List of Viva DVDs to avoid

[HartSord]

I wish I had seen this thread earlier.

Please add Disney's Little Mermaid II to the list.  In fairness, it says it's 4:3 letterbox on the back, but we deserve better than this for shelling out good money for "original" DVD's.

[techdude]

I wish I had seen this thread earlier.

Please add Disney's Little Mermaid II to the list.  In fairness, it says it's 4:3 letterbox on the back, but we deserve better than this for shelling out good money for "original" DVD's.

Little Mermaid II is originally released in a non-anamorphic 1.66:1 DVD.  It's the same as what was released in other regions.  Since it is DVD9 and identical to the US version, it shouldn't make the list of DVD to avoid.

However, Disney had released a newer version in the US in 2008, and that one is in anamorphic widescreen.  Apparently, as Little Mermaid II is a lesser title, Viva had not released the newer version.  The back of the DVD (by Viva), carries a 2001 copyright, so that should be warning enough.  

[Kd Jb]

waaah just bought law abiding citizen mura kasi at 375..kaso full screen at wala ding subtitles..

[thebat]

Not just Viva DVD... also avoid their CDs

[eckxs]

New release lang kanina. Bad Lieutenant. Just your typical Viva dvd. Same features. I hate it how Viva can manipulate people much just because of those slipcases they put on the dvd. Even some stores sell them for P750, pero dapat P375 lang.

[batusainash]

List of tiltes WITHOUT subtitle:

1. Twilight
2. Taken
3. Drag Me To Hell

[techdude]

Updated to include:

Marine 2
Law Abiding Citizen
Ongbak 2
Two Lovers
Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans
Beyond a Reasonable Doubt
More than a Game

All Viva DVD5, Buy at your own risk!

[eckxs]

Two Lovers please add.

[eckxs]

also Halloween II.

[coffeetiger]

What about Red Cliff?  I heard it's a Viva release with bad transfer.  Can anyone confirm this?

[pjayg]

I can confirm this. I Just threw away 375 for a worthless junk!

Picture quality looks like it was just taped from a movie house (a lot of sparrows are much clearer). Then there's these hairlines, almost a dozen of them, in the middle of the screen the whole time! If only I can have it returned/refunded! Blame compulsion again for this bad purchase!   

[coffeetiger]

^ drat.   and was so looking forward to getting this movie on DVD...    You can always expect Viva to ruin everything... hay nako. 

Anyway, thanks for the heads up sir pjayg.

[Macmon]

Can the PinoyDVD community make an online appeal on this crappy VIVA releases.
They are making a mockery of suppose to be better quality video (in comparison to VCD).

[Kd Jb]

did anyone notice yung old magna titles na niri release na ng viva...ang pangit ng mga cover..parang xinerox lang yung original...

[frootloops]

original pirat ang tawag dyan... 

[dpogs]

hmmm...

kung ganito ang klase ng mga binibenta sa atin (pakunswelo na lang para sa atin at least bumili tayo sa legit stores hindi sa quiapo - malinis ang konsensya natin) para na rin palang bumili tayo ng pirated dvds???

tsk tsk tsk

parang iyong twilight (di ko talaga makalimutan ang dvd na ito)... hamak na mas malinaw ang mga binibenta sa quiapo...

[eckxs]

Ang panget ng printing ng Universal titles now owned by VIVA. Pero buti na lang na imported yung disc!

[shibby]

I saw Funny People under Universal/Viva section. Php 350 only, but the cover looks cr*p! I don't know if this is a good buy or not.

Other Viva DVDs to avoid:

The Young Victoria (?)

and

Red Cliff (bought this today, and damn how I wish I saw this site earlier so I knew)

[techdude]

I can confirm this. I Just threw away 375 for a worthless junk!

Red Cliff (bought this today, and damn how I wish I saw this site earlier so I knew)

Sorry to hear your throwing away P375.  Can you check whether it's the theatrical version or the five hour plus Part I & II?

______

My post as to how to identify these lemons still stands, as Viva has yet to release a good releases of those that fit the descriptions.  Even those with full extras like Bruno is still DVD5, so unless the movie is very short, something has to suffer, PQ or AQ... though on a small screen or inferior audio setup, it might not not be too noticeable.

_______

For Universal titles, I guess it's wait and see.  Since it could be growing pains, though surprising, since their other releases like Fox, Disney, and even these DVD5 junks have glorious packaging (and slipcases).

