I will never ever buy original DVDs again in my life!!!! [Archive]

Neo

17th February 2003, 07:24 AM

I heard about these street shops where they sell these DVD. So I thought they are probably pirated and ****ty quality with no cover and all.

Boy was I wrong. I bought four DVDs and they are:

1) 8 Miles

2) The Ring

3) Bourne Identity

4) I SPY

And all of them were superb, no way in hell I could distinguish them from the original. The covers were very clean, not to mention the sound and all. Exactly like the original ones.

And I spent years collecting original DVDs, now I am sad knowing they are of no values anymore <img src="/threads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

BTW its in Ruwi opposite the police station, GO FIGURE. You can also find (Basic of instinct, Indecent proposal and body of evidence <img src="/threads/images/graemlins/devil.gif" alt="" />

Don Khaled

17th February 2003, 07:48 AM

Man, they always had pirated DVD's in Oman. You should have looked more before. And yea, it would be same quality, without any difference.

I would buy pirated DVD's, because the movie itself makes millions and millions of dollars already in theatres, so why still rip us on DVD's !

ND4SPD

17th February 2003, 10:11 AM

sabaa7 elkhair ya neo,,,, where have u been??

the best part is that u don't regret it if it was a bad movie unlike original DVDs

Smile

17th February 2003, 06:42 PM

Neo,

I thought you'll be a loyal citizen to report it to the nearest ROP, but I was wrong.

Neo

17th February 2003, 06:55 PM

Smile,

Tell me you are joking right. Girl, the DVDs are being sold just opposite the Ruwi Royal Oman Police!!!!.

Lubna

17th February 2003, 07:41 PM

Hey Neo i heard about that .. and i thik i told u about it <img src="/threads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />
but u know i saw this 8 miles.. it dose not have Subtitles <img src="/threads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />..
i think cause it is not orginal???
do u think so.. anyway it is worth it, Not bad <img src="/threads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Neo

17th February 2003, 07:46 PM

There are two type of Original DVDS.

1) A copy cat of original DVDs. This only becomes true is when the production company has released that movie on DVD. And thus, they use that orginal DVD to produce an exact copy, and this copy DVD you would find all what the original DVD had such as (Subtitles, features, etc etc)

2) But if the production company didnt release the DVD. Than the copy one would be either of ****TY COPY, as when a dude takes his camera and films the movie in the cinema. OR A VERY GOOD COPY idential to the original DVD, this when that particular DVD is made just to be considered for awards.

For example, 8 miles was an excellent copy, as if it was copied from the original DVD. Is because 8 miles is one of the movie that was considered for 2003 Oscar awards, and thus the producers had to give the award judges a very good copy for them to see the movie, somewhere in the road that copy got leaked to the market. <img src="/threads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Buzz

17th February 2003, 08:03 PM

I have been shopping around there for a while now and I can recommend the following high quality pirated DVDs: Ice Age, Austin Power Gold Member, Unfaithful, MIB 2, Spider Man, Bourne Identity, The Sum Of All Fears, Monsters Inc, Lilo Stitch, Undisputed, Sweet Home Albama, The Good Girl, Casino, Catch Me If You Can, The Tuxedo. Those are the ones that I can remember right now, I have bought more than 35 DVDs from these guys and 95% of them are the same identical copies as the original DVDs which has all the features, subtitles and the extra audio tracks <img src="/threads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

Special

17th February 2003, 10:35 PM

hmmmmmm, interesting....and how much is one of those DVDs worth?

Neo

17th February 2003, 10:53 PM

TWO RIALS, Go Figure

18th February 2003, 12:35 AM

Smile, you can buy all the original DVDs you want. Dont spoil it for the rest of us. And if you wanna be such a good citizen, there's lots more that goes on which is considered more serious.

A friend of mine just came back from Pakistan and got 40 DVDs for 50 rs each. Thats.. umm.. around 300 bz per dvd. Perfect quality. I'm glad I started my movie collection after piracy got so big. I dont even buy pirated DVDs. I just download loads of DivXs and burn.

Smile

18th February 2003, 01:57 AM

Chitchi

Wheather I'm good citizen or not that is not your of concern the fact remain intact.

<blockquote><hr />
A friend of mine just came back from Pakistan and got 40 DVDs for 50 rs each. Thats.. umm.. around 300 bz per dvd.

<hr /></blockquote>

By the way get your mathematics right <img src="/threads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

18th February 2003, 10:35 AM

do it for me then, dear

Shula_B

19th February 2003, 09:20 AM

Well, I bought some DVD’s form the exhibition in Abu Dhabi worth DHs. 10 each, good quality in audio and video.

