Studios experimenting with Blu-ray releases preceding DVDs

[MisterChristian]

Interesting strategy...

Variety (http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118006671.html?categoryid=13&cs=1)


Par to seek staggered disc releases
Blu-ray sale version to precede rental copies
By SUSANNE AULT

Paramount Home Entertainment hopes to boost two growing segments of the home entertainment business -- Blu-ray sales and Blu-ray and DVD rentals -- with a staggered release strategy that holds DVDs back from retail sales for a month or more after a title's initial release.

On September 8, the studio's "Dance Flick" will be released as an unrated Blu-ray edition; the rated, standard DVD will be available only as a rental. The Blu-ray includes outtakes, deleted scenes and an alternate ending; the rental version holds only the movie.

A standard-definition sell-through version of "Dance Flick" will roll out to retail four to eight weeks later, according to the studio. It's not clear what extras may be included on this edition.

Paramount wants to expand Blu-ray consumption by giving the format a head start while capitalizing on the upswing in rentals. According to Rentrak, U.S. rental revenues of both formats rose 8.3% for the first half of 2009, while DVD sales fell more than 15%, according to the Digital Entertainment Group. Blu-ray sales almost doubled.

"We have been strategically evaluating new and innovative ways to maximize retail opportunities for each individual title," said Ken Williams, executive VP sales for Paramount. "We believe that a DVD rental window will increase revenue in that channel and that releasing a Blu-ray exclusively for sell-through will help drive adoption of the format, so it's a win-win scenario."

Paramount has not announced any other titles that will be subject to the new staggered release policy. A studio spokeswoman indicated that Paramount will evaluate each title and implement strategy on a case-by-case basis.

The studio's plans follow Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment pioneering the bow of Blu-ray versions before standard editions. Although many retailers failed to comply, Disney intended Blu-ray editions of "Bolt" and "Bedtime Stories" to be released several days before their standard versions reached shelves. Disney will next roll out "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" on Blu-ray on October 6, seven weeks before the standard DVD hits November 24.

In contrast to Paramount, Disney typically bundles a standard DVD inside its Blu-ray family releases, making the early release Blu-ray titles accessible to anyone. Paramount will not package a DVD with the Blu-ray of "Dance Flick."

[shoe1985]

I like this idea, and curious to see what the outcome of this will be. I know many will complain that they are releasing Blu Ray first, but they are trying to push this format.

[Dom Shady]

I'm cool with it. I'm pretty much done with buying DVD's anyway. I keep my DVDs but every new movie I buy is in Blu-Ray

[SkyNet]

terrible idea

so for a movie like Dance FLick, which i have no intention of buying.... unless i plan on paying more for my Netflix account, im going to have to wait an additional 2 months just to see some stupid ass comedy! (I know Dance FLick is just the first.. but what other flicks will be next... Dance FLick is a perfect example also.. a flick i would rent before buying, because it was one i wouldnt mind watching, but am not going to buy)

Stupid idea

[athf1980]

does not bother me because I transfer to blu-ray. I will by dvd for wrestling & tv shows

[Badbird]

I like this idea, and curious to see what the outcome of this will be. I know many will complain that they are releasing Blu Ray first, but they are trying to push this format.

What's the point? A fraction of people have Blu Ray while DVDs are the cash cow. I assume DVDs cost much less to make, therefore have higher profit margins, so why this strategy?

[shoe1985]

What's the point? A fraction of people have Blu Ray while DVDs are the cash cow. I assume DVDs cost much less to make, therefore have higher profit margins, so why this strategy?

Push people to move on to the new format? It has been said that Americans won't change unless forced too.

If movies are released in the Blu Ray format, more people would move to that format rather then wait for the new release.

Although, it could backfire. But, it would be interesting to see which would happen.

As for cost, I am sure it is not as cost effective to be making two formats for one movie. Since DVDs still generate the most profits, it doesn't make a lot of since to move to Blu Ray, which is why it is time to move people to the new format, and leave the old one behind.


I am shocked Blu Ray has taken off faster. Most people I talk to have a PS3 and get Blu Ray movies, and don't even look at DVDs anymore.

[ericdraven]

Oh yeah, that idea works...for the people that fucking have a blu ray player or a PS3. but the ones with the regular DVD players get fucked up the ass.

[KcMsterpce]

Does anyone remember when DVDs were immediately for sale upon release, while you had to wait MONTHS to get a new copy of the VHS and/or at least a month to get a used copy of the VHS to own?
Only a few big huge titles went retail on release every couple of months. Usually they sold for $108.00 retail and $60-$70 for the rental stores to make a profit.

