To Steel or not to Steel? (or, why do you buy steelbooks)

[EastCoast]

Hi, all. I'm new to the hobby of blu-ray collection, and standing, looking at the bridge that many before me have crossed, but which some have not.

Having just started, my total collection is less than 100 - I currently have 2 steels, being the recently re-released Futureshop "exclusive" versions of Batman Begins and The Dark Knight. Both still sealed and untouched. I have on pre-order the FS exclusives for both the Avengers (3D combo steel) and The Hunger Games.

In considering what to add to my overall collection, I am faced with the decision as to whether to continue down the steel road or not. Take the WB 1 & 2 wave steels, for instance. A number of these titles appeal to me, but most of these are readily available at a significant discount in regular BD format vs. their steel counterpart. In short, I could pick up many more titles by sticking with the regular BD versions.

Then, there are the more collectible type titles, such as the Harry Potter films, Lord of the Rings, etc., not to mention the simply very cool looking steels one can import from the UK or Germany or the like.

So, the question I pose is this - for those of you who wholly embrace steel collecting, do you always go for the steel, or are there times when you do not?

I am looking for a little enlightenment - your opinions, please.

And, thanks in advance.

[blurayisnice]

If we all said we allways go for the steelbook version of a movie, would you do the same from now on?

I guess not .

So it is really up to you what you want to buy and what not.

[NARMAK]

You want enlightenment? Oh boy, i'd say the most enlightening is prepare for a world of hurt on your wallet at this moment in time of steelbook world

I have completely thrown myself under the truck to steelbook collecting by picking up all the titles i love the look of and are good movies. Thankfully most movies on steelbook in the UK are worth owning unlike some of the crap that is released in other regions. Germany via Amazon.de

It's expensive too and you may get a collectors streak as i have, whereby you buy a steelbook just to keep it sealed and then on top buy the regular amaray edition to watch. Prime examples:

Underworld Awakening 3D Best Buy steelbook
Wrath of the Titans 3D - technically a double steelbook dip with the upcoming UK release
Prometheus 3D steelbook - Also got the amaray 3D on order
Avengers 2D/3D steelbooks - Yup, got both steelbook versions still on order AND not only a regular 2D version via the boxset but also a 3D version

So, as you can tell, i'm double, triple, and quad dipping and all within 2 months of starting. In fact, my titles are >40 and counting very quickly, even before the UK pre-orders or others worldwide release.

I've also never in my life had or wanted to use Ebay myself by setting up an account as well as on Paypal. Not only that, i never ever traded before here on the forum and since have successfully done a number of trades and still counting. All for steelbooks.

Heck, i just hope your strong enough to walk this path, and justify the lunacy we sometimes do. Although i'd never spend much more than retail prices wherever possible, i already have paid more than that but thankfully not by much since i try to stick to a rule of not doing so. Keep to your rules and you should be safe. Maybe

[blurayisnice]

Originally Posted by NARMAK

Keep to your rules and you should be safe. Maybe

We both know that is impossible .

[NARMAK]

Originally Posted by blurayisnice

We both know that is impossible .

Bah, ya can try .

[DJJez]

Originally Posted by AC2011

Hi, all. I'm new to the hobby of blu-ray collection, and standing, looking at the bridge that many before me have crossed, but which some have not.

Having just started, my total collection is less than 100 - I currently have 2 steels, being the recently re-released Futureshop "exclusive" versions of Batman Begins and The Dark Knight. Both still sealed and untouched. I have on pre-order the FS exclusives for both the Avengers (3D combo steel) and The Hunger Games.

In considering what to add to my overall collection, I am faced with the decision as to whether to continue down the steel road or not. Take the WB 1 & 2 wave steels, for instance. A number of these titles appeal to me, but most of these are readily available at a significant discount in regular BD format vs. their steel counterpart. In short, I could pick up many more titles by sticking with the regular BD versions.

Then, there are the more collectible type titles, such as the Harry Potter films, Lord of the Rings, etc., not to mention the simply very cool looking steels one can import from the UK or Germany or the like.

So, the question I pose is this - for those of you who wholly embrace steel collecting, do you always go for the steel, or are there times when you do not?

I am looking for a little enlightenment - your opinions, please.

And, thanks in advance.

Dont buy every release as a steelbook. just your fav movies or movies that your looking forward to getting (pre orders), its very easy to get carried away and spend ridiculous amounts which you dont need to. Buy the version that you like the most, dont just buy it because its a STEELBOOK! i always buy the version i like the most, so if the slipcover version is better i will buy that!

