Feel free to share why you think x does it better than anyone else? You can post pics, examples etc.
*Just please keep it friendly
What retailer is the reigning champ of Asian Steelbooks?
- Thread starter digitalbabe
- Start date
Feel free to share why you think x does it better than anyone else? You can post pics, examples etc.
*Just please keep it friendly
I reckon for number of exclusives released which are consistently good quality, it has to be between Kimchi and Blufans. These guys have both turned out great exclusives across a range of decent titles and definitely deserve credit for what they have done.
For sheer overall quality I think Plain Archive are pushing the boundaries and others would do well to keep up.
HDZeta and Nova are also 'newer kids' on the block but catching others quickly.
It's definitely interesting to see what each of these retailers turn out next and so far I have been impressed enough to go for all of them. Hard to pick one absolute champ though!!
For sheer overall quality I think Plain Archive are pushing the boundaries and others would do well to keep up.
HDZeta and Nova are also 'newer kids' on the block but catching others quickly.
It's definitely interesting to see what each of these retailers turn out next and so far I have been impressed enough to go for all of them. Hard to pick one absolute champ though!!
Plain... Brilliant design. Superb QC.
Choice of titles...
Meh..[emoji2][emoji106]
Choice of titles...
Meh..[emoji2][emoji106]
I must say the same . Plain sets the standards. (PET-Slip for ISTD and now the glowing-effect and lenti 1/4-Slip for ZDT). And Plain puts so much love in their releases.[emoji106] Blufans is at the second place for me at the moment. The whole package of a Blufans-Release is great. (steelbook, slip, art-cards) But I think Kimchi is back with The Raid.
1. Plain
2. Blufans
3. Kimchi
4. Nova
5. HDZeta
1. Plain
2. Blufans
3. Kimchi
4. Nova
5. HDZeta
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I am limited in my opinion as I dont have a huge range to choose from . So going on what I have here not photos or threads what I can touch , open , close .
Japan have an strong line up too Dredd and Pacific Rim both relises are WWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOPPPPPPPPPP.
I am going to have to say Blu Fans IF all the detaling is as good woww .
Same with the John Wick the detail inside yes INSIDE the full slip leaves me warm and fuzzy . You who keep them sealed your choice will miss the FUZZYNESS
.
Howerver price is sometimes a eeeccckkkk
. HOW MUCH from the Hubby 
.
Region locked disks are a huge NO NO for me .
I know they are Czech special shout to the Film Arena relises , attention to detail , nice additional extras and afordability ticking all my boxes thire
. .
Japan have an strong line up too Dredd and Pacific Rim both relises are WWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOPPPPPPPPPP.
I am going to have to say Blu Fans IF all the detaling is as good woww .
Same with the John Wick the detail inside yes INSIDE the full slip leaves me warm and fuzzy . You who keep them sealed your choice will miss the FUZZYNESS
.Howerver price is sometimes a eeeccckkkk
. HOW MUCH from the Hubby .Region locked disks are a huge NO NO for me .
I know they are Czech special shout to the Film Arena relises , attention to detail , nice additional extras and afordability ticking all my boxes thire
. .
plain certainly has the best quality and detail to their releases. They lead the way but don't release a ton of releases making them more special as well. Blufans has great overall artwork while I tend to like the fullslips from nova. Kimchi has great lenticular releases!
There is nothing like the buzz that is associated with a Kimchi Lenti.
We all remember Kimchi Thor. [emoji2][emoji2]
All Kimchi Lentis far outstrip the 1/4 slips by miles.
Only 300 Thor 1/4s but they are eclipsed by the lenti.
All hail the King....[emoji2]
We all remember Kimchi Thor. [emoji2][emoji2]
All Kimchi Lentis far outstrip the 1/4 slips by miles.
Only 300 Thor 1/4s but they are eclipsed by the lenti.
All hail the King....[emoji2]
Nothing to add.[emoji3]
I love my Kimchi lentis and looking forward to receive my Raid lentis.[emoji106]
O.k my favourite
1. Plain
2. Blufans/Kimchi
3. Nova
Plain has the best quality release, and their full slips and steelbooks are awesome.
Blufans have great WEA steelbooks. Their Full slips are not as good as Plain and Nova but they have great overall packages and their lenticulars are great.
Kimchi has awesome steelbooks releases, love the numbering cards, and they gave us awesome lenticulars (Thor 2, Tangled, Memento) and Full slips (Rush, Her,)
Nova has awesome full slips ( CA2, GOTG, Begin Again) and great Lenticulars (John wick,CA2).
1. Plain
2. Blufans/Kimchi
3. Nova
Plain has the best quality release, and their full slips and steelbooks are awesome.
Blufans have great WEA steelbooks. Their Full slips are not as good as Plain and Nova but they have great overall packages and their lenticulars are great.
