Why DVD's have better packaging than Blu Ray?

futurefields

Diamond Member
Jun 2, 2012
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91
A lot of DVD's have really fancy packages, with cool artwork and stuff. Like the Fight Club DVD, remember that one? Thing is legend. But Blu Rays are almost always teh generic blue box with the crappy sleeve insert. WTF? Packaging matters IMO... More people would buy these things if they felt they were worth owning.
 

NoTine42

Golden Member
Sep 30, 2013
1,387
78
91
LP's had better art than CD's... but now people download songs and artwork doesn't matter.

Now that people can stream movies online, the average person doesn't need to buy or collect movies.
 

zerocool84

Lifer
Nov 11, 2004
36,041
472
126
What BD's need is lower prices!
They are usually pretty cheap, well if you wait until they are on sale just like DVD and VHS was. I just got Harry Potter series for $35 and National Lampoon Vacation series for $18.
 

futurefields

Diamond Member
Jun 2, 2012
6,470
32
91
LP's had better art than CD's... but now people download songs and artwork doesn't matter.

Now that people can stream movies online, the average person doesn't need to buy or collect movies.

With data caps now firmly in place in my area I am no longer streaming rampantly like I used too. Physical media is here to stay IMO.
 

PliotronX

Diamond Member
Oct 17, 1999
8,883
107
106
DVDs came from a time when discs were valued and believed to be some of the highest quality for home video one could own. BD has to compete with streaming and pirated copies where no one cares about the packaging.
 
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Imp

Lifer
Feb 8, 2000
18,828
184
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You know, it's pathetically sad that I used to baby my CDs and DVDs. They were to be "forever." Last year, I threw out all their cases and stacked the discs in containers for long-term storage.
 
Mar 11, 2004
23,444
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What Fight Club case are you talking about? A quick Google showed nothing special to me. Unless you're making a fuss about that stupid one that looks like cardboard paper wrapped package (that's on a cardboard outer that just went over the basic ass DVD case), in which case, uh, you really think that's some great artwork?

There are some nice Blu-ray cases that aren't the standard packaging (I've got a Young Frankenstein one that has a nice plastic case, and I know there's plenty of others when you get special edition versions). I guess I really don't know what you're talking about with regards to artwork. Sure DVD cases had a bit bigger sized inserts, but that really didn't add much if anything. Unless you're talking about the outer cardboard/plastic covers that some had but most of those were lame and cheap as hell. But I know there's Blu-rays that have that stuff so I'm not sure why you're acting like those stopped with DVDs.

I'd take the standard Blu-ray case over the typical DVD cases (especially those fucking awful ones that have the two little latches that people just break off). The blue is a nice color, is more compact (so can fit more movies in the same space), and the plastic seems a bit more flexible/pliable, and I have yet to break one from regular wear (whereas I've had quite a few DVD cases broke literally from me popping the DVD out of them for the first time).

Most importantly, the Blu-ray discs themselves are better. And they feature larger and often better done artwork compared to what DVD offered (granted its not much but its every bit as silly as you saying DVD had better artwork because the inserts and case were a bit larger).

Actually most importantly, the Blu-ray transfers of the movies are typically much better and more true to the original releases of the movies (I'm sure there's quite a few exceptions). That's ignoring the purely technical resolution/color aspects.

And now, you can generally find tons of high quality art (both professional/commercial that you could buy and also lots of lovingly crafted fan art or even commission fans/graphic artists to make you something specific) for any movie you want. So you could buy nice high quality poster or vinyl pieces, or all manner of things (quality prop reproductions, etc). So its not like you're missing out on quality art for movies you like.
 

Eug

Lifer
Mar 11, 2000
24,003
1,622
126
The Gravity Diamond Luxe Edition Blu-ray with Dolby Atmos is pretty nice.

1427312751_1.jpg


It cost me CAD$20 in Canada, or about US$15. Unfortunately, it's almost US$70 at Amazon.com in the US, for some stupid reason.

The regular generic blue box non-Atmos version is $8 in both countries now, although it was CAD$15 when I bought my Atmos version last year.

