To Steel or not to Steel? (or, why do you buy steelbooks) - Blu-ray Forum

EastCoast · 07-18-2012, 01:51 AM

Hi, all. I'm new to the hobby of blu-ray collection, and standing, looking at the bridge that many before me have crossed, but which some have not.

Having just started, my total collection is less than 100 - I currently have 2 steels, being the recently re-released Futureshop "exclusive" versions of Batman Begins and The Dark Knight. Both still sealed and untouched. I have on pre-order the FS exclusives for both the Avengers (3D combo steel) and The Hunger Games.

In considering what to add to my overall collection, I am faced with the decision as to whether to continue down the steel road or not. Take the WB 1 & 2 wave steels, for instance. A number of these titles appeal to me, but most of these are readily available at a significant discount in regular BD format vs. their steel counterpart. In short, I could pick up many more titles by sticking with the regular BD versions.

Then, there are the more collectible type titles, such as the Harry Potter films, Lord of the Rings, etc., not to mention the simply very cool looking steels one can import from the UK or Germany or the like.

So, the question I pose is this - for those of you who wholly embrace steel collecting, do you always go for the steel, or are there times when you do not?

I am looking for a little enlightenment - your opinions, please.

And, thanks in advance.

blurayisnice · 07-18-2012, 01:58 AM

If we all said we allways go for the steelbook version of a movie, would you do the same from now on?

I guess not

.

So it is really up to you what you want to buy and what not.

NARMAK · 07-18-2012, 02:01 AM

You want enlightenment? Oh boy, i'd say the most enlightening is prepare for a world of hurt on your wallet at this moment in time of steelbook world

I have completely thrown myself under the truck to steelbook collecting by picking up all the titles i love the look of and are good movies. Thankfully most movies on steelbook in the UK are worth owning unlike some of the crap that is released in other regions. Germany via Amazon.de

It's expensive too and you may get a collectors streak as i have, whereby you buy a steelbook just to keep it sealed and then on top buy the regular amaray edition to watch. Prime examples:

Underworld Awakening 3D Best Buy steelbook
Wrath of the Titans 3D - technically a double steelbook dip with the upcoming UK release

Prometheus 3D steelbook - Also got the amaray 3D on order
Avengers 2D/3D steelbooks - Yup, got both steelbook versions still on order AND not only a regular 2D version via the boxset but also a 3D version

So, as you can tell, i'm double, triple, and quad dipping and all within 2 months of starting. In fact, my titles are >40 and counting very quickly, even before the UK pre-orders or others worldwide release.

I've also never in my life had or wanted to use Ebay myself by setting up an account as well as on Paypal. Not only that, i never ever traded before here on the forum and since have successfully done a number of trades and still counting. All for steelbooks.

Heck, i just hope your strong enough to walk this path, and justify the lunacy we sometimes do. Although i'd never spend much more than retail prices wherever possible, i already have paid more than that but thankfully not by much since i try to stick to a rule of not doing so. Keep to your rules and you should be safe. Maybe

blurayisnice · 07-18-2012, 02:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NARMAK

Keep to your rules and you should be safe. Maybe

We both know that is impossible

.

NARMAK · 07-18-2012, 02:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blurayisnice

We both know that is impossible

.

Bah, ya can try

.

DJJez · 07-18-2012, 02:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AC2011

Hi, all. I'm new to the hobby of blu-ray collection, and standing, looking at the bridge that many before me have crossed, but which some have not.

Having just started, my total collection is less than 100 - I currently have 2 steels, being the recently re-released Futureshop "exclusive" versions of Batman Begins and The Dark Knight. Both still sealed and untouched. I have on pre-order the FS exclusives for both the Avengers (3D combo steel) and The Hunger Games.

In considering what to add to my overall collection, I am faced with the decision as to whether to continue down the steel road or not. Take the WB 1 & 2 wave steels, for instance. A number of these titles appeal to me, but most of these are readily available at a significant discount in regular BD format vs. their steel counterpart. In short, I could pick up many more titles by sticking with the regular BD versions.

Then, there are the more collectible type titles, such as the Harry Potter films, Lord of the Rings, etc., not to mention the simply very cool looking steels one can import from the UK or Germany or the like.

So, the question I pose is this - for those of you who wholly embrace steel collecting, do you always go for the steel, or are there times when you do not?

