and we need 3 copies of the same movie WHY?

[GodofHardcore]

I mentioned this in the anime blu ray thread but I think this warrants it's own discussion

Can somebody explain (I doubt anyone can) what the Point of Blu-ray/DVD/Digital copy and Blu-Ray DVD Combo is?

If I buy the blu Ray I obviously don't need or want the DVD, if I buy the DVD I obviously don't want the blu ray and if I wanted a digital copy I'd probably buy it off an online store like Itunes or something.

So what's the point?

Theories, actual reasons, whatever...

[la-li-lu-le-lo]

I think the reason is that they think people might want to play the movie in different devices. Say: they might want to watch the Blu-ray at home, but then watch it again (on DVD) at the house of a friend who doesn't have a Blu-ray player. And then you might want to watch the movie on an iPhone or something. It's pretty pointless for me, but I can see why some people would want it. They're usually not any more expensive, so whatever.

[Johnny]

I don't see the point of those combos either. Make a Blu-ray + Digital Copy and a DVD version and that's it. If someone is happy with DVD, there's no point of bundling extra stuff. On the other hand the Digital Copy as extra might help people migrate to Blu-ray.

[gs37]

Take a kids' movie, like Toy Story, for example. If you're a parent, this bundle might interest you so that the kids can watch it on the home theater setup (blu-ray), in the minivan (DVD), and during outburst in public (on the phone).

Please know, I am not a parent nor will I ever drive a minivan. Just offering a plausible scenario. lol

[Mystical]

I mentioned this in the anime blu ray thread but I think this warrants it's own discussion

Can somebody explain (I doubt anyone can) what the Point of Blu-ray/DVD/Digital copy and Blu-Ray DVD Combo is?

If I buy the blu Ray I obviously don't need or want the DVD, if I buy the DVD I obviously don't want the blu ray and if I wanted a digital copy I'd probably buy it off an online store like Itunes or something.

So what's the point?

Theories, actual reasons, whatever...

makes you feel like your getting more for your money, also some people without a Blu-ray player will buy the combo ones knowing they will upgrade at some point in the future to a Blu-ray player but they have the DVD for the time being, thats certainly the impression i got

[Vosse]

Reduce manufacturing cost to make a standalone DVD version. (As many people still have SDtvs and or devices that can play DVDs but not BDs)
It also probably reduces the overall cost for the consumer to get it all in one package. I got Transformers 3 (in the 3pack) for less than 20$ which was a good deal (when it was still slightly new)


The digital version I guess it just to stop people from pirating probably or make it easier so you don't have to transcode your own etc etc

[HEX1GON]

Please know, I am not a parent nor will I ever drive a minivan. Just offering a plausible scenario. lol

Why don't you drive a minivan with a green squiggle on the side? :P

[GodofHardcore]

Reduce manufacturing cost to make a standalone DVD version. (As many people still have SDtvs and or devices that can play DVDs but not BDs)
It also probably reduces the overall cost for the consumer to get it all in one package. I got Transformers 3 (in the 3pack) for less than 20$ which was a good deal (when it was still slightly new)


The digital version I guess it just to stop people from pirating probably or make it easier so you don't have to transcode your own etc etc

AH AH But see Here's the kicker there is almost always ALWAYS a stand alone DVD version. NEVER a Stand alone Blu Ray

[Keberasky]

It's pretty much what gs37 has said. I need the BD version for the house, and the DVD copy for the 8" screen in the minivan (or in my case the Jeep.)

As far as the reason for no stand alone BD, I think really it has to do with the price. I've seen new releases on movies on DVD alone for around $20. The BD + DVD combo is around $25 Occasionally I will see a movie that is BD only for $23 The price then makes it kind of silly to purchase a stand alone BD. At least that's what the studios want you to think.

[GodofHardcore]

But how many people really have 8 inch screens in their mini vans/jeeps/cars? Besides one would think travel is where those digital copies would come in handy.