Releasing DVDs for sale at the same time as VHS release was their way of pushing DVDs to the forefront. I would say that it worked. These days people expect everything to be at retail on release, and this BD to DVD delay isn't terrible.
On top of that, you can still rent them, but wait a mere month to buy it. What's that in the long run? Seriously.

It's kind of lame, but it's still better than the options given to you during the VHS to DVD battle.

[shoe1985]

Oh yeah, that idea works...for the people that fucking have a blu ray player or a PS3. but the ones with the regular DVD players get fucked up the ass.

Prices have dropped a lot on Blu Ray Players, and around the holidays there has been talk of a player for less than $100. I would still go with a PS3 because there has been very little problems, if any reported.

Prices on Blu Ray movies has dropped a lot too. I usually get what I want for around $10-$15.

They will still come out for DVDs, but just takes longer.

[biglummox]

I find it interesting that the studio would choose Dance Flick as their initial test case. A film that hardly covered its budget and that was rather panned by critics. I would think they would start with something that would truely test the waters, a big money maker like Monsters vs Aliens or Star Trek.

Personally that doesn't bother me too much. I haven't addapted Blu-Ray yet because I'm not about to upgrade my format until I have upgraded my home theater to proper HD specs. All new movies I buy PVP from all the main rental stores, so I'm used to waiting a little while to get them. I used to always buy the best edition available on release day, but that wound up costing too much and 9 times out of 10 the special features aren't worth watching more than once or the extra cash. Now I buy whatever edition is available to me used just a month later and for about 1/3 the price.

The main studio change that has affected me lately is the new "rental exclusive" editons like The Wrestler and Taken. Their thinking there was to force more sales of retail copies (more bang for the buck). That did kind of suck, but I still just got the "rental" versions PVP.

[dellamorte dellamore]

If you're waiting to buy a receiver with decoders for the new formats until you upgrade , if your receiver has analogue inputs ( or Hdmi out connection ), all you need is a blu player that can decode dolby true , dts ma and the like . You can save some money on a new av receiver by buying a blu player that can internally decode the new formats .

[jbar1026]

i hate this shit. but what can i do? i sure aint switching to blu!

[biglummox]

If you're waiting to buy a receiver with decoders for the new formats until you upgrade , if your receiver has analogue inputs ( or Hdmi out connection ), all you need is a blu player that can decode dolby true , dts ma and the like . You can save some money on a new av receiver by buying a blu player that can internally decode the new formats .

Good to know. I'm not waiting to upgrade due to audio quality so much as kid #2 on the way, buy a new/bigger house, pay off car, pay off credit cards, save for 2 kids college tuitions, fix up the new/bigger house once I buy it, buy a second car... I think you get the point... :)

Oh yeah, then get a Sony Bravia VPL-VW70 projector and 7.1 theater system for my home theater room in my new/bigger house... Ah, The American Dream :rolleyes:

[Huttjos]

This will work, no doubt. HOrrible idea to test it on Dance Flick though, lol!!

Seriously, Star Trek will be the big hubub for this marketing.

KcMsterpce pointed it out that the studios did the same thing to us with VHS and DVD.

I made my switch to blu about 5 months ago, and it was worth the cash drop. For all those people out there that are still hesitant to switch (even though now it seems you will) prices of the players and the discs have dropped greatly. I bought a SONY BDP-S350 with 3 blu movies on Amazon for under 200$.

If you want to save mula, don't buy the players at the store!! Buy them online!

And as far as the movies go, they really are getting cheaper. Not that you'll find them in a 5$ grab bin anytime soon, but for instance Best Buy has many deals on movies ranging from 10-15$; good titles too!

And the blu payers do make many of your dvds look better. I own a butt load of dvds and to be honest some i can tell look better, some i can't. I only re-buy to blu if I really like the movie, or it is cheap.

And fyi, I almost NEVER buy blu movies at the store. Even though you can find great deals, even sometimes those are a rip comparing to what you can get new on Amazon. All you are paying for at stores are shipping costs, shipping cost, shipping costs.

[m_burlock]

BD doesn't impress me enough to make me want to convert.

27"-32" flat panel HD tvs are STILL too expensive. (i.e. $1200 plus tax for a good one)

BD players are STILL too expensive. (i.e. $250 plus tax)

Then there's the HDMI cables to get too. God only knows how much they cost!

And the above would be just the minimum to get, let alone the maximum!