I am looking for a little enlightenment - your opinions, please.

And, thanks in advance.

Dont buy every release as a steelbook. just your fav movies or movies that your looking forward to getting (pre orders), its very easy to get carried away and spend ridiculous amounts which you dont need to. Buy the version that you like the most, dont just buy it because its a STEELBOOK! i always buy the version i like the most, so if the slipcover version is better i will buy that!

I find that because i dont buy steelbooks often when i do get one, its pretty cool

I know this is a steelbook forum but personally i like variety. if i bought everything in steelbook i would be bored to death of them. i collect slipcovers, digibooks, steelbooks, boxsets etc so try mix it all up if you can but at the end of the day its up to you and how you want to spend your money. if money is no object then just buy whatever you want but be warned, buying old out of print steelbooks released years ago or finding a mint copy of a steelbook can cost you stupid amounts and IMO is not worth it unless you seriously love that film or are a pretty serious collector.

LaBoeuf · 07-18-2012, 02:53 AM

I wouldn't over kill for a steelbook. I tend to be picky. I will buy a FS excluvsive marvel steel for sure as it will be rare especially iron man, etc. miramax titles are easier to get. it just depends.

blujazz · 07-18-2012, 03:11 AM

I'm actually on the same boat as you are. The photos being posted here look amazing and I periodically ask myself if I should go into the whole steelbook thing.

Well, I just made up a new rule: If I'm going to buy it anyway, might as well go for the steelbook version. I have on preorder The Raid, The Hunger Games and Cabin in the Woods.

Now the question is: should I double dip and buy steels that I already own in standard editions? Still haven't figured this one out.

BigNickUK · 07-18-2012, 08:09 AM

My rule...and yes I am pretty much addicted...is to buy in country ones only.
Something else that is personal to me is where a steelbook is released but no 3D version in it I will not buy.
So apart from the UK steels where there is a 3D version in amaray I have pretty much every G2 sized UK steel released (bar Star Trek).
And contrary to others opinions, I enjoy buying steelbooks of films I havent seen or wouldnt normally get because it has broadened my tastes...for example the Eureka Masters of Cinema ones.

JimDiGriz · 07-18-2012, 09:00 AM

I just get steelbooks of the films I like a lot but I dont go out of my way to get them unlike some people here! Im pretty strict on what I buy anyway, I certainly wouldnt buy any film for its packaging if I didnt like the film a lot.

Keeping steelbooks sealed? I certainly dont. I dont bother protecting them either. But there is no chance mine can get damaged etc so thats not a problem for me.

Theres quite a few catalogue titles that Im not buying now because Play.com will probably release a steel of it soon! I figure that if Im going to spend 7/8 quid on a film I really like then I might as well spend a few more quid and get the steelbook/digibook etc.

BluRoo98 · 07-24-2012, 10:34 AM

[QUOTE=My rule...and yes I am pretty much addicted...is to buy in country ones only.]

This was my original intent too. Until i saw how amazing some of the steels from other countries look. I just received my first 3 UK play.com steels yesterday and i am SOOo happy i broke the "im not gonna import" rule....watch out you will too.

Rz_Samurai · 07-18-2012, 01:01 PM

I agree 100%, well said

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJJez

Dont buy every release as a steelbook. just your fav movies or movies that your looking forward to getting (pre orders), its very easy to get carried away and spend ridiculous amounts which you dont need to. Buy the version that you like the most, dont just buy it because its a STEELBOOK! i always buy the version i like the most, so if the slipcover version is better i will buy that!

I find that because i dont buy steelbooks often when i do get one, its pretty cool

I know this is a steelbook forum but personally i like variety. if i bought everything in steelbook i would be bored to death of them. i collect slipcovers, digibooks, steelbooks, boxsets etc so try mix it all up if you can but at the end of the day its up to you and how you want to spend your money. if money is no object then just buy whatever you want but be warned, buying old out of print steelbooks released years ago or finding a mint copy of a steelbook can cost you stupid amounts and IMO is not worth it unless you seriously love that film or are a pretty serious collector.

