Region 4 Winners and Losers

    The Region 1 release is a 6 disc set of the entire series. The Region 4 release appears to be the same as the Region 2 release with two separate 3 disc sets.

    Region 1 has a few more extras than the Region 4 volume 1 release, but these are included on volume 2 in Region 2, so will most likely be included on the Region 4 volume 2 when it is released. The Region 2 volumes 1 and 2 together have the same content as the complete series in Region 1, although Region 1 also gets a Spanish soundtrack.

    So, which is better? Region 1 has the full 23 episodes in one volume whereas this version is only episodes 1-12. A second volume will undoubtedly follow and, if the same release schedule is followed for season 3 as for seasons 1 and 2, a 6 disc complete season will be released later, at a price less than the total of volumes 1 and 2, still with all the extras. This is one of those cynical money making release schedules that cash in on the die-hard fans by making those who can't wait for their favourite show to be available on DVD buy the more expensive 2 volume staggered release, then releasing a complete series at a lower cost.

    Based on this type of marketing, I would say the Region 1 offers a better value at this time as it is the complete series 3, not just the first of two volumes. If you must have the PAL transfer and can wait a while, I'd be inclined to wait until the complete series is released as one volume, as they did with seasons 1 and 2. As I couldn't find any reviews of the Region 1 release, I can't recommend it over the Region 4 version but, NTSC aside, I would expect it to be of similar quality. Let's call it a tie.