19th February 2003, 02:58 PM

Pirated ones? Sold in an exhibition? WOW

Incubus1980

19th February 2003, 08:56 PM

pirated DVDs can harm your DVD player because they are not well made.

19th February 2003, 11:19 PM

I didnt know that. Woopsy. How though?

Incubus1980

19th February 2003, 11:21 PM

basically they have been made from cheap burners and probably cheap quality DVDs.

Buzz

20th February 2003, 12:05 AM

Absolutely right.. therefore you have to be very careful when you buy those DVDs, you need to test the discs before buying them and damage your DVD player lens. Also you need to take extra care of them as any slight scratch on the playable surface could damage the disc permanently and it wont be playable anymore!

Incubus1980

20th February 2003, 01:10 AM

but most the times the sellers won't let you test the disc.

Neo

20th February 2003, 06:15 AM

What are you guys talking about. They have their own portable player, you test it there and than. [censored] they even have this two in one thingi. Like (Lord of the ring one and two in One DVD) and both are SUPERB QUALITY

20th February 2003, 12:14 PM

Yeah, my friend tested most of his.
I have never bought a pirated DVD but I probably will in the future. I watch my new movies in the cinema and old on my pc (divx)

Incubus1980

20th February 2003, 01:33 PM

well yeah it depends on from whom you buy those DVDs.

Tiger

21st February 2003, 01:25 AM

Jees you guys are lucky to get pirated DVD's... man I have to ask friends from Indonesia and Bangkok to send me them when they get time because here in Australia we don't get em... <img src="/threads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> Oh well... thats the law <img src="/threads/images/graemlins/bawling.gif" alt="" />

Neo

21st February 2003, 01:30 AM

I dont think it will last for long though. I am sure the Cinema owners would file a law suit, imagine how much they are loosing. For example, I dont think anyone would attend Lord of the rings 2 once its being released

Buzz

21st February 2003, 12:30 PM

Hey Neo, which titles did you get today? are they any good? you know I have seen you roaming around the sellers over there today <img src="/threads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

21st February 2003, 12:40 PM

we have the law in Oman too but we also have smart kids that break it! <img src="/threads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

NiGhTFaCe

23rd February 2003, 12:58 AM

I never go for Original DVD's.. coz never think that i will get the right by that!!.. its easiley to be cheated in such situation.. thats why am just having those copies.. too cheap.. its kinda usful <img src="/threads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> [/color]

Eclipse

25th February 2003, 03:13 AM

I wonder how the sound quality of these DVDs? Have you guys tested them on a good home theater system? Are you getting the same sound effects as original DVDs? I doubt that. I bet the majority of the pirated DVDs (which have not been officially released) are video taped from theaters. Thats why I would trust a pirated DVD more of the one which has been officially released, as it would be copied from the original copy.

On another note, the price of DVD recorders have fallen dramatically, there this good Philips DVD recorder for just 400 Euros!!!! And you can record DVDs as well as anything on TV. Now thats awesome !!!

Neo

25th February 2003, 04:45 AM

Hmmm, BUSTED, they are not there anymore. Well, it was good while it last

muscati

26th February 2003, 02:41 AM

Neo don't you think the extra publicity you gave to the pirated DVD market is one of the reasons why it it was busted?

Buzz

26th February 2003, 03:56 AM

Yeah.. all the thanks goes to Mr.NEO <img src="/threads/images/graemlins/anim_pissed.gif" alt="" />. luckily I got some contact numbers of some of the sellers who are offering home delivery <img src="/threads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> And guess what Neo, I am going to print several copies of your omanforum photo and i'll give it to them and tell them that this is one who caused all the troubles <img src="/threads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Consider yourself dead buddy <img src="/threads/images/graemlins/anim_saevil.gif" alt="" />

26th February 2003, 08:44 AM

<blockquote><hr />
Neo don't you think the extra publicity you gave to the pirated DVD market is one of the reasons why it it was busted?

<hr /></blockquote>

yeah! exactly.

Neo

26th February 2003, 08:56 AM

dudes, i knew about this way too long before even me coming up with this topic. The big shot has filed a complain several months ago.

And excuse me, extra publicity, as if they authority didnt know about it. Guys, they were selling it just opposite the police station.

Special

26th February 2003, 09:00 AM

<blockquote><hr />
Guys, they were selling it just opposite the police station.

<hr /></blockquote>

Yes, they thought, lets do it here, the police wont suspect anything. <img src="/threads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

ND4SPD

28th February 2003, 12:23 PM

who said busted i just got meself 10DVDs last night!!!!

