While most new 2-disk DVDs are the only version available and go for the sale price (usually around $15), movies like Constantine, Batman Begins, and now Charlie & the Chocolate Factory (just a few off the top of my head) have a single disk movie only version that goes for the sale price, while the 2-disk version is around $23.
I'm sure its just the studio's way of making more money, but I don't think its fair. Also, are these all from the same studio?
Cameron
11-05-05, 10:11 AM
all three of those titles are warner brothers releases. Several companies are doing this....Disney with Life Aquatic, Fox with I <3 huckabees, and kinsey...paramount with Lemony Snickett.
home media retailing had a good article on it a few months back. When a store like best buy chareges 15.99 for a new release they stand to lose 2-3 dollars on every copy they sell. This is called a loss leader. They do it to get people in the door, and then charge them more on printer paper, washing machines, tvs....they figure that when you are ready to make a large purchase you will be most comfortable in their store since you come and pick your dvd's up there.
They assume this will get in the average customers, and they will buy the disc. It also makes fans of the movie, and dvd format pay a price that nets them a profit of 2-5 dollars on the disc.
they are in the business of making money. For you the dvd/film fanatic, it sucks. For them it makes sense.
Rocketdog2000
11-05-05, 10:14 AM
While most new 2-disk DVDs are the only version available and go for the sale price (usually around $15), movies like Constantine, Batman Begins, and now Charlie & the Chocolate Factory (just a few off the top of my head) have a single disk movie only version that goes for the sale price, while the 2-disk version is around $23.
I'm sure its just the studio's way of making more money, but I don't think its fair. Also, are these all from the same studio?
Yes - they are all Warner Brothers movies.
Some of the reasons they might be doing it this way...
- believe it or not, the "average" person (which DOESN'T include most of the folks who post here) doesn't give a crap about special features, and only wants to see the movie. So the studio is aiming that single disc, with limted features version at them.
- Since they do know there are people (like us) who do want all the bonus features we can get, they offer up a 2 disc set. And since 's it's an "extra" disc, they naturally will charge more to cover the cost of it.
- Also, if you've noticed, all these "Special Editon" sets, have included an extra book (comic, or other), so you're getting even more - which also adds to the cost.
But basically it boils down to the theory of - if they're giving you more, they're going to charge more - if you want less, you'll pay less.
While we may not like it, unfortunately, it is completely fair - as it's the studios product, and they can set the prices at whatever they like. Just be glad they aren't even more expensive.
MovieExchange
11-05-05, 10:33 AM
home media retailing had a good article on it a few months back. When a store like best buy chareges 15.99 for a new release they stand to lose 2-3 dollars on every copy they sell. This is called a loss leader. They do it to get people in the door, and then charge them more on printer paper, washing machines, tvs....they figure that when you are ready to make a large purchase you will be most comfortable in their store since you come and pick your dvd's up there.
Is that the article where the Best Buy representative said that those of us that just come in and buy the loss leader stuff and not the over-priced material are "the enemy" and they'd rather not have our business?
I remember some article being posted here at DVD Talk with that quote, and it floored me. Not that they think of us as undesirable, we know that already. But that they'd have the balls to actually say it.
Mr. Cinema
11-05-05, 10:34 AM
Warner Brothers didn't used to think this way when they released 2-disc only versions of Terminator 3, Matrix Reloaded, and Matrix Revolutions which all were priced at $15 during their release week.
What pisses me off is stores like Best Buy and Circuit City will usually price the single disc version to around $15, but they don't discount the 2-disc at all, even though the retail price difference between the 2 is usually $2.00
EXAMPLE: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory 1-disc Retail: $28.98, Circuit City in-store price on release week: $14.99
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory 2-disc Retail: $30.98, Circuit City in-store price on release week: $22.99
Is that 2nd disc really worth $8?
Fok
11-05-05, 10:40 AM
Futureshop here in Canada had a one day sale for Batman Begins DE at a great price. For me as long as there's warnings like these, I'm not too upset.
arsmith7
11-05-05, 10:48 AM
Oh I remember how everyone moans and cries when a company releases a one-disc version and then announces a 2-disc SE for 3 months later. I, for one, prefer that they give me the option right up front. Some movies I do for the 2-disc (Batman Begins) -- some movies I don't (probably Charlie and the Chocolate factory).
I say its a matter consumer choice and this way we have all the information in front of us.
Groucho
11-05-05, 10:55 AM
Yeah it's crap, all right. The 2-disc version with all the extra material should cost the same as the 1-disc version! What do they think they're doing charging us extra for extra content?
nightmaster
11-05-05, 10:59 AM
While most new 2-disk DVDs are the only version available and go for the sale price (usually around $15), movies like Constantine, Batman Begins, and now Charlie & the Chocolate Factory (just a few off the top of my head) have a single disk movie only version that goes for the sale price, while the 2-disk version is around $23.
I'm sure its just the studio's way of making more money, but I don't think its fair. Also, are these all from the same studio?
Would it be fair if they just charge around $23 for ALL 2 disc sets from now on on release week?
If they wanna charge more for the two disc sets and sell the one disc DVDs on sale for $15-$16, I can understand that. For $15 I'm happy to get the movie, with or without commentaries. I bought Batman Begins last week for $15, the price of going to the movies to see it once with popcorn and a coke, and now it's mine to watch as many times as I'd like for years to come. I'd LIKE to see every movie released for $10, box sets for $20, but I don't think they're being unfair by charging what they choose to charge; people don't have to buy it if they don't like the price.
nightmaster
11-05-05, 11:02 AM
Yeah it's crap, all right. The 2-disc version with all the extra material should cost the same as the 1-disc version! What do they think they're doing charging us extra for extra content?
