Complete Series DVD Sets: The Problem with the Studios

Re: Complete Series DVD Sets: The Problem with the Studios

Does anyone have any info on how the Complete Munsters will be packaged? I may consider double-dipping mainly because of the poor packaging on Season 2 (the Herman's head design) which got completely torn apart when attempting to remove the DVDs for the first time.

Re: Complete Series DVD Sets: The Problem with the Studios

DAMMIT! I was considering getting that because of the TV movies, but the packing is the last straw. Screw it. I'm also still pissed at Paramount for not doing a proper HD release of Payback (both cuts), but that's another story. I, too, have emailed them in disgust.

Re: Complete Series DVD Sets: The Problem with the Studios

I'd be embarrassed to have that sitting on my shelf.

Re: Complete Series DVD Sets: The Problem with the Studios

I've been pretty satisfied with my season sets ... ehehe ...

Re: Complete Series DVD Sets: The Problem with the Studios

Another DVD series bites the dust.

When will studios learn that some of us will *NEVER* buy any set where the DVD's are *SLID* into packes just so they can increase their profit and not decrease the price on the set.

What am I talking about? I was all hyped up to purchase the Speed Racer DVD set, the complete series set. What happened? I passed on purchasing this set after I saw how cheaply packaged the set was.

I will *NEVER* buy a complete series DVD collection when the set is not only poorly manufactured but where the DVD's are, ONCE AGAIN, slid into pages in an effort to damage the DVD's in the set.

I'm completely disgusted with the way studios are treating its customers and I'm starting to think that maybe I should start buying those complete series sets on eBay that I see advertised for $100 or less. At least I know what I'll be getting or possibly downloading from an online site somewhere.

Studios don't seem to care that as consumers, we treat our DVD libraries as something of a collectible item. We don't like damaged DVD's and we surely don't like the cheap*** packaging that they seem stuck on.

You've lost another potential customer on such a classic anime-ted series.

The "Mach-5" style customed packaging was made out of a cheaply produced plastic source, it felt like a model kit and the way the DVD's are housed? What can I say? DVD's slid into pages as if the studios don't care if the DVD's are taken care of ... poor quality control.

Re: Complete Series DVD Sets: The Problem with the Studios

EDIT- double post....

Re: Complete Series DVD Sets: The Problem with the Studios

I concurr, Mark. What's the point of having DVDs, which, unlike video tapes, can last indefinitely- if they're going to be made to essentially be disposable?

The bootlegs are looking better all the time! Sad to say, but I think we are just about at the point where bootlegs are getting to be of higher quality than the studio releases.

Re: Complete Series DVD Sets: The Problem with the Studios

Sometimes people cry "fire!!" for no reason, IMO. I too read nightmare stories about the supposedly terrible packaging on The Complete TZ set, and that alone kept me away from it for a while. Finally, I saw a good deal online where I could get the entire series for $150, so I pounced on it. And you know what? The packaging turned out to be FINE!

Since I'm on the subject of TZ, one thing that really irks me is that the main menus show actual spoiler revelation scenes for many episodes! And I haven't seen all of these shows yet.

Re: Complete Series DVD Sets: The Problem with the Studios

I am pretty much agreed with most of you regarding absurd novelty packaging, but there are exceptions. For me, being a huge PLANET OF THE APES fan, I loved the Ape Head and like to display it. Besides, in this case you could have easily gotten all 5 feature films, the TV series and cartoon series, all separately in standard packaging, if you preferred.


I make three (so far; I'm just in the process of catching up with this old thread now). I say go for it, if you haven't already. Especially if the price is right.

Re: Complete Series DVD Sets: The Problem with the Studios

I made the switch, largely because these are not double-sided and inferior DVD18s, but a 12-disc set with one-sided DVD9s.

The packaging is much better, just two separate season boxes housed in an outer standard-sized "Munsters" sleeve/box. The season sets themselves fold open (is this what we call "digipaks"?) and there are three "pages" (like the original individual releases had) with two discs oneach page. But the thing is, they use the "one disc on top of another" approach, instead of 1 disc per page (there are 6 discs per season). The main thing is, no more of that absurd Herman head.

Re: Complete Series DVD Sets: The Problem with the Studios

On the internet?! No way.

Re: Complete Series DVD Sets: The Problem with the Studios

I can see doing the novelty approach but at least give fans the OPTION of choosing. Comic Book companies always do the multiple alternate cover thing, movie studios do it as well with standard DVD releases and limited DVD releases and even music studios do this so why not for the TV on DVD format?

