American Anime Localization Company Tries Torrents

zalas writes "AnimeOnDVD reports that David Williams of ADV Films is testing out using BitTorrent as a distribution method. Currently, he has a promotional video of Madlax, one of their titles, up for download via a torrent and has "much larger plans in mind." He is looking for feedback regarding this and can be left on the AnimeOnDVD Forums. ADV Films licenses Japanese animation from Japanese studios for distribution in North America and the UK."

Comments

What about oher territories?

[glowworm]

for distribution in North America and the UK.,

I am left wondering how they are going to police people from other countries downloading these shows illegally?

Re:What about oher territories?

[Adrilla]

It's no more limiting than any other online seller that will ship to other countries. You only eliminate shipping costs, which isn't intended to make a company any extra money anyway. Pretty much anything that can be bought online can be shipped anywhere. Besides, why turn down that extra cash from overseas sales.

Perhaps the wrong distribution model

[Sv-Manowar]

I'm not quite sure what this change plans to achieve. One of the main reasons those who already bittorrent anime buy dvd's is to obtain the physical product, the box art, and to actually own the finished article. Changing the distribution model of for-sale US R1 anime towards bittorrent is surely just going to bring the product into direct comparison with its percieved 'competition', the fansubs that precede the release dates by months and can often have far higher quality/authentic translation. The portion of the anime audience with the technical know-how to operate bittorrent are probably already taking advantage of the great efforts of fansubbers, and those who may be introduced to bittorrent through ADV in some way will surely go on to find these resources.

Re:Slight typographical error.

[Microlith]

Distribution? I believe the word you're looking for is 'butchering'.
Butchering? You're looking for 4Kids. ADV hasn't butchered anything in YEARS, and they've never once done anything like what 4Kids has done.

Feel free to mod me into oblivion, it felt good and was worth it.
Seems more like a waste, and a lashing out in ignorance...

Re:Slight typographical error.

[Golias]

Some of us consider using horrible voice actors as "butchering".

Ah, well then ADV certainly doesn't "butcher." All of their DVD's feature some of the top voice talent in all of Japan!

Oh... you are probably listening to the English dubs... You poor, misguided bastard. You really should know better by now.

(And don't give me that shit about the Bandai dubs like "Cowboy Bebop" being any better. Sure most of the English cast, apart from Wendee Lee, is relatively capable, but they are talking over what were vastly superior performances. Subtitles are the only way to go, short of actually learning the language.)

Vote with your Net connection

[GraZZ]

For everyone that wants companies to understand BitTorrent, now's your chance to vote with your Net connection (and indirectly, your wallet). I'm probably the furthest thing from an anime fan (don't hate it; just don't like it), but I'm downloading and seeding this file just to show my support of the technology.

If this trial of BitTorrent goes well for this particular company, then that's one more "good" use of torrents we can use to fight the people who want to shut it down because of its possible "bad" uses.

I encourage all BitTorrent supporters to encourage AnimeOnDVD's test of new technology and new delivery models with me.