The Blu-ray Replacement Case Thread

[toxsic]

Originally Posted by chewbabka

Are these the ones that are debossed at the top and have a 5-star style hub? I’ve gotten a couple from uni but also Kino’s Mad Max, Disney/Pixar Rattatouolle, and Sony’s Guns of Navarone and Fifth Element. They just seem to show up randomly.

I like them. More sturdy and a very satisfying “snap”

Not sure, i haven't really looked it over closely. just thought it seems like a really nice case when it came in. I'll try to get some pics tonight or tomorrow and post them.

[314carpenter]

Originally Posted by rdodolak

EDIT: I went back and looked at my old Discmakers orders and at 100 cases they were $0.33/ea and $0.37/ea for the 1 and 2-disc cases, respectively, plus $10 shipping. 25 count of the 1-disc cases were $0.39/ea plus $5.50 S&H.

Thank you. Very helpful. From what I learned today, that would be below cost now. In other words, we'll never see anything close to those prices again. The margins we're seeing at the lowest prices available today are pretty small actually. No doubt that some sellers were working off old stock they got far cheaper a long time ago, and likely were doing so for quite some time, before they eventually had to rebuy at much higher prices or simply stop stop selling. Those prices were sustained by that, but only for so long.

Today, I believe that selling something like 100 units for $100 shipped in the U.S. is still possible for someone to maintain the business, but without much market incentive to do so moving forward. Goodwood is in a unique position, they have a location advantage, which is why they are likely to be "sole survivor". As a bonus, they are choosing to share some of their cost savings with us. With prices rising and the amount of competitors dwindling, how long will they continue to share those savings? Disc replicators and printers are still our best hope for low price alternative sources going forward, as long as they are willing to share their inventory with the rest of us. We just need to get at least one of them on board and noticed here.

Originally Posted by rdodolak

Yes, these are the same and MegaDiscStore was renamed Goodwoodeshop several years ago. Links to their eBay and Amazon storefronts have been included in the OP for some time.

Thanks for another helpful reply. Although I was aware of that before I posted, I put that information into the post for other less informed individuals that may pop in and out of these threads who still have questions. I'm trying to be supportive to everyone here. Also went back and added the Amazon link to their storefront in my post.

Originally Posted by rdodolak

Did they state why they will not be replenishing their stock?

Yes, I asked about that and blankmediaprinting did explain it to me, in great detail. And then I fact checked the information I was provided. All information I'm providing here is coming directly to me from first party sources. I'm being careful in what I say, as these companies are all perfectly fine in what they do, and are being very generous to allow me to say anything here. You can see my previous post for more about that. For now, let's just say some of the information blankmediaprinting shared with me was partially incorrect. I have other information that doesn't fit their reasoning. Possibly they just haven't been trying very hard on certain aspects. Their main focus is and always has been duplicating and printing media, so I think they deserve a break on that part. Regardless of their exact reasons, they will be discontinuing Viva now, and the links will be removed. However, I was told that they do still want to continue to buy and sell Viva, but they don't have any of that stock coming in. They have larger clients that do request Viva packaging from time to time, so the demand is there for them as well. In business, cost is always a concern, but that was not the reason given to me for these events. I don't know this, but I feel like they just need a partner. I'll be following up with them to share my own investigations on the subject. I'm not sure how much more can be learned from this, but I'll give it a shot to see if there is something I can do to make a real difference.

Originally Posted by rdodolak

It's too bad there aren't more viable options, it's even more of a shame that there aren't many options for non-blue cases.

I share your views on the value of having more viable options. The results of my initial search and subsequent work here have been a bit alarming to me, so I have a sense of commitment to do something to help support the community. On your second point, as noted in my post above, when buying direct from Viva, a minimum of 4704 units (or maybe even higher for cases in strawberry red, or honeydew yellow) would be required for anyone purchasing, so that puts them out of the running for exotics going forward. I'm sure generics are available in smaller quantities from whoever manufactures those, but product overruns are very rare anymore. Shutdown, changeover, and startup costs are huge in manufacturing. Profits also go down for them, prices go up for vendors. Exotics and low demand items sit around longer, so storage costs are higher for those. No manufacture will even make them if they don't have a solid demand on the vendor side. How long would it take to sell even 500 on today's open market? If such oddities are found today, best to go get them before you need them, as they're only selling overstock items manufactured long ago. When they are finally gone, no more. Just not worth the space or capital anymore. Any other scenario would involve a generic factory which also runs an internet based outlet (could be under a surname). Producing new stock items could be possible during slow seasons to keep machines running and employees working. These would only be produced for internal sales to provide a small boost to a small company being run under the old rules, and there still needs to be a demand or it doesn't even happen. I know blue, black, and clear are available in the format of choice from Viva right now, if you can foot the bill and unload the truck. Might as well try to get some Monogrammed case stickers made up too, specifically designed around ones own unique form of opulence, but I'm sure Viva has terms against trying to sell them that way.

