wait on those sets for either an R1 release (assuming I'm not collecting Social Security by that time ) , or to "break down" and get at least the 6M$M S2,3,4 sets since they contain various "crossovers" with Lindsay Wagner as the "Bionic Woman Pt 1 & 2" pilot eps in S2 for the BW series, "Return of the Bionic Woman" 2-parter (S3) and the "Return of Bigfoot" 2-parter (S4).

"Checkmate King Two Out"   Jeff Willis  "Combat! A Selmur Production"

I'm a 50's - mid-90's TV/DVD Collector. One DVD show since '96: Firefly 

The Fugitive/See Hollywood & Die: [Miles] "What, you think I'm crazy?!" [Kimble] "Next question."

Export to Wiki
#197
Rating: 0
1/10/07 at 6:18pm
  • Joined: August 2006
  • Post Count: 44

Re: 6M$M and Bionic Woman Region 2 release 09/26/05?

In case anyone is interested in purchasing the R4 S1s of the Bionic Woman and 6M$M, ezydvd is having a sale and currently selling them for Australian $39.99 each.

http://www.ezydvd.com.au/item.zml/783909

and

http://www.ezydvd.com.au/item.zml/783908

Please note however that these appear to be the original R4 released versions and NOT the re-released "slimline" packaging. It is important to also note that the original R4 release of the 6M$M did not have as many episodes included (the extra Pilots were excluded).

So although they normally sell for $60-75 (Australian $) I'm not sure how much of a "bargain" they are, but thought I'd share the information anyway :-)
Export to Wiki
#198
Rating: 0
1/11/07 at 10:20am
  • Joined: January 2005
  • Location: Dallas, TX
  • Post Count: 2,259

Re: 6M$M and Bionic Woman Region 2 release 09/26/05?

Helena,

Thanks for the info. I'm not sure about getting the original 6M$M S1 set since the pilot eps are not included. I have the original BW S1 set from the UK and BW S2 from Australia. I don't have the 6M$M S2 set but that one's getting tougher to hold out since it includes the BW pilot 2-part eps in it. I'm trying to wait for an R1 release for the 6M$M sets but....you know....we'll be colonizing Mars before that happens

"Checkmate King Two Out"   Jeff Willis  "Combat! A Selmur Production"

I'm a 50's - mid-90's TV/DVD Collector. One DVD show since '96: Firefly 

The Fugitive/See Hollywood & Die: [Miles] "What, you think I'm crazy?!" [Kimble] "Next question."

Export to Wiki
#199
Rating: 0
5/8/07 at 10:53am
  • Joined: April 2004
  • Post Count: 959

Re: 6M$M and Bionic Woman Region 2 release 09/26/05?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jeff Willis
...I know from another forum (and from "Matt" on this forum) that those eps are also complete and uncut. I have delayed getting the 6M$M sets since the xfrs didn't fare as well as the BW sets.

but, the Six Million Dollar Man Season One set IS edited! Uni Playback screwed up and used the syndicated 2-part versions for the three original TV movies. These 2-part syndicated versions edit out some footage, if I recall correctly, to make room for the "last time on $6M Man..." recaps, etc. Also, since these are the syndicated versions, the original opening and closing title sequences were changed and replaced with the ones used on the one-hour shows.

As far as I know, though, there are no other edits, except the ones where certain $6m Man episodes were "converted" into BW episodes (such as "Welcome Home Jaime, part one"), and vice versa (all the "crossover" stories), which is how they've been ever since they went into syndication.

The use of syndicated versions for the first two TV movies, at least, is a mystery, as Playback previously issued both of those movies in their proper, original format on volume one of their VHS range (which I have), although they did also mistakenly use the syndicated version of the third film on VHS.
Export to Wiki
#200
Rating: 0
5/8/07 at 1:18pm
  • Joined: August 2005
  • Post Count: 361

Re: 6M$M and Bionic Woman Region 2 release 09/26/05?

It is arguable that Playback are issuing the episodes as they were originally broadcast here in the UK.

On the main networks here, the series were always shown in their syndicated form.

As I recall, only in some repeats on the sci-Fi Channel were they shown in their original, full-length editions.

And yes, some of the episodes have been swapped about from their original positions between the series, but that too reflects the way they were broadcast here.

The Bionic Woman set, for example, reflects this in that it shows both parts of "Welcome Home Jamie" despite the fact that Part One was a SMDM episode.

I believe it's because the two series were shown in the US as "partner" series, wheras here they were treated as separate - though linked by story - entities.

"The Return of Bigfoot" and "Kill Oscar" were also affected in their UK broadcasts.

It appears that Playback is releasing them as "UK Broadcast"
Export to Wiki
#201
Rating: 0
5/8/07 at 1:25pm
  • Joined: August 2005
  • Post Count: 361

Re: 6M$M and Bionic Woman Region 2 release 09/26/05?

Quote:
Originally Posted by RickER
Wish i had the desire to go region free, but i dont.