I find that because i dont buy steelbooks often when i do get one, its pretty cool

I know this is a steelbook forum but personally i like variety. if i bought everything in steelbook i would be bored to death of them. i collect slipcovers, digibooks, steelbooks, boxsets etc so try mix it all up if you can but at the end of the day its up to you and how you want to spend your money. if money is no object then just buy whatever you want but be warned, buying old out of print steelbooks released years ago or finding a mint copy of a steelbook can cost you stupid amounts and IMO is not worth it unless you seriously love that film or are a pretty serious collector.

[LaBoeuf]

I wouldn't over kill for a steelbook. I tend to be picky. I will buy a FS excluvsive marvel steel for sure as it will be rare especially iron man, etc. miramax titles are easier to get. it just depends.

[blujazz]

I'm actually on the same boat as you are. The photos being posted here look amazing and I periodically ask myself if I should go into the whole steelbook thing.

Well, I just made up a new rule: If I'm going to buy it anyway, might as well go for the steelbook version. I have on preorder The Raid, The Hunger Games and Cabin in the Woods.

Now the question is: should I double dip and buy steels that I already own in standard editions? Still haven't figured this one out.

[BigNickUK]

My rule...and yes I am pretty much addicted...is to buy in country ones only.
Something else that is personal to me is where a steelbook is released but no 3D version in it I will not buy.
So apart from the UK steels where there is a 3D version in amaray I have pretty much every G2 sized UK steel released (bar Star Trek).
And contrary to others opinions, I enjoy buying steelbooks of films I havent seen or wouldnt normally get because it has broadened my tastes...for example the Eureka Masters of Cinema ones.

[JimDiGriz]

I just get steelbooks of the films I like a lot but I dont go out of my way to get them unlike some people here! Im pretty strict on what I buy anyway, I certainly wouldnt buy any film for its packaging if I didnt like the film a lot.

Keeping steelbooks sealed? I certainly dont. I dont bother protecting them either. But there is no chance mine can get damaged etc so thats not a problem for me.

Theres quite a few catalogue titles that Im not buying now because Play.com will probably release a steel of it soon! I figure that if Im going to spend 7/8 quid on a film I really like then I might as well spend a few more quid and get the steelbook/digibook etc.

[Frasr]

I just buy steelbooks of films I like. I wouldn't buy a steelbook of a crap film or if the steelbook doesn't look nice.
And I always open my steelbooks

[legendarymatt92]

Like most others who have answered, I only buy the steelbooks that appeal to me - I'm not a complete collector and won't buy steels for films that I don't even like, because I feel it's pointless. I haven't been collecting long and, like you, wasn't sure about getting into it; I knew that my wallet would take a big hit (especially this year, because there's so many great films getting the steelbook treatment) and I've made sure that I've got enough hours with my job to be able to buy them...I'd never go into debt or not have enough money to buy food just for steelbooks!

Another reason that pushes me to buy steels are the knowledge that, if I don't buy them when they're pretty cheap pre-orders, I may never get my hands on them - take, for example, the recent HMV exclusives of Thor and Captain America, which were around £20 pre-orders and now go on eBay for anything from £40 to £60. I don't have either one of those but I want them, and that loss drives me to make sure I get my pre-orders in soon.

Good luck, my friend, with whatever path you choose. But, remember: once you're on the steelbook road, it's almost impossible to leave...

[EastCoast]

Thanks to everyone who has replied so far - I'm not expecting people to make me a believer or anything, just interested in other people's buying decisions. I enjoy this discussion.

I only started buying blus about 3 months ago, when I finally got my HT set up - and at that point I was just intending to mainly purchase classic Disney movies, and other animations I could grab for a great deal for my kids.

But, given that I have a 3D TV and player, that quickly turned into buying 3D combo packs for movies I want to see myself, and then scouring deal bins at every store in town, and monitoring deals at various places online to pick out blus that were a great buy - now it's the steelbooks calling my name.

I'm not extremely interested in double-dipping, or speculating as to what steels might ultimately be rare/collectible/valuable, and picking up multiple copies of a steel to resell at a profit later - although I could likely fall easily into either "trap"; and I am quite sure my wife would not buy into this.

I can get easily sucked in though - case in point, a couple of months back I purchased the 3D combo packs (amaray) for both Thor and Captain America. Then I scored a very nice deal on a pre-order of the Avengers steel from Futureshop (got it when they were having an online sale). So, now I have been thinking it would be cool to have The Incredible Hulk, Iron Man 1 & 2, Thor and Captain America all in steels to go with the Avengers - I have even briefly contemplated paying the crazy prices some people want on Ebay for the new Play.com steels of the Iron Man movies (Luckily, cooler heads have prevailed - for now)

For movies I like, and/or movies that have 3D in the steels (and I am likely to buy them anyway), it is probably a no-brainer to go with the steel, unless the steel version is wildly more pricey than the amaray. The problem is with movies I have never seen, think I might like, but really have no idea.

