No More Combo-Discs From Warner?

[Pirate]

Well, on selected titles anyway... Warner Home Video have announced the US HD DVD re-release of several titles, all previously issued as HD DVD Combos, as regular single-sided HD DVD releases on 2nd October 2007. Beyond that there is absolutely no difference in terms of content, with everything previously found on the HD DVD sides present and accounted for, while retail prices are dropped in-line with their Blu-ray and non-combo counterparts (so $34.99 SRP on New Releases, and $28.99 SRP on Catalogue titles).

Titles priced at $34.99 SRP are: The Ant Bully, The Departed, The Fountain, Happy Feet, Lady in the Water, The Lake House, Letters from Iwo Jima, Rumor Has It and Superman Returns

Titles priced at $28.99 SRP are: Good Night, and Good Luck and Kiss Kiss Bang Bang.

http://www.dvdtimes.co.uk/content.php?contentid=65599

[Vonner]

Nice! It's about time. The combo HD/DVD release is pointless if you ask me. It's just an excuse to charge more. Someone tell this to Universal as well.

[Ruined]

Actually Warner will continue with combos. What insiders like Robert Zohn said will be happening is that new Warner movies will initially be pressed as combos, then later they will be released as standard HD DVDs.

So in essence we will have both - combos first, then a standard release.

[Pirate]

Originally Posted by Ruined

So in essence we will have both - combos first, then a standard release.

I'm sorry, but that blows! I fully understand why some here like the combo-discs, but I hate being forced to spend almost $10 extra for a DVD that I'll most likely never use. Either release them at the same time or don't bother (or don't charge extra).

[Vonner]

Originally Posted by Ruined

...new Warner movies will initially be pressed as combos, then later they will be released as standard HD DVDs.

I'm patient.

[Ruined]

Originally Posted by piratehunter

I'm sorry, but that blows! I fully understand why some here like the combo-discs, but I hate being forced to spend almost $10 extra for a DVD that I'll most likely never use. Either release them at the same time or don't bother (or don't charge extra).

How are you getting "an extra $10"? Warner is charging MSRP $34.99 for non-combo new releases and MSRP $39.99 on combo new releases.

So, full MSRP wise you are talking $5 difference tops. And on a place like Amazon you are talking $3 difference.

[Derb]

meh, only $4 more at amazon for combo discs. Its the twin-format option ya got to be careful with down the road. Amazon - Freedom: Vol. 2 $35 "sale" price.

[Ruined]

BTW, one of the main reasons they are continuing to deliver combo/twin discs despite some not liking them is that research on the average consumer has indicated that they overwhelmingly prefer combos to standard releases due to the backwards compatibility.

Those consumers have not really been heard from because players are still too expensive for the average consumer to jump in. In summary, though it seems enthusiasts are split on combos, to J6P they are apparently highly desired according to research done by WB.

[jriseden]

Funny how the more expensive option is always the first to be released.

[ganthc]

I only own one combo disc on hd-dvd (Dead Silence), and that was because I had a $10 gift certificate to bring the price down. On principle, I am ignoring purchasing movies that are on combos. I want "Hot Fuzz" but I won't get it, unless I have a certificate to bring the price down, and maybe not even then if I can get a bd movie for cheaper.

I know you are a strong advocate for combos, Ruined, but I just don't like them at all...and not just because of price. It is yet another reason I am a fan of blu when it comes to things like combos. Universal would probably have more sales from me if they just gave up on combos. While that probably doesn't matter to them, I'm sure there are plenty of consumers like me that are sitting out on purchasing them.

[dugpa]

I'm happy as long as they keep putting out the combo discs for new releases. I don't know why they don't just do both at the same time and make everyone happy.

[Pirate]

Originally Posted by Ruined

How are you getting "an extra $10"? Warner is charging MSRP $34.99 for non-combo new releases and MSRP $39.99 on combo new releases.

From Amazon:

Blood Diamond HD DVD = $19.99
The Departed HD DVD (combo) = $27.99

That’s an $8 difference. And in the B&M stores it’s even worse. That $8 could go towards another film rather than being spent on a DVD that I'll never use.

[MooglePorn]

Die combo die!!!

I guess it doesn't matter to me, but MAN they annoyed me when I was into HD DVD. You want me to pay more for a downgraded version of the movie I will never use? Fuck that.

It's like making me buy a PS2 version of a PS3 game for when I want to take it to my cousin's house or something...

[supercutz]

Originally Posted by piratehunter

I fully understand why some here like the combo-discs

I don't.

[Ruined]

Originally Posted by supercutz

I don't.

Simple - they play anywhere. If I bring my 300 HD DVD Combo disc to my girlfriends house, it will play fine on her regular DVD player. For that functionality I lose nothing except disc art - and I'd rather have the greater functionality than disc art that is generally just a carbon copy of the cover. For only $3 more on Amazon, thats a good deal IMO.

Also, the DVD sides are currently more flexible as there are more tools to work with DVD content than either of the hidef disc formats.

[dvdcooler]

I can't see this being a good thing for HD DVD...

Now that I know if I wait a few months and can get the disc cheaper, and without the stupid combo, I'll def wait. For instance, if I had known the Departed would have been available sans combo when it first came out, I would have waited. I can only see this driving down HD sales for new releases...

[billnye97]

I really can't stand the combo discs either. If I have the hi def movie I'm going to watch it in hi def. I'm also not going to take it anywhere else. I wouldn't object if they came out with both at the same time. At least this is a start of releasing both. It seems they are listening to the consumer.

[ganthc]

If Universal really thinks combos are the wave of the future, why don't they just not have standard dvd only releases? Force everyone, even j6p to get a combo, and then have a larger hd-dvd support base. Plus it would make sales look good.

