Cheap cheap cheap DVDs in abundance, Beijing?

[bigtops]

So out in Chengdu, at least in 2007 and 2008, they have these behemoth computer/camera/electronics/and DVD malls. Huge, cube-shaped buildings where the top floor is devoted to endless 6 or 8 or 12 kuai DVDs, with good selection. I'm trying to pick up a copy of the Wire series for a friend here and all I have found is a 198 kuai box set in that spot by Sanlitun Village and street vendors who say they can order it, but then no dice. Thinking back on Chengdu, I remember being able to get whole seasons of shows crammed onto single discs for less than 10 RMB, albiet with terrible image quality and not necessarily perfectly synced up sound. But whatever, I'm 破'pimpin these days, so 200 RMB for some TV is not really an option. Any ideas where I might luck out? Do those spots I describe seeing in Chengdu exist here?

[heifeng]

破'pimpin-eh?! well then it's a matter of 'do or die'!

In that case, I use to go to Xidan's big plaza that has 6 floors or so for cheap US TV series (it was back by the phones & i think they did nails on that floor too...hmm)...some places around BNU seem to carry DVD's for a reasonable price. usually 8rmb each..which is still pricier than the 5rmb street dvd's but then again, they had an ok selection. I think foreign student areas (ie haidian) has more cheap foreign dvd sets..hope you find your series...

Edited June 27, 2009 at 05:01 AM by heifeng
rmd is not a currency hehe

[fanglu]

You could always just download it, which would cost even less than 8 kuai a disc.

I suspect part of the problem may be that the wire is not that popular in China so no one has bothered to make a 'series to a disc edition'.

[bigtops]

NUFF RESPECT for catching that Do or Die reference maaaaaaaan! Wow, I am pleasantly surprised haha. Will check out Xidan next time I'm out that way (what is the Big Plaza called in Chinese?) and if I'm ever around other universities I'll keep an eye out. Tend not to go out those ways much at all, though.

I would download, but I hate searching for stuff on the internet... I'd rather ride a packed Line One subway (not those new cars, I'm talking old car with the migraine fans that they sometimes leave off just so the bodily fluids can percolate nicely) smelling people's early-July ear breath than sit on a bit torrent. Plus I have no internet at home and don't want it.

Also, although the Wire is not popular in China, there are at least two series-to-DVD editions. I watched the first four seasons last year in Guizhou and saw a different version at a friend's that was bought either in Guiyang or Chengdu. I guess this is just one of many things lacking here that you can find in the wild west, eh.

[heifeng]

Yeah, I had to throw that one out there since you threw it out there first. good times...

Ok, I will need help with the name of that plaza (Roddy or Imron?) since I never paid attention to what it is actually called...basically if you are heading south from BNU it is on the Left side of the street across from 君太百货 Grand Pacific.The first floor sells candy and then you need to keep taking the escalators up and up and up. Also the top levels have nicer 韩国城 clothing, which means you've gone too far. Oh, yeah, I just remembered I think the floor you want also sells accessories and belts...so when you hit that floor you would need to start wandering around. Anyway, Xidan makes me dizzy, so I can only go there when I'm on a mission. I haven' t been there for a year, so once again, forum members may have to chime in to reconfirm that shopping center still even exists...I heard there was a fire in Xidan a while back:-?

[roddy]

Don't ask me about Xidan, only place in Beijing I'm still likely to get lost.

Years back Xinjiekou (heading south from Jishuitan Subway) used to have loads of pirate DVD stores. Last time I was there, a few months back, there were still a few, but nowhere near as many as before. Could still be worth a look though, and can be combined with a walk round Xihai / beers at Obiwan / visit to 宋庆龄故居。 But I think increasing law-abidingness and the download / online video market have dealt a heavy, though not yet fatal, blow to the pirate DVD sector.

But worshipping the Wire on a dodgy season-a-disc ultra-compressed copy . . . I'm almost tempted to lend you 200Y for a better quality pirate . . .

[bigtops]

Haha, Roddy, I thank you for your kind thoughts... But having made it through four seasons myself at that quality (saw the fifth in the US the proper way, thankfully) best believe I'm not blowing 100 煎饼 worth of RMB for my friend to watch it in style. She is a special friend but shhheeeeeeeeeeeeeeiiiiiiiiiiiiittttttt. All I got for these [self-censored] and bubblegum...

I'll have to take a walk around Xinjiekou, have yet to be there anyway. And yes, I would rather avoid returning to Xidan for as long as possible.

[phyrex]

Thanks for this thread, just what I needed ;)

I can confirm that there is at least one DVD store at Xinjiekou. That one had more than enough stuff so I didn't bother to look around for more ;)