Are Blu-ray/DVD really useful or jst pointless? (UK)

[Jezza]

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I don't know if this has been asked anywhere else before, but I haven't seen a thread, so I guess it's alright.

So are they good or bad, for me I think it souly depends on the movie and audience it is being targeted at. But also you have to remember that not everyone still has a BD player so the DVD copy does mean you can watch in about 75% of the places you visit, wether it be holiday, friends house, car, kids' room...

Two good examples on for and against it are these two:-

For
Disney/Pixar Movies - I think in this case these the combi packs are a great idea, because most families would only be able to afford one BD player. So if you watch say Snow White as a family you'd watch on the big screen in Hi-Def, but if the kids want to watch it in their room before they go to bed for example they can watch the DVD.

Against
Avatar - This really is just pointless on the whole, because Cameron and Fox keep saying how they want the best PQ an AQ on their release, yet they through in a DVD, why? Because in this case it is not the same scenario as Disney movies, as Avatar is for an older audience and needs to be seen on a big screen and wouldn't be watch in a car, bedroom or really anywhere else.

So what is your take on Blu-ray/DVD combi packs, are they useful or a waste of time where the DVD should be left for the DVD consumers?

(Oh and I have set up 2 threads for this, one for NA and one UK, just so I can get two different views as I couldn't find a forum page to accomodate of countries).

[Batman1980]

I think blu-ray/DVD combos are useful because you get the movie in 2 formats, so you can -
1. Keep the DVD
2. Give it away
3. Sell it
It's good for travel purposes or when you can't watch it in HD.
All that said, I'm not one of those who would pay more than $1 or $2 extra for a DVD to be included.

[S_Dalsgaard]

Originally Posted by Gandalf Stormcrow

I think blu-ray/DVD combos are useful because you get the movie in 2 formats, so you can -
1. Keep the DVD
2. Give it away
3. Sell it
It's good for travel purposes or when you can't watch it in HD.
All that said, I'm not one of those who would pay more than $1 or $2 extra for a DVD to be included.

I agree. As long as the DVD doesn't affect the price of the BD too much, I'm all for it, but I don't think I would ever watch Avatar on DVD if I had it on BD.

[Kurgen1975]

I think the main reason for the combi packs is to get people to upgrade to Blu without thinking about it, those people who only have a DVD player at the moment can future proof their collection and already have the blu ray disc for when they are ready to upgrade

In that case, its a good idea

[Melodious Thunk]

I have no use for bonus DVDs, so I give Disney/Pixar ones to my little nephew and niece. Then I end up with one empty disc-holder in each box, but it's a small price to pay for being the best uncle...

[addyjones1234]

I normally rip them to my laptop and put them on PSP/phone for travel purposes!

[Dwight Schrute]

I would rather just the Blu-Ray at a lower price. Same with Digital Copies.

[ChrisDilke]

My sister and her kids often like to borrow films from me, as I have a very large collection of DVDs. But it definitely isn't as easy for them to watch new releases I get now since I have upgraded to Blu-ray, but when the odd title does come with a spare DVD copy I do find it useful, as they can then borrow or keep the DVD. It saved them paying £3.95 to rent Up from Blockbuster, and will probably do the same for Avatar.

I do think it can be a big help for getting more people to buy these certain films on Blu-ray, even if they don't have any HD equipment yet, at least then they are prepared with an HD copy of that film. I never use the digital copies though and pretty much find them pointless.

[SymbioticFunction]

Originally Posted by Dwight Schrute

I would rather just the Blu-Ray at a lower price. Same with Digital Copies.

Ditto.

[nametag]

I like them because it means I can watch it with friends, none of whom have a BD player, and they can borrow them. When I come to replace my DVDs, if there are BDs I get which don't have DVD copies I intend to make DVD copies of my DVDs before selling them, so that I always have them in a media that can be played wherever.

I don't mind digital copies, but they are definitely more pointless because ripping a DVD onto a computer, and onto itunes/ipod format is actually pretty easy (I mean I'm pretty good with computers, but I'm sure most people would find it quite easy)... and if you rip the DVD you don't get protected files or a limited number of copies you can make.

[Anth1888]

I agree i find DVD copies useful as i can lend them to friends or rip them onto my laptop it's all about people with DVD players can have both copies to then upgrade to blu-ray players - its a good system.

However with Digital Copies its just a waste of a disk. They should put them in leaflet form (like Harry Potter: HPB) which then saves a disc being used in that way im fine with it

[EvilE981]

I used to hate combo packs. I thought it was a waste of money to pay for a DVD when I had Blu Player. But I changed my mind recently.

Some people who have DVD players buy combos packs (like Avatiar)to get a jump start on a collection before they get a blu ray player.

When my BD player broke I had to watch DVDs on my Xbox so my BDs were useless until my BD player came back from service

None of my friends have a BD player so IF I visit them and bring a movie I have a DVD copy they can use.

Also selling, trading, lending them out etc everyone else mentioned.

As far as Digital Copies goes... I mean the codes expire "What the French Toast" Now I have a 2 disk set with 1 BD and a coaster. If i toss the useless disk my case is half empty lol