Will WB's Blu-ray decision impact Criterion?
I have to say, as an owner of almost every single Criterion DVD, I am slightly disturbed to see that Blu-ray is/has won and now Criterion might drop DVD altogether for Blu-ray. I know they mentioned in the past that all of their recent releases were converted to HD.
Yes, I'm not a blu-ray enthusiast. I don't see the point really and am not looking forward to having my 3,000 plus DVD collection go defunct overnight. Plus, I hate Blu-ray packaging, it really makes me feel uneasy. Has anyone heard anything about what might happen regarding Criterion? |
Why would they drop DVD completely for Blu-Ray? You're talking years before that would be financially feasible. Stop panicking.
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One can only hope :). I am far from an insider (in fact, I'm as far away to having inside info, it's not funny), but from reading snippets on Criterion's position, I think they'll wait it out a bit more before they jump into the fray.
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Originally Posted by Kerborus
not looking forward to having my 3,000 plus DVD collection go defunct overnight.
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Originally Posted by Kerborus
I have to say, as an owner of almost every single Criterion DVD, I am slightly disturbed to see that Blu-ray is/has won and now Criterion might drop DVD altogether for Blu-ray.
I know they mentioned in the past that all of their recent releases were converted to HD. Yes, I'm not a blu-ray enthusiast. I don't see the point really and am not looking forward to having my 3,000 plus DVD collection go defunct overnight. Plus, I hate Blu-ray packaging, it really makes me feel uneasy. And uneasy how? Like you worry they're going to attack you in your sleep? |
I like Blu-ray cases...
Also, I don't think Criterion will adopt HD for years. I think they correctly assume at this stage in the game, that no one is ready to pay $59.95 for a single Blu-ray disc (even one that bears the Criterion name). |
Originally Posted by Dane Marvin
Also, I don't think Criterion will adopt HD for years. I think they correctly assume at this stage in the game, that no one is ready to pay $59.95 for a single Blu-ray disc (even one that bears the Criterion name).
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I had heard that the way Criterion wrangled Bottle Rocket rights (and probably other Sony titles not yet announced) was to commit to Blu-Ray whenever they release a hi-def DVD. So it's possible Criterion is already Blu, but there's just nothing to show for it (and no real sign that there will be anything to show for it for who knows how long). I mean, certainly Criterion did SOMETHING, because they've been trying to get BR rights for who knows how long, and there were stories in the old BR thread about how notoriously stingy Sony is with their film rights.
Perhaps Bottle Rocket will be their first dual-format release. |
Originally Posted by Kerborus
Yes, I'm not a blu-ray enthusiast. I don't see the point really and am not looking forward to having my 3,000 plus DVD collection go defunct overnight.
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Originally Posted by Kerborus
I have to say, as an owner of almost every single Criterion DVD, I am slightly disturbed to see that Blu-ray is/has won and now Criterion might drop DVD altogether for Blu-ray. I know they mentioned in the past that all of their recent releases were converted to HD.
Yes, I'm not a blu-ray enthusiast. I don't see the point really and am not looking forward to having my 3,000 plus DVD collection go defunct overnight. Plus, I hate Blu-ray packaging, it really makes me feel uneasy. Has anyone heard anything about what might happen regarding Criterion? It is only a matter of time till they start releasing on HD, but that doesn't mean they will completely stop releasing DVDs or that you have to upgrade all of your Criterions to HD. It is all up to you. |
I have been thinking on this, and yes, I do think WB's move will affect Criterion. I am hoping we start seeing Criterion on Blu by the end of the year.
I pretty much stopped buying their SD releases last year in anticipation, since they're all already mastered in HD. |
a Sound & Vision article on Criterion mentioned that they have done HiDef tests with a title and it was on Blu-ray
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Originally Posted by Mr. Salty
You mean the packaging that is almost exactly like keepcases, except slightly smaller and a different color? Case racist. Casist.
I might be totally off the mark here, but I don't think Criterion would make much money from Blu-ray. The HD market is growing, but Criterion is a niche market to begin with, and I just don't see them making enough money off the HD format. Most A/V junkies like big explosions, car chases, gun fights, and loud music. I don't think soft music, deep character study, and brilliant performances are going to benefit from HD much. If you thought those Criterion DVDs were pricy now, wait until (if ever) they start releasing their films on Blu-ray. |
Does anyone remember what they did when they switched from LD to DVD? Was there an overlap of products or was it a hard switchover?
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If Wikipedia is correct, Criterion's last Laserdisc was Boogie Nights in 1998, and their first DVD was Grand Illusion in 1999. They were slower than most to embrace DVD.
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Originally Posted by Adam Tyner
If Wikipedia is correct, Criterion's last Laserdisc was Boogie Nights in 1998, and their first DVD was Grand Illusion in 1999. They were slower than most to embrace DVD.
As for the question at hand, I don't see Criterion going blu for a very long time. |
IIRC, Criterion had several DVD titles available when I got my first DVD player in December 98 (which was basically the second holiday season that DVD was available -- more or less equivalent in time frame to the availabilty of current HDM players and disks, but I may not be taking into account how DVD was launched vs HDM.)
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Originally Posted by Adam Tyner
If Wikipedia is correct, Criterion's last Laserdisc was Boogie Nights in 1998, and their first DVD was Grand Illusion in 1999. They were slower than most to embrace DVD.
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Originally Posted by Kerborus
Yes, I'm not a blu-ray enthusiast. I don't see the point really and am not looking forward to having my 3,000 plus DVD collection go defunct overnight. Plus, I hate Blu-ray packaging, it really makes me feel uneasy.
As for packaging, I'm sure Criterion will come up with something far more creative than the current blu-ray cases. |
Originally Posted by Dane Marvin
....I think they correctly assume at this stage in the game, that no one is ready to pay $59.95 for a single Blu-ray disc (even one that bears the Criterion name).
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Originally Posted by BuckNaked2k
They assume correctly.
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Originally Posted by slop101
As for packaging, I'm sure Criterion will come up with something far more creative than the current blu-ray cases.
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People that are already paying higher prices for Criterion DVDs wouldn't pay more for Criterion BDs?
Not the first time I've questioned the Criterion fan thought process, but IMO this makes even less sense than usual. If the movie is that worthy, and Criterions treatment is also supposedly so worthy, why not pay extra for a true HD release? |
Criterion LD prices were $40-100 as I recall - and they were slow to adopt anamorphic video as well as DVD. Their approach to new technology has been rather conservative.
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Actually the CAV LD sets went up to $125. I have a few of those like Pulp Fiction, Seven, Bram Stoker's Dracula, etc. It's amazing what we consider expensive today.
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