Back Catalogue Releases - Blu-ray Forum

damnspynovels · 12-30-2008, 12:17 AM

I'm a fairly new convert to BD, having bought a PS3 a month or so ago.

I've bought a few discs, but having been an early adopter of DVD, and having had my fingers burnt buying some of the awful initial transfers of certain titles (Blade Runner for one), and also falling foul of the "it's a classic and will look great on DVD" thing, only to realise that whilst it may be deemed a classic in some eye, I myself am not likely to watch it more than twice.

On the one hand, I understand why certain back catalogue titles are selected for the BD treatment in the format's honeymoon period. I'm talking about the T2s or Total Recalls of this world. Strikes me it's the kind of title that's likely to appeal to the kind of personality this format's early adopter might have.

On the other hand, can someone suggest any other reason, and moreso what the criteria generally might be. I notice that The Truman Show was just released. Not to belittle that particular title's credentials, but why that movie over something else?

More to the point perhaps, and it's an obvious wait and see thing, do people (here) imagine we'll eventually see the kind of back catalogue library already available on DVD on this new format? Are there still movies released on DVD solely? Are there any noteworthy movies not yet released on any digital format?

u_nick · 12-30-2008, 01:03 AM

I've always thought of it like the old saying "One mans trash is another man's treasure."

I figured these things had to have sold at some point. Even if it's not much, sold enough to make at least a little profit, and to make the fans out there happy.

At least, that's what I tell myself in hopes some of my 'rare' likes get out there at some point.

depooter · 12-30-2008, 01:49 AM

many catalog titles are released to coincide with a theatrical release or DVD release of another title by the same actor or director. It's going to take a long time before BD has a back catalog that compares to DVD. Most new releases are coming to BD (minus some indie, TV, disney animated re-releases, etc.)....

Also, wouldn't be surprised to see a double dip on Total Recall, the Terminator films (amongst others) in the next 12 months..

garnet · 12-30-2008, 02:01 AM

I don't think we will ever see *every* DVD rereleased on Blu, and sadly many of what won't make it are the things I'd much rather have than the biggest blockbusters that are obviously coming. A lot of the cult movies and small independent things go out of print, the companies that put them out go out of business, etc. There are still things from VHS that never hit DVD at all like the movie Fillmore, Janis: The Way She Was, Carny, Hells Angels Forever, etc. All of the PolyGram DVDs, for example, are OOP and some, like Panther, are highly sought after now. Probably never going to hit Blu. I can't see studios rushing to release Wizards, or True Believer, or Running On Empty, either.

Catalog releases will get put out as prices drop and the masses all have players and studios stand to sell enough copies to everyone rebuying to make it worth their while, or as the 10th/20th/30th anniversary of the film makes it get dusted off and rereleased with a new extra or two, etc. Some of it probably has to do with how easy the print is to find and work with too. I don't understand why the studios aren't rushing to put out music titles because when DVD was new they did that and they sold, and the Stones have a lot more discs than just Shine A Light as do Elton John and The Who. But I think by 2010 there will be a lot more out and at some point it will become much more cost prohibitive than it is now to pick up all you want that's released in a single month.

Right now a lot of new releases aren't coming to Blu, but that will change and eventually more and more will till almost all are. But a lot more crap will get released than the titles you necessarily want most, and a lot of titles won't get released until they feel they can sell several million of them in the first day or week. That's just the way it is.

NoQuestion · 12-30-2008, 02:18 AM

Bill has stated on his site, and we are starting to see it, that the studios are going to open the flood gates this year. Flood gates not only for recent catalog titles but for many classics as well.

http://www.thedigitalbits.com/rumormill.html#120308

The studios are putting out what they think will make them a return profit, I don't blame them at this point. However, going forward starting in 2009, we will start seeing more and more older catalogs being released. Blu-ray is still very young. Give it time, I am surprised at some of the catalog titles that have been released up to this point. Just remember, WB is very notorious of flooding the market with TONS of titles at once (April 7th is a nice example).

Long story short, I think everyone will be surprised with what is coming out this year. From what Bill shows in his rumor mill as well as what others have been hinting at, we are all going to love 2009.

Mr. Joshua · 09-24-2011, 02:12 AM

How about the original Hitcher starring C. Thomas Howell and Rutger Hauer on blu-ray? The remake was bland. The original rocks and deseve some blu-ray love!

Johnny Vinyl · 09-24-2011, 02:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Joshua

How about the original Hitcher starring C. Thomas Howell and Rutger Hauer on blu-ray? The remake was bland. The original rocks and deseve some blu-ray love!

Man...this thread is almost 3 years old!

