To Double Dip or Not Double Dip

[MiddleEarthGirl]

Inspired by talk over at the CONSTANTINE street date thread:

Would you double dip for the right dvd? I already have for the 1st X-Men film and will for the LOTR series(as well as CONSTANTINE if worst should happen)

[Flash Ahhh]

I say if you want it double dip.

A few years ago, people were complaining that titles didn't come out on DVD fast enough.

The usual comment was something like, "I know it is going to take them a while to put the SE together. I really don't want to wait. They should just release the movie now so we can see it, and do the special edition down the road."

So, that happened for a little bit. We'd get a release, buy it and be happy with it, but still want more. The SE would come out, we'd trade in the bare bones copy and be happy. Paramount and Star Trek is a perfect example.

Now it's changed. Studios release a pretty good edition and then they come out with an even better edition down the road.

So what used to be bare bones and then special edition upgrade is now special edition to slightly better special edition upgrade

Why this sucks is now, you usually cannot trade in the old edition because you'll lose certain content that the new version won't have. (Take the two Alien boxed sets for example) When it was just a bare bones, you could trade that in, lose no content and get a few bucks back -- and the financial impact of the SE wasn't that big of a deal. Now that you have to keep both editions you are paying full price for two titles.

So studios went from giving the consumer what they wanted to milking the consumer for all they can. Talk about a change.

So for LOTR, I kept all the previous titles and then bought the extended editions. So I have both. At least Peter Jackson was decent enough to let everyone know in advance that there would be multiple releases. That way the consumer could decide.

-Flash

[bembol]

It really depends on the title and my chequing account. :p

Ocean's Twelve, I will definately double-dip.

[umainebearman]

I have doubled up on multiple titles but only ones I really wanted, the right ones for me I guess you could say. However there are some that if I knew there was gonna be a bigger edition down the road I'd wait. Of course I've been waiting a very long time for Blade Runner so that stragedy doesn't always work to perfection.

Then there are the new decent editions now and the better editions later that have different stuff on them. Those make you really decide whether to double dip. The only one I doubled up on and KEPT the original release was Daredevil. The other few I've all traded in.

The real question is it worth it to YOU.

[Bananaslug79]

Agreed, Flash. For having two radically different versions of DVDs, the way New Line handled Lord of the Rings is to be commended and should be copied by all other studios. It won't happen, but it would be a more perfect world if it did.

For me it is a matter of movie quality and features quality. With Star Wars, The Matrix, and others that I just can't get enough of, I humbly lay down my common sense and dish out the cash. For things like I, Robot, a movie I thoroughly enjoyed, I'm happy with the transfer of the movie and don't care enough about features to warrant another purchase. Same with Spiderman, etc. A movie in-between like Spaceballs, which I own the cheapo, I might dip again because of the superior features. That's more rare for me, but it happens.

Anyway, I'm hardly an expert on this. Let others share their better experience over a novice like me.

[Fluxus]

Unless I woud be upgrading the audio/video I usually don't double dip. There are a few exceptions like LOTR, Spider-man, and a few others (dC or Theatrical versions of movies I really enjoyed).

Generally, if the transfer and audio are kick ass on the first release, barebones or not, I'm happy with that. There aren't a lot of xtra features that I find myself watching...its the movie, and sound/picture quality that matter to me the most.

Besides it's usually a lot cheaper to get a barebones release that has a great transfer and awesome DD or DTS than to buy some 50 disc super-duper special edition...that means I can buys more movies that the video stores I go to don't carry.

[MooglePorn]

Originally Posted by Fluxus

Generally, if the transfer and audio are kick ass on the first release, barebones or not, I'm happy with that. There aren't a lot of xtra features that I find myself watching...its the movie, and sound/picture quality that matter to me the most.

Same exact thing here. If a double dip improves the picture quality I'm all over it, especially if the previous release was non-anamorphic or just looked horrible anyway. Blade Runner and Casino are examples of movies I've been waiting to buy for a better picture, which I owned before (sold them when SE's were announced). The Thing as well, which was given a 16:9 transfer.

Double dipping for features? That's very rare for me. Usually when a "bare" release comes out along with a stacked release, I'll get the bare one, unless it's one of my favorite films. I actually paid MORE for the Spiderman 2 Superbit than the SE would have been. Picture quality is most important for me for most movies.

The only double dip for strictly bonus features I have made that I can think of right now is the Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas Criterion, because it's one of my favorite films and I knew it would be a great set.

