The Bus

The other day I contacted Universal Studios Home Video and told them I didn't like combo discs. They wrote back and told me they would be forwarding that information to the appropriate people.

I've never been a big fan of online petitions. They always seemed counter-productive because as soon as one person stuffs the ballot they all lose credibility. I much prefer contacting companies directly as that works a lot better, most of the time.

Here is the Universal Studios contact form.

I wrote them a simple paragraph expressing my views about the format and included my phone number (in the message) in case there were further questions. I figured that was an easier way to show that I was a real person.

I don't know if this will change anything but it's probably better than complaining here on a message board.

BD people, I guess you can use this form to tell Universal to start making Blu-Ray discs.

Vipper II

They can make combo discs all they want. I just don't want to pay an extra five bucks for them. Either cut the price to regular HD DVD prices, or offer an option to get the HD DVD version only, priced accordingly.

Damed

I actually would prefer the combo discs, as long as they aren't more expensive. They are convenient.

darkside

I like combo discs. Sorry to mess up the movement, but I am happy paying an extra $5 for a DVD copy of the movie.

mdc3000

I don't want to pay more, but I don't mind combos... I'd like to see Universal take the lead and release a movie on Combo only (no SD version), priced reasonably...that's what I want to see them do!

digitalfreaknyc

to what everyone has said.

The Bus

Well, make your thoughts known. I'm sure a $5 difference is much easier to swallow for most people than a $10 or $15 one.

Mr. Cinema

I don't like combo discs. Why would I want a dvd glued to the other side of my HD disc?

Mopower

I don't like combo discs. If I wanted the DVD version of the movie I wouldn't be buying the HD-DVD version. Duh.

bunkaroo

I was able to get Unleashed for 24.99 at Fry's, and it looks like Land of The Dead wa spriced that way as well. So it looks like the Uni ones might be a little cheaper now.

It's the WB ones that seem to be more expensive. I didn't paying $32 or so for Superman Returns for TrueHD, but I can't see paying that for some of their other combo titles like 16 Blocks or The Lake House, both of which I'd be interested in getting if they were in the $2-$25 price range.

Shannon Nutt

That will never happen, unless HD-DVD dies and standard DVD dies as well...Universal HATES Sony.

PornoStar

As I posted in the other thread discussing this, Absolutely love Combo discs and wish more of them were being made. Until HD-DVD players exist on all levels and I have replaced all of the regular DVD players I own with HD-DVD players I have a real use for the SD version. I own most of the movies I have purchased on HD-DVD and unless they are combo discs I am forced to keep my SD version. Having a Combo release allows me to get rid of my SD version and just have the HD-DVD Combo version.

While I can understand why some people might not want to get a Combo version, at least this is an issue regarding getting something extra instead of it being about not getting enough. There are definitly worse things out there then getting a SD version alongside the HD version of a film. I personally think this is one of the big advantages the HD-DVD format has over BD by being associated with the DVD forum. I fully expect them to continue with this line of Combo discs and even ramp up production of them with more titles being made available like this. Unfortunately for people that dont like them I dont think they will have both a non combo and combo version available for the same release. Its just something I think your going to have to get used to if your going to stick with HD-DVD.

PS..

PornoStar

I am sorry but this just doesnt hold water with alot of people. I know there are people on these forums that use thier DVD's in portable devices and also in different rooms in thier house that dont have HD-DVD players in them. If you cant see the obvious need for SD versions of movies still then your just not thinking. Do you think that the entire industry of portable movie devices was just going to shut down because of the HD formats. Bottom line there are people out there that will use both the SD and HD versions of the film. Its not what you said but how you said it with the Duh at the end. You make it sound like its a retarded thing putting a SD version in with a HD movie and its clearly not the case. Again alot of people will use the SD version with me being one of them.

PS..

Mopower

Ha. No I don't think the idea is "retarded" but I don't like paying $5-10 more because it has the DVD version on it that I will never use. I can see why some people would like both. But I guarantee the majority of people buying HD-DVD's are only going to use them in their HD-DVD players. $39.99 for Miami Vice is ridiculous. I know prices will be going down in the future but it doesn't make it easy to get people to buy your product when you are charging so much for the software. I guess that's what being an "early adopter" is all about though.

