Contributions & Duplicate Entries - Let's fix the database!

[rdodolak]

Originally Posted by Super Sonic

I'm tired of the user Mark Laszlo, he changed all the studios of hungarian Blu-Ray's to put them wrong, he changed to distributors, after i changed all to them right, as it should be, Universal Studios, Warner, Sony Pictures and so on, and this continues to happens repeatedly, until someone of the staff ban this guy. A forgotten database with a user that woke up now to only change studios it's unacceptable to our community and is a lack of respect to a top contributor that wants to improve the database, he is only spoling the good work done, he behaves like a kid.

Maybe I've misunderstood what you're saying but it sounds like that user is submitting them correctly. Based on the link, below, site staff have stated that they want us to use the company that is releasing the product in the studio field.

https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?t=213702

EDIT: Ok, it appears you're referring to the theatrical distributor and not the Blu-ray distributor. I couldn't find anything on the Hungarian Blu-ray release. Have you tried sending a PM to the user to clarify the issue?

[redphoenix]

I am hoping a contributor, developer, etc. can help clarify this question for me, which is another issue for fixing the database. Often times when I look at a blu-ray listing, it will have audio and subtitle options listed that are not listed on the package or the disc menu. Sometimes these people say these "extra" options are available via the player menu, or they offer no explanation at all.

Example? I am looking at my copy of Man of Steel right now, and it only says English, Spanish, and French for this UPC. But the blu-ray.com listing has several other options listed that are not reflected on the package or disc menu. It would seem logical to change these to reflect what the disc truly includes for everyone, regardless of player, as players can be highly variable. Am I correct to fix such listings? Thanks for the clarification.

[MichaelR]

Originally Posted by redphoenix

I am hoping a contributor, developer, etc. can help clarify this question for me, which is another issue for fixing the database. Often times when I look at a blu-ray listing, it will have audio and subtitle options listed that are not listed on the package . . .

Package listings are not definitive. Especially with Warner, they are often incomplete.

. . . or the disc menu.

If a language option (spoken or subtitle) is not available on the disc menu, that is a different story. There are instances of "hidden" tracks, of which the most common are Japanese spoken and subtitles, which only appear when the player's main language is set to Japanese. Whenever I enter these, I always add a note to the effect that the Japanese is hidden.

Example? I am looking at my copy of Man of Steel right now, and it only says English, Spanish, and French for this UPC. But the blu-ray.com listing has several other options listed that are not reflected on the package or disc menu. It would seem logical to change these to reflect what the disc truly includes for everyone, regardless of player, as players can be highly variable. Am I correct to fix such listings? Thanks for the clarification.

The player is irrelevant, because the language options will be the same on all players. If the site listing does not match what is on the disc menu, then yes, please submit a correction. (Again, the package is irrelevant.)

Note that these issues arise most frequently when a title has multiple editions. Sometimes the language specs do indeed vary among editions, but other times it's just a matter of different individuals submitting the language specs.

[redphoenix]

Originally Posted by MichaelR

Package listings are not definitive. Especially with Warner, they are often incomplete.

If a language option (spoken or subtitle) is not available on the disc menu, that is a different story. There are instances of "hidden" tracks, of which the most common are Japanese spoken and subtitles, which only appear when the player's main language is set to Japanese. Whenever I enter these, I always add a note to the effect that the Japanese is hidden.

The player is irrelevant, because the language options will be the same on all players. If the site listing does not match what is on the disc menu, then yes, please submit a correction. (Again, the package is irrelevant.)

Note that these issues arise most frequently when a title has multiple editions. Sometimes the language specs do indeed vary among editions, but other times it's just a matter of different individuals submitting the language specs.

Thanks for clarifying. I've been told by other contributors/reviewers that I am only allowed to put what is on the disc packaging that I have in hand so I want to make sure all my contributions are consistent with what other people are doing.

If there are such "hidden" tracks, it makes most sense to include a note explaining it rather than leaving it up to the reader's interpretation. Thanks for doing that for yours.

