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Jesse, the fact that others companies haven't made the same decisions does not invalidate the fact that Sony has.
And the fact that for a brief time one can sometimes pick up the wide+full version before the full version takes over is nothing more than the window of opportunity when the old stock is being cleared out.
Sorry, but I don't buy the conspiracy theory. Sony simply wants to make sure people pay full price for the widescreen.
"Scientists are saying the future is going to be far more futuristic than they originally predicted." -Krysta Now
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Quote:
| Folks, I have it on good authority that this is actually part of a plan to "downgrade" the DVD format, in preparation for the new HD-DVD/Blu-Ray hybrid (remember that Sony now wants to merge the two competing formats). |
If I had to guess why they're doing this, I would be leaning in that direction. They probably figure that people will just avoid buying those titles until they're released in Blu-Ray.
Unfortunately, they're creating a lot of ill will in the process.
"How wonderful it will be to have a leader unburdened by the twin horrors of knowledge and experience." -- Mr. Wick
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OK, so why can't I pay full price for the widescreen versions of titles that have already had them dropped for the bargain bin?
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This makes me very angry. Another reason why I don't want Sony's format to win. I support the HD-DVD format because the companies behind it actually put out great DVDs. I have decided to boycott all SOny DVDs and electronics.
Walt Disney Resource |
Joshua's PlaceHelp spread the word that Widescreen is better! Visit
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- Joined: April 1999
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I've noticed that several times at Target too, which is one of several reasons why I think the separate releases are a bad idea- the WS sells more quickly, but after it's been out for a year or so they tend to just stock the FS. I've complained about this on a number of online surveys I've gotten after buying other stuff there, the last time I asked why they bothered having surveys if they weren't listening to comments on them! But as long as other stores are still stocking the correct versions, that's tolerable.
I think last year someone at Disney was threatening to take the WS of some dual release titles like "Santa Clause 2" out of print at some point, but I just checked that title and both are still in print right now.
Besides Warner, Anchor Bay also seems to have completely stopped doing MAR'd transfers on their newer discs, when they would usually include both before. Again, I doubt they've received as many complaints about that as Sony has from going the other way.
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here is the mailing address and phone number for sony/columbia!
JACOB
Columbia TriStar Home Video
10202 W. Washington Blvd.
Culver City, CA 90232-3195
Phone number removed by owner - please
use regular mail address instead
Web site (includes DVD):
http://www.cthv.com
E-mail:
webmaster@cthv.com
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
- Joined: April 1999
- Location: Sacramento, CA
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If you send anything to that address, make sure to put ATTN: Benjamin Feingold, President or the name of anyone else you might know works there. If you send it with nobody's name on it, they'll return-to-sender. As I mentioned, I mailed an "improved" disc back to this address and they sent me the correct one plus a free movie, yet they are continuing to do this to their titles.
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Quote:
| OK, so why can't I pay full price for the widescreen versions of titles that have already had them dropped for the bargain bin? |
I'd say the same reason why you can't find a hardcover book once the paperback has been released, but, it is a little different in that while books fall out of print never to be seen again, DVDs tend to come around again in special edition form (or not so special).
"Scientists are saying the future is going to be far more futuristic than they originally predicted." -Krysta Now
-
Inspector Hammer!
- John Williamson
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- Joined: March 1999
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Quote:
| DVDs tend to come around again in special edition form |
Yes, or in this case held hostage by Sony giving us no choice but to buy one of the new players.
You know what, though, I waited over 2 years with the patience of a praying mantis for the corrected versions of the
Back to the Future trilogy to arrive on store shelves, so Sony won't force me to do shit.
I will stick with my plan to hold off on the new players until I feel i'm ready for it.
"You have no idea how far i'm willing to go to acquire your cooperation." - Jack Bauer
- Joined: April 2000
- Post Count: 4,318
Greg,
You could have gotten her the Japanese disc and a region-free player. 16x9, framed properly, 5.1 Dolby and DTS, and no PAL speedup.
STOP THE MADNESS! STOP THE BUTCHERING AND ABANDONMENT OF TV SHOWS ON DVD!
My DVD List at DVD Aficionado, Now Featuring Blu-Ray
- Joined: January 2003
- Post Count: 4,493
I am not sure this is entirely a Blu Ray conspiracy as it is simply a case of Sony being completly in bed with Wal-Mart. I used to work for a company who did business with Wal-Mart and the unoffical mantra was "Whatever Wal-Mart wants, Wal-Mart gets" They want to sell these dual sided DVDs with a reduced price, and they are not going to ask Sony to drop the Pan and Scan.
I say time and time again when something like this happens. If we want any chance of this practice to stop (Sony is notorious for not listening to customer feedback and although I like the effort of people on this forum writing letters to Sony, they are not going to do Dick about it and might acutally say "It will be available in Widescreen on Blu-Ray) we have to start taking these complaints up the chain. I'm not very resourceful when it comes to Hollywood, but I know a few here are. I think we have to start petitioning the Directors Guild of America. The rumored reason that "Castle Keep" was re-issued in Widescreen was because of intervention by Spielberg, Scorsese and Lucas. That makes sense because the continued dropping of the Widescreen side rules out the possibility that Sony had some kind of epiphany about OAR and decided to right their wrong.
"Starman" is on the list? Well, Carpenter is very vocal about about his distain for Pan and Scan. I am sure he would be furious about what Sony is planning to one of his most successful films (although, sadly I read a post by someone here claiming that his health has deteriorated recently, not necessairly where he's dying, but at dimished capacity.) I know people here have contact information for him.
I think we have to start thinking a little bit outside the box. Anyone have any other ideas?
STOP HIM! He's supposed to die!
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- Post Count: 4,318
I'm not teasing. The disc exists and is in print. I got it from CDJapan, but Amazon.co.jp has it as well (I just had trouble translating their site to English).
STOP THE MADNESS! STOP THE BUTCHERING AND ABANDONMENT OF TV SHOWS ON DVD!
My DVD List at DVD Aficionado, Now Featuring Blu-Ray
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- Post Count: 4,318
Howard Stringer has got an even more difficult task than Robert Iger; unlike Disney, which miraculously continues to make money, Sony is losing money.
STOP THE MADNESS! STOP THE BUTCHERING AND ABANDONMENT OF TV SHOWS ON DVD!
My DVD List at DVD Aficionado, Now Featuring Blu-Ray
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Again- there are MANY other titles from other labels in the Wal-Mart bargain bins and similar deals that were priced much higher, but haven't been stripped down at all. There's a couple of Universal Collector's Edition titles that originally retailed for $34.95, and are now available for $5.50- they may not have the inserts anymore but the disc content is the same. Fox, which started out as one of the WORST DVD companies but has since become one of the best, has even put out older titles which hadn't been on DVD before, including both widescreen and Foolscreen transfers at $9.95 list price. Why is it these other studios can sell good discs at the lower price, but Sony can't? And again, I'd rather just pay the higher price for the Sony titles if they don't want to sell the good transfers for such a low price.
If Sony is losing money, they should get rid of whoever made this decision and hire ME to take their place. I will accept half of what they are currently paid.
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