[limacharliewhiskey]

One strategy to help prevent from double-dipping is to rent the 1st release of a title. Then, if you like the movie, you can wait for a SE release to come out afterwards.

I only double-dip for my absolute favorite movies. Moderately enjoyable films that I have in my collection, I would only double-dip if I was really interested in the extra features.

Constantine is a title I haven't seen yet, so I'll likely rent it. If I enjoy it, then I'll put any potential double-dip SE on my wishlist to buy.

[MiddleEarthGirl]

I'm doing a rental on Lemony Skinkit for that reason

[Dilmo]

Originally Posted by MiddleEarthGirl

I'm doing a rental on Lemony Skinkit for that reason

I think that is a wise choice. I like your title better.

[mtcarmel00]

I've only double-dipped once so far. There are 2 titles now that have got me considering it again. They are Apollo 13 and Spaceballs. I would like to have them because I believe both have better picture quality.

[Dilmo]

Originally Posted by mtcarmel00

They are Apollo 13 and Spaceballs. I would like to have them because I believe both have better picture quality.

I recommend Apollo 13 for sure.

[MiddleEarthGirl]

So I can't spell tonight

[Dilmo]

Originally Posted by MiddleEarthGirl

So I can't spell tonight

I was just picking. No harm intended.

[MiddleEarthGirl]

No harm done at all

[Damitol]

I've said this in another thread, but it is best to always assume that there will be a flashier version of any movie down the road that (1) made money during it's theatrical run and/or (2) has a greenlit sequel in the works. The studios make way too much money on DVDs and anytime there is the chance to make more, they will clean up a transfer, add DTS and/or pull some extra features out of the closet, then stamp "Super Ultimate Extra Special Collector's Edition" on the front.

It's no longer an "if" question - it's a "when".

Assume this will happen with every title you buy that is not a catalog release, and "arty" film or a box office dud, and you will never be shocked or angry when the inevitible "better" version is announced a few months later - because it *is* going to happen. If you have to own the the version with the most extras and very best picture and sound and you hate to douple dip, go to Blockbuster's on release day then wait 2-24 months to buy the version you really want.

Then there is Lemony Snicket, who is breaking all the rules and delivering both the basic and the deluxe version today, side by side. I've never seen the film but I want to own it, and in a few hours I will have to decide if I want to spend $15 on a "decent version" or $28 on the one with everything. Crap! At least with a double dip I've forgotten the money I spent on the first relase by the time the "better" version rolls around.

[mikeirwin]

And soon we will all be faced with this decision again when when the new high definition format comes out.

Some of my 1500 DVDs will probably be upgraded, but which ones at this point, I just don't know.

I do know that upgrading them all would be cost prohibitive.

Upgrading my VHS colection (an ongoing project!!) was a no brainer but this is going to take some thought and some hard decisions.

[MiddleEarthGirl]

Damitol: Does that appear to be the case with Constantine so far?

[reapersaurus]

Nobody has mentioned in this thread the BS that has just started happening recently, though:

Other regions getting a spiffy-keen 2-disc release while Region 1 gets fucked up the ass to suck as much $$$ from the teat as possible before finally doing us all a favor and releasing what everyone else got to begin with.

There is a problem there, but damned if I can't put my finger on it....

[Vonner]

Originally Posted by reapersaurus

There is a problem there, but damned if I can't put my finger on it...

The problem is people buying the initial release, and then scarfing up the SE that eventually follows. As long as they get away with it they'll keep doing it.

[tomdkat]

Originally Posted by reapersaurus

Nobody has mentioned in this thread the BS that has just started happening recently, though:

Other regions getting a spiffy-keen 2-disc release while Region 1 gets fucked up the ass to suck as much $$$ from the teat as possible before finally doing us all a favor and releasing what everyone else got to begin with.

There is a problem there, but damned if I can't put my finger on it....

Yep, I think it sucks as well but maybe we're just "suckers" like Vonner sort of describes.

I know I've changed my purchase policy and it's been working VERY well. I rent just about everything first and then I pick it up for cheap-cheap on Amazon.com used or sometimes new from third party sellers. Like the Kill Bill movies. I'm very interested in owning them and have NOT purchased them yet since I wasn't sure about a box set being announced or anything. I might pull the trigger in a couple of months (try to get a lower price ).

Peace...