[eckxs]

I saw Funny People under Universal/Viva section. Php 350 only, but the cover looks cr*p! I don't know if this is a good buy or not.

It's a good buy actually. Worth a P50 buy. It's an imported disc. Yes, I know the cover looks crap. No one is against that for sure but it's a worthy buy.

[shibby]

My post as to how to identify these lemons still stands, as Viva has yet to release a good releases of those that fit the descriptions.  Even those with full extras like Bruno is still DVD5, so unless the movie is very short, something has to suffer, PQ or AQ... though on a small screen or inferior audio setup, it might not not be too noticeable.

Copy that. But for the Red Cliff DVD, I think this is their worst one yet! The PQ is abysmal, it looks like its been copied from a movie house, I swear. The scenes were cut intentionally, I don't know why. The sound is low, the dubbing is poor, its all cr*p! Definitely Viva's worst release yet. We've been bamboozled. Disappointing.

[shibby]

It's a good buy actually. Worth a P50 buy. It's an imported disc. Yes, I know the cover looks crap. No one is against that for sure but it's a worthy buy.

Wow, that's good to know. Inglorious Basterds is a must buy too. But the cover looks crap as well. Thanks for the info eckxs.

[techdude]

Copy that. But for the Red Cliff DVD, I think this is their worst one yet! The PQ is abysmal, it looks like its been copied from a movie house, I swear. The scenes were cut intentionally, I don't know why. The sound is low, the dubbing is poor, its all cr*p! Definitely Viva's worst release yet. We've been bamboozled. Disappointing.

Red Cliff is a pretty long movie, so if it's being fitted into a DVD9, PQ would surely be disappointing.  As to cuts, you mean this is even shorter than the US theatrical cut?  I think the US theatrical cut is around 148 minutes while the uncut Asian release which is divided into part 1 & 2 is something like 290 minutes (as per Amazon.com).

If it's that disappointing, why not let them know about it.  

feedback@viva.com.ph

Tell them if they are asking people to 'Buy Original' they should not do things like that.  That people who buy original expect to get better quality that those who get from illegitimate sources.  That's it an insult to movie lovers to release such crap.

[techdude]

Paranormal Activity
Halloween II
The Rebound
Young Victoria
Red Cliff

Added to Viva titles to avoid...

[tenderfender]

nakakainis na itong VIVA, ginagawa naman nilang engot ang mga customer nila   

dapat may consistency. nakakayanan naman nila maginvest sa imported & at par REGION 1 quality for other FOX/Disney releases, bakit hindi pa nila ituloy tuloy sa lahat ng titles?

[shibby]

Red Cliff is a pretty long movie, so if it's being fitted into a DVD9, PQ would surely be disappointing.  As to cuts, you mean this is even shorter than the US theatrical cut?  I think the US theatrical cut is around 148 minutes while the uncut Asian release which is divided into part 1 & 2 is something like 290 minutes (as per Amazon.com).

If it's that disappointing, why not let them know about it.  

feedback@viva.com.ph

Tell them if they are asking people to 'Buy Original' they should not do things like that.  That people who buy original expect to get better quality that those who get from illegitimate sources.  That's it an insult to movie lovers to release such crap.

Yes Viva's version is shorter. 130 minutes to be exact. And I really really think that their version was copied/taped from a movie house. Why? When the end credits are rolling, the camera/videocam keeps moving just so the names can be seen on screen.

It is an insult for us when they keep on releasing these DVD crap. We should really do an online appeal for them. It's about time I guess.

[dpogs]

Puwede po nating tawagan. Tinawagan ko kanikanina lang and inexplain naman kung bakit ganoon daw ang mga release nila.. more on licensure issue daw...

they are very willing to hear our "mga hinaing", comments, and feedbacks

Tel.No.: 687-6181 loc. 768

[frootloops]

Licensure? Are they doing something that ain't right? Reason they had to cut the red cliff? ...and make crappy copies or releases? Hmmm ......

[Macmon]

Licensure? Are they doing something that ain't right? Reason they had to cut the red cliff? ...and make crappy copies or releases? Hmmm ......

How about going directly to the companies who makes these movies and addressed it to them via online appeal. So that they can cut their ties with Viva and let Viva learn their lesson.

Enough of this crap DVD movies. este... VCD quality DVD pala. este.... pirated quality DVD... teka... mas maganda pa pala ang pirated... hahaha

[tenderfender]

baka nga pwede magkaroon ng online petition (hindi nga lang ako maalam gumawa nito)