Why doesn't/didn't the UK adopt the US style slimmer cases? - Blu-ray Forum

mrpants · 12-30-2011, 03:04 PM

And I have no other reason for starting this thread than I'M RUNNING OUT OF SHELF SPACE

I have space in the house but I'd like to keep them together.

KingSimba · 12-30-2011, 03:11 PM

Im not sure, but im really glad we have the thicker cases here.

The thin cases are horrible, you can barely read the title of the film on the spine, and they feel cheap and flimsy.

chip75 · 12-30-2011, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrpants

And I have no other reason for starting this thread than I'M RUNNING OUT OF SHELF SPACE

I have space in the house but I'd like to keep them together.

We've more or less always done differently. I think quite a few VHS tapes in the US came in cardboard sleeves, while our's came in gigantic plastic cases. If you were lucky in the VHS days you could pick up ex-rental tapes in cases with padded vinyl and razor sharp edges.

Quite a few UK sleeves will fit in the slimmer cases. I just tried Watchmen in a slim case and it fits fine. The SONY titles look nice as well (the ones with the same spines).

The Driver · 12-30-2011, 03:29 PM

Cut your covers down to fit.

ITV used to have slim cases and there's a few other companies but I prefer the 14mm full size. Much sturdier and you can actually read the spine. Handy for when you're looking through 100s of items.

14mm was good enough for DVD and it looks good enough for PS3 and lots of other HD formats.

There are some great 11mm cases (Elite) but it's still difficult to catch the spine text especially if it's a logo-based text or dark.

Frasr · 12-30-2011, 03:36 PM

my Oldboy and Shawshank Redemption blu rays came in the thin cases, personally I prefer that fat ones

KingSimba · 12-30-2011, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frasr

my Oldboy and Shawshank Redemption blu rays came in the thin cases, personally I prefer that fat ones

My Shawshank Redemption did too, but I ended up moving it into a spare UK case

Frasr · 12-30-2011, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KingSimba

My Shawshank Redemption did too, but I ended up moving it into a spare UK case

I ended up selling it and buying the Canadian steelbook

Bruce Morrison · 12-30-2011, 04:03 PM

I must agree with the OP here. Shelf space is always an issue for me, and for every three UK cases, I can accommodate four US ones. That's the main reason that I import US editions most of the time (except when the UK edition is clearly superior, either technically or in terms of better extras). I don't find reading the spine titles on the US cases to be a problem - I file films alphabetically by title anyway so it's easy for me to locate a particular title.

I also find that US editions are preferable in a couple of other respects. First, the disc holders on the UK cases occasionally jam when I try to press them down to release the disc, and the disc then has to be prised away by bending it upwards from an edge - not always easy. Second, I hate the obtrusive BBFC logos on the UK artwork.

ChrisDilke · 12-30-2011, 04:16 PM

I don't like the thin cases at all, I have to agree with what KingSimba said, the titles on the spine can be hard to read and the cases themselves are flimsy. My copy of Iron Man 2 is in a slim case, and I am looking to replace it with one in a regular case.

DaveSimonH · 12-30-2011, 04:51 PM

I prefer the UK cases, the thin cases have a cheap look and feel to them (especially the 11mm).
As for the UK & Irish ratings, I'd agree that there are too many of them but ugly, I wouldn't go that far. The German an Aussie ones are worse but it certainly wouldn't put me off if the price was right.

rdodolak · 12-30-2011, 05:26 PM

From what I remember, the original idea was to minimize costs by reducing the number of individual releases in Europe. Most studios are already producing a single disc for the European region (multiple rating logos, languages, and subtitles); Universal comes to mind as a studio that currently does that. In theory, one production run would cost less than five individual production runs.

The Amaray cases were thicker so that they could accomodate a thick booklet containing pages in each language the release was intended for; if the release was intended for 5 countries then the booklet would be five times as thick. However, as it has turned out the cover art is in the native language of each country and only the UK (and Australia) have seemed to have adopted the fatter Amaray cases. Further, booklets are much more rare with blu-ray than they were with DVD.

