BitTorrent Access

[syd2qt2bstr8]

Hi everyone, and thanks in advance for any advice.

As those who have seen us lurking around here the last couple of months may know, we're moving to HKG early next year. Having read some of the horror stories about net access and cable TV contract and quality problems in various postings, we were wondering if any of you have had problems using BitTorrent networks from HKG. We use Azereus as our client.

The reason we're asking is that if HDTV is still a little while off, and the censorship degrades the "experience" of certain TV shows/films, then might this be a way around these problems?

Please note: we're not into piracy - we use torrents for TV shows that aren't shown here in AUS.

Once again, thanks in advance...Cindy

[discobay]

From what I hear access to BT sites and the downloading of them is "free-for-all" or "all-you-can-eat". You will have no problem with either of the ISPs PCCW or Hutchison. The others I will leave for others to comment.

[Gatts]

The reason we're asking is that if HDTV is still a little while off, and the censorship degrades the "experience" of certain TV shows/films, then might this be a way around these problems?

Please note that there is no real censorship in HK All shows on regular TV are uncensored on widespread channels like TVB, ATV, etc. Movies playing in theatres are also totally uncut. For example, movies like Sin City and shows like the Sopranos are being shown on regular television uncut. The only exception is HBO Asia if you use digital or cable TV, since they use the same censored feed from Singapore.

[discobay]

Terrestrial tv programs on TVB and ATV are censored. You will not hear foul language and nude and sex scenes are cut :-(

[KnowItAll]

Sopranos and many other shows (Sex in the City / Entourage are example) end up being slaughtered by the censors for sure.

[PDLM]

Please note that there is no real censorship in HK All shows on regular TV are uncensored on widespread channels like TVB, ATV, etc. Movies playing in theatres are also totally uncut.

That's simply not true. Censorship standards in HK are more or less like those in the UK 20 years ago. For example, you will not see explicit sex on TV or in the cinema here as you would in Europe or even, these days, the UK. Full frontal nudity never appears on broadcast TV.

[Gatts]

That's simply not true. Censorship standards in HK are more or less like those in the UK 20 years ago. For example, you will not see explicit sex on TV or in the cinema here as you would in Europe or even, these days, the UK. Full frontal nudity never appears on broadcast TV.

That would surprise me: Death Proof by Tarantino played in theaters here, with the lap dance scene which was cut in the US version. I do remember a lot of cursing in Sopranos last time I was watching it too. Also if you by the legit DVD versions of series/movies they are 100% definitely uncensored.

[KnowItAll]

Broadcast standards are diff...

[PDLM]

Yes, but a lap dance (I haven't seen the film, but my guess is topless, not naked) is a long way from full on sex (erections and everything) which are now regularly shown in mainstream European (and even UK) cinemas. There is no way that Hong Kong cinemas would screen (without substantial censorship), say, Intimacy ( http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt0256103/ ) which France lets 12 year olds watch, the Netherlands 16, the UK 18, and yet it contains explicit sexual footage, or Shortbus ( http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt0367027/ ).

[Boris]

HBO Asia is definitely censored. You only have to experience one episode of Deadwood to realise it.