The current situation regarding Farscape packaging is confusing to say the least and unfortunately does not help would be Farscape viewers discover the series.

As a means to understanding the packaging this page will try to explain what is available.

Region 1 | Region 2 | Region 4 | More Information

Region 1 (North America)

Released by ADV Films

-- Starburst Editions: this is the simplest and most affordable way of getting your hands on the series. Starburst Editions are split into 12 DVDs, of which there are three per season. They are numbered as:

Farscape Starburst Edition 1.1
Farscape Starburst Edition 1.2
Farscape Starburst Edition 1.3

Farscape Starburst Edition 2.1
Farscape Starburst Edition 2.2
Farscape Starburst Edition 2.3

Farscape Starburst Edition 3.1
Farscape Starburst Edition 3.2
Farscape Starburst Edition 3.3

Farscape Starburst Edition 4.1
Farscape Starburst Edition 4.2
Farscape Starburst Edition 4.3

The covers all share a distinctive yellow 'Starburst Edition' bar on the bottom of the front cover. For example:

Something that might confuse buyers is that some sellers seem to use different numbering schemes. For example, they label Farscape 4.1 as volume 10. Before putting your money down be sure to check what you are getting.

To make things even more confusing, both Season 1 and Season 2 Starburst Editions were initally issued on double sided DVDs. After complaints of freezing and skipping ADV rereleased them as single sided DVDs. It is still possible to get the double sided Starburst Edition DVDs and the content is identical.

-- Original Farscape DVDs: ADV previously issued Farscape in two-episode volumes. Later they reissued Farscape in four or five episode volumes that were (later still) combined in box sets. These are known as ADV's Original Farscape DVDs.

These Original Farscape DVDs differ from the Starburst Editions in that they are more expensive, have less extras (most notably the brilliant episode commentaries by Ben Browder, Claudia Black, David Kemper and Rockne O'Bannon), take up more space and have different cover art.

It is still possible to buy the two-episode volumes and the four or five episode volumes individually as well as combined in box sets, although the box set is less expensive than acquiring them individually.

The quality of both ADV versions of Farscape are identical although the extras content is not.

Released by Lionsgate

-- Farscape: The Peacekeeper Wars: contains the 30 minute documentary 'The Battle Behind The Wars - The Making Of The Peacekeeper Wars', conceptual art gallery and production storyboards. However, the Region 2 (European Union) DVD is considered to be superior than its Region 1 counterpart, so if you have a region free DVD player, you might wish to take that into consideration.

(yet to be) Released by Sony

It should be noted that in January 2007 Sony acquired the rights to the first season and at the time of writing (January 2008), they have yet to do anything with those rights. Unfortunately this also means that Season 1 is no longer easily available commercially (Starburst Edition included), until Sony decides to publish DVDs for this season.

Anyone who is interested in letting Sony know that there is a demand for Season 1 Farscape DVDs can e-mail them at consumer@sphecustomersupport.sony.com. Remember be polite and enthusiastic. Plus don't forget to thank them for acquiring the rights to Farscape DVDs. A cheerful inquiry for new Farscape can't hurt and it might help.

Region 2 (European Union)

Released by Contender Entertainment Group

--Two Disc Box Sets: special features were relatively uninspiring, but nice box designs.

-- Complete Season Sets: contains all existing features PLUS commentaries.

-- Farscape: The Ultimate Complete Collection: contains everything previously available in one big box. This bumper edition added NOTHING additional to the seasonal boxsets.

-- Farscape: The Peacekeeper Wars: contains deleted scenes (appoximately 15 mins), the 30 minute documentary 'The Battle Behind The Wars - The Making Of The Peacekeeper Wars', as well as main character info-pods including interviews with Ben Browder, Claudia Black, Anthony Simcoe and Gigi Edgley and interviews with behind-the-scenes personnel David Kemper, Andrew Prowse and Brian Henson. Also contains a gallery of conceptual artwork and character and prop photography.

Region 4 (Australia)

Released by Universal

-- Farscape Collector's Set (6 disc Box Set): each season was released as a box set; three volumes per season with two discs inside each volume. There are no commentaries in the first season box set although the three subsequent seasons contain some commentaries unique to Region 4 as well as ones duplicated on the Starburst and Region 2 DVDs. See More Information for further details on the commentaries available.

-- Farscape Collector's Set (6 disc Slimline Set): each season was released as one volume with six disks inside. There is no difference between the content of the Box Set and the Slimline Set versions.

Released by Magna Pacific

-- Farscape: The Peacekeeper Wars: contains no extras.

More Information

For clarification of which commentaries are included on which region release check here.

For clarification of which countries are included in which region codes check here.

Are you having trouble finding Season 1 on DVD? Send Farscape Canada an email and we will try to help.