I’m a relative newbie to the Buffyverse so when I received a shiny new DVD player for Christmas I scurried right out and got seasons 1 and 2 on DVD so I could play catchup. This, of course, led to a weekend long Buffy-thon and now I’m champing at the bit for season 3, but have dutifully waited like a good little American for it’s release TODAY! Woo Hoo!
So, what gives? Why aren’t they all available here yet? Is this some twisted conspiracy to make us crave more? Because I can stop anytime, you know! I can, really! Okay, so I already ordered season 3 from amazon. But after that I can stop!
The UK sells Buffy up to season 6, the problem is unless you have a DVD player that is region 0 or whatever the UK’s region is, you won’t be able to play any DVD from the UK.
Sorry that link didn’t display. But if you go to www.amazon.co.uk and do a search on Buffy the Vampire Slayer you’ll see that all but the current season show up on VHS and/or DVD.
I know VHS tapes from the UK won’t play on American VCRs, but what about DVDs?
My dear lauramarlane, allow me to introduce you to an evil word, hated amongst all true DVD fans. That word is “syndication”.
You see, when syndie deals are made, they often include delays in releases of the syndicated materia on video and DVD. After all, if you can go out and buy the snazzy new DVD, what reason do you have to watch the syndicated version, all chopped up with extra room for commericals.
Now those lucky bastards in the UK don’t have to worry as the overseas deals are seperate.
I don’t know for sure, but even if you have a “region free” DVD, they are still PAL instead of NTSC, right? I think they still wouldn’t play on an american television set.
However, we lucky yanks get to purchase the DVD’s (when they are eventuallya vailable) for less than half what they’re paying, plus I’m told the U.S. versions have more extras, so there are pros and cons on both sides.
BTW, laura, if you have access to the cable FX Network you can watch reruns of Buffy twice a day – they’re currently about halfway through Season 2, I believe.
What trion said. And this is also the reason for the region system on DVD. If you have a region free DVD, it’s easy to order from the UK and watch up till season 5 (6 is only on VHS which won’t work).
How to make the DVD region free? Google.
It involves changes to the hardware, so you need to take it to some shop to get it fixed. There’s also some stuff about the settings, since the European format is PAL, whereas the US is NTSC. No probs though, as witnessed from this European that watched this nights Brand New Buffy yesterday, in NTSC format on a PAL tv set.
Thanks, everyone, for answering my questions. Damned syndication deals! I don’t have FX, so I’ll have to just patiently bide my time–besides, I’d rather watch the old episodes uncut. They always chop stuff out in the reruns.
I just go Season 3 today. Can’t wait to finish my re-viewing of Season 2. I’ve forced myself to only watch one episode today AND I have to get on the treadmill the whole time. Otherwise I’ll have Buffy to blame for my saggy ass.
Note: Season 4 is supposed to go on sale in June '03. Angel Season 1 (if you’re interested) goes on sale in a month.
You’ve been told wrong, Cliffy. Seasons 1-3 of Buffy are identical to the R2 release. S4 reputedly will have a couple of extra commentaries, but that’s it.
On multiregioning: many players don’t need to be chipped, having a handset hack. A big list of such hacks can be found at:
I bought Buffy series 5 here in Aus before Christmas, and Angel series 2 earlier in the year, for about $AUS68 a 3xDVD box from one of the big department stores. That’s a whisker under $US40. How much are they in the States at the present?
I’m not arguing that they are cheaper here, I’m just curious. Heaven knows the range in the States is better! I always seem to come back with a laden suitcase!
I just ordered season 3 of Buffy for $44 and change from Amazon (they were offering free shipping so I just couldn’t resist.) But I’ve seen it in stores for $59.99 American.