Videodrome (1983) coming from Arrow Video

[StingingVelvet]

Originally Posted by Fnord Prefect

I'm sure a small but significant number of purchasers are/will feel the same about the Blu-ray discs. Arrow wouldn't include DVD editions if nobody wanted the movie on that format.

With a movie you might hand off to kids it makes sense, but I really can't imagine anyone buying this using the DVDs. Maybe I'm a jerk though, I dunno.

[adamhopelies]

Originally Posted by StingingVelvet

With a movie you might hand off to kids it makes sense, but I really can't imagine anyone buying this using the DVDs. Maybe I'm a jerk though, I dunno.

I'm a lecturer and appreciate DVD copies of films like this for screenings in class. Very few classrooms are kitted out with Blu-ray players.

[Cinematt]

Originally Posted by Fnord Prefect

Just a few suggestions:

Region A or C locked but multi-region DVD compatible purchasers who are buying this edition for the extras? (I'm region B locked despite being DVD region free since day one)

The millions of cinema fans who can't afford the hundreds of pounds needed to purchase a Blu-ray player/PS3 and HD TV but are buying this edition for the extras?

Someone who watches movies in different rooms at different times but does not have a Blu-ray player in each room? (there's at least one of these people on these very boards)

People who eBay the DVD copy and make a few quid back

[StingingVelvet]

Fair enough suggestions guys.

I am just the anal movie fan who refuses to watch a movie unless it's in the right atmosphere and with the best disc available.

[HornyRhino"]

i only got it because it had Limited Edition tagged on to it

[rapta]

DVDBeaver review...basically it trumps the Criterion on extras and packaging, but the film itself is a near-identical transfer. I'm not a huge fan of early Cronenberg, but still think the disc is worth owning, so can wait for the 1-disc edition!

Originally Posted by StingingVelvet

With a movie you might hand off to kids it makes sense, but I really can't imagine anyone buying this using the DVDs. Maybe I'm a jerk though, I dunno.

With these box sets it seems Arrow would rather include them than not, as it doesn't cost much more to produce them and doesn't push the RRP up either. Whilst I admit I'll always try and watch a film on Blu-ray, what if I wanted to take the film to a friends house who doesn't have a Blu-ray player, to watch on a desktop/laptop computer without a Blu-ray drive, or to lend to a friend who hasn't seen the film before? Might be better to use the DVD discs in these instances.

[David M]

Originally Posted by DVDBeaver

Bottom line a very slight difference in image quality with the Region 'A' Criterion - framing and brightness but it is so minute so as not to bother to complain, IMO.

No difference in brightness actually - Caps-a-holic.com shows they're the same.

[cropsy]

Just got this in from Zavvi which was a nice surprise except for the big soddin dent all it came in was a flimsy jiffy envelope, not happy and will send it back tomorrow. Bloody zavvi, when will i learn.

[Bumblefeet]

That sucks m8. I've also gone the zavvi route and am expecting this to arrive any day. I took the risk for budgetary reasons, fingers crossed mine arrives intact.

[cropsy]

Originally Posted by Bumblefeet

That sucks m8. I've also gone the zavvi route and am expecting this to arrive any day. I took the risk for budgetary reasons, fingers crossed mine arrives intact.

Yeah too much coming out so have to save £ when i can which is why i chose zavvi too. If previous expierience is anything to go by they will replace this one with one that has an even bigger dent. Hope yours arrives in good nick pal, let us know on here if it does.

[malcy30]

My copy hasn't arrived yet, so looking at the picture, is this just a flimsy digipak ? or whatever you call them with no outer case / box.

I can see how it got damaged especially if just put in jiffy bag as if the mail drop something heavy on it, then it will get damaged.

[NLScavenger]

Never buy anything with cardboard packaging from Zavvi.

Originally Posted by malcy30

My copy hasn't arrived yet, so looking at the picture, is this just a flimsy digipak ? or whatever you call them with no outer case / box.

I can see how it got damaged especially if just put in jiffy bag as if the mail drop something heavy on it, then it will get damaged.

It has an outer box that is supposedly quite a bit thicker and sturdier than usual.

Canceled my pre-order. It sucks that I'll have to miss out on the thick booklet, but there's just too much other Blu-ray's and games coming out.

[Ste7en]

Originally Posted by StingingVelvet

With a movie you might hand off to kids it makes sense, but I really can't imagine anyone buying this using the DVDs. Maybe I'm a jerk though, I dunno.