Pikaia · 07-23-2012, 08:34 AM

I don't have any steelbooks, but seeing the new Alien steelbook with the face hugger on the cover is very tempting even though I already have the 6 disc edition. I swore I would never double dip. :-)

Sent from my GT-S5830 using Tapatalk 2

hawkangel · 07-23-2012, 09:29 AM

I just started collecting Steelbooks recently (here in Australia).
The Avengers kicked off my interest and it just grew from there.
I already had a few Steelbooks such as 2012, Scott Pilgrim and Chronicle.
I made a rule for myself from now on that I won't buy a Blu-Ray unless it was a steelbook. That way, the Blu-Ray budget isn't blown out of proportion and I know with 'blind buys' that a movie is a darn good if a studio is willing to give it a Steelbook treatment. Works in theory, anyway.

Petra_Kalbrain · 07-23-2012, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hawkangel

that a movie is a darn good if a studio is willing to give it a Steelbook treatment.

There are some pretty terrible films out there in a steelbook case. I wouldn't restrict your purchases to only steelbooks as you mentioned.

Quote:

Originally Posted by hawkangel

Works in theory, anyway.

Let us know how the results of your theory work out in about $1500 from now. We expect to hear back from you in about 2 weeks!

hawkangel · 07-24-2012, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Petra_Kalbrain

There are some pretty terrible films out there in a steelbook case. I wouldn't restrict your purchases to only steelbooks as you mentioned.

You misunderstand and your assumption would be incorrect. I will put it into two categories to educate you further : There are movies I enjoy that studios produce steelbooks for and if you read my post again, I said that those *BLIND-BUYS* (i.e. ones I am unsure about) I will buy it as a steelbook.
I do not buy every steelbook out there as some do. Yes, I have a 'will not buy unless it's a steelbook' rule, but most of my purchases fall into one of the too categories above.
For example, I bought Chronicle as a steelbook and enjoyed it greatly. Glad it was a steelbook blind-buy. Buying Ghostbusters as a steel book is just a given as I enjoy the movie.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Petra_Kalbrain

Let us know how the results of your theory work out in about $1500 from now. We expect to hear back from you in about 2 weeks!

No, I am happy to let you know right now.
I am very careful in my saving and what I buy. It sounds like you are very bitter because you are not.
I see posts here that contain photographs with boxes upon boxes of Amazon deliveries from different countries. How about you respond to those particular posts with condescending and arrogant remarks and see how far you get?
It's a shame that I have to justify myself to you, but I will also let you know that there is no need to be pr!ckish because you have collected steelbooks longer.

Shallow_ · 07-23-2012, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pikaia

I swore I would never double dip. :-)

Double dip, heck on SuckerPunch I have 12-dipped so far, with the new german premium coll. on order

Rz_Samurai · 07-23-2012, 03:08 PM

ONLY buy movies you like and love as a Steelbook...... That way you spend less money.

Dont just buy a movie because its a steelbook, i think thats ridicolous and it makes your collection look pretty bad.

Example: I see people on here who would buy lets say... Gladiator as a steelbook, Which i respect and i think it should DEF be owned as a steel.

But then you see people who spend money on a steel like Sucker punch which was a terrible film or like lets say the Smurfs or something, and etc.....

But then again everyone does have there personal prefernce and likes.

I only own about 15 - 16 steelbooks because i choose wisely

Shallow_ · 07-23-2012, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rz_Samurai

ONLY buy movies you like and love as a Steelbook...... That way you spend less money.

Dont just buy a movie because its a steelbook, i think thats ridicolous and it makes your collection look pretty bad.

Example: I see people on here who would buy lets say... Gladiator as a steelbook, Which i respect and i think it should DEF be owned as a steel.

But then you see people who spend money on a steel like Sucker punch which was a terrible film or like lets say the Smurfs or something, and etc.....

But then again everyone does have there personal prefernce and likes.

I only own about 15 - 16 steelbooks because i choose wisely

So movie I love or you love ?

Sucker Punch is, imo, one of the best films ever made, so then I am sticking to your logic or ??

tenderheartbear · 07-23-2012, 04:19 PM

I agree, only buy the films you actually want to own and watch.

There's nothing wrong with owning, say, Suckerpunch if you love the movie. Basically if someone asks you why you have X on Blu-ray, in a steelbook, the answer really should be because you love the movie, not because the spine looks good on your shelf.

