Sony Pictures continues to drop existing widescreen transfers

#241

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5/27/05 at 3:45pm

Glenn Overholt
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...and one more idea. They have a huge pile of blank disks and instead of throwing them out they are putting movies on them. They don't care about the content - they just want to clear up the warehouse space!

As for being civil, we were, about 200 posts ago. Getting no answers is just outright frustrating.

Glenn

#242

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5/27/05 at 5:26pm

Jesse Skeen
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Blank discs for recording are different than the discs that movies put out for sale are stamped on. BTW you can get 2-sided blank discs, they're really cool

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#243

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5/27/05 at 8:24pm

MatthewA
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I'm trying to be civil. But it's hard when I see them debasing a format they used to be so gung-ho about. They used to make damn good DVDs.

And I also have a problem with their TV release patterns. I want to see these complete shows before I die, you know.

Meanwhile, Disney at least tries, occasionally, to please the consumer. (I bought Barefoot Executive, but after skimming it I can only conclude that the transfer was made way back in the 80s), but that's another thread. Universal tries to please the customer, occasionally. Even the usually abysmal Lion's Gate seems to get the message that fans care about quality with the Moonlighting DVDs (now if they'd just re-do ALF...).

STOP THE MADNESS! STOP THE BUTCHERING AND ABANDONMENT OF TV SHOWS ON DVD!

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#244

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5/27/05 at 8:25pm

RickB
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I agree that civility should be the normal course within this discussion. Just as professionalism should be practiced within the business world. Customers are a big part of that world, however, and they should be treated with courtesy as well. I believe that some companies become so large that service and support appear to disappear at some point.

There is no doubt that Sony has become a 'giant' company. I believe that when you sell products the customer should never become unimportant in the companies eyes. When that happens the next thing that usually goes downhill is the actual product. Then big problems erupt.

I have purchased many Sony products over the years, but I have moved away from their products and moved to competing brands for quite some time. Once was a time they were the first place I looked. Not anymore though, and this is an example of why. I have never purchased a full screen title and never will. If they choose to ignore that its their problem, not mine. There is no title I like well enough to buy it in a fullscreen version.

Since Walmart has been mentioned I have to say that my local store always has widescreen copies available on just about every title I have wanted, always on new releases. Occasionally they don't have what I want in widescreen, usually an older title, and I just purchase it elsewhere. Bestbuy is just down the street and they get my money.

#245

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5/28/05 at 12:35am

John*P
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Take a hearted example of what could come in the way they proceeded with the Dawson's Creek DVDs: The first season was intact, the second had music changed, the third had even the theme music replaced, and by the fifth season they were going as far as deleting entire scenes that contained music!!!

Are you freakin' serious? Well, so much for me buying the Dawson's Creek sets...

#246

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5/31/05 at 10:27am

Bradley-E
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I found a new copy of BITE THE BULLET over the weekend with both Widescreen/Full Frame aspect ratios. The older versions are still out there but they are really scarce. I found it at Wherehouse Music. It seems like the best places to find the rare titles are at stores like the Wherehouse. Anything at Wal Mart, Best Buy, Target etc is already just Full Frame or picked over long time ago.

#247

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6/15/05 at 7:29am

Jeff Swindoll
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Quote:

I found a new copy of BITE THE BULLET over the weekend with both Widescreen/Full Frame aspect ratios.

I thought I found a widescreen/fullscreen copy of Buddy in the Walmart dumpbin only to get home, open it, and it was only fullscreen. It clearly states widescreen & fullscreen presentation on the back of the packaging but that was NOT what was inside.

I didnt play Dungeons and Dragons all those years and not learn something about courage.
--Bernie Faulkner

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#248

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6/15/05 at 4:42pm

TheBat
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I had called sony a while back about the ghostbusters matter.. They finally called me back to tell me that both movies are going to be widescreen.
they do know that many people want the widescreen titles of their movies.. they have gotten alot of reaction to it. they said it was cheaper to do the full screen then the widescreen for some reason..

they do plan to release everything again in HD.. which many people knew this was going to happen. they are waiting for that.
I also did invite them to the home theatre forum chat.. like ron and them have done in the past with WB and Fox.. they said they would send the info to the marketing people.. told that the chat was moderated and respectful to the studios when they do come to the chat.

JACOB

My Home Theater Equipment:

Philips 47pfl7403D/F7 Onkyo 605 7.1 Receiver Aiwa Speakers and Sub woofer Panasonic 80 Blu ray Toshiba bdx2000 Sony PlayStation 3 Blu ray Direct TV in HD with DVR

#249

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6/15/05 at 5:36pm

Bradley-E
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I had a feeling they would claim it to be cheaper to do the FULL FRAME only transfers. But now they expect everyone to upgrade again. I just replaced all my Laserdiscs with DVD copies. Will the madness ever end?

