Macross FB2012 and 20th anniversary DVDs

[Godzilla]

Ok, I am looking at ebay and VE. I am debating whether to get these. I assume they arent bootleg ( I know VE is not but on ebay...) I assume there is no US release b/c of HG or some other snafu. I rather not get into the debate on the reason like it is because of HG this and that. My question is it alright to get these. I would like to have the English subtitles but I want to make sure I have a legal copy. I will not pay for a pirate version.

Probably I think is more education on my part. But anyways, I see these DVDs are from HK and Japan. Some have region code restriction, etc. I just want some advice before I make a purchase.

[ewilen]

Neither of these has been legally released with English subtitling or dubbing. Also, neither has been released with any regionalization other than R2. If you need confirmation, see the MW main page for details of the various video releases. Also check out the production section of macross.anime.net.

In short, all FB2012 and 20th Anniversary DVD's that have English subtitles are bootlegs.

[Temucano]

There are imported Flashback 2012 DVDs at some online stores

[Agent ONE]

...I want to make sure I have a legal copy. I will not pay for a pirate version.

If you live in the US, pirate is the only way you will own these DVDs... either that or you can shell out $200 and buy a Japanese DVD player, Keith did this. He knows more about it, and I may be wrong about the price.

I have to say I really have admiration for guys like Keith who buy a region free/Japanese DVD player just so they can buy the real deal Macross stuff.

[ewilen]

There's no need to get a Japanese player. A player which is either region free or which can change regions can be had for very little $$$. Many/most of them are cheap Chinese-made deals. I posted info on this in another thread not long ago, but it got locked because we were drifting off topic.

I suppose laser disc is another option since it's not regionalized.

But if you care about subtitles, you will indeed have to get a bootleg. OTOH, subtitles really aren't necessary for FB2012. Everything is either sung or its old dialogue. And there's at least one fansub script floating around on the net.

Don't know about the other. Would depend on if it has a lot of talking.

[Southcross]

There's no need to get a Japanese player. A player which is either region free or which can change regions can be had for very little $$$. Many/most of them are cheap Chinese-made deals. I posted info on this in another thread not long ago, but it got locked because we were drifting off topic.

I suppose laser disc is another option since it's not regionalized.

But if you care about subtitles, you will indeed have to get a bootleg. OTOH, subtitles really aren't necessary for FB2012. Everything is either sung or its old dialogue. And there's at least one fansub script floating around on the net.

Don't know about the other. Would depend on if it has a lot of talking.

There is supposed to be a Deawoo DVD player under $100 ($50?) that offers Region free and changable regions. Its also supposed to do Pal to NTSC TV and NTSC to Pal TV. I haven't gotten one yet, but its supposed to be out there.

Please correct me if I'm wrong. I have seen FB2012, there isn't really much to subtitle anyways. 99% of it is minmay music with clips from the OVAs and movies??? I only recall seeing maybe two scenes that could be subtitled.

[Global]

The Japanese FB2012 says its R2 but it is actually region free. I bought my copy from Anime Jungle years ago. It wasn't that expensive either. Only about $40. I avoid bootlegs as much as possible.

[ewilen]

I stand corrected.

[Keith]

...I want to make sure I have a legal copy.  I will not pay for a pirate version.

If you live in the US, pirate is the only way you will own these DVDs... either that or you can shell out $200 and buy a Japanese DVD player, Keith did this. He knows more about it, and I may be wrong about the price.

I have to say I really have admiration for guys like Keith who buy a region free/Japanese DVD player just so they can buy the real deal Macross stuff.

??????

Actually, I bought an american Pioneer DV-525 modified for region siwtching (everything was manual back then i.e. 5 ago) and modified to disable macrovision. Though it did cost around $400, all new DVD players were that much then, well worth it though.

Aside from importing R2's, I also just didn't like the concept of being restricted to a specific region, and given the age of my television (which is getting continually older....) I had to run it through the AV hook-ups on my VCR, which meant I needed the Macrovision taken out (it creates a light/dark effect when attempting to watch a DVD player hooked up through a VCR).

As for FB 2012, it's enoded for regions 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 (I think 5 is the only region it doesn't list, but don't quote me on that). Since the R2 release is out of production though, there's no reason not to get the HK version now.

Still don't import too many R2's, but the ones I have made the purchase well worth it.

-20th Anniversary Macross disc

-FB 2012 (which turned out to be all region)

-R3 Korean release of Galaxy Express 999

-Mospeada volume 6 (containing Love Live Alive)

and of course later this year, Macross Plus Movie Edition since the Manga release is trash, and perhaps Dynamite 7 as the FX bootlegs missing the "to be continued" bits really bugs me.

Of course, who knew HK DVD's would take off as well as they have back then

Edited February 6, 2004 by Keith