DVD Thinpak and other Slim Cases

#1

Rating: 0

3/18/03 at 12:35pm

John Berggren
offline

Joined: June 1999
Post Count: 3,218

Will DVD cases as we know them change?

From Reuters' StudioBrief:

Quote:

Thinner DVD Packaging Coming

In the apparent belief that consumers will buy more movies on DVD if they take up less space on their shelves, Sony Disc Manufacturing said that it has begun using Nexpak's Thinpak DVD cases, which are about half the width of conventional cases, for two Image Entertainment releases. The company said that it expects other DVD producers to follow suit. The thinner cases will also allow video stores to stock more product. Moreover, Shelli Kaiser, director of marketing for Nexpak, told Video Store magazine that the Thinpak cases can be automatically packed by machine, eliminating the current cost of hand packing. "It saves money ... and it speeds the time to market," she said.

Personally, I think DVD cases are fairly perfect as is. I think any thinner, and it might be difficult to read the titles if faced binding out. I don't know of anyone who doesn't face their DVDs binding out.

Support the fight against Multiple Sclerosis as I ride in the 2007 MS 150 in New Bern this September.

Be a Widescreen Advocate

#2

Rating: 0

3/18/03 at 1:14pm

Shaun
offline

Joined: February 2000
Post Count: 317

Is this similar to the packaging used for Columbia/TriStar's Panic Room Superbit DVD?

Shawn Siref
---------------------------------------------------
Equipment:
TV: Mitsubishi WD-73733 73-Inch Widescreen HDTV
Receiver: Denon AVR-2805 DD-EX/DTS-ES 7.1DVD Player: Denon DVD-2200HD DVD Player: Toshiba HD-A35Blu-Ray Player: Panasonic DMP-BD55Speakers: Klipsch Reference SeriesSubwoofe...

#3

Rating: 0

3/18/03 at 1:21pm

Steven_Ma
offline

Joined: August 2002
Post Count: 31

http://www6.mapstrategies.com/nexpak...THINPAKDVD.jpg I hope they don't go through with this plan.

#4

Rating: 0

3/18/03 at 1:24pm

Mark Kalzer
offline

Joined: March 2000
Post Count: 439

Quote:

In the apparent belief that consumers will buy more movies on DVD if they take up less space on their shelves,

Honestly, when buying DVDs, the LAST thing on my mind is, "Where will this fit in my shelves?" It's a damn good question for me to be asking, but it doesn't at all affect my purchases. Perhaps I'd save more money if it did...

- Mark Kalzer

#5

Rating: 0

3/18/03 at 1:41pm

Brian McHale
offline

Joined: December 1999
Post Count: 366

I read an article on this packaging (http://www.hive4media.com/news/html/...rticle_id=4579) that seemed to indicate it would be used for box sets. This might make sense, since a 5 or 10 disc set can take up a lot of shelf space.

Brian

#6

Rating: 0

3/18/03 at 2:02pm

Charlie Essmeier
offline

Joined: March 1999
Post Count: 139

A single DVD case is thicker than a single laserdisc cover, and I don't have any trouble reading the laserdisc titles on the spines.

I'd welcome any improvement over current DVD packaging, including the introduction of a laserdisc-style cardboard cover.

My preference from day one would have been jewel cases, but those didn't last long.

Charlie

#7

Rating: 0

3/18/03 at 2:08pm

David Lambert
offline

Joined: August 2001
Post Count: 11,271

They are starting this trend with the box sets, yes. I can name a few right off, not the least of which are the Image releases for Twilight Zone, and the Fox releases coming up of Futurama and Family Guy (see Ron's review of the latter posted today, for the things "in action").

But I've got contacts at a couple of packing plants, and it sounds like this is heading for use on individual releases as well. They are in the process of retooling lines to use this sort of packaging as an option. I didn't ask about details, as it's a "friend of a friend" thing in each case. But yes, sounds like they are coming.

For my part, that's fine. I already have so many DVD's that the space they take up is quite, uh, considerable. If everything had been in ThinPaks all along then I would be in quite a bit better shape right now!

I mean, what's wrong with the idea? Since inserts are kind of being slowly eliminated anyway, then what's the point of thick packaging? These thinner packages also seem to eliminate rattlers, since the disc doesn't have enough room to come off the hub. Of course, that might mean more damage in an impact, but the thinner cases can be wrapped in thicker styrofoam for shipping!

DAVE/Memphis, TN

...Want to see your favorite show on DVD?

#8

Rating: 0

3/18/03 at 2:32pm

Patrick Mirza
offline

Joined: March 1999
Post Count: 881

I ran out of space about 200 DVDs back. Now I have them lying everywhere and it drives me nuts. I still have room for laserdiscs, and they number 800+. I, for one, welcome thinner packaging.