[MisterChristian]

Wouldn't bother with BD unless you were getting a big screen TV. 27-32" just doesn't cut it. There are some amazing deals - such as home theatre bundles (ie. TV, surround sound, BD player, speakers) if you shop around. SAVE UP FOR IT. In the meantime, prices will drop etc etc...

BD players are not expensive. They've significantly dropped in price in the short time Blu-ray has been on the market. Compare that to DVD players, which took longer. I paid $750 cost for my first DVD player (and that's because my friend worked for Future Shop at the time and got me a deal). Years later, they're $30.

HDMI cables. Well, absolutely do not buy the outrageously overpriced ones from Future Shop or Best Buy. Shop Monoprice.com for all your 'home theatre' needs. Besides component works just fine too.

[KcMsterpce]

BD doesn't impress me enough to make me want to convert.

27"-32" flat panel HD tvs are STILL too expensive. (i.e. $1200 plus tax for a good one)

BD players are STILL too expensive. (i.e. $250 plus tax)

Then there's the HDMI cables to get too. God only knows how much they cost!

And the above would be just the minimum to get, let alone the maximum!

Moaning aside, TVs that provide decent picture can be half that price.
BD players are just getting cheaper, and an internal blu-ray disc drive is pretty cheap these days now.
I get it, "I don't want to watch my movies on my tiny computer screen," yadda yadda... There are many ways of getting around that issue. DVI to HDMI can be found cheap, shooting your video from PC straight to TV. There are also MANY other ways of setting up a cheap home theater system with a computer and a TV.

HDMI cables are cheap at monoprice (http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10240&cs_id=1024008&p_id=3992&seq=1&format=2).

It's understandable if you're against upgrading, especially for those on a budget. Then again, exaggeration can keep people from really looking into what's available and for how much.

[APzombie]

not sure how i feel about this. I think it's a smart and bold move to get blu-rays in the consumers home, albiet a bit cruel for none blue-ray owners. I could care less for their beta release in Dance flick, but if it catches on as common practice it will be interesting to see the response.

I generally buy new movies on blu-ray on the occasion thati actually am interested in buying a new release so it won't make a difference to me, though i'm curious about other peoples feeling about this.

[rocknblues81]

I like this idea, and curious to see what the outcome of this will be. I know many will complain that they are releasing Blu Ray first, but they are trying to push this format.

Fuck the new format. It's just about money. Like everything else. I hope people don't burn and the biz losses a bunch more money. I can only hope. No wonder this country is collapsing under it's own greed.

[rocknblues81]

Push people to move on to the new format? It has been said that Americans won't change unless forced too.

If movies are released in the Blu Ray format, more people would move to that format rather then wait for the new release.

Although, it could backfire. But, it would be interesting to see which would happen.

As for cost, I am sure it is not as cost effective to be making two formats for one movie. Since DVDs still generate the most profits, it doesn't make a lot of since to move to Blu Ray, which is why it is time to move people to the new format, and leave the old one behind.


I am shocked Blu Ray has taken off faster. Most people I talk to have a PS3 and get Blu Ray movies, and don't even look at DVDs anymore.

I hope it backfires badly and they suffer like the music biz currently is.

[rocknblues81]

BD players are not expensive. They've significantly dropped in price in the short time Blu-ray has been on the market. Compare that to DVD players, which took longer. I paid $750 cost for my first DVD player (and that's because my friend worked for Future Shop at the time and got me a deal). Years later, they're $30.


I hate to tell you people... But buy the time you buy your little blu ray collection they will come out with more bullshyt technology to suck out your money because that's all these people are is money suckers. That's ALL it's about.

[rocknblues81]

Moaning aside, TVs that provide decent picture can be half that price.
BD players are just getting cheaper, and an internal blu-ray disc drive is pretty cheap these days now.
I get it, "I don't want to watch my movies on my tiny computer screen," yadda yadda... There are many ways of getting around that issue. DVI to HDMI can be found cheap, shooting your video from PC straight to TV. There are also MANY other ways of setting up a cheap home theater system with a computer and a TV.

HDMI cables are cheap at monoprice (http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10240&cs_id=1024008&p_id=3992&seq=1&format=2).

It's understandable if you're against upgrading, especially for those on a budget. Then again, exaggeration can keep people from really looking into what's available and for how much.

Why should people have to keep forking out money for the same damn movie they've bought 20 times before? No matter how much they claim they're improving the picture it's still a damn picture. It's not going to come alive in the living room.

Typical American business types. Where in a god awful recession they're trying to push their overblown soon to be worthless technology (How many years til they come out with something else to force people to buy?). I don't give a crap if they mark blu ray players down to 40 bucks.

