Like Disney, Paramount is putting Blu-Ray first...

[Escapay]

Got this from TheDigitalBits, who got it from VideoBusiness

Paramount puts Blu-ray first in staggered release

Click to read, but in a nutshell, Paramount will street the retail Blu-Ray first (as well as rental Blu-Rays and DVDs), but won't street the retail DVD until several weeks later. Similar to how Disney released Bolt and Bedtime Stories Blu-Rays before the DVD, and how they're going to do the same for Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

Now I can't wait for the latest round of fights and arguments from Blu vs. DVD fanatics.

albert

[2099net]

No one will fight. It's Dance Movie.

[Luke]

Although the staggered release date play gets more press, I feel like Warner making all their bonus features Blu-ray exclusives does more to inflate Blu-ray value (and undercut DVD sales) than making DVD customers wait a few extra weeks. As Netty mentions, it's <i>Dance Movie</i>, so nobody's going to care anyway.

I'm more interested to see how Disney's <i>Snow White</i> "DVD + Blu-ray" packaging scam plays out. Will they get to boast "Gotcha!" like Dave Coulier in <i>The Even Stevens Movie</i>? Or will DVD buyers be wise enough to look past the description, case size, and hype to recognize that the higher price means they're buying something they don't necessarily want? Since I haven't seen any published discussion of the strategy anywhere (besides the UD front page when it became known), I'm guessing we'll have to rely on anecdotal evidence unless groups of duped customers band together and make a fuss (doubtful).

[Escapay]

True, it is just Dance Flick, but if the idea catches on and Paramount starts doing it for other titles, eventually making high-profile titles go Blu first, there will be DVD supporters aplenty (at least online) who'll throw a fuss.

BTW, Luke gets 10 bonus points for referencing The Even Stevens Movie.



And I agree, I dislike Warner's practices of having some extras be Blu-exclusive (they're not the only ones guilty of it, but they seem to do it more than others). I was glad that some of the features were available for a time on Target-exclusive DVDs (Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix and The Dark Knight for example).

albert

[DarthPrime]

In my opinion this is a bigger Blu-ray push than what Disney is doing since the Paramount Blu-rays do not have a copy of the DVD with them. Also depending on how many weeks the retail DVD is delayed I would bet some stores will already have the rental DVDs in the previously viewed section.

It will be interesting to see if this works or not. I finally picked up a player in June, but still buy a lot of DVDs. The cheap prices ($3 and $5 deals), and the upconversion of the Blu-ray player are great. Of course Blu-rays look better, but for a lot of stuff I'm going to stick with DVDs until Blu-ray prices come down more.

[dvdjunkie]

DarthPrime wrote:

Of course Blu-rays look better, but for a lot of stuff I'm going to stick with DVDs until Blu-ray prices come down more.

That is more the reason that you should hope that Disney continues to put out the Blu-Ray with a DVD in the same package, so when you decide to move to blu-ray you will already have some in your collection and won't have to pay the exorbitant price that collector's item will have.

If you buy your Blu-Rays or DVD the first week they are out, the prices are considerably lower, and you can save money. You just have to plan a little further in your budget for what movies you are going to get, and what movies are being packaged with Blu-Ray and DVD in the same package.

By the way, in my opinion, using price as a reason to not be into Blu-ray is no excuse. With all the used DVD stores and websites that sell Blu-rays cheaper than dirt, you really need to just get over it and get into Blu-ray today.

[DarthPrime]

DarthPrime wrote:

Of course Blu-rays look better, but for a lot of stuff I'm going to stick with DVDs until Blu-ray prices come down more.

That is more the reason that you should hope that Disney continues to put out the Blu-Ray with a DVD in the same package, so when you decide to move to blu-ray you will already have some in your collection and won't have to pay the exorbitant price that collector's item will have.

If you buy your Blu-Rays or DVD the first week they are out, the prices are considerably lower, and you can save money. You just have to plan a little further in your budget for what movies you are going to get, and what movies are being packaged with Blu-Ray and DVD in the same package.

By the way, in my opinion, using price as a reason to not be into Blu-ray is no excuse. With all the used DVD stores and websites that sell Blu-rays cheaper than dirt, you really need to just get over it and get into Blu-ray today.

I already have a Blu-ray player, and I agree release week is the best time to pickup new discs. On buying DVDs over Blu-ray I tend to only do that with older titles. When I can get the movie for $3 or so new on DVD, its personally not worth paying $20 + for the Blu-ray (just my opinion).

I really do like the fact that Disney includes a DVD of the movie as well, and actually wouldn't mind it if more companies included them with their Blu-ray releases.

[blackcauldron85]

I guess this can go in this thread:

‘African Queen’ Finally Gets Release Date
http://www.homemediamagazine.com/just-a ... date-18070
(via community.livejournal.com/ohnotheydidnt)

[milojthatch]

The way I am starting to feel about new movies, I wonder if I even care anymore...I have enough DVD's to keep me entertained for years, I'm good.