[MichaelR]

Originally Posted by redphoenix

Thanks for clarifying. I've been told by other contributors/reviewers that I am only allowed to put what is on the disc packaging that I have in hand so I want to make sure all my contributions are consistent with what other people are doing.

If there are such "hidden" tracks, it makes most sense to include a note explaining it rather than leaving it up to the reader's interpretation. Thanks for doing that for yours.

You're welcome!

I really don't know what everyone else is doing. Even with all the guidelines that have been provided to contributors, differing interpretations are still possible. And not everyone reads the guidelines or remembers every detail of them.

The strength of this db is that hundreds, if not thousands, of people add to it, which means that we accumulate far more information than the staff could gather on its own. That's also the weakness of this db, because gathering information in such a democratic manner means you're going to get a lot of inconsistencies and duplications.

[strumdogg]

Originally Posted by MichaelR

The strength of this db is that hundreds, if not thousands, of people add to it, which means that we accumulate far more information than the staff could gather on its own. That's also the weakness of this db, because gathering information in such a democratic manner means you're going to get a lot of inconsistencies and duplications.

Thank you for your response, MichaelR! It's one of the soundest and most thoughtful responses I've seen in this thread so far.


So, it really comes down to "the staff" who approve submissions. I'm sure the "submitters" like me far outnumber them, and that you get incorrect/false submissions every hour (I've made a few myself ). It also comes back to the policies/procedures you "staff" use when approving a submission...

My questions are becoming redundant, so I won't ask them anymore. I do love being a part of this forum, and just want the data we use to track titles to be accurate. I hate seeing erroneous/duplicate entries approved while my legitimate submissions are denied too...that's all.

Consider this my last post in the thread (unless someone responds directly ). Thanks for listening, All!

[Super Sonic]

This rule of the studios/distributor doesn't make sense except for some indepedent Blu-Ray releases, because when the distributor changes, goes bankrrupt or close, we have to change them all again constantly, so we'll have forum users changing thousands of Blu-Ray's studios to keep up to date, because this company is irrelavant and doens't exist, when we have only one "universal" major studio we don't need to do this, and for the common logic movies are possible because of the studios, they're filmed there, the studios pay the actors, directors, the staff, e.t.c. what most of distributors contribute to movies?, nothing! and the most important for the the database it's written STUDIO not distributor, there are various cases here in Portugal, distibutors changed and closed. We can't do forum rules without following civil laws and in terms of management, a distributor company that doens't own the rights of one specific movie can't be mentioned now for that, we watch Blu-Ray's until the final credits without a single mention to the distributor in that specific country, we see studios logo in the end, another reason this is an american site, for example does an american user know the Universal Studios distributor is China?, i guess no, and theres' such a huge difference seaching Blu-Ray's from Universal Studios in China and other countries with distributors indications, and the distributors that few users know, and the major studios that everybody knows, so try and click and see for yourself seach all the Universal Studios Blu-Ray's in China and will not find one, and we all know Jaws, Back from the Future are from Universal, for Amazon foreign Blu-Ray's editions that they sell are always major studios, i think this is absurd, i'm against this rule in the terms that are being followed. My suggestion for rules are only indicate distributor with contributions to the movie release and some independent release that we see final credits mention to that in that specific country, otherwise always major studios in all countries and all contributions will be much more simple to the database and for searches.

Originally Posted by rdodolak

Maybe I've misunderstood what you're saying but it sounds like that user is submitting them correctly. Based on the link, below, site staff have stated that they want us to use the company that is releasing the product in the studio field.

https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?t=213702

EDIT: Ok, it appears you're referring to the theatrical distributor and not the Blu-ray distributor. I couldn't find anything on the Hungarian Blu-ray release. Have you tried sending a PM to the user to clarify the issue?

[rdodolak]

Originally Posted by Super Sonic

This rule of the studios/distributor doesn't make sense except for indepent Blu-Ray releases and some are unnaccessary, because when the distributor changes, goes bankrrupt or close, we have to change them all again constantly, so we'll have forum users changing thousand of Blu-Ray's studios to keep up to date, ...

