Like music CDs, I always thoughts that using jewel cases would solve a lot of problems that people seem to have with the way studios package their DVDs. They would last indefinitely, would be easier to store (just imagine how your storage cabinet would have all kinds of room if your collection was in jewel cases, and would make the DVDs all look uniform instead of snappers, amary, digipak, etc.

It seems like there's an awful lot of wasted space with the cases the studios use. The disc is so small, and there's so much plastic all around it.

Anyone know if jewel cases were ever considered for use in packaging DVDs?

That's crazy talk!

"They would last indefinitly" What? Jewel cases break faster than snappers do.

I like 'em the size they are now. Cover art is good sized, a jewel case would shrink that down to much.

I am however, all for the ThinPak.

There were quite a few that were originally released in jewel cases. Off the top of my head, Backdraft and Waterworld were originally released in jewel cases.

Every Jewel cases I own is broken. Move on...nothin' to see here.

EWWWWWWWWWW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! jewel cases are done! Even video games moved to the DVD type plastic cases.

If jewel cases are ever considered for use in packaging the DVDs, I will stop buying DVDs

I should have said that the jewel case is easily replaceable. I realize they can crack pretty easily. Although I own upwards of 550 music CDs, and all the jewel cases are in perfect condition. Anyways, it's darn near impossible to replace a cardboard snapper or digipak if they get damaged. Out of luck, unless you want to go the DVDCoverArt.com route. I would be a much happier collector if all the studios would just decide on a universal case they would all utilize, instead of all these odd-depths that make snappers stick out of your collection. I know a lot of people separate their collection by studios and/or snapper vs. amary. But I just prefer to alphabetize mine. I've got almost 600 DVDs, and I'm not in the mood to look all over the place for a single title.

I suggest you wake up....the past is long gone now!!!

Uummmm, then why are music studios using jewel cases in the PRESENT?!

I'm not necessarily pro-jewel case, I am only inquiring why the studios aren't in line with a universal packaging system for DVDs. You don't see video game manufacturers using all different kinds of cases for their games. Or music studios using different sizes and shapes for packaging music CDs. Ditto with software.

I am sure you are not sure what you're talking about...
I would suggest checking out BB's music section for instance...

I always thought the DVD cases were designed so you can get the proper aspect ratio of the movie poster on the front cover (if you so desire). Personally I like them being different...

I'd stop buying dvds if they switched

Let me explain more. I think the jewel case (now called the JC from here on out) is ugly, small, and again ugly.

I like to display my DVDs and show off the various forms of artwork that is used. I love to replace my snappers as soon as I get them. I go to dvdcoverart and I can select a new cover of many designs or a direct scan of the original scaled down to fit the Amaray. Then I can print them on my photo printer, they look wonderful.

I couldn't fathom what a JC display would look like. All would have small and limited artwork, they would all be the exact same size, and just look disgusting to display.

DVDs in jewel cases? You're kidding right? R3 porn and bootleg flicks come in jewel cases, not the movies I'd buy. Far as I'm concern, they should all come in collector's edition packaging, ie, Pulp Fiction, Jackie Brown, Reservoir Dogs, Fight Club, Se7en... to name a few. But I like the packaging they use for the ultimate edition of my Meet Joe Black and Notting Hill even more.

I agree with all of the above: Jewel cases blow (how did they become to be known as jewel cases anyway? Cases made to hold jewels look nothing like that). However, thin paks are good, but what I wished they did from the beginning was create a smaller keep case, more along the size of a jewel case but as durable as any keep case. The reason is for space, obviously, for those of us with larger collections. The larger keep cases are cool until you amass several hundred of the suckers and then you look at your collection of 1200 CDs and it takes up less space than your collection of 700 DVDs and you realize what a space waster keep cases are in their current form.

Don't forget all those wonderful Anchor Bay LE tins and "The Wicker Man" Box, which I have no problem with. But to have a jewel case opposed to a keep case or even a snapper is ridiculous.

The movie studios are at least when it comes to DVD, much much much smarter then the music companies. They realized pretty quickly that people have a great love and respect for movies. They have, at least when it comes to dvd, been very respectfull to the fans in most cases. The music industry is a pig when it comes to fans. They have shown that they dont care about music, only money. So they have not changed cd packaging since its inception. I think the question should be. Why has the music industry not changed the packaging of cd's to dvd type packaging.

I'd still buy dvd's, but they'd go straight into a cd wallet. I like the packaging as is...just keep everything the same height and depth, and i'm fine.

Same here.

I feel the exact same way about automobiles too. I refuse to buy any car that doesn't contain oversized tailfins and tons of chrome.

(Haven't driven since 1960 now. )

pawdog, your talking about the same industry here right?, my friends dvd store, owner has alwasy said, hollywood is made up of bean counters. music industry made a lot of big mistake's with cd's because stores can't hold them with out special security tags or box's to stop shop lifters. so when dvd came around dvd distributor's made the box the size we all know and love now because it's harder for someone to steal. not because it has movie lovers in mind or anything else.

the size of the box also gives the buyer the look of value because of it's size, same reason pc games come in a big box. after all it's just a CD disc.

I never thought of it that way. You make a very good point.

I also agree with above post by Calhoun07 regarding making keepcases a bit smaller for space-saving.

This was mentioned earlier in the thread but kind of seems to have been overlooked: When DVD first came out several studios did package DVDs in jewel cases, particularly Universal and its affiliates.

They failed miserably.

One reason seems to be people had a hard time telling the difference between the DVDs and the CD soundtracks of the movies. The larger keepcases helped differentiate DVDs as a new and separate product.

That was my thought. I think the biggest reason is just for differentiation. Any reason concerning artwork and what not is just hindsight from what you appreciate now. If DVD's were in jewel cases today, i don't think there would be a big stink about how we need larger cases to show off.

Didn't DIVX release their movies in jewel cases? We all know how they turned out...

Dean