WTH is going on with BD and DVD pricing?!

[CYMBOL]

I'm really tired of this.

I think most of us who have been with Blu-ray since the format wars have been waiting patiently for BD prices to drop.

Instead of BD prices dropping, I've been noticing a VERY discouraging trend.

Studios seem to be RAISING DVD prices. I'm sure when customers see that their favorite movie is now only a 3 dollar difference on Blu-ray, it seems like a steal.

Here's some Amazon pricing:
Star Trek 2009
DVD 22.99 - Blu-ray - 26.49
Wolverine
DVD - 22.99 Blu-ray - 27.99
Watchmen (Theatrical Cut)
DVD - 24.99 Blu-ray - 21.99
Wall-E (3 Disc Special Edition)
DVD 29.99 Blu-ray 24.99

That was seriously just 4 random picks from Amazon.

So, now not only are BD still on the expensive side for most consumers, but now DVD are some worth $8 more because they have a "digital copy" included. (And they wonder why DVD sales are declining).

For the most part, I just pay a flat fee at Blockbuster and rent all I want. I'm not paying $75 to $90 for 3 Blu-ray movies.

If BD sales are slower than the studios hoped for and DVD sales continue to decline, the studios have to look no further than their pricing point. Instead, they seem oblivious and continue to include things like, "access to websites" and think consumers will find this an amazing value and be happy about the hit to their wallet.

I don't know about other consumers, but I'm not buying.

[bhampton]

Your post is very confusing to me... I'll try reading it again.

Well... Read it again and it didn't help.

Sometimes the DVD and Blu Ray cost the same... so? ... I only buy Blu Rays unless it's a concert on DVD that looks like it will only be released on DVD and that's pretty rare.

If you don't buy Blu Rays because they are more expensive or less expensive ... either way.. your loss.

ok... I read it three times and now I get it... (I need more coffee)... your saying they raise the price of DVD's so that the Blu Ray price looks ok. I don't really agree. Full price for DVD was always $20 something which is pretty much the price of Blu Rays now. It's true that there are many DVD's marked way down but MSRP for them is still close to the price of Blu Ray.

And.... Many Blu Rays also go on sale. Yesterday I bought the 3 disc Race to Witch Mountain with Blu Ray,... DVD,... And digital copy for $11.99 new.



-Brian

[fatediesel]

Wolverine and Star Trek's prices will go down as release date draws nearer. Lately Amazon has been pricing items higher when the items first go up for sale, which doesn't make sense since they have a pre-order price guarantee.

As for the DVD Watchmen you quote the price of, that is the Director's Cut, not the theatrical cut as you stated. The regular edition DVD is $9.99. Same for Wall-E, you talk about the 3-Disc special edition, but the regular edition is $12.99.

[drobswim13]

I agree that is has gotten ridiculous. That is why I wait to purchase them until a sale, even if that sale is 6 months away. I can't afford to be paying that kind of money for domestic Blu when I have to pay that kind of money for imports.

[Zoraster]

This aggression will not stand.

[benricci]

You are comparing new releases and titles that aren't even out yet, which of course are gonna carry higher price tags initially.

Look at catalog releases. Heck, you can find most of the top 100 Amazon best sellers for under $15 on blu-ray. And catalog DVD prices are in the gutter right now - between $5-$10 for almost everything.

If you are spending $90 on three movies, like you claim, then the problem is with you. Look for better deals.

[jk1138]

I do not buy DVDs any more, and with the exception of box sets do not pay more than $20 (Tax included) for and BD. SOmetimes this means I have to wait a bit and I am more than okay with that. I have to admit I do not even look as DVD prices any more so what you posted is a bit shocking and does explain why the DVD sales are dwindling. My in-laws who still have DVD (just got their first BD player last month and have 3 BD) are like me and wait for the priced to drop. I know they go to Amazon and will not spend more than $5 for a DVD and often much less than that from a 3rd party.
I am in agreement that prices need to come down especially in this economy, but I think it has as much to do with the store as it does the studio.

[Iron-Blu-123]

I don't buy new realease, and I wait for 3-7 month till bluray movies to be onsale, I never pay more then $15 for any of my bluray and older movies $12-$13. and I like what do and save over $1300-$1500 for my 449 collection. and I don't need to get any movies at the first day of it realease.

[DetroitSportsFan]

Just wait for sales. It's funny - some new releases go on sale weeks after release, with others you must wait many months.

[Sussudio]

i fail to see how making dvd and bluray prices closer together is a bad thing i know several friends who have bought the blu over the dvd because it's only a few dollars more (comparing this to the usual $10 difference for retailers)

also, just like when dvds first came out, if you're patient, the prices will drop and you can get a great deal on even new releases. to this day i have not paid over $20 for any blu (excluding box sets).

