Motivations of the movie studios

[tomdkat]

Sometmies when we get into discussion or rants about DVD releases or some HD quality DVD player issues, movie studios' greed is cited as a motivation for multiple DVD releases, bare-bones vs loaded releases, etc...

Usually, the context used for this kind of commentary puts the greed of the studios in a negative "light".

My question: why is the greed of the studios a bad thing?

Peace...

[Dilmo]

Originally Posted by tomdkat

My question: why is the greed of the studios a bad thing?

It's really not. It's their job to profit as much as possible.

[limacharliewhiskey]

Some people feel there is some deception on the part of the studios whenever they do multiple releases of a DVD, especially when there is no prior notice or warning.

I could understand the hostility toward a studio when the DVD industry was just starting up and emerging, where they gave us barebones DVDs of fan favorites like the Die Hard and the Aliens movies. Sometime after, improved SE versions came out.

Now, we shouldn't be surprised by this anymore, and I now take into account potential double-dipping when making purchases. If I think the DVD provides enough bonus features for my money, then I'll buy it. If I think an improved SE could come out in the near future, then I rent it, and wait for the SEs to come out.

Gladiator is my main example at the moment, where there will be a future SE coming out. Some will feel their money is well spent since they've watched their original DVDs several times. Others will be upset that an improved version with more features will be coming out, and that they'll have to spend more money if they want the SE version.

Nobody likes to see a product that they spend their hard earned money on become obsolete because of a better improved version. But this happens with all consumer products. DVD collectors like to think that the products they buy are treated differently than other consumer products, but they aren't.

I've got a 10-year old microwave that should be upgraded, but I don't feel like double-dipping and buying another one just yet.

[JeffHanawalt]

Yeah, lima, what is frustrating to some of us about the whole
double dip issue is the perceived greed factor or deception by
the studios to get us avid collectors to keep buying the same
films multiple times because of slightly upgraded or different
features on the re-releases. A couple of good examples of
dishonesty- Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind and Carlito's
Way. the 2 disc edition of Eternal Sunshine wasn't announced until
shortly after the 1 disc editions were released, and the 2 disc came
out within 4 months of the original edition's release date. Why couldn't
Universal just announce these multiple versions at the same time?
Dishonesty and greed. Carlito's Way SE with 16x9 transfer was issued
not even 2 years ago, and now the "ultimate" edition has a DTS track
and deleted scenes (slightly upgraded features). Why couldn't the
original SE have these featueres? To try to get us to keep buying
these multiple releases. Us DVD collectors have to start putting our
foot down on these tactics and refuse to buy these double dips
for greed.

[furthest1]

I only feel the greed is bad when they remake the great classics and try to put a new spin or something or change a classic movie that should have been left alone or shouldn't have a sequel.

[tomdkat]

Ok, thanks for the comments. Why don't we, as consumers, recognize that multiple DVD releases, etc., are a "revenue stream" created by the studios to make money, which is why they are in business? I mean, isn't this what we want our corporations to do, make money? Isn't that Capitalism in practice?

Peace...

[JeffHanawalt]

Yeah, the studios are in business to make money, but I get upset
that these tactics about all the multiple releases shows zero
consideration for collectors.

[JakeLipson]

Sorry. Intended to post a new topic but actulally posted a reply to this thread by mistake. Oops!