07-18-2012, 01:51 AM	#1
EastCoast Special Member Member since:Jun 2012 Location:New Brunswick, Canada Blu-ray collection:116 Trading Score:22	To Steel or not to Steel? (or, why do you buy steelbooks) Hi, all. I'm new to the hobby of blu-ray collection, and standing, looking at the bridge that many before me have crossed, but which some have not. Having just started, my total collection is less than 100 - I currently have 2 steels, being the recently re-released Futureshop "exclusive" versions of Batman Begins and The Dark Knight. Both still sealed and untouched. I have on pre-order the FS exclusives for both the Avengers (3D combo steel) and The Hunger Games. In considering what to add to my overall collection, I am faced with the decision as to whether to continue down the steel road or not. Take the WB 1 & 2 wave steels, for instance. A number of these titles appeal to me, but most of these are readily available at a significant discount in regular BD format vs. their steel counterpart. In short, I could pick up many more titles by sticking with the regular BD versions. Then, there are the more collectible type titles, such as the Harry Potter films, Lord of the Rings, etc., not to mention the simply very cool looking steels one can import from the UK or Germany or the like. So, the question I pose is this - for those of you who wholly embrace steel collecting, do you always go for the steel, or are there times when you do not? I am looking for a little enlightenment - your opinions, please. And, thanks in advance.

07-18-2012, 08:09 AM	#9
BigNickUK Moderator Top contributor Member since:Mar 2008 Location:Leek, Staffordshire 4K collection:1348 Blu-ray collection:5203 DVD collection:64 Blu-ray reviews: 40 Trading Score:3	My rule...and yes I am pretty much addicted...is to buy in country ones only. Something else that is personal to me is where a steelbook is released but no 3D version in it I will not buy. So apart from the UK steels where there is a 3D version in amaray I have pretty much every G2 sized UK steel released (bar Star Trek). And contrary to others opinions, I enjoy buying steelbooks of films I havent seen or wouldnt normally get because it has broadened my tastes...for example the Eureka Masters of Cinema ones. Last edited by BigNickUK; 07-18-2012 at 09:21 AM.

07-24-2012, 10:34 AM	#11
BluRoo98 Power Member Top contributor Member since:Oct 2008 Location:Center Valley, PA Home Theater Gallery:17 4K collection:11 Blu-ray collection:355 DVD collection:67 Digital collection:914 Trading Score:180	[QUOTE=My rule...and yes I am pretty much addicted...is to buy in country ones only.] This was my original intent too. Until i saw how amazing some of the steels from other countries look. I just received my first 3 UK play.com steels yesterday and i am SOOo happy i broke the "im not gonna import" rule....watch out you will too. Last edited by BluRoo98; 07-24-2012 at 10:43 AM.

07-18-2012, 01:58 AM	#2
blurayisnice Blu-ray Ninja Top contributor Member since:Jul 2011 Trading Score:26	If we all said we allways go for the steelbook version of a movie, would you do the same from now on? I guess not . So it is really up to you what you want to buy and what not.

07-18-2012, 02:01 AM	#3
NARMAK Blu-ray Prince Member since:Feb 2007 Location:United Kingdom Blu-ray collection:141 Trading Score:18	You want enlightenment? Oh boy, i'd say the most enlightening is prepare for a world of hurt on your wallet at this moment in time of steelbook world I have completely thrown myself under the truck to steelbook collecting by picking up all the titles i love the look of and are good movies. Thankfully most movies on steelbook in the UK are worth owning unlike some of the crap that is released in other regions. Germany via Amazon.de It's expensive too and you may get a collectors streak as i have, whereby you buy a steelbook just to keep it sealed and then on top buy the regular amaray edition to watch. Prime examples: Underworld Awakening 3D Best Buy steelbook Wrath of the Titans 3D - technically a double steelbook dip with the upcoming UK release Prometheus 3D steelbook - Also got the amaray 3D on order Avengers 2D/3D steelbooks - Yup, got both steelbook versions still on order AND not only a regular 2D version via the boxset but also a 3D version So, as you can tell, i'm double, triple, and quad dipping and all within 2 months of starting. In fact, my titles are >40 and counting very quickly, even before the UK pre-orders or others worldwide release. I've also never in my life had or wanted to use Ebay myself by setting up an account as well as on Paypal. Not only that, i never ever traded before here on the forum and since have successfully done a number of trades and still counting. All for steelbooks. Heck, i just hope your strong enough to walk this path, and justify the lunacy we sometimes do. Although i'd never spend much more than retail prices wherever possible, i already have paid more than that but thankfully not by much since i try to stick to a rule of not doing so. Keep to your rules and you should be safe. *Maybe*