Neo

28th February 2003, 12:30 PM

Cool, that means they are back in business. Dont you love them <img src="/threads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />. I wish I were in Oman now, I would have bought byself atleast 10 more.

KORN

28th February 2003, 10:46 PM

Busted, duh

VANQUISH

21st May 2003, 10:06 AM

...now they work on demand....u call them...meet somewhere...check the products....struck a deal...and off everyone goes...more like a drug deal if u ask me!

dudi

29th May 2003, 02:55 AM

Hey ppl. Can u tell me how i can get their number. im just dying to watch Matric Reloaded

muscati

29th May 2003, 04:11 AM

I saw Matrix Reloaded pirated DVD being sold at Al Azawi in CCC for 3 or 4 rials. The copy is a bit washed out. All the colors look faded, for example all the cool black costumes look brownish grey as if they were dusty.

I have a friend who's asking about how to get in touch with people who sell copied DVDs. He wants to buy original copies, not pre-release pirated prints. If you have a number please email or PM it to me.

Nomad

29th May 2003, 04:15 AM

Same here! Could someone PM the number to me too?

Buzz

29th May 2003, 05:37 AM

I have a couple of numbers somwhere around back at the office. I'll look for them tomorrow morning.

Neo, I have PM you some numbers few weeks ago. If you still have the numbers, please share with the guys.

Special

29th May 2003, 05:41 AM

ME TOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO <img src="/threads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Neo

29th May 2003, 07:46 AM

u sent me couple and I only been dealing with one dude, he is good, I sent PM to all three of you. Just call him and arrange a meeting place

Invincible

29th May 2003, 09:35 AM

Out of curiousity, how much are they?

dudi

30th May 2003, 06:50 AM

Hey Neo ! u didnt send me a PM of the numbers <img src="/threads/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" /> !

Neo

30th May 2003, 11:11 PM

2 rials!

Invincible

30th May 2003, 11:16 PM

and the quality? just like originals?

Neo

30th May 2003, 11:34 PM

Yup, if you chose the ones which are being copied from the origianl DVDs, than there is no different. Normal I buy bunhc of them, watch them, and i return those which of bad qualities and the rest are superb

muscati

31st May 2003, 03:25 AM

<blockquote><hr />
and the quality? just like originals?

<hr /></blockquote>

The ones copied from original DVDs are exact copies with same quality. The ones where they put two movies on one DVD are not as good since they use a higher compression rate to fit the two movies on one disc and that leads to a loss of quality, higher pixelization in the picture, especially during fast action. Then there are the purely pirated discs of movies that haven't come out on DVD yet. Those vary in quality. Sometimes studios make screener DVDs for movies to give to journalists or academy members. If those are copied then you have a matching quality pirated disc. But those screener discs are usually only made by studios around Oscar time. Sometimes movie pirates are able to get their hands on an original movie print and can quickly master a DVD of it, which is probably what happened in the case of the Matrix Reloaded which is sold in the market these days. But quite often the pirated DVDs of new movies are just camcorder copies with horrible picture quality and bad sound.

Buzz

31st May 2003, 05:16 AM

The only problem with the pirated DVDs is that they use a very cheap quality DVD discs to copy the movies. Any slight scratch to the readable surface of the disc will cause the movie to skip and sometimes freeze. Most of those DVDs are only good for one or two viewing times, after that the disc will start the skipping and freezing problem. Still 2 rials per DVD is really cheap compared to 8 to 10 rials for the originals.

Buzz

31st May 2003, 05:22 AM

And oh yeah I met this chinese dude last week who was selling them for 1 rial each but he is selling them with the inserts only, no DVD cases.

muscati

31st May 2003, 05:34 AM

If all you care about is just watching the movie once or twice then why not just rent? Renting costs less than the cost of these pirated DVDs.

When I buy a DVD its usually because I want to see it not just now, but whenever I feel like watching it again in the future. That's why I don't mind buying originals, which never cost me 10 rials. My average cost is 6 to 8 rials.

Neo

31st May 2003, 05:38 AM

Muscati, the problem is, even the Rent shops are buying from these dudes and you end up renting the same stuff all over again <img src="/threads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />. Except the one in Qurum, than those dudes deal with original. But with these dvds you can see the very latest movie, while with renting it could take forever

muscati

31st May 2003, 05:48 AM

Copyco, the video shop in MQ, only stocks original DVDs which they import themselves directly. The only video shop I've seen which has mostly pirated discs is the one in Qurum in the GBM building.

If you want "the very latest movies" then basically what you want is pirated stuff because the very latest movies won't be out on DVD, so please put a distinction between this and just wanting to own movies for cheap.

