Studios Releasing DVD But No Blu-ray?
10-01-19, 02:40 PM
#1
DVD Talk Special Edition
Thread Starter
Studios Releasing DVD But No Blu-ray?
Here is an article from the UK that outlines the recent trend of studios releasing smaller indie titles on DVD while by-passing a Blu-ray release.
Are we seeing this trend in North America yet?
https://www.filmstories.co.uk/featur...t-not-blu-ray/
Are we seeing this trend in North America yet?
https://www.filmstories.co.uk/featur...t-not-blu-ray/
10-01-19, 02:42 PM
#2
DVD Talk God
Re: Studios Releasing DVD But No Blu-ray?
For Television, it's a yes. Most Television shows are poor sellers on Blu-Ray, so they opt to go the cheaper route with DVD.
10-01-19, 04:26 PM
#4
Re: Studios Releasing DVD But No Blu-ray?
I just bought Werner Herzog's latest documentary Meeting Gorbachev on dvd because it wasn't released on blu-ray. In fact a couple of other of his recent docs (Happy People, Lo and Behold) haven't been released on blu ray in the us either.
10-01-19, 04:31 PM
#5
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Studios Releasing DVD But No Blu-ray?
I wish more studios would go the route of what WB does with some of their tv shows and release Blu-ray versions of seasons via MOD (Warner Archives). That way the option is still there, but studios only have to manufacture enough to meet the demand. Seems like a win-win scenario in my opinion. I know for instance WB has been doing that with the seasons of Young Sheldon.
10-01-19, 06:00 PM
#6
DVD Talk Reviewer/ Admin
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: Greenville, South Cackalack
Posts: 28,821
Received 1,881 Likes
on
1,238 Posts
Re: Studios Releasing DVD But No Blu-ray?
Warner Archive seems to be backing away from that somewhat. They dropped iZombie, and they’re DVD-only for season 2 of Black Lightning. But they’re ramping up more nostalgic TV series, so I guess the market is there for one and content with Netflix for the other.
10-01-19, 06:06 PM
#7
DVD Talk Hero
Re: Studios Releasing DVD But No Blu-ray?
I remember looking for Blu-ray versions of This is Us, which is like one of the biggest shows to come out in the last few years, and finally settling on a streaming option.
10-01-19, 06:19 PM
#8
DVD Talk God
Re: Studios Releasing DVD But No Blu-ray?
Only thing about buying on digital is that the studio doesn't produce any extras for that format, not that they produce much anyways for DVD.
10-01-19, 07:13 PM
#9
DVD Talk Ultimate Edition
Re: Studios Releasing DVD But No Blu-ray?
Not completely dvd-only. Bottom feeders like The Asylum went mostly dvd-only awhile ago, with only the sharknado franchise still being released on bluray.
To some extent, the really F-list garbage released by Cinedigm, Lionsgate and Vertical. (Vertical is distributed by Lionsgate over the past several years).
No point in releasing bottom feeder F-list garbage on bluray nowadays, when it will end up in the $2 bins several months later.
To some extent, the really F-list garbage released by Cinedigm, Lionsgate and Vertical. (Vertical is distributed by Lionsgate over the past several years).
No point in releasing bottom feeder F-list garbage on bluray nowadays, when it will end up in the $2 bins several months later.
10-01-19, 11:21 PM
#10
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Re: Studios Releasing DVD But No Blu-ray?
Does it really save them that much money to do DVD instead of Blu-ray? Surely the replication costs are practically the same these days?
Is it more of a case of, for these small runs of discs, they're only going to make one SKU, and so they go with the lowest common denominator?
Edit: I guess besides replication costs, licensing cost differences could be a factor. Especially as DVD patents are expiring as we discussed in the other thread.
Is it more of a case of, for these small runs of discs, they're only going to make one SKU, and so they go with the lowest common denominator?
Edit: I guess besides replication costs, licensing cost differences could be a factor. Especially as DVD patents are expiring as we discussed in the other thread.
10-01-19, 11:52 PM
#11
DVD Talk Reviewer & TOAT Winner
Re: Studios Releasing DVD But No Blu-ray?
Makes no sense to keep releasing regular DVD when even YouTube looks better now. I reviewed the series "Our Cartoon President" on DVD here and they had YouTube clips up to promote that release that looked better than the actual discs. If streaming really is killing physical media, let it kill the inferior format.
10-02-19, 12:07 AM
#12
DVD Talk Ultimate Edition
Re: Studios Releasing DVD But No Blu-ray?
With dvd/bluray declining, the bottom feeder movie companies know that they're not in a favorable bargaining position. (ie. They're not able to dictate any terms).
10-02-19, 12:22 AM
#13
DVD Talk Special Edition
Thread Starter
Re: Studios Releasing DVD But No Blu-ray?
It's odd how Blu-ray never really caught-on. For example when the industry sends out their "For Your Consideration..." samplers to the academy members for Oscar and Emmy Awards they are almost always on DVD, not Blu-ray. They are often beautifully packaged, much nicer than the retail versions, and yet the presentation itself is not even in High-Def. If they're sending these out as awards-bait, you figure they would make Blu-rays but they choose not to.