Instead, what are we left with? An inferior collection that ends up with damaged disks ... if studios are going to create a noelty packaging for a series or a season set at least release the same set or season with standard packaging so fans like myself aren't left to purchasing pirated import copies or downloading through various 'internet services' like Usenet.

Instead, look at the crappy design on the upcoming Charmed complete series set. What happened here? I'll tell you what happened ... CBS and Paramount screwed up and created a "slide the DVD into a page pocket" for the standard version so the DVD's can get scratched versus the "one DVD per page" packaging for the limited edition for consumers of the premium version.

Is there some backwards mentality going on with the studios? There have been over a dozen of these sets that I have wanted to purchase but the idiotic numskulls at 20th Century Fox, CBS/Paramount, Warner Brother, etc continue to lose potential sales because of their unwillingness to cater to the entertainment fan who hates these specialty gimmicks.

I don't think the studios are learning the lesson that comic book companies learned over losing a ton of money to gimmick comic book covers to try and increase their sales.

Re: Complete Series DVD Sets: The Problem with the Studios

The *only* packaging I find acceptable for TV on DVD releases (individual seasons or full sets) is the "mini" amaray style case. It's possible to put 2 disks in one of these and they do not touch, rub, etc. They take up minimal shelf space, are easy to open, look good, are sturdy, easily replaceable if damaged, and protect the disks well.

While I'll purchase a set in other packaging I let the studio know of my displeasure. I'll not purchase any set in "cute", "custom", or "promotional" type packaging unless that's the *only* way it's available for purchase. Star Trek TOS and the original Munsters is a good example of this and had I known a improved full series set of The Munsters was coming I would have waited on them. The remastered ST-TOS sets look to be just as bad as the original as far as packaging is concerned.

People who think up and manufacture this alternate crap should be locked in a room with the packaging and be forced to open it, remove disks, replace disks, and close the packaging while keeping the disks in pristene condition until they realize what utter abominations they have foisted upon the populace and swear to make pennance.

Re: Complete Series DVD Sets: The Problem with the Studios

I'm starting to think that maybe a class-action lawsuit filed against all of these studios "et-al" on behalf of their knowingly defective products. A lawsuit placed against these companies for deliberately selling defective products would be the only way to go ... and would send a message to studios to take responsibility and test their products over a few months before releasing them for distribution.

Re: Complete Series DVD Sets: The Problem with the Studios

Do you have proof that they knowingly sold defective products? I'm no lawyer but if you have actual proof of that, you probably should call a lawyer as soon as possible. If you're just saying that without proof, you have no case at all.

Re: Complete Series DVD Sets: The Problem with the Studios

As nice as it would be to teach these creeps a lesson- as long as they are willing to take back the merch and give you a refund, once you have had opportunity to see that the product is defective, there is no basis for a suit.

The best we can do, as consumers, is to vote with our feet- and not purchase their shoddy merchandise- and maybe buy from their competitors (Legitimate or otherwise).

Sooner or later, they'll be forced to follow the money...or else they'll whither, and a better company will take their place.

I haven't bought a DVD all summer! Heh...with the money I saved, not buying DVDs, I bought myself a nice leather recliner!

There's no law saying that they have to make a quality product./..just as there's no law saying we have to buy their crap. (I wish we could sue them to force them to finish all the stalled series!)

Re: Complete Series DVD Sets: The Problem with the Studios

PS: You think these companies would wise up, and start listening to the consumers! I have never purchased a bootleg DVD in my life- always waited for the "legit" releases....but I'm so disgusted now, that if I see high-quality bootlegs, I'd have no reservations about purchasing them- and I'm sure that lots of other folks feel the same way I do.

Re: Complete Series DVD Sets: The Problem with the Studios

First of all, the studios knowingly produced these DVD sets aware that the disks would get scratched. But, they continue to produce these type of sets to save on costs. The defective return to store ratio must be within acceptable levels for the studios to continue to use this type of format.

I know, I've become so frustrated with the studios that I broke down and bought several of these bootleg sets myself. While I'd rather buy the official studio releases I'm through with these gimmick sets and waiting several years for a certain series to be released.

I still buy TV Show DVD sets and I continue to buy them but the studios need to get off their behinds and knock it off with these novelty limited edition sets and get back to producing these TV Show DVD sets without all of the fancy specialty packaging ...