There is no reason to change a studio name for existing releases when a distributor changes or goes bankrupt. Per the rules, the studio is the distributor of the release at the time the Blu-ray/DVD was released. This won't change. If another distributor ends up releasing the same title, at a later date, then a new entry would be added to the database because this would be a different release.

For example, Sony Pictures originally released Anaconda, Last Action Hero, Flatliners, Donnie Brasco, and Gridiron Gang, to name a few, but Mill Creek Entertainment re-released these on Blu-ray after acquiring a license from Sony Pictures. Each release is unique and each has a separate listing in the database. Same can be said about Sony Pictures/Image Entertainment or Buena Vista/Echo Bridge Entertainment/Lionsgate, etc.

Originally Posted by Super Sonic

... because this company is irrelavant and doens't exist, when we have only one major studio we don't need to do this, and for the common logic the movies are possible because of the studios, they're filmed there, with financial contributions, the studios pay the actors, directo e.t.c. what distributors contibute to movies?, nothing! and the most important for the the database it's written STUDIO not distributor!, there various cases here in Portugal, distibutors changed and closed, we can't make forum rules without following civil laws and in terms of management, a distributor company that doens't own the rights of one specific movie can't be mentioned now for that, another reason this is an american site for example an american user know the Universal Studios distributor is China?, i guess no, and theres' such a huge difference seaching Blu-Ray's from Universal Studios in China and other countries, and the distributors that few users know, so try and click and see for yourself.

These are the rules as established by the site owners so those are the rules that need to be followed whether or not a member agrees with them. We can discuss whether or not we agree with them but the fact is the rules won't change unless the site owners agree.

I actually would find it useful if we could list a sub-label (i.e. Scream Factory, Sony Pictures Classics, etc.) but as of right now the rules/database don't allow for it. I won't mind if there was a second field for the sub-label if applicable.

[Super Sonic]

The situation i'm trying to explain, are companies that represents major studios and sell Blu-Ray's in that specific country, for exemple why "Gone Girl" in Hong Kong isn't a 20th Century Fox release and all others? and is Deltamac?
I don't understand this rule!

https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Gone-...lu-ray/122956/

Another reason, the same distributor represents various studios, like Hong Kong, so we can have Universal Studios, Warner Bros, Sony Pictures, Lionsgate, BBC with the same distributor, i think this rule doesn' t make sense.

Gravity a Universal Studios release from Deltamac!?
https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Gravity-Blu-ray/97363/
https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Earth...-Blu-ray/5209/

A BBC release from Deltamac, it's asburd! Why it's not BBC?

What i want is a rule well defined with logic, to avoid ther users to change studios according to his own view.

[Jett Rink]

So like seriously, can anyone do anything about my contribution points being deleted or transferred?

[MichaelR]

Originally Posted by Jett Rink

I don't care about my contribution points. If they can be deleted, can you delete them? I do not need the 1161 points that I have. Thank you.

Originally Posted by Jett Rink

So like seriously, can anyone do anything about my contribution points being deleted or transferred?

Which is it?

As far as point totals are concerned, let me summarize:

1. The moderators have nothing to do with the database and no ability to alter submission point totals.
2. The rest of the staff (reviewers and contributors) can approve submissions, but they cannot alter point totals for anyone, including themselves.
3. Only the developers (and, I suspect, Deci) can adjust individual point totals. All of them are extremely busy keeping the site running. I don't know when (or if) they will have the time to investigate issues regarding individual point totals.

[rdodolak]

Originally Posted by Super Sonic

The situation i'm trying to explain, are companies that represents major studios and sell Blu-Ray's in that specific country, for exemple why "Gone Girl" in Hong Kong isn't a 20th Century Fox release and all others? and is Deltamac?
I don't understand this rule!

https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Gone-...lu-ray/122956/

Another reason, the same distributor represents various studios, like Hong Kong, so we can have Universal Studios, Warner Bros, Sony Pictures, Lionsgate, BBC with the same distributor, i think this rule doesn' t make sense.

