Wouldn't it be great if all BR releases were dual-format?
#1
DVD Talk Legend
Thread Starter
Wouldn't it be great if all BR releases were dual-format?
I'm a relatively new (a little over 2 years) convert to BR, and don't have all that many, but whenever it's an option I buy Blu-rays that also include a DVD version of the film. I find this concept ingenious, because so many people, understandably, still don't have Blu-ray players, so if one were to lend the film to someone, he can choose which one to watch.
Of course, one can rip the film to a DVD format, and I do that as a precaution, but I'd rather have an official copy than a rip.
Of course, one can rip the film to a DVD format, and I do that as a precaution, but I'd rather have an official copy than a rip.
#3
DVD Talk Special Edition
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,320
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: Wouldn't it be great if all BR releases were dual-format?
I'll take a spare DVD copy over a useless digital copy any day. The DVD can be ripped for a digital copy if you want one of those, and it'll be free of DRM. I like being able to lend out the DVD to people I know who don't have Blu-ray players, and I'm sure parents appreciate having a spare DVD copy of whatever Disney movie they just bought for their kids for playing in vehicles or rooms without Blu-ray players.
#4
Banned
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Formerly known as "Solid Snake PAC"/Denton, Tx
Posts: 39,239
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes
on
4 Posts
Re: Wouldn't it be great if all BR releases were dual-format?
No. I wouldn't want a DVD with every BD release. I'd actually prefer no DVD with my BD. I've yet to use a DVD in a combo release.
DVD is dead to me unless that's the only format option for something. Like that Cazale doc. Wish it was on BD.
DVD is dead to me unless that's the only format option for something. Like that Cazale doc. Wish it was on BD.
#5
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Wouldn't it be great if all BR releases were dual-format?
I agree I generally want most stuff on Blu-ray now as opposed to DVD, but there are certain times where the DVD copy is nice to have. As long as the studio isn't just throwing it in there along with a special edition of a film that can only be had by buying the combo pack or something dumb I don't really mind.
#6
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Wouldn't it be great if all BR releases were dual-format?
I'd rather it be a limited-time bonus in new releases, like the slipcovers. If you include it with every title, it could keep prices higher for those of us that just want the BD.
Although I would hardly consider not being able to loan out a title a problem, even that was a much bigger deal in 2008 or so. These days BD players can be had for well under $100. If someone I know and trust wants a free rental, he can get the player.
I do understand the kid issue, and I'm okay with Disney doing it for their big animated titles which are going to stay at a higher price no matter what.
Although I would hardly consider not being able to loan out a title a problem, even that was a much bigger deal in 2008 or so. These days BD players can be had for well under $100. If someone I know and trust wants a free rental, he can get the player.
I do understand the kid issue, and I'm okay with Disney doing it for their big animated titles which are going to stay at a higher price no matter what.
#7
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Re: Wouldn't it be great if all BR releases were dual-format?
#8
DVD Talk Gold Edition
Re: Wouldn't it be great if all BR releases were dual-format?
It actually seems to be very much the trend these days. Not only for new releases, either. There are a lot of movies that were released as stand alone Blu Ray's in the past three or so years, that are now being reissued with additional DVD and Digital copies.
I think the studios are realizing that to truly capitalize on these days of troubling sales, they have to give you the most bang for your buck.
In a way, this kind of pisses me off, as they should have been offered this way from the beginning, but that's just them reacting to the change in climate. My guess, is that perhaps in the not too distant future, you won't be given the option between just DVD or Blu Ray. Most everything will automatically be a combo pack only.
Personally, I like them. Not everybody has a Blu Ray player in every room. This way, if I really want to, I still have the option to watch the DVD in another room of the house that still has a DVD player in it, if I so choose.
I think the studios are realizing that to truly capitalize on these days of troubling sales, they have to give you the most bang for your buck.
In a way, this kind of pisses me off, as they should have been offered this way from the beginning, but that's just them reacting to the change in climate. My guess, is that perhaps in the not too distant future, you won't be given the option between just DVD or Blu Ray. Most everything will automatically be a combo pack only.
Personally, I like them. Not everybody has a Blu Ray player in every room. This way, if I really want to, I still have the option to watch the DVD in another room of the house that still has a DVD player in it, if I so choose.