Funny how FOX could include a widescreen transfer on one side and Full Frame on the other and only charge less than $10.00. Sony is the worst offender as far as older catalogue titles and still charge $20.00 - $25.00. I think they would sell more at a lower base price and may not be crying poverty at the same time. SONY will ALWAYS be the lamest studio.

#250

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6/15/05 at 9:46pm

FrancisP
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I bought the 3rd Naked Gun movie from the Walmart bargain bin. It is a widescreen movie. I don't think that Walmart cares whether they are widescreen or fullscreen, as long as the price is right.

#251

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6/16/05 at 2:40am

Ronald Epstein
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Quote:

I also did invite them to the home theatre forum chat.. like ron and them have done in the past with WB and Fox.. they said they would send the info to the marketing people..

Jacob,

Thank You very much. Let's hope they respond.

Ronald J Epstein
Home Theater Forum co-owner
Email me at: repstein@hometheaterforum.com
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#252

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6/16/05 at 5:45am

TheBat
Jacob
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Your welcome.
they have gotten alot of e-mail inquries in there feedback from the home theatre forum.about this widescreen matter. I do understand that there is alot of push for widescreen titles.

JACOB

My Home Theater Equipment:

Philips 47pfl7403D/F7 Onkyo 605 7.1 Receiver Aiwa Speakers and Sub woofer Panasonic 80 Blu ray Toshiba bdx2000 Sony PlayStation 3 Blu ray Direct TV in HD with DVR

#253

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6/16/05 at 9:19am

Marko Berg
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Quote:

states widescreen & fullscreen presentation on the back of the packaging but that was NOT what was inside

I was worried when I read this as I had two sealed DVDs that are on the list of recently-downgraded-to-MAR-only releases waiting at home. I just received them in the mail yesterday and immediately checked the covers, thinking everything was okay, then put the discs on the shelf. I just opened them and thankfully both are still widescreen/full screen. Exchanging them would have been a hassle since I can't just go to a store.

Downgrading releases is pitiful, but doing so while keeping the original packaging is unforgivable. Better care should have been taken to ensure new discs are not packed in cases with old covers.

#254

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6/16/05 at 11:47am

Lars Vermundsberget
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Quote:

Downgrading releases is pitiful, but doing so while keeping the original packaging is unforgivable. Better care should have been taken to ensure new discs are not packed in cases with old covers.

Exactly.

And Jeff in post 247 simply did not get what he paid for.

#255

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6/19/05 at 9:27am

Porfirio
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I noticed that Frankenfish is scheduled for a re-release/price drop in a couple of days. Does anyone know if this title is also going to be butchered?

#256

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6/19/05 at 9:37pm

Dick
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Perhaps we should being e-mailing to SONY copies of this thread, which is already thirteen hundred posts long, just in case their reps don't browse this site. How can they ignore these numbers? I realize many posts are from from the same posters, but this is one of the longest threads for a long time and demonstrates a huge passion among DVD buyers.

#257

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6/19/05 at 10:08pm

Rick CHO
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What is the email address for Sony? I got a copy of Mixed Nuts that clearly states widescreen on the cover, but is fullscreen only on the disc?

#258

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6/20/05 at 8:44am

Jeff Swindoll
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On 6/16 I emailed the below to sphe_customer_service@spe.sony.com. To date I have yet to get a response.

Quote:

On 6/14/2005 I purchased the CTHV DVD release of Buddy
(1997) from a local store. The only reason I
purchased this release was that it stated on the back
of the packaging that it contained both a widescreen
and fullscreen version of the film (see attached
image). When I opened the package the disc was not 2
sided as indicated on the back of the title and only
contained a fullscreen version of the film. I do not
purchase fullscreen versions of films. I also do not
support CTHV's recent policy of re-releasing titles in
fullscreen only when in the past the titles in
questions had a fullscreen and widescreen release. I
consider this an instance of false advertising and
would like to exchange this title for the double sided
release as indicated on the back of the the packaging.
Please supply instructions as to how to conduct this
exchange. I cannot return this title to the store
since it has been opened and do not want to exchange
it for a fullscreen only release. I purchased this
copy specifically because it stated that it contained
both versions. All of the store's other copies
clearly stated they were fullscreen only.

