Ask questions to The Digital Bits team (Bill Hunt, Jeff Kleist et.al.)

[Mr. Cinema]

Why does Universal insist on picking the cheapest, most awful packaging designs for their box sets? That Back to the Future set looks like an absolute nightmare to get the discs out. Why can't they just stick with the center hubs that we see on 99.9% of releases? Why opt for a design that increases the likelihood of damaging a disc? I'm not a huge fan of the sleeves that Fox used for the Alien set, but I'll take that over what Universal has gone with.

It seems like they're always the ones who pick a bad design and end up having to repackage sets later. Didn't this happen with a Battlestar Galactica set before?

[Jeff Kleist]

Why does Universal insist on picking the cheapest, most awful packaging designs for their box sets? That Back to the Future set looks like an absolute nightmare to get the discs out. Why can't they just stick with the center hubs that we see on 99.9% of releases? Why opt for a design that increases the likelihood of damaging a disc? I'm not a huge fan of the sleeves that Fox used for the Alien set, but I'll take that over what Universal has gone with.

I talked to some Uni people last night about this among other things. I think we'd all like to see their TV seasons go keepcase. I'm not a big fan of the Alien/Lost style pocket sleeves (no, mine hasn't come yet), but at least they finally don't feel like they're going to carve up a disc.

It seems like they're always the ones who pick a bad design and end up having to repackage sets later. Didn't this happen with a Battlestar Galactica set before?

While I'm unaware of BSG being released on Blu-ray, the rubber hub thing was all the rage. Graphic designers LOVE digipacks and the rubber hubs because the least possible stuff is getting between your eyes and the pretty artwork, with digipacks they can get record album crazy. Unfortunately these aren't very good formats for durability.

I guess if you sat around all day pasting Robert Downey Jrs floating head onto a dozen different titles, you'd feel the need to stretch too

I'll definately make it a point to add that to the list for future conversations.

[Mr. Cinema]

Stick to what works. Center hubs don't bother anyone.

The Office Season 6 had the same packaging as BTTF, but the latter is a much bigger release and I think we'll get more complaints this time around.

The UK Scream Trilogy uses those same hinges that BTTF has and supposedly those have broken after repeated use.

I understand they want to get the packages as slim as possible and as cheap, but having to push the disc down and then pop it out is beyond ridiculous.

I got my Alien set yesterday and while I'm not a fan of sliding discs out of sleeves, it's not too bad and certainly better than what BTTF has. But the bonus discs are really snug in their sleeves.

[mark antony]

Jeff any idea if Sopranos S2> are going to make an appearance next year? Thanks

[Jeff Kleist]

I haven't heard anything about more Sopranos, my guess would be that they're going to look at what Deadwood does and point toward a complete box

[mark antony]

Thanks

[MerrickG]

Jeff,

DO you know who to contact at Fox because my Alien Anthology arrived today and it is missing the ****ing Alien 3 disc? I am beyond pissed off to say the least.

It certainly figures that the disc set I have been waiting for since bluray began that something would **** up.

Im sure they will tell me I have to return the whole damn thing to amazon and then wait for amazon to give me a refund and then wait for the new one to get shipped.

What a bunch of donkey crap.

EDIT: I talked to amazon and they are shipping me a new set to arrive thursday and they told me I just have to return the old set once the new one arrives.

Disaster averted. In the meantime I will just enjoy the other films.

[Jeff Kleist]

There you go. Otherwise you would need to call the Fox customer service number

[HeavyHitter]

Originally Posted by merrick97

It probably means nothing to you but my Rangers FINALLY going to the World Series has me all excited. It just felt fitting that they would have to go through the Yankees to do it.

It should be an interesting World Series (glad to see the underdog teams get there - sick of seeing the Yankees and Phillies). I think Texas has the edge with Cliff Lee.

[Jeff Kleist]

Just a pet peeve, they aren't your team or the city's, they're a corporation owned by some rich bastard that leeches far mire from the local tax base than they give back

It should be an interesting World Series (glad to see the underdog teams get there - sick of seeing the Yankees and Phillies). I think Texas has the edge with Cliff Lee.

