You were? I guess I saw worldwide and thought region coding. Frankly, I think the only people that care about the packaging are us, DVDTalkers.

Well, that's great. Once Upon a Time in America, to site my own example, developed white lines and the color faded. Come to think of it, several WB Digipaks had some degree of color-fading. I guess if I would have kept my collection in my basement, where a nest of bats currently are residing, I wouldn't be complaining. But I like to see my collection without a UV light.

Probably. :)

I just checked my own copy of OUATIA (bought when it first came out), though I've only pulled it out a few time since I've bought it, it looks brand new too, along with all my other WB digipacks. So, :scratch2: But then I don't keep my dvds in direct sunlight either.

Well, I'm glad you have no problems. I do, and it seems others aren't so excited about the packaging, either.

Hate the packaging. Canceled my preorders. Can't believe Criterion would drop the ball like this.

You must really hate the packaging to pass on these great movies in hi-def.

I like the packaging :shrug:

I can deal with cardboard, but please let these be the same size as standard HD cases. The Warner books sticking up bug the hell out of me and those full DVD size Sopranos sets are probably going in with the DVDs. Can't stand having those monoliths stuck in the HD section.

Yep.

From looking at pictures they may just slightly taller than the standard Elite-style Blu-ray cases, but -- save for the rounded corners -- they look to match up well with the Band of Brothers BD trays and the difference there is negligible. Width looks about the same or a nominal increase due to the cardstock backing, if that.

That isn't too bad. I would prefer the standard BD cases and if they wanted to be fancy a slip cover, but this isn't the end of the world.

I haven't had any problems with my DVD Digipak's either.

there is no "industry-standard packaging" if there was all Blu discs cases would look the same

I laughed at those who wouldn't buy the Target version of the IM BD because it wouldn't be uniform with the rest of their collection... you know what, get over it ... there is and is going to continue to be different packaging through the life of this format, if it comes earlier for BD than it did for SD dvd than so be it.

I don't remember a huge uproar about the LOTR extended edition packaging as an example and I doubt there would be an uproar if the BDs came out today packaged in a similar fashion.

If you want your own uniform packaging invest in a good printer and some empty BD cases because the studios aren't going to do it for you.

Difference between the Iron Man BD packaging is we could buy a normal version if we wanted to. Criterion is forcing us to buy these cheap looking cases. What other options do we have?

ps. no one is forcing you to do anything

Well, they are all blue-ish in color. Plastic. Have a Blu-ray logo in the top-center of the blue-ish case. They all snap close by some form of plastic lever. Some come with slipcovers...but I can take those fuckers off if I choose to.

I'd say this is pretty close to being a standard by the major studios. If not in writing...it's implied and all the other studios seem to do reasonably well.

That's sound logic right there.

there is a difference between most common and industry standard
there is no industry standard

There's not an industry standard, simply most commonly used cases.

However, the most commonly used cases are decidedly more sturdy and attractive than these digipacks. This is DVD Talk. If we don't complain about this stuff here, where will we go to complain about it? Some people love the packaging, and others, like me, hate it. One member is boycotting the releases because of it. I may simply chuck my Man Who Fell To Earth DVD and put the Blu-ray in its case, because the packaging on the DVD version rocks.

I don't like that packaging (I, too, would prefer the typical jobbies), but that sure as hell won't stop me from buying these AWESOME discs!

Man these cases aren't cheap! These cases be sweeet! I just aint gonna set it in no pool of water.

Not to derail the mob not-so-quietly forming over the cases, but anyone else a little taken aback by Criterion possibly adding to consumer confusion over Blu-ray with how they are integrating them into the collection?

Why are they refusing to start the Blu-ray collection at number 1? It is silly, from Laserdisc to DVD there was a reset. Blu-ray is a wholly separate format from SD-DVD. The way Criterion is going about this will only reinforce what the masses think, which is that Blu-ray is a just some other "type" of DVD instead of what it is, the next step in home entertainment (VHS-Laserdisc-DVD-Blu-ray).

Also, what is the deal with no indication that the film is a Blu-ray other than that obnoxious sticker on the front cover "Blu-ray special edition." Again, all that does is give the signal that Blu-ray is merely another type of DVD. I can picture j6p going, "Oh, I just got the Blu-ray edition of X on DVD" (That makes no sense!) I really wish Criterion would have made a bigger deal about Blu-ray or at the very least not marketed/packaged it as a mere "type of DVD."

I fully agree with all of that.

I'm sure the actual content on the discs will be great, the audio and visuals, but they seem to have dropped the ball on everything else. I can just imagine what sort of BR exclusive extras they could come up with.

It's like they don't yet have faith in the format, and these first few releases are nothing more than a trial run.

I predict a rash of return attempts and burnt customers as a result of a) the confusing packaging, and b) same price point as the DVD.

I say "attempts" of course, because the stores won't take 'em back because they're already open......

The DVD and Blu-rays are in 2 very different packages. I'm happy that they aren't starting from scratch with their Blu-rays. The obsessive collector in me would then be buying every new DVD and Blu-ray.

I agree that Criterion should be making a bigger distinction between their Blu-Ray and DVD releases with a reset of numbers, if nothing for simple organization. The lack of a major indicator that it's a Blu-Ray disc is odd as well. However, we're talking about the Criterion Collection - the vast majority of these titles aren't geared towards the masses (ie. J6P) anyways. The typical Criterion purchaser is probably someone who can make the distinction. If this were done by a major studio like Paramount or Fox then it would be a big concern.

