Buying a blu-ray is like buying a box of cereal with no ingredient labels. - Blu-ray Forum

tron3 · 05-28-2009, 12:40 PM

Sometimes when I want to watch a movie, I want to know how long it runs. Face it, at some time you will forget Lord of the Rings runs about 3:15, or that other movies run about 2 hours. Maybe you just want that 90 minute movie to pass some time without wasting all your free time.

It is SO hard to find movie information on some blu-ray packages. I have to hunt and hunt and squint at small print. There needs to be a standardized "white box" which tells us this information. Why is it treated like trade secrets?

Sure, some of you will want labels for compression and audio types, but something has to change. Don't consumers have a right to easy visual access to this information?

Sample White Box:

Codec: VC1 @ 1080p
Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1
Released: 1999
Run time: 89 minutes

Chordata · 05-28-2009, 12:43 PM

I never have a hard time finding that information.

EDIT: On second thought, I often have to hunt for the running time. But I feel like the other info is usually presented in some sort of box/chart on the back.

screwhead728 · 05-28-2009, 12:44 PM

Talk about another thread that really makes you think "what are some people thinking?"... You could easily check online for that information if you are dying to see how long is a movie. I don't even know why I responded to this thread (no offense tron3)... but I had to give my humble opinion.

Xerios · 05-28-2009, 12:45 PM

fine print

tron3 · 05-28-2009, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by screwhead728

... You could easily check online for that information if you are dying to see how long is a movie. ....

So are people supposed to wait 3 minutes for a computer to boot up and find this info on the web? Now you can no longer casually just check the cases, but must look online. The computer may be in another room, so how do you quickly make comparisons as what you want to watch? Do you carry them all to the other room and plop them on the computer desk?

Yes, I know the information is there if you look hard enough. The point is why do I have to look so hard? Why must it be hard to read and find? Why no standard? Isn't desire for a standard why blu-ray won the format war?

MaCruz · 05-28-2009, 12:57 PM

I always use the "select" button my PS3 BD remote to see how long it the movie runs.

Usually I pause the movie and take a quick nap, especially for longer movies. For some reason I check the back of the case to see the running time. Longer movies... I really need time for myself in order to finish watching it straight without taking breaks.

Chordata · 05-28-2009, 12:57 PM

As I said above, I think all the info except the running time is for the most part standard - it's in a box/chart on the back cover.

#Darren · 05-28-2009, 12:58 PM

A more standard/traditional format would be nice.

#Darren · 05-28-2009, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by O_V_N

As I said above, I think all the info except the running time is for the most part standard - it's in a box/chart on the back cover.

Uh, the OP is compaining about the TIME not being mentioned...

neos_peace · 05-28-2009, 01:02 PM

honestly I can see your point in it, but for me I really don't care what the running time is. weather or not I have time ot watch it al the way thro or not. If I do want o know the time I'll jsut hiut the buttn on the remote to find out.

My wife or mom will ask em how long it is. I always say "I don't know I don't look for that information" Then I have to look for it. half the time I find out before they can find it.

bajor27 · 05-28-2009, 01:02 PM

I have to agree with the OP. I often have trouble finding the runtime on the back of the box and runtime is one of the biggest factors in deciding to watch a movie.

What I usually end up doig now is checking this site (although a lot of the runtimes listed on this site seem to be wrong but they are close) ahead of time to decide on a movie, or I use DVD Profiler.

#Darren · 05-28-2009, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by O_V_N

No kidding.

Yeah no kidding, and you keep telling him everything EXCEPT the time is on it, which he already knows...

Moefiz · 05-28-2009, 01:04 PM

Tron is right, in the box where they have the specs just list the run time, some companies does this and some doesn't.

Chordata · 05-28-2009, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iDarren

Yeah no kidding, and you keep telling him everything EXCEPT the time is on it, which he already knows...

The running time is ONE of his complaints; it's not the ONLY complaint. He would prefer that ALL of the pertinent information be easily accessible.

My response: 75% of it is.

I suggest you re-read the thread title, and the BOLDED portion of the OP's original post.

Thanks.

Wdm81 · 05-28-2009, 01:08 PM

Wait...this is a real problem?

I've never had trouble finding the runtime on a bluray..it always writen on the back in the fine print or sometimes in clear lettering

Sonny · 05-28-2009, 01:09 PM

Long time no see tron.

I'm with you. Looking for the year & time are the worst!

Valkyr47 · 05-28-2009, 01:10 PM

why would you want to know how long the movie is? if your attempting to watch the film on a time limit then you shouldnt bother, i dont see how you could enjoy the movie that way

i know an easy way to find out the running time, put the movie in your blu ray player and start playing it, then hit the display/info button and it should show some kind of progress bar/meter with running time

im just confused i guess

#Darren · 05-28-2009, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by O_V_N

The running time is ONE of his complaints; it's not the ONLY complaint. He would prefer that ALL of the pertinent information be easily accessible.

My response: 75% of it is.

I suggest you re-read the thread title, and the BOLDED portion of the OP's original post.

Thanks.

Yea I read it. The only SPECIFIC he mentions is running time. It is his primary issue.

#Darren · 05-28-2009, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Valkyr47

why would you want to know how long the movie is? if your attempting to watch the film on a time limit then you shouldnt bother, i dont see how you could enjoy the movie that way

i know an easy way to find out the running time, put the movie in your blu ray player and start playing it, then hit the display/info button and it should show some kind of progress bar/meter with running time

im just confused i guess

Cos maye you only have 2 hours free time, and you don't want to play a 2hr 30 min film.