PornoStar

Please, you have a legit argument without having to inflate the prices of the movies. While I dont agree with your view I certainly understand where some people would notbe happy paying more for a Combo release, however please dont post prices like 39.99 to try and make your point seem more valid. Everyone on this forum knows where to go to get those movies at much better prices. If your paying 39.99 for any HD-DVD release period then the problem isnt with the studio but with your pathetic shopping skills. The most expensive title I have seen has been around 32 bucks with a good percentage of the combos being much cheaper. Hell I just got 2 Combos from Amazon a few weeks ago for 24 bucks each, thats a far cry from 39.99.

So again I was never saying that people dont have a legit issue with Combos. I have said all along I understandhow some people migt not like them. However to use language like DUH when describing Combo's is completly rediculous as its very easy to see where alot of people would use them and alot of people who have responded to these threads have come right out and said they like them and use them. Bottom line is if you dont like them then dont buy them or wait for them to come down in price. You can however get alot of the combos out right now for about the same price as non combo's so I dont understand why so many people find them so problematic. Its only been a select few titles that have been over the 30 dollar mark.

PS...

Mopower

Miami Vice is $39.99 at Best Buy. I don't have "pathetic shopping skills." I hate buying stuff online. I shouldn't have to pay $27.99 for a DVD and then 5 dollars shipping. Please, don't get so offended by the "DUH" when you are being so condescending with me. I understand why some people would want combos. But the thread topic is "Unhappy about HD DVD/DVD combo discs? Let the studios know". So don't come into a thread ready to chew the ass of whoever disses combos.

I said I understand why people would want them. I don't like them because I would never use the DVD portion of the video. It's my opinion. I apologize for using the "duh" word. It's no reason to start an argument over.

cyberlian

Is there a form to tell fox to start making hd-dvds?

RoboDad

Since the title of the thread asks the question, I'll answer it.

No, I'm not unhappy about HD DVD/DVD combo discs. I would be happier (as most would be) if they were priced at less of a premium, or if HD DVD-only versions were also available for those who want them, but since I can get the combo titles I want online at fairly reasonable prices (most sites give me free shipping, too), I don't have much to complain about. Especially since the combos give me the option to watch movies in places other than my home theater.

Alan Smithee

I don't have HD yet, but I've bought a few combo discs so I'll have the HD version when I finally upgrade. They should do all discs this way whenever possible; I've been reluctant to buy any regular DVD titles that have HD discs out since I know I'll wish I'd have bought them instead. The prices need to go down though; if anything they should put movies out on combo discs only with no regular DVD by itself, so everyone who buys the movie will have the HD version in their house and be tempted to upgrade if they haven't already.

All the ones I've bought have been from Warner though and have absolutely NO label on the DVD side, and I've gotten a number of regular 2-sided DVDs with no label on side 2 also. That just looks cheap.

DthRdrX

Combo prices may, hopefully, come down in the future. My problem with the combos is the last few I have opened have had a big fingerprint somewhere on the disc.

PornoStar

Regardless of what you like to do with your shopping, the bottom line is you know where to get it much cheaper so if you go ahead and pay the 39.99 instead of ordering it online, even if you dont like ordering online, then it is your shopping skills that are at issue here. You purposely paying more for an item because you dont like shopping online. That is an issue with you and again not the movie studios. The MSRP is always much higher than the actual price you can find stuff at. Just because one retailer happens to actually charge the MSRP instead of offering the discount that basically everyone else does isn't an issue with them, its with the retailer charging full MSRP.

Like I said, bottom line is that these movies can be found for much cheaper period so coming in here and using the absolute highest price you could find for one particular Combo when discussing the overall price difference between all combos and all non combos is ridiculous and again the problem is with your shopping techniques, not the actual price of the movie. Combos can be had for much cheaper than their MSRP ad if you decide not to partake in those deals then that is your decision. Everyone else on this forum can and does get it for much cheaper so the actual price you can get that movie for isn't 39.99.

By the way Amazon has free shipping so you can go ahead and knock that 5.99 off of that price you said you would ay if you wnet online. Pus if you were part of the people that took advantage of the 10% off Amazon deal then you can take another 10% off of all titles ordered from them for the next year. Like I said, its really an issue with your shopping techniques and not the actual price of the movie being discussed cause it can be had for much much cheaper than the price you quoted.

Fincher Fan

Now that I would get behind!

whotony

no sir, i dont like them.

wont buy them

have no use for them.

lizard

^ What he said.

Centurion

Here's the issue I have with it...

I don't like having to pay for something I know I will not use. Note, I didn't say I would never do it I just would rather not if given the choice. However, it's not difficult to realize that these combo discs are a great bargain for those that need both formats.