The Best Journey Always Leads Us Home

[Ely1 0]

Where do you normally buy your Blu-rays?? No idea how to shop online.. All region locked or something. .So didn't dare risk buying a disc which i can't watch.. ><

I'm a noob in online shopping.. hehe

Hi eggroe,

Best Blu-ray deals are on Amazon and eBay.com - I have a region-free player so no issue there My Avatar Extended cost me US$10, S.W.A.T was US$4+, The Departed was US$7, Batman Begins at US$8.

Amazon runs daily specials on selected Blu-Ray titles, so do have a look: http://www.amazon.com/Blu-ray-movies-discs...;node=193640011

They allow direct credit card transactions, and some items qualify for international shipping so it should be much easier

Hope this helps!

-Ely

[RimBlock 0]

Hi eggroe,

Best Blu-ray deals are on Amazon and eBay.com - I have a region-free player so no issue there My Avatar Extended cost me US$10, S.W.A.T was US$4+, The Departed was US$7, Batman Begins at US$8.

Amazon runs daily specials on selected Blu-Ray titles, so do have a look: http://www.amazon.com/Blu-ray-movies-discs...;node=193640011

They allow direct credit card transactions, and some items qualify for international shipping so it should be much easier

Hope this helps!

-Ely

Just to add to this, Blurays do not, for the most part, have region codes. Some do and you can search around the internet for a list. The most important fact though is that the code for Singapore is the same as the code for the US so even if a disc you buy from Amazon or E-Bay in the US is region coded, it is the right region code for Singapore (unless the seller imported from elsewhere).

If the seller is not willing to send overseas then just use something like vPost or Borderlinx (Citibank credit card required) which provides you with a local US / UK address for sellers to ship to and preferred rates for you to get the items shipped to Singapore (around 50% of standard DHL rates last time I checked).

Personally I just rip the discs straight to hard drive which removes the region code if one existed anyway.

RB

[rmgthatsme 0]

Hi eggroe,

Best Blu-ray deals are on Amazon and eBay.com - I have a region-free player so no issue there My Avatar Extended cost me US$10, S.W.A.T was US$4+, The Departed was US$7, Batman Begins at US$8.

Amazon runs daily specials on selected Blu-Ray titles, so do have a look: http://www.amazon.com/Blu-ray-movies-discs...;node=193640011

They allow direct credit card transactions, and some items qualify for international shipping so it should be much easier

Hope this helps!

-Ely

Please excuse a dumb question maybe but years ago when we brought in a 20 ft container of personal effects (furniture etc) we specifically had to declare videos and have them reveiwed by the censor and some of them were indeed partially censored e.g. Rocky Horror Show. Is this not the case these days or can such DVDs/Blue Rays be brought in by mail from Amazon etc?

[eggroe 0]

Hi eggroe,

Best Blu-ray deals are on Amazon and eBay.com - I have a region-free player so no issue there My Avatar Extended cost me US$10, S.W.A.T was US$4+, The Departed was US$7, Batman Begins at US$8.

Amazon runs daily specials on selected Blu-Ray titles, so do have a look: http://www.amazon.com/Blu-ray-movies-discs...;node=193640011

They allow direct credit card transactions, and some items qualify for international shipping so it should be much easier

Hope this helps!

-Ely

Just to add to this, Blurays do not, for the most part, have region codes. Some do and you can search around the internet for a list. The most important fact though is that the code for Singapore is the same as the code for the US so even if a disc you buy from Amazon or E-Bay in the US is region coded, it is the right region code for Singapore (unless the seller imported from elsewhere).

If the seller is not willing to send overseas then just use something like vPost or Borderlinx (Citibank credit card required) which provides you with a local US / UK address for sellers to ship to and preferred rates for you to get the items shipped to Singapore (around 50% of standard DHL rates last time I checked).

Personally I just rip the discs straight to hard drive which removes the region code if one existed anyway.

RB

Thank you my sifu's

How do you know if it the bluray player is region coded or not?

Rimblock: don't wanna risk not being able to play the bluray's though..

Also, under normal circumstances, is it cheaper to direct ship it? Or better to go through vpost/borderlinx? Wanted to checkout my shopping of "300".. The shipping cost itself already costs almost as much as the disc itself!! EEEPS!

Edited March 31, 2011 by eggroe

[Ely1 0]

Thank you my sifu's

How do you know if it the bluray player is region coded or not?

Rimblock: don't wanna risk not being able to play the bluray's though..

Also, under normal circumstances, is it cheaper to direct ship it? Or better to go through vpost/borderlinx? Wanted to checkout my shopping of "300".. The shipping cost itself already costs almost as much as the disc itself!! EEEPS!

Like RB pointed out, most blu-ray discs ARE region free. If not, it would be stated on the product information page, or the product listing on eBay. They normally specify so keep an eye out. If you use a consignment merchant, also understand that it's more worth it if you consolidate all your shipments, especially for vPost which charges a base charge. As for me, I check the shipping rates first, and if I know I'll be purchasing quite a number of things (which is monthly~), then I simply consolidate the shipments.

Perhaps you can check under the specs of your blu-ray player. RB is a lot more knowledgeable about this, so I'm sure he can guide you better.

-Ely

[eggroe 0]

Like RB pointed out, most blu-ray discs ARE region free. If not, it would be stated on the product information page, or the product listing on eBay. They normally specify so keep an eye out. If you use a consignment merchant, also understand that it's more worth it if you consolidate all your shipments, especially for vPost which charges a base charge. As for me, I check the shipping rates first, and if I know I'll be purchasing quite a number of things (which is monthly~), then I simply consolidate the shipments.

Perhaps you can check under the specs of your blu-ray player. RB is a lot more knowledgeable about this, so I'm sure he can guide you better.

