Does thickness of BD cases differ between US and UK?

[Bruce Morrison]

I'm in the UK but, like many other BD users, I've imported a US player and buy US BDs. However, an on-line retailer mistakenly sent me a UK BD yesterday. It's been returned for a refund, but what surprised me was that the disc case was significantly thicker than the standard US cases. Is this true generally? I hadn't realised that there was any difference in the cases used in the two markets, but it seems to be one more good reason for using US BDs, as the saving in shelf space will be considerable as my BD collection grows.

[Mentasm]

Originally Posted by Bruce Morrison

I'm in the UK but, like many other BD users, I've imported a US player and buy US BDs. However, an on-line retailer mistakenly sent me a UK BD yesterday. It's been returned for a refund, but what surprised me was that the disc case was significantly thicker than the standard US cases. Is this true generally? I hadn't realised that there was any difference in the cases used in the two markets, but it seems to be one more good reason for using US BDs, as the saving in shelf space will be considerable as my BD collection grows.

They use both styles in both countries.

[allstar780]

what movie was it? I know the dual disc cases are slightly thicker... and then theres planet earth with its ingenious case design... 4 discs in a case as thick as a 2 disc

[binarymelon]

The UK blu-rays use a case which is much thicker than a regular blu-ray case. They are similar to a PS3 case. I'm not sure if all UK releases use these cases, but some do.

[Bruce Morrison]

Originally Posted by allstar780

what movie was it? I know the dual disc cases are slightly thicker... and then theres planet earth with its ingenious case design... 4 discs in a case as thick as a 2 disc

It was 'Cruel Intentions'. It would have just been a single disc, so there's no particular reason why the case should have been especially thick.

[binarymelon]

Here's a little spec image to show the difference. The UK case is quite a bit bigger.

http://www.nexpak.com/database/pdfs/...Rpak_litho.pdf (US case)
http://www.amaray.com/cases_rt-bluray.asp (UK Case)

[AikonEnt]

In general UK BD cases are wider than US ones. The only exception I've had so far was '30 Days of Night' which was bought in the UK but came in a slim case like all my US bought titles. I do prefer the slimmer cases because that means I can get more onto my shelves

[Mentasm]

As I said eaalier, both are used in the UK, although the 'fatter' case is much more widespread. Icon use the slim cases. They released 30 Days of Night and also Black Sheep in those cases.

[Josh]

The thicker cases used in Europe are for anti-theft devices.

[Zyclone]

All aussies releases come in thicker cases expect icon releases and concerts , from what iv'e seen WB and sony cases in the uk are thicker but some studios use thin cases like ITV

[Big Daddy]

This topic has been discussed several times. Use the search function to find them. My response in February 2008 discusses which studios use thicker or thinner cases.

https://forum.blu-ray.com/showpost.p...5&postcount=27

[Bruce Morrison]

Thanks everyone for the responses, and I'm sorry I hadn't realised that there was already at least one thread on this topic. Anyway, I certainly prefer the thin US cases for space-saving reasons. They don't strike me as unduly flimsy either.

[Clark Kent]

I own both types of cases and honestly prefer the UK style ones. They seem to be slightly more durable and hold up better when being shipped through the mail.

[owa]

Originally Posted by Josh

The thicker cases used in Europe are for anti-theft devices.

Ah, thanks for the explanation. I was wondering why since it seemed very unnecessary. Some of the imports also display the text differently on the spine (bottom-to-top instead of top-to-bottom). While I'd prefer to have everything the same, it does make it a little easier to find the imports. One thing I really like though is that most of the imports I've gotten (maybe all), don't use the annoying security tape.

[broganreynik]

The cool thing I found recently, just out of boredom/curiousity I put my cover for the UK import of Saints and Soldiers into a Sony style US case, and it fit. I tried this with all my imports and they fit into the Sony style cases. However they don't fit into the fatter, rounder Warner style cases (which I don't mind because I hate those anyway). So I've ordered a few of the Sony style cases from Sleevetown so I can pop my imports in those.