[cherno]

My biggest gripe with double dipping now is that when releases come out, you know they have the added material available at that time, but they just want to try and get another buy in the future by adding just enough to get a rebuy, then do it again.

It is doubly frustrating when they don't announce they are going to do it. LotR was upfront from the very beginning that they would be multiple editions. The EEs are far and above, the best special editions I have seen and truly stand alone as their own films.

It is stuff like Oceans Twelve that you know are going to have something coming but just don't care to put it out now that tick me off.

In the early days of DVD it was hard to get extra materials and consistancy in the aspect releases, quality of the video remastering, audio formats, etc. We were more concerned about actually getting a movie realeased. It is more understandable for me to see older releases being reissued, and in most cases, I will gladly double dip for a film I like. But new releases have no excuse except to milk the consumer.

[tomdkat]

Originally Posted by cherno

But new releases have no excuse except to milk the consumer.

I don't agree with this but I agree with the rest of your post.

Peace...

[cherno]

Originally Posted by tomdkat

I don't agree with this but I agree with the rest of your post.

Peace...

I shall amend to say most new releases. We know that most of the bonus materials are completed in conjunction or shortly after the filming. Why doesn't the studio want to just release just one good version and be done with it?

[I 8 Piglet]

Originally Posted by bembol

It really depends on the title and my chequing account.

Its Checking none of the que crap. When you post to an American message board post in American!

[supercutz]

I'd gladly double dip if the following titles received SEs and/or the proper transfers:

Armageddon
Batman
Batman Returrns
Blade Runner (I swear!)
Brazil
Creepshow
Dark City
Dune (come on already)
Edward Scissorhands
Equilibrium
Frighteners
From Dusk Till Dawn
The Goonies
Hard Boiled
Interview With The Vampire
James And the Giant Peach
Jurassic Park series
Kill Bill 1 & 2
The Killer
Lilo & Stitch (wasn't this announced?)
Mars Attacks!
Mission Impossible
Natural Born Killers
Nightmare Before Christmas
Office Space (coming 2005)
Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace (horrible transfer)
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (original)
Titanic (2005?)
True Lies
Wizard Of Oz

[cherno]

Most of the titles you mention I wouldn't mind a double dip on either, because they were earlier releases and really about due for an upgrade.

Originally Posted by supercutz

Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace (horrible transfer)

Wha??

[Galahad67]

I have double dipped on the following - mostly for the special features but sometimes because of the video/audio enhancements

Raging Bull
Bridge on the River Kwai
Lawrence of Arabia
Batman the animated series - went from getting the singles to getting the season sets
Casablanca
Dances with wolves
Daredevil
LOTR
Good, bad Ugly

And I bought both the canadian and US versions of the Pianist - Canada for the special features and the US version for the NTSC version of the film ( Isold the canadian (PAL) version of the film to a co-worker

[MJZ]

If I know in advance what different editions there will be then I'm able to make up my mind, but if the 'do I double dip' situation occurs and I really want the new version then I think hard about it and find out the specifics about the updated release before making up my mind and (reluctantly) spending my money on a title all over again.

I can only recall a few times that I have actually double dipped as I try to avoid doing it.

[Bananaslug79]

Originally Posted by cherno

Originally Posted by supercutz
Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace (horrible transfer)

Wha??

I don't get this one either, Cherno. Apparently this is a common complaint of that DVD, but I've never seen what the big deal is. To me Episode I looks as good as Episode II, and II was completely digital to digital. I guess my tastes just aren't that discerning.

[MooglePorn]

Originally Posted by Bananaslug79

I don't get this one either, Cherno. Apparently this is a common complaint of that DVD, but I've never seen what the big deal is. To me Episode I looks as good as Episode II, and II was completely digital to digital. I guess my tastes just aren't that discerning.

Episode 2 blows episode 1 out of the water on a good TV. I think the main problem is that people compare the two, and Episode 2 looks obviously better. Most people don't realize the digital/film difference and assume they should look the same.

[ceeece]

Originally Posted by MooglePorn

Episode 2 blows episode 1 out of the water on a good TV. I think the main problem is that people compare the two, and Episode 2 looks obviously better. Most people don't realize the digital/film difference and assume they should look the same.

Agreed! I rewatched Episode I a couple of weeks ago and couldn't believe how bad the transfer was. I was like "I don't remember it being that bad" and "this can't be worthy of a Star Wars release". Episode II is stunning on my TV.