As an example, I have never seen 300. I can get it in amaray right now for $7 on Amazon. The steel - which looks pretty cool - is $14.99. For the price difference, I could could pick up another regular blu that is on sale now.

It is a similar problem I have with deciding whether to pick up a movie in 3D or not. On this, I have mainly gone the way of getting the 3D version if I am buying it anyway.

Then, of course, there is the dilemma of both a steelbook and a digibook being available for certain titles, which problem I currently have with buying the Matrix titles. I can import the full trilogy (in amaray) from the UK for a very reasonable price. But, there is currently both a steel and a digibook available for the original movie, and a 2-pack amaray available for the other 2 titles. Either of these options would cost me more - but my collecting mind tells me the steel or the digi would be so much cooler!

Anyway, sorry for the rambling. Anyone who would like to further comment on this topic, please feel free. Thanks again.

[richieb1971]

I buy everything in steelbook.

If it doesn't come out in steelbook, i'll still buy it with a bit of disappointment.

I hope play.com can get my amaray collection down to 30. At the moment its well over 100 lol.

[Rz_Samurai]

I agree 100%, well said

Originally Posted by DJJez

Dont buy every release as a steelbook. just your fav movies or movies that your looking forward to getting (pre orders), its very easy to get carried away and spend ridiculous amounts which you dont need to. Buy the version that you like the most, dont just buy it because its a STEELBOOK! i always buy the version i like the most, so if the slipcover version is better i will buy that!

I find that because i dont buy steelbooks often when i do get one, its pretty cool

I know this is a steelbook forum but personally i like variety. if i bought everything in steelbook i would be bored to death of them. i collect slipcovers, digibooks, steelbooks, boxsets etc so try mix it all up if you can but at the end of the day its up to you and how you want to spend your money. if money is no object then just buy whatever you want but be warned, buying old out of print steelbooks released years ago or finding a mint copy of a steelbook can cost you stupid amounts and IMO is not worth it unless you seriously love that film or are a pretty serious collector.

[legendarymatt92]

Originally Posted by AC2011

Thanks to everyone who has replied so far - I'm not expecting people to make me a believer or anything, just interested in other people's buying decisions. I enjoy this discussion.

I only started buying blus about 3 months ago, when I finally got my HT set up - and at that point I was just intending to mainly purchase classic Disney movies, and other animations I could grab for a great deal for my kids.

But, given that I have a 3D TV and player, that quickly turned into buying 3D combo packs for movies I want to see myself, and then scouring deal bins at every store in town, and monitoring deals at various places online to pick out blus that were a great buy - now it's the steelbooks calling my name.

I'm not extremely interested in double-dipping, or speculating as to what steels might ultimately be rare/collectible/valuable, and picking up multiple copies of a steel to resell at a profit later - although I could likely fall easily into either "trap"; and I am quite sure my wife would not buy into this.

I can get easily sucked in though - case in point, a couple of months back I purchased the 3D combo packs (amaray) for both Thor and Captain America. Then I scored a very nice deal on a pre-order of the Avengers steel from Futureshop (got it when they were having an online sale). So, now I have been thinking it would be cool to have The Incredible Hulk, Iron Man 1 & 2, Thor and Captain America all in steels to go with the Avengers - I have even briefly contemplated paying the crazy prices some people want on Ebay for the new Play.com steels of the Iron Man movies (Luckily, cooler heads have prevailed - for now)

For movies I like, and/or movies that have 3D in the steels (and I am likely to buy them anyway), it is probably a no-brainer to go with the steel, unless the steel version is wildly more pricey than the amaray. The problem is with movies I have never seen, think I might like, but really have no idea.

As an example, I have never seen 300. I can get it in amaray right now for $7 on Amazon. The steel - which looks pretty cool - is $14.99. For the price difference, I could could pick up another regular blu that is on sale now.

It is a similar problem I have with deciding whether to pick up a movie in 3D or not. On this, I have mainly gone the way of getting the 3D version if I am buying it anyway.

Then, of course, there is the dilemma of both a steelbook and a digibook being available for certain titles, which problem I currently have with buying the Matrix titles. I can import the full trilogy (in amaray) from the UK for a very reasonable price. But, there is currently both a steel and a digibook available for the original movie, and a 2-pack amaray available for the other 2 titles. Either of these options would cost me more - but my collecting mind tells me the steel or the digi would be so much cooler!

Anyway, sorry for the rambling. Anyone who would like to further comment on this topic, please feel free. Thanks again.

On the first point, you'll very quickly find that that is the problem with some people - I can understand someone ordering a couple of copies, just for trade or sale later down the line, but some people take it to the maximum and order 50, selling them on eBay or other second-hand sites for an extortionate amount of money. Not only is it selfish, it ruins it for anyone else that would like a copy to just keep for themselves. I'm glad you showed restraint and didn't buy them for that price - if you want one that much, contact some people on here and I'm sure they'll sort you out with a spare copy from somewhere. I can't help you, sorry, because I only managed to order one copy of just the Iron Man 2 steel myself.