...if that is what j6p wants, apparently.

[dugpa]

Originally Posted by supercutz

I don't.

Well, for those of us who have lives and friends, we don't always watch films in our homes. I like having the SD DVD version so I can also watch it on my laptop on an airplane, or at a friend's or at my girlfriend's house, or on the tv in my office which is only SD. In fact, I've bought a lot of the titles I own on blu-ray on SD DVD as well. Everytime I do, I grumble about it because it costs me more than $5-$8 for the disc which I wouldn't have to buy if blu-ray had combos. As I've said before though, combos should only be used on new releases. Catalog titles everyone pretty much already own the SD DVD of.

[MooglePorn]

I just never watch movies anywhere by my house or my girlfriend's house... and rarely at the second one, and 9 times out of 10 it's a rental at her place, so we can rent whatever format we like.

It's just not really an issue for me.

[CylonManWhore]

Or you could just buy the Australian HD DVD's I picked up 300 last night which was pressed in the states but isn't a combo? It had all the FBI warnings which our normal Aussie DVD's don't carry, leaving no doubt that it wasn't manufactured locally. You're FBI don't mean sh1t to us down here Score one for us Aussies I guess.

Later....

[Vonner]

Originally Posted by ganthc

If Universal really thinks combos are the wave of the future, why don't they just not have standard dvd only releases?

Amen to that. To me it makes no sense at all to release both a SD version and a HD combo version. Who really would pay $10 more for the combo version if they didn't have a HD player? I find it really hard to believe that people without an HD player would buy a combo "to prepare for the future".

[Ruined]

0

Originally Posted by piratehunter

From Amazon:

Blood Diamond HD DVD = $19.99
The Departed HD DVD (combo) = $27.99

That’s an $8 difference. And in the B&M stores it’s even worse. That $8 could go towards another film rather than being spent on a DVD that I'll never use.

Except that is a poor example because for their non-combo new releases Warner is charging $34.99 MSRP ($23.99 Amazon), not $29.99 ($19.99 Amazon).
So it would be:
The Departed HD DVD = $23.99
The Departed HD DVD Combo = $27.99
$4 difference ($3 if you have the HDDISC10 discount)

This is detailed in the original link you posted. So, again its not a $10 difference, its a $5 difference MSRP ($3-$4 street). Both Warner and Universal only charge $5 more for combo across the board, but they both also charge an additional $5 more for a new release regardless if its combo or not.

[Ruined]

Originally Posted by ganthc

If Universal really thinks combos are the wave of the future, why don't they just not have standard dvd only releases? Force everyone, even j6p to get a combo, and then have a larger hd-dvd support base. Plus it would make sales look good.

...if that is what j6p wants, apparently.

That is the idea eventually. However the HD DVD PRG does not believe the market is ready yet for this (which probably translates to them wanting to fleece EAs for a bit more with high prices )

[supercutz]

Originally Posted by Ruined

Simple - they play anywhere. If I bring my 300 HD DVD Combo disc to my girlfriends house, it will play fine on her regular DVD player. For that functionality I lose nothing except disc art - and I'd rather have the greater functionality than disc art that is generally just a carbon copy of the cover. For only $3 more on Amazon, thats a good deal IMO.

Also, the DVD sides are currently more flexible as there are more tools to work with DVD content than either of the hidef disc formats.

Sounds like something the majority of people wouldn't do often enough to warrant the extra cost. And if that's true then that means the rest of the people owning HD-DVD have to pay more for the "option" of flexibility some want.

Originally Posted by dugpa

Well, for those of us who have lives and friends, we don't always watch films in our homes. I like having the SD DVD version so I can also watch it on my laptop on an airplane, or at a friend's or at my girlfriend's house, or on the tv in my office which is only SD. In fact, I've bought a lot of the titles I own on blu-ray on SD DVD as well. Everytime I do, I grumble about it because it costs me more than $5-$8 for the disc which I wouldn't have to buy if blu-ray had combos. As I've said before though, combos should only be used on new releases. Catalog titles everyone pretty much already own the SD DVD of.

So only the people who have lives own HD-DVD combos? Please, give me a break. If you had a life you wouldn't "need" to take movies with you where ever you go and I'm sure your boss/company appreciates how productive you are. I still don't see the justification of HD-DVD combos for "most" people (with lives, no less).

[Derb]

Originally Posted by supercutz

So only the people who have lives own HD-DVD combos? Please, give me a break. If you had a life you wouldn't "need" to take movies with you where ever you go and I'm sure your boss/company appreciates how productive you are. I still don't see the justification of HD-DVD combos for "most" people (with lives, no less).

I once was told by a co-worker while looking at a BB add for a big screen tv... "Anybody who needs a tv that big needs to get a life." I responded.. "Anybody who doesn't own a big screen tv needs to get a life"

Lives aside, Combo's are (Think about this a loud!) $4 dollars more than single-sided HD DVDs. Other than disc art not being present, that is your only valid complaint.

[supercutz]

Originally Posted by Derb

I once was told by a co-worker while looking at a BB add for a big screen tv... "Anybody who needs a tv that big needs to get a life." I responded.. "Anybody who doesn't own a big screen tv needs to get a life"

Lives aside, Combo's are (Think about this a loud!) $4 dollars more than single-sided HD DVDs. Other than disc art not being present, that is your only valid complaint.

This might be borderline OCD but I've never been partial to "flippers" on SD-DVD in the first place. I don't like having to worry about BOTH sides of my discs scratching. Having one-sided discs makes me feel a lot better knowing I can safely handle them without such a worry ;-) I do admit I'm probably in the minority here but still even if it's a few dollars, it adds up if you purchase a lot of HD-DVD combos. But hey, maybe I'm just a cheapass with OCD, lol.