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12-30-2008, 12:17 AM	#1
damnspynovels Member Member since:Dec 2008	Back Catalogue Releases I'm a fairly new convert to BD, having bought a PS3 a month or so ago. I've bought a few discs, but having been an early adopter of DVD, and having had my fingers burnt buying some of the awful initial transfers of certain titles (Blade Runner for one), and also falling foul of the "it's a classic and will look great on DVD" thing, only to realise that whilst it may be deemed a classic in some eye, I myself am not likely to watch it more than twice. On the one hand, I understand why certain back catalogue titles are selected for the BD treatment in the format's honeymoon period. I'm talking about the T2s or Total Recalls of this world. Strikes me it's the kind of title that's likely to appeal to the kind of personality this format's early adopter might have. On the other hand, can someone suggest any other reason, and moreso what the criteria generally might be. I notice that The Truman Show was just released. Not to belittle that particular title's credentials, but why that movie over something else? More to the point perhaps, and it's an obvious wait and see thing, do people (here) imagine we'll eventually see the kind of back catalogue library already available on DVD on this new format? Are there still movies released on DVD solely? Are there any noteworthy movies not yet released on any digital format?

12-30-2008, 01:03 AM	#2
u_nick Blu-ray Samurai Member since:Jan 2007 Location:CT, US Trading Score:27	I've always thought of it like the old saying "One mans trash is another man's treasure." I figured these things had to have sold at some point. Even if it's not much, sold enough to make at least a little profit, and to make the fans out there happy. At least, that's what I tell myself in hopes some of my 'rare' likes get out there at some point.

12-30-2008, 01:49 AM	#3
depooter Special Member Member since:Aug 2007 Location:Los Angeles, CA 4K collection:446 Blu-ray collection:1055 Trading Score:631	many catalog titles are released to coincide with a theatrical release or DVD release of another title by the same actor or director. It's going to take a long time before BD has a back catalog that compares to DVD. Most new releases are coming to BD (minus some indie, TV, disney animated re-releases, etc.).... Also, wouldn't be surprised to see a double dip on Total Recall, the Terminator films (amongst others) in the next 12 months..

12-30-2008, 02:01 AM	#4
garnet Active Member Member since:Dec 2008 Blu-ray collection:219 Blu-ray reviews:1 Trading Score:29	I don't think we will ever see every DVD rereleased on Blu, and sadly many of what won't make it are the things I'd much rather have than the biggest blockbusters that are obviously coming. A lot of the cult movies and small independent things go out of print, the companies that put them out go out of business, etc. There are still things from VHS that never hit DVD at all like the movie Fillmore, Janis: The Way She Was, Carny, Hells Angels Forever, etc. All of the PolyGram DVDs, for example, are OOP and some, like Panther, are highly sought after now. Probably never going to hit Blu. I can't see studios rushing to release Wizards, or True Believer, or Running On Empty, either. Catalog releases will get put out as prices drop and the masses all have players and studios stand to sell enough copies to everyone rebuying to make it worth their while, or as the 10th/20th/30th anniversary of the film makes it get dusted off and rereleased with a new extra or two, etc. Some of it probably has to do with how easy the print is to find and work with too. I don't understand why the studios aren't rushing to put out music titles because when DVD was new they did that and they sold, and the Stones have a lot more discs than just Shine A Light as do Elton John and The Who. But I think by 2010 there will be a lot more out and at some point it will become much more cost prohibitive than it is now to pick up all you want that's released in a single month. Right now a lot of new releases aren't coming to Blu, but that will change and eventually more and more will till almost all are. But a lot more crap will get released than the titles you necessarily want most, and a lot of titles won't get released until they feel they can sell several million of them in the first day or week. That's just the way it is.

12-30-2008, 02:18 AM	#5
NoQuestion Power Member Member since:May 2007 Location:Indiana Blu-ray collection:568 Blu-ray reviews:3	Bill has stated on his site, and we are starting to see it, that the studios are going to open the flood gates this year. Flood gates not only for recent catalog titles but for many classics as well. http://www.thedigitalbits.com/rumormill.html#120308 The studios are putting out what they think will make them a return profit, I don't blame them at this point. However, going forward starting in 2009, we will start seeing more and more older catalogs being released. Blu-ray is still very young. Give it time, I am surprised at some of the catalog titles that have been released up to this point. Just remember, WB is very notorious of flooding the market with TONS of titles at once (April 7th is a nice example). Long story short, I think everyone will be surprised with what is coming out this year. From what Bill shows in his rumor mill as well as what others have been hinting at, we are all going to love 2009.

09-24-2011, 02:12 AM	#6
Mr. Joshua Blu-ray Guru Member since:May 2007 Home Theater Gallery:6 Blu-ray collection:153	How about the original Hitcher starring C. Thomas Howell and Rutger Hauer on blu-ray? The remake was bland. The original rocks and deseve some blu-ray love!

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