BD Booklets - Blu-ray Forum

Anomaly_7 · 09-01-2009, 01:37 PM

I don't know if this will reach the right person but here goes...

I was wondering if when the reviewers review blu-rays, if they can include whether or not the BDs come with a booklet or not. I noticed the Requiem for a Dream review and then went back and checked my SD DVD, only to be reminded that it came with a kick-ass booklet. Will the same go for BD? That would be the sale point that pushes me to either buying the disc or skipping it altogether.

Why don't companies include booklets for BD? They can sure fit some advertising garbage in the slot instead, reminding people to go out and buy some more BDs. WTF Hollywood, stop ripping us off! You did it for SD DVD now do it for BD! Stop being cheap!

Sorry for the rant,
Sean

Mr.White · 09-01-2009, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anomaly_7

I don't know if this will reach the right person but here goes...

I was wondering if when the reviewers review blu-rays, if they can include whether or not the BDs come with a booklet or not. I noticed the Requiem for a Dream review and then went back and checked my SD DVD, only to be reminded that it came with a kick-ass booklet. Will the same go for BD? That would be the sale point that pushes me to either buying the disc or skipping it altogether.

Why don't companies include booklets for BD? They can sure fit some advertising garbage in the slot instead, reminding people to go out and buy some more BDs. WTF Hollywood, stop ripping us off! You did it for SD DVD now do it for BD! Stop being cheap!

Sorry for the rant,
Sean

Most blu-ray's do not come w/ booklets and most DVD's for that matter. Criterion on the other hand does include booklets with all their blu's, and there some digibook releases out there!

Anomaly_7 · 09-01-2009, 02:13 PM

Let's take LOST for example. I owned season 1-3 on SD DVD and each one came with a booklet that contained some BTS shots, chapter lists, cool stuff. I upgraded to BD, no booklet. Couldn't they just reprint? I mean they already made the booklet for SD DVD.

BluBrown · 09-01-2009, 02:27 PM

I can understand the point that the OP is making, but I'd in no way accuse studios of being cheap. With BD you may not get "booklets" but the superior PQ/AQ not to mention tons of exclusive bonus features and generally better/more interactive menus make up for it IMO. But I can definitely say I'm a fan of digibook packaging, its nice to get a little something extra outside the disc itself once in a while.

benricci · 09-01-2009, 02:56 PM

I can forgo a booklet for superior HD picture and audio. Plus, most of the DVD inserts were just a reprint of the cover with chapter listings. Did people really need a printed chapter card anyway?

The Criterion books are nice because they feel more special than that, as do the Warner digibooks.

NeoCortex · 09-01-2009, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by benricci

Did people really need a printed chapter card anyway?

It's particularly useful to have something with episode titles/synopses for each disc in a season set like Lost. I usually couldn't care less about inserts with movies, but I do really like having something for TV shows. Don't even get me started on the lack of anything with disc info with the BSG complete series set.

I was actually a bit disappointed with the lack of an insert for Season 4 of Lost on Blu-Ray. I got the Blu-Ray version, while my mother got the DVD version. The DVD version had a pretty entertaining flight safety booklet that was not included with the Blu-Ray. Why they couldn't include the same insert for both releases is beyond me.

Clark Kent · 09-01-2009, 03:45 PM

Since virtually all consumers do not know at the point-of-purchase if a BD has a booklet or not, it does not typically factor into the purchasing decision. Hence, studios view it as an added expense that does not increase sales and so drop it from most releases.

Manufacturing costs are higher on Blu-rays than dvd on a per-unit basis, and the studios are doing everything possible to cut their costs. This leads to them cutting corners at every turn, including the dreadful eco-packaging and the loss of nice booklets.

blujacket · 09-01-2009, 03:50 PM

IMO,booklets are a waste of paper for Blu-rays. Use the pop-up menu to chapter search. I agree they were nice for dvd, but they are not needed for Blu-ray.

benricci · 09-01-2009, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NeoCortex

It's particularly useful to have something with episode titles/synopses for each disc in a season set like Lost.

I agree, although I do consider episode guides to be different than chapter inserts for movies.

NeoCortex · 09-01-2009, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by benricci

I agree, although I do consider episode guides to be different than chapter inserts for movies.

Definitely. I can't remember ever caring about chapter inserts. The only time I usually even bother with inserts (other than special editions with interesting booklets) is for multi-disc sets when I want to figure out what is where. I think I could even be happy with just printing the disc information on the reverse of the case cover, if it could be read legibly through the blu-ray case.

My idea for the companies to save money on making discs: get rid of slipcases that look exactly like the disc cover, but with a foil/hologram effect. If you're going to use a slipcase, at least put some different information on the back of the case itself vs the back of the slipcase.

