DVD: Karaoke Terror (aka The Complete Japanese Showa Songbook)

That's mostly great news. However, Synapse usually take ages before they actually release their DVDs.

I'll buy it immediately!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

SOME titles take us longer because we are perfectionists. We aren't in the business to just toss out an aquisition on the market without first trying every way possible to make it the best it can be and get as much out of the license as possible. If that takes us a little longer and people get upset, well, then, I'm sorry... that's just the way we are.

Just for the record, we plan on releasing ALL FOUR of our recent Asian acquisitions before the end of the year: PARTY 7, KARAOKE TERROR, MADAME O and BATTLE GIRL. With Ryko not allowing for video releases in December, that gives us until November to get 'em out. I don't think that's too long a wait, really.

Donald, on that note, what can you tell me about the compression of the film? Will it be a direct port or will it be shrunk down? It's quite well known that R1 releases for the most part don't match in quality with their R2 cousins. Thanks

TiGrBaLm-

I don't really understand what you mean by this. Most films originate from Digital Betacam tapes... as does KARAOKE TERROR. These tapes are converted using software/hardware encoding packages utilized by the particular company used for the software compression.

By your comment, I get the feeling that you think that many R1 releases are "rips" of R2 DVDs and, unless you are talking about bootleg companies like JET FILMS, ALPHA DIGITAL or that company RED SUN that just bootlegs legitimate Japanese releases with their own menus and added "fan" subs, you are incorrect.

Legitimate DVD companies like Synapse, Media Blasters, etc. all use digital masters that are supplied directly from the licensors and should be exactly the same masters they used for their legitimate R2 releases.

If the R1 DVD looks worse, then I wouldn't be surprised if you are watching a RED SUN DVD! LOL!

It's also important that the compressionist working on your project get the best compression he/she can based on the content of the film he/she is working on.

I'd like some examples from you of Japanese DVD releases that are noticably better than their "legitimate" US counterparts and then, maybe, I can explain to you what you are asking.

All the releases we've done from Japan have been from the exact same Digital Betacam tapes that were used for their releases in other countires.

What's the status on Karaoke Terror?

i'd like to repeat that:
What's the status on Karaoke Terror?