Universal Preparing Titles for Blu-ray - Page 2

Douglas Monce · 03-10-2008, 02:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gary Murrell

from what I gather BD is not part of the DVD Forum so they can't spec it, no combos and this is a good thing

-Gary

I'm sure they could license it, but I'm not sure its technically possible.

Doug

PerryD · 03-10-2008, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Douglas Monce

I've never really understood the dislike of combos. I own quite a few and I've never had a single problem with them.

I agree that there was quite a bit of hate of combos solely on the lack of disc art, and many more on the extra $5 price difference (which put the HD-DVD version at a sales disadvantage to the Blu-ray version).

Not me, I was a fan of the concept for the same reason as you, having the SD-DVD side is valuable to me since I'm the main source of movies for my parents (they never rent or buy), and I use movies on trips and during workouts.

But, the failure rate of combos was extraordinarily high, whether you had a problem or not, titles like Children of Men or Happy Feet failed at nearly 50% according to polls taken around here. Most of the combos would skip and stutter occasionally, and there are several movies of mine that seized up half way where I could only cut power to get my machine back, and these problems were almost always due to a combo disc, more than likely Universal combo discs. These problems occurred across different models and generations of HD-DVD players, so even upgrading my 1st gen player to a top of the line 2nd gen player didn't guarantee that I would make it through a movie (I couldn't even get Mr Bean to load at all on my XA2 even though it looked spotless).

Viper · 03-10-2008, 04:19 PM

I HATE double-sided media.

Man-Fai Wong · 03-10-2008, 06:34 PM

I don't know. Seemed like there were enough problems w/ combo discs that it's not all that desirable. Besides, I do prefer to have one side w/ silkscreen disc art -- and also have less to worry about w/ the kids handling discs and getting the "top" side dirty, etc.

If studios would come out w/ premium editions of BD titles w/ an extra barebones version of the DVD included, that'd be best, IMHO. Then I can optionally buy a title for both BD and DVD playback. Maybe we're not too far off from that since some studios are trying that "digital copy" thing while Disney's been trying out $10 rebates for DVD-to-BD upgrades.

_Man_

Stephen_J_H · 03-10-2008, 06:47 PM

Even a "managed copy" idea would be palatable on this front. My brother has a portable DVD player with a USB port and uses an external hard drive to play downloaded movies on it. Not my style, but I can see the advantages.

James L White · 03-10-2008, 07:55 PM

I sure hope The Shadow is among Universal's first Blu Rays

that great movie has been ignored on DVD I refuse to buy the FS only DVD out there now

Douglas Monce · 03-11-2008, 02:05 AM

I guess I've been lucky but I've got over 20 HD DVD combos and have never had a problem with any of them. I've actually never had a problem with a DVD 18 either.

As for the disc art, I see it for all of about 3 seconds when the disc is going from the case to the player.

I do like the idea of SOME kind of SD version included with blu-ray be it a disc or some kind of file.

Doug

Jari K · 03-11-2008, 07:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Viper

I HATE double-sided media.

Yes, they should stop releasing these "DVD-18"-SD DVDs also. I can think of several DVD-18-discs that were loose in the case and as a result, some problems occurred. My "hate" towards HD DVD combo-disc originates from these experiences.. Double-sided media just doesn´t work.

Jari K · 03-11-2008, 07:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Douglas Monce

I do like the idea of SOME kind of SD version included with blu-ray be it a disc or some kind of file.

Some releases now include "Digital Copy" (for Portable Media Players only).

Adam Gregorich · 03-11-2008, 02:56 PM

We will never see it, but I wish there was a BD and DVD in a 2 disc case, or even have a coupon you could send in your POP and $5 and they would send you movie only disc for the DVD and it would fit in the BD case too (even a paper sleeve that fits in with the inserts).

Man-Fai Wong · 03-11-2008, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adam Gregorich

We will never see it, but I wish there was a BD and DVD in a 2 disc case, or even have a coupon you could send in your POP and $5 and they would send you movie only disc for the DVD and it would fit in the BD case too (even a paper sleeve that fits in with the inserts).

Disney's attempts w/ the $10 rebate and/or coupon is not too far off from that although they intended it as incentive to upgrade rather than to buy both. Only problem w/ their coupon offer is that the coupon seems to only work for local retail sales, not online, so it doesn't save you much unless you normally shop at local retail. Otherwise, you can probalby buy the DVD for like $15 or so and then get $10 off/back for the BD purchase. Someone just noted that the SD DVD of No Country for Old Men comes w/ just such a $10 coupon -- and I found the same for PotC 3 myself.

_Man_