Kimchi has awesome steelbooks releases, love the numbering cards, and they gave us awesome lenticulars (Thor 2, Tangled, Memento) and Full slips (Rush, Her,)
Nova has awesome full slips ( CA2, GOTG, Begin Again) and great Lenticulars (John wick,CA2).
Just my personal preference
1.Plain Archive
2.Nova
3.Kimchi
4.Blufans
5.HD Zeta
1.Plain Archive
2.Nova
3.Kimchi
4.Blufans
5.HD Zeta
For me, I chose to only rate retailers I have done business with. Blufans and HDZETA don't make this cut.
1. Kimchi DVD
2. NovaMedia
3. Jsdvd
4. Plain Archive
1. Kimchi DVD
2. NovaMedia
3. Jsdvd
4. Plain Archive
I really think that it just comes down to the edition of the steelbook. There are some Blufans that I love and the same can be said for NovaMedia, JSDVD, Kimchi or Plain Archive.
Plain Archive for me. Every single release so far has been absolutely flawless and I just get the feeling that they put so much more effort into every product that they release. Sure, other retailers produce a lot more, with far wider appeal, but the quality of PA is second to none.
That's exactly my order too.
Plain Archive
are extraordinary, disciplined, most consistent in artwork, overall quality and most thought through design when it comes to the whole package. Above that they are groundbreaking and paramount. Some titles I even collect purely because they put so much effort into it. Even though I don't really dig the movie, as a fellow graphic designer/enthousiast, you just gotta have their products of beauty.
NovaMedia
releases are always beautiful, they have made a name for releasing beautiful slips and lenti's with awesome depth. With my all time favorite, Captain America 2. By far one of my favorite releases of all time.
Kimchi
is an old king, yet still strong, I feel it's power slowing flowing away. That doesn't mean their releases aren't killer. But the last few releases I couldn't care less, but that's personal ofcourse.
Blufans
Their Steels are simply awesome, but I don't like their overall design when it comes to slips, plus the fact that their slips have the artwork on the other side bothers me. ;-) and for someone who keeps their releases sealed, I can't see the steel when it's sealed.
Hdzeta
I simply cannot get over their hideous stickers. I simply cannot. ;-)
Special note:
Let's not all forget The BluCollection. Not every release is a steel, but they are in their own way very unique and mysterious. I'm beginning to appreciate their art of work a lot and find them a truly groundbreaking outsider. One to watch for sure!
You already know the boss of the steels who also is the industry leader in innovation as well as jaw dropping awe lentis
drum roll...
BLUFANS
the array and diversity in awesome slips is unmatched by any other steelbook company out there. Their exclusive line is outstanding.
They don't even have a website and they run things... that's some high level street "collector" cred out there. Here are some additional highlights:
- Modern record for a GB (a couple of seconds for Frozen)
- First double lenticular release
Sure they're not perfect. I'd also say that Kimchi, Nova, and Plain provide better quality slips. Nova's attention to detail (especially with embossing on full slips) is captivating. PA has the best customer service. Nonetheless, there can only be a #1.
BLUFANS all the way
drum roll...
BLUFANS
the array and diversity in awesome slips is unmatched by any other steelbook company out there. Their exclusive line is outstanding.
They don't even have a website and they run things... that's some high level street "collector" cred out there. Here are some additional highlights:
- Modern record for a GB (a couple of seconds for Frozen)
- First double lenticular release
Sure they're not perfect. I'd also say that Kimchi, Nova, and Plain provide better quality slips. Nova's attention to detail (especially with embossing on full slips) is captivating. PA has the best customer service. Nonetheless, there can only be a #1.
BLUFANS all the way
1)Kimchidvd (this is where it all started and Nova and Plain followed suit).
2) Blu Fans( for ease of ordering and some superb exclusives. Don't forget Frozen, Oz, Elite Squad. I know they also put out some lackluster products). Plus the slips are top notch.
3) Plain Archive (their online presence and superior products are their best features but their choice of movies to release are not always the most popular. I would like to see them do some more recent popular steelbook releases. Other than that, I love their Ecom site and the quality of the products.
4) Novamedia (I love their exclusives and the quality of their products but until they can improve their ecommerce retail store and eliminate group buys altogether, they will be second to last on my list. As long as they can improve those things, they would shoot up to #1 on my list.)
5) HDZeta (Last in my list because lenticular cards should not be separate from the slip. I see they changed that with Saving Private Ryan (but not with Jurassic Park) but I see them being the followers and not the leaders in the specialty Asian steelbook market. Also would like to see the elimination of Hubs (no offense to them) because it adds additional cost to the final price.
It's a very subjective topic overall and for now this is where my ranking stands.
2) Blu Fans( for ease of ordering and some superb exclusives. Don't forget Frozen, Oz, Elite Squad. I know they also put out some lackluster products). Plus the slips are top notch.