Shanester · 12-30-2011, 06:44 PM

Don't complain about the thick cases. They're awesome, durable and look great. The thin ones are sh!t and crack/break too easily

Adrock · 12-30-2011, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shanester

Don't complain about the thick cases. They're awesome, durable and look great. The thin ones are sh!t and crack/break too easily

Completely agree. I wish the US had the thicker cases like the UK does.

Nommag · 12-30-2011, 07:05 PM

I love importing movies from the UK because their cases are the same size as ours in NZ and Australia. The little cases suck, I don't pay a premium for weak flimsy packaging.

Aquel · 12-30-2011, 08:02 PM

Slimmer cases for boxsets would be appreciated, the Dirty Harry/Bourne collection (both UK) have the normal cases and the boxsets are a bit unwieldy because of that.

For individual releases I prefer the normal packaging.

RazorwireRyan · 12-30-2011, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shanester

Don't complain about the thick cases. They're awesome, durable and look great. The thin ones are sh!t and crack/break too easily

Crack and break? What do you do with your cases? :P

All WWE Blu-rays(which I collect) come in slims, except 3 disc sets, and I love them, but only for WWE. Movies, I do prefer the standard Amaray

bBop87 · 12-30-2011, 08:43 PM

i personally prefer the bigger case, the thinner ones are so flimsy and for some reason the clear plastic seems to go really funny on the thin cases

Alex_DeLarge · 12-30-2011, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KingSimba

Im not sure, but im really glad we have the thicker cases here.

The thin cases are horrible, you can barely read the title of the film on the spine, and they feel cheap and flimsy.

I'll go with this.

Indiana Jones · 12-30-2011, 09:50 PM

I much prefer the thicker UK cases, even more since the US cases started going Eco friendly and removing half the plastic.

Shanester · 12-30-2011, 09:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RazorwireRyan

Crack and break? What do you do with your cases? :P

I've dropped a few on the floor and the they broke. It's just really cheap plastic that is practical for shelf space but not durability

12-30-2011, 03:04 PM	#1
mrpants Special Member Member since:May 2011 Location:UK	Why doesn't/didn't the UK adopt the US style slimmer cases? And I have no other reason for starting this thread than I'M RUNNING OUT OF SHELF SPACE I have space in the house but I'd like to keep them together.

12-30-2011, 04:51 PM	#10
DaveSimonH Blu-ray Ninja Top contributor Member since:Sep 2009 Location:Scotland, UK Home Theater Gallery:23 4K collection:8 Blu-ray collection:2032 DVD collection:981 Digital collection:111 Trading Score:3	I prefer the UK cases, the thin cases have a cheap look and feel to them (especially the 11mm). As for the UK & Irish ratings, I'd agree that there are too many of them but ugly, I wouldn't go that far. The German an Aussie ones are worse but it certainly wouldn't put me off if the price was right. Last edited by DaveSimonH; 12-30-2011 at 05:00 PM.

12-30-2011, 03:11 PM	#2
KingSimba Contributor Top contributor Member since:Aug 2009 Location:United Kingdom 4K collection:29 Blu-ray collection:478 iTunes collection:1	Im not sure, but im really glad we have the thicker cases here. The thin cases are horrible, you can barely read the title of the film on the spine, and they feel cheap and flimsy.

12-30-2011, 03:29 PM	#4
The Driver Blu-ray Guru Member since:Feb 2009 Location:UK Trading Score:1	Cut your covers down to fit. ITV used to have slim cases and there's a few other companies but I prefer the 14mm full size. Much sturdier and you can actually read the spine. Handy for when you're looking through 100s of items. 14mm was good enough for DVD and it looks good enough for PS3 and lots of other HD formats. There are some great 11mm cases (Elite) but it's still difficult to catch the spine text especially if it's a logo-based text or dark.

