The Criterion Collection

[mande2013]

Originally Posted by ShellOilJunior

If by "true HD transfer" you mean 2K or 4K then that's true. Although, many of the Criterion DVD releases feature a "restored high-definition digital transfer" which is down-rezzed for DVD. Unfortunately, some of the BR releases used the same transfer.

That was pretty much the case with most Criterion blu-ray upgrades the first 3-4 years they entered the blu-ray game, no? With the exception of complete overhauls like Diabolique of course.

Then again, the transfer on the current 8 1/2 blu-ray isn't from a 2001 source, is it?

[jlk5844]

Originally Posted by Markgway

Not really. People want to see whether their DVD is worth upgrading.

Honestly, since 99.99% of Blu-rays are at least minimal upgrades over the DVD, it's probably worth upgrading just for the longevity of the disc. I imagine a lot of old DVDs will begin to crap out if they haven't already. If I could I'd have as few DVDs around my house as possible.

[ShellOilJunior]

Originally Posted by jlk5844

Honestly, since 99.99% of Blu-rays are at least minimal upgrades over the DVD, it's probably worth upgrading just for the longevity of the disc. I imagine a lot of old DVDs will begin to crap out if they haven't already. If I could I'd have as few DVDs around my house as possible.

That's precisely why I never invested heavily in DVD (Only owned about 40). I abandoned the format in 2008 and haven't looked back. Even if some of my favorites take a while to upgrade there is always something else to watch. I dumped all of my DVDs even before upgrades were available. Better to get something for them before they lose value when the blu-ray is issued (Especially for non-Criterion releases).

[AgentOrange]

Originally Posted by ShellOilJunior

It seems silly Beaver is still comparing Blu-rays to DVDs. It's like comparing Rita Hayworth to a school marm. I'd rather see more blu-ray captures.

I don't think they are just comparing to DVD's, they are hypothetically trying to compare *every* release which they have reviewed previously, whether that is DVD or multiple different blu-ray releases. I've seen several of their reviews where they have multiple DVD's AND multiple blu-rays. If nothing else,it's interesting to see the different color timing across different releases sometimes (especially those with controversial changes).

[cakefactory]

Originally Posted by AgentOrange

I don't think they are just comparing to DVD's, they are hypothetically trying to compare *every* release which they have reviewed previously, whether that is DVD or multiple different blu-ray releases. I've seen several of their reviews where they have multiple DVD's AND multiple blu-rays. If nothing else,it's interesting to see the different color timing across different releases sometimes (especially those with controversial changes).

I agree, I like the comparison. It's usually just a couple screenshots, too, and most of the rest are just blu-ray comparisons (if he has reviewed more than one).

[nitin]

Originally Posted by ShellOilJunior

If by "true HD transfer" you mean 2K or 4K then that's true. Although, many of the Criterion DVD releases feature a "restored high-definition digital transfer" which is down-rezzed for DVD. Unfortunately, some of the BR releases used the same transfer.

A reference to a HD transfer by Criterion (or Arrow or other labels) is a reference to a HD telecine (as opposed to the new technology which is a scan in either 2k or 4K). HD telecines are still true HD transfers (usually done in 1080p which is almost the same resolution as a 2k scan) but they are transfers using older film to digital technology.

[Rui]

Originally Posted by jlk5844

Honestly, since 99.99% of Blu-rays are at least minimal upgrades over the DVD, it's probably worth upgrading just for the longevity of the disc. I imagine a lot of old DVDs will begin to crap out if they haven't already. If I could I'd have as few DVDs around my house as possible.

that are certainly DVDs that have gone bad (just as there are blu-rays that have gone bad) but that seems to be because of deficiencies in the manufacturing process. From what i understand a properly pressed DVD should last 100-200 years in decent conditions.

[mande2013]

Originally Posted by Rui

that are certainly DVDs that have gone bad (just as there are blu-rays that have gone bad) but that seems to be because of deficiencies in the manufacturing process. From what i understand a properly pressed DVD should last 100-200 years in decent conditions.

How big a threat to blu-rays is humidity, not 'submerged in a tub of water' humidity, but rather 'I live in an often damp climate in an old building with insulation not exactly up to 21st century standards' humidity? I just have to imagine all those Netflix blu-rays must constantly be exposed to the elements and provided they don't get scratched and what-not they seem to hold up just fine.

[bwdowiak]

Originally Posted by Rui

that are certainly DVDs that have gone bad (just as there are blu-rays that have gone bad) but that seems to be because of deficiencies in the manufacturing process. From what i understand a properly pressed DVD should last 100-200 years in decent conditions.

my first DVD player cost me over $300. It was brand new tech when I bought it circa 1998. I've owned hundreds of DVDs and have only had one disc crap out - ironically, it was the first disc I ever bought: Vertigo, which I bought at Suncoast Video for like $36 plus tax.

After a handful of plays, it just stopped working. but that was only a few years after buying it. it probably could have been chalked up to deficiencies in the manufacturing process like you said.