But, then why even bother re-numbering when they moved from Laserdisc to DVD? The point is that it is a different medium. Just like their DVD collection is different from their Laserdisc collection, their Blu-ray collection should be different than their DVD collection. I don't get why people would have an issue with the re-numbering. Blu-ray is not a different "edition" of the DVD release, it is a wholly separate medium. It is like releasing it on VHS and DVD.

I could go either way with it. I don't really care. But maybe their thinking is that more new customers would buy into Criterion with DVDs than they ever did with LD so that justified a new collection with numbers. Plus probably half the titles from LD weren't even available to Criterion any longer.

Blu Ray isn't going to attract new Criterion customers at this point but just people who already have the DVDs, thus the same numbering.

I've never understood people organizing their discs by the Criterion spine numbers, anyway. I alphabetize my Criterion discs right in with all my other discs. For me, the spine number is no more meaningful than any of the serial numbers on the spines of my non-Criterion discs.

fixed :)

why must we judge how other people do things.
Someone who puts DVDs in alphabetical order shaking their head at someone who puts DVDs in numerical order is equivalent to someone who eats all the green M&Ms first shaking their head at someone who eats all the red M&Ms first.

Worse yet, I know a person who will only buy and eat red M&Ms!

I'm going to assume that Criterion decided to continue with the same number sequence because they felt they would sell more titles if they could get the dvd collectors to continue buying to complete the spine numbers. Perhaps they figured that would be a more feasible idea than getting people with 400 or so Criterion DVDs to rebuy every title?

I organize by studio except with TV. Just works in my head for me. Yes I know Criterion isn't a studio, but it just looks right to me.

Why? Because the only generation of film lovers with a particular interest in all things Criterion ends with the DVD era? This has got to be one of the biggest speculations I've read on this forum. It is both ignorant and insulting at the same time.

Unlike the hundreds of thousands of blockbusters that you see on DVD, the overwhelming majority of them being notably devalued, the Criterion collection, with a few minor exceptions, has proven to be unaffected by DVD's dramatic market decline (read: lack of appeal amongst new consumers). On the contrary, due to the fact that Criterion houses some of world cinema's greatest films it has managed to be the beacon of hope amongst a sea of struggling independent distribs. In fact, I would go as far as to claim that they have one of the most dedicated fan bases. And for you to come here and claim that its appeal isn't likely to expand as Blu-ray does is simply a very naive statement. Unless, of course, you happen to believe that your generation, whatever that age group might be, is the last one that will be interested in classic cinema.

Times change, generations change, and so do formats. There will always be enough people willing to buy a Renoir film on Blu-ray. Just as there were enough people to buy Renoir films on DVD after VHS died.

Pro-B

Who says we must?!

Someone presuming that someone mentioning that they aren't in the Criterion number camp is necessarily shaking his head at that camp is equivalent to someone who... oh, I don't have a good analogy, but I wasn't judging anyone, just saying that I don't understand it.

VHS?! LD, good sir!

LOL I said "AT THIS POINT." Criterion has a group of dedicated buyers (I'm one of them) that buy on DVD and many (including myself) are happy to move to Blu Ray - that's why the numbering is the way it is, which is what the original discussion was about. I don't see someone buying a PS3 and decide to exclusively begin collecting Criterion Blu Rays and not their DVDs whether they are a serious film fan or not.

Pro-B, one minute he'll be criticizing Criterion. Stating that nearly every Criterion DVD release has a better alternate version overseas then the next he'll be championing them as the beacon of hope amongst a sea of struggling independent distribs.

I am a bit confused. I addressed your post precisely because, as I thought, you apparently believe that anyone without a Criterion disc in their collection and a brand new PS3 isn't likely to begin collecting these releases (there are actually people in this very thread who apparently prior to the Criterion announcement have never owned or had any interest in the distrib's output, yet they plan on testing them). Why? Is there a generational barrier of some sort? There are plenty of members on other forums, very young ones, with PS3 who have never ever owned a Criterion DVD and they are set to experiment with their Blu-ray discs. This is why I addressed your post - it was so dismissive it wasn't even funny. And no, this isn't a personal post.

I am simply appalled that some of you continue to believe that Blu-ray is a format where age and film-preference stereotypes are the two norms. I don't know if you are fluent in a language other than English but if you are take a look at some of the other big forums. The PS3 is being used by plenty of non-gamers.

It seems to me the only insulted person here is you, given how you reacted when I disagreed with you. And I certainly wasn't micro-analyzing your post. I wanted to point out that things are not as black and white, and as confined, as you seem to believe. If they were, and you were correct, I am most certain Criterion would not bother releasing Blu-ray versions of their films to sell only to those who already own their DVDs, and are looking to possibly upgrade. There is a whole new generation of film enthusiasts out there and while you and I may not fully understand their interest in cinema, or gaming, to pretend that they do not exist and won't be willing to collect the films you and I apparently like is quite naive.

Pro-B

Luke, I see you frequent the Criterion forum all the time. And I see that you participate in the discussions there. So, you should know very well whether or not what you have written above is true. Or, whether or not it has any relevance to Criterion's Blu-ray output.

A better alternative does not necessarily equate significant improvement. Take for example window-boxing. I've seen you participate in threads where the issue is being addressed. And you know that people are split on it. For some it is worth avoiding Criterion's SDVDs because of it, for others it isn't. The same goes for the color-timings on their Studio Canal releases. Add to the mix their Fellini discs, etc.

And yes, regardless of their past record, they remain the most respected independent distributor for a reason. They also offer a variety of world cinema titles which no other independent distrib could match. Most importantly, they have always been willing to evolve. As you could see, there are plenty of reasons why one would want to champion them.

Take care,

Pro-B