Visions Fantastic - View Single Post - Disney in Blu-ray

Magic1 · 06-04-2008, 12:31 PM

I had a problem with standard Disney DVDs when I would purchase one and then a special release DVD would follow a couple of years later with no notable increase in quality, just a few more special features. So I didn't buy the updated versions because the price-to-featureset was too high to justify re-buying the same movie on the same format.

When DVDs came out, they included features that weren't available on VHS (even though there was room on the tapes) so I guess I'm not surprised that the same happens with BDs. There are some things you can do on a BD that you can't on a DVD like: store more information for better picture, sound, and more extras; have pop-up menus; include more interactive games; and eventually have picture-in-picture commentaries or special, internet features.

Along with a much higher price for Blu-rays, you might expect more features than the DVD. From a business standpoint (and Disney needs to make money on these just like everyone else), DVD margins are much lower than on Blu-ray so making some (to repeat: some) special content available on a special format makes sense.

I agree that prices for the equipment are a bit high (TV, player, cables...) and the prices of the discs aren't much better (like DVDs were in the early days), but over time those prices will drop. My first DVD player was $600 and now you can get them for $30; my first DVDs were around $35 and now I regularly get them for around $10. With some careful shopping, you can hit deals on BD films. Right now, I'm averaging around $17 per title and I know others who have done much better.

A feature I wish BDs had (especially with Disney discs) is the one some HD DVDs had allowing playback in both standard DVD players and HD players. That would've been great if you wanted a disc you could play in the decked-out home theater then snag and pop in the car for the kids.

For now, I'm supporting Disney on this format (as much as my budget allows), thoroughly enjoying what they've put out so far and looking forward to many improvements in features and the library.

.:Magic1:.

06-04-2008, 12:31 PM	#4 (permalink)
Magic1 Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: West Coast Posts: 645 My Mood:	I had a problem with standard Disney DVDs when I would purchase one and then a special release DVD would follow a couple of years later with no notable increase in quality, just a few more special features. So I didn't buy the updated versions because the price-to-featureset was too high to justify re-buying the same movie on the same format. When DVDs came out, they included features that weren't available on VHS (even though there was room on the tapes) so I guess I'm not surprised that the same happens with BDs. There are some things you can do on a BD that you can't on a DVD like: store more information for better picture, sound, and more extras; have pop-up menus; include more interactive games; and eventually have picture-in-picture commentaries or special, internet features. Along with a much higher price for Blu-rays, you might expect more features than the DVD. From a business standpoint (and Disney needs to make money on these just like everyone else), DVD margins are much lower than on Blu-ray so making some (to repeat: some) special content available on a special format makes sense. I agree that prices for the equipment are a bit high (TV, player, cables...) and the prices of the discs aren't much better (like DVDs were in the early days), but over time those prices will drop. My first DVD player was $600 and now you can get them for $30; my first DVDs were around $35 and now I regularly get them for around $10. With some careful shopping, you can hit deals on BD films. Right now, I'm averaging around $17 per title and I know others who have done much better. A feature I wish BDs had (especially with Disney discs) is the one some HD DVDs had allowing playback in both standard DVD players and HD players. That would've been great if you wanted a disc you could play in the decked-out home theater then snag and pop in the car for the kids. For now, I'm supporting Disney on this format (as much as my budget allows), thoroughly enjoying what they've put out so far and looking forward to many improvements in features and the library. .:Magic1:.