Couldn't be happier we can put off riot damage on south street for another year. I wish we'd send the team the bill for that

[MerrickG]

Originally Posted by HeavyHitter

It should be an interesting World Series (glad to see the underdog teams get there - sick of seeing the Yankees and Phillies). I think Texas has the edge with Cliff Lee.

I like the Rangers chances, but baseball is the epitome of sports in which anything can happen.

SF has a slight pitching edge overall, but Texas has an extreme hitting advantage. If the Rangers bats go cold, they won't win the series.

[DenonCI]

Originally Posted by merrick97

I like the Rangers chances, but baseball is the epitome of sports in which anything can happen.

SF has a slight pitching edge overall, but Texas has an extreme hitting advantage. If the Rangers bats go cold, they won't win the series.

Merrick,

The Giants weren't supposed have any chance against the Phillies (If you listen/watch the national sports media) and beat them in 6 games. The Giants offense isn't horrible, but when you couple it with their fantastic starting pitching and above-average bullpen, they are a very good playoff team. Will they win the series? I don't know, but I'm a huge Giants fan and I think they have a slight advantage due to home field.

For the Rangers to win, they MUST win game one with Lee on the mound. If they don't, I doubt they can win the series. With Lincecum and Cain, you essentially have two #1 starters, then if Sanchez is "on," he's damn near unhittable, then you throw Bumgarner in game four who's 21 going on 31 (he's unflappable) and you have a tough road to hoe.

I think the Giants strategy will be to pitch around Hamilton and let someone else beat them if they can. We'll see, but I predict the Giants in 6 games due to home field advantage. Go Giants!

[Uxi]

Originally Posted by Jeff Kleist

I'll definately make it a point to add that to the list for future conversations.

Can it be possible for new releases to come in a plain BD case as well as the digibook, etc? I like my BD collection to be as uniform as possible and really not interested in digibooks, steelbooks, fancy packaging this go around. My DVD collection quickly became unmanageable with more exceptions than the rule. I'm soooo over the specialty cases.

[blokhed]

I'd also like to chime in and say that getting the discs out of the BttF set is the biggest chore I've ever come across in disc packaging, ever, in my life, no hyperbole. I felt like I was going to break the disc in half (again, no exaggeration). I wasn't sure if I was just doing it wrong or what, but I had to bend the disc quite a bit to get it to finally snap out. They must have had QC try these things, why didn't anyone speak up?

[Jeff Kleist]

2 packaging styles at retail probably a nogo. I've been peoposing an alternative but so far hasn't gained a lot of traction

[Uxi]

How bout taping a regular BD case to the back? lol probably not

[SpaceDog]

Originally Posted by Uxi

How bout taping a regular BD case to the back? lol probably not

If you can't abide your packaging not being uniform, your best bet is going to be buying cases and printing your own art.

[Uxi]

Sometimes waiting works or getting international, but yeah, custom is starting to be the norm.

[Banjo]

Originally Posted by blokhed

I'd also like to chime in and say that getting the discs out of the BttF set is the biggest chore I've ever come across in disc packaging, ever, in my life, no hyperbole. I felt like I was going to break the disc in half (again, no exaggeration). I wasn't sure if I was just doing it wrong or what, but I had to bend the disc quite a bit to get it to finally snap out. They must have had QC try these things, why didn't anyone speak up?

Even the MIB special edition on DVD?

http://www.amazon.com/Men-Black-Limi.../dp/B00004TFK3

That one made it nearly impossible to get the discs out. I recall the Jurassic Park DVDs being a pain in the neck too as well.

[Jeff Kleist]

Sounds like you're thinking of Scanavo cases, that had a death grip on any disc they touched.

One thing you should understand is that there is no case that's made for a particular title. Studios have a preferance stated, but they will use whatever is on hand if they run out (Scanavos were usually used for that).

They've loosed up the vice grip over the years a bit, and today Scanavo makes Steelbooks that we all love so much