A second disc with extras such as shorts, interviews, promotional materials and they aren't giving it to us for free? MADNESS!!!
Filmmaker
11-05-05, 11:26 AM
Warner Brothers didn't used to think this way when they released 2-disc only versions of Terminator 3, Matrix Reloaded, and Matrix Revolutions which all were priced at $15 during their release week.
What pisses me off is stores like Best Buy and Circuit City will usually price the single disc version to around $15, but they don't discount the 2-disc at all, even though the retail price difference between the 2 is usually $2.00
EXAMPLE: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory 1-disc Retail: $28.98, Circuit City in-store price on release week: $14.99
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory 2-disc Retail: $30.98, Circuit City in-store price on release week: $22.99
Is that 2nd disc really worth $8?
Exactly, because at long last, the retailers and studios are finally hip to the substantial submarket of megafans like you and I, and they're sticking it to us, improving their bottom line substantially, because they know we will pay it. It's smart marketing; I don't have to like it to appreciate that it's an intelligent business move.
wennma01
11-05-05, 11:44 AM
Yeah it's crap, all right. The 2-disc version with all the extra material should cost the same as the 1-disc version! What do they think they're doing charging us extra for extra content?
i concur.
considering in most cases, we would buy the single release for $15 on release day, have the studio announce a speical edition released a month later, and then we would buy the special edition for $15. So...
$15+$15 = $30 + we have 2 of the same movie
-or-
$23 = $23 (i think i like this one better)
mdc3000
11-05-05, 11:44 AM
Like mentioned (although, not in full detail), Future Shop and Best Buy in Canada have had one day sales on Constantine, Batman Begins and on tuesday Charlie & The Chocolate factory... and on the sale, the 1disc and the 2 disc are the same price! (approx $22 CDN).
I think it's smart of WB to offer two options. Video stores don't give a damn about extras, so they buy the 1 disc (cheaper) and lots of people also don't care about extras, so they pick it up too. Now, it does cost them MONEY to make the supplements, so having to pay for them shouldn't come as a surprise... I would still buy the 2 discs no matter what, but the fact that here they are the exact same price on release day makes it a no brainer.
Snowmaker
11-05-05, 11:50 AM
Yeah it's crap, all right. The 2-disc version with all the extra material should cost the same as the 1-disc version! What do they think they're doing charging us extra for extra content?
So, you're saying you like to pay for something now that used to be a given?
Mr. Cinema
11-05-05, 12:02 PM
I'm more angry at the pricing.
If the 1-disc has a list price of $28.99, and sells for $14.99 in store, then the 2-disc that has a list price of $30.99, should sell for $16.99 in store, not $22.99
If they studios are telling us that the 2nd disc is such a bonus to us, then why are the retail prices only a difference of a couple of dollars? They're saying the bonus disc is only worth $2.
superdeluxe
11-05-05, 12:06 PM
While most new 2-disk DVDs are the only version available and go for the sale price (usually around $15), movies like Constantine, Batman Begins, and now Charlie & the Chocolate Factory (just a few off the top of my head) have a single disk movie only version that goes for the sale price, while the 2-disk version is around $23.
I'm sure its just the studio's way of making more money, but I don't think its fair. Also, are these all from the same studio?
Not many things in life is fair. Just ways for companies to make more $$$
Count de Monet
11-05-05, 12:12 PM
So, you're saying you like to pay for something now that used to be a given?
Do you like paying for anything? Life would be great if everything was free, wouldn't it? To suggest that it's unfair for the studios to charge extra for extra content is, frankly, absurd.
Now, if you want to argue that it's unfair for the studios to put forced trailers and annoying anti-piracy spots on the discs we paid for, then I would wholeheartedly agree with you.
The Bus
11-05-05, 12:15 PM
What I have also noticed is that these more expensive films don't seem to drop in price as much. (Exception: Back to the Future Trilogy). These super multi-disc versions of films used to be a much higher price.
Look at, for example, the collector's edition of Master and Commander. Amazon has it for $36. :whofart: The single disc? $11.
And Magnolia, which is not anamorphic and does not really have a full 2nd disc of extras, is still above $20. (Often up to $25).
Seven is also still above $20 eventhough it's been out for over four years. The single disc, meanwhile, has dropped to $11.
Basically: They've figured out we want the loaded versions and are willing to pay for them.
The good news is that new re-releases (Big Lebowski, Tommy Boy, The Fly), all come in at already low prices (sub $15).
Altimus Prime
11-05-05, 12:37 PM
I also remember Best Buy saying they consider bargain-hunters to be undesirable customers. Funny that they're the ones running a game - lure you in with a low price on one thing in order to sell you something else - and they cry foul when the consumer gets wise to it.
While releasing both one and two disc editions at once can help avoid a double-dip, I also do not like this new trend. I'm usually more interested in the movie than any extra features, but I like having them available, because to me it makes buying the DVD more worthwhile. But I don't like paying more for something I may watch infrequently, if not only once. So I'm in a real pickle.
I made out lucky with Batman Begins DE, however. I got Best Buy to pricematch WalMart's $15 online price, so I got the two disc for the one disc price. Don't know how often that will work, or be available.
