Serial Experiments Lain LPR-309 (of 1)

By: Chris Beveridge
Review Date: Wednesday, December 17, 2003
Release Date: Friday, December 31, 1999



What They Say
N/A

The Review!
For the first time, to my knowledge, Pioneer has sent out a promotional DVD for one of their series. Included in the package was a sell sheet listing the number of volumes to be released, information on the show and more. A VHS tape containing the first episode dubbed was also included. All of that fell by the wayside, however, as I gazed down on something pretty unique.

LPR-309 is a promotional DVD Pioneer Japan created to showcase the DVD format with their animation. The disc contains three clips that loop over and over. Each clip is on a different angle, and the clip is designed to loop to the beginning when it ends, and switch to a different angle. Each of those angles also include a different audio track.

And color me amazed, each audio track was 5.1 DD encoded as well. Pop this baby in your player and just it run and run. An immersive score with haunting animation, the LPR-309 DVD is something to be amazed at, especially if you've seen a little of Lain already and are just dying to know more.

The disc is laid out like this:

Clip 1 - The real world - 13th Floor Elevator/Smile Back Version soundtrack

Clip 1 - The invisible bridge - 13th Floor Elevator/Be Funny To... Version soundtrack

Clip 1 - The wired world - 13th Floor Elevator/Laugh Out Version soundtrack

I hope Pioneer begins to do this with more series, providing some sort of promotional DVD. The Animetronic releases that are coming up will be similar to this in some ways I imagine, but this is definitely a way to sell a show. Perhaps one day we'll reach a point where a single disc like this will be available at retail counters like the PC game demos that are available.

Features
Japanese 5.1 Soundtrack

Review Equipment
Toshiba CF36H50 36" TV, Pioneer 414 codefree DVD player, Sony STR-DE915 DD receiver, Monster S-Video cable and Sony speakers.