I can't imagine why. On many players this costs nothing, because they can be rendered region-free by inputting codes freely available on the 'net.

Of course, residing in the UK, I find being region free is an absolute must, because generally speaking, r1 has by far the largest number of titles available, and if you think your film censors are bad you should see what ours get up to!

But really, you have nothing to lose and much to gain by going region-free.
Export to Wiki
#202
Rating: 0
5/9/07 at 6:22am
  • Joined: April 2004
  • Post Count: 959

Re: 6M$M and Bionic Woman Region 2 release 09/26/05?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Richard_Gregory
I can't imagine why. On many players this costs nothing, because they can be rendered region-free by inputting codes freely available on the 'net.

But really, you have nothing to lose and much to gain by going region-free.

Quite right, Richard. Going region-free/multi-standard is much easier these days that it was just five or six years ago. My first multi-region player (a Sampo, which I have and still works) had to have new, unoffical firmware downloaded off the net, burned to a CD and "flashed" to make it work.

My newest DVD player (a Philips), in contrast, had to only have a simple five or six-digit sequence keyed in on the remote to unlock the machine's "worldwide" features.

Besides, RickER, your player may already be capable of region-freeness. Just check your make and model number on the database at VideoHelp.com and you should be able to find out if there is an unlock code for it or not.

And if not, a new Philips deck (one of the easiest to unlock) can be had for less than $50 (I saw one for $20 in a pre-Christmas sale).

There's really no good reason for an informed enthusiast to not go region-free, unless you only have interest in watching American R1 Hollywood output.

As my interests are chiefly in British television shows, being region free was a must for me. Heck, I invested in a multi-system VCR long before I bought my first DVD player!
Export to Wiki
#203
Rating: 0
5/9/07 at 7:43am
  • Joined: August 2005
  • Post Count: 361

Re: 6M$M and Bionic Woman Region 2 release 09/26/05?

Yes; my original DVD player (my trusty old Pioneer 717 which is still going strong) actually had a hardware mod - though I suspect it was a case of replacing the chip that held the operating software with one holding the new more "friendly" version!

My new Panasonic recorder, I had to rent a special remote, because although the mod consists of inputting codes, they are extremely complex and lengthy.

But many players have very simple short codes you can enter via the remote - it really depends on the manufacturer. I believe that Sony are amongst the most difficult to do...

Nearly all players have the capacity, this is because it is easier to design and manufacture a single machine worldwide which will work with any standard/region and then set it up as appropriate for it's intended country of sale, than it is to manufacture different "fixed" models for different countries.

If you don't go multi-region, you are really cutting yourself out of a lot of choice...voluntarily submitting to the limitations imposed by the marketing whims of the studios! Not to mention what the local censors get up to.

Other regions will often carry titles that are not and may never be available in the home market, or have editions that are better by being uncut or more generous extras.

In my collection, I have many imported titles that are just not available here in the UK - but also some titles that are, but which in their UK editions have cuts, or are not OAR, or severely lacking in extras.

I know that multi-region is less important in r1, because the sheer size of r1 gurantees it the largest selection of titles, but there are certainly things you can't get there that you can in say r2 or r4.
Export to Wiki
#204
Rating: 0
5/9/07 at 6:22pm
  • Joined: January 2003
  • Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma
  • Post Count: 4,164

Re: 6M$M and Bionic Woman Region 2 release 09/26/05?

Quote:
Originally Posted by AndyMcKinney

Besides, RickER, your player may already be capable of region-freeness. Just check your make and model number on the database at VideoHelp.com and you should be able to find out if there is an unlock code for it or not.

Thanks for the heads up Andy. I have an old Sony 7700 that is still my workhorse player, and i dont want to change it. However, i also have a cheap Samsung upconverting player that id be more than willing to go region free on. Id rather stay away from PAL discs even with a region free player.
Export to Wiki
#205
Rating: 0
5/15/07 at 10:04am
  • Joined: January 2005
  • Location: Dallas, TX
  • Post Count: 2,259

Re: 6M$M and Bionic Woman Region 2 release 09/26/05?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Richard_Gregory
Yes; my original DVD player (my trusty old Pioneer 717 which is still going strong) actually had a hardware mod - though I suspect it was a case of replacing the chip that held the operating software with one holding the new more "friendly" version!

My new Panasonic recorder, I had to rent a special remote, because although the mod consists of inputting codes, they are extremely complex and lengthy.

But many players have very simple short codes you can enter via the remote - it really depends on the manufacturer. I believe that Sony are amongst the most difficult to do...

Nearly all players have the capacity, this is because it is easier to design and manufacture a single machine worldwide which will work with any standard/region and then set it up as appropriate for it's intended country of sale, than it is to manufacture different "fixed" models for different countries.

If you don't go multi-region, you are really cutting yourself out of a lot of choice...voluntarily submitting to the limitations imposed by the marketing whims of the studios! Not to mention what the local censors get up to.

Other regions will often carry titles that are not and may never be available in the home market, or have editions that are better by being uncut or more generous extras.

