The Cheap Detective question - Blu-ray Forum

thatguamguy · 11-27-2017, 10:01 PM

I saw that "The Cheap Detective" was finally issued in anamorphic widescreen, instead of the fullscreen disc... but I just got a copy, and it is a burned disc.

It doesn't say anything on here about being "Sony Choice", but since it is Sony, it wouldn't surprise me if it's supposed to be burned, but I'm wondering if anybody can confirm whether it should be pressed or burned.

Brad1963 · 11-27-2017, 10:30 PM

Initially Sony released it as a flipper with widescreen (anamorphic) one side and Pan / Scan the other. They eventually dropped the widescreen side and only had the Pan / Scan version on the market. I did not realize they re-issued it, but would make sense it would be a burned disc since that seems to be how they are releasing catalog titles now. I'm hoping Twilight Time releases Murder By Death and Cheap Detective as some point.

Bluebolt · 11-27-2017, 10:30 PM

The Cheap Detective has been available in anamorphic widescreen DVD for a long time, but only the Canadian release--which unfortunately has the same packaging and UPC as the non-anamorphic 4:3 U.S. version. Netflix even rented the widescreen anamorphic version in the U.S. at one point. Need to shop carefully to get the right one.

I bought mine a while back, so haven't followed things lately (except to check for a blu-ray release), and I don't know where you bought yours. I notice Deep Discount's offering says "Manufactured on Demand."

thatguamguy · 11-27-2017, 10:52 PM

I did know about the old dual-sided disc, but problem #1 was I've never seen a copy for sale that I could confirm was that version, and #2 I saw this version listed on Amazon as 2015 and widescreen, so I didn't fully trust that the listing was accurate and waited until I could actually see it for myself. I finally saw the back of the box, where it said 2.35, and so I bought it.

Interesting about the Canadian disc -- are there any tips for spotting it? I'll hang onto this burned one for now, as long as it's not a pirate copy, but all transfers being equal I would prefer a pressed disc.

( one-sided OAR > dual-sided w/OAR > burned disc OAR )

I will probably find the dual-sided and buy it and then find the Canadian and buy that too and then the goddamn movie will finally get released on Blu-ray.

Bluebolt · 11-28-2017, 12:50 AM

The Canadian disc I referred to is dual-sided. I think I bought mine on eBay, from a seller that listed it as definitely anamorphic widescreen.

I had previously purchased one from Deep Discount at some point, because the description there said anamorphic widescreen, but it turned out to be full frame, so I returned it. Around that time there were many listings (such as Barnes & Noble) erroneously describing it as anamorphic widescreen. A real mess.

And yes, I hope you find your anamorphic widescreen version, so that the blu-ray may finally be released.

11-27-2017, 10:01 PM	#1
thatguamguy Blu-ray Ninja Member since:Mar 2016 Trading Score:4	The Cheap Detective question I saw that "The Cheap Detective" was finally issued in anamorphic widescreen, instead of the fullscreen disc... but I just got a copy, and it is a burned disc. It doesn't say anything on here about being "Sony Choice", but since it is Sony, it wouldn't surprise me if it's supposed to be burned, but I'm wondering if anybody can confirm whether it should be pressed or burned.

11-27-2017, 10:30 PM	#2
Brad1963 Blu-ray Ninja Member since:Feb 2008 Location:Los Angeles, CA 4K collection:344 Blu-ray collection:1674 DVD collection:1 Blu-ray reviews: 1	Initially Sony released it as a flipper with widescreen (anamorphic) one side and Pan / Scan the other. They eventually dropped the widescreen side and only had the Pan / Scan version on the market. I did not realize they re-issued it, but would make sense it would be a burned disc since that seems to be how they are releasing catalog titles now. I'm hoping Twilight Time releases Murder By Death and Cheap Detective as some point.

11-27-2017, 10:30 PM	#3
Bluebolt Active Member Top contributor Member since:Feb 2014 Blu-ray reviews:1	The Cheap Detective has been available in anamorphic widescreen DVD for a long time, but only the Canadian release--which unfortunately has the same packaging and UPC as the non-anamorphic 4:3 U.S. version. Netflix even rented the widescreen anamorphic version in the U.S. at one point. Need to shop carefully to get the right one. I bought mine a while back, so haven't followed things lately (except to check for a blu-ray release), and I don't know where you bought yours. I notice Deep Discount's offering says "Manufactured on Demand."

11-27-2017, 10:52 PM	#4
thatguamguy Blu-ray Ninja Member since:Mar 2016 Trading Score:4	I did know about the old dual-sided disc, but problem #1 was I've never seen a copy for sale that I could confirm was that version, and #2 I saw this version listed on Amazon as 2015 and widescreen, so I didn't fully trust that the listing was accurate and waited until I could actually see it for myself. I finally saw the back of the box, where it said 2.35, and so I bought it. Interesting about the Canadian disc -- are there any tips for spotting it? I'll hang onto this burned one for now, as long as it's not a pirate copy, but all transfers being equal I would prefer a pressed disc. ( one-sided OAR > dual-sided w/OAR > burned disc OAR ) I will probably find the dual-sided and buy it and then find the Canadian and buy that too and then the goddamn movie will finally get released on Blu-ray.

11-28-2017, 12:50 AM	#5
Bluebolt Active Member Top contributor Member since:Feb 2014 Blu-ray reviews:1	The Canadian disc I referred to is dual-sided. I think I bought mine on eBay, from a seller that listed it as definitely anamorphic widescreen. I had previously purchased one from Deep Discount at some point, because the description there said anamorphic widescreen, but it turned out to be full frame, so I returned it. Around that time there were many listings (such as Barnes & Noble) erroneously describing it as anamorphic widescreen. A real mess. And yes, I hope you find your anamorphic widescreen version, so that the blu-ray may finally be released.

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