07-18-2012, 02:53 AM	#7
LaBoeuf Senior Member Member since:Jun 2011 Home Theater Gallery:41 4K collection:86 Blu-ray collection:121 Trading Score:7	I wouldn't over kill for a steelbook. I tend to be picky. I will buy a FS excluvsive marvel steel for sure as it will be rare especially iron man, etc. miramax titles are easier to get. it just depends.

07-18-2012, 03:11 AM	#8
blujazz Power Member Member since:Nov 2011 Location:London, England Blu-ray collection:3 Trading Score:31	I'm actually on the same boat as you are. The photos being posted here look amazing and I periodically ask myself if I should go into the whole steelbook thing. Well, I just made up a new rule: If I'm going to buy it anyway, might as well go for the steelbook version. I have on preorder The Raid, The Hunger Games and Cabin in the Woods. Now the question is: should I double dip and buy steels that I already own in standard editions? Still haven't figured this one out.

07-18-2012, 09:00 AM	#10
JimDiGriz Blu-ray Champion Member since:Oct 2010 Location:UK 4K collection:262 Blu-ray collection:645 DVD collection:142 Blu-ray reviews:11	I just get steelbooks of the films I like a lot but I dont go out of my way to get them unlike some people here! Im pretty strict on what I buy anyway, I certainly wouldnt buy any film for its packaging if I didnt like the film a lot. Keeping steelbooks sealed? I certainly dont. I dont bother protecting them either. But there is no chance mine can get damaged etc so thats not a problem for me. Theres quite a few catalogue titles that Im not buying now because Play.com will probably release a steel of it soon! I figure that if Im going to spend 7/8 quid on a film I really like then I might as well spend a few more quid and get the steelbook/digibook etc.

07-23-2012, 08:34 AM	#13
Pikaia Member Member since:Oct 2011 Location:Ireland Blu-ray collection:75 DVD collection:4 Trading Score:1	I don't have any steelbooks, but seeing the new Alien steelbook with the face hugger on the cover is very tempting even though I already have the 6 disc edition. I swore I would never double dip. :-) Sent from my GT-S5830 using Tapatalk 2

07-23-2012, 09:29 AM	#14
hawkangel Active Member Member since:Feb 2010 Location:Sydney, AUSTRALIA 4K collection:4 Blu-ray collection:323 Trading Score:2	I just started collecting Steelbooks recently (here in Australia). The Avengers kicked off my interest and it just grew from there. I already had a few Steelbooks such as 2012, Scott Pilgrim and Chronicle. I made a rule for myself from now on that I won't buy a Blu-Ray unless it was a steelbook. That way, the Blu-Ray budget isn't blown out of proportion and I know with 'blind buys' that a movie is a darn good if a studio is willing to give it a Steelbook treatment. Works in theory, anyway.

07-23-2012, 03:08 PM	#18
Rz_Samurai Blu-ray Ninja Top contributor Member since:Sep 2009 Location:Florida 4K collection:9 Blu-ray collection:147 Trading Score:80	ONLY buy movies you like and love as a Steelbook...... That way you spend less money. Dont just buy a movie because its a steelbook, i think thats ridicolous and it makes your collection look pretty bad. Example: I see people on here who would buy lets say... Gladiator as a steelbook, Which i respect and i think it should DEF be owned as a steel. But then you see people who spend money on a steel like Sucker punch which was a terrible film or like lets say the Smurfs or something, and etc..... But then again everyone does have there personal prefernce and likes. I only own about 15 - 16 steelbooks because i choose wisely

07-23-2012, 04:19 PM	#20
tenderheartbear Expert Member Member since:Jan 2012 Location:England	I agree, only buy the films you actually want to own and watch. There's nothing wrong with owning, say, Suckerpunch if you love the movie. Basically if someone asks you why you have X on Blu-ray, in a steelbook, the answer really should be because you love the movie, not because the spine looks good on your shelf.

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