Sir Platypus · 09-01-2009, 06:13 PM

Chapter guides are a bit unnecessary, especially with Blu-Ray's usage of chapter selection, but I wish we could actually see well thought out pamphlets, with a short write up about the movie, or a note from the director.

Anomaly_7 · 09-01-2009, 06:26 PM

I can see that companies want to save money, but come on! Blu-rays are already twice (more than?) the price of a standard DVD, so how much more profit do they need by cutting costs on the booklet?

All I am stating is that if Requiem for a Dream came with a booklet (exact to the DVD release or better) than that would sway me to make my purchase promptly. I get so disappointed when I open a blu-ray (that I have upgraded from an SD DVD to) and notice that it doesn't have the same style of packaging than the SD DVD.

Oh, and I am grateful for the superior sound/picture, but sometimes the PQ/AQ get 3/5 and it's like "that's it? why should I upgrade if it's only a mediocre improvement?"

benricci · 09-01-2009, 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anomaly_7

I can see that companies want to save money, but come on! Blu-rays are already twice (more than?) the price of a standard DVD

Lol - where are you shopping? On Amazon, the typically blu-ray is only like $3 more than the DVD counterpart for most titles. Sometimes the blu-ray version is less (like Criterion's Repulsion and many Warner titles).

If you are paying twice as much, you aren't a very good shopper.

Anomaly_7 · 09-01-2009, 06:43 PM

Amazon's pricing for an SD DVD is maybe 10-15 bucks whereas the price for a BD is like 25-30. You're getting movies like Adventureland and Hot Fuzz for the price of an SD DVD???? Where is this?

benricci · 09-01-2009, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anomaly_7

The price for a SD DVD is maybe 10-15 bucks whereas the price for a BD is like 25-30. You're getting movies like Adventureland and Hot Fuzz for the price of an SD DVD????

Yes, in fact I am. Hot Fuzz blu-ray was $17.99 on Amazon last time I looked. If you are paying $30 per title on blu-ray, you are really shopping in the WRONG places.

Most blu-rays I buy, catalog and new, fall in the $15-20 price range.

Anomaly_7 · 09-01-2009, 06:48 PM

Even new releases that sell for 25 bucks on Amazon? Like Transformers 2 or Star Trek 2009? Where are you finding these for 15-20 bucks? Because I thought Amazon was the cheapest.

benricci · 09-01-2009, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anomaly_7

Even new releases that sell for 25 bucks on Amazon? Like Transformers 2 or Star Trek 2009? Where are you finding these for 15-20 bucks? Because I thought Amazon was the cheapest.

It is the cheapest, and I've never paid $25 or $30, even for new, hot titles.

Those you mentioned are still pre-order titles. Wait to see what happens closer to the release date, they will come down in price closer to the $20 mark.

For example - the Braveheart pre-order started at $35.99 and is now down to $22.49. Warner Brothers titles are even cheaper - check out any of the Sept 8th releases from Warner Brothers and you'll see they are between $11 and $15 on blu-ray (Freddy vs Jason, Creepshow, etc).

I still say if you're paying $30 for a blu-ray, you're nuts.

Anomaly_7 · 09-01-2009, 07:06 PM

Yeah, I was just stating a point. Would be nice to have a booklet included, something to read while the player boots up and the disc loads and the ads play. Wouldn't cost that much more. That's it.

fiveseven4combat · 09-01-2009, 08:10 PM

I thought I was the only one who was pissed about this. I would love to have booklets, hell I am even satified with an insert that has the chapter names and maybe a promo poster.

09-01-2009, 01:37 PM	#1
Anomaly_7 Member Member since:Aug 2008 Location:New York 4K collection:449 Blu-ray collection:1157 DVD collection:104	BD Booklets I don't know if this will reach the right person but here goes... I was wondering if when the reviewers review blu-rays, if they can include whether or not the BDs come with a booklet or not. I noticed the Requiem for a Dream review and then went back and checked my SD DVD, only to be reminded that it came with a kick-ass booklet. Will the same go for BD? That would be the sale point that pushes me to either buying the disc or skipping it altogether. Why don't companies include booklets for BD? They can sure fit some advertising garbage in the slot instead, reminding people to go out and buy some more BDs. WTF Hollywood, stop ripping us off! You did it for SD DVD now do it for BD! Stop being cheap! Sorry for the rant, Sean

09-01-2009, 06:43 PM	#14
Anomaly_7 Member Member since:Aug 2008 Location:New York 4K collection:449 Blu-ray collection:1157 DVD collection:104	Amazon's pricing for an SD DVD is maybe 10-15 bucks whereas the price for a BD is like 25-30. You're getting movies like Adventureland and Hot Fuzz for the price of an SD DVD???? Where is this? Last edited by Anomaly_7; 09-01-2009 at 06:45 PM.