Shagrath
11-05-05, 12:43 PM
i concur.
considering in most cases, we would buy the single release for $15 on release day, have the studio announce a speical edition released a month later, and then we would buy the special edition for $15. So...
In the past, when studios (FOX) does the one-disc release and then the two-disc six months down the road, they usually release the two-disc version overseas (UK, Asia) at the same time we're getting the one disc. Therefore, you can usually just order the R2/R3 release for about $15-16 and get the bonus features with the first purchase.
I don't like this new pricing structure that WB and other studios has, and I've voiced that opinion in other threads. If I can find a better price buying from another region, I will, because that's one less R1 sale of the two-disc, and maybe they'll realize they should just add that second disc back into the standard release.
nightmaster
11-05-05, 12:46 PM
I don't love the studios and their too high prices any more than anybody else, but they're obviously targeting the DVD market that is buying for more than just the movie itself, and they know that market is out there just by seeing websites such as this one. It's something of a J6P extention.....the average buyer wants the movie and that's it, so why not save money by bringing out a single disc edition to market cheap to them rather than just a two disc set where everybody gets the disc whether they want/appreciate it or not? Does it suck? Well, sure it does. They're striking while the iron is hot.
By the same token, anyone who is willing to wait for those single disc versions for 6 months or so can usually pick them up for a new MSRP of $10 or so, and the old flagship titles are in many case practically being given away these days- I can walk into Walmart and by the T2 Extreme Edition and Aliens for frickin' $7.50 these days! Why? Because most everyone who wants these titles have already picked them up for more than twice that price.
Filmmaker
11-05-05, 12:48 PM
The good news is that new re-releases (Big Lebowski...), all come in at already low prices (sub $15).
Bad example--the best bargain price I could find for my THE BIG LEBOWSKI: Achiever's Edition was $35... ;)
Snowmaker
11-05-05, 12:56 PM
Do you like paying for anything? Life would be great if everything was free, wouldn't it? To suggest that it's unfair for the studios to charge extra for extra content is, frankly, absurd.
No, what I'm saying is that its unfair that the 2nd disk used to be free, and now all of a sudden they decide to charge us for it. They had us spoiled. And now they have realized just how many people prefer extra content and have decided to capitalize on it.
Luckily none of these titles have been anything I've wanted to purchase yet.
Snowmaker
11-05-05, 01:07 PM
And what is the point of you starting such a thread in a first place? just to create a crap? You calld that Luckily? nahh, because you pour time to pour out your side by researching,comparing,debating etc.. etc.. of the story.
Huh?
Well, if Batman Begins had been $14.99 for the 2-disk version, I may have been more compelled to buy it.
I was just curious and figured this would be a good topic for discussion.
nightmaster
11-05-05, 01:11 PM
No, what I'm saying is that its unfair that the 2nd disk used to be free, and now all of a sudden they decide to charge us for it. They had us spoiled. And now they have realized just how many people prefer extra content and have decided to capitalize on it.
Luckily none of these titles have been anything I've wanted to purchase yet.
Yup, makes it obvious that the studios are doing their homework and looking to see what their buying market consists of. If the buyer leaves those 2 disc higher titles on the shelves? I dunno. They'll either just go with one disc releases or they'll go back to not simultaneously releasing one and two disc editions. They HAVE been testing the waters for the last year or so by marketing 3 disc editions of some movies like Master And Commander- I guess they found a market there so they're trying to further squeeze that section of buyers?
calhoun07
11-05-05, 01:36 PM
Warner Brothers didn't used to think this way when they released 2-disc only versions of Terminator 3, Matrix Reloaded, and Matrix Revolutions which all were priced at $15 during their release week.
What pisses me off is stores like Best Buy and Circuit City will usually price the single disc version to around $15, but they don't discount the 2-disc at all, even though the retail price difference between the 2 is usually $2.00
EXAMPLE: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory 1-disc Retail: $28.98, Circuit City in-store price on release week: $14.99
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory 2-disc Retail: $30.98, Circuit City in-store price on release week: $22.99
Is that 2nd disc really worth $8?
Which is why I buy my two disc sets online. You can usually find a better deal, and another plus is that a lot of these two disc sets now are just coming with card board slip covers and not shrinkwrapped, so store stickers can actually damage the case if I peel them off wrong, or leave residue behind even if I don't tear the card board. Ordering online assures me I get a two disc set with the card board case sticker free. And I usually save more than I ever would at a brick and mortar store.
Which is really puzzling that the brick and mortars are doing this, because the people interested in these expanded editions are probably more likely to know about sites such as this and have already spent time researching the best prices online. Get Joe Six Pack to pay the extra bucks, not the collector who knows better!
Matthew Chmiel
11-05-05, 01:44 PM
And Magnolia, which is not anamorphic and does not really have a full 2nd disc of extras, is still above $20. (Often up to $25).
Uh.
Magnolia is anamorphic.
And the second disc has a 90 minute documentary as it's "main" extra. I don't know about you, but most DVDs usually don't contain a 90 minute production diary.
calhoun07
11-05-05, 02:29 PM
Uh.
Magnolia is anamorphic.
And the second disc has a 90 minute documentary as it's "main" extra. I don't know about you, but most DVDs usually don't contain a 90 minute production diary.