I didnt play Dungeons and Dragons all those years and not learn something about courage.
--Bernie Faulkner

My DVD List at DVD Aficionado

#259

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6/20/05 at 12:00pm

Aaron Silverman
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Quote:

Perhaps we should being e-mailing to SONY copies of this thread, which is already thirteen hundred posts long, just in case their reps don't browse this site. How can they ignore these numbers? I realize many posts are from from the same posters, but this is one of the longest threads for a long time and demonstrates a huge passion among DVD buyers.

The Sony Publicity Dept. is aware of this thread (I think you meant 250 posts, not 1300

). I discussed it with them on the phone. However, I specifically recommended that they not read it due to some of the, um, less-than-tactful language. Remember, we are dealing with a huge multi-national conglomerate here. Bitter venting isn't going to have any positive effect.

Note that the Sony people with whom I spoke were unaware of this issue and expressed surprise when I described it to them. I don't want to say anything further about it here, because I don't want to spread a private conversation and possibly get anyone in trouble, but suffice it to say that there are people within Sony who appear to feel the same way that we do about this topic.

When I hear more, I will post further.

"How wonderful it will be to have a leader unburdened by the twin horrors of knowledge and experience." -- Mr. Wick

#260

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7/25/05 at 9:04am

RandallV
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Quote:

When I hear more, I will post further.

Since it has been a bit over a month, I'm wondering if you've heard anything.

#261

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8/9/05 at 8:47am

RandallV
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Since customer service surveys reveal that a bad "experience" or product is usually shared with approximately 25 other people the victim knows and these people share that information too, I wonder if SONY has considered the considerable damage this P&S issue is causing their reputation within the DVD buying community.

Of course since they are so diversified, they simply don't care.

#262

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8/9/05 at 9:20am

FrancisP
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Maybe that's why Sony is in such trouble. Sony used to be a premier name in home tech products, but has had a huge shake-up due to lagging sales. Thus far, I haven't seen much
change.

#263

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8/9/05 at 10:20am

Jesse Skeen
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For what it's worth, they no longer have the notice posted on their retailer's website. Hopefully this means they at least won't do this to any more titles.

Home video oddities, old commercials and other junk: http://www.youtube.com/user/eyeh8nbc

#264

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8/12/05 at 11:55am

Aaron Silverman
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No, I haven't heard anything. I'll press for info.

"How wonderful it will be to have a leader unburdened by the twin horrors of knowledge and experience." -- Mr. Wick

#265

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8/12/05 at 4:32pm

Joshua Clinard
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I'm upset that Columbia Tri-Star is still putting out movies in Pan & Scan, with today's Widescreen televisions getting cheaper and cheaper. I don't yet have one, but when I do get one, I certainly won't get one from Sony, since it seems they do not support widescreen. And I definitely won't invest in Blu-Ray either. I would rather give my money to companies like Toshiba, and Warner, who support Widescreen fully. I saw several movies in the 5.50 bin at Wal-Mart today that I would have purchased on the spot, had they been in widescreen. The ones I would like, include, Pippi Longstocking, 3 Ninja's, 3 Ninja's Kickback, The Next Karate Kid, and others. I would like Sony to know that there have been many other movies that I have refrained from buying they aren't available in widescreen.

Films that have never been available in Widescreen on DVD in Reigon 1 from Sony, that I would purchase if they were include the following, in addition to the ones that I included in my post.

Magic in the Water
Look Who's Talking Now
Matilda
Master of Disguise
My Girl
My Girl 2
Troop Beverly Hills

DVD's that have been previously re-leased as full/wide flipper discs that have had widescreen sides removed, that I would like to purchase, if they wree made available again.

Annie
Josie and the Pussycats
Last Action Hero
Stuart Little
Adventures of Milo and Otis
Stepmom
The Second Jungle Book

If anyone has any updates to the list of widescreen releases that have been discontinued in favor of Pan & Scan re-issues, please let me know.

http://widescreenadvocate.org/news.php?p=102

Walt Disney Resource | Joshua's Place

Help spread the word that Widescreen is better! Visit Widescreen Adovcate, download our flyers and brochures, and distribute them to your family, freinds, and even strangers!

#266

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8/12/05 at 5:55pm

Nils Luehrmann
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Quote:

I don't yet have one, but when I do get one, I certainly won't get one from Sony, since it seems they do not support widescreen.

By lack of support, you mean releasing over 90% of their DVD’s with OAR transfers?

Quote:

I would rather give my money to companies like Toshiba, and Warner, who support Widescreen fully.

Hmmm... when did Toshiba start releasing widescreen DVD's? Maybe you meant TV's, but last I checked Toshiba still makes and sells a lot of 4:3 TV's. Oh, and last I checked Warner not only releases full screen titles, but they also have released quite a collection of MAR transfers as well.