A lot of people still buy DVDs. For them it is nice that a BD is included as they may upgrade at some point.

Alienating a potentially vast market for the sake of a few pence is clown shoes.

[Bumblefeet]

Originally Posted by Ste7en

A lot of people still buy DVDs. For them it is nice that a BD is included as they may upgrade at some point.

Alienating a potentially vast market for the sake of a few pence is clown shoes.

Yeah, but as a HD movie fan it baffles me that you have this inferior medium still tackled on. I'd get rid of those DVDs if it didn't devalue the set. As someone who is upgrading his collection from DVD, it annoys me that I'm still buying them to get the blu-ray version lol.

And in the case of videodrome, it would have made more sense to include a VHS version.

[Ste7en]

Originally Posted by Bumblefeet

Yeah, but as a HD movie fan it baffles me that you have this inferior medium still tackled on. I'd get rid of those DVDs if it didn't devalue the set. As someone who is upgrading his collection from DVD, it annoys me that I'm still buying them to get the blu-ray version lol.

And in the case of videodrome, it would have made more sense to include a VHS version.

I'd have bought that

I think my DVD of House of the Devil came with a VHS.

Problem is a lot of people are still happy with DVD. That and a lot of studios are still bringing out good stuff on DVD. In fact, my HD snobbery comes crashing down with every Shameless and Third Window Films DVD release.

[ravenus]

Yep, no one is paying any worthwhile sum for the DVD's in a dual format release, so the entire idea that you're buying something you don't want doesn't hold water. If they bother you, just give them away (like I do) and endear yourself to movie-loving friends that don't have BD players

[Bumblefeet]

Originally Posted by ravenus

Yep, no one is paying any worthwhile sum for the DVD's in a dual format release, so the entire idea that you're buying something you don't want doesn't hold water. If they bother you, just give them away (like I do) and endear yourself to movie-loving friends that don't have BD players

I'm sorry but that just isn't true. Combo-editions are often more expensive than their counterparts who have a separate blu-ray and dvd release. The former can stay at 30 $ forever whereas the single disc blu-ray will get cheaper over time a lot sooner.

I get why they are included but that doesn't stop me from being bothered by them. They are useless coasters that I wont ever use and to me it's the equivalent of buying an audio CD and having an extra disc in there with the mp3 version of the same content on it.

It also sends out the message to movie fans to just be satisfied with shitty DVD quality when all the work went into doing a proper HD transfer. If they haven't upgraded to blu-ray by now, they wont ever. And I see plenty of US labels who release blu-ray only titles and doing just fine.

[dissention]

Originally Posted by Bumblefeet

It also sends out the message to movie fans to just be satisfied with shitty DVD quality when all the work went into doing a proper HD transfer.

Hogwash, respectfully. The percentage of consumers who look at a release like Videodrome and think "Well, it's got DVDs in it, no need to see it in HD" is almost non-existent, especially when it's a niche product marketed to a niche consumer group like ourselves.

They're essentially included as a bonus for a variety of reasons. I've got a little portable DVD player that I like to take on trips, so these DVDs are great for it. If I go over a friend's house and want to bring a movie but they aren't equipped with a Blu player, I can bring one of the DVDs.

[Bumblefeet]

Originally Posted by dissention

They're essentially included as a bonus for a variety of reasons. I've got a little portable DVD player that I like to take on trips, so these DVDs are great for it. If I go over a friend's house and want to bring a movie but they aren't equipped with a Blu player, I can bring one of the DVDs.

Hogwash, respectfully. If you watch DVDs on a portable player, why even get a blu-ray? If I go to a friend's house I take my portable drive loaded with movies. I wouldn't even bother bringing a disc. I don't like paying extra for a release so some people get a DVD to watch on their (portable) dvd player, my point of view. No hard feelings. And the price difference is there.

Also what incentive do people have for upgrading their players and home sets to HD when labels keep including the DVD? That's what I meant by sending out the wrong message by including a DVD. I just happen to prefer those labels who release a blu-ray version and a dvd version separately.

P.S. sorry for veering off topic here. Just stating my case on the matter.

[I KEEL YOU]

I just received mine today directly from Arrow in flawless mint condition. Man does it ever look sweet in person. My only minor complaint is that the stuff inside is way too loose inside the box. But I fixed this with a piece of cardboard to make a nice snug fit.

I'm sorry that some received it in such horrible condition as the picture above.