HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: jpugh@apple.com (Jon Pugh)
Newsgroups: rec.video
Subject: Re: Anyone take their camcorder skiing this season? (hints wanted)
Date: 5 Jan 93 07:38:49 GMT
Followup-To: rec.video,rec.skiing
Organization: Apple Computer, Inc.

In article <1hvlf9INNji1@usenet.INS.CWRU.Edu>, bz754@cleveland.Freenet.Edu
(Derek J. Wojciech) wrote:
> 
> 
> I would like to take our new Sony TR-71 camcorder to our ski trips this year.
> Has anyone taken their camcorder to the slopes?  I would like to shoot some
> good action shots, so I would have to bring the camcorder up the lift and 
> down the slope.  Can anyone recommend some good ways to protect my camcorder
> while I am skiing and then stopping along the way to film?  Would a hard
> carrying case (vs soft case) be a wise buy?  I probably wouldn't film while it 
> was snowing, but if it was would their 'Sports Pak' water resistant enclosure
> be another good choice?  It's pretty expensive ($150).  Is there another
> way I could protect the camera from the elements (ie cheaper!)  Would there
> be any adverse affects on the camera itself due to the colder temperatures?
> I would appreciate any helpful advice!  Thanx!

I took my last camcorder up several times and it suffered for it, despite
our careful attitudes.  It died for other reasons and I just replaced it
with the Sony TR-81 and the sport case.  I really like the combo.  The case
really protects and simplifies the operation of the TR-81.  I haven't used
it on the slope yet, but have taken it into the snow and it makes me feel a
lot more secure.  It has both water and shock proofing.  It uses built in
remote controls and a microphone plugged into the camera to give solid
dependable control and sound.

One of the things I didn't like about carrying the solitary camcorder was
the way it had the viewfinder loose to snag on things.  Plus water vapor
got into the camera mechanism.  I wouldn't even consider a camera without
the sport case.

Jon
From: xepo@csd4.csd.uwm.edu (Scott R Violet)
Newsgroups: rec.video
Subject: A Fish Called Wanda on LD?
Date: 9 Jan 1993 18:21:29 GMT
Organization: Computing Services Division, University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee
Distribution: usa
NNTP-Posting-Host: 129.89.7.4
Originator: xepo@csd4.csd.uwm.edu


HI,
	I recently saw that A Fish Called Wanda was going to be
released on LD in a while.  Anyone know when this is going to be done?
Thanks,
-- 

		-Scott Violet (xepo@csd4.csd.uwm.edu)
From: ss@wpi.WPI.EDU (Scott Streeter)
Newsgroups: rec.video.releases
Subject: Re: Holy Grail: Price?
Date: 9 Jan 93 10:56:47
Organization: Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, MA 01609-2280
	<C0KD9I.Eou@agora.rain.com>
NNTP-Posting-Host: wpi.wpi.edu
In-reply-to: david@agora.rain.com's message of 9 Jan 93 01:53:38 GMT

>>>>> On 9 Jan 93 01:53:38 GMT, david@agora.rain.com (David Robinson) said:

david> In article <1993Jan7.211753.28906@nas.nasa.gov>
david> fineberg@nas.nasa.gov writes:
>List price is $50 (maybe $49.95).

david> Tower in Portland lists it at $44.95...but they're having a
david> Criterion sale(!)  this week, so I got mine for $39.95.

I got mine for $39.95 pre-ordered from Laser Craze in Boston. Got it
yesterday. The commentary was great...
--
 Scott Streeter                             Visit the Star Wars Archive at
 ss@wpi.wpi.edu                             wpi.wpi.edu       130.215.24.1
Newsgroups: rec.video.releases
From: keith@cc.gatech.edu (Keith Edwards)
Subject: Two questions...
Reply-To: keith@cc.gatech.edu
Organization: Georgia Tech Multimedia Computing Group
Date: Mon, 11 Jan 1993 17:39:57 GMT

Hello,
I've got a couple of questions and would appreciate any purchasing
advice from LD people.

I'm interested in acquiring the Looney Toons cartoons on Laserdisc.
I've seen the Golden Age of Looney Toons sets.  What do people think
about these?  Is there another way to "buy into" these cartoons?  It
seems like it's a good idea to stay with the LD set that you start
with, to avoid overlaps.  Is this pretty accurate?