[pool7]

I guess Mystical is right.
Also, as it was mentioned in the Anime blu-ray thread (though not sure how often it happens): Sometimes the extras are not the same in the blu-ray and dvd, so you get all the extras in one package.
Never liked the way the Digital Copy was implemented though... and so it's pointless IMO. But I understand it's just to try and stop (or at least reduce) piracy.

[GodofHardcore]

None of the Rocky commentary tracks from the DVDs are on the Rocky Blu Ray's (which sucks because Rocky's Blu Ray transfer is also COMPLETE ASS) But there's still an entire disc of extras.

[CRTGAMER]

The bundle is handy since not every room in most homes have a BluRay Player. At first I thought the Thread would be talking about represses of movie releases that add and remove extra features. For me that is the biggest pain, which Special Edition to get?

[mooseblaster]

I quite like having these combo packs (i.e.: Blu-rays & DVDs bundled together) as it means that I can watch the film with family who don't have a Blu-Ray player (as has happened twice in the 6 months). However, I don't think I'm a fan of making it the ONLY option out there, as some people would prefer to pay less. I'm equally miffed about having to buy the 3D-converted version of a film just to have the regular edition.

One thing that does get my goat though is that whilst I don't use the digital copies (as I tend to watch my films on a TV), they often have arbitrary and rediculously short expiration dates on the codes. A couple of times, I've found the digital code has an expiry date of 3 months prior - on a film less than a year old! Ridiculous.

[GodofHardcore]

Yeah my new copy of the Expendables already has an expired date for the digital copy. Ok so a case has been made for the combo pack. But I still think it's a waste of manufacturing.

[gs37]

I disagree. I think everything else is a waste of manufacturing. I think they should only sell the Bluray/DVD/Digital bundle. If they didn't make standalone disks, I'm sure the bundles could be ~$25 because instead of running 2 production lines, there'd just be one.

Plus, there'd be fewer SKU's in the world! Huzzah!

[ave]

I think digital copies are very inconvenient. Someone once gave me a code for The Dark Knight and I was happily looking forward to a nice legal download of a high quality HD-movie.
...until I found out that I need some program to download it, create some account at Time Warner, download some shitty plugin and whatnot. I don't remember why I finally gave up, but I'm not easily defeated when it comes to finding a download link so it must have been a real pain in the ass.

Long story short, I did not end up finding an actual download link and if I had found one, I'm sure there would've been tons of crappy limitations compared to a simple *.mkv file.
It's just ridiculous how much more consumer-friendly piracy is.

It seems like bizarroworld: you can hardly find a way to get your legal digital copy which you paid for, but on the other hand it's the easiest thing on earth to just download a torrent. And what you get is just the movie - no DRM, not copy protection, no ads, no nothing. It's a lot better than the competing product they want you to buy.

[pool7]

The only digital copy I have came in a separate disc, and is indeed DRM'd (aren't all digital copies DRM'd?). It requires WMV support and "authorization" or whatever it is called... so it's no a simple WMV that you can drag and drop... needless to say, I never used it and created my own from the DVD.

[subbie]

I like the combo packs but if there is one thing to improve/streamline is the digital copies. It's a mess. What should be done is include a flyer with a code that you redeam on a site and just be given the choice for them to email/give you a code for either iTunes/Psn/Zune/Amazon store and that's it. It's simple and then consumers can choose what best suites them. As is I have no portables that do wmv and really I'd rather have access to a PS3/Vita compatible version of the video then only having an iPhone version of it. =|

[Johnny]

It's just ridiculous how much more consumer-friendly piracy is.

It seems like bizarroworld: you can hardly find a way to get your legal digital copy which you paid for, but on the other hand it's the easiest thing on earth to just download a torrent. And what you get is just the movie - no DRM, not copy protection, no ads, no nothing. It's a lot better than the competing product they want you to buy.

Those companies simply don't get it. It's the same thing with game publishers.