Region 4 Winners and Losers

    This box-set is already released in Region 1. I had my copy pre-ordered. It was especially notable as the first series I'd seen to come in "thinpack" packaging — these are similar to regular DVD cases, same width, same height, but only half as thick, so the four cases only occupy the space that two normal cases would take. I don't know if the Region 4 version will come in the same cases — I hope so, because it is convenient.

    The Region 4 and Region 1 offerings have the same episodes, in the same order, with the same commentaries, the same menus, and the same extras. The labels are almost the same (ours are a bit more orange, theirs are a bit more yellow). The only real difference is that the R4 is only in English, while the R1 offers English, French and Spanish sound, and English and Spanish subtitles (but misses out on the subtitles for the commentaries).

    This one is definitely a draw on features. I prefer the Region 4, mainly because I think the picture looks a tiny bit better (it's a small difference, and I'm not sure it ain't wishful thinking).