As many of you know, I organized a group buy of the season ending DVD. My one concern was that the DVD work here in North America. First Jill Smith told me it would work. Then she confirmed it with the tech guys. Then I went to order it and Arsenal Home Shopping said, "sorry this won't work in N. America." I went back to Jill, who TRIPLE CHECKED and reassured me, swearing on everything but a stack of Bibles and here Grandmother's grave that it would work. So, I gave them my credit card number and charged up US$1,700. After all I had colllected that much from you guys. Anybody wanna guess where this story is going? So today I received the DVDs. Upon taking one out of the box I immediately looked at the back to read the fine print. Format: PAL. Now I've been working with international media for five plus years. I don't know much, but I know a little. PAL is Europe, NTSC is N. America. But you guys know me, I'm the eternal optimist, so I drop it in my DVD player. [/sarcasm] Imagine my surprise when it didn't work. [sarcasm] But, hey, maybe it's MY machine that's broken? Nope, put in another DVD and it works fine. I did try it on my computer DVD player and it works there. But A) not everybody has a computer with a DVD player, B) not everybody wants to watch this on their computer and C) that is so not the point. So, after spending hours and hours putting this together. After all you folks forked over money, several throwing in a couple of bucks extra - we all got the shaft. Thanks Arsenal, thanks a lot. It's entirely possible that they just sent me the wrong ones or that I've somehow made a mistake. If that's the case I will be the first to publicly apologize to Arsenal. Let me also say that I love Jill Smith and don't hold her responsible for this. She was going on the advice of people who should have known better. So, as if I was bitter at Arsenal enough already (see thread above), now they've done this to us/me. Ok, so, who wants to be Merchandise coordinator? [/crickets chirping] Hello? Hello? Is this thing on? [crickets chirping]
Cue stoned Homer after Flanders has read him the entire Bible: "Wow......wow.....wow....wow.....wow.....wow....."
That sux, Rick. Obviously, they're not doing anything to change the minds of the people who don't want to go official.
This is exactly what happened to me with the Official History DVD. I was assured that it was going to work in the US, only to discover that wasn't the case. Rick, does it say "Region 0" on the back? That's what it says on my Official History disc, and I'm guessing that's what the folks at Arsenal were using as their determining factor as to whether or not they would work here. Someone will need to clue them in. Well, now we know, and knowing is half the battle on G.I. Joe. It's an expensive lesson to say the least. The easiest thing would probably be to just return them all, and then, once your card's been credited, issue refunds to everyone. At that point, everyone can fend for themselves. It looks like Soccer Learning Systems is offering a Region 1 NTSC version, which can be found here: http://www.soccervideos.com/cgi-bin...77.html?L+scstore+xsdj6717ff021702+1089434521 Let me know if there's anything I can do to help.
I know this isn't the best time to bring this up, but from what I can see, this is just another arguement for going official. Hear me out: One of the requirements of going official is establishing an Arsenal America checking account. It would be to that checking account that all the checks would have been depostited, and then a debit card associated with the account could have been used to make the purchase from the online store. I realize that this is too little too late as far as current dilemma is concerned, but it is something to think about for the future.
Actually, maybe I should just take one, pirate it, and distribute it. Oh, oops...didn't know I was typing and not just thinking to myself.
It absolutely works on a PC. But some people don't have computers with DVD drives, or have Macs or don't want to watch it on a computer screen. Mike - Sure, having an ArseAm account is a super idea. But in this case, here's what would have happened: After depositing the checks and then forking the money over to Arsenal, you would have then had to refund all the money by sending the money back to people. In theory I can just tear up the checks. So, while having an ArseAm account is a good idea, it would have been an even bigger pain in the arse this time around.
But are you working on getting yourself the hat? I just actually ordered a black felt one today from www.hatsinthebelfry.com and I am seriously considering a straw one as well.
I'm just going for the Be-Bop hat and reinventing myself as "Fat Guy with a Cool Hat" And brother, it'll be too sweet...
Try hacking your machines using the remote, enter the code and it will make them region free, it's what I have to do to watch an NTSC disc. Some examples here http://www.videohelp.com/dvdhacks
Here's the hat I want: Either that or this one: Have to get something for the coat my gf's folks got me for Christmas last year. I mean, my Arsenal baseball hat is nice, but not really what I should be wearing to formal occasions.
That really BITES!!!! What the HELL is AFC trying to do? Are they purposely trying to tick off the best thing that has ever happened to them in North America???
It does suck, not sure why they did that unless they are just that clueless in in DVD knowledge that they just assume region 0 means it will play in the US. So many Americans don't know about the whole PAL v NTSC thing where far more people in Europe do.
http://www.soccervideos.com/cgi-bin...77.html?L+scstore+xsdj6717ff021702+1089434521 so that one works?
Rick, my player is region-free. In the past, I've just ordered dvds from amazon.co.uk or wherever. This time, I wanted to support ArseAm showing their commercial prowess and it backfired on us :-( Pretty lame of the club. Anyway, I'll take my DVD, since I can play it. So please send it, unless you want to return them all in protest!
In California, you can contest any credit card charge if you are not satisfied, and your credit card company is obligated to refund your money (usually less $50) then mediate with the 3rd party.
Rick, if you need people to help out with purchases of these DVD's to make up for those that are going to want a refund...I'd be willing to take one and just play it on my PC. Let me know. The whole situation definitely stinks though.
Because so many videos I want are not formatted for America, I've been thinking seriously of getting one of those region free DVD players. I hear there are 'places' you can go to get DVDs that will play English videos. I may just invest in one.
I appreciate the efforts guys, but it will be even worse for me if I have to contact all 42 people, ask them if they want it or not, send back some, mail others to members, get a partial refund, ugh. Hey Arsenal, just give me my friggin' money back and give me your FEDEX number, because I ain't paying the return postage.