BBC America's "Life on Mars"...Why can't I find a US compatible DVD????

[pink-o]

This is getting frustrating. I've been hearing about "Life on Mars" for about 6 months, and I just got BBC America when I upgraded my cable so I couldn't wait to watch it. However, BBC isn't showing it right now, they're not giving me any indication as to when I can see it--and Amazon has the UK DVD but not a US one. Is anyone a fan that can hook me up?

Oh, yeah, and BTW, the reason I'm so keen is because I'm a California Yankee who spent 5 years in England, from 1973 to 1978, so this shows the Britain I remember. I also remember buying and converting VHS tapes from PAL to NTSC or vice versa--costing into the hundreds (of pounds, not dollars). You'd think after digital came to be the accepted format, THIS WOULD NO LONGER BE NECESSARY!!!!! If we're so global, why the hell can't we buy a DVD in Europe or Asia and play it here in the States????

[billyskank]

1. Blame the MPAA

They liked the old incompatibilities of the analogue formats because it allowed them to break the globe into separate markets.

The advent of digital standards threatened to end all that, so they successfully lobbied to get regional incompatibilities artificially built into the DVD standard. It is most vexing. Hell, we can't have people buying stuff wherever they like and taking it elsewhere, can we? Who knows where it would all end.

[flamingyouth]

2. Oh, that's annoying

We have a universal DVD player because we watch a lot of PAL DVDs; I had no idea it wasn't released on NTSC. It's such a great show!! We bought the series from amazonUK. :(

[Susang]

3. You'll either need to wait for the N. American release

Or buy a region-free DVD player. http://www.regionfreedvd.net/

The choice is yours. ;-)

[Bryan]

5. I can recommend going region-free

There are a lot of great UK shows that never get released over here, not to mention "Special Editions" of some films that are produced for overseas markets but not released in North America, so about six months ago, I bought the Pioneer DV-383 from an Amazon seller, and it plays whatever I've put in it.

[Deja Q]

4. There are ways...

www.videohelp.com

I used to convert my PAL discs, but getting a multi-region player is an eminently more effective solution.

[pink-o]

6. Thanx, All!!

...Yeah, I checked out region-free DVD's as well--and actually I was surprised to see they're not any more expensive than one region American ones.

However, there was a disclaimer: Many American TV's--like the large-screen plasma and LCD--don't support the region-free format. (God, there's always something!) So I put the plan on hold till I find a telly that would for sure be compatible with one. But if I have to wait too much longer, maybe I'll just get a portable one.

It's just stupid and frustrating. And yr all right--it's all about the money and global isolation!!

[Rosco T.]

9. See my message below..

if you're using a TUBE TV, you need to get a PAL>NTSC converting player and have it put out NTSC. The Philips I mention below does an EXCEPTIONAL job at that.

if you're using LCD/PLASMA, then 99% of them will handle PAL signal with NO PROBLEM (I speak from experience, friend bought a cheap ass 32" Emmeson LCD and it takes a PAL signal with NO problem. I made him some TORCHWOOD DVD's and he still had his Philips set to AUTO output format (ie. PAL>PAL, NTSC>NTSC) instead of forcing NTSC) the looked BETTER than the NTSC output.

ALSO on the Philips mentioned, it has an HDMI port and will UPCONVERT DVD/AVI to either 720p/1080i (and does a damn good job) so if you have an LCD, it's an even better player.

[Canadian Socialist]

7. I don't have a tv

so for my viewing pleasure I use bittorrents. I got the whole of the first season of "Life On Mars" that way. It's great, btw. The accents are quite thick... takes a little while to understand them.

I believe Life on Mars' new season starts in January. Here's the official website: http://www.bbc.co.uk/lifeonmars/

They are only having the 2 seasons. Not dragging it out like most shows. Gotta love the Beeb!

[Rosco T.]

8. Go region-free very inexpensively

pick up a Phillips DVP5960 (about $50) at Walmart, BestBuy, Circuit City, Target, etc...

hook it up.

1. Turn on the unit
2. Open the loading tray
3. Press the "Setup" button on the remote
4. Navigate to the "Preferences" page using the right arrow key
5. Enter 138931
6. You will now see the current region code displayed
7. Use the Up/Down arrow keys to select the region required or "0" for all regions
8. Press the "Setup" button on the remote
9. Press "OK" on the remote

congratulations, you now have a region-free, PAL>NTSC converting DVD Player.
It will also play AVI's/etc from either a burned disc or a memory stick via the built-in USB port in front.

order your discs at www.amazon.co.uk and you'll get about 15% off the prices shown (shipping to the US they take off the VAT)
I can also recommend www.ezydvd.com.au for orders from OZ (sometimes a little cheaper)

I usually get 2-4 disc/month from Region 2/4: currently on my desk (from the last 3 or 4 months)

Green Wing: Series 1 & 2
The NEW Captain Scarlett: Series 1 & 2
Hex: Series 1 & 2
Robocop: The Series (not available in the US at ALL)
Honey West: The Complete series (ditto)
Burke's Law: Series 1 (ditto, ditto)
Rising Damp: Compete
Alexi Sayle's Stuff: Series 1, 2, 3
Supercar: The Complete Series + "Full Boost Vertical" documentary
Dempsey & Makepeace: Complete Series 1,2,3 (10 disc set)

I got "Life on Mars" about 8 months ago :)

and I have the 1st box of "Torchwood" on order