[mande2013]

My Criterion DVD of Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie of all things crapped out on me. My Contempt(the first Criterion I ever bought by the way) and A Woman is a Woman discs seem to be fine though.

[mande2013]

Originally Posted by bwdowiak

my first DVD player cost me over $300. It was brand new tech when I bought it circa 1998. I've owned hundreds of DVDs and have only had one disc crap out - ironically, it was the first disc I ever bought: Vertigo, which I bought at Suncoast Video for like $36 plus tax.

After a handful of plays, it just stopped working. but that was only a few years after buying it. it probably could have been chalked up to deficiencies in the manufacturing process like you said.

Is there like a first disc bought curse or something. My Criterion blu-ray of Red Desert, which is the first blu-ray period I ever bought, is giving me issues with one of my blu-ray playback softwares. It plays fine on my PC with PowerDVD, but I'm having issues with it on the MacGo blu-ray player where it won't display the menu but just jumps straight to the start of the feature. And I'm relying on the same external disc drive in both scenarios.

P.S. I don't have a proper plasma to watch my blu-rays on yet, so I rely on computers for the time being.

[Sifox211]

Piece of trivia: Polygram's first ever production run of CDs back in 1983 was of half a million units and had a failure rate of something like 70%

I bought my first CD player the year after and about the sixth disk I bought was faulty. I haven't had a faulty one since, and not one DVD or BD has gone west on me.

(OTOH, I had several HD-DVDs which were dead from the get-go, unfortunately discovered long after the format's demise!)

[bigbadwoppet]

Originally Posted by mande2013

My Criterion DVD of Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie of all things crapped out on me. My Contempt(the first Criterion I ever bought by the way) and A Woman is a Woman discs seem to be fine though.

I bought the Canadian blu-ray from Alliance. Dunno if it's still available.

[jlk5844]

Originally Posted by ShellOilJunior

That's precisely why I never invested heavily in DVD (Only owned about 40). I abandoned the format in 2008 and haven't looked back. Even if some of my favorites take a while to upgrade there is always something else to watch. I dumped all of my DVDs even before upgrades were available. Better to get something for them before they lose value when the blu-ray is issued (Especially for non-Criterion releases).

I invested heavily, amassing hundreds of DVDs, but thankfully only started getting serious about 2-3 years before I transitioned to Blu-ray in 2010. It's been a gradual process getting rid of them, still ongoing. I'd save many for extras or even nostalgia, but mainly because of unavailability on Blu-ray. At this point for me though, if it does have a Blu-ray, it has to have something valuable or meaningful for me to wanna keep it. No sense having them taking up precious space. I'm gonna try to sell off some Blu-rays I won't ever watch again too. For awhile I wanted to upgrade everything I had on DVD but I just don't need to, I bought some crap that doesn't need to be repurchased. There are times where I'm thankful for when I was born. I started at the tail end of VHS/beginning of DVD (but not seriously collecting, I was a kid), and thankfully have only gone through four formats (VHS, DVD, Blu-ray, 4K UHD). I can't imagine having invested in VHS and Laserdisc and DVD and Blu-ray and now 4K UHD. I feel lucky when I've only had to buy a movie once.

Originally Posted by Rui

that are certainly DVDs that have gone bad (just as there are blu-rays that have gone bad) but that seems to be because of deficiencies in the manufacturing process. From what i understand a properly pressed DVD should last 100-200 years in decent conditions.

Wow! Guess I grossly underestimated the lifespan of DVD. I was thinking DVDs produced in the late 90s or early 2000s when technology was less advanced might not survive much longer. Still, I'd rather have a Blu-ray on my shelf than a DVD wherever possible. Don't want a DVD unless that's the only way to get something.

[plateoshrimp]

Originally Posted by jlk5844

Wow! Guess I grossly underestimated the lifespan of DVD. I was thinking DVDs produced in the late 90s or early 2000s when technology was less advanced might not survive much longer. Still, I'd rather have a Blu-ray on my shelf than a DVD wherever possible. Don't want a DVD unless that's the only way to get something.

I seem to recall the long lifespan of DVDs was part of the marketing in the early years of it. Part of the appeal was that a movie on DVD would last so long we would never have to replace or upgrade them like VHS tapes. And here we are at blu-ray.com.

[monkeybrow]

Any word when the next Criterion sale will occur at Barnes and Noble?

[StarDestroyer52]

Originally Posted by monkeybrow

Any word when the next Criterion sale will occur at Barnes and Noble?

July.

[koberulz]

I've got the United Artists Prestige Collection and 20th Century Fox 75th Anniversary Collection on DVD, and have zero plans to upgrade all those. I just can't justify spending the money on 165 films I already own.

[Bates_Motel]

Originally Posted by monkeybrow

Any word when the next Criterion sale will occur at Barnes and Noble?

It's the same every year. July and November.

[Scottie]

Can someone please check their copy of Ali: Fear Eats the Soul and confirm if there is Interior Artwork or not?

Thanks!