10-02-19, 12:41 AM
#14
DVD Talk Godfather
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Home of 2013 NFL champion Seahawks
Posts: 52,628
Received 1,016 Likes
on
840 Posts
Re: Studios Releasing DVD But No Blu-ray?
Yea don't expect any TV on Blu-Ray from FOX (the studio who makes This Is Us) or anything from CBS. They've done pretty much DVD only on all their physical media TV releases.
Only thing about buying on digital is that the studio doesn't produce any extras for that format, not that they produce much anyways for DVD.
Only thing about buying on digital is that the studio doesn't produce any extras for that format, not that they produce much anyways for DVD.
It's odd how Blu-ray never really caught-on. For example when the industry sends out their "For Your Consideration..." samplers to the academy members for Oscar and Emmy Awards they are almost always on DVD, not Blu-ray. They are often beautifully packaged, much nicer than the retail versions, and yet the presentation itself is not even in High-Def. If they're sending these out as awards-bait, you figure they would make Blu-rays but they choose not to.
10-02-19, 08:57 AM
#15
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Re: Studios Releasing DVD But No Blu-ray?
Not completely dvd-only. Bottom feeders like The Asylum went mostly dvd-only awhile ago, with only the sharknado franchise still being released on bluray.
To some extent, the really F-list garbage released by Cinedigm, Lionsgate and Vertical. (Vertical is distributed by Lionsgate over the past several years).
No point in releasing bottom feeder F-list garbage on bluray nowadays, when it will end up in the $2 bins several months later.
To some extent, the really F-list garbage released by Cinedigm, Lionsgate and Vertical. (Vertical is distributed by Lionsgate over the past several years).
No point in releasing bottom feeder F-list garbage on bluray nowadays, when it will end up in the $2 bins several months later.
It's odd how Blu-ray never really caught-on. For example when the industry sends out their "For Your Consideration..." samplers to the academy members for Oscar and Emmy Awards they are almost always on DVD, not Blu-ray. They are often beautifully packaged, much nicer than the retail versions, and yet the presentation itself is not even in High-Def. If they're sending these out as awards-bait, you figure they would make Blu-rays but they choose not to.
https://www.engadget.com/2019/01/18/...-good-in-2020/
The (Television) Academy's Frank Scherma says that the move will better cater to modern viewing tastes for its 25,000-plus members. Not to mention the cost benefits, since pressing and shipping all those DVDs wasn't cheap or good for the environment.This isn't the first time the Emmys have made noises in this direction, and previously partnered with Google to use Chromecast in the voting process. 2020's voting will, apparently, be the first time that no DVDs will be handed out to members, no matter how hard they ask.
10-02-19, 10:20 AM
#16
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Studios Releasing DVD But No Blu-ray?
Makes no sense to keep releasing regular DVD when even YouTube looks better now. I reviewed the series "Our Cartoon President" on DVD here and they had YouTube clips up to promote that release that looked better than the actual discs. If streaming really is killing physical media, let it kill the inferior format.
The amount of people who don't have a BD player is huge, and there's still a chunk of people who don't have a 1080p TV. Release a title only on BD and you'll automatically lose a huge chunk of sales of those who can only buy DVD.
10-02-19, 10:21 AM
#17
DVD Talk Hero
Re: Studios Releasing DVD But No Blu-ray?
Does it really save them that much money to do DVD instead of Blu-ray? Surely the replication costs are practically the same these days?
Is it more of a case of, for these small runs of discs, they're only going to make one SKU, and so they go with the lowest common denominator?
Edit: I guess besides replication costs, licensing cost differences could be a factor. Especially as DVD patents are expiring as we discussed in the other thread.
Is it more of a case of, for these small runs of discs, they're only going to make one SKU, and so they go with the lowest common denominator?
Edit: I guess besides replication costs, licensing cost differences could be a factor. Especially as DVD patents are expiring as we discussed in the other thread.
10-02-19, 10:36 AM
#18
Banned
Re: Studios Releasing DVD But No Blu-ray?
As far as I know the documentary Electric Boogaloo was released DVD only in the US while it was part of a BD combo in the UK. The DVD can now be found at Dollar Trees around the
10-02-19, 10:46 AM
#19
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Studios Releasing DVD But No Blu-ray?
I have no hard facts on this but I'd think the number of people who own DVD players still outnumbers the number of people who own Blu-ray players. For instance, my wife is a teacher and there's no blu-ray player at school so she's not too happy that I've switched to UHD/Blu-ray/streaming format instead of Blu-ray/DVD (for the end of semester movie days). I told her try to get her to open up the network to stream this stuff instead but there's no way they're going to do that.
10-02-19, 11:35 AM
#20
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Studios Releasing DVD But No Blu-ray?
Which is kind of weird in my opinion, because it’s not like a Blu-ray player is prohibitively expensive or something. I suppose a lot of people just use what they have until it doesn’t work. You can get a cheap Blu-ray player fairly easily now days. I mean the format is thirteen years old and hardly new anymore.
