Different versions of the same movies

[ac313]

I just want to start off saying I am new to this site and new to buying blu-ray movies. As title says I am confused about different versions of the same movies and I am unsure of which ones to buy. Before anyone ask I know the difference between extended and theatrical versions.

[chip75]

So you're unsure about different versions of a Blu-ray released in one country or you're unsure about which country you should buy the BD from?

If it's one country then some releases will have multiple versions of the same movie, take Man of Steel for example:



Above are some examples of the different versions. Some are packaging differences, some content and some format (3D). I think the Target version has an extra featurette whilst some retailers have a Digibook (which a lot of members love to collect), Steelbook or other limited packaging.

It's really up to you what you prefer, what you can source (if you don't have stores near you) and how much you want to spend.

If it's different versions of a film (different transfers), then it's worth doing a bit of research or asking in the title's thread. A lot of titles released by major distributors will be identical but when a different company has the rights in different territories then they may have a different transfer from a different master.

[ac313]

O ok, thanks for the help. I was just looking around the site and got a little confused lol, like I still don't understand why two movies come up when I search Aeon Flux, but the case looks the same.

[chip75]

Originally Posted by ac313

O ok, thanks for the help. I was just looking around the site and got a little confused lol, like I still don't understand why two movies come up when I search Aeon Flux, but the case looks the same.

Warner Bros. took over distribution of some of Paramount's catalogue titles, so unless there's bonus content differences you're probably better buying the cheaper one (or asking in the titles thread). I think Black Rain is another title re-issued (there are a lot more too) like Aeon Flux.

There is a thread talking about the switch if I can find it I'll post a link but a few movies move around distributors either through new deals or rights expiring.

[blairblends]

Originally Posted by chip75

Warner Bros. took over distribution of some of Paramount's catalogue titles, so unless there's bonus content differences you're probably better buying the cheaper one (or asking in the titles thread). I think Black Rain is another title re-issued (there are a lot more too) like Aeon Flux.

There is a thread talking about the switch if I can find it I'll post a link but a few movies move around distributors either through new deals or rights expiring.

Exactly right. The distributor can change over time...and sometimes they will do a re-master of the Blu-ray. Same itemized content, but perhaps a better transfer, etc.

[RonE]

I buy the cheapest edition of the format I want. For instance a steel box edition may cost $28 while the standard package version cost $12. I go for the standard version

[Hannibull]

Sorry if I'm hijacking this thread...

I was sorting my Blu-ray collection and noticed I had 3 copies of Man of Steel.

Originally I thought I had bought 3 copies of the same movie, but when I loaded the disc, I noticed they started up with different trailers, ..etc..

Additionally when I checked the disc on my PC I noticed that the 3 discs were all of different sizes...

Is there anyway to determine what version/cut of the movie you have from either the size of the disc or something else?

Thank you in advance!!

[chip75]

Originally Posted by Hannibull

Sorry if I'm hijacking this thread...

I was sorting my Blu-ray collection and noticed I had 3 copies of Man of Steel.

Originally I thought I had bought 3 copies of the same movie, but when I loaded the disc, I noticed they started up with different trailers, ..etc..

Additionally when I checked the disc on my PC I noticed that the 3 discs were all of different sizes...

Is there anyway to determine what version/cut of the movie you have from either the size of the disc or something else?

Thank you in advance!!

Same cut for Man of Steel, but the 2D and 3D discs are different along with some of the non-US releases having different trailers/content.

[Hannibull]

Thanks for the quick reply!

Back when iTunes first came out, if you placed a CD into your computer, iTunes would be able to recognize the disc and tell you the name of the album and even if it was the UK or International version, ..etc..

I was wondering if there was anything like that for Blu-rays...

Anything to identity the disc like, Rental release, UK release, USA release, Target store exclusive, BestBuy,...etc...

[chip75]

Originally Posted by Hannibull

Anything to identity the disc like, Rental release, UK release, USA release, Target store exclusive, BestBuy,...etc...

The boxes are a good start ...

There was a service called DVDFinder or something similar which I think read discs, but I'm not 100%.