Second question concerns Terminator and T2.  Does anyone know if there
exists (or are plans to release) any "special editions" of these
movies?  Something like the boxed Alien and Aliens editions?  How are
the transfers on the "standard" versions?

Thanks for any input!
-keith


---
keith edwards			        	keith.edwards@gvu.gatech.edu
multimedia computing group / georgia tech 	404.894.6266
graphics, visualization, & usability center 	atlanta, ga  30332-0280

Newsgroups: rec.video.releases
From: singg@alf.uib.no (Kurt George Gjerde)
Subject: Double Life of Veronique (?)
Organization: University of Bergen, Norway
Date: Tue, 12 Jan 93 18:14:25 GMT


   I've seen ads for "The Double Life of Veronique" on tape (VHS (NTSC))...

   Does anyone know of a LD release (preferably LETTERBOX) ???


Kurt.
K.Gjerde@uib.no
From: jpb@calmasd.Prime.COM (Jan Bielawski)
Newsgroups: rec.video.releases
Subject: Re: New releases from the Laser Disc Newsletter
Keywords: LDN
Date: 11 Jan 93 19:34:44 GMT
Organization: Computervision, San Diego, CA

In article <1993Jan11.044612.28292@tc.fluke.COM> moriarty@tc.fluke.COM (Jeff Meyer) writes:
<MGM/UA is also releasing special CAV letterboxed versions of 2001: A SPACE
<ODYSSEY and POLTERGEIST.  2001 has "several special features", and

	They better make an all-new transfer for this release.  The colors
on their CLV lbx disc are frequently incorrect.  Also, the transfer wasn't
full frame.  Neither was Criterion's.

	Jan Bielawski
	Computervision, San Diego
	jpb@calmasd.prime.com

Newsgroups: rec.video.releases
From: lazlo@triton.unm.edu (Lazlo Nibble)
Subject: Re: Criterion "Prince of Tides"?
Date: Sat, 09 Jan 93 00:32:01 GMT
Organization: Usenet Power Elite: Crush-The-Innocent-Newbies Strike Team
Distribution: usa

bill@bilver.uucp (Bill Vermillion) writes:

> What is the difference between the non-released Criterion version, and 
> the regular LD version.

The Autumn '92 Criterion catalog cover-featured the release, and listed it 
as having:

     *  A second-soundtrack commentary by Streisand,
     *  An "interactive making-of documentary" with screenplay excerpts,  
        audition, rehearsal, and behind-the-scenes video, alternate 
        takes, deleted scenes, costume and makeup tests, interviews,  
        production photos, storyboards, etc.,
     *  A song called "Places That Belong To You", sung by Streisand for an 
        unused version of the closing credits,
     *  "The Prince Of Tides Featurette" (whatever that is),
     *  Nick Nolte's gag reel,
     *  The theatrical and teaser trailers, and
     *	An "Exclusive digital letterbox film-to-tape transfer approved by
        Barbra Streisand" (Listen! The sound of Criterion jumping the gun!)

It was a two-disc CLV/CAV set listing at $99.95.  Sounds like a worthwhile 
collector's item even if it *had* been released.

--
Lazlo (lazlo@triton.unm.edu)
From: bausch@a.chem.upenn.edu (Joseph W. Bausch)
Newsgroups: rec.video.releases
Subject: r&r concert ld's?
Date: 4 Jan 93 13:48:45 GMT
Organization: University of Pennsylvania

De-lurking here.  What a nice newsgroup everyone!

Can anyone out there tell me where the best listing(s) for available
laserdiscs of 'rock and roll' concerts can be found?  In particular
I am wondering if there is anything out there on Peter Gabriel.  I
know there is a vhs called "PoV" that is pretty good.  I want to know
if this is or any other concerts of his are available on ld.

