Criterion and Dual Format

[zedz]

This thread makes me feel phenomenally well adjusted, so thanks, crazy people!

[bdsweeney]

This thread makes me feel phenomenally well adjusted, so thanks, crazy people!

Surely the Mad Mad Mad Mad World thread serves the same purpose.

[MichaelB]

Is there a more frivolous level below First World Problems?

I'm quite sure we reached it some pages ago already. Especially since it's not the first time we're at the "it won't match the rest of my collection so screw it I won't buy it, shame on you Criterion to prevent me buying stuff I want to buy !"

That's the other characteristic of threads like this: the hilarious misapplication of "forcing" and "preventing", as though Criterion-backed goons were stalking your every online and offline move, rolling up their sleeves in lipsmacking anticipation if they spot the slightest chance of influencing a Criterion-related purchase in either direction.

[criterion10]

I wonder if Dual-Format upgrades of older titles will take away from newer titles that Criterion was planning on releasing.

[knives]

Not if this month in any indication.

[TMDaines]

As much as you can't argue with getting something for nothing from Criterion themselves with the Blu to Dual shift, they are actually costing more in some cases with certain stores charging more to ship heavier sets. I'd much have two dollars than two DVDs I would never choose to purchase.

[Charles]

I was a nay-sayer, but I came around.

My one real gripe (as it stands now) continues to be with the humongous Zatoichi set with 18 FRICKIN' DVDs. I admit that I have yet to comprehend exactly what the actual package looks like, given the few photos I've seen. When I see it in the flesh, I might be so blinded by its beauty that I'll be okay with it. Until then, I just can't help but regret the unnecessary (for me) real estate that's about to go under.

[dwk]

The Zatoichi set looks like it is a little wider than 4 scanavo Blu-ray cases, so it looks like it is a pretty efficient way to store 27 discs.

[Shrew]

I seriously doubt it, unless they hit a huge wave of reissues at the same time. There shouldn't be any new encode, QA, or design work needed for anything--just a small bit on the manufacturing side.

That said, I imagine most titles outside a select 30 or so high-sellers will stay in separate releases for a good several years.

[Charles]

The Zatoichi set looks like it is a little wider than 4 scanavo Blu-ray cases, so it looks like it is a pretty efficient way to store 27 discs.

And so it does.

Just think how beautiful a case that only needed to store 9, and a nice booklet, would have looked.

[Gregory]

Less beautiful because there wouldn't be room for a lot of the illustration work commissioned for the set.

[felipe]

So when Criterion announces something like Breathless on dual-format does this means the dvd version and the blu-ray version were both sold out at the exact same time?
Or should I assume they still have some copies left but are going to throw the digipacks away and save the discs for the new dual-format edition?

[RossyG]

Wasn't Breathless one of the out-of-print Studio Canal titles, or did I dream it?

[felipe]

Oh, I didn't know that about Breathless. But Jules et Jim, for instance, is still available on dvd. What are they going to do with those copies? I don't even think you can purchase them through the Criterion website anymore.

[CSM126]

Oh, I didn't know that about Breathless. But Jules et Jim, for instance, is still available on dvd. What are they going to do with those copies? I don't even think you can purchase them through the Criterion website anymore.

Probably send them off to places like Amazon to sell through them.

[dwk]

Wasn't Breathless one of the out-of-print Studio Canal titles, or did I dream it?

No, StudioCanal doesn't have the US rights to Breathless

[Moe Dickstein]

I would think they would switch to dual whenever either DVD or Blu runs out requiring a reprint. The excess of the other format would then as CSM suggested be wholesaled off to other retailers.

[Ugarte]

It would make no sense to sell off any stock of DVDs since they are going to be combined with BRays in the new packages.Their new model of selling BRs w/DVDs makes economic sense as long as there is a demand for DVDs.It reduces two SKUs (Stock Keeping Units) to one and requires no duplication of packaging or notes.It is more efficient than creating two retail formats for one title.

[Kauno]

I just received my first dual-format release from Criterion. The keep case is not broken, but it doesn't close properly. Because of that the artwork is torn on the spine. Am I crap out of luck or are these keep cases somehow bad?

[cdnchris]

No, they're the same 2-disc cases they've always used. You just got a bad one. Since the top isn't closing it by the looks of it it was probably crushed between other items when in transit. If it was new you can probably contact Criterion about getting a replacement. They're usually pretty good about that.

[Yaanu]

No, they're the same 2-disc cases they've always used. You just got a bad one. Since the top isn't closing it by the looks of it it was probably crushed between other items when in transit. If it was new you can probably contact Criterion about getting a replacement. They're usually pretty good about that.

Now that you mention it, I wonder if Criterion will start selling plastic two-disc cases in their online store to replace any two-disc digipak cases, like they already have for one-disc digipaks.

[cdnchris]

You can actually contact [email protected] to ask about ordering stuff not actually listed on their site, like cover art (with a case) and booklets, and so on. I'm sure they'd also sell the double cases that way. They usually give instructions about sending a payment to them through PayPal and then after they get it they'll ship it out.

(EDIT: I've actually bought a few used titles where it was just the disc(s) and booklet (no case) for a few bucks off EBay or something and then order the cover art from Criterion for $5, usually making for a cheap purchase)

[jindianajonz]

Yes, but unless they make new covers to go with them, you'd have to store your discs in bare transparent cases. And that's assuming the title in question has a booklet small enough to fit in the plastic case.

[MichaelB]

Yes, but unless they make new covers to go with them, you'd have to store your discs in bare transparent cases. And that's assuming the title in question has a booklet small enough to fit in the plastic case.

Those of us who get sent review copies are more than used to storing things in bare, transparent cases. Or, in my case, 320-disc wallets.

[EddieLarkin]

HTF are reporting that several future titles will now see DVD only editions alongside the regular Dual Formats.