The Charmed DVD collection set is a prime example of the screwed up backwards mentality that seems to be enforced at these studios. The limited edition set premium set is designed so that the DVD's aren't scratched yet the standard edition is designed so that they will. Why waste our hard earned money buying DVD sets that are designed to get damaged?

Re: Complete Series DVD Sets: The Problem with the Studios

Right. Which proves that it's only a tiny fraction of anal and obsessed fanatics who are getting so bent out of shape about the way these DVDs are packaged.


I'd never go for a bootleg set over the "real deal" when it comes to TV shows or movies, especially just based on packaging or dislike for the "gimmicky" way they're released. The main thing in the end is getting the show itself in the best possible quality.


I think it's often a gross exaggeration. I've heard the same story with a lot of DVD sets that are "designed to get damaged", but it's never happened to me. I've had the STAR TREK sets with discs that were VERY tightly welded onto the spindles (a real pet peeve of mine I'll admit) but you just have to be extra careful in removing them. In my experience, just being careful has never resulted in damaged DVDs.

Same thing with the annoying Herman Munster packaging for the Season Two set of THE MUNSTERS... everyone was complaining about how tight the set was cramped into the cardboard and that they were "ripping the packaging trying to get the discs out". Well, when I bought that set myself I agreed that the design was ABSURD and a real pain in the ass to open ... but I was very determined and careful, and I got the discs out and never ripped the electrodes off Herman's neck. So what was I supposed to do at the time -- NOT buy this set as some type of protest and make do with inferior bootleg copies? Screw that.

Re: Complete Series DVD Sets: The Problem with the Studios

This is an excellent point. I completely agree, this is the definitive reason for collector packaging. Otherwise, they would surely just bundle all seasons up and sell them like that.
Totally agree here as well. It's not fair for the fan who supported the series so future sets would come out. Then, to now have to re-buy the complete series set to have everything? That's a slap in the face and shows no respect for the fans. Tell me why someone who never cared to buy the show in season sets now deserves a complete series set with collector packaging and great bonus material? With so many studios sitting on tv shows that have not been released, putting effort into getting those unreleased series on the shelf is more important than this collector packaging of already released titles crap.

Re: Complete Series DVD Sets: The Problem with the Studios

No, I'm not exagerrating, Joe. Have you seen the packaging for the Charmed set? CBS and Paramount decided to deliberately screw the fans who just want the standard collection:

The Standard Collection: http://www.tvshowsondvd.net/graphics...d_Comp_int.jpg

The Limited Collection: http://www.tvshowsondvd.net/graphics...med_LE_int.jpg

Notice how the DVD's are carefully placed in the Limited Edition version so as to protect the DVD's from getting damaged. Now, look at the Standard Edition. Now, say it with me all together: PARAMOUNT SUCKS.

That's the backwards screwed up mentality that I'm talking about. Paramount and CBS could have used the same type of interior packaging and placement for the DVD's but chose not to ...

Oh, and I don't know what kind of blowhard sets you've been buying but I've heard of complaints from a lot of members here of DVD sets that are so extremely hard to pull from their packaging that the DVD's either end up nearly breaking or close to it. Universal DVD packaging, the Andromeda and Farscape DVD packaging, and so on ...

Re: Complete Series DVD Sets: The Problem with the Studios

VEI of Toronto, Canada recently released a completed series package of "Hardcastle and McCormick," and here is the listing from Amazon:

Amazon.com: Hardcastle and McCormick The Complete Series Seasons 1,2,3 In One Pack: *: Movies & TV

Packaged in this release, I believe, are the same three individual releases, albeit in a slimmer format. This is a credit to VEI, that it did not go the fancy route with hard-to-open packaging, unlike a lot of other series. VEI, in my mind, is also to be credited for its treatment of the three individual releases when they were in the big boxes. Sure, there were a couple of minor glitches along the way (like a missing title sequence on "Whistler's Pride" in #1 and visible tape wear on several other outings), but overall, the series (which I, for one, thought was one of the best of the '80's, having seen it all through) was treated very well, even extending to the retaining of all of the music of the original episodes. The first two releases did not have any bonuses, but #3did have one, a photo gallery. VEI is also to be credited for keeping the original Cannell logo in its various forms on all of the episodes, considering that a lot of studios don't even do that. By that I mean that, for instance, Sony is guilty of replacing CPT's '80's Torch Lady, Coke edition, with the current SPT logo on such releases as "T.J. Hooker" and "What's Happening Now!!" (although the LBS logo was kept on the latter). Paramount is similarly guilty of logo replacement with a lot of their older series, like "Taxi" and "Cheers." The Blue Mountain logos of those series were replaced with (I believe) the '04 Mtn. of Monotony on both of them. On "Taxi," however, the 2004 logo was shown, but the era-appropriate jingle played through; I do not understand why Paramount did that.