[Johnny Vinyl]

Originally Posted by Sussudio

i fail to see how making dvd and bluray prices closer together is a bad thing i know several friends who have bought the blu over the dvd because it's only a few dollars more (comparing this to the usual $10 difference for retailers)

also, just like when dvds first came out, if you're patient, the prices will drop and you can get a great deal on even new releases. to this day i have not paid over $20 for any blu (excluding box sets).

Exactly.

This is a marketing strategy to push BD sales and it's a good thing. With prices of BDP's dropping all the time and the prices of DVD & BD becoming more aligned, it is hoped that BD will make a quicker entrance into consumer's homes. Makes sense to me!

John

[Sylin]

I get where the OP is coming from, though.

For the last few years, new movies on DVD were $14.99 during their first week of release @ places like Best Buy and Circuit Silly.

Blu-rays have always sort of hovered in the Magical Void of Confusion that is the Over-$20-but-Under-$30 price point.

Personally, I don't like paying more than $20 for a Blu. I couldn't care less about special features and gimmicks--I just want the movie experience. Which is why looking at prices like $27 for Star Trek and $26 for Braveheart is painful.

I'd rather see Blu-ray prices come DOWN to be closer to the $15-18 DVD price points. This "let's raise prices on DVD" seems to be the last gasp of the industry to milk consumers before the scale tips in Blu-rays favor and DVD begins its inevitable decline into obscurity.

[Chordata]

I guess I don't get it.

How does it negatively impact BDs and BD sales if DVD prices increase? Is your point that, as long as DVD prices increase, BD prices have no reason to decrease?

[Diesel]

People actually pay those prices


I still haven't paid more than $23 (The Dark Knight, Incredible Hulk) for a blu.

I can't believe some people buy blus at those kinds of full prices


Also, I assume his point is that they are raising the dvd prices and NOT lowering the blu-ray prices like we expect them to. It seems that he doesn't think the DVD prices being higher is what is hurting the BD sales, but the higher initial price points not coming down is. At least thats how I read it

[DetroitSportsFan]

Originally Posted by Sylin

Which is why looking at prices like $27 for Star Trek and $26 for Braveheart is painful.

It's more painful for a catalog title like Braveheart. We've got accustomed to paying more for day-and-date titles.

[Sussudio]

i think it is slightly unreasonable to expect new blu titles (even catalogs) to release at $15 price points when the format is only in its 3rd year...even older movies that first hit DVD were still in the 19.99-24.99 range when they came out 3 or so years after the DVD format was released

on the flip side, there are still a number of catalog titles that are released with 19.99, 18.99 and even 12.99 price points (requiem for a dream comes to mind), so they are definitely falling in price, not to mention many go on sale within a short period of their release and can be found at the 12.99 and 14.99 price points. i want cheaper movies as much as the next guy, but across the board, i don't expect catalogs to be in the lower teens--especially blockbuster movies--just yet.

[CYMBOL]

Originally Posted by O_V_N

I guess I don't get it.

How does it negatively impact BDs and BD sales if DVD prices increase? Is your point that, as long as DVD prices increase, BD prices have no reason to decrease?

First, I'm annoyed my thread got moved from Blu-ray movies to "off-topic". How is this off-topic?

Anyway, the point was/is BD sales are not lowering, instead DVD sales are rising to give an "impression" of BD value, which in the end will keep BD prices where they are for another few years. (Whether or not this helps BD adoption or not was not really the issue I was bringing up.)

I was really hoping to see new releases getting to the $20 mark. Instead, BD prices have remained quite stubborn.


Judging from this new trend it looks like the studios have no plans to lower BD prices anytime soon.

[CYMBOL]

Originally Posted by fatediesel

Same for Wall-E, you talk about the 3-Disc special edition, but the regular edition is $12.99.

I was comparing the 3 Disc DVD to the 3 Disc Blu-ray.

[Batman1980]

Originally Posted by CYMBOL

First, I'm annoyed my thread got moved from Blu-ray movies to "off-topic". How is this off-topic?

Anyway, the point was/is BD sales are not lowering, instead DVD sales are rising to give an "impression" of BD value, which in the end will keep BD prices where they are for another few years. (Whether or not this helps BD adoption or not was not really the issue I was bringing up.)

I was really hoping to see new releases getting to the $20 mark. Instead, BD prices have remained quite stubborn.


Judging from this new trend it looks like the studios have no plans to lower BD prices anytime soon.

Some people were able to get Watchmen for $20- the week of release, I'll be getting Witch Mountain tomorrow for $17 and that's a Disney movie. I remember when blu-rays first came out, seemed like every movie was $40-45. I'd say for where blu-ray is at right now, the prices are actually pretty good.

[CYMBOL]

Originally Posted by benricci

If you are spending $90 on three movies, like you claim, then the problem is with you. Look for better deals.

I'm not paying $90 - my point is - if people don't bargain hunt and scour the internet, most times - paying regular prices (Walmart, Target, etc), they are paying at LEAST $75 to $90 for 3 Blu-rays.

The "problem" isn't with me. I wait for prices to drop or look for sales. Unfortunately, that's the only way not to overpay (imo).