It's not a bonus feature if you don't watch it! -wink-
marty888
11-05-05, 02:55 PM
It's a bit like french fries: nobody complains about paying to have them "supersized".
-wink-
Artman
11-05-05, 02:55 PM
I think everyone understands the idea behind charging more for more... but it's hard to take because of A) the disparity between the prices on the retailer's part, and B) it didn't used to be that way.
The Monkees
11-05-05, 02:58 PM
I agree this is indeed stupid. From what I've heard they might be charging more for the 2 disc Devil's Rejects which will piss me off if true. And then of course the recent Wizard of Oz the 3 disc was twice as much as the 2 disc...pissed me off!
Brian Shannon
11-05-05, 03:39 PM
I'm sure its just the studio's way of making more money, but I don't think its fair. Also, are these all from the same studio?
Don't buy them!
nightmaster
11-05-05, 03:44 PM
It's a bit like french fries: nobody complains about paying to have them "supersized".
-wink-
Exactly! When I got Escape From New York as a big beautiful special edition for ten bucks I didn't grump because I got alot for cheap! I think this is their way of trying to get back some of the ridiculous amount of profit they were getting selling titles for more money and having more classic movies to release......then again now they have TV seasons that rake in enormous cash.....eh, who am I kidding, they just found a new angle and they're taking advantage of it!
Josh H
11-05-05, 03:57 PM
It definitely sucks. They should just keep making only 2 disc versions as in the past. Now you have the 1 disc and 2 disc version that are generally with in 2 or 3 bucks of each other in MSRP (see the Corpse Bride thread here for examples). Then the retailers use the crappy barebones single disc as the loss leader and sell it for $15 bucks release week, and keep the price on the 2 disc one up more and sell it for $22-30. A gap wider than the gap in MSRP.
Annoying as hell and causes me to pass on something like Charlie and the Chocolate Factory that I was on the fence about.
Josh H
11-05-05, 04:04 PM
I think everyone understands the idea behind charging more for more... but it's hard to take because of A) the disparity between the prices on the retailer's part, and B) it didn't used to be that way.
Not to mention you still have some studies putting out kick ass 2 disc dvds that get sold for $15. i.e. Star Wars Episode 3.
Which makes it that much harder to swallow paying more for similar product from other studios.
Artman
11-05-05, 05:57 PM
Annoying as hell and causes me to pass on something like Charlie and the Chocolate Factory that I was on the fence about.
Same here. You lose WB!
nightmaster
11-05-05, 06:48 PM
When I find Charlie and the Chocolate Factory for five bucks in a pawn shop I'll pick it up then. So they lose the sale....I'm not paying more for 2 disc editions, I can live just fine with their movie only loss leader (such as Batman Begins) myself.
Snowmaker
11-05-05, 07:18 PM
Don't buy them!
I'm not!
Groucho
11-05-05, 07:25 PM
So, you're saying you like to pay for something now that used to be a given?Huh? When was it ever a "given" that the studio would release a 2-disc and a 1-disc at the same price?
nightmaster
11-05-05, 07:33 PM
Huh? When was it ever a "given" that the studio would release a 2-disc and a 1-disc at the same price?
Never was. Used to be there would be the 2 disc edition or a 1 disc and that would be all she wrote. Ya bought what was on the rack, and there were no other choices.
As was mentioned earlier, it IS nice that studios are releasing 1,2 and 3 disc sets at the same time, at their first release, rather than waiting 3 months and slapping the sucker on the street again for double-dippage, ala' Sin City, Electra, Hellboy and the likes. IF releasing a deluxe 2 disc set would curtail the practice of doing so, a 2-3 disc uber edition for a little more money at first release would be an improvement.
djtoell
11-05-05, 07:59 PM
And Magnolia, which is not anamorphic and does not really have a full 2nd disc of extras, is still above $20. (Often up to $25).
Why do you keep trolling this forum with the claim that Magnolia is non-anamorphic?
How many times are you going to keep posting that? (http://www.dvdtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?p=6068172&#post6068172)
How many times do people have to correct you before you stop? (http://www.dvdtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?p=6385204#post6385204)
Is there some kind of joke I'm not getting? Or do you just like spreading misinformation and ignoring people that correct you?
Enough already. Yeesh.
DJ
Josh H
11-05-05, 08:41 PM
Huh? When was it ever a "given" that the studio would release a 2-disc and a 1-disc at the same price?
We used to just get one or the other. i.e. in the past we probably would have just gotten the Batman Begins 2-disc, and that would have been the loss leader selling for $15-16 release week.
Now we get these crappy double releases with nearly identical MSRPs and retailers make the 1 disc the loss leader and we're stuck shelling out $20-25 for the 2 disc that would have been the only option (and thus the loss leader) for these major mainstream releases in the past.
Jay G.
11-05-05, 09:17 PM
Annoying as hell and causes me to pass on something like Charlie and the Chocolate Factory that I was on the fence about.
This sounds like you're saying that the deciding factor for your purchases is the extras, not the movie.
I'm more angry at the pricing.
If the 1-disc has a list price of $28.99, and sells for $14.99 in store, then the 2-disc that has a list price of $30.99, should sell for $16.99 in store, not $22.99
Seems like you should be angry at the retailers, who set the discounts, not the studios.
[Magnolia's] second disc has a 90 minute documentary as it's "main" extra. I don't know about you, but most DVDs usually don't contain a 90 minute production diary.