3) Plain Archive (their online presence and superior products are their best features but their choice of movies to release are not always the most popular. I would like to see them do some more recent popular steelbook releases. Other than that, I love their Ecom site and the quality of the products.
4) Novamedia (I love their exclusives and the quality of their products but until they can improve their ecommerce retail store and eliminate group buys altogether, they will be second to last on my list. As long as they can improve those things, they would shoot up to #1 on my list.)
5) HDZeta (Last in my list because lenticular cards should not be separate from the slip. I see they changed that with Saving Private Ryan (but not with Jurassic Park) but I see them being the followers and not the leaders in the specialty Asian steelbook market. Also would like to see the elimination of Hubs (no offense to them) because it adds additional cost to the final price.
It's a very subjective topic overall and for now this is where my ranking stands.
I have a few of each collected over the years. My current favorite is Plain. I think their attention to detail and packaging coordination is stunning. However, the Drive and Captain America editions I have are also gorgeous. Tough call for me, but it is nice to see some competition in the Asian marketplace, as whole. Always a good thing for collectors
I decided to order them like others have:
1. Plain Archive
2. KimchiDVD
3. Novamedia
4. HDzeta
5. Blufans
I think Plain Archive are out in front in terms of quality, they are always pushing boundaries and the attention to detail is second to none. I don't have an issue with their title choices, I don't really need another version of Iron Man. I think Plain Archive is the most professional retailer and the best at communicating with customers, I think the others could learn a thing or too from them in those regards. KimchiDVD and Nova are very similar, quality releases at affordable prices but with a few issues from time to time. Blufans and HDzeta are also similar. Their releases are expensive and constantly delayed but Blufans seems to have more issues with the quality of the final product and often make promises they can't keep. Blufans were the originators but have quickly been overtaken by the competition.
1. Plain Archive
2. KimchiDVD
3. Novamedia
4. HDzeta
5. Blufans
I think Plain Archive are out in front in terms of quality, they are always pushing boundaries and the attention to detail is second to none. I don't have an issue with their title choices, I don't really need another version of Iron Man. I think Plain Archive is the most professional retailer and the best at communicating with customers, I think the others could learn a thing or too from them in those regards. KimchiDVD and Nova are very similar, quality releases at affordable prices but with a few issues from time to time. Blufans and HDzeta are also similar. Their releases are expensive and constantly delayed but Blufans seems to have more issues with the quality of the final product and often make promises they can't keep. Blufans were the originators but have quickly been overtaken by the competition.
1. Plain Archive - No contest. Stunning steelbooks (art) with boundary pushing enhancements every time.
2. Blufans - I love their slips opening a different way, since in China they read in a different direction (I think?)
3. HDzeta - Releases stunning steelbooks (art). I haven't been disappointed with any release by them so far. I love that their lenti's aren't glued. It should stay that way. Sad about SPR.
4. Nova/Kimchi - I appreciate both of these retailers the same, not much to say about them. They're great.
Improvements that some retailers can make are
Blufans - quality control is a problem (past and present). I hate getting chipped steelbooks. I know it's too late, but the numbered data sheet is lame.
HDzeta - Price is a issue BUT it wouldn't be if they made better slips. Blufans changed from the slide over the top slip to full slips. Make the change HDzeta, we need quality slips to go with the steels, the paper thin slips are unacceptable. Oh and leave the glue alone, no glue. Be different.
Nova - Website?
Kimchi - Kind of disappeared? Seems to be coming back with raid/raid2/whiplash/that other UK movie.
These are all my opinions though. I like diversity. That's why no glue and opening from different side slips are cool with me.
2. Blufans - I love their slips opening a different way, since in China they read in a different direction (I think?)
3. HDzeta - Releases stunning steelbooks (art). I haven't been disappointed with any release by them so far. I love that their lenti's aren't glued. It should stay that way. Sad about SPR.
4. Nova/Kimchi - I appreciate both of these retailers the same, not much to say about them. They're great.
Improvements that some retailers can make are
Blufans - quality control is a problem (past and present). I hate getting chipped steelbooks. I know it's too late, but the numbered data sheet is lame.
HDzeta - Price is a issue BUT it wouldn't be if they made better slips. Blufans changed from the slide over the top slip to full slips. Make the change HDzeta, we need quality slips to go with the steels, the paper thin slips are unacceptable. Oh and leave the glue alone, no glue. Be different.
Nova - Website?
Kimchi - Kind of disappeared? Seems to be coming back with raid/raid2/whiplash/that other UK movie.
These are all my opinions though. I like diversity. That's why no glue and opening from different side slips are cool with me.
Don't know if this is the correct place to ask this, but I was wondering which place is better to order from? Is there a difference? Companies like D'ailly, Green Nare, Blu Collection, etc often have their releases available from both websites. They are usually priced the same, and I'm assuming shipping is the same too. So is there anything that makes ordering from one website better than the other?
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