What I described just goes to show, I believe, that if you release a favorite series and release it well (like VEI did with "Hardcastle"), you will get a lot of credit from the fans of that series. However, if you don't treat your releases well (or worse yet, if you don't release at all or if you go a long time between releases), those decisions will backfire on you in the form of negative comments or lack of purchases; this has been the case with the series listed as follows:

"The Fugitive," "My Three Sons," "Cheers," and "Taxi" (CBS/Paramount)
"WKRP," "The Fall Guy," "Hill Street Blues," "Bob Newhart," "St. Elsewhere," and "Mary Tyler Moore" (FOX)
"Hart to Hart," "T.J. Hooker," "The Facts of Life," and "Diff'rent Strokes" (Sony)

Re: Complete Series DVD Sets: The Problem with the Studios

VEI of Toronto, Canada recently released a completed series package of "Hardcastle and McCormick," and here is the listing from Amazon:

Amazon.com: Hardcastle and McCormick The Complete Series Seasons 1,2,3 In One Pack: *: Movies & TV

Packaged in this release, I believe, are the same three individual releases, albeit in a slimmer format. This is a credit to VEI, that it did not go the fancy route with hard-to-open packaging, unlike a lot of other series. VEI, in my mind, is also to be credited for its treatment of the three individual releases when they were in the big boxes. Sure, there were a couple of minor glitches along the way (like a missing title sequence on "Whistler's Pride" in #1 and visible tape wear on several other outings), but overall, the series (which I, for one, thought was one of the best of the '80's, having seen it all through) was treated very well, even extending to the retaining of all of the music of the original episodes. The first two releases did not have any bonuses, but #3 did have one, a photo gallery. VEI is also to be credited for keeping the original Cannell logo in its various forms on all of the episodes, considering that a lot of studios don't even do that. By that I mean that, for instance, Sony is guilty of replacing CPT's '80's Torch Lady, Coke edition, with the current SPT logo on such releases as "T.J. Hooker" and "What's Happening Now!!" (although the LBS logo was kept on the latter). Paramount is similarly guilty of logo replacement with a lot of their older series, like "Taxi" and "Cheers." The Blue Mountain logos of those series were replaced with (I believe) the '04 Mtn. of Monotony on both of them. On "Taxi," however, the 2004 logo was shown, but the era-appropriate jingle played through; I do not understand why Paramount did that.

What I described just goes to show, I believe, that if you release a favorite series and release it well (like VEI did with "Hardcastle"), you will get a lot of credit from the fans of that series. However, if you don't treat your releases well (or worse yet, if you don't release at all or if you go a long time between releases), those decisions will backfire on you in the form of negative comments or lack of purchases; this has been the case with the series listed as follows:

"The Fugitive," "My Three Sons," and "Taxi" (CBS/Paramount)

"WKRP," "The Fall Guy," "Hill Street Blues," "Bob Newhart," "St. Elsewhere," and "Mary Tyler Moore" (FOX)

"Hart to Hart," "T.J. Hooker," "The Facts of Life," and "Diff'rent Strokes" (Sony)

Re: Complete Series DVD Sets: The Problem with the Studios

Sorry for the double post. It posted when I was not ready. I pressed the "Escape" key to try to stop it, but it posted anyway. Please ignore or delete the first of my double posts.

Re: Complete Series DVD Sets: The Problem with the Studios

Wow thanks I read every post. So far all my series sets are great.

King of Queens theyre individually packed by season in a spindle type box
Same as Seinfelds

Friends complete series I bought the set with all 10seasons. Imagine that they brought out another complete series set.

Surface. Well it was only 1 season.

I borrowed the That 70's Show Series set. It was made up similar to what was said about The Monkees Set was like.

My Costco in Vancouver, Burnaby and Coquitlam all sell the Mash Boxset. No wonder they sell it for ony $89.00 now. Maybe I'll go pick it up if it gets a bit cheaper. I saw the Flintstones Set. It looked funny.

StarTrek TNG Complete set for over $200.00 Doesn't look promising the way its all put together.