The Wall Street Journal catches on to HD DVD grey market imports
By Ben Drawbaugh 
posted Oct 18th 2007 4:07PM
posted Oct 18th 2007 4:07PM
Hard core HD DVD fans have known for sometime that they can obtain otherwise exclusive Blu-ray titles via overseas websites like Amazon.co.uk; but we were still surprised to see the Wall Street Journal pick up on it. It's not that we don't think people are doing this, but we wonder how many. Sure, early adopter types won't have any problem ordering a title online and paying a bit more for it, but in the grand scheme of the format war, how big of deal is it? The WSJ doesn't know either, but does a great job of describing the reason (distribution rights) for the loop hole and some of the more popular ways (xploitedcinema.com) to do it. Meanwhile, we'll just keep our count to the titles available the average consumer at his local retailer.
Ben has finally written the article (sorta...) I've asked for for the last 8 months! *laugh*
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=855923
Everyone should get Equilibrium! (i think the import has a different title). That and The Prestige are definately worth importing
It's called "Rebellion", in the JP release. And I'm ordering it soon. It has Christian Bale on the cover, looking down with two pistols at his side, I think. It can be had for $42 bucks, at Xploited cinema, but that's just as much as what you'd pay if you went to Best Buy to buy a FOX film on Blu-Ray, which, I believe, is MSRP $39.99, before tax.
I already bought Underworld (German), HP and The Goblet of Fire (UK), The Prestige (UK), Terminator 2 (UK) and I still need to get Silent Hill, The Machinist, and Equilibrium.
If you were thinking about importing "The Pianist", don't. Universal is bringing it to HD DVD in January!
I think Equilibrium was a over hyped piece of garbage, so I would have to disagree.
But too each is his own, there are many other great titles to import.
Ben, I see your point about what's available at my local retailer. However, I don't buy music, movies or small electronics at my local retailer - too much markup. I've bought a dozen DVD's from amazon for every one I've bought in a brick & mortar store.
Buying from exploitedcinema.com (I have) feels just the same as buying from amazon.com or buy.com or any other top quality online retailer, albeit more expensive. I bought The Prestige on HD-DVD from them and it shipped in 3 days - from Ohio even! And after I watched it, I sold it on AVSForum for $10 less than I paid. More than a rental at Blockbuster, but I call it a good deal.
It may be "grey market", but I'd do it again without hesitation.
Also most of these 'grey' places take paypal so it's not like you have to worry about getting your cc # jacked.
Actually, I don't believe it's gray market, since DVDs have no warranty. I think the term refers to products legally bought overseas but in which the warranty won't be honored if purchased in the US.
the only blu-ray movies I want on HD-DVD are the Prestige and Pixar movies. I got Prestige from HDmovie source, and hope some bootleg country like poland puts pixar flicks out on HD-DVD.
I must say that I have watched Equilibrium, The Island and Running Scared more than most of my others. Call it what you may but I will continue to buy imports. BTW they should have mentioned that Mr Bean's Holiday was available before its US theater release. Also Band of Brothers is one of the most wanted box sets around.
I forgot the Underworld duo
Its not the warranty that's the issue, its the license. Grey market importing means that a consumer (or business entity) is importing a product that is not licensed for use or sale in the consumer's home market. As such, the MPAA considers it an act of piracy - even though you are paying for it - according to their website on the subject.
TJ i think you're taking a liberal reading of the laws. Customers aren't buying illegal copies, but movies distributed by international branches of the same companies here in the US (either a foreign subsidary or partner). There isn't anything illegal about it, and I think the usage of the term "grey market" was a poor choice. We aren't buying a camera or tv that isn't available in the US to circumvent price. If you buy a Mercedes that isn't avalable here, and have it meet emission standards is that illegal?
The article mentioned how Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire is already available on HD DVD in the UK, when it's going to be here in the US on both formats in December. What it failed to note is that the U.S. FBI Copyright/Piracy Warning shows up before the movie plays, which indicates that WB just shipped all of the HP discs that were supposed to be released last fall on HD DVD, overseas.
What Ben fails to take into account is that is cheaper to spend $60.00 for a couple of must see import titles than it is to spend $400-$1,500 for Blu-Ray player.
all this shows is that people who post on the net about tv shows and movies have very bad taste. the prestige? garbage. underworld? youve got to be kidding.