[314carpenter]

Originally Posted by dissolute_dog

I have been wondering this as well! I like it too, but unfortunately I've only seen this brand/style a few times, and it's always been for Blu-rays by Universal Pictures Home Entertainment (from my experience).

As you said, "No Time To Die" uses this brand for its 3-disc Blu-ray cases, and a few batches of "A Dog's Journey" (2019) also used it for their 2-disc Blu-ray cases.

Just for fun, I looked at the US Patent number on the spine (D605887 S) and did a quick Google search about it, lol. If I'm understanding the info correctly, these cases were designed by a Hong Kong company called Finest Products Limited, and they filed a patent for it way back in 2009! And their drawings for the design do seem to match:

https://patentimages.storage.googlea.../USD605887.pdf

Looking at all this patent info gives one an appreciation for all the work it takes just to design a disc case and try to get it into the market. It's kind of sad that for all their work, we haven't seen much of their design make it to store shelves. At least Universal Pictures has turned to them occasionally, with James Bond being a good catch for this case brand.

You can add Sony / Columbia on that list. Just found one of those cases included with Last Action Hero 4K release date June 15, 2021. I can tell it's another type of plastic, and a different foil makeup too. Thanks for the patent work. I used it to do some googling myself and I believe I found these guys.

FINEST INDUSTRIAL CO LTD
13/A Sze Hing Loong Industrial Building, 44 Lee Chung Street, Chai Wan, Hong Kong

http://finest.smeitrade.com/index.do

https://import.report/company/Finest...o-L-T-D/page/1

[meremortal]

Bought a whole bunch of what I'm assuming are Vortex or similar cases from a local wholesale store several months ago. Got close to a hundred for like ten bucks total. Kind of regret not buying more as there were probably another 50-60 cases for maybe five to six bucks at most. I was a bit stubborn since I ran across them at a time when I was only really interested in Viva Elites. But the premium cases are getting fairly expensive. I could definitely use a lot more 2-disc cases since I'm trying to combine some dvds to save a little space. For examle, a lot of the Disney blus are missing extras from the older dvds or may have a more scrubbed image. And it'd be kind of nice to have remakes and original versions of movies in the same case for easier accessibility. Putting tv shows on dvd in slimmer multi-disc blu cases is also an idea, but then I would need artwork for the case and I do not have an injket printer.

[Lava_Lander]

Perhaps it might be worth starting a "new and improved" replacement case discussion thread, to help cut down on referencing a lot of old and now-outdated information from the last 13 years of posts in this thread?

[rdodolak]

Originally Posted by 314carpenter

Thank you. Very helpful. From what I learned today, that would be below cost now. In other words, we'll never see anything close to those prices again. The margins we're seeing at the lowest prices available today are pretty small actually. No doubt that some sellers were working off old stock they got far cheaper a long time ago, and likely were doing so for quite some time, before they eventually had to rebuy at much higher prices or simply stop stop selling. Those prices were sustained by that, but only for so long.

The Vortex cases were always cheaper than the Viva Elites. Just looking at my last Vortex order from Discmakers I paid $0.31/case based on a qty of 25 back then and these weren't the Eco-Lite variety type. Now, the Eco-Lites go for $0.55/ea at that qty level. My guess is the price has at least doubled on the Vivas.

At one point, MegaDiscStore also had a supply of Green and Orange Blu-ray cases, but they've long exhausted that supply.

[rdodolak]

Originally Posted by MoviePhanatic00

Apologies as I am not answering your question, but if you are looking for great quality cases, I switched over to Ace Plus a few back. I am very picky about my cases and my favorite was always Amaray cases, but they stopped selling them in U.S. I was never really fond of the Viva Elite cases. I am fairly certain I'm in the minority in this regard, but they don't have the most secure fitting hub system IMO.

The BR logo on Ace Plus is not embossed like the Amaray cases, but a screen print overlay. I know that is important to some collectors. I get them through sellers on AMZ. The do come in various quantity assortments and the price won't break the bank, thought the price of them has been increasing steadily the past few years.

The Viva started out with the silkscreened logo to before they transitioned to the foil silver logo. The AcePlus cases are like a hybrid as they have features from both the Viva Elites and the Vortex cases.

Funny enough, AGI owns both the Amaray and Vortex brands; or at least they did the last time I looked.

[toxsic]

Here's a link to an imgur album with some pics i took. sorry if any are bad. i'm not that good at taking photos.

https://imgur.com/a/iQLBYmk

[rdodolak]

Originally Posted by toxsic

Here's a link to an imgur album with some pics i took. sorry if any are bad. i'm not that good at taking photos.

https://imgur.com/a/iQLBYmk

I've seen those on a handful of releases, but I don't know of any place that currently sells them. I think there was an individual who worked for them that posted on here briefly, if my memory serves me correctly.

