Maybe we should do a bit of a recap into DVD 2001?  Why Not

Let's see.  DVD 2001...hmmmm.  OH I know, how about new fandangle DVD thingys?

2001 saw a few very nice additional to the DVD Library with some technically advanced features.
To this Web Site Editor Roadshow went out with their sword blazing when they unleashed the Killer 2 disc Set of Se7en, Offering region 4 the FIRST DVD with a DTS ES Discrete 6.1 track as well as a Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround EX track (not to mention 4 audio commentaries...eeek).

As Great as Dolby's EX format is great, it ain't a patch on DTS's FULLY DISCRETE 6.1 channel format.  As a DVD'er You haven't experienced Se7en, until you've experienced it in discrete 6.1..It truly kicks some serious [and creepy] arse at times.  (Roadshow are following up the DTS ES 6.1 Discrete bandwagon with Rush Hour 2 in March...so kudos to them for taking the plunge)
If Universal &Dreamworks region 4 had taken a page out of their region 1 big brother, they also could have released 3 other DVDs with DTS-ES Discrete 6.1 to the region 4 market place.  Those titles being Chicken Run, Gladiator AND The Haunting..ah well.   These DVDs do at least come in Dolby 5.1 Surround EX (with Gladiator including a DTS track with EX encoding included, but no auto-detect flag).

Support for DTS was also stronger this last year with near 60 DTS DVDs, up almost 50 titles from 2000! (Gladiator was the ONLY movie releases in 2000 with a DTS track..the others were music DVDs) 
But there's still a LONG way to go in the "DVD's with DTS" department.  The Problem with getting DTS DVDs in Australia is that the Studios are releasing PAL DVDs to more than just Australia and as a result they're making only a few PAL DVDs to cover a hell of a lot of territories, with Multiple Language tracks on each DVD.  So this is chewing up the space (which is precisely what happened to our SHREK DVD, that resulted in the absence of a DTS track :(

Speaking of Shrek,  Universal/Dreamworks certainly wins the award for the BEST DVD-ROM content with their Shrek Re-Voice Studio.  (Click HERE for our Special Shrek Article) How Cool is that!  Personally, I find pretty much ALL DVD-ROM content to a be a waste of very valuable space.  But in this instance it makes this DVD something truly special.  I've shown this to family and friends alike, and every single one of them has dropped their jaw in amazement (and if I do say so myself, I'm getting pretty darn good at voicing the characters...but I must admit that I am still struggling to get Fiona's voice down pat....thank god for tight fitting underwear :)))

Double Disc Sets proved to be rather popular in 2001.  Se7en and Moulin Rouge offering the best of the 2 disc set ..features wise and Good 'ol Superman was region 4's first DVD18 if I'm not mistaken.   Though I really do wish they'd done it as 2 DVD9's and given up some pretty piccys on the tops. (One side of a double sided disc always seems to be more damage than the other with unavoidable fingermarks and scratches) 
Maybe I'm crazy, but it really seems like better value for money with you open up a DVD case and find that it's a double Amaray case with the centre flipper and 2 discs inside.
Fox also snuck out a THREE disc set with Cleopatra (the movie on 2 discs, and the bulk of the extras on the 3rd...hmmm I wonder if something like that will happen with Roadshow's L.O.T.R DVD seeing as the movie is 3 hours long and "may" have a DTS-ES track seeing as it's from New Line...who are doing more and more DTS-ES DVDs ..fingers crossed on that one :)

Finally, 2001 also saw the DEATH of the dreaded Snapper Case for Region 4.
It's been 1 year since we joined Forces with DVD Plaza on the Snapper replacement offer and it's still going strong.  While DVD Plaza were instrumental in getting this actioned, I think that Warner Australia themselves should be commended for actually listening to region 4 DVD'ers and giving us what we want.  Though Australia's only a million or so in the DVD player stakes, we, DVD Plaza and The Video Shift have posted thousands upon thousands of Amaray cases and Warner DVD Slicks all across Australia.   We even had quite a few desperate region 2 and region 1 DVD'ers asking us for Region 4 DVD slicks for their Respective Warner DVDs.  (which we sadly had to turn away).  God, could you imagine what would happen if Warner Region 1 decided to offer the same generous Deal as Warner Australia.  Knowing the hassles we've gone through with this offer, I'd pity the poor Region 1 DVD website who put their hand up to do it...   eeeek

Well it's more than FOUR since DVD first Graced our shores and I have to say that I am even more excited about it now, then I was back as an early adopter to this fantastic format!  it really just keeps getting better and better and when you think there's no way a certain DVD can be topped with it's stunning picture, killer soundtrack, and busting at the seams extras, someone making DVDs for region 4 does just that! 

So hands up those who are just DYING to get their mitts onto Star Trek TNG when it's released this year to DVD?  Or perhaps Some Widescreen Buffy and Angel (season 2 only so the rumour goes)?  How about the 2 disc set of Max Max with DTS, the DTS re-release of Predator, Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings?    There's gonna be some kick-arse stuff hitting DVD in 2002 so start saving your pennies NOW!!

Happy New Year Everyone and all the best in 2002!

Matt, Paul & Cass
DVDown Under

January Amaray Case Specials
To Start the New Year off we decided a Amaray DVD case special would be a good idea, so We've knocked over 10% off ALL DVD cases whether they be clear, black, double, 5 packs or 10 packs.

Click HERE to see our specials.  and if you have any questions, please E-mail us

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