If paying extra for a 90 minute production diary upsets people, imagine paying over $20 for a production diary, and you don't even get the movie with it!
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000BMSUJK/
toddly6666
11-05-05, 09:21 PM
Don't forget that in the beginning of DVDs, animated menus and scene selections were marketed as Extras and they were priced between 30 and 40 dollars!! They have always been suckering the consumer.
DVDs are also coming out fast after theatrical release dates, than in the past. So, I would rather have the two versions with the 10 dollar difference than wait longer for a fully-packed DVD. A lot of DVD stores that sell DVDs before release date often put the 1-disk version out first and then put the 2-disk/special edition later on (usually on release date).
Count de Monet
11-05-05, 09:30 PM
No, what I'm saying is that its unfair that the 2nd disk used to be free, and now all of a sudden they decide to charge us for it. They had us spoiled. And now they have realized just how many people prefer extra content and have decided to capitalize on it.
I think you hit upon it with "They had us spoiled," although I would abandon the past-tense. We're still spoiled. But then again, so are the studios. DVD has spoiled everyone.
yellowbedwetter
11-05-05, 09:46 PM
it is kind of annoying. Especially when you still see current releases like Star Wars Ep.III where you got a nice 2nd disc full of extras and was available for about $15 on release day. You know if they had gone the WB rout the $15 would have been for the barebones release while the 2 discer would have been $20+.
Josh H
11-05-05, 10:14 PM
This sounds like you're saying that the deciding factor for your purchases is the extras, not the movie.
Notice I said for movies I'm on the fence about. In those cases many times the extras are the deciding factor on buying or passing.
For a film I love, obviously the A/V quality is all that matters as the film alone warrants a purchase.
Snowmaker
11-05-05, 10:59 PM
Huh? When was it ever a "given" that the studio would release a 2-disc and a 1-disc at the same price?
When the only version of a movie available was a 2-disk version and it still went for the same price as the other 1-disk movies.
As was mentioned earlier, it IS nice that studios are releasing 1,2 and 3 disc sets at the same time, at their first release, rather than waiting 3 months and slapping the sucker on the street again for double-dippage, ala' Sin City, Electra, Hellboy and the likes.
Yeah, but we also had enough notice that there would be a 2-disk version of Sin City to where I waited and didn't buy the 1-disk.
grundle
11-06-05, 12:07 AM
We should go back to rental pricing where everything cost $99.99. Then these kinds of pricing disparities would disappear.
Just Lurking
11-06-05, 12:14 AM
Has any looked at Amazon's prices on The 40-Year-Old Virgin.
The 40-Year-Old Virgin (R-Rated Edition) (2005) - $15.98
The 40-Year-Old Virgin (Unrated Edition) (2005) - $15.98
The 40-Year-Old Virgin (Unrated Widescreen Edition) (2005) - $20.99
It look like you you will be paying an extra $5.01 just to get OAR :(
nightmaster
11-06-05, 01:02 PM
Has any looked at Amazon's prices on The 40-Year-Old Virgin.
The 40-Year-Old Virgin (R-Rated Edition) (2005) - $15.98
The 40-Year-Old Virgin (Unrated Edition) (2005) - $15.98
The 40-Year-Old Virgin (Unrated Widescreen Edition) (2005) - $20.99
It look like you you will be paying an extra $5.01 just to get OAR :(
Nope, I won't be. That sucker will stay on the shelf in all its ratios if thats the game they intend to play.
Notice that they're selling the R rated version for $15.98- that's likely the one that was in the theatres. Looks like they're testing all sorts of waters these days to see what will sell and what won't with the DVD fanatic.
nightmaster
11-06-05, 01:33 PM
I think you hit upon it with "They had us spoiled," although I would abandon the past-tense. We're still spoiled. But then again, so are the studios. DVD has spoiled everyone.
We are indeed, to the point where many are disdainful of even the best looking and sounding new releases, holding off till the 'next big thing' comes down the pike, in this case HD discs. The studios are apparently looking at more and more angles to sqeeze every nickel out of the standard DVD format in anticipation of it becoming an even cheaper selling format once HD discs are available.
It truly has everyone on both sides spoiled, the studios seeing phenomenal profits and puzzled at what they say is a falling market (for lots of obvious reasons) and the consumer able to buy movies released 3 months ago or 50 years ago that look and sound as good as most have ever seen them for, in some cases, as little as a ten dollar bill.
djtoell
11-06-05, 01:34 PM
Notice that they're selling the R rated version for $15.98- that's likely the one that was in the theatres. Looks like they're testing all sorts of waters these days to see what will sell and what won't with the DVD fanatic.
I think it looks much more like Amazon hasn't properly priced a release that is about 5 weeks away. I doubt there's any thought behind it. By the time the release date gets closer, Amazon will line up the prices correctly.
DJ
Drexl
11-06-05, 03:34 PM
Another thing that sucks in some of these cases (BB, CATCF) is that the single-disc version lacks a commentary or other substantial extras, so if you want some decent extras you have to buy the 2-disc version. With Mystic River a while back, they actually witheld the commentary from the single-disc version, so you had to buy the expensive version (with price-raising CD soundtrack) to get any extras at all. At least with The Wizard of Oz there are plenty of extras in the 2-disc version, and with Cinderella Man you get some extras with the single-disc version.
speedy1961
11-06-05, 06:53 PM
Some of the reasons they might be doing it this way...
