Drexl

Actually the reason they put it on a DVD is because most people don't have BD-ROM drives from which to get the copy onto the computer. At some point (if this trend lasts) they could start including them on the BDs themselves, but I think by then it will go to download only.

Alan Smithee, the term "digital" has been used in the context of data without media, as in "digital distribution" or "digital music" (for files, even though the source CDs could also be considered digital). In this sense, the disc is a container for the copy which can then be transferred to different devices "digitally." I agree that it's strange, but that's it.

Hammer99

For this title, I wish there was a 3rd option: a 1 Disc BD that sold for $5 less than the 2 Disc BD!

BuckNaked2k

I don't want a "digital" copy of anything: I am an adult, and I don't watch movies on cellphones or MP3 players, I watch 'em on my HT.

I was really excited about the Nightmare BD, as the only copy I own is non-anamorphic, but the early indications point to an outrageous price point, so I may be waiting a long time for a price drop or BOGO, but wait I will.

Hammer99

I'm pretty much the same way. As much as I rag about some of the studios/titles, it's more about the principle than anything, I'm still buying it if I want it. And I can count on one hand the times that I've been truly disappointed with a BD/HD purchase (Traffic, 40-YO Virgin ... hope that mess gets fixed with the theatrical version on BD, GONY, Patton, and Longest Day), so it's all good.

Walker Boh

^ My sentiments exactly.

bookcase3

What really peeves me is that Warner digital copies that won't work with Apple products.

matome

Yep. I've never been interested in Digital Copies. I would pay a little extra for a DVD copy though, so I could play them on my car system until mobile BD becomes a reality.

clckworang

Count me as another one who considers the digital copies pretty useless. I haven't purchased a movie with digital copy yet, mainly because they tend to be more expensive. I applaud Disney for giving the option for Prince Caspian, not so happy about not offering the choice for Nightmare. I don't mind that this digital copy thing is becoming a trend, even though the thought of watching a movie on my mp3 player boggles the mind, but give consumers the choice, much like they do much dual DVD releases (regular and special edition).

And I think the comparisons to the HD-DVD combo releases are pretty apt, though at least when I bought those titles I knew I would be able to take them to a friend's house and be able to use them. And while I think the Sleeping Beauty route of including a DVD copy is a better direction, if given the choice, I wouldn't purchase a Blu-ray with DVD if given the choice. I mean, that's why I'm buying Blu-ray! But I will admit that it's not a bad idea to offer a DVD with family titles, especially with how prolific DVDs in cars have become and needing to take movies to friends' or relatives' homes.

Yavin

"No sir. I don't like it."

I have absolutely no use for a digital copy and I sure as hell don't appreciate Disney charging a premium for them. If anything, they should either be offering two versions to consumers, one with the digital copy disc and one without. Either that or allow people to purchase and download the digital copy online for the $5 fee using their credit card and a voucher code included in an insert inside the disc packaging. But to forcibly charge a premium to the consumer? Lame.

bunkaroo

I can rent these from Netflix and rip them for my iPhone. Sure there's a little more work involved, but then I can control the encode and such.

Which reminds me, aren't some of these digital copies cropped to fit a smaller frame? I'm thinking about Hitman in particular - seemed like it was a different AT than the BD when I watched it. Yet another reason I'd rather rip the DVD rather than rely on a static digital copy.

Michael Corvin

That seems to be the biggest disconnect here. BD is all about the hi-def glory and a special feature is a low-res version of the film for your phone? It's still a niche market that due to costs has been embraced by an older demographic. Anyone who has a passing interest in BD isn't going to give two shits about a low-res copy for their phone. It's fucking retarded.

Jericho

To be fair, the idea of paying more for a HD DVD combo disc was largely a myth. It just happened that almost all combos were new releases, and there is a premium for new releases.