In my collection, I have many imported titles that are just not available here in the UK - but also some titles that are, but which in their UK editions have cuts, or are not OAR, or severely lacking in extras.

I know that multi-region is less important in r1, because the sheer size of r1 gurantees it the largest selection of titles, but there are certainly things you can't get there that you can in say r2 or r4.

Richard,

I can confirm that the Sony's are more difficult to hack the R-free code. I owned a Sony previously and I tried to enter the code that's available on the 'net but it didn't work for me. After e-mailing someone at the code site I was told that in order to get the Sony to accept the R-free code, you had to buy another Remote available in the U.K. So I gave my Sony to someone else that wasn't interested in the R-free issue and bought a Pioneer player from a 'net store that's hard-coded. It works great and plays back PAL discs flawlessly. I have a question for you, or from anyone stateside about entering these codes on a player that's purchased at a local store, ie, a Phillips, etc that's purchased at a Wal-Mart, etc. Do all (or most) of these players have the built-in PAL/NTSC Converter? If one sucessfully changes their player into an R-free player via the hack code, will it then play back PAL discs as well? I was under the impression that most, or all? locally-bought players in the states don't have the Converter built into the unit.

"Checkmate King Two Out"   Jeff Willis  "Combat! A Selmur Production"

I'm a 50's - mid-90's TV/DVD Collector. One DVD show since '96: Firefly 

The Fugitive/See Hollywood & Die: [Miles] "What, you think I'm crazy?!" [Kimble] "Next question."

Export to Wiki
#206
Rating: 0
5/15/07 at 1:04pm
  • Joined: June 2004
  • Location: Colorado
  • Post Count: 492

Re: 6M$M and Bionic Woman Region 2 release 09/26/05?

Here's hoping that with NBC-Universal's pickup of the new "Bionic Woman" series next fall, they will also clear up the outstanding rights issues to both the old series and "Six Million Dollar Man". This may be the best chance the shows have of getting a U.S. release, unless the new show is a bust out of the gate.
Export to Wiki
#207
Rating: 0
5/15/07 at 2:18pm
  • Joined: April 2004
  • Post Count: 959

Re: 6M$M and Bionic Woman Region 2 release 09/26/05?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jeff Willis
I have a question for you, or from anyone stateside about entering these codes on a player that's purchased at a local store, ie, a Phillips, etc that's purchased at a Wal-Mart, etc. Do all (or most) of these players have the built-in PAL/NTSC Converter? If one sucessfully changes their player into an R-free player via the hack code, will it then play back PAL discs as well? I was under the impression that most, or all? locally-bought players in the states don't have the Converter built into the unit.

Apart from the well-known "tricky" brands like Sony and Panasonic (and, in some cases JVC) and those TV/VCR, DVD/TV combos, it seems that most players that can be hacked to region-free can also be made to convert PAL to NTSC.

The thing is that once you "unlock" the player's region coding, you often have to go into the menu system and change the TV type (or output type, etc.) from "multi" to "NTSC"). Most players, by default, are set up to output the disc's native signal. On most R1 machines, I don't think this option can be changed unless you unlock the region coding (I know on my old Sampo player, it enabled a previously-hidden "extra options" screen that contained the TV System type).

Certainly, any Philips that can be coded region free has the built-in coverter.
Export to Wiki
#208
Rating: 0
5/15/07 at 2:21pm
  • Joined: April 2004
  • Post Count: 959

Re: 6M$M and Bionic Woman Region 2 release 09/26/05?

Quote:
Originally Posted by RickER
Id rather stay away from PAL discs even with a region free player.

Why? Is it because of the 4% audio speedup (the "PAL-speedup effect"), or some other reason?

You should bear in mind, though, that the audio speedup only affects material that was transferred from film. Most British television, for instance, would have been mastered on PAL videotape in the first place (625 line VT with or without filmed inserts, and held as 625 line VT in the archives anyway), and therefore would not suffer from the speedup effect.
Export to Wiki
#209
Rating: 0
5/15/07 at 2:30pm
  • Joined: January 2003
  • Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma
  • Post Count: 4,164

Re: 6M$M and Bionic Woman Region 2 release 09/26/05?

Quote:
Originally Posted by AndyMcKinney
Why? Is it because of the 4% audio speedup (the "PAL-speedup effect")

Yep. The only show that tempts me from another region anyway is The Six Million Dollar Man. Can you see a speed up in the video as well? Sci-Fi had a nasty speed up of the new Galactica. I guess they couldnt cut anything out, so they sped up the video...looked like every other frame was gone. Terrible!
Export to Wiki
#210
Rating: 0
5/16/07 at 3:00pm
  • Joined: July 2005
  • Location: Flint, Michigan
  • Post Count: 2,301

Re: 6M$M and Bionic Woman Region 2 release 09/26/05?

I'd like to know when Universal is going to release the series on Region 1 DVD.
Export to Wiki
Forum Nav More Forums | All New Posts | New Thread