USA or European version

[on:]

Hi guys!

I was thinking of getting my hand on the Futurama DVD boxes. I live in Europe but my GF is currently in the states so I thought she might pick them up for me. But it seems as there are just the 1:st season available.

The reasons for this eludes me, i recon it some kind of legal problem. Still, the US-boxed set is much cheaper that the european one so my question is:

Is there, apart from the price and region, any differencies between the US box and the european one? Both regarding content and casing.

I hope there is someone out there who knows. Thanks!

[Reply #1 on:]

Hi Azlan, and welcome to PEEL.

Their are several European versions available - the only differences between them are the languages. The German version has German, English, and Spanish audio tracks, whereas the Austrian version has English, French, and Italian. I'll be describing the difference between the UK and the US Season 1 DVDs:

While both sets have the same package design, the US edition has much thinner plastic cases for the DVDs, and the box is therefore much thinner. The US version has English, Spanish and French audio tracks, and doesn't have the Swedish subtitles that come with the European version (which may be of use to you).

Of course, bear in mind that if you buy the US version you'll need a multi-region DVD player and NTSC compatible TV to play them on. The special features and content is the same on both versions.

To summarise:
If you want a thicker and sturdier package with more subtitles and you are willing to spend the extra 10 Euros (based on Amazon's US and German list prices) go for the European edition.
If you want a cheaper DVD set and have the multi region equipment, go for the US edition. There's really not much between them.

You may be interested to know that the Futurama Season 3 boxed set is due to be released in Europe next week, and the US Season 2 boxed set is due to be released in early September. The reason many TV shows get released first in Europe is (in my opinion) the distributors want to see if it will sell well. If it does, it gets released in America. It's normally not to do with legal rights.

[Reply #2 on:]

Whoa! Great answer Sheep, thanks! 

According to most swedish e-shops, the third box will be released tomorrow actually, May 28:th.

The lowest price I could find of Box1 here in Sweden is 429 SEK which is roughly 55 USD or 46 EUR. Compared to 30 USD at amazon.com or 39 EUR at amazon.de. Since I don't really care for subtitles OR languages for that matter, I might as well get in from the states. The only drawback is that I will want more, I mean, I know myself. And then I will have different "versions" of my boxes.

Oh well, what's a boy to do... Thanks again for the great answer!

Cheers!

[Reply #3 on:]

Glad you found it useful 

[Reply #4 on:]

Another reason why the DVD's are released later in America than Europe, is to maximise the value of syndication deals. Once the DVD sets were released in America the value of any syndication deals would drop, afterall who would pay top prize for a product, once the show were available to everybody in DVD quality?

Azlan, remember to check if either you DVD-player or your television is NTSC compatible and your DVD player is multi-regional, as sheep555 mentioned.

[Reply #5 on:]

buy the europe version, it's funny listening to it in german

[Reply #6 on:]

Unless you are German, and then it is normal...

But yes you should get the European version.

[OFF TOPIC] There is a Monty Python and the Holy Grail DVD coming out soon with a very special feature: Hungarian and Russian dubbing. Horay!

[Reply #7 on:]

nothing normal about being german me thinks