I'm not sure if this is something that will continue on, or if this is just an isolated incident. Warner Brothers has charged a premium for some of their more featured releases, like Natural Born Killers and Sony will sometimes charge more for some new releases like Spiderman 3 or Superbad. It's an annoyance to pay for something you don't use, although if Disney also makes these super special editions, that would also help. I'll reserve judgment until I see how this pricing scheme plays out.

Drexl

But the catalog combos (from Universal) were indeed $5 more, and Warner was charging $5 less for the BD editions of new releases.

Natural Born Killers costs more because it is in a digibook package. The extra features did not raise the price, as they have other titles with more features (or no features) at the standard catalog price. Look up Bonnie and Clyde and One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest and you'll see.

Sony charges $5 more for its 2-disc sets. I don't think any other studios do that, but I'm not sure.

BTW, I would not necessarily say that BD is being embraced by an older demographic. Look at the title selection, full of action, sci-fi, horror, and comedy, with not many older films. It may not appeal to children, but it's not old people either. I think it's more a male demographic from 18-35, or at least that's what they seem to be aiming for.

fumanstan

I don't know about that necessarily, as the assumption may be that those who are interested in Blu-ray has an interest in high tech gadgets altogether and be just as likely to have a portable media device of some sort for digital copies, or just something that can be played off their computers.

Michael Corvin

Could be true, but you could further expound on that by saying that those same tech savvy people already know how to get a movie to their portable device.

Josh Z

Every Digital Copy I've seen (including Fox titles) has been in the movie's original OAR. The iPhone and iPod Touch are both set by default to zoom video content to fill the screen. Double-tap the screen and it will zoom out to the full aspect ratio.

XavierMike

Not a fan. I have no use for a digital copy. But, if it is a movie I really want like Nightmare, I will pay the premiuim.

Gizmo

Warner catalog titles on BD and HD were the same price (event though some were 2 disc on HD DVD like A Clockwork Orange). While Universal did release some catalog titles in Combo format, they were generally priced the same as other Universal catalog titles that were just HD only. It wasn't until later, when they dropped Combo from catalog titles, did the prices fix themselves. I don't have a whole lot of Universal catalog combo titles, so I think they dropped that idea 8-10 months after launching the format. Some were re-released sans combo side (Army of Darkness) some not (Land of the Dead, Breakfast Club)

bunkaroo

Actually, I noticed this when viewing the Hitman copy on my laptop through VLC player with no zoom set. It did not seem to be 2.35:1.

I have not bothered putting any digital copies on my phone yet. I am aware of the zoom though - it did this with my ripped Metalocalypse episodes.

On a similar note, has Sony put out any digital copies yet? I wouldn't be surprised to see their practice of releasing ~2.35:1 films at 1.78:1 on UMD carry over to their digital copies.

slop101

Ditto.

I could not care less about digital copies, but I would love a SDdvd copy along with the blu-ray, as I have many dvd players but only one blu-ray player.
I also like letting friends and family borrow dvds or take dvds over to their homes to watch, and none of them have blu-rays players.

Gizmo

Sony has released a ton of DVDs with digital copies. I see them littered all over the place at Best Buy. Its usually a bad catalog title with a digital copy (that plays on the PSP so .MP4 format). As for Blu-ray, no. I think they will start doing in in the next few months though - all studios, actually with the exception of Paramount.

Giles

exactly

if when given the choice - I'll purchase the one minus the digital copy.

Gizmo

According to Speedy, Nightmare Before Christmas will be $29.99 at Target or $34.99 at Circuit City...Gees.

juanmgonzalez

I love how a bunch of you who pushed for BD to be "the format" and who have spent up to $1,000 for a BD player are now the ones who are upset about this. Are you not used to paying a little extra by now?

All of these Disney Digital Copies make it much easier for me to transport them onto my kid's iPods. Sure, I can use Handbrake and also do it that way, but it's all about convenience and I'll be first in line for these upcoming Disney releases.

fumanstan

Well the $29.99 is pretty normal, and Amazon has a typical $27 price tag. So even with the extra $5 MSRP, as hopefully the stores keep pricing these in line with other releases.