Thanks,
Joseph W. Bausch
-------
Newsgroups: rec.video.releases,rec.video
From: KCSCHIE@vm.cmp.ilstu.edu
Subject: Re: Dances With Wolves 4hr version
Date: Mon, 11 Jan 93 08:52:04 EDT
Organization: Illinois State University

In article <1irqh5INNjmb@lily.csv.warwick.ac.uk>
stuam@csv.warwick.ac.uk (Mr O A Machado) writes:
 
>
>In article <17901@umd5.umd.edu> dschuetz@is-next.umd.edu (David Schuetz) writes:
>>In article <C0nC2E.Cvt@gabriel.keele.ac.uk> u0f98@keele.ac.uk (DJ Robinson) writes:
>
>>>I bought the 4hr version on video from WH Smiths for #19.99 and on
>>>comparing it with the 3hr widescreen version with the use of a double
>
>>Is that available on LaserDisc?  And do they (watch it, folks--he's
>>reaching) have an NTSC version?
>
>>Barring that, does anyone know if there's a chance it'll ever be released
>>in the US?
>>
>It's available on disc here, but only in PAL.
>
>No idea about a US release.
>
 
What I have read in broadcast industry mags is that the 4 hour version
of the film will not be released in the US until after that version is
shown (this year, I think) on network TV as a mini-series. The movie
was originally to be released in it's 4 hour version until the network
(I don't remember which one) negociated otherwise for their own exclusive
US premiere.
 
Kyle
Newsgroups: rec.video.releases
From: freedman@cs.colostate.edu (keith freedman)
Subject: Criterion vs. Image
Date: Mon, 04 Jan 1993 21:10:06 GMT
Reply-To: freedman@cs.colostate.edu
Organization: Colorado State University -=- Computer Science Department

I'm a little confused.  The impression I'm getting here is that people like the
criterion pressed disks better for many reasons than the Image Entertanment
pressed disks.  The confusion is: Image Entertainment distributed the Criterion
disks.  Therefor, does Image Entertainment also press the Criterion disks, too?
If so, why is there a difference? or is this that Name Recognition thing like
paying more for the same shirt because it has an alligator on it?!


---
Keith Freedman
Colorado State University
Department of Computer Science
Systems Administration

Newsgroups: rec.video.releases
From: baldwin@frodo.colorado.edu (Dan "Viper" Baldwin)
Subject: Re: Indiana Jones --Last Crusade
Organization: Colorado Center for Astrodynamics Research
Date: Mon, 4 Jan 1993 16:55:56 GMT

In article <4677@vidiot.UUCP>, brown@vidiot.UUCP (Vidiot) writes:
|> In article <1993Jan1.003949.2316@trl.oz.au> wallace@titan.trl.OZ.AU (Glenn Wallace) writes:
|> <baldwin@frodo.colorado.edu (Dan "Viper" Baldwin) writes:
|> <
|> <> Last night I watched my new lbx copy of
|> <>the third Indiana Jones (Last Crusade ?). I was very dissapointed
|> <>by the sound track. The vocals comming out the center channel are
|> <>not loud enough to be heard when other stuff is going on, even with the
|> <>center channel turned up to 100%. Also the whole sound track is
|> <>annoyingly bright. Any body have similar complaints ?
|> <
|> <I thought it was a spectacularly clear soundtrack... a good test point
|> <is the "Dad, we're well out of range...." sequence.... on my system the
|> <voices sound fine there, and there is lots of surround and main channel
|> <action too. The boat chase... or just about anywhere it sounds great!
|> <Comes real close to T2 as a 'demo' disc.
|> <
|> <Have you tried running a test disc for your surround channel levels?
|> <Does your A/V amp (or decoder) have a test button?
|> 
|> I don't have a problem with this laserdisc either.  But, I use phantom center.
|> Is the original poster using a real center speaker?  If so, is that center
|> speaker of equal quality to the left and right channel speakers and is the amp
|> the same power as the left and right channel amps?  If the answer to the first
|> question is yes and the answer to the second question is no, then that is the
|> problem.  If the center channel amp and speaker are inferior to the left/right
|> channel, then the center channel audio will be poor.
|> 
|> I don't have room for a center speaker, nor do I have an amp to drive it.  But,
|> because of where I sit, phantom mode works perfectly.  I suggest trying phantom
|> mode to see if it makes a difference to the center channel audio quality.
|> -- 

I am the original poster and 
	
	1) My reciever has a test button and the left,right,center and
		surround channels are are adjusted equally.
	2) I have a true center channel speaker and this channel is
		amplified with identical power as the left and right.

Thanks for your replies--I actually may have a poor copy - I think that I'll
try another one and see if that makes a difference.

