Combo disks fading fast

[navychop]

Per this article, Universal is backing away from their previous plans to distribute 90% of their 2007 high def disc releases in the combo HD-DVD/DVD format. They've moved certain releases to HD-DVD only (DVD version to be sold separately).

I'd say JoeSp called this one!

 

[csschrot]

I personally don't like this. One of the reasons I was backing HD-DVD is because of the combo disks. I liked the fact that I wouldn't have to buy to disk. I guess I'm screwed.

 

[CochiseGuy]

I personally don't like this. One of the reasons I was backing HD-DVD is because of the combo disks. I liked the fact that I wouldn't have to buy to disk. I guess I'm screwed.

I like the combo disks as well. For a few bucks more you also get a copy of the standard DVD to use in the kid's room, car's DVD player, or Latop when traveling. But, I agree it only makes sense for new releases, when buyers are unlikely to have a copy of the DVD. For "catalog releases" several years old, many buyers already had a copy of the DVD, and objected to being forced to spend more to get a copy of a DVD they already had, just to get the HD DVD version.

As I read the article, that's all they're doing - focusing the combos for new releases, and re-releasing older releases on HD DVD only for those who refused to buy the combo. Makes good sense to me. :up

 

[navychop]

It would be nice to have it both ways, so you could decide to pay extra to have the movie in two formats on one disk. Still less than buying 2 disks. But I guess that's too much to expect- for retailers to stock 2 versions of the movie, plus maybe a totalHD version, and maybe even a BD version.

 

[r.jones1116]

From what I read/heard new releases will be combos and older/catalog titles will be HDDVD only.

 

[navychop]

Yes, that seems to be what I'm seeing now too. I should not have put "fast" in the thread title.

 

[JoeSp]

If you want your format to survive you should not support combo discs. This is a hedge play by the studio so that your investment would not be lost if your format does not survive. I for one want only HD material on the discs. If I am going to pay a premium then I want my HD. If not, then I will save my money and buy the DVD version. If a studio is going to support a HD format then go all out and do that -- lets not do it halfway -- that is what happened to Sony last year and they rightfully got slamed. Also, you cannot claim to be the low price guy if your HD/combo discs are more expensive then the other guy's HD discs for the same movie.

 

[vurbano]

Best thing that could happen. I hate combos. Now the price will drop.

 

[vinnyv07]

I love the combo's. I just bought Happy Feet on the combo format. When my kid wants to watch it in his room...he pop's it into his dvdplayer....or when we are on a long trip we pop it i nto the dvd player in the car. When I am in the living room....I watch it in HD!!! I don't see anything wrong with it. I gladly pay more for it. I'm not planning on getting a HD dvd player or Blu-ray player in every room so I like the double sided disks. If the technology could support it, why not make the disk useable everywhere?

 

[jayelem]

I like the idea of combo discs , for those of us who would like to own a HD or BluRay player down the road but can't afford it and would hate to have to buy DVD's over and over again , spend a few bucks more on a HD combo and down the road when the players go down in price make the purchase.

Well I think it's a good idea , now again buying titles in newer formats never stopped any of my friends , I kid you not I know several people with the different Star Wars editions on VHS and DVD , and they never say I'm gonna wait they just keep buying every new edition.

 

[BlackHitachi]

Best thing that could happen. I hate combos. Now the price will drop.

I could not AGREE more! :up

 

[KE4EST]

I'm still undecided but, without combo's prices will drop, or should.

 

[BobMurdoch]

I LIKE the combo's..... Happy Feet played on teh HD DVD player at my house as well as the stadard def player at Grandma's (you KNOW how 8 year olds will watch a movie to death over and over).....

I like this beter than I like Warner's TotalHD solution...