Do you like metalpaks as much as steelbooks?

[RUN-DvdMC]

I'm not sure how I feel about it. Unfortunately some movies are only in metalpaks and not in steelbooks so if you don't really have a choice if you want something other than an amaray case.

[scott1598]

why did you post the same exact thread in 2 different places?

[RUN-DvdMC]

why did you post the same exact thread in 2 different places?

Because I took your advice and moved it to the cases thread. The edit button wouldn't let me delete the other thread. Do you know how to do it?

[mr. b_dvd]

I'm not sure what you mean exactly by metalpacks. Do you mean those metal tin cases like the Target X3, the Edward Scissorhands tin, or even the other ones that look like a Steelbook, like Dune.

I prefer steelbooks because they are the same size as a standard dvd, and their quality has been better than what I've seen with other metal cases.

I have seen the Viva Dune vs the Steelbook Dune on the shelves, and I don't know what the inside looks like of the Viva, but I hate the grey plastic that shows on the Viva, which looks like it is the inside plastic liner. They do seem to have the same artwork, dimensions, and unless you "know," the Viva could pass for a Steelbook.

I have also seen some recent metal cases from overseas (Stealbooks?), and they look very much like a Steelbook, with similar plastic lining, dimensions, artwork painted inside and out, but no Steelbook logo and slightly different spine dimensions. I have not seen one up close, but I probably wouldn't mind those either if I wanted the movie bad enough.

I like the metal tins to some degree, but I like the concept of the Steelbook instead of a metal tin to hold a standard amaray case; waste of space to me. I'd much rather be able to have a row of Steelbooks of movies I like vs a row of metal tins, w/ a standard amaray case inside, sitting on the shelves. I did pick up the Edward Sciccorhands one when it came out, but that was before I even knew about Steelbooks, I had the foolscreen version (I didn't buy the first copy), and I like the raised part of the cover.

I also like the larger Viva tin sets, at least I think Viva is the one that makes 'em. The ones I'm talking about here are Band of Brothers, Old Boy, Rambo, etc. I don't plan to buy all of 'em, since some don't hold my inerest at all, but I do like that they hold a large digipack more securely than some slipcase.

I hate that I'm too damn anal though, 'cos I want my Steelbooks and large tins to be as dent free, scratch free, as possible. I know this has no bearing on whether the movie will play okay in the dvd player, but I just like to know that the case is in nice, new-like, condition. I'm the same way with amaray cases, to an extent anyway.

Some Steelbooks/metalpacks/Viva tin/Stealbooks/etc. I wouldn't buy though 'cos I have no interest in owning the movie.

[RUN-DvdMC]

A metalpak is very similar to a steelbook but as Mr. B Dvd said, the spine is a little different. I was wondering if the steelbook enthusiasts/collectors collect just "steelbook" brand stuff and would a metalpak brand movie still be "accepted" in their collection. For example, in the past I would collect only Nike Air Jordan high tops. There would be no way that I could have another brand "mixed" in with my shoes. It's safe to say that I used to be a very anal (snobbish) collector at one time.

[Willo007]

A metalpak is very similar to a steelbook but as Mr. B Dvd said, the spine is a little different. I was wondering if the steelbook enthusiasts/collectors collect just "steelbook" brand stuff and would a metalpak brand movie still be "accepted" in their collection. For example, in the past I would collect only Nike Air Jordan high tops. There would be no way that I could have another brand "mixed" in with my shoes. It's safe to say that I used to be a very anal (snobbish) collector at one time.

I own "The Punisher" (1989) Metalpack, as stated previously, the only thing I don't like about the case is the spine, but then again it has a lenticular front cover.
:D

[xage]

I'm not sure how I feel about it. Unfortunately some movies are only in metalpaks and not in steelbooks so if you don't really have a choice if you want something other than an amaray case.

Do you happen to have a list of R1 Metalpaks that you are referring to?

The only one that I know of was Dune (manufactured by VIVA).

[RUN-DvdMC]

Do you happen to have a list of R1 Metalpaks that you are referring to?

The only one that I know of was Dune (manufactured by VIVA).

There are no R1 metalpaks that I know of. The ones I have are definitely foreign. If you type in metalpak on ebay you will see some examples of what I mean.

[mr. b_dvd]

There are no R1 metalpaks that I know of. The ones I have are definitely foreign. If you type in metalpak on ebay you will see some examples of what I mean.

EBay wasn't much help, 'cos there were no auctions with pics of the metalpaks at all angles. It does look similar to a SteelBook, but the corners look more rounded, and the inside lips are different. They are definately hinged differently.

I just googled metalpak, and it looks like they are the ones that make the large tin cases, not VIVA; I saw they had pics of some of their cases, and one of them was the Band of Brothers Tin Set.