- believe it or not, the "average" person (which DOESN'T include most of the folks who post here) doesn't give a crap about special features, and only wants to see the movie. So the studio is aiming that single disc, with limted features version at them.
I believe this rationale is considered MOST sensible to the studio honchos.
AdamComic2
11-06-05, 09:20 PM
As a suggestion, everybody check their local FYE, Strawberries, or whatever... Usually they have these 2-disc special editions for $2 more than the regular edition after rebates. Usually a reliable, pretty fast turnaround time for them, too!
Mr. Cinema
11-07-05, 07:59 PM
I went ahead and pre-ordered "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory: Deluxe Edition" from DDD for $18.76. It shipped today. Looks like they'll get my business on overly priced 2-disc sets.
Rocketdog2000
11-08-05, 12:22 AM
As a suggestion, everybody check their local FYE, Strawberries, or whatever... Usually they have these 2-disc special editions for $2 more than the regular edition after rebates. Usually a reliable, pretty fast turnaround time for them, too!
That's what I've been doing, too. I got my Batman Begins:SE there, where they had plenty of copies of it - yet I'd read in other posts here where people were having a hard time finding one.
lamphorn
01-22-06, 10:06 PM
I hope this isn't a reposted topic, but I've got to vent. It used to be that a film would come out in a special edition, often with two discs, averaging around 19.99 (or 15.99 during the first week at Best Buy).
However, I'm noticing a trend of releasing a bare-bones disc at this price and then a two disc set for 30 or 40 dollars! This price used to be if it was a 3 or 4 disc set, but now these overpriced sets only have 2 discs and don't have any more material than special editions of a year or two ago that went for the lower price. But the're packaged in a slightly bigger box, as if to fool us by looking like a 3 or 4 disc set.
Examples: Cinderella Man- why is this two disc set going for 35 dollars on Amazon?? War of the Worlds (2005)- Bare Bones is like 20.00, but the TWO-discer was like 40 bucks!
This is a really crummy trend because I don't like buying bare-bones discs, but I refuse to spend 35-40 dollars on a 2-disc set that isn't Criterion. So, I'm buying far fewer DVD's than I used to because of this bizarre 2-tier system.
I could get it if the bare bones discs got cheaper, but they cost the same that 2 disc sets used to cost.
AAAH!! (sorry, rant)
gutwrencher
01-22-06, 10:09 PM
Why are two-disc sets so much more expensive now???
'Cause they know there are suckers like me who will buy it no matter what.:lol:
I don't like it either, and for the most part, I haven't played ball. As long as the A/V quality is the same, I'm fine with the single-disc version, especially with HD on the way.
Another trend I don't like is what I might call the "de-cheapening" of releases. They take a title that has been out for a while and has gotten big price drops, and then they add a few extras and/or an advertisement for something related (like a remake or a sequel or something). Now, it's a new release with a higher price tag. (See Jumangi, The Producers, Godzilla) The A/V quality is the same, but now if you want the movie you have to pay twice as much.
DVDude!
01-22-06, 10:44 PM
Blame Wal-Mart for their $5.50 bargain bins. Sure, it encouraged Joe Sixpack to jump on the DVD bandwagon, but now we have 1) true collector's edition for higher prices, and 2) non-OAR becoming a necessity in the eyes of studios--to appeal to the lowest common denominator.
Wait a couple of months later for a price reduction.
Jay G.
01-22-06, 11:22 PM
I don't like it either, and for the most part, I haven't played ball. As long as the A/V quality is the same, I'm fine with the single-disc version, especially with HD on the way.
Actually, if you buy either release, you are playing ball. The studios are betting that most people are going to be happy with the single-disc release, and offer the 2-disc for those enthusiasts who are willing to pay a bit more for extras. I think that as DVDs have become more mainstream, studios have discovered that less people care about the extras, they just want the film. Making seperate releases means that they can offer a lower price point at a lower cost to themselves.
It's akin to how studios sometimes downgrade DVDs later after release, like the 1-disc DVDs of Fight Club or Cast Away, or non-SEs of Terminator and Bowling for Columbine. Or akin to seperate SEs that come out months later, like the Sin City SE, just at the same time.
On the plus side, the 1-disc editions seem to be dropping in price much more rapidly these days. I've seen the Batman Begins 1-disc at Target for $13.78, only 3 months after release.
Another trend I don't like is what I might call the "de-cheapening" of releases. They take a title that has been out for a while and has gotten big price drops, and then they add a few extras and/or an advertisement for something related (like a remake or a sequel or something). Now, it's a new release with a higher price tag. (See Jumangi, The Producers, Godzilla) The A/V quality is the same, but now if you want the movie you have to pay twice as much.
At least they don't make the original release OOP first, like Disney often does. With Jumangi and The Producers, the original releases are still available for purchase online, with the new Deluxe DVD of The Producers selling for less than the original SE.
nightmaster
01-22-06, 11:33 PM
Wait a couple of months later for a price reduction.
I think the inevitable price reduction (of the one disc editions, usually) has alot to do with the prices being raised on the two disc sets. The studios are trying to recoup some of the money they know will be lost 6 months down the road when they drop the price on many titles.
As was mentioned by another poster, regardless of which version you buy, if you buy it when it's first released you're playing ball...because they're still making what they hope to make on that title, rather than what they'll settle for when they drop the price due to less demand for it. I'm very picky about the titles I'll pay release date prices on because they're bound to be had for less, assuming they're mainstream title releases anyway.