511vv0w%2B3eL.jpg
 
Last edited:

Sonikku

Lifer
Jun 23, 2005
15,867
4,840
136
I pirate everything now. About the only thing I think I'd pay for now is a 4k Star Wars with the kind of ultra high bit rate some 2gb file online can't match. But there is no 4k version of star wars available in home video form and even if there was, it'd probably just be the trashy version where Vader screams the worst line in cinema in RoTJ.
 

Murloc

Diamond Member
Jun 24, 2008
5,382
65
91
With data caps now firmly in place in my area I am no longer streaming rampantly like I used too. Physical media is here to stay IMO.
meh, streaming is catching up to 4k as well, people with dolby atmos setups are a tiny minority of a minority, and are data caps that widespread in the OECD space? Are they low enough for the average family to have trouble with them?
 

TwiceOver

Lifer
Dec 20, 2002
13,544
44
91
meh, streaming is catching up to 4k as well, people with dolby atmos setups are a tiny minority of a minority, and are data caps that widespread in the OECD space? Are they low enough for the average family to have trouble with them?

Seems like I heard comcast? upped their cap to 1tb which is very reasonable in the current streaming world. I'm uncapped and use about 600GB per month using streaming only, no cable TV.
 

PottedMeat

Lifer
Apr 17, 2002
12,363
475
126
there's no public standard for which bytes count and do not count towards a wired or wireless cap is there?
 

Eug

Lifer
Mar 11, 2000
24,003
1,622
126
I stream most of my stuff and all of the stuff for my kids, and only use 150 GB per month.

People using over 1 TB per month are usually pirating stuff, not just streaming. Remember, Netflix HD 1080p maxes out at about 3 GB per hour, while 4K maxes out at about 7 GB per hour. That works out to over 330 hours or over 140 hours respectively, or 11 or 4.7 hours per day. Furthermore, there isn't enough 4K content on Netflix to stream 5 hours a day for an extended period.
 

zerocool84

Lifer
Nov 11, 2004
36,041
472
126
I stream most of my stuff and all of the stuff for my kids, and only use 150 GB per month.

People using over 1 TB per month are usually pirating stuff, not just streaming. Remember, Netflix HD 1080p maxes out at about 3 GB per hour, while 4K maxes out at about 7 GB per hour. That works out to over 330 hours or over 140 hours respectively, or 11 or 4.7 hours per day. Furthermore, there isn't enough 4K content on Netflix to stream 5 hours a day for an extended period.
And if multiple people stream HD everyday? Also throw in a video game or two which are easily 50GB each now plus all the other normal stuff we do everyday. If you have a family with kids these caps aren't high enough.
 

Imp

Lifer
Feb 8, 2000
18,828
184
106
Unless there's some fineprint I haven't read, I can upgrade my internet plan from a 150 GB cap to unlimited for an extra $20 a month. My ISP doesn't count middle of the night usage too. But ya, if everyone starts streaming HD like during a sports game, there will probably problems.
 

futurefields

Diamond Member
Jun 2, 2012
6,470
32
91
DVDs came from a time when discs were valued and believed to be some of the highest quality for home video one could own. BD has to compete with streaming and pirated copies where no one cares about the packaging.

And yet, ironically, it's the packaging where they have an opportunity to seperate themselves from the pirates. Like I said - make it something WORTH owning and people will buy it. Like the Fight Club DVD.
 

futurefields

Diamond Member
Jun 2, 2012
6,470
32
91
I stream most of my stuff and all of the stuff for my kids, and only use 150 GB per month.

People using over 1 TB per month are usually pirating stuff, not just streaming. Remember, Netflix HD 1080p maxes out at about 3 GB per hour, while 4K maxes out at about 7 GB per hour. That works out to over 330 hours or over 140 hours respectively, or 11 or 4.7 hours per day. Furthermore, there isn't enough 4K content on Netflix to stream 5 hours a day for an extended period.

So much fail here. Do you work for Comcast?

I find it hilarious in the area of 60gb digital downloads for games and increasing resolutions (4k) that anybody would defend data caps. How many people are in your house streaming 4k? I am guessing just use. What if you were 3 or 4 adults all in the same house all streaming and downloading your (purchased) games? The data cap goes quickly.
 

deustroop

Golden Member
Dec 12, 2010
1,915
354
136
So much fail here. Do you work for Comcast?