Thanks,
Dan 
Newsgroups: rec.video.releases
From: wbarnes@sura.net (Bill Barnes)
Subject: CBS Fox's annoying policies (was Re:  A few LD questions....)
Organization: SURAnet, College Park, MD, USA, NA, Earth, Milky Way
Date: Thu, 7 Jan 1993 18:57:54 GMT

In article <jperkski.02k6@kentcomm.UUCP> jperkski@kentcomm.UUCP (Jim Perkowski) writes:
> That's something I do not understand. CBS Fox seems to think their movies are
> worth their weight in gold. While Paramount, making the same caliber movies,
> askes 75% less than Fox.

Fox apparently seems to consider letterboxed movies a specialty item and
as such charge a premium price for them.  Seventy bucks for each Star
Wars movie?!  Just a *tad* outrageous, I think.  Perhaps if they were
in CAV or had special supplements or whatnot they'd be worth that, but
without it...

> And this is something else that nags me. Why is it that studios are
> repackaging and re-releasing movies with added scenes and an extra
> side with interviews with the director and cast, animations, and
> "The Making of....."? Don't get me wrong, I think these extras are
> nice, but why should I have to buy the same movie twice? Why don't
> they get it right the first time?:)

Well, at least partly because a few years ago letterboxing was about
as popular as a kissing-booth worker with herpes.  Now it's suddenly
all the rage, with some movies being released only in letterbox format
(Lethal Weapon 3, Batman Returns, Wayne's World, etc.).  There was no
demand for such "cinemaphile frivolities" like those in the past; now
there is.  Supply and demand.  All that.

> Speaking of Fox, have you heard
> that they are going to re-release The Abyss in CAV and an extra side
> like they did Aliens and Alien?

Yup.  According to S&S, it's supposed to be almost 3 hours long -
about 40 minutes of extra footage.  I dunno about anybody else, but
I'm pretty anxiously awaiting my copy.  I just hope CBS Fox doesn't do
something cheesy to cut costs by squeezing the movie all onto just 3
CAV disks - it would fit, but there's bound to be some pretty annoying
side breaks that way.
-- 
-----------------------
William Barnes		SURAnet Operations
wbarnes@sura.net	(301) 982-4600 voice  (301) 982-4605 fax
From: bspitler@usdtsg.DaytonOH.NCR.COM (Bruce Spitler)
Newsgroups: rec.video.releases
Subject: ** WANTED: LITTLE MERMAID VHS **
Date: 11 Jan 93 21:37:11 GMT
Reply-To: bspitler@usdtsg.UUCP (Bruce Spitler)
Distribution: usa
Organization: NCR Corporation, Dayton


	
	I am looking for the Disney video Little Mermaid.  This video is not 
currently in print by Disney and unavailable.  I would like to purchase this 
video from some one that has it.  E-mail me with your terms, thank you.
Newsgroups: rec.video.releases
From: mike@neopath.wa.com (Mike Rosenlof)
Subject: Re: Laser Wonderland in Japan
Organization: NeoPath
Date: Wed, 6 Jan 1993 17:26:37 GMT

In article <C0EpH6.M8C@fc.hp.com> jayj@fc.hp.com (Jay Johannes (Lvld)) writes:
>I never said I was buying at that price, but that is the markup here in
>Denver. I know that other areas have lower markups, but I just learn to
>do without instead. Exception, anyone know where I can get a copy of
>"Song of the South" at a reasonable price.  It's $85 here, and now out
>of stock.
>

I rented "Nanbu no Uta", "Song of the South" in Japanese, from my
local LD rental place, and be warned, while the animated sequences and
most of the scenes with Uncle Remus are wonderful, there is a
positively dreadful story wrapped around the good sequences. The good
news is that just about all of the good parts had a chapter mark, so
that chapter skip button on the remote is wonderful!

I think that shop had a few for sale, I could check availability and
the price...  If you're really anxious to get it, you could try calling
City Lights Video in Issaquah Washington (206)392-6700.


-- 
mike rosenlof                   (206)455-5932
mike@neopath.wa.com     NeoPath, Bellevue Washington USA
Newsgroups: rec.video.releases
From: rjn@FC.HP.COM (Bob Niland)
Subject: Re: Opinions wanted from couple of LD's
Date: Mon, 4 Jan 1993 16:29:16 GMT
Distribution: rec
Reply-To: rjn@FC.HP.COM
Organization: Hewlett-Packard/WSY Ft.Collins,CO,USA
X-Newsreader: TIN [version 1.1.8 PL6]

Bill Vermillion (bill@bilver.uucp) wrote:

>> I know only the old and new Criterion CAV versions, both about $100
>> list.  Avoid the old.  The new one is a much better transfer.  Superb.
>         ^^^^^^^^^^^^
> I don't find any problem with the old.