I think they also made the LE Akira Tin that came out awhile back. From what I remember reading about this one, a lot of people complained about the case. The covers wouldn't line up right, hinges got damaged easily, etc. I think that might be the only R1 metalpak I know of, 'cos I haven't seen any other cases like that. I've seen the tin cases that are not hinged, essentially a tin box if you will, but the cases at metalpak.com are hinged.

Looking at them now, I'd probably pass on most of them, and if I had any, I don't think I'd keep them with my SteelBooks; maybe next to them though in their own little stack or section. The hinge on a SteelBook has a flat metal surface for the title of the movie, much like a regular case. On the pics of the metalpaks I saw on their website, there was a title on the edge, but i couldn't make out a flat surface like a SteelBook, and the edges are rounded off all the way around. I personally like the look and construction of SteelBooks more, as they resemble a dvd case more with the edging and the spine. Metalpak does have some nice ones though (I liked the Blade Trinity one). I've also seen those Kill Bill 1 & 2 metalpaks auctioned on EBay as SteelBooks. I just found out recently that they are not SteelBooks; now I know they are metalpaks. The artwork sellers use for 'em makes them look like SteelBooks. I do see the title on the spine, but it looks like it's printed on the sides of both covers, and you can kind of see how it is hinged without a flat metal surface for the spine like a SteelBook. The Dune Viva Case was definately more like a SteelBook than these metalpaks.

I'd love to see pics of these to get a better look at 'em.

EDIT: Here's a pic of the Akira Tin Set I've seen before from a few years ago. metalpak.com had a picture of this one in their Press Release section (It was in the background in a picture of their merchandise).

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg224/bmsauceda/Steelbooks%20Wishlist/akiraletin.jpg

[scott1598]

There are no R1 metalpaks that I know of. The ones I have are definitely foreign. If you type in metalpak on ebay you will see some examples of what I mean.

If there are no R1 metalpaks don't you think most of us wouldn't even have any and thus pointless to compare?

[xage]

There are no R1 metalpaks that I know of. The ones I have are definitely foreign. If you type in metalpak on ebay you will see some examples of what I mean.


As I see it, ebay is not a basis of comparative analysis from your original question nor its the best choice of source for samples.

Will you be able to share a photo image of your metalpaks?

It seems that you created a thread with not enough basis and research. The question you raised is more focused in your choice, own belief and self doubt. (base from your original sentence: "I'm not sure how I feel about it".)


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As far as I know Metalpaks have been in the "Media Packaging Business" for quite a while.

Packaging like Band Of Brothers and Akira were made by them

There is another one which is "VIVA" who originally created metal-box (very similar to steelbook) but lost the patent rights thus they stopped producing the 1st wave of metal-box. New batch of metal-box were made but far resemblance from a steelbook design.

for resource purpose, I posted this comparative analysis between metal-box & steelbook:

http://forum.dvdtalk.com/showpost.php?p=7647698&postcount=65

here are more links of the websites related to "Metal Paks" & "Metal Box"

http://metalpak.com/metalpack/indexUK.html

http://www.viva-metalbox.com/

[OB1WAN]

I have a collection of 121 Steelbooks and 6 Metalpacks.
Most of my steelbook collection are UK region 2, the 6 metalpaks are 1 US-Dune and 5 NL which are Black Dahlia, Kill Bill 1 & 2, Sahara and War of The Worlds.
They are the same size as the Steelbooks but have different hinges on the spine.
3 of the Metalpaks have just plastic insides but the Kill Bill's and Black Dahlia have picture insides just like a steelbook.
I brought them as there wasn't a steelbook equivalent when I purchased and would buy again if the film was only available in Metalpak.
I definately prefer Steelbooks and thankfully the only Metalpaks released so far in the UK are for Music DVD's.

[xage]

OB1WAN, DUNE is a Metal-Box/metapak (made by Viva) and it was not manufactured by Metalpak thus it is not a Metalpak

[OB1WAN]

OB1WAN, DUNE is a Metal-Box/metapak (made by Viva) and it was not manufactured by Metalpak thus it is not a Metalpak

Sorry xage, you refered to it in an earlier post as a metalpak, so I guess you can discount that from my collection which just leaves me the 6 from Holland.
I still say that I would rather have a metalpak or metapak than a normal case but without doubt prefer the good old steelbook.

[mr. b_dvd]

If there are no R1 metalpaks don't you think most of us wouldn't even have any and thus pointless to compare?

Well, there are more and more SteelBook collectors now that are picking up overseas stuff, and I think this is why he was probably asking. It's a logical jump to think SteelBook collectors would have picked up some of the overseas MetalPaks, either intentionally or accidentally. Hell, I've heard of the existence of metal cases that were not SteelBooks, but looked very similar. Now I know that Kill Bill 1 and 2 is a MetalPak(TM), as well as the R1 Akira one from several years back.