Mass Market DVDs Are Dead: Long Live Heritage Physical Media

[StarFuryG7]

Mass Market DVDs Are Dead: Long Live Heritage Physical Media

[Eurbane132]

We’re doomed.

[StarFuryG7]

Originally Posted by Eurbane132

We’re doomed.

Hopefully not.

Time will tell.

[stonesfan129]

I don't think physical media will ever die off completely. Look at how long CDs have been around despite all the other more convenient options. We might see fewer copies being produced but as long as it still sells, they will make it. Plus there's lots of old timers like me around keeping CDs and BDs alive.

If anything, it's more about studios trying to claw back control over content. With streaming they have total control. Yeah it's really convenient but they can shut it off whenever they want. And they can monopolize content.

[StarFuryG7]

Originally Posted by stonesfan129

I don't think physical media will ever die off completely. Look at how long CDs have been around despite all the other more convenient options. We might see fewer copies being produced but as long as it still sells, they will make it. Plus there's lots of old timers like me around keeping CDs and BDs alive.

If anything, it's more about studios trying to claw back control over content. With streaming they have total control. Yeah it's really convenient but they can shut it off whenever they want. And they can monopolize content.

I don't think they're opposed to selling their movies and shows on disc as long as there's a market for it. It also motivates them to do things such remastering their films and shows in 2K and 4K, which they can then license out for streaming as well.

If the marketplace for physical media dried up to such an extent that there was no longer any point to releasing shows and movies in those formats, they simply wouldn't do it. That's simple supply and demand economics. The fact that they're still doing it means there's still a revenue stream for them and these smaller companies that step in to facilitate it for these big studios to tap into.

[alchav21]

Originally Posted by StarFuryG7

I don't think they're opposed to selling their movies and shows on disc as long as there's a market for it. It also motivates them to do things such remastering their films and shows in 2K and 4K, which they can then license out for streaming as well.

If the marketplace for physical media dried up to such an extent that there was no longer any point to releasing shows and movies in those formats, they simply wouldn't do it. That's simple supply and demand economics. The fact that they're still doing it means there's still a revenue stream for them and these smaller companies that step in to facilitate it for these big studios to tap into.

You guys will just have to pay more, like you said Supply and Demand. Quality Discs will cost more and the Studios will make less, keeping the price high. Scalpers will scoop up these Discs and sell them for double and triple the price. The true Collector will just have to pay the Price!

[StarFuryG7]

Originally Posted by alchav21

You guys will just have to pay more, like you said Supply and Demand. Quality Discs will cost more and the Studios will make less, keeping the price high. Scalpers will scoop up these Discs and sell them for double and triple the price. The true Collector will just have to pay the Price!

We're already paying more, depending on the title and age of the movie or show, but there are also sales. You just have to be patient in some cases and wait for what you want to be available at the right price.

[bhampton]

A bargain at any price, sign me up to pay more because Physical Media is something unlike the cloud media owned by someone else.

[Anthony P]

I find it funny how streaming fan boys keep on trying to convince everyone how we will all have to pay more for physical media (who's prices have never kept up with inflation), when subscription prices keep on increasing uncontrollably every year (and some time more often than that)

i.e. Just the latest announcement from a few days ago

https://www.bloomberg.com/tosv2.html...1jaGFubmVscw==

[StarFuryG7]

Originally Posted by Anthony P

I find it funny how streaming fan boys keep on trying to convince everyone how we will all have to pay more for physical media (who's prices have never kept up with inflation), when subscription prices keep on increasing uncontrollably every year (and some time more often than that)

i.e. Just the latest announcement from a few days ago

https://www.bloomberg.com/tosv2.html...1jaGFubmVscw==

It depends on what it is. New releases can be a bit pricey, and if it's a new 4K release of an old film, they'll hit you up pretty good at the outset if you're interested in buying it.

But if you're patient, even those higher priced releases do tend to eventually drop.

Streaming has turned out to be another commercializing scam. They started out great, but as with all things, the sleazy advertisers were intent on getting their foot in the door, and once that happens, eventually, it's over. They ruin everything.

I like that the compression of streaming video bugs so many people though. Hopefully discs won't be going anywhere because of it. 😁

[Mr. Kino]

All i’ll say on the issue is that you can still purchase new pressings of SACDs if you’re so inclined. SACDs! As Malcolm from Jurassic Park says: Life finds a way.
Physical media will be around for a long time.

[alchav21]

Originally Posted by Anthony P

I find it funny how streaming fan boys keep on trying to convince everyone how we will all have to pay more for physical media.

Arrow and some other Independent Studios are coming out with some pricey High Quality Discs with creative packaging and inserts. They will be limited editions probably priced at or above $50. The Independent Studios and Scalpers will target the Niche Disc Collector Market!

https://www.highdefdigest.com/news/s...y-titles/49519

[bhampton]

Special editions are nothing new but anyone who plans to be a scalper for movies probably won't have a good time.

[Anthony P]

Originally Posted by alchav21

Arrow and some other Independent Studios are coming out with some pricey High Quality Discs with creative packaging and inserts. They will be limited editions probably priced at or above $50. The Independent Studios and Scalpers will target the Niche Disc Collector Market!

https://www.highdefdigest.com/news/s...y-titles/49519

there have always been "pricy" copies people get to choose if they want to pay more to get them or go with less pricy choices. None of that is new.

And none of that is limited to physical media. Would it make sense if someone linked to a fancy sports car and said "it costs in the 7 digits as proof that Cars are getting a lot more expensive.

[apollo828]

Originally Posted by alchav21

Arrow and some other Independent Studios are coming out with some pricey High Quality Discs with creative packaging and inserts. They will be limited editions probably priced at or above $50. The Independent Studios and Scalpers will target the Niche Disc Collector Market!

https://www.highdefdigest.com/news/s...y-titles/49519

While I get what you're saying, and I'm sympathetic to the argument, it's just how things go for all physical media these days. Take a look at the music industry. They basically prey on the obsessive-compulsive collectors now, putting out obscene numbers of vinyl color variants (and sometimes cassettes too!), special editions with extra tracks, and various other tricks to goose the numbers while making their money.

The Blu-ray market isn't exactly the same but there are some rough similarities. The German market is the closest, where labels have explicitly stated that the endless stream of mediabooks, artwork variants, and steelbooks are how they make their numbers work. Non-German labels like Second Sight use their special edition sets to try to make back their money, moving on to regular editions once they've made enough to make things worthwhile for people on the fence. VinSyn supplements their releases with loads of merch. Even 88 and Eureka, while not going quite as far, do lean into the slipcovers and other first-print goodies. It is what it is.

That said, I really don't mind the prices as they are. I remember the old VHS/LD days. Prices were obscene, imports even more so. Adjusted for inflation, some Japanese LDs were upwards of $200+ new before you imported them, and that was before shipping! (Of course, the LD box sets basically required you to be a lawyer or doctor in order to afford them.) Criterion's first DVDs were $40 new back in '98, which is close to $80 these days. If anything, I'm a little surprised that the drop in mass market prices has lasted as long as it has! Maybe some labels would still be in business if they had focused on the collectors instead of trying to sell 100,000 copies of drek at closeout prices.

[meremortal]

The problem with a format like cd is many people do not realize they are still being made to any real degree. At Walmart, the selection is pretty much just a few classic staples and greatest hits compilations. I can't remember the last time I bought a new release on cd. It's so out of sight and out of mind with consumers now. I worry dvd and blu can get this way soon enough.