Ditto.  Furthermore, the old (CAV: CC101L, CLV: CC1115L) editions were made
from a negative that was subsequently lost in a fire.  The current editions
(CAV: CC1259L, CLV: CC1285L) were made from source elements at least one
generation further removed from the camera negs.

Regards,                                               Hewlett-Packard
Bob Niland   Internet: rjn@FC.HP.COM                   3404 East Harmony Rd.
After 1/15:  rjn@CSN.ORG or 71044.2124@CompuServe.COM  Ft Collins CO 80525-9599

This article represents only the opinion[s] of its author, and is not an
official or unofficial position of, or statement by, the Hewlett-Packard
Company.  The text is provided for informational purposes only.  It is
supplied without warranty of any kind.
From: jayj@fc.hp.com (Jay Johannes (Lvld))
Newsgroups: rec.video.releases
Subject: Re: Laser Wonderland in Japan
Date: 6 Jan 93 00:31:54 GMT
Organization: Hewlett-Packard Fort Collins Site
X-Newsreader: TIN [version 1.1.8 PL6]

E. Kontei (conty@cbnewsl.cb.att.com) wrote:
: In article <C033w4.Azn@fc.hp.com>, jayj@fc.hp.com (Jay Johannes (Lvld)) writes:
: > Discs I saw over there for 4800 yen, were selling here for $80-$100.
: 
: Then you're getting ripped off.  I wouldn't pay more than, say, $60 for
: a 4800 yen disc.
I never said I was buying at that price, but that is the markup here in
Denver. I know that other areas have lower markups, but I just learn to
do without instead. Exception, anyone know where I can get a copy of
"Song of the South" at a reasonable price.  It's $85 here, and now out
of stock.

  Jay
Newsgroups: rec.video.releases
From: wbarnes@sura.net (Bill Barnes)
Subject: Re: Japanese imports of Disney LD's
Organization: SURAnet, College Park, MD, USA, NA, Earth, Milky Way
Date: Wed, 6 Jan 1993 19:02:01 GMT

In article <199301061843.AA03310@europa.eng.gtefsd.com> whiting@europa.eng.gtefsd.com (claude whiting) writes:
>Are Japanese imports of Disney Laserdiscs available at such places as Tower 
>Video? I'm looking for specifically The Little Mermaid. I beleive somebody 
>mentioned seeing a Japanese import (with English soundtrack) at Tower Video 
>in California. I wonder if they would be available nationwide? (Specifically 
>Virginia) Can they be bought mail-order?

Well, I've seen the Japanese version of Cinderella for sale at my local
Tower Video and someone else reported that their Tower Video had both
Cinderella and The Little Mermaid.  I know Sight & Sound had both discs
listed in their last supplement, with two versions of each movie - one
in English with Japanese subtitles, the other with Japanese dialog on
one track and English on the other.  I believe their price for each disc
was in the neighborhood of $70 each.

SIGHT & SOUND
1275 MAIN STREET
WALTHAM, MA 02154
PHONE: 1-617-894-8633
-- 
-----------------------
William Barnes		SURAnet Operations
wbarnes@sura.net	(301) 982-4600 voice  (301) 982-4605 fax
From: tominatr@ac.dal.ca
Newsgroups: rec.video.releases
Subject: Holy Grail: Price?
Date: 6 Jan 93 20:00:57 -0400
Organization: Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

What's the price of the Holy Grail LD?

    - Tom N.
From: "eric walker" <eric.walker@channel1.com>
Newsgroups: rec.video.releases
Subject: r&r concert ld's?
Date: 4 Jan 93 21:29:03 EST
Reply-To: "eric walker" <eric.walker@channel1.com>
Distribution: rec
Organization: Channel 1 Communications

JWB>Can anyone out there tell me where the best listing(s) for available
JWB>laserdiscs of 'rock and roll' concerts can be found?  In particular
JWB>I am wondering if there is anything out there on Peter Gabriel.  I
JWB>know there is a vhs called "PoV" that is pretty good.  I want to know
JWB>if this is or any other concerts of his are available on ld.

