Blu-ray production question.

[MyBlu-rayBrotherEd]

Does anyone know how many bluray discs they have to sell to break even on the production costs of puting a movie on blu?

[Whytewash]

Originally Posted by ed4246

Does anyone know how many bluray discs they have to sell to break even on the production costs of puting a movie on blu?

Plucked from wikipedia:

A study performed by Home Media Magazine (August 5, 2007) concluded that HD DVD discs and Blu-ray discs are essentially equal in production cost.

Quotes from several disc manufacturers for 25,000 units of HD DVDs and Blu-rays revealed a price differential of only 5-10 cents. (Lowest price: 90 cents versus 100 cents. Highest price: $1.45 versus $1.50.)

Another study performed by Wesley Tech (February 9, 2007) arrived at a similar conclusion. Quotes for 10,000 discs show that a 15 gigabyte HD DVD costs $11,500 total, and 25 gigabyte Blu-ray or a 30 gigabyte HD DVD costs $13,000 total.

For larger quantities of 100,000 units, the 25 gigabyte Blu-ray was less expensive than the 30 gigabyte HD DVD ($1.49 versus $1.55).

[MyBlu-rayBrotherEd]

Thanks for the stats. Maybe I'm a complete idiot.....so, how many does it take? The reason I ask is that there are so many movies that are being released that aren't on BLU, but are on SDDVD, that aren't paramount or universal productions. I'm curious why some movies get the BLU treatment and others don't. I thought maybe part of it had to do with the costs of putting a movie on BLU. I mean, they just announced the release of Short Circiut for shit's sakes.

[Kristin Simard]

I would think the answer would depend on the production. How much is put into the transfer, mastering, remix, restoration, etc. Not to mention where it is headed (distribution, advertising, promotion, etc.)

The actual cost of replicating the mastered disc is probably very low in comparison. But I'll let an insider answer this one.

[sam9007]

Pennies are nonthing.

[tron3]

Again, using my powers of recall, this came up years ago on the forum. Sony responded to the high cost by building new machines to makes the discs better and faster. Therefore, the time factor and cost were minimalized. Everytime they build a new disc making machine, the cost could drop.

SO, if they are making BD50 for a buck, and say another buck for the case and paper insert, plus plastic wrap, it is 2 bucks in materials before you press a disc.

So why are the movies still so pricey? Well, there is a certain number of rejects, I am sure. But business is business. "Supply and demand" sets pricing. The demand is growing so don't expect lower prices just yet.

[WickyWoo]

He's asking about production costs

It's well into 5 figures for your average Blu right now. Typically a DVD will run between 5 and $8000 for basic authoring. That's before several thousand dollars for a new telecine (and $3-5000 for a new print) and tens to hundreds of thousands for restoration if necessary

[tron3]

Originally Posted by WickyWoo

He's asking about production costs
...

Ohhh, THOSE production costs. The OP wasn't specific enough for me, I guess.

[MyBlu-rayBrotherEd]

Maybe I'm not asking the question the right way. Sorry. Does anyone know how many discs (estimate) they have to sell to break even or make a profit after puting a movie on Blu?

[Petra_Kalbrain]

Originally Posted by ed4246

Maybe I'm not asking the question the right way. Sorry. Does anyone know how many discs (estimate) they have to sell to break even or make a profit after puting a movie on Blu?

Unfortunately, that is impossible to tell without a thorough investigation of the financial statements of the studios for each and every title individually. Because there are major unknown variables that play into the pre-pressing of a BD disc (the equipment costs, electricity to run the machines, labour costs for the production team working on the transfer, authoring materials, packaging materials, shipping costs, etc, etc, etc... the list virtually never ends). Each title has infinitely varying factors that can largely affect the total cost of releasing a title on the format. Thus, there is no set way of determining how many units must be sold in order to "make a profit" or "recover the manufacturing costs."

[plee]

Originally Posted by ed4246

Maybe I'm not asking the question the right way. Sorry. Does anyone know how many discs (estimate) they have to sell to break even or make a profit after puting a movie on Blu?

It's a moving target because of different cost, one movie may have many extras thus adding to the cost so one movie may need 5,000 units sold vs. 2,500 for another.

Why do you need to know?

[MyBlu-rayBrotherEd]

(estimate)

Why do you need to know? [/QUOTEJ


Just curious.