Jay G.
01-22-06, 11:35 PM
It is different if two disks sets were always more expensive, since many regular releases have been two disks sets in the past at the current price of the one disk edition it can make people feel they are charging too much. (Which is not surprising.)
I read the other topic and I go with it once being a given. If the two disk was at the current cost of the one disk edition and the one disk edition lower then the two disk, then it may not be an issue.
Back when I first started frequenting DVDTalk, it used to be a given that online stores would offer insane discounts on new DVDs (3 for $1). Then the dot-com burst happened, and the only survivors where places like Amazon, which offers nice discounts at times, but nowhere near what it used to be.
Back before DVDs existed, it used to be a given that if you wanted a SE release of a film, you'd be paying sometimes upwards of $100 for a laserdisc release.
Things change. In this case, for the DVD enthusiast, it seems like a change for the worse, since we are paying more for what used to be a given. I don't see any way to affect this change though, and at least we still are getting the extras-loaded SE. Complaining about it just makes us look like cantankerous elders longing for "the good old days."
Atreus
01-23-06, 12:00 AM
This does seem to happen a lot now but it is the opposite marketing strategy that I don't get which is also very common now; which is to release a single disc and a deluxe set that is only a couple bucks more. In the past couple months I can think of Polar Express, Life Aquatic, Lord of War, as some one mentioned earlier Batman Begins. These all had a barebones version and usaully for two or three dollars more a 2 disc set. I could never figure out why people would still pick up the barebones when for 2 bucks more they could get a better set.
matrixrok9
01-23-06, 04:52 AM
$$$$$$. Greed consumes us all.
TheKing
01-23-06, 05:35 AM
The difference is usually more than 2 or 3 bucks.
When Batman Begins came out, the single disc was $15.99 at BB, while the 2-disc set was 22.99. Polar Express was about the same. The single disc sets become loss leaders, while the deluxe sets do not.
Sometimes you get lucky and find the deluxe set cheap (Batman Begins was cheap at Amazon, Fry's put the Polar Express 2-Disc on sale for $13.99), but it's not often enough.
Mr. Cinema
01-23-06, 07:15 AM
For most titles, the single disc is around $28.99 retail and the 2-disc is around $30.99, yet the b&m stores like Best Buy and Circuit City will only put the 1-disc on sale and not discount the 2-disc, so you can blame them for alot of the pricing. Because the way I and many others see it, if you discount the 1-disc to $14.99, then the 2-disc should be $16.99 on release week...not the absurd $22.99
Snowmaker
01-23-06, 07:48 AM
That's what I've been doing, too. I got my Batman Begins:SE there, where they had plenty of copies of it - yet I'd read in other posts here where people were having a hard time finding one.
I ended up picking up the SE of Batman Begins (w/ book) at Media Play a few weeks ago for $16.79. That was the price with 40% off. I guess it pays to be patient.
Josh-da-man
01-23-06, 08:08 AM
For most titles, the single disc is around $28.99 retail and the 2-disc is around $30.99, yet the b&m stores like Best Buy and Circuit City will only put the 1-disc on sale and not discount the 2-disc, so you can blame them for alot of the pricing. Because the way I and many others see it, if you discount the 1-disc to $14.99, then the 2-disc should be $16.99 on release week...not the absurd $22.99
It might have something to do with the discount structure the retailers get.
The two-disc SE might have a lower discount margin than the single-disc releases.
The Bus
01-23-06, 09:14 AM
No kidding.
Amazon.com prices:
Panic Room: 3-disc edition [Sony] - $35.99 (two years old)
Black Hawk Down: 3-disc edition [Sony] - $35.99 (three years old)
Master & Commander: Collector's Edition [Fox] - $31.99
And then Warner has Ben Hur (4 discs) for under $30, Gone with the Wind (4 discs) for under $20...
matome
01-23-06, 09:38 AM
Also sucks when they start putting the DD-EX and DTS tracks only on the 2-disc SE (a'la Lord of War). The single disc has no extras so it had nothing to do with space.
Mr. Cinema
01-23-06, 10:12 AM
No kidding.
Amazon.com prices:
Panic Room: 3-disc edition [Sony] - $35.99 (two years old)
Black Hawk Down: 3-disc edition [Sony] - $35.99 (three years old)
Master & Commander: Collector's Edition [Fox] - $31.99
And then Warner has Ben Hur (4 discs) for under $30, Gone with the Wind (4 discs) for under $20...
for one week last year, Circuit City had the Black Hawk Down: 3 Disc on sale for $16.99, which I picked up.
I wished they would do that again on some other sets like that.
wageslave
01-23-06, 11:59 AM
I might be in the minority here but:
Unless the movie in question is one that was really special to me, I find that the stuff on the "second" disk to usually be craptacular. It was worth the $$$ for me to get the extra content on the fourth disk of the Star Wars Original Trilogy, but the extra content on the second disk of "Master and Commander" wasn't worth watching more than one and paying an extra $15 or so. I don't see myself double dipping for Jaws for this same reason - Good movie but no urge to see every bit of possible extra material
I'm happy with my one disk Willy Wonka and Batman Begins because they are mostly forgettable popcorn movies IMO, and I was happy to fork over the $30 for each of my Lord of the rings 4 disk sets because they are so damn cool.
xage
01-23-06, 12:44 PM
but the extra content on the second disk of "Master and Commander" wasn't worth watching more than one and paying an extra $15 or so. I don't see myself double dipping for Jaws for this same reason - Good movie but no urge to see every bit of possible extra material.