Peter Gabriel's two videos - "CV," a collection of music videos; and
the rock concert video "PoV" - are currently only available on
laserdisc as Japanese imports.  I admit to being a MASSIVE Gabriel
fanatic, and I bought both of these import discs at prices of $40 for
"CV" and $58 for "PoV" at Laser Craze in Boston.  The discs are both
in CLV, but the audio and video quality is superb.  The discs are not
subtitled in Japanese, except for the introductory vocals of "Games
Without Frontiers" on the "PoV" discs that announce: "This is
specifically dedicated to the 43,000 unnecessary victims of a totally
unnecessary war in Nicaragua."

The prices weren't bad, for Japanese imports.  Laser Craze still sells
"PoV" and they might have "CV," if you're interested in giving them a
call; they're a reliable mail-order outfit, and several other people
on this conference will probably vouch for them as well.  Their
address is:

          Laser Craze
          33 West Street
          Boston, MA  02211
          Phone: (617) 338-9820
---
  SLMR 2.1a  Y'know?  I'd rather see this on TV.  Tones it down.
--
Channel 1 (R)   Cambridge, MA
Organization: Stanford Linear Accelerator Center
Date: Tuesday, 5 Jan 1993 12:46:43 PST
From: <WAUGH@SLACVM.SLAC.STANFORD.EDU>
Newsgroups: rec.video.releases
Subject: Re: Pink Panther movies
Distribution: na

In article <C0EBxG.C2B@news.cso.uiuc.edu>, wsherman@ncsa.uiuc.edu (William
Sherman -Visualization) says:
>
>I don't have any idea was LDs are currently in print, but I can
>list (most of) the movies:
>
>        The Pink Panther  (1964)
>        A Shot in the Dark  (1964)
>        Return of the Pink Panther  (1975)
>        The Pink Panther Strikes Again  (1976)
>        Revenge of the Pink Panther  (1978)
>        Curse of the Pink Panther  (1983)
>
>Note that this does not exactly match with the jacket, as I have
>Stikes Again as the fourth movie.  I'm not sure who's wrong.

I too thought "...Strikes Again" was the fourth in the series.  I have the
first four on LD and "...Strikes Again" is where I stop.
t
I think that "Revenge..." was the last movie shot while Peter Sellers was
alive.  I recall hearing that "Curse..." was put together of out-takes from
the other films strung rather loosly around a plot to find a "missing"
Inspector Clouseau with Ted Wass (Soap, etc.) as another bumbling detective.

Mucho stinko, and I like Ted Wass.

Brian
From: "eric walker" <eric.walker@channel1.com>
Newsgroups: rec.video.releases
Subject: columbia house laserd
Date: 10 Jan 93 16:03:38 EST
Reply-To: "eric walker" <eric.walker@channel1.com>
Distribution: rec
Organization: Channel 1 Communications

JH>I just got off the phone with a customer service representative of
JH>the Columbia House Video Club who told me that laserdiscs will be
JH>available through the club within the next six months.

Umm, I've been receiving laserdiscs through the Columbia House club
for the past YEAR already, including the STAR WARS trilogy, THE SEA
HAWK, SHANE, TOM JONES, STAR TREK II...
---
  SLMR 2.1a  And through the wire I touch the power...
--
Channel 1 (R)   Cambridge, MA
From: whiting@europa.eng.gtefsd.com (claude whiting)
Newsgroups: rec.video.releases
Subject: Japanese imports of Disney LD's
Date: 6 Jan 1993 12:43:49 -0600
Organization: UTexas Mail-to-News Gateway
NNTP-Posting-Host: cs.utexas.edu

Newsgroups:rec.video.releases 
Subject: Japanese Disney LD's
Reply-To: whiting@europa.eng.gtefsd.com (claude whiting)
Followup-To: 
Distribution:usa 
Organization: GTE Federal Systems
Keywords: 

Are Japanese imports of Disney Laserdiscs available at such places as Tower 
Video? I'm looking for specifically The Little Mermaid. I beleive somebody 
mentioned seeing a Japanese import (with English soundtrack) at Tower Video 
in California. I wonder if they would be available nationwide? (Specifically 
Virginia) Can they be bought mail-order?

Claude