Plus there are those who need the disc to be playable in different locations (ie. in the car for the kids, from their computers/notebooks, DVD player in other parts of the house) - so they would need to buy a BD player for each one of those locations to make the movie portable.
You have to remember, many people who have 1080p TVs are still getting SD content from satellite and cable - and they have no issues with how it looks.
10-02-19, 11:42 AM
#21
DVD Talk Godfather
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Home of 2013 NFL champion Seahawks
Posts: 52,628
Received 1,016 Likes
on
840 Posts
Re: Studios Releasing DVD But No Blu-ray?
Don't know about the Oscars, but the Emmy Awards are phasing out DVD screeners in 2020 in favour of a members-only streaming service:
https://www.engadget.com/2019/01/18/...-good-in-2020/
https://www.engadget.com/2019/01/18/...-good-in-2020/
I have no hard facts on this but I'd think the number of people who own DVD players still outnumbers the number of people who own Blu-ray players. For instance, my wife is a teacher and there's no blu-ray player at school so she's not too happy that I've switched to UHD/Blu-ray/streaming format instead of Blu-ray/DVD (for the end of semester movie days). I told her try to get her to open up the network to stream this stuff instead but there's no way they're going to do that.
10-02-19, 11:46 AM
#22
DVD Talk Hero
Re: Studios Releasing DVD But No Blu-ray?
Many people are more than happy with DVD.
Plus there are those who need the disc to be playable in different locations (ie. in the car for the kids, from their computers/notebooks, DVD player in other parts of the house) - so they would need to buy a BD player for each one of those locations to make the movie portable.
You have to remember, many people who have 1080p TVs are still getting SD content from satellite and cable - and they have no issues with how it looks.
Plus there are those who need the disc to be playable in different locations (ie. in the car for the kids, from their computers/notebooks, DVD player in other parts of the house) - so they would need to buy a BD player for each one of those locations to make the movie portable.
You have to remember, many people who have 1080p TVs are still getting SD content from satellite and cable - and they have no issues with how it looks.
10-02-19, 12:29 PM
#23
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Studios Releasing DVD But No Blu-ray?
Many people are more than happy with DVD.
Plus there are those who need the disc to be playable in different locations (ie. in the car for the kids, from their computers/notebooks, DVD player in other parts of the house) - so they would need to buy a BD player for each one of those locations to make the movie portable.
Plus there are those who need the disc to be playable in different locations (ie. in the car for the kids, from their computers/notebooks, DVD player in other parts of the house) - so they would need to buy a BD player for each one of those locations to make the movie portable.
I guess I just more meant that you can buy a a Blu-ray player reasonably priced, and even if you only have one player, if you purchase physical media (which, let’s face it is probably more rare now too) you’ll often get a DVD copy along with your purchase to use elsewhere.
10-02-19, 12:58 PM
#24
DVD Talk God
Re: Studios Releasing DVD But No Blu-ray?
Many people are more than happy with DVD.
Plus there are those who need the disc to be playable in different locations (ie. in the car for the kids, from their computers/notebooks, DVD player in other parts of the house) - so they would need to buy a BD player for each one of those locations to make the movie portable.
You have to remember, many people who have 1080p TVs are still getting SD content from satellite and cable - and they have no issues with how it looks.
Plus there are those who need the disc to be playable in different locations (ie. in the car for the kids, from their computers/notebooks, DVD player in other parts of the house) - so they would need to buy a BD player for each one of those locations to make the movie portable.
You have to remember, many people who have 1080p TVs are still getting SD content from satellite and cable - and they have no issues with how it looks.
I've had DirecTV since 2003 and you don't pay anything extra for an HD signal, so your SD assumption makes no sense. Unless you're still stuck with a shitty 4:3 SD TV. Then yeah you can use the option for SD. But if you have an HDTV, which most in America have now, why would you?
I do agree that most of the Walmart crowd don't look for Blu-Rays for impulse movie buys.
Last edited by DJariya; 10-02-19 at 01:04 PM.
10-02-19, 01:27 PM
#25
DVD Talk Hero
Re: Studios Releasing DVD But No Blu-ray?
And how do you know this? You're making a lot of generalizations and assumptions. Who the heck still owns a 4:3, NTSC television in 2019? And even if you don't have cable and just use an antenna in 2019, all major networks transmit their signals in High Definition.
I've had DirecTV since 2003 and you don't pay anything extra for an HD signal, so your SD assumption makes no sense. Unless you're still stuck with a shitty 4:3 SD TV. Then yeah you can use the option for SD. But if you have an HDTV, which most in America have now, why would you?
I do agree that most of the Walmart crowd don't look for Blu-Rays for impulse movie buys.
I've had DirecTV since 2003 and you don't pay anything extra for an HD signal, so your SD assumption makes no sense. Unless you're still stuck with a shitty 4:3 SD TV. Then yeah you can use the option for SD. But if you have an HDTV, which most in America have now, why would you?
I do agree that most of the Walmart crowd don't look for Blu-Rays for impulse movie buys.