#9

Rating: 0

3/18/03 at 3:42pm

Patrick McCart
Patrick J. McCart
offline

Joined: May 2001
Location: Georgia, USA
Post Count: 7,212

I like this idea.

Inserts are nice, but I rarely read them more than once. I think it would be a good idea to have a slipcover for the thinpack which had the chapter listing or a booklet glued into the design.

Tell The Weinstein Company to release Richard Williams' animated masterpiece The Thief and the Cobbler on DVD in Panavision widescreen and uncut! See and hear what you're missing from their Bitsy Award winner of Worst Standard Edition DVD of 2006 on YouTube!

#10

Rating: 0

3/18/03 at 4:32pm

CraigMAC
offline

Joined: February 2003
Post Count: 13

In the apparent belief that consumers will buy more movies on DVD if they take up less space on their shelves...

LOL :b The amount of movies consumers will buy is directly proportionate to the quality (picture, sound and content) of said DVDs. These guys have GOT to give their heads a collective shake.

#11

Rating: 0

3/18/03 at 5:01pm

Rhett_Y
offline

Joined: May 2001
Post Count: 1,027

Bring on the new slimmer cases...I am all for it...

R~

My DVD Collection

#12

Rating: 0

3/18/03 at 9:06pm

LarryH
offline

Joined: September 2000
Post Count: 514

Good grief! I really don't have any opinion on this style of case, but I'm really annoyed to have yet another style come out. I wish they could have settled on one style from the start - and most importanatly one that keeps the DVD on its spindle but allows you to get it off without bending it double. Sigh.

#13

Rating: 0

3/19/03 at 4:51am

Qui-Gon John
John Co
offline

Joined: October 2000
Post Count: 3,468

Don't like it. I want the keepcase to be the standard!

#14

Rating: 0

3/19/03 at 5:28am

Gabe D
offline

Joined: May 2001
Post Count: 2,173

Columbia House has been using these for their exclusive TV show releases for a while. I've got several of them, and it is fairly hard to read the printing on the spine.

#15

Rating: 0

3/19/03 at 6:26am

Craig S
Craig Seanor
offline

Joined: March 2000
Location: League City, TX (just south of Planet Houston)
Post Count: 4,863

I have the new Twilight Zone sets using these cases and I gotta say - I like 'em. I can read the spines just fine. If these had been used from the beginning, I wouldn't be looking at buying new DVD shelving right now...

Quote:

I wish they could have settled on one style ... that keeps the DVD on its spindle but allows you to get it off without bending it double.

The thinpacks meet this criterion quite nicely.

#16

Rating: 0

3/19/03 at 7:10am

Doug_H
online

Joined: March 2000
Post Count: 583

It looks like they are plastic, like a jewel case. Can anyone clarify that?

If that is the case I want nothing to do with a case that cracks, shatters and is prone to broken hinges.

Every child has many wishes. Some include a wallet, two chicks, and a cigar, but that's another story.

#17

Rating: 0

3/19/03 at 7:11am

GlennH
offline

Joined: September 1998
Post Count: 2,014

I guess this is what A&E used on the Shackleton set. I think that's the only one I have like this.

They don't seem too bad to me, especially for box sets which do take up too much space sometimes.

#18

Rating: 0

3/19/03 at 8:11am

David Lambert
offline

Joined: August 2001
Post Count: 11,271

Yes, the Shackelton set was the first retail release to use them.

The thinpaks are made of the same plastic as a keepcase, but thinner, and rather flexible. Not the type of shatterable plastic used on jewel cases. No worries about damage to them, and no hinges either.

DAVE/Memphis, TN

...Want to see your favorite show on DVD?

#19

Rating: 0

3/19/03 at 8:55am

Robert Spalding
offline

Joined: August 1998
Post Count: 486

I like it...sign me up! I am out of room on my 400+ dvd's

#20

Rating: 0

3/19/03 at 9:34am

Ted Lee
offline

Joined: May 2001
Post Count: 8,397

it looks like the kind of plastic used in my band of brothers packaging. i don't recall for sure, but it does seem pretty durable.

i'm all for these thin cases. there's no need for these cases to be so darn thick, especially when the insert consists of one or two thin pieces of paper.

plus the clear plastic could make for some cooler design elements...especially in the inside!

#21

Rating: 0

3/19/03 at 9:42am

David Lambert
offline

Joined: August 2001
Post Count: 11,271

They are not necessarily clear. That's just the example picture. They are usually black, like a keepcase. But, also like a keepcase, they can be any color the client orders.

