08-09-2003, 09:48 PM
I think this thread has gone a bit far fetched. Here's what I've noticed from Mac/AS. They are by far the cheapest of all the HK DVDs. The thing about them, is to stay cheap quality control goes down a bit. So some sets aren't done well. With that said, some sets are fantastic. An example would be the DBZ sets. First of all, the movies box is superb, but they made a blunder where they hardcoded the subtitles onto the video. However, just about all the rest are perfect. Earlier Mac sets had a problem with missing subtitles. That was the extent of the damage. As for AS, the same thing occurs. WHere they will have an absolutely perfect release like Iria, Tylor and Blue Sub #6, they will release something that is utter crap, like GUndam W and FoTNS movie. As for FX, they rip directly from R1 sources. The problem that occured with FX was that their sets suffered from bad video quality back in the day. Cowboy Bebop was the largest offender, then they got better, but sets like Outlaw Star and Ranma 1/2 part 1 still had some iffy video. Subtitles are sometimes bad, like in their trigun set, they screwed up some thing (not sure exactly). If they don't rip from an R1 source, their subs also kinda stink (as seen by their hentai release, and another R2 set or 2). The point I'm trying to make, is that you need to look at each set on a set by set basis. You can't just make a broad sweeping generalization about each company. MI and AV both have their stunningly good sets, and their jaw-dropping bad sets. So, if you want a series, look at what is available, and gauge what you want based on the pickings.