Gravity a Universal Studios release from Deltamac!?
https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Gravity-Blu-ray/97363/
https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Earth...-Blu-ray/5209/

A BBC release from Deltamac, it's asburd! Why it's not BBC?

What i want is a rule well defined with logic, to avoid ther users to change studios according to his own view.

Deltamac is a major video distributor in Hong Kong and distributes movies for 20th Century Fox, MGM, WB, etc. These major studios don't distribute their own product in this geographic area.

[crazyBLUE]

Originally Posted by MichaelR

Which is it?

As far as point totals are concerned, let me summarize:

1. The moderators have nothing to do with the database and no ability to alter submission point totals.
2. The rest of the staff (reviewers and contributors) can approve submissions, but they cannot alter point totals for anyone, including themselves.
3. Only the developers (and, I suspect, Deci) can adjust individual point totals. All of them are extremely busy keeping the site running. I don't know when (or if) they will have the time to investigate issues regarding individual point totals.

Thank You Michael

Don't think it has been explained any better then that

[crazyBLUE]

In as far as the Database It is just a few that have control of it ~ Plain & simple it is less then 10 people & for A site this size & that is good. I just Mod & have no control over that.

Best thing I thing is to let it go & be what it is

[strumdogg]

Originally Posted by crazyBLUE

In as far as the Database It is just a few that have control of it ~ Plain & simple it is less then 10 people & for A site this size & that is good. I just Mod & have no control over that.

Best thing I thing is to let it go & be what it is

FWIW: I know the difference between Moderator, Contributor, Reviewer, Site Manager, etc...

However, I thought providing feedback to improve the forum/site was , if not accepted.

[Jett Rink]

Originally Posted by crazyBLUE

In as far as the Database It is just a few that have control of it ~ Plain & simple it is less then 10 people & for A site this size & that is good. I just Mod & have no control over that.

Best thing I thing is to let it go & be what it is

OK, thank you guys for the help.

[Scottie]

This entry is for the wrong film.

https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Gabri...lu-ray/112694/

[MichaelR]

Originally Posted by iScottie

This entry is for the wrong film.

https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Gabri...lu-ray/112694/

The Amazon entry is for the wrong film. Hannover House does not have distribution rights for the film directed by Michael Conroy, which, as far as I can tell, is not being released on Blu-ray at all.

Hannover *does* have distribution rights for the Louise Archambault film we have listed, and that's what Amazon used to list. I don't know why they changed it, but until Hannover tells me differently, our listing will stay as it is (though I have removed the Amazon link).

[zbinks]

Originally Posted by MichaelR

The Amazon entry is for the wrong film. Hannover House does not have distribution rights for the film directed by Michael Conroy, which, as far as I can tell, is not being released on Blu-ray at all.

Hannover *does* have distribution rights for the Louise Archambault film we have listed, and that's what Amazon used to list. I don't know why they changed it, but until Hannover tells me differently, our listing will stay as it is (though I have removed the Amazon link).

I think iScottie is correct. Hannover House seems to have distribution rights to both films. The DVD release for the Michael Conroy film is scheduled for 04/21/2015 and the DVD artwork has a Hannover House logo in the lower left corner.

[MichaelR]

Originally Posted by zbinks

I think iScottie is correct. Hannover House seems to have distribution rights to both films. The DVD release for the Michael Conroy film is scheduled for 04/21/2015 and the DVD artwork has a Hannover House logo in the lower left corner.

[Show spoiler]

Pre-release cover art is one of the least reliable sources of information out there. At Hannover's site, only the Archambault film has ever been listed.

IMDb does not list a U.S. distributor for either film. The FB page for Conroy's film does not mention a distribution deal, and the FB page for Archambault's refers only to the Canadian DVD release (by Entertainment One) and the UK DVD.

Amazon's confusion is evident in the fact that it cross-links the DVD entries for both films.

Deci has now created a separate entry for the Conroy film on Blu-ray. We'll see in April what actually comes out.

Note to strumdogg: Here's a case study in how the database gets complicated.