Here are pics from Ron's Family Guy review:

DAVE/Memphis, TN

...Want to see your favorite show on DVD?

#22

Rating: 0

3/19/03 at 4:02pm

Randall Dorr
offline

Joined: December 2000
Post Count: 268

I certainly hope these (or double Amaray cases) become the standard for multi-disc sets. I'm so tired of crappy cardboard cases that need to be folded out three or four times. And as you unfold it, the insert is turned over and over and keeps falling out!

8 Ball gave it a 9:
Yo, Martin and Will are my boys, you know what I\'m saying? They make jokes I understand. The car chase is dope! I give it a 9 but I\'m still 8 Ball.
-user review of Bad Boys II from Metacritic.com

guzzlefish

#23

Rating: 0

3/19/03 at 6:38pm

Karl F
offline

Joined: December 2002
Post Count: 103

As a video store owner who is rapidly running out of room, I say, "thumbs up!"

On the downside, it does make it harder for browsing, for the customers. (The Herzog DVDs get kinda lost, now, for instance.)

--K

#24

Rating: 0

3/19/03 at 7:30pm

Ted Lee
offline

Joined: May 2001
Post Count: 8,397

those black ones are fugly.

i hope (and would think) that studios would take a little creative license and use something else.

#25

Rating: 0

3/19/03 at 7:45pm

LarryH
offline

Joined: September 2000
Post Count: 514

Quote:

I wish they could have settled on one style ... that keeps the DVD on its spindle but allows you to get it off without bending it double.

The thinpacks meet this criterion quite nicely.

I agree that if they are like the empty thin cases I've bought for my DVD-R's, they are quite functional and protective as well as saving a lot of space. I just wish we had one standard.

#26

Rating: 0

3/20/03 at 3:25am

Nathan McMahan
offline

Joined: May 1999
Post Count: 57

I'm laughing at this one. With over 800 DVD's and no room left for storage, I've just recently converted my entire collection to thinpaks. It was just a matter of trimming 3/16th of an inch off each side of the original cover. The biggest problem was making color copies of all the snapper cases at Kinko's. (It wasn't exactly cheap, though). The spines for the most part aren't hard to read. Some, like The Natural, Charlie's Angels, Disturbing Behavior and To Kill A Mockingbird, turned out to be a little problematic. But I'm sure future studio releases will plan for that. The only downside is there isn't yet clips to hold the booklet in place. It just sits in the inside front cover.

The Thinpaks come in black or clear. I got clear and was able to put a lot of the chapter listings on the back side of the front cover (all of the snappers and MGM's no booklet line)

I also converted all my double sets (Abyss, Speed 5 star, Star Trek Collector's edition, Big Trouble in Little China, etc.) to the slim double cases (i.e. Minority Report, Stargate Ultimate, Mask of Zorro SE).

All of this literally reduced the amount of space taken up by my DVD collection in half. And I can honestly say, with the exception of new releases, I have every DVD I've ever wanted. Well, except for some of the non OAR titles (The Shadow, Timecop, Parenthood, The Jerk, McClintock, Hooper, Mr. Mom, Clean and Sober, A Midnight Clear, etc)

I completely understand not wanting to change to YET ANOTHER keepcase style, but trust me, you guys'll love 'em.

It\'s not my goddamn planet, understand monkeyboy!

#27

Rating: 0

3/20/03 at 4:34am

Simon Basso
offline

Joined: May 2001
Post Count: 125

I don't really care, but anything that keeps the disc from coming off in transit is alright with me.

#28

Rating: 0

3/20/03 at 5:33am

Gabe D
offline

Joined: May 2001
Post Count: 2,173

I took a picture to show how the spines compare to more traditional DVD cases:

You can read the titles, but it's harder from a distance. I'm not complaining though. I need the shelf space.

#29

Rating: 0

3/20/03 at 6:42am

Craig S
Craig Seanor
offline

Joined: March 2000
Location: League City, TX (just south of Planet Houston)
Post Count: 4,863

Nathan, that sounds like quite a project. Where did you get the thinpaks, and how much did you pay for them? And, perhaps more important - what did you do with hundreds of suddenly homeless keepcases???

#30

Rating: 0

3/20/03 at 6:45am

John Berggren
offline

Joined: June 1999
Post Count: 3,218

I haven't the slightest idea what the three titles are before Panic Room. I can see Collectors Edition Volume 1-3, but not what they are collectors editions of.

Support the fight against Multiple Sclerosis as I ride in the 2007 MS 150 in New Bern this September.

Be a Widescreen Advocate

Tags

Other Threads

Recent Reviews

What Users Want

Got Facebook?

Already a User?

Create a New Account

Recent Discussions

Recent Reviews

Recent Wikis