I find it hilarious in the area of 60gb digital downloads for games and increasing resolutions (4k) that anybody would defend data caps. How many people are in your house streaming 4k? I am guessing just use. What if you were 3 or 4 adults all in the same house all streaming and downloading your (purchased) games? The data cap goes quickly.

Sheet

Back in the day, we was never inside long, mostly outside, playing hockey or football or beating up robbers in Cops an Robbers or getting laid. Never were spending whole formative years sittin down starring fixedly in one direction. I sees VR is coming. Well it don't got far to go. Thing is, in what dimension do kids live ? Real or virtual ?

Time will tell whose generation is the better for it and why.
 

PliotronX

Diamond Member
Oct 17, 1999
8,883
107
106
Sheet

Back in the day, we was never inside long, mostly outside, playing hockey or football or beating up robbers in Cops an Robbers or getting laid. Never were spending whole formative years sittin down starring fixedly in one direction. I sees VR is coming. Well it don't got far to go. Thing is, in what dimension do kids live ? Real or virtual ?

Time will tell whose generation is the better for it and why.
UOZDpLc.jpg
 
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futurefields

Diamond Member
Jun 2, 2012
6,470
32
91
Sheet

Back in the day, we was never inside long, mostly outside, playing hockey or football or beating up robbers in Cops an Robbers or getting laid. Never were spending whole formative years sittin down starring fixedly in one direction. I sees VR is coming. Well it don't got far to go. Thing is, in what dimension do kids live ? Real or virtual ?

Time will tell whose generation is the better for it and why.


I'm 33.

Back in my day, in my 20's I was playing in rock and roll bands and getting laid. I wasn't even playing video games for most of my teens or twenties. I didn't even own a system in high school. Lol. But, go on?
 

Anubis

No Lifer
Aug 31, 2001
78,712
427
126
tbqhwy.com
meh, streaming is catching up to 4k as well, people with dolby atmos setups are a tiny minority of a minority, and are data caps that widespread in the OECD space? Are they low enough for the average family to have trouble with them?

its not really even up to 1080p yet, the 4k streams barley look better then a BR and always sound worse. even when compressed a typical 2 hour 1080p movie is 10 gigs when including the HD audio track - current "HD" streams 1080p movies from UV or Amazon are under 1/2 the size. 4k is no where close to being close.

as for your caps question what is OECD? and yes both caps and speed are major issues for the vast majority when it comes to streaming.
 

bigboxes

Lifer
Apr 6, 2002
41,607
12,318
146
A lot of DVD's have really fancy packages, with cool artwork and stuff. Like the Fight Club DVD, remember that one? Thing is legend. But Blu Rays are almost always teh generic blue box with the crappy sleeve insert. WTF? Packaging matters IMO... More people would buy these things if they felt they were worth owning.

Everything is digital these days. Peeps are either downloading or streaming. So, less importance is put on physical discs. I'm slowly phasing out physical media. I have a fairly large file server (maybe not on this board), but when I build a new home server it will have the space where I can rip all my disc images and have them stored there for immediate use anywhere on my network, LAN or WAN. And I don't love CDs/DVDs. My 250+ vinyl LPs had superior artwork and I have a strong attachment and fondness for them. But like I said, everything has gone digital and so have I.
 

sdifox

No Lifer
Sep 30, 2005
99,029
17,416
126
its not really even up to 1080p yet, the 4k streams barley look better then a BR and always sound worse. even when compressed a typical 2 hour 1080p movie is 10 gigs when including the HD audio track - current "HD" streams 1080p movies from UV or Amazon are under 1/2 the size. 4k is no where close to being close.

as for your caps question what is OECD? and yes both caps and speed are major issues for the vast majority when it comes to streaming.
OECD is the people that compare countries.

http://www.oecd.org
 

sdifox

No Lifer
Sep 30, 2005
99,029
17,416
126
Unless there's some fineprint I haven't read, I can upgrade my internet plan from a 150 GB cap to unlimited for an extra $20 a month. My ISP doesn't count middle of the night usage too. But ya, if everyone starts streaming HD like during a sports game, there will probably problems.
I can use 150 in a week...