C'mon Universal... BD/DVD Combos!!

[Farid]

This is so not for me...

Universal Studios Home Entertainment is going to expand the use of BD/DVD combos beyond family titles by re-releasing as combos several of its catalog titles already released on BD. The first titles to be thus rereleased include '8 Mile', 'Dawn of the Dead', 'Doom', 'End of Days', 'Jarhead', 'The Last Starfighter', 'The Rundown', and 'Street Fighter', which will reportedly come out as combos on January 5, 2010.

[Blu-Benny]

it expands the market and draws in people that are in the fence about committing to blu.

[Beast]

Originally Posted by iFarid

This is so not for me...

Universal Studios Home Entertainment is going to expand the use of BD/DVD combos beyond family titles by re-releasing as combos several of its catalog titles already released on BD. The first titles to be thus rereleased include '8 Mile', 'Dawn of the Dead', 'Doom', 'End of Days', 'Jarhead', 'The Last Starfighter', 'The Rundown', and 'Street Fighter', which will reportedly come out as combos on January 5, 2010.

Combo packs like this are a great idea. It fosters quicker adoption of the format.

[Beast]

Originally Posted by Blu-Benny

it expands the market and draws in people that are in the fence about committing to blu.

Exactly. I mean, is it really that difficult a concept to grasp?

[Batman1980]

Originally Posted by Beast

Exactly. I mean, is it really that difficult a concept to grasp?

You'd think a big studio like Universal would've been doing this to begin with, now at least they join Disney and Fox with this. Hopefully Sony, WB and Paramount won't be far behind.

[Crimson King]

As long as they are not "flippers"!

[Beast]

Originally Posted by Wolverine1980

You'd think a big studio like Universal would've been doing this to begin with, now at least they join Disney and Fox with this. Hopefully Sony, WB and Paramount won't be far behind.

Indeed. Granted, I can see more of a call for it with Animated and Family movies.

But... I don't have a problem with it expanding to other realms.

I went to Wal-Mart for XMO: Wolverine just for the BLU/DVD version. And will be getting Angels an Demons at Target for the same reason. So I say that everyone should move towards this format.

Of course, I usually give the DVD copy to my brother. But so what?

[Louisville Slugger]

Yeah, seems like a waste of discs in my opinion. They should start this with new releases and catalog titles that have yet to be released. Take the Blu-ray discs they're going to re-release these movies on and use them toward catalog titles or new releases that have yet to be released. THEN include the DVD in the package.

[Beast]

They probably have seen a boost in sales for the BLU/DVD combos they already released. And are just repackaging the current BLU's with a DVD copy. It's not like it's gonna take up any room in their catalog release plans, they're a simple re-release. One that has zero effect on you. Stop whining.

[surfdude12]

I'd have to agree with the OP. I get the BD/DVD combos for animated movies, where the parents can put the DVD in the kids movie player in the car, etc.

But for adult, nonanimated movies: why? its not to encourage adoption of the format, because if the person buys the BD/DVD combo, they've already adopted the format!now if they buy the BD/DVD combo, keep the BD and give the DVD away, all that does is discourage the format...if they really wanted to do this properly, it would be to have a BD/BD combo, where the buyer could give away a BD to someone thinking about adopting. but that's dumb for obvious reasons (adopters would just team up and get the movie half-price)

[Beast]

Originally Posted by Louisville Slugger

Yeah, seems like a waste of discs in my opinion. They should be starting this with new releases and catalog titles that have yet to be released. Take the Blu-ray discs they're going to re-release these movies on and use them toward catalog titles or new releases that have yet to be released. THEN include the DVD in the package.

How is it a waste of discs? Where are you coming up with this logic?

I'm sure the plan is for more BLU/DVD combos in the future. They're just re-releasing some past releases in that style now, cause after Christmas there will be more BLU owners. It doesn't effect their new releases in any way shape or form. Complaining about a move that is meant to grow the format is what is a waste.

[Porkchop Express]

Originally Posted by surfdude12

I'd have to agree with the OP. I get the BD/DVD combos for animated movies, where the parents can put the DVD in the kids movie player in the car, etc.