Last edited by Rocketdog2000; 05-11-14 at 05:34 PM.
#10
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
#13
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Wouldn't it be great if all BR releases were dual-format?
I'm with you - I have yet to use a DVD included in a combo pack. I'd much rather have the digital copy than a DVD copy - at least that provides some 'future proofing' if and when studios decide to stop producing Blu-rays. A DVD does nothing for me...it's like getting a cassette tape with a CD purchase.
#14
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Wouldn't it be great if all BR releases were dual-format?
The Wolf of Wall Street
American Hustle
Bad Teacher
Django Unchained
The Expendables
Are these the ones you're sharing with the kids?
I agree that DVDs make sense for family films, but they make no sense for some titles.
#15
Banned by request
Re: Wouldn't it be great if all BR releases were dual-format?
No, but my parents and in-laws did. They've been borrowing my DVD's for years, especially the Best Picture nominees. So it does make a little sense, even on titles like The Wolf of Wall Street, American Hustle, Bad Teacher, Django Unchained, and The Expendables
#16
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Wouldn't it be great if all BR releases were dual-format?
I don't mind the Dual Releases, as I have friends who borrow the DVDs.
Part of me minds how Amazon UK has been handling Arrow Films' Dual Releases. They are charging much more for them compared to when Arrow Films' was just releasing non-Dual releases.
Part of me minds how Amazon UK has been handling Arrow Films' Dual Releases. They are charging much more for them compared to when Arrow Films' was just releasing non-Dual releases.
#17
DVD Talk Reviewer & TOAT Winner
Re: Wouldn't it be great if all BR releases were dual-format?
I'd rather have a laserdisc come with a Blu-Ray than a standard DVD.
Blu-ray players have been around long enough now, and can be gotten cheaply enough that there's little excuse for not having one, though it seems wrong to play a Blu-Ray on an old CRT TV.
Ultraviolet is of little use to me but I've been trading the codes for other movies I haven't seen, so that's worked out pretty well so far. I've redeemed the codes that came with 'old favorites' like Wizard of Oz and ET, but still don't really see the need for them. I'm not going to watch an entire movie "on the go" and on a small computer screen.
Blu-ray players have been around long enough now, and can be gotten cheaply enough that there's little excuse for not having one, though it seems wrong to play a Blu-Ray on an old CRT TV.
Ultraviolet is of little use to me but I've been trading the codes for other movies I haven't seen, so that's worked out pretty well so far. I've redeemed the codes that came with 'old favorites' like Wizard of Oz and ET, but still don't really see the need for them. I'm not going to watch an entire movie "on the go" and on a small computer screen.
#18
Re: Wouldn't it be great if all BR releases were dual-format?
#20
DVD Talk Hero
Re: Wouldn't it be great if all BR releases were dual-format?
I used to sell the DVD's. Now I just give them away to friends/relatives.
#21
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Re: Wouldn't it be great if all BR releases were dual-format?
No. All is does, to me, is add extra cost to the package, namely the intended Blu-Ray release of the movie. If I want a DVD copy, I can make one myself from the Bluray source. It is not difficult. It seems also to be an environmentally unsound trend, this releasing dual formats. For those few films new to Blu but also never released on DVD, tough luck to those who haven't yet upgraded to BD and can't (or won't) learn to burn their own DVD copy.
#22
Re: Wouldn't it be great if all BR releases were dual-format?
WB is doing the same thing with selected titles. Batman Begins, which has about 15 different skus on BD, is being released tomorrow as a BD/DVD/UV combo pack along with a few others.
#23
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Wouldn't it be great if all BR releases were dual-format?
I trade every DVD in a combo pack to MovieStop for $4.40, sell the UV code to a buddy, and sell slip covers in lots on eBay. I just need the Blu.
#24
DVD Talk Gold Edition
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Tokyo, Japan
Posts: 2,609
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: Wouldn't it be great if all BR releases were dual-format?
I don't see the purpose of a bonus DVD or Digital Copy. If I buy the Blu-ray, I want to watch the movie in HD, why would I ever want to watch the DVD edition? I've never redeemed a UV or Digital Copy, the biggest problem is that they're inaccessible in other countries they are purchased from. But I can't find any reason I'd rather watch a digital copy version of a movie rather than the high quality disc version.