But if these movies don't last long anyhow, then I can only understand buying them to see something like Matrix Reloaded which won't be out in DVD till October probably. But why still buy something that's a copy of an original DVD when you can just rent the DVD from a store for less?

Neo

31st May 2003, 06:46 AM

Hmm, maybe the fact that one can lend it to his family and friends?. And maybe the fact that there is no 24hrs limitation, and maybe the fact there is no 15 rials down payment

markybabes

31st May 2003, 05:01 PM

oh right.. so buying pirated copies of DVD's is ok... what does Sharia Law say about stealing?? You can't have a set of rules and only live by the ones you want too when you quote the whole set if rules..

<sorry guys... overflow from the flame discussion on avatars>

1st June 2003, 03:36 AM

please stick to the topic.

NaDa

15th June 2003, 01:39 AM

I know this thread discuss the local side of the pirated DVD's n all. But what i saw yesterday really surprised me. I was in London, particularly at Oxford Street, when i saw this Chinese guy selling pirated DVD's for GBP 8.

Some of the movies on sale were Anger Management, Matrix (12), Hot Chick, n many more..

What surprised me was how can this guy have the guts to sell'em in London, right on one of the most crowded streets without the fear of being caught!

phatguy88

15th June 2003, 02:37 AM

in new york city, if the cops catch you buying a dvd off the street, you both will go to jail. obviously the dealer will be in jail for a lot longer.

15th June 2003, 07:44 AM

See, the amazing thing is that it is SO unexpected that it goes unnoticed.

Invincible

15th June 2003, 09:14 PM

Nada,

That's why all the DVD's are over a small cloth and its always more than one guy in the sales team (one would sell, the rest would hang about around, and if they see the police, they pack up within seconds and take off). I've witnessed this a couple of times.

NaDa

15th June 2003, 09:23 PM

True they were on this small cloth. But no, no one was around him. Or maybe i didnt c them..quite possible since it was very crowded.

Invincible

15th June 2003, 09:27 PM

Team work my friend - they're really smart, some do this for a living. Sometimes the team would compose of one Asian, one Nigerian and one British just like with many other things they do now a days. One would naturally link one Asian to more Asians...they use pretty smart strategies!

Liquid_Dreams

16th June 2003, 04:54 PM

do people buy from them?

mukundh

14th July 2003, 09:09 AM

hey guys
i purchased bruce almighty , 2 fast 2 furious and terminator 3. the prints are camera prints. it is not dvd print at all. waste of 2 rials. pls dont purchase movies which have just released cuz its not possible to get a dvd print of them .all the other movies which have released couple of months back are good dvd prints.

14th July 2003, 09:30 AM

you can return them to the idiots.

Oh, I hear they sell them for 800bz - R.O 1 to Indians. So send someone to buy yours.

Tibs

21st January 2010, 06:30 PM

I accidently searched for a thread relating to pirate DVDs and was horrified to find this.

Can anybody send me a PM letting me know of the best place for this, best quality and lowest price...ths way I can make sure I avoid the place.

Slimster

21st January 2010, 07:48 PM

NaDa - he will get caught. He probably has a spotter watching for the Police, but they will catch him. Then they will slap him on the wrist and confiscate his stash. He will be back selling new stock a few days later. The UK has a broken legal/justice system.

IMO buying copied DVDs is illegal and you should not do it. DVDs are not expensive these days anyway. Neo, what would you say if I decided to copy your business/business model for the property biz, and called my company something very very similar, copied your website, called everyone pretending to be you and generally 'stole' your business?

Whether we agree or not, movies are made for business reasons. Buying and watching a copied movie is no different to driving off before paying for your freshly fill tank of petrol. The oil company makes tons of money, surely they won't miss 50 litres??? No different to a movie producer making loads of money. They are a business with investors and you're stealing.

Also note that the people making money behind this DVD copying/sales business are often involved in serious organised crime - this is who you are supporting. Think about it.

hafiza

22nd January 2010, 06:48 PM

Thefor,
I'm with you on this...but I did the same as well, why must I spend my cash to original than copy,hence worth it to watch like original...rite?

Nowadays, people dont really care as long they're enjoy it watching with or without..

Dark Angel

22nd January 2010, 09:06 PM

You can easily make a good copy if you have a dual-layer writer.

leo

23rd January 2010, 04:50 PM

Its easier and more reliable to do a simple torrent download. Why go to shady joints and buy such DVDs where you arnt even sure about quality. And yes, I too have heard that such money gets diverted into various other criminal activities.

hafiza

23rd January 2010, 07:06 PM

I'm with you Leo! and you absolutely right...

SKS

23rd January 2010, 07:08 PM