On the second point, if you are set-up for 3D then you might as well purchase the 3D copies. Usually, and especially with steelbooks, 3D releases keep their value for a while afterwards anyway, so you're not really losing out too much, even if you decide to sell your copy later on. I'm not a big 3D fan and think it's more of a fad than anything, but everyone is welcome to their own opinion and I have friends who think it's the best thing since sliced bread.

Sorry for such a long reply, I just want you to get enough information so that you may make your decision well and not regret it afterwards. And, above all, if you have any problems or more questions, the people on here are more than helpful.

[nefilim]

I,
# buy only steelbooks of movies I like.
# buy one steel per movie, no multiple/different steels per film (but might have steel/digibook of the same film - but rarely).
# watch movies -> open steels.
# steels vs. digibooks - of course prefer .
# why do I buy them : like `em apples more than dull amarays. Not looking to make money off them in the future.

[jammyone]

Originally Posted by AC2011

Thanks to everyone who has replied so far - I'm not expecting people to make me a believer or anything, just interested in other people's buying decisions. I enjoy this discussion.

I only started buying blus about 3 months ago, when I finally got my HT set up - and at that point I was just intending to mainly purchase classic Disney movies, and other animations I could grab for a great deal for my kids.

But, given that I have a 3D TV and player, that quickly turned into buying 3D combo packs for movies I want to see myself, and then scouring deal bins at every store in town, and monitoring deals at various places online to pick out blus that were a great buy - now it's the steelbooks calling my name.

I'm not extremely interested in double-dipping, or speculating as to what steels might ultimately be rare/collectible/valuable, and picking up multiple copies of a steel to resell at a profit later - although I could likely fall easily into either "trap"; and I am quite sure my wife would not buy into this.

I can get easily sucked in though - case in point, a couple of months back I purchased the 3D combo packs (amaray) for both Thor and Captain America. Then I scored a very nice deal on a pre-order of the Avengers steel from Futureshop (got it when they were having an online sale). So, now I have been thinking it would be cool to have The Incredible Hulk, Iron Man 1 & 2, Thor and Captain America all in steels to go with the Avengers - I have even briefly contemplated paying the crazy prices some people want on Ebay for the new Play.com steels of the Iron Man movies (Luckily, cooler heads have prevailed - for now)

For movies I like, and/or movies that have 3D in the steels (and I am likely to buy them anyway), it is probably a no-brainer to go with the steel, unless the steel version is wildly more pricey than the amaray. The problem is with movies I have never seen, think I might like, but really have no idea.

As an example, I have never seen 300. I can get it in amaray right now for $7 on Amazon. The steel - which looks pretty cool - is $14.99. For the price difference, I could could pick up another regular blu that is on sale now.

It is a similar problem I have with deciding whether to pick up a movie in 3D or not. On this, I have mainly gone the way of getting the 3D version if I am buying it anyway.

Then, of course, there is the dilemma of both a steelbook and a digibook being available for certain titles, which problem I currently have with buying the Matrix titles. I can import the full trilogy (in amaray) from the UK for a very reasonable price. But, there is currently both a steel and a digibook available for the original movie, and a 2-pack amaray available for the other 2 titles. Either of these options would cost me more - but my collecting mind tells me the steel or the digi would be so much cooler!

Anyway, sorry for the rambling. Anyone who would like to further comment on this topic, please feel free. Thanks again.

I buy the films I like in the best version possible whether that be steelbook, digibook or amaray. I prefer steelbooks but I'm open to other versions.

A few examples, I have the digibooks of 300, Shawshank Redemption and The Exorcist even though there's perfectly good and relatively cheap steelbooks for them because I prefer the digibook versions.

The Matrix Trilogy & Alien Quadrilogy have steelbooks but I prefer the Italian 7 disc Ultimate Matrix and the UK 6 disc Alien Quadrilogy because of all the extras that come with those sets.

My advice is get the films you want to see, get the version you want and if it's available as a steelbook then that's a bonus.

[Jayze]

In the end, AC2011. Stick to what makes you happy. You sound like you have your head in the right place. I personally love to collect Steelbooks whenever I find them available. I am also trying to develop friendships here so I can have Steelbooks imported through trades.

I personally love the look and feel of the steelbook. Its also cool to have something that its not as common as the amaray release. It is also a collection that requires a lot of care.

If you are a movie fan or a fan of bonus features, then you can do without steels, or buying everything in steel. However, cosmetically, I think nothing beats a steelbook.

[kylai10]

I'm in the same boat as AC2011. I just started buying BDs but have not bought any steel books yet. Do they get scratched and dented easily?