Sony and Warner as well as most of the other major studios have been very supportive of OAR, but you only seem to like to focus on the increasingly smaller percentage of misfires... and sometimes even those are not what you have claimed them to be.

The studios have released tens of thousands of titles and yet you continue to focus only on a minuscule portion of these releases and then make personal attacks on them because you feel so offended by it. Of course, it is interesting how you only seem to recognize Sony as the sole culprit.

I never would have predicted in this lifetime that someday I would come to the defense of Sony whom I have been more critical of than any other consumer electronic company, and yet your never ending attacks on Sony with either misinformation, grossly exaggerated facts, or worse yet, completely false statements are simply intolerable!

It is one thing to express your dissatisfaction with some of their policies, gosh knows many of us have and will continue to do so. However, you have gone well beyond that and instead are just dragging everyone into your personal war against Sony.

Admission Ticket... $7
Small Popcorn...... $3
Medium Soda....... $2

Seeing Branagh's Hamletin 70mm @ the great historicParamount Theatre...PRICELESS!

#267

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8/12/05 at 8:19pm

GlennH
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Quote:

By lack of support, you mean releasing over 90% of their DVD’s with OAR transfers?

Ha. You say that like it's something to be proud of. It's not even close to being good enough, and Sony's OAR support of late is quite inferior to other studios like Warner, Fox, or Paramount. Nearly as disturbing is the fact that their transfers are often inferior too. Think Spider-Man. This from a studio who in the early days of DVD was the very best.

I hope their new management team makes some improvements.

I won't boycott buying Sony's hardware over it, but it really is hard to understand where they're coming from.

#268

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8/12/05 at 9:36pm

Nils Luehrmann
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No, I didn't say it like it is something to be proud of. I was pointing out how ridiculous it is to say a studio that releases the vast majority of their titles with OAR transfers "does not support widescreen". As I said, there are plenty of legitimate reasons to complain about Sony. In fact, if you look closely enough there are plenty of things to complain about with every studio and DVD distributor, even Criterion who recently made a major blunder with Jules & Jim.

Nevertheless, making absurd generalizations that are so far off from reality is hardly a constructive way of getting a point across - especially if our intentions are to try and get the studios to listen to our concerns. It is for this reason why I question the real motives of those that make these wild generalizations and continually throw insults towards these studios every chance they get.

Several studio reps and DVD producers used to frequently participate on HTF threads and clearly were interested in what we had to say, but over the last year as the irrational and sometimes-petty rants grew; their participation has almost entirely dried up. I’m not suggesting we have to paint our noses brown or shower them with praise, but I can almost guarantee that making false claims, insulting them, and/or calling them derogatory names (all of which have occurred on this thread alone) isn’t going to motivate them to listen and change.

Admission Ticket... $7
Small Popcorn...... $3
Medium Soda....... $2

Seeing Branagh's Hamletin 70mm @ the great historicParamount Theatre...PRICELESS!

#269

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8/13/05 at 2:26pm

Joshua Clinard
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Nil,

Where in that post did I personally attack anyone from Sony? I did not even mention anyone's name. I don't hate Sony, and I don't have a crusade or anything against the company. I only hate their policy. Could you name one thing I said that is false? You won't find one. I very rarely make generalizations, because I hate it when other's make them. It is perfectly true, that Sony, by far is the only studio to my knowlegde that continues to release films in P$S only. If you can name at least two films from any single studio that has been released in P&S only this year, other than Sony owned studios, I'll concede the point. If you can do it, I would be amazed, but at least I'll learn something. I'm not above being wrong, but if I'm unaware of some release, then I can't compare them to other studio's accurately, which is all I was trying to do.

Both Toshiba and Warner Bros., support Widescreen fully. Toshiba actually started a Why Widescreen campaign a few years ago to educate consumers on the benefits of widescreen. While Warner Bros. released P&S discs near the beginning of the format, they have since corrected a lot of their mistakes, and re-released them as widescreen discs. And they haven't put out any new films in P&S only to my knowledge. Sony is going the oppposite direction, by re-releasing widescreen films in P&S only!

Walt Disney Resource | Joshua's Place

Help spread the word that Widescreen is better! Visit Widescreen Adovcate, download our flyers and brochures, and distribute them to your family, freinds, and even strangers!

#270

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8/13/05 at 8:40pm

Mark Bendiksen
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Quote:

even Criterion who recently made a major blunder with Jules & Jim

I apologize in advance for straying off topic, but what was the blunder with Jules & Jim?

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