All-time best DVD packaging?

Re: All-time best DVD packaging?

I like old style trays (like The Simpsons: S1-5 or the original releases of The X-Files or 24: S1-4) but for space reasons, I think the double slimline cases (like most of Fox's current sets) are the best.

My prediction is that this thread will be much shorter than any of the ones complaining about packaging.

Re: All-time best DVD packaging?

It just's the nature of the internet where people like complaining more than complimenting. There's lots of bad packaging threads but I don't see many (if any) threads about good packaging.

Re: All-time best DVD packaging?

I like the packaging where there are two discs per case (slim). Adam-12 (Shout!), Andromeda (Slipstream Collection), The Brady Bunch, and Charmed (original DVD release) are examples of excellent packaging IMO.

Re: All-time best DVD packaging?

I was very happy with The Dick Van Dyke dvd sets. Great content and I love the slim cases.

Re: All-time best DVD packaging?

I'd say that a lot of Shout! Factory releases, from what I've seen, have excellent packaging (Blossom, Adam-12, Father Knows Best, and even upcoming releases such as My Two Dads, Mr. Belvedere, and Room 222, just to name a few).

Re: All-time best DVD packaging?

Those cases that hold up to six DVDs in one single-width case. Most common in R4, I think, but CBS/Paramount have done a few (I think Early Edition might be one? They've done a lot of 4-disc sets in them - Sabrina, the recent Cheers sets, etc.)

Re: All-time best DVD packaging?

any case that arrives in the mail with all the discs safely attached are considered the best DVD packaging in my house.

Re: All-time best DVD packaging?

Yeah, that's a good point. I would say around 50%-60% of all titles that arrive at my home are in excellent condition (meaning they do not need to be returned). I would also estimate that about half of all sets that arrive have chipped or cracked cases, dented boxes, or both. Thank goodness for return policies.

Re: All-time best DVD packaging?

Yes, "Early Edition" is one. My only beef with those is that you have to take the first and/or last discs out to see the episode information for the set. Otherwise, they're good on space, and seem to hold discs securely.

Overall, I prefer the slimpacks, or double-slimpacks, with episode information on the outside of each sleeve.

Re: All-time best DVD packaging?

I love The Real Ghostbusters Complete Series, not only does the box look cool but the 25 discs are in 5 steel books that hold 5 discs each! No flimsly cardboard or worry about discs getting scratched!

Re: All-time best DVD packaging?

Yup, those for me too. Compact and uniform = perfect.
Dynasty Season 2 is the example I always use; a six disc set in ONE regular sized amaray case with no overlapping discs. Genius!

Re: All-time best DVD packaging?

For me it is a tie between the 2-Disc THINpaks and the 4 to 6 disc keepcases that are as thin as a normal movie keepcase. (Sabrina the Teenage Witch, Friday the 13th: The Series)

Re: All-time best DVD packaging?

I agree with those above whose idea of best packaging is two disks in plastic thinpacks, with the thinpacks in a cardboard case. The disks are safe and easy to get at. I don't need plastic Homer Simpson cases, kapok-filled Northern Exposure cases, or bulbous Star Trek boxes.

God protect me from creative disk packagers!

Re: All-time best DVD packaging?

I like the new Cheers (several discs in one super slim set). Great space saver.

But also really like the LOST BluRay sets. Very nice.

But for absolute nicest package of all-time, hands down has to be "Freaks and Geeks" Yearbook Edition. Brilliant!!! (And the best TV show too)

Great, great, great package that is designed just like a high school yearbook. The photography and liner notes are incredible. The 2 extra bonus discs (not available in the regular non-yearbook set) are LOADED with substantial and quality bonus features. This is not a small set, but it is the nicest and best.

Re: All-time best DVD packaging?

Going with the crowd, I like the double thinpaks (as used in most of Shout's releases, and Universal's recent Emergency Season 5), and Paramount's 4-6 disc case that's the size of a regular keepcase. Even their seven disc cases that are roughly the size of an old double DVD set case are good.

Re: All-time best DVD packaging?

It's much more fun talking about the worst packaging. Venting is fun.

I've enjoyed many of the BCI Ink& Paint packaging I've gotten. I think the Dungeons & Dragons is the best overall packaging and DVD set I've ever gotten for an old cartoon. Nice work on that one. Looks like an old D&D box you'd buy in the days when it was popular. And everything is lovingly put together and a thrill to take out every now and then, look at, or just watch the episodes, which I've been milking like it's the last beer and I'm on the TV show Survivor. Impressive on all counts and captures the spirit of the show beautifully. :up:

Re: All-time best DVD packaging?

I think my favorite gimmick DVD packaging is the King Of Queens complete series boxset. The box is shaped like a courier delivery truck where the back compartment door slides up and inside the box revealing 9 'parcels' each containing each season's discs in plastic trays on top of a cardboard skid. The truck's hood lifts up to reveal a file compartment containing the episode listings for each season. Such a great package....great series too.

In terms of space-saving, I have to agree on the Paramount multi-disc packaging that's the size of a standard DVD case.....great packaging.

Re: All-time best DVD packaging?

For gimmick packaging, I'd say the filing cabinet for the complete Homicide: Life on the Street. It holds the seven cases holding the seven seasons + bonus disc as if they were files, with cardboard separators for each case that are actually indices with summaries of every episode. And it simply slides out, so no worries about cardboard hinges breaking.

The Man From Uncle briefcase is nice, but in the long run it's probably going to break apart at the cardboard hinge. With the 'filing cabinet', much less likely.

I think the original card/book versions of the Buffy (seasons 2 onwards) and Angel boxsets were fantastic.

I'm going with the crowd in picking the double thinpaks and the 4-6 disc case that's the size of a regular keepcase as the overall best packaging.

To create more space on my shelves I have replaced the Cases in my older sets with 8 and 10 Disc Cases sold from shop4tech.com. Of course, this isn't worth it with the newer sets such as the Hawaii Five-O sets, none the less I have nearly DOUBLED my storage capacity! As for the older cases, I have placed them in the attic for "Cold Storage"

Hey, the case holding the Avatar DVD looks really good.  I borrowed it from a friend. Appears to have a strong design, with built-in lock.

I really dug the Dharma Initiative binder packaging for Lost season 5 last year. I would've picked it up if the earlier seasons had been released that way. I absolutely hate Blu-ray packaging. I think specialty packaging adds an extra layer of excitement to this hobby.

The Land of the Giants set is memorable, as it fits with the whole theme of the show.  Likewise with the Time-Life sets for Get Smart and MAN From U.N.C.L.E.

Totally agree.

 

I'd point to titles like the individual seasons for The Twilight Zone (Definitive Collection) and the complete Get Smart from Time Life as the way to do it.

 

For movie series, I like the Superman Ultimate Collection set that Warner put out in the tin, and I kinda like the Pink Panther set with the vinyl cover. Both are space-savers too.

 

Also, one of my all time favorite DVD packages is George Harrison's Concert for Bangladesh, which opened to include a DVD tray, a book with liner notes and other stuff.