But for adult, nonanimated movies: why? its not to encourage adoption of the format, because if the person buys the BD/DVD combo, they've already adopted the format!now if they buy the BD/DVD combo, keep the BD and give the DVD away, all that does is discourage the format...if they really wanted to do this properly, it would be to have a BD/BD combo, where the buyer could give away a BD to someone thinking about adopting. but that's dumb for obvious reasons (adopters would just team up and get the movie half-price)

That's a good point. I always give away my dvd copies to friends/family who don't own the movie. Which basically gives them 0 incentive to purchase blu-ray.

[benricci]

Why do people get so enraged at products that are not geared for them? Obviously Universal is still going to be putting out catalog titles. It's not like they're shutting down production and re-configuring their whole home video strategy to focus on these combo packs.

They are simply being offered in addition to new titles and new catalog releases starting in Q1.

Jeez, calm down, people.

[Beast]

Originally Posted by surfdude12

I'd have to agree with the OP. I get the BD/DVD combos for animated movies, where the parents can put the DVD in the kids movie player in the car, etc.

But for adult, nonanimated movies: why? its not to encourage adoption of the format, because if the person buys the BD/DVD combo, they've already adopted the format!now if they buy the BD/DVD combo, keep the BD and give the DVD away, all that does is discourage the format...if they really wanted to do this properly, it would be to have a BD/BD combo, where the buyer could give away a BD to someone thinking about adopting. but that's dumb for obvious reasons (adopters would just team up and get the movie half-price)

Yes, it does. Because most people only have one BLU-Ray player in the house. Where as there is usually multiple DVD players, one for every bedroom usually. Now... having a DVD copy packed in with a BLU-Ray copy is more likely to make a sale with people who like to casually watch movies while in bed. It's not like these are the first non-animated movies to get a DVD pack-in. Child's Play that was released recently got one also.

[Dr.Know]

Originally Posted by BillyJack

As long as they are not "flippers"!

+1

I had so many issues with Warner and Universal "flipper" HD DVDs...hoping they just package in a 2nd disk like Disney has done with Up and Monsters Inc.

[Louisville Slugger]

Yeah, exactly. If the person has already bought a Blu-ray with the DVD in the case then they've adopted the format! All this does is encourage giving away the DVD or raising the price of these "combo" packages because "oh look you get the DVD as well!"

I do agree with including the DVD in Disney and animated movies for children because well if families have one Blu-ray player in the house, but 4 or 5 DVD players everywhere else, including their cars, it makes sense. Chances are their kids would like to see the movie in the car or be able to play it everywhere in the house.

[Beast]

Originally Posted by benricci

Why do people get so enraged at products that are not geared for them? Obviously Universal is still going to be putting out catalog titles. It's not like they're shutting down production and re-configuring their whole home video strategy to focus on these combo packs.

They are simply being offered in addition to new titles and new catalog releases starting in Q1.

Jeez, calm down, people.

It's the usual net reaction.

"I don't like it because it's not targeted at me. So it's retarded! Waaaah!"

[RedIsNotBlue]

People are acting like they are making more Blu-ray's of these movies but couldn't it be they are just taking existing discs and repackaging them? I mean that is the only logical reason I can come up with them doing this because just look at the titles. Not exactly flying off the store shelves and most of them have been previously released on HD-DVD so I can understand them going with this it will certainly help them sell better IMO. If anything this will help more catalog releases get released so they can clear space with all of these titles nobody is buying.

[Blu-Ron]

I agree with the OP. This is useless when they could focus on Jurassic Park, Psycho and a million other eagerly anticipated releases.

[Beast]

Originally Posted by Louisville Slugger

Yeah, exactly. If the person has already bought a Blu-ray with the DVD in the case then they've adopted the format! All this does is encourage giving away the DVD or raising the price of these "combo" packages because "oh look you get the DVD as well!"

I do agree with including the DVD in Disney and animated movies for children because well if families have one Blu-ray player in the house, but 4 or 5 DVD players everywhere else, including their cars, it makes sense. Chances are their kids would like to see the movie in the car or be able to play it everywhere in the house.

No it doesn't. Again, most people are going to have one BLU-Ray player in the living room.

But will often have multiple DVD players, one in every bedroom.

And your comment about the DVD raising the price of the BLU-Ray is bull.

Go look at the price of the Child's Play BLU/DVD combo pack. $14.49.

http://www.amazon.com/Childs-Play-Bl.../dp/B002BE7JE8