Originally posted by: seventiesfilmnut
However it appears the PAL versions are merely upscaled from their NTSC counterparts from other comments on this forum.

The PAL version will be better, even if it has been resized. It's not the fact of the resolution, but the fact of the interlacing methods. Interlaced PAL will always look better then Interlaced NTSC, also the PAL colour pallet is more accurate (and to be honest, it's been up-scaled from NTSC resolution, not from "NTSC"). Also, a version up-scaled from SD to HD will look better, if it's been passed through a really good up-scalier. So I would have to say PAL. From the screenshots posted, the PAL picture extends all the way to both sides, whereas the NTSC one doesn't. For me this is evidence and a give-away of scaling - but it's good news that they scaled it to the full width. The NTSC image may well be a bit sharper in certain scenes... but it won't look as good as a PAL image.

Also, when played on a CRT telle, NTSC will have more visible scan-lines then PAL. This may not bother some, it doesn't both me ... but others are bothered by it - especially those who own widescreen CRT Telle's.

Is the difference big enough to warrant importing? No.

However, ordering from Region 4 (NZ/Aus) may actually be slightly cheaper then buying off the shelf in the USA, as our market has lower prices. But then again, price is the least important thing when talking about quality.