Arsh is sending me screen shots of USA version of the Asoka DVD which I'll post under this thread. From the looks of it someone has ripped the Metrodome version!

More soon...

Ali

Sorry for the delay (was getting time-outs on the site). Here are the screen shots sent by Arsh;








Judging from these shots – it looks very much like a Metrodome DVD rip. Someone has ripped the video and re-encoded to NTSC format together with bad compression artefacts. Subtitles are English burnt-in only (you cant’ switch them off) – and this is the complete version of the film with all song intact as on the Metrodome DVD. Can’t comment on the audio – arsh is man to ask once he’s checked it out.

Also this rightly can be called a pirate, as I’m sure Metrodome did not give permission to use their DVD for dodgy transfer and according info from First Look Pictures (official distributors of Asoka in USA) – this is not their official version. Just the fact their name is being pass on this DVD makes it more illegal.

As far as dodgy DVDs go, this still looks good – depending on what First Look officially release (details at the moment say cut version of the film) this could be only decent option for NTSC users to want the complete version of the film on DVD. I’m still waiting on First Look to provide me with details on what their official version is going to be and what extras it will have – let you know when and if I get that info.

Ali

More;







Ali

Problem shot;





few others;




Ali

Also check posts on this thread for more info about this release.

Again thanks for Arsh for getting the screen shots.

Ali

...I was wondering if our American zulmies have a problem with PAL since the original Asoka is only available in that format? Do t.vs and dvd players in the US have multi-system built in? if not I have a feeling this pirate dvd is gonna sell more than first looks...

What you have said is true. PAL DVD are problematic in the USA as DVD players that do PAL to NTSC are limited over there. Direct PAL playback I would think is near rare as most TVs sold there only handle NTSC playback.

I also think this pirate will sell loads, specialist Indian DVD stores genuinely think it's a proper release while First Look Picture haven't given any information on what their release will contain (and the details that are available from R1 stores don’t favour their release anyway! ).

First Look Pictures could rectify this by releasing a dual disc DVD of Asoka containing the full version of Asoka in a hi-quality transfer and ample extras on second disc that don’t appear on Metrodome release. Somehow I don’t think this is going to happen :wot: - only wishful thinking.

Ali

Columbia Tristar/Sony was just made of information from Indian Blockbuster. All the Indian specialist DVD retailers are selling this version of Asoka regardless. And from the info handed from First Look Pictures - which is next to non-existence - their version doesn’t look too appealing if it does turn out to be the cut one.

So I guess it’s up the individual to either wait and see what happens to plunge for this version.

Ali

Thanks Ali! for UR generous and KIND aknowlegement!!
Well! way to go PIRATES if thats what it is!! SOUND ? Man!! o MAN!! TRUELY MIND BLOWING 5.1, I have'nt heard any thing like this in AGES, I agree LAGAAN was Excellent but that was more HOLLYWOOD style RIGHTFULLYdone for that kinda movie!! that most of OUR TYPE 1 viewrs did not like TOO QUIET for THEM as SOUND was not POURING OUT LOUD from all 5 channels!!LOUD and NOISY!!Butit is matter of TASTE what can u say!!
But I think ASOKA will please every body, TYPE I and TYPE II selective audience who are HARD CORE AUDIO?VIDEOPHILES!!! CHECK this one out !! man!! It gave me GOOSE BUMPS!! Was region 2 was like this too!!
Picture is very good too!!

According to India Plaza, the R1 Asoka DVD that was just recently released is indeed authentic. IP claims that they verified it with First Look directly. Any thoughts on this???

Hey there Arsh,

You guys mentioned everything about the DVD, the sound, the special features and the video quality, but is it anamorphic?

yes it is very well! man! i hope Ali has mentioned it before!

u sure these pirate pics are ripped from the Meterodome DVD version? The subtitles type face are very difffernt from the ones on the UK disc version. Also the Meterdome version is not coded region 2, but is actually region free! So for you guys in the USA that has a PAL compatible home cinema set-up could play this disc with ease.

IW told me it was authentic too, although they didn’t say they verified it from any source. I’ll get back to First Look and see what they say – someone is telling fibs somewhere. But at the moment I don’t really care if its authentic or not. Seems like a good DVD, especially the way Arsh described the sound. So grab it while its hot :p

Ali

Check it out here on their site it says that they have released the DVD :

First Look - Asoka

It says Domestic, so I don't really know, can anyone clear this up, Ali/Arsh?

DVD here it Toronto, CANADA is selling for $37 at this place I checked out, might sell for less as this was the first place I checked out.



Edited By urbanlegend on Feb. 07 2002 at 19:28