Sounds like the DVDs available at Coolwin and Cinemashops (those 3 pack "digipacks" are usualy from Malaysia). I think there are ebay people who sell these too.
Coolwin is where our Neighborhood video store gets their stuff from. I think if you were going to buy a set directly from coolwin a 3 disk set might cost you about $30 or so. it would be like $15 for the dvd + $12 for shipping. Not sure what you got but $50 seems a little steep... I think they use fed ex too. Shipping overseas is generally expensive -- I had to return something to yesasia (hong kong) once and it was about $5 for 1 disk and case so 3 disks for $12 seems ok. I think that many people sell these ones on ebay -- they like flip flop the cost and shipping but in the end it comes out about the same. Ebay is a little iffy though you arent really sure what you are getting.
As far as the DVDs
I find the video quality like other dvds... pretty good... definetely better then trying to record an analog feed with a DVD recorder.
Subtitle wise the Japanese dramas tend to be pretty consistent, about a B (pretty good ... understandable, the occasional spelling or grammar mistake) I think the fansubs are better and prefer them becuase I think the fans who sub these things are really watching the shows and try to choose words and phrases that best communicte the characters feelins and ideas. Some of the "box" types SPs lean a little more towards C quality like Angels with Broken Wings, Anego SP.
BTW the korean dramas are usually more expensive (originates from HK or china) and the subs are usually pretty bad if its a new release. Most times they release a 2nd much better version. I highly suggest you preview these before buying to see how much asprin you're going to have to take to finish them. I have only seen one that had excellent subs "Goong" from PMP. Most are C / B quality but there are many Ds as well. So watch them before if you get a chance. Also try to watch a middle disk somtimes it seems like the translator got switched in the middle of a drama. I believe that happened with Lets Go to the Beach about half way through it went from Not bad to BAD in the span of an episode.
I figure these kdrama sets are double a jdrama set so they're going to cost about double ... about $60- 70. For a bit more you might as well get a yesasia version that is officially licensed and quality controlled. I guess it might be nice to have another source for things that aren't picked up by yesasia.
Hmmm hope it was helpful... Goodluck with your purchases. BTW I am not endorsing coolwin I have never gotten anything from them directly but the video store has 100s of titles from them.
As far as bootleg ... dunno I know Japanese Dramas is not licensed by the US but not sure if there are any exsisiting from other countries.
~ Smi
PS. If anyone knows ... I am looking for a region 1 DVD of the Jmovies Rough, Robokon, Freesia and Jozee Tiger and the Fish.