There's a trend in offering the so-called "Combo pack" in which you get the Blu Ray plus a DVD copy and in some cases a digital download or something called an "Ultraviolet" edition of a given movie. My question to all of us who buy movies on a regular basis is - Does it really make a difference to you? Do you say "I'd rather have the combo pack instead of a simple Blu Ray-only edition?" Or are you like me and don't see the point (other than making the product more expensive)?
The DVD copy is, I suppose if you're going to see the movie in your car (!) or your computer that doesn't have a Blu Ray drive, and the digital copy for your handheld device. But why would anyone want to see a movie on an iPod when you have the Blu Ray and obviously have a Blu Ray player that will give you better quality? But I digress.
The problem comes when a Blu Ray movie is ONLY available in "combo pack". Case in point, the recently released The Thing (2011 version). I've yet to find online just a simple Blu Ray disc edition of the film. There is, however, a simple one disc DVD version, so why can't there be a simple one disc Blu ray? The mind boggles.

For kids movies, it's definitely a plus because they watch movies over & over in various places. As well as misplace them.

But for normal grown up movies I don't see much point. I'm going to watch The Thing one time only on the best setup I have. Not on an ipad while waiting for my car to be washed.

However, if it doesn't add to the cost I really don't care.

There are multiple threads on this subject, but to address this specific point: there are also these devices called iPads, as well as laptops, that are much better than iPods for watching movies when you're traveling. Laptops may or may not have Blu-ray drives, but regardless, it's nice to load digital copies of a few movies when you're going to be away from home and not have to bring the discs along.

My sister wanted Pixar Shorts on DVD for Christmas. Even though she has a blu-ray player she was probably thinking of playing it in her minivan. I got her the combo pack so now she has the blu for home use and the DVD can be used on the run. Seems like a win-win-win to me.

Maybe I'm wrong, but I heard that if you want to UltraViolet copy you need to provide your personal information online in order to view. Not for me.

The DVD copy is not bad, in case I'm going to someone's place who doesn't own a blu ray player, and want to bring over the movie.

I'm fine with having the combo pack, as long as I don't have to pay more for it.

Yeah, like your typical information when you register for a forum account.

If you're only planning on watching it once, then why not just rent it?

I hate it. Dont need the dvd version if you are buying the blu. Ive taught my kids to treat stuff nice, so I dont have to worry about such things. The thing I really hate, is them putting extras on the combo set and not the regular blu release.

I prefer the combo packs. I have a Blu Ray player but some of the people I let borrow movies don't so it is convenient for me.

I don't care about Blu-Ray/DVD combo packs. I'd rather have 2-Disc SE DVDs, whoever wants Blu-Rays can have their own 2-Disc SE Blu-Rays, and whoever needs both can buy both. -kd5-

I don't care. Most of the posters around here get great bargains on the packs, so price isn't an issue.

Also with companies like Synapse Films, it makes releasing a Blu-Ray version of one of their films more affordable for them as a whole. That pretty much benefits everyone.

I love combo packs and wish that every Blu-ray had a DVD copy included with it - I think Digital Copies are useless however.
As Blu players become common in each room of my house, vehicles and computer drives, there will be less of a need for the DVDs.
I've freed up tons of shelf space by putting my old DVD discs in a paper envelope inside each Blu case for the titles I've upgraded.

I'm only interested in the Disney ones....Extra movie-reward points.

I like the combo-packs, my mom refuses to get an HD tv and a Blu-ray player, so when I loan her a movie she can use the DVD.

I prefer combo packs. There are only two Blu-ray players in the house and six TVs, plus we travel frequently and use portable DVD players (haven't seen a portable Blu-ray player and don't think I would buy into one of them if I did) so it's convenient to have the DVD as well as BD.

I agree with "Disc-Flipper", that digital copies (and especially "UltraViolet") are useless.

I like combo pack and I can watch Blu-ray and DVD disc whatever I want to watch it plus minus never watch/don't like digital copies neither.

Hate'em.

I don't think I've ever watched a DVD I've gotten in a blu-ray combo pack; the only exceptions were when I put in the Avatar DVD to compare it to the blu-ray (and, holy shit does the picture on the blu-ray blow away the DVD!) and Kick-Ass to see if the DVD had any special features (it didn't; it was like a rental disc). But even then I only watched a few minutes of Avatar for comparison and didn't even play any of the Kick-Ass DVD outside of the main menu.

I suspect that the primary motivation for these combo packs (Blu-ray, DVD, and digital copy) is to artificially inflate the disc count, to make it look like a better deal after they've jacked up the price.

I like the combos. I like having the DVD to watch in the basement or take to a friend's house or on a trip, and I like the digital copies. I don't watch them that often, but I knew I was going to be stuck somewhere today so I threw The Two Towers on my ipod and watched part of it. Sure, it's an extremely substandard experience, but I like having the option.

That said, I haven't tried Ultraviolet yet and am wary that it might significantly degrade the combo experience for me.

I don't care about the DVDs at all. I do stick the digital copies on my IPad but hardly ever watch them, and it's just about full with the last couple I put on it, so I guess I'll have to start picking which ones I keep on there.

I have the "Ramona" Blu/DVD/DC combo, and I looked at the film on Blu, and you're absolutely right WRT picture quality-- it's almost like I was in an actual movie theater (albeit without all the annoyances that come with the same).

For kids movies:
For everything else:

At first blush, I thought this was a great idea -- Release a separate Blu-ray version. Simple enough, right? Only they never have all the extras that the combo packs do.

My biggest issue is cost on new releases. The combo packs tend to be in the $23-25 range. I never use the bonus DVD or digital copy. If they did the single BD with the normal extras, I would bite. Now I just have to wait until the price comes down.

I like the option, it's not that important, but if I can get a good price, I'll go for the combo pack.

I can't help but read Ultraviolet as Ultraviolent and then do a double take at the "Ultraviolent" edition of Happy Feet Two.

I thought I was the only one - haha

If it is close to the same cost I like it for films others want as well, I keep the blu-ray and they can have the DVD, cheaper then buying two films. Even worth it for a few dollars more, then again I rarely purchase movies when they are first released, far too costly.