*** UNDER CONSTRUCTION ***
DVD Previews
With Japan having such a large population, and also a larger than normal proportion of those being rail enthusiasts, it is not surprising that there are literally thousands of videos/DVD's produced on this subject. Unfortunately, virtually none of them have any English dialogue or even subtitles, so whilst the pictures tell a thousand stories and can still be easily enjoyed, no other information is available. As such, it is difficult to decide whether to purchase a video sight unseen without knowing exactly what the contents are like, and this is also risky because of the relatively high price of these items in Japan.
So we have decided to start a 'preview' service, whereby you can appraise a video yourself before parting with your hard earned cash. The quality of these previews will not be as good as the originals (so that the full volume can fit on one standard VCD and can be played in any computer), and they will not be able to be copied. Please see this page for a list of what is available, and the terms and conditions of business. Rental costs will be deducted if you later wish to purchase that particular volume.
Otaku Productions
Also commencing in 2006 is the release of our own video productions, so that you can take advantage of footage taken from a genuine Japanese rail enthusiast's viewpoint, and with information available in English. This has never been attempted successfully before, so please help support this service so it can grow !!!
Here is a list of potential future releases - the first will be taken from Hi8 video tape taken mostly in Aug/Sep 2005 (but also some footage from previous trips), whilst starting with volume 2, all footage will be captured digitally.
JR Lines of Tokyo - will cover the major JR lines running out of Tokyo e.g. Tokaido, Joban, Keiyo, Chuo/Sobu etc, and all the varied rolling stock you can see on them.
Tokyo's Yamanote Line - will feature every station on the Yamanote line, and cover all other JR, subway and private lines that connect at each station.
Private Railways of Tokyo - will cover in detail all the many non-JR companies, including subways, that provide services in the Greater Tokyo area, e.g. Tokyu, Keikyu, Seibu, Tobu, Keisei, Keio etc.
Osaka's Colourful Trains - will cover Osaka's version of the Yamanote line - the Osaka Loop line, and all the JR and private railways that connect with it,
Anything else you would like to see, please ask, and we will see if we can shoot it for you :-)
*** NB *** Whilst the term 'video' will be used here to relate to the medium (because it is taken with a video camera), all subject matter will be only available in the DVD format. The video tape is on the way out, there are too many different formats that are the 'standard' in different countries, and a DVD can present the subject with a lot better quality, particularly if done digitally. All DVD's will be in NTSC format, as that is the native format used in Japan, and also the standard in the US (the largest market). Whilst England, Australia, etc use the PAL format, most recent players from these countries can still play disks in the NTSC format.
All contents copyright Doug
Coster 2006.
Details current at 08/02/2006.
Page opened 08/05/2006