Bootleg DVDs

[Mr Unoriginal]

I'm thinking about getting a bootleg DVD from ebay. Just wondering if anyone has had any experience with these things. Do they work fine, have good quality etc?

[Alpha2]

Before the topic gets locked let me tell you dont bother. half the time these things are the worst possible Video cam in the theater quality while others might be direct rips and of course some times they dont well and some times they dont work at all! it's very risky especially on Ebay.

[Mr Unoriginal]

Well I'm not getting a new movie. Here's what I'm tihnking of getting:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=617&item=630451140 9&rd=1

or

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=617&item=630476255 3&rd=1

Would these just be VHS copies put on DVD?

[Admiral Ackbar]

It depends. He could mean a Hong Kong Import of Anime or something. The quality of those can differ. The best exoperience I've ever had was with the MS 08th team. Subtitles were good and picture was crisp. The worst was with Macross, that has horrible subs.

[bignick]

hmmm, get the ewok and burn me a copy.

[Kaijufan]

I never have gotten bootleg movies before, but a friend at my school downloads them and sells them for $5 a movie. I hear that there good quality, but Im too much of a moral person to buy them.

[Mr Unoriginal]

hmmm, get the ewok and burn me a copy.

If I had a DVD burner I would already have a digital version of Wicket. Warwick Davis, we hardly knew ye.

[jasonditz]

Very good point.

Occassionally, however, the particular video is not available in any other manner. Considering how cheap legitimate DVDs are these days, it makes absolutely no sense to buy a bootleg of something commercially available.

I can understand,. however, the temptation to acquire the more grey market DVDs. Keep in mind, however, that you can expect the quality to be far below the typical DVD (probably closer to VCD). Beyond that, less reputable sellers (of which there are many) will have poor quality control, so expect about 1 in 3 to be completely unusable (or at minimum to have some splotchy parts).

Also, if the DVD is subtitled, expect the subtitles to be horrible, barely comprehensible, certainly lots of grammar and spelling mistakes. If you don't have at least passing familiarity with the language being translated, expect to be very confused during deep conversations.

[karmapolice]

I was thinking of buying "The Wizard" bootleg...cuz i dont think it will ever get put on DVD

[CaptainObviousXl]

i used to have these there pretty bad movies im pretty sure i had both but im relly not sure. Doubt id ever find em

[CaptainObviousXl]

oh no i olny had the first one

[LoganDX]

just be careful. Too many people getting busted buying and selling these things anymore....

[Graystone]

I never have bought or watched a bootlegg (honest =) but I would think if the bootlegger cares about his coustomer he would make them the best quality possible

[LoganDX]

I never have bought or watched a bootlegg (honest =) but I would think if the bootlegger cares about his coustomer he would make them the best quality possible

All they care about usually is the $$$$$$$.......

[tolhurst]

To answer the above, They were both available years ago on VHS , I would assume they are copies of the VHS (which wouldn't be hard to do).

[Alpha2]

Yeah, These are definatly rips from VHS, They'll be watchable but expect fuzziness...you know aside form the Ewoks themselves.

This is like the same type of stuff you get at cmic book conventions. People making copies of their personal collection and shareing with others for a modest price.