-Ely

Strangely, I see it's all region coded on amazon (US & Canada only).. Sigh..

Anyways, don't see any nice promos on.. Only 300 going for less than $10.00. .

Oh wise RB, please share your knowledge on this.. hahaah

[Ely1 0]

Strangely, I see it's all region coded on amazon (US & Canada only).. Sigh..

Anyways, don't see any nice promos on.. Only 300 going for less than $10.00. .

Oh wise RB, please share your knowledge on this.. hahaah

Eggroe,

Like RB mentioned, US/Canada codes are compliant with Singapore's!

-Ely

[eggroe 0]

Eggroe,

Like RB mentioned, US/Canada codes are compliant with Singapore's!

-Ely

Confirm can work??

Anyway, guess I should buy in batches then.. Look for the best offers and put it all in a cart then ship over.. The price you pay for 1 disc + transportation, you might as well just buy one from the local cd shops!

[Ely1 0]

DAY 37

Finally changed all my bathroom sink mixers to non-mixers. Had quite a considerable credit which they wouldn't refund but were willing to give store credit, so we spent an hour "forcing" ourselves to pick items like shower racks, hooks, etc. Quite an awful experience actually. Till...

The Husband suggested we splurge on the mirror I've been eyeing for a long time but wouldn't get because it was so pricey ($480!!). Best exchange ever! Totally heart this!!

All windows and sliding doors are also up, with black glass though it's hardly noticeable. We're awaiting to swap the glass for clear glass for our balcony railing due to the MCST regulations. All lighting points are also being installed. Was very happy with how accomodating the electrician was, when we realised we forgot to add in dimmers for hanging lights.

Master Bedroom windows (view from balcony - the windows on the right are basically dummy windows as it's all going to be covered with my wardrobe keke):

Extended roof (awaiting glass for balcony):

-Ely

[Ely1 0]

Confirm can work??

Anyway, guess I should buy in batches then.. Look for the best offers and put it all in a cart then ship over.. The price you pay for 1 disc + transportation, you might as well just buy one from the local cd shops!

Yep! That's what I do - consolidate from all over - Amazon & eBay - and ship back. Way more cost effective! Look for "free shipping" deals to save even more (if you sign up with Amazon Prime - free for a month - you get the free shipping on most items - Just make sure you select "do not automatically renew" so you won't have to pay for the extended membership. Shopping frenzy for 1 month!!)

-Ely

[Ely1 0]

Lighting Points

I so need to alter the floorplan measurements... sigh.

-Ely

[RimBlock 0]

Lighting Points

I so need to alter the floorplan measurements... sigh.

-Ely

Just out of interest, have the lighting points, especially for spot lights been simulated for you. I understand that some places can give an idea of how much light you would need for a specific result. A google may help as I have no more info though .

The reason I ask is that we have far too many spotlights in or lightbox than is needed and it is common for people to over spec what they require. Would have though you could get away with 6 in the living area saving running costs.

RB

[RimBlock 0]

Please excuse a dumb question maybe but years ago when we brought in a 20 ft container of personal effects (furniture etc) we specifically had to declare videos and have them reveiwed by the censor and some of them were indeed partially censored e.g. Rocky Horror Show. Is this not the case these days or can such DVDs/Blue Rays be brought in by mail from Amazon etc?

I had quite a lot of stuff sent from the UK to Singapore when I moved here 4.5 years ago including around 120 DVDs. The only box that was opened by customs was the one with my books in it.

I have read reports of discs being confiscated by Singapore customs if they happen to check the packages but that is very unusual for a few discs. If you bring in 10+ then the chances of being checked will probably rise.

None of my stuff has been stopped by customs yet.

RB

[RimBlock 0]

Confirm can work??

Anyway, guess I should buy in batches then.. Look for the best offers and put it all in a cart then ship over.. The price you pay for 1 disc + transportation, you might as well just buy one from the local cd shops!

From Wikipedia on Bluray

Regions for the Blu-ray standard:[112]

A/1: The Americas (except Greenland), and their dependencies, East Asia (except mainland China and Mongolia), and Southeast Asia.

B/2: Africa, Middle East, Southwest Asia, Europe (except Belarus, Russia and Ukraine), Australia, New Zealand, and their dependencies.

C/3: Central Asia, East Asia (mainland China and Mongolia only), South Asia, Eastern Europe, and their dependencies.

Singapore is under the same region as the US. Note, the UK is in a different region.

To my knowledge, Oppo is the only player manufacturer that is not enforcing the Bluray region codes. Unless something has recently changed, all other manufacturers lock the players to a code by requirement of the Bluray Disc Assocciation.

Again from the same source...

According to the Blu-ray Disc Association, "all Blu-ray Disc players...(and) Blu-ray Disc-equipped computer systems are required to support regional coding." However, "Use of region playback codes is optional for content providers..."[113] Some current estimates suggest 70% of available Blu-ray Discs from the major studios are region-code-free and can therefore be played on any Blu-ray Disc player, in any region.

I try to send my discs over 3 at a time as the price does not seem to change much until after that number but play with the figures in the Borderlinx and vPost cost estimators.

Some suppliers may be able to deliver direct for less but some will not deliver outside of their country (or ouside of Europe in the case of the UK).

Note also that quite a few UK places require a UK credit card be used for purchases and the items are only sent to the credit card holders address in the UK. The Borderlinx Concierge (presumably vPost has this too) should get round this issue as they buy the item for you with their card then cross charge your card (or most likely charge you then buy).

RB

[RimBlock 0]

Oh wise RB, please share your knowledge on this.. hahaah

Haha, wise as in old .

Google is really a great tool if you know the terms to search for.

RB