Chordata · 05-28-2009, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iDarren

Yea I read it. The only SPECIFIC he mentions is running time. It is his primary issue.

Don't miss the forest for the trees, my man.

05-28-2009, 12:40 PM	#1
tron3 Blu-ray Samurai Member since:Aug 2004 Location:New Jersey Blu-ray reviews:3	Buying a blu-ray is like buying a box of cereal with no ingredient labels. Sometimes when I want to watch a movie, I want to know how long it runs. Face it, at some time you will forget Lord of the Rings runs about 3:15, or that other movies run about 2 hours. Maybe you just want that 90 minute movie to pass some time without wasting all your free time. It is SO hard to find movie information on some blu-ray packages. I have to hunt and hunt and squint at small print. There needs to be a standardized "white box" which tells us this information. Why is it treated like trade secrets? Sure, some of you will want labels for compression and audio types, but something has to change. Don't consumers have a right to easy visual access to this information? Sample White Box: Codec: VC1 @ 1080p Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1 Released: 1999 Run time: 89 minutes

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05-28-2009, 12:43 PM	#2
Chordata Blu-ray Knight Member since:Jan 2009 Location:Home of N'Sync and the Backstreet Boys Blu-ray collection:75 Blu-ray reviews:2 Trading Score:1	I never have a hard time finding that information. EDIT: On second thought, I often have to hunt for the running time. But I feel like the other info is usually presented in some sort of box/chart on the back.

05-28-2009, 12:44 PM	#3
screwhead728 Senior Member Member since:Apr 2009 Home Theater Gallery:4 4K collection:535 Blu-ray collection:1412 Trading Score:16	Talk about another thread that really makes you think "what are some people thinking?"... You could easily check online for that information if you are dying to see how long is a movie. I don't even know why I responded to this thread (no offense tron3)... but I had to give my humble opinion.

05-28-2009, 12:45 PM	#4
Xerios Blu-ray Ninja Top contributor Member since:Jul 2008 Location:Irving, TX PSNetwork: Xerios Home Theater Gallery:3 Blu-ray collection:286 DVD collection:5 Trading Score:1	fine print

05-28-2009, 12:57 PM	#6
MaCruz Community Gaming Moderator Top ranked HT gallery Top contributor Member since:Mar 2009 Location:Jacksonville, FL Home Theater Gallery:160 4K collection:104 Blu-ray collection:958 DVD collection:18 MA collection:394 Digital collection:570 iTunes collection:527 Prime collection:192 Blu-ray reviews: 23 Trading Score:139	I always use the "select" button my PS3 BD remote to see how long it the movie runs. Usually I pause the movie and take a quick nap, especially for longer movies. For some reason I check the back of the case to see the running time. Longer movies... I really need time for myself in order to finish watching it straight without taking breaks.

05-28-2009, 12:58 PM	#8
#Darren Blu-ray Ninja Top contributor Member since:Feb 2008 Blu-ray collection:1471 Blu-ray reviews: 62	A more standard/traditional format would be nice.

05-28-2009, 01:02 PM	#10
neos_peace Special Member Member since:Jul 2008 Location:Shamokin Dam, Pa Home Theater Gallery:14 Blu-ray collection:279 Trading Score:1	honestly I can see your point in it, but for me I really don't care what the running time is. weather or not I have time ot watch it al the way thro or not. If I do want o know the time I'll jsut hiut the buttn on the remote to find out. My wife or mom will ask em how long it is. I always say "I don't know I don't look for that information" Then I have to look for it. half the time I find out before they can find it.

05-28-2009, 01:02 PM	#11
bajor27 Blu-ray Guru Top contributor Member since:Nov 2007 Location:BC, Canada Blu-ray collection:1031 DVD collection:2 Trading Score:5	I have to agree with the OP. I often have trouble finding the runtime on the back of the box and runtime is one of the biggest factors in deciding to watch a movie. What I usually end up doig now is checking this site (although a lot of the runtimes listed on this site seem to be wrong but they are close) ahead of time to decide on a movie, or I use DVD Profiler.

05-28-2009, 01:04 PM	#13
Moefiz Blu-ray Knight Member since:Jul 2007 Blu-ray collection:288 DVD collection:20 Blu-ray reviews: 15 Trading Score:70	Tron is right, in the box where they have the specs just list the run time, some companies does this and some doesn't.

05-28-2009, 01:08 PM	#15
Wdm81 Special Member Member since:Mar 2009 Location:Canada 4K collection:5 Blu-ray collection:864 DVD collection:85 Blu-ray reviews: 6	Wait...this is a real problem? I've never had trouble finding the runtime on a bluray..it always writen on the back in the fine print or sometimes in clear lettering

05-28-2009, 01:09 PM	#16
Sonny Blu-ray Ninja Member since:Aug 2007 Home Theater Gallery:8 Blu-ray reviews:6 Trading Score:1	Long time no see tron. I'm with you. Looking for the year & time are the worst!

05-28-2009, 01:10 PM	#17
Valkyr47 Active Member Member since:Mar 2009 Location:Dover, NH Blu-ray collection:95	why would you want to know how long the movie is? if your attempting to watch the film on a time limit then you shouldnt bother, i dont see how you could enjoy the movie that way i know an easy way to find out the running time, put the movie in your blu ray player and start playing it, then hit the display/info button and it should show some kind of progress bar/meter with running time im just confused i guess

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