DISQUS

RobertFure · 5 months ago

I upgraded. I don't think they should shortchange DVD yet. You can't really force the game at this stage. Blu-rays are still MSRP at like $35 or $40 which means they sell at $20-25 on sale. DVDs sell at $20 normally and down as low as $15 on sale. BD is still to expensive to shove it in everyones mouth.

Worth noting however that a very significant number of people who "upgraded" to Blu-ray did so unintentionally when they purchased the PS3 for gaming, not movie watching.

Cole_Abaius · 5 months ago

I get the feeling that the early-adopters of any tech these days think they are somehow unique for being first and also in the majority. There definitely aren't enough Blu-ray users to push this sort of agenda just yet - maybe in three years or so.

I was talking with a friend's father at a party this week who said he had just bought an HD DVD player. He'll have to buy a Blu-ray player in a few years, but until those discs slide down to $15-$20 bucks a pop, the general public won't give a shit.

They also won't give a shit about special features. Most people rent and buy movies for, I know seriously, the movie. Shocking.

Kangaroo Be Stoned · 5 months ago

If you take the special features off of DVD releases, bring the fucking price down.

tk. · 5 months ago

It's only a better return rate if they sell more. With DVDs being 80% of what's sold, even at their lower price point I'd estimate they still account for twice as much gross profit. (Presumably Blu-Ray discs would cost more to manufacture, as well, but I have no idea how this stacks up.)

I haven't upgraded, and this just makes me less inclined to do so. It's like the holofoil gatefold comic book covers of the 90s all over again. If they want to make "blu-ray only" releases, they're basically just saying they don't want my money. I'm okay with not giving it to them.

Chris · 5 months ago

I haven't upgraded due to $$$, but would if I could for the special features. While I mainly buy movies for the sake of the movie, I enjoy the special features a lot. Being somebody interested in film, I enjoy seeing how my favorite films were put together, thought processes behind certain ideas, what didn't make the cut, etc. To make these features limited one format only is a pain for fans who feel the same.

If anything, I'd say if it's the first time a movie is coming to disc (like Trick 'R Treat)? Then both formats should be identical, at least until the majority falls into the blu catagory. But if it's a double dip on a film, I wouldn't see why blu only features would be a bad idea.

This kinda idea is what helps promote piracy I'd reckon, seeing how if you really want to see a documentary, or featurette not available on your format, you'd just search it out on the internet (which I've done for Region 2 releases like Creepshow and Phantasm).

djjeffhall · 5 months ago

Forgive my language, but this is the same bullshit that the music industry pulled on their consumers. (Having been in the music biz for 20 years, I can attest first hand.) What happened? Music sales plunged. I understand that video sales have been down the last few years and I think it's due to consumers being exhausted by trying to keep up with the, "next new thing."

It's great that the studios understand that the best way to treat their customers is to fuck them over at every opportunity.

I saw labels do this with records. Come out with the "regular" album and then release a "better" version a few months later. Tap the well twice. Screw the consumer who makes it all possible.

djjeffhall · 5 months ago

I know I'm one voice, but I'm also a consumer. As as example, I purchase Casino Royale the day it came out. Then, later, an expanded version is available. I loved Quantum but I'll be damned if I'm going to purchase the DVD when I KNOW there will be an expanded version soon, probably with an even more expanded Casino Royale attached. I'm tired of being taken advantage of by the studios. If I'm not sure about a release and I hesitate therefore miss the "ultimate" version of a film, fine. I'll keep my $50.00 and the studios be damned.

Random-Man · 5 months ago

Me being the forward thinking person I am, I believe this is justified. The only DVDs I buy nowdays are the cheap £3 ones unless theres a film not available on Blu-Ray. I think the only way to go is to make DVDs vanilla, because in 4 years time the only people who will buy them are people who dont care about picture quality or special features, namely the majority of old people (not trying to be ageist).

Thunderfunk · 5 months ago

This is a slap in the face to everyone who hasn't upgraded and still buys a lot of DVDs. It will only encourage me to rent & rip more & buy less.

Issy · 5 months ago

I am a HUGE fan of DVD extras, I often watch them first! (Hey, I watched the COMMENTARIES, plural, of the extended versions of the Lord of the Rings trilogy! Yeah, I'm a geek.) I have multiple copies of movies just because they keep coming out with new versions with more stuff, so if they start only putting the extras on Blu-Ray, I will definitely upgrade. I still don't think it's fair, though, to people who can't upgrade.

Issy · 5 months ago

This is my biggest gripe! There are a lot of movies I want the minute they are released, and I will research to make sure I'm getting the best version (do I like the special features on the Best Buy exclusive edition, or the WalMart one? What a crock of sh*t that is!) And then as soon as I make my purchase, they announce the Director's Cut will be coming out soon! That's when I start thinking about buying a used copy at Blockbuster or Ebay!

cmmoore82 · 5 months ago

I see this trend developing very steadily, and I'm not thrilled about it. When I first adopted DVD back in 2002, the features were a major selling point for me. I really enjoy learning about how films are made. Recently, however, I've noticed that features are omitted from the "special editions" of DVDs and are included on their Blu-Ray counterpart. The first title where this became apparent to me was Max Payne. I picked up the 2 disc DVD and the Blu-Ray had about 45 minutes worth of stuff that wasn't on my edition. Will I upgrade? Eventually, but right now, I'm pretty pleased with the picture quality of my 1080 upconverting DVD player.

msmeta · 5 months ago

I will be renting Trick-'r-treat on blu-ray to see the features,and buying Trick-'r-Treat on DVD to be able to play it anywhere. Blu-ray and DVD will go the way of VHS and Beta

OpiumEd · 5 months ago

Blu-Ray was already obsolete technology when it hit the market, since, in 2005, holographic recording technology was announced, but that was quickly shelved when Blu-Ray hit the shelves. Obviously when Blu-Ray's prices come down to more than affordable, "they" will then announce holographic or later technology and convince consumers to toss out their older units and buy the latest while replacing their collection all over again. Technology has become nothing but a scheme to swindle the public.

Cody · 5 months ago

doing that would only make me angry, and push me faster to the internet where I will download all those special features. studios aren't going to steal more money from my pocket just for stupid blu-ray. I don't have a hi-def tv, so why would I care about them?

Aaron Shirley · 1 week ago

I hate the fact Blu Ray has more (sometimes better) features. I personally look forward to my favorite movies containing behind the scenes looks, designs etc.. What happened to the two disc versions, one for the movie and the second for the features? I bought Up the other day and found that all the features I was looking forward to were on the Blu Ray. What the Hell? Now I have to borrow my friends PS3 and rent the Blu Ray version JUST for the features they didn't put on the Special Edition (including digital Copy) of UP. I've hated Blu Ray from the start and I still have no intention of getting one. With over 200 movies why would I start now anyway. At least make the packaging look the same as all the other Discs.