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09-01-2009, 02:13 PM	#3
Anomaly_7 Member Member since:Aug 2008 Location:New York 4K collection:449 Blu-ray collection:1157 DVD collection:104	Let's take LOST for example. I owned season 1-3 on SD DVD and each one came with a booklet that contained some BTS shots, chapter lists, cool stuff. I upgraded to BD, no booklet. Couldn't they just reprint? I mean they already made the booklet for SD DVD.

09-01-2009, 02:27 PM	#4
BluBrown Power Member Top ranked HT gallery Top contributor Member since:Jan 2009 Location:Feeling Minnesota! Home Theater Gallery:15 4K collection:50 Blu-ray collection:1201 DVD collection:56 Blu-ray reviews:15 Trading Score:14	I can understand the point that the OP is making, but I'd in no way accuse studios of being cheap. With BD you may not get "booklets" but the superior PQ/AQ not to mention tons of exclusive bonus features and generally better/more interactive menus make up for it IMO. But I can definitely say I'm a fan of digibook packaging, its nice to get a little something extra outside the disc itself once in a while.

09-01-2009, 02:56 PM	#5
benricci Blu-ray Ninja Member since:Sep 2008 Blu-ray reviews:1	I can forgo a booklet for superior HD picture and audio. Plus, most of the DVD inserts were just a reprint of the cover with chapter listings. Did people really need a printed chapter card anyway? The Criterion books are nice because they feel more special than that, as do the Warner digibooks.

09-01-2009, 03:45 PM	#7
Clark Kent Blu-ray Prince Top contributor Member since:Oct 2007 Location:Metropolis Blu-ray reviews:2 Trading Score:184	Since virtually all consumers do not know at the point-of-purchase if a BD has a booklet or not, it does not typically factor into the purchasing decision. Hence, studios view it as an added expense that does not increase sales and so drop it from most releases. Manufacturing costs are higher on Blu-rays than dvd on a per-unit basis, and the studios are doing everything possible to cut their costs. This leads to them cutting corners at every turn, including the dreadful eco-packaging and the loss of nice booklets.

09-01-2009, 03:50 PM	#8
blujacket Blu-ray Guru Member since:Jun 2007 Location:Dayton,Ohio 4K collection:70 Blu-ray collection:658	IMO,booklets are a waste of paper for Blu-rays. Use the pop-up menu to chapter search. I agree they were nice for dvd, but they are not needed for Blu-ray.

09-01-2009, 06:13 PM	#11
Sir Platypus Senior Member Member since:Sep 2008 Blu-ray collection:171	Chapter guides are a bit unnecessary, especially with Blu-Ray's usage of chapter selection, but I wish we could actually see well thought out pamphlets, with a short write up about the movie, or a note from the director.

09-01-2009, 06:26 PM	#12
Anomaly_7 Member Member since:Aug 2008 Location:New York 4K collection:449 Blu-ray collection:1157 DVD collection:104	I can see that companies want to save money, but come on! Blu-rays are already twice (more than?) the price of a standard DVD, so how much more profit do they need by cutting costs on the booklet? All I am stating is that if Requiem for a Dream came with a booklet (exact to the DVD release or better) than that would sway me to make my purchase promptly. I get so disappointed when I open a blu-ray (that I have upgraded from an SD DVD to) and notice that it doesn't have the same style of packaging than the SD DVD. Oh, and I am grateful for the superior sound/picture, but sometimes the PQ/AQ get 3/5 and it's like "that's it? why should I upgrade if it's only a mediocre improvement?"

09-01-2009, 06:48 PM	#16
Anomaly_7 Member Member since:Aug 2008 Location:New York 4K collection:449 Blu-ray collection:1157 DVD collection:104	Even new releases that sell for 25 bucks on Amazon? Like Transformers 2 or Star Trek 2009? Where are you finding these for 15-20 bucks? Because I thought Amazon was the cheapest.

09-01-2009, 07:06 PM	#18
Anomaly_7 Member Member since:Aug 2008 Location:New York 4K collection:449 Blu-ray collection:1157 DVD collection:104	Yeah, I was just stating a point. Would be nice to have a booklet included, something to read while the player boots up and the disc loads and the ads play. Wouldn't cost that much more. That's it.

09-01-2009, 08:10 PM	#19
fiveseven4combat Power Member Top contributor Member since:Jan 2009 Location:Portland, OR Home Theater Gallery:54 Blu-ray collection:2862 DVD collection:143 iTunes collection:3 Blu-ray reviews:4 Trading Score:49	I thought I was the only one who was pissed about this. I would love to have booklets, hell I am even satified with an insert that has the chapter names and maybe a promo poster.

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