I agree with you in terms of "Disc Actual Contents". However with the the two you mentioned, the reason why it cost higher than the previous single/regular edition release was both 2 Disc/SEs carry a better package that includes an 80page++ book .
Peep
01-23-06, 02:28 PM
Also sucks when they start putting the DD-EX and DTS tracks only on the 2-disc SE (a'la Lord of War). The single disc has no extras so it had nothing to do with space.
Maybe the single disc version is a DVD5 and it is a space issue. Or maybe the 2-disc version has a much higher rate of video compression.
Trippin315
01-23-06, 04:44 PM
[QUOTE=Cameron]all three of those titles are warner brothers releases. Several companies are doing this....Disney with Life Aquatic, Fox with I <3 huckabees, and kinsey...paramount with Lemony Snickett.
The reason that the two disc of The Life Aquatic is that was a Criterion.
Dan Average
01-23-06, 05:21 PM
The one-disc release was a Criterion too. But then both versions were only "part-Criterions" since they were actually released by Buena Vista.
tjn007
01-23-06, 07:17 PM
I got sucked into paying $28 on release day at Best Buy for the 2005 War of the Worlds Limited Edition. I rarely even pay that for Criterion titles. I just got caught up in the frenzy since it was hard to find in the store.
Even now the best price on-line is $26. So this is not a good trend and I certainly will be more carefully in making these purchases. I can't say it was worth the $8-10 difference. Only time will tell if it really goes out of print or the Limited Edition was BS.
xage
01-23-06, 08:23 PM
I got sucked into paying $28 on release day at Best Buy for the 2005 War of the Worlds Limited Edition. I rarely even pay that for Criterion titles. I just got caught up in the frenzy since it was hard to find in the store.
Wasn't it $23 on its opening release day?
tjn007
01-24-06, 12:23 AM
My bad. I double checked my DVDProfiler database and I actually paid $24.99 at Best Buy on release day. The $28 must be the regular price. But hell since I used to paying $15-18 for new releases, this is just a bad trend that seems to be expanding. Case in point: Cinderella Man Collector's editon $31.39, Regular edition $17.88. Jarhead Collector's edition $27.97, Regular Edition $15.98. This is the new reality.
GreenMonkey
01-24-06, 12:33 AM
I hate the new 2-tier pricing. I just don't buy the DVD, period, now.
I got Batman Begins from Amazon as they actually had a good deal on it. Mystic River, I waited almost a year to pick it up after seeing it in the theaters and liking it a lot - I wasn't willing to take the craptacular snapper 1-disc.
They just don't get my money, period. I only buy when I can get the 2-disc for close to the price of the single-disc. That's my way of protesting.
BigDan
01-24-06, 03:42 AM
I assume the reason for this two-tiered pricing is so sales of extra-laden DVDs will go down and then the studios can say, "Look. People don't like extras" and then they can stop paying to produce them altogether.
I mean, MGM claimed for years that consumers didn't want extras on their DVDs. Even though that company has been absorbed into another, perhaps those marketing folks' ideas caught on.
And no, I don't seriously think that's what's happening.
GF2814
01-24-06, 09:23 AM
Seems to be the new thing with Warner Brothers, which NEVER did this. They will be doing it again with Harry Potter GOF. Sucks enough when they double dip on it in a year as it is.
davidh777
01-25-06, 02:29 PM
Originally Posted by Mr. Cinema
"I'm more angry at the pricing. If the 1-disc has a list price of $28.99, and sells for $14.99 in store, then the 2-disc that has a list price of $30.99, should sell for $16.99 in store, not $22.99"
Seems like you should be angry at the retailers, who set the discounts, not the studios.
Exactly. Why is it Warner's fault that Circuit City chooses the cheap one to be the loss leader?
eau
01-25-06, 06:22 PM
Exactly. Why is it Warner's fault that Circuit City chooses the cheap one to be the loss leader?
Perhaps, it's Warner's fault that they made 2 editions in the first place that allow retailers to choose the cheaper one as a loss leader (since they figure most people who pick the 1-disc edition anyway) :p
If they only made a 2-discc edition, then retailers would have to make it a loss leader if they follow their norm to compete with competitors.
Mr. Cinema
01-25-06, 08:07 PM
They used to make only 2-disc editions. Terminator 3, Matrix Reloaded, and The Aviator come to mind. All were roughly $15 during release week. The good ol' days...
Of course, maybe releasing both versions will lessen the chance of a 2-discer going OOP. Fox used to issue 2-disc sets, only to quietly replace them with single disc versions. Fight Club, The Abyss for example. I know they're widely available again as 2-discs, but for awhile, Fight Club 2-disc was tough to find.
rbbrbndsmlfnny
01-25-06, 09:10 PM
They used to make only 2-disc editions. Terminator 3, Matrix Reloaded, and The Aviator come to mind. All were roughly $15 during release week. The good ol' days...
Of course, maybe releasing both versions will lessen the chance of a 2-discer going OOP. Fox used to issue 2-disc sets, only to quietly replace them with single disc versions. Fight Club, The Abyss for example. I know they're widely available again as 2-discs, but for awhile, Fight Club 2-disc was tough to find.
the best buy by me has at least thirty fight club ones.
that's OOP now?
Buy: