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December 01, 2009
Blu-Ray Tries Old HD Trick
LAT reports that Universal is going to try something on Blu-ray that they did with HD back in the day (18 months ago), putting the HD movie on one side and the standard movie on the other.
This follows about six months of experiments by all the studios with multiple discs in packages. Disney offered Snow White both ways, for instance. If you bought the Blu, you get a standard disc and a free download disc as well. And if you bought the standard, they threw in Blu and a download for free.
On the consumer side, i much prefer the separate discs to the idea of a two-sided disc. As any DVD owner knows, the non-playing side often gets abused. And as much as I am okay with being forced to take better care of my discs, try enforcing that with someone under 20. Also, if I want to lend the standard DVD disc out, I am not also losing control of my blu-ray disc, unless I want to. But then again, the studio might be happier with it being all or nothing.
Regardless, the "buy Blu and get standard too" thing is not new and is probably critical to the future of the delivery system. So let's try out this new idea and the next one will be right behind it.
Posted by dpoland at December 1, 2009 05:22 PM
Comments
I don't think the possibility for scratches will hinder purchasing though and like you said, prevents the free giveaway to friends.
This should help redbox adopt select blu-rays though which the studios need to consider.
Posted by: luxofthedraw ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.mcnblogs.com/thehotblog/nav-commenters.gif)
at December 1, 2009 06:22 PM
If you put your discs back in their cases like you're supposed to, they don't get scratched. If you make a pile of them on top of the player, or wherever, both sides are going to get scuffed anyway.
I understand why separate discs would be preferable, but I imagine it's more expensive, and anything they can do to keep the price down at this point is probably a good idea.
Posted by: lazarus at December 1, 2009 07:40 PM
The new Harry Potter is also coming out in a BD + DVD pack. Redbox still doesn't have Universal discs. Whether they are separate discs or in a pack together, I'm glad we're going in this direction of having both included. By the way, I don't think you magically start taking better care of things once you turn 20. Just from my own perspective, how you are at 44 isn't much different than how you are at 14. I took really good care of my albums and 8-tracks back then, ha. My slobby friends are still slobs.
Posted by: Jerry Colvin at December 1, 2009 08:23 PM
I remember when one side of a DVD was 16:9 and the other was Pan and Scan!
Posted by: KamikazeCamelV2.0 at December 1, 2009 09:46 PM
Just wait till your kid gets old enough to figure out the basic idea of a DVD. For my youngest brother this happened around age 2, and I'm amazed any of those discs still play.
Posted by: LYT at December 1, 2009 10:34 PM
Once I get some spare cash, which has been pretty tough lately, I'm going to get a PS3. In the mean time, I have no interest in getting SD DVDs, so these double-play DVDs would definitely convince me to purchase them for future BR use. If anyone knows of a sub 150 BR that is actually good quality and non some shit brand, let me know. Seems like the PS3 is still the best overall buy at this time, and it's a little too expensive for me.
Posted by: martin at December 1, 2009 11:16 PM
some of those 'shit brands' are made by the same people who make the 'not shit brands'....really....i was a (very)late adaptor but found that even an inexpensive blu-ray unit is miles better than your basic dvd player..... the tipping-point for me was the stuff from disney... it's just stunning...that, of course, led to the rest....
Posted by: scooterzz at December 2, 2009 01:19 AM
Mens Timberland Roll-Top Boots
Mens 6 Inch Authentics Premium Classic Boot
Mens Classic 3-Eye Lug Burgundy Pull-Up
Timberland Roll-Top Boots women
Posted by: xiaozipan at December 2, 2009 09:20 AM
Funnily enough, I have this sudden desire to buy some Timberland boots.
Posted by: Joe Leydon at December 2, 2009 09:31 AM
Looks like DP's now got his own version of D.Z.
A very fashion-minded one, it seems.
Posted by: lazarus at December 2, 2009 10:09 AM
The Redbox's near me have Universal films but the company has to create their own covers to display since while the disc is fair game for rental they apperently are not allowed to use the promotional material.
Now if Universal would only release a decent film on BD. They have Van Damme's Streetfighter, but no Jaws, Spartacus, Apollo 13 or almost anything you would consider part of the Universal Canon.
Posted by: hcat at December 2, 2009 11:22 AM
I want to get me some Timbaland boots. Maybe they'll help me get hooked up with Nelly Furtado.
Posted by: martin at December 2, 2009 08:14 PM
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