The return of combo discs

[rxfiend]

Oh boy, didn't Universal have problems when they did this with HD-DVD?

http://www.blu-ray.com/news/?id=3819

In an industry first, Universal Studios Home Entertainment announced today the introduction of "groundbreaking" dual-format discs containing both Blu-ray and DVD versions of some of the studio's most iconic films. The new "flipper" discs will launch on January 19, 2010 with the spy thrillers 'The Bourne Identity', 'The Bourne Supremacy' and 'The Bourne Ultimatum', premiering in the US as individually packaged Blu-ray discs (see blu-ray.com, November 29).

According to Universal, this makes it "ideal" for anyone planning to upgrade to Blu-ray at a future date as well as current owners of both Blu-ray and DVD systems. Each side of Universal's flipper discs includes the entire movie as well as all available bonus features.

"Universal's flipper discs are the perfect way for consumers to future-proof their collections while still enjoying their favorite movies on all their existing DVD players," said Craig Kornblau, President of Universal Studios Home Entertainment. "The flipper disc offers an easy way for viewers to convert to Blu-ray now or at any time in the future, confident in the fact they will be able to experience their home entertainment purchases in the highest quality picture and sound when they do."

The disc specifications for the 'Bourne' films list the discs as "BD-59", which indicates that they would be dual-layered on both the BD and DVD sides.

Flipper BD/DVD discs were tested in the early days of Blu-ray, but they were deemed impractical. It is unknown what development has made them possible now, and if any other company has worked in the development.

In 2006-2008, when Universal supported HD DVD exclusively, they were the major studio that most often went for combo editions, using it for most of its new releases and even some catalog titles.

[dave13]

i wonder how many people would actually view this as a deterrent to purchasing the blu ray? i know i would.

[Reverenddave]

The HD-DVD/DVD combo discs were often glitchy. If they're able to avoid the problems, then I'm a happy customer.

I fully support the Blu-Ray & DVD combo packs. I have a big extended family and I frequently buy movies for them all to watch. Out of the whole group, there's a dozen DVD Players and only two Blu-Ray Players. So this works out great for me.

[othervoice1]

I liked this with HD-DVD and I like it with Blu-Ray as long as they keep the price down.

[Matt89]

So they're double-sided discs? Seriously, what the fuck is the point? A DVD and a blu-ay disc are two totally different formats, like the discs have completely different textures. This totally deters me from buying Universal blu-rays. I thought with blu-ray we'd finally seen the end of double-sided discs. Smart move Universal, you fucking morons.

~Matt

[KamuiX]

Originally Posted by Reverenddave

I fully support the Blu-Ray & DVD combo packs. I have a big extended family and I frequently buy movies for them all to watch. Out of the whole group, there's a dozen DVD Players and only two Blu-Ray Players. So this works out great for me.

Same here...I'd rather pay a couple extra bucks for a package with separate DVD's and Blu-Ray's than a flipper disc.

[rhett]

I like having all those Universal HD-DVDs with both formats because considering HD-DVD is dead, it's nice to know I'll always have them on a format that will be supported. I've liked how Fox has often included DVDs with their Blu-ray discs (Misery, Child's Play, etc.), and I've also enjoyed the digital copies that Warner and others provide. There are a lost of options though, perfectly fit for a site poll!

[Matt89]

I have no problem with what MGM's been doing (including DVDs with their blu-rays) but I think that mostly came down to laziness on their part, not wanting to port them over onto a blu-ray disc. That's the way it looks anyway. They still have the same disc art and everything. On the blu-ray of The Graduate, the movie is on the blu-ray disc, but all the special features are on the DVD, and the DVD is exactly the same as the 40th ann. release from a few years back. It actually says "The Graduate - 40th Anniversary Edition" on the disc art. Lazy.

I'm happy with them just including a blu-ray only. It's not like blu-ray's just going to die. Sales continue to increase each year, so it's not like it's just going to die off. HD is the future.

~Matt

[othervoice1]

I would rather have two seperate discs packaged together rather then the flipper disc but I suppose it doesnt really make much difference.

[dave13]

Originally Posted by othervoice1

I would rather have two seperate discs packaged together rather then the flipper disc but I suppose it doesnt really make much difference.

doesn't it? double-sided dvds have seriously decreased shelf-lives, dont they? i know my double-sided T2 ultimate edition (which is in perfect condition) has been getting steadily glitchier over the last few years. if slapping a dvd onto the flip side of a blu ray is going to mean that that blu ray wont last as long as it would have otherwise, then clearly it goes beyond being just a waste of time (which it is for me), and actually becomes a problem. thats why, like i said before, i'll definitely be less likely to buy a flipper blu/dvd disc than i would a disc that was one or the other.

[Matt89]

Originally Posted by dave13

doesn't it? double-sided dvds have seriously decreased shelf-lives, dont they? i know my double-sided T2 ultimate edition (which is in perfect condition) has been getting steadily glitchier over the last few years. if slapping a dvd onto the flip side of a blu ray is going to mean that that blu ray wont last as long as it would have otherwise, then clearly it goes beyond being just a waste of time (which it is for me), and actually becomes a problem. thats why, like i said before, i'll definitely be less likely to buy a flipper blu/dvd disc than i would a disc that was one or the other.

Word.

~Matt

[HellRazor]

Is the blu-ray side of these discs a 50 gig BD or a 25 gig BD? If its the same as a regular BLU and doesnt have problems playing or a reduced shelf life or any other detriments than...why not? But I imagine there is a tradeoff somewhere.

I’m another one that would avoid any double-sided combo discs.

The primary reason is that they are a pain to handle and store, being easily scratched (especially when sent in the mail) and fingerprinted or otherwise dirtied.

The secondary reason is that Universal’s double-sided DVDs are renowned for their glitchiness and layer change issues – I’ve had unpleasant experiences with The Frighteners and Dune just to name two (I have others I now dread playing in case they mess up also). I read that Universal manufactures these very cheaply in Mexico and consequently the error rate is very high. I wouldn’t be surprised if the combo BD/DVDs turn out to also have an increased likelihood of failure.

[f.ramses]

Originally Posted by HellRazor

But I imagine there is a tradeoff somewhere.

At the very least it's the fact that you don't get artwork on the outside of the disc but I guess time will tell if it's something worse like the glitches that were mentioned with the HD-DVD combo discs.
I know it's something I spend a whole 1 second looking at as I take the disc out of the case and that it's usually just a portion of the cover image but I think I'd rather artwork on one side of my BD's rather than the same movie in an inferior format. It'd be nice to have the DVD for greater compatibility but it should really be a separate disc.

[crikan]

Originally Posted by dave13

i wonder how many people would actually view this as a deterrent to purchasing the blu ray? i know i would.

I will be staying away from these as much as I can. I'm good with them putting a DVD and a blu-ray in the case but not on the same disc. To be honest, as someone who has been buying a lot of blu-ray, this pisses me off.