With the stuff studio's are doing now, all the remakes and the crappy actors (which is basically every actor that has came up the last 10-15 years) and terrible movies... Honestly, I hope Hollywood FALLS.

Like these new entertainment systems. The Xbox360 is one of the biggest piles of crap ever with the endless number of system breakdowns. They're so eager to suck your money out that they don't even care about a quality product.

[mick621]

I think this is lame. It's not like it's a big deal since this is "Dance Flick", but holding the DVD from retail for 2 months and only allowing rental DVD's to rent it, it is a stupid way to promote your film. They want people to switch over, oh right, I am sure people are gonna go out and spend hundreds of dollars on and HDTV and Blu-ray player just to have that perfect viewing experience of "Dance Flick". LOL.

[shoe1985]

rocknblues81, welcome to life. Our economy is mainly based on consumer spending. New technology comes out all the time. You buy a new computer today, top of the line too. Tomorrow, it is old news because something new it out.

This is a test run, and it could prove whether enough people will switch. There are predictions that Blu Ray players could drop huge on price, some even say a price below $100 for a quality one.

I don't know where you shop for stuff, but you can get a quality TV for about $400, pricey, yes, but not as high as you said. You can get a good HDMI cable from Amazon for about $5, that includes shipping. Go to a store, you will pay around $20 or more, but that is why you shop around. Always look around, Wal-Mart, not saying you shop there, is not the cheapest place anymore. Look at deals, I find Best Buy has great sales on many things anymore.

I still believe the PS3 is the best choice because it is so easy to update. But, I don't like the idea of always watching movies on it because of burning out the laser.

Technology evolves so much anymore, that Blu Ray might not even last long enough. Nobody knows. I do hope that the next game consoles don't come out for a long time. The 360 got rushed out with so many problems, I threw that out because of it. The PS3 had a longer development, and it shows.

You can't please everyone.

[m_burlock]

Wouldn't bother with BD unless you were getting a big screen TV. 27-32" just doesn't cut it. There are some amazing deals - such as home theatre bundles (ie. TV, surround sound, BD player, speakers) if you shop around. SAVE UP FOR IT. In the meantime, prices will drop etc etc...

BD players are not expensive. They've significantly dropped in price in the short time Blu-ray has been on the market. Compare that to DVD players, which took longer. I paid $750 cost for my first DVD player (and that's because my friend worked for Future Shop at the time and got me a deal). Years later, they're $30.

HDMI cables. Well, absolutely do not buy the outrageously overpriced ones from Future Shop or Best Buy. Shop Monoprice.com for all your 'home theatre' needs. Besides component works just fine too.

I guess I won't bother with BD then cause my apartment is only so big.

IMHO $250.00 plus tax is too expensive.

I'll never buy anything online. Never.

[m_burlock]

Moaning aside, TVs that provide decent picture can be half that price.
BD players are just getting cheaper, and an internal blu-ray disc drive is pretty cheap these days now.
I get it, "I don't want to watch my movies on my tiny computer screen," yadda yadda... There are many ways of getting around that issue. DVI to HDMI can be found cheap, shooting your video from PC straight to TV. There are also MANY other ways of setting up a cheap home theater system with a computer and a TV.

HDMI cables are cheap at monoprice (http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10240&cs_id=1024008&p_id=3992&seq=1&format=2).

It's understandable if you're against upgrading, especially for those on a budget. Then again, exaggeration can keep people from really looking into what's available and for how much.

Those tvs may provide decent picture but what about how long they'll last? And how often will they need to be repaired?

BD players are getting cheaper. BUT imho they're still too expensive right now.

I'll never buy anything online. Never.

I'm not exaggerating.

[shoe1985]

MisterChristian, 27-32" TVs are fine with Blu Ray. You don't need a big screen TV to enjoy the better picture. I have a 52 inch and a 26 inch TV, and the picture on both looks amazing with Blu Ray.

The negative comments are the same as when DVDs came out. People saw no reason to switch from VHS, but they did.

[m_burlock]

The difference between BD and DVD is so small it's not worth switching formats for.

[MisterChristian]

Actually no, the difference between BD and DVD is incredible.

[KcMsterpce]

There no sense in arguing the difference in video quality from DVD to BD.
Some people love it, others don't. Some say there isn't a difference at all.
Regardless of system set up, some people just don't give a shit, and others really can't tell.

Also, if people don't want to upgrade to the "newest newfangled technology", it's not unusual. No need to berate them for it. If BD does take precedence, then they'll have fewer purchase options and less of a choice to switch over.

Until then, freedom of choice reigns supreme.

[MisterChristian]

True enough Kc :)