Yep, he popped in here three years ago to post one message and we've never heard from him again. That was his first and only post on this forum.

Originally Posted by jakielauhk

I am the manufacturer of "Finest" cases.
We carry 11mm / 12.5mm/ 15mm and also thicker version.
We provide genuine BD/3D/UHD cases in multiple discs version.
If there are interests, we can put listings on amazon for fans/collectors to order genuine replacement cases, we can supply them for both in the US & UK/EU.

[toxsic]

Originally Posted by rdodolak

I've seen those on a handful of releases, but I don't know of any place that currently sells them. I think there was an individual who worked for them that posted on here briefly, if my memory serves me correctly.

Yep, he popped in here eight years ago to post one message and we've never heard from him again. That was his first and only post on this forum.

I think you typo'd. you posted 8 years ago, but the post is from 2019? made me look because he mentioned UHD cases and i don't think they were around 8 years ago.

odd though that he never came back. wonder if there just wasn't any interest shown?

[rdodolak]

Originally Posted by toxsic

I think you typo'd. you posted 8 years ago, but the post is from 2019? made me look because he mentioned UHD cases and i don't think they were around 8 years ago.

odd though that he never came back. wonder if there just wasn't any interest shown?

Yep, thanks for the catch.

[MovieMan5021]

Does anyone know of a place that sells a 8 disc 4k case??

[314carpenter]

Originally Posted by MovieMan5021

Does anyone know of a place that sells a 8 disc 4k case??

Nope. Not for replacements.

8 disc replacement cases are either
blue, maybe clear (blu-ray size)
171.5mm x 136mm x 25mm
171.5mm x 136mm x 35mm
171.5mm x 136mm x 44mm

black, maybe clear (dvd size)
190mm x 135mm x 22mm
190mm x 135mm x 27mm

Or you could buy two of these 4K cases
4 disc cases
black (4k UHD)
171.5mm X 136mm x 12.5mm

[MovieMan5021]

Originally Posted by 314carpenter

Nope. Not for replacements.

8 disc replacement cases are either
blue, maybe clear (blu-ray size)
171.5mm x 136mm x 25mm
171.5mm x 136mm x 35mm
171.5mm x 136mm x 44mm

black, maybe clear (dvd size)
190mm x 135mm x 22mm
190mm x 135mm x 27mm

Or you could buy two of these 4K cases
4 disc cases
black (4k UHD)
171.5mm X 136mm x 12.5mm

Thanks for the heads-up!

[Blu-Benny]

was about to pull the trigger and just order the quantities required from goodwood eshop when i decided to check ebay 1 more time. glad i did. found a seller selling 2 disc, 3 disc, and 4 disc in packs of 3.

[FilmFreakosaurus]

Originally Posted by Blu-Benny

was about to pull the trigger and just order the quantities required from goodwood eshop when i decided to check ebay 1 more time. glad i did. found a seller selling 2 disc, 3 disc, and 4 disc in packs of 3.

And which seller might that be? Thanks.

[Blu-Benny]

Originally Posted by FilmFreakosaurus

And which seller might that be? Thanks.

ebay name is cashfortheweekend

[andantelise]

Originally Posted by Blu-Benny

ebay name is cashfortheweekend

Nice, I just ordered 2 6-disc cases from them the day before yesterday, and they're out for delivery now.

[Blu-Benny]

Originally Posted by andantelise

Nice, I just ordered 2 6-disc cases from them the day before yesterday, and they're out for delivery now.

fantastic!! glad to see the feedback they have on file seems legit then.

[314carpenter]

Originally Posted by rdodolak

Did they state why they will not be replenishing their stock?

Edit:
Due to a lack of vendors currently fulfilling large bulk orders, blankmediaprinting will now discontinue buying and selling Viva brand products. Buying full pallets of 4K UltraHD cases direct from Viva is not something they have a need or have interest investing in, in terms of space or capital. I forwarded contact information for their buyer to consider their options going forward. Hopefully they will eventually decide to purchase Viva Elite brand blu-ray cases, but certainly not 4K cases. The ball is entirely in their court now. Generics is all they will continue to sell at this time.

I have now completed this portion of my work here. You may update the OP, so please take down those Viva 4K products from their store, but you may want to keep the generic listings for their store. I never intended to cause any confusion or distraction in this thread. Obviously I got caught in some bad timing. I see this as another unfortunate loss to the collector community. I'll continue my search for more willing partners, but will refrain from posting that information here until I have something with more longevity associated to any listings I find from those sources, outside of the usual channels on ebay, amazon, etc. not previously mentioned in the thread.