12-30-2011, 03:36 PM	#5
Frasr Special Member Member since:Aug 2011 Location:Edinburgh, Scotland Blu-ray collection:387 DVD collection:3 Trading Score:1	my Oldboy and Shawshank Redemption blu rays came in the thin cases, personally I prefer that fat ones

12-30-2011, 04:03 PM	#8
Bruce Morrison Power Member Member since:Feb 2007 Location:United Kingdom 4K collection:339 Blu-ray collection:2241 DVD collection:581	I must agree with the OP here. Shelf space is always an issue for me, and for every three UK cases, I can accommodate four US ones. That's the main reason that I import US editions most of the time (except when the UK edition is clearly superior, either technically or in terms of better extras). I don't find reading the spine titles on the US cases to be a problem - I file films alphabetically by title anyway so it's easy for me to locate a particular title. I also find that US editions are preferable in a couple of other respects. First, the disc holders on the UK cases occasionally jam when I try to press them down to release the disc, and the disc then has to be prised away by bending it upwards from an edge - not always easy. Second, I hate the obtrusive BBFC logos on the UK artwork.

12-30-2011, 04:16 PM	#9
ChrisDilke Blu-ray Guru Top contributor Member since:Sep 2009 Trading Score:2	I don't like the thin cases at all, I have to agree with what KingSimba said, the titles on the spine can be hard to read and the cases themselves are flimsy. My copy of Iron Man 2 is in a slim case, and I am looking to replace it with one in a regular case.

12-30-2011, 05:26 PM	#11
rdodolak Blu-ray Prince Top contributor Member since:Jul 2007 4K collection:880 Blu-ray collection:3733 DVD collection:939 MA collection:338 Digital collection:1099 iTunes collection:75 Prime collection:11 Trading Score:20	From what I remember, the original idea was to minimize costs by reducing the number of individual releases in Europe. Most studios are already producing a single disc for the European region (multiple rating logos, languages, and subtitles); Universal comes to mind as a studio that currently does that. In theory, one production run would cost less than five individual production runs. The Amaray cases were thicker so that they could accomodate a thick booklet containing pages in each language the release was intended for; if the release was intended for 5 countries then the booklet would be five times as thick. However, as it has turned out the cover art is in the native language of each country and only the UK (and Australia) have seemed to have adopted the fatter Amaray cases. Further, booklets are much more rare with blu-ray than they were with DVD.

12-30-2011, 06:44 PM	#12
Shanester Blu-ray Samurai Top contributor Member since:Dec 2007 Location:Montreal 4K collection:596 Blu-ray collection:2027 Blu-ray reviews:442 Trading Score:8	Don't complain about the thick cases. They're awesome, durable and look great. The thin ones are sh!t and crack/break too easily

12-30-2011, 07:05 PM	#14
Nommag Special Member Member since:Jul 2011 Location:Hamilton, New Zealand. Home Theater Gallery:6 Blu-ray collection:170 Trading Score:22	I love importing movies from the UK because their cases are the same size as ours in NZ and Australia. The little cases suck, I don't pay a premium for weak flimsy packaging.

12-30-2011, 08:02 PM	#15
Aquel Senior Member Top contributor Member since:Jan 2011 4K collection:4 Blu-ray collection:139 DVD collection:10	Slimmer cases for boxsets would be appreciated, the Dirty Harry/Bourne collection (both UK) have the normal cases and the boxsets are a bit unwieldy because of that. For individual releases I prefer the normal packaging.

12-30-2011, 08:43 PM	#17
bBop87 Active Member Member since:Jul 2011 Location:London, UK 4K collection:90 Blu-ray collection:684 DVD collection:156 Digital collection:12 iTunes collection:679 Blu-ray reviews:4	i personally prefer the bigger case, the thinner ones are so flimsy and for some reason the clear plastic seems to go really funny on the thin cases

12-30-2011, 09:50 PM	#19
Indiana Jones Blu-ray Champion Top contributor Member since:Aug 2009 Location:Bristol, England 4K collection:7 Blu-ray collection:17 Trading Score:42	I much prefer the thicker UK cases, even more since the US cases started going Eco friendly and removing half the plastic.

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