I know Disney supports Blu-Ray, so why don't they do combo discs like HD-DVD?

Half the time, my kids are watching a DVD in the car. If there was a Blu-Ray Combo disc, I'd be more likely to jump. But since my kids don't care about S-DVD vs. hi def DVD (and shouldn't on a 7" screen in the back seat), I'd really rather buy those Disney flicks in S-DVD so they can watch them in the car, in their room, or on the big family LCD.

Seems to me a company like Disney would have a lot to gain by selling a single disc that would play on any DVD player as well as BR.

I have a 360 with an add-on HD-DVD player and always hesitate when buying a non-combo disc. Conversely, there's a little piece of mind when it's available in combo. I've loaned out my 300 disc to 2 non-HD friends. Easy.

Not a fan boy. Will eventually buy a PS3 just for the BR. If all BR started cranking our mostly combo discs, that would be big, IMHO. Same goes for HD-DVD I'd imagine.

Well you will find yourself in the minority on AVS.
Most HD DVD supporters hate combo's. and most BR supporters scoff at the idea of combo discs. Of course a lot that might just be that BR doesn't have them, but seeing as how many HD DVD supporters hate them, who really knows.

I forget why exactly, but I believe Combos are not allowed for BR. I thought it was something to do with the DVD consortium not being down with the BDA. But I don't recall exactly. I know there is a specific reason why there are not combo discs for BR.

I hope to hell Blu-Ray NEVER comes out with a combo disk!

I despise those things---not only because of the higher price, but because I figure that if a person wanted to share his disk with somebody, they should buy it on standard DVD instead of companies trying to make more money by charging HI-DEF consumers more...why pay for the same movie twice for christsakes??????

Not to mention that the standard DVD side of combos always look worse than the HI-DEF side....

Not to mention that the standard DVD side of combos always look worse than the HI-DEF side....


Um...
were you expecting the SD version to look better?

I'm guessing since the DVD forum is on HD DVDs side no..

I think the OP wants to share with his vehicle. I agree that kids' titles especially would benefit from a combo-disc approach and made this point on the HD-DVD side. Apparently it is not a view that is shared by many on this site, although I don't understand why. I don't want to buy new titles twice but if it's a kids title and we will be watching it on trips then I guess the SD version is the one that will be purchased.

I hope to God they don't. Every combo disc I had in the past has given me problems. Every last one.

I'd be ok if they simply included the standard def dvd version of the movie on a seperate DVD. If it costs more than an additional $5 than don't do it. I don't want combo discs either.

Guess I'm in the minority, and that's OK.

I've never had trouble with combos.

Just out of curiosity, do you guys have kids? If so, are you buying Disney on BR only, S-DVD only, or buying it twice (BR and S-DVD)?

I hope not. I hate the combo discs, most of the time they are technically flawed and they cost more. Why should i pay more money for a dvd side i dont want and will never use.. I buy many dual releases on BR because of it. many have issues playing them in various players, they skip and lock up. plus who doesn't like a pretty label.

I hope to God they don't. Every combo disc I had in the past has given me problems. Every last one.

So weird, never had a problem with one that could solely be attributed to it being a combo.

If they do, I'll be damn the first to stop buying blu-ray movies. Stick the standard dvd to its own world. That's why I stop buying hd-dvd movies with combo disc....even sold all my combo discs...except for Fearless...but I'll be selling it if it ever release a non-combo.

Apart from combos being a very unpopular idea, the Blu-ray physical disc structure doesn't allow for a DVD side. The Blu-ray side and the DVD side have different flexible qualities, and the layers would separate too easily, rendering the disc unplayable for either side. This is the way I've come to understand it.

jeeezzz. not that I support the combo discs, but some people REALLY hate it. Did the combo discs talk about your momma of something?? lol. HD DVD has to come up with some way to compete with blu, and obvioulsy combos arent it. Atleast they tried. ha.

because sd-dvd players can't play bluray discs, period... different technology....

I personally wouldn't go for those flipper discs, they remind me of those early Warner DVD's that were flippers. It just sends chills down my spine.

I hope to God they don't. Every combo disc I had in the past has given me problems. Every last one.


Just boil em....that seems to work...:p

I have one combo disc and I would never buy another(bought this one by mistake, somehow didn't read Combo Format on the box). I hate the dual sided discs, It's completely aesthetic for me, but I can't stand it. Someone on the HDDVD board I believe had an excellent idea for doing something similar to combos by giving a discount on the SDDVD to those who had purchased the film on Bluray or HDDVD. So when you buy a bluray or hddvd you can purchase the sddvd along with it for a discounted price.

I'd be ok if they simply included the standard def dvd version of the movie on a seperate DVD. If it costs more than an additional $5 than don't do it. I don't want combo discs either.

It would be nice but that would never happen because 2 copies of the movie could be watched at once. You could give it to a friend or sell it, and the studios would never go for that. Having a combo disc eliminates that problem because it is possible to watch only 1 copy at the same time.

Just out of curiosity, do you guys have kids? If so, are you buying Disney on BR only, S-DVD only, or buying it twice (BR and S-DVD)?

So, it looks like nobody has a current answer for this? Maybe once the format war resolves, all DVD players sold and placed in vehicles will be BR and this will be a non-issue.

I guess if BR can't physically do it, then that's that.

For now, looks like I'm sticking with S-DVD's (even once I grab my PS3) so the kid's Disney vids can be played in the car, in their bedrooms, at grandmas, etc. Just thought combo disc would solve this, but guess not.

Thanks everyone!

:):):)

I love both formats with a slant towards HD-DVD but this combo deal is the thing I hate the worst between these two formats. I've actually used the combo gimmick when taking a movie over to a friends or to work to watch but I would rather have a choice between buying the combo version and buying one with the artwork on one side and not to mention a $5 break in the price. I'm all for combos if they would at least give you the choice of buying the non combo version.

I think the hate comes from the higher prices and issues that happen. Some say that combos play great. But id guess their are more issues with combos then non-combos so if they could work out the bugs and sell them at normal disc pricing then all would be good. I always hatted seeing the BD at 20-25 and the HD at 30-40. But I have a blu player now so it doesn't matter. It will come down to which side has the better extras and sound/video. When its all the same price. Then if equal illl just grab the first I see.

Just out of curiosity, do you guys have kids? If so, are you buying Disney on BR only, S-DVD only, or buying it twice (BR and S-DVD)?

Anybody using a Grex, Sima or similar video stabilizer unit to make 480i analog copies of their kids' movies with a DVD recorder? I've stopped buying SD DVD for the most part, and I think it's kind of silly to have to buy both Blu-ray and DVD copies of the same movie.
I'm just wondering if this would work.

...if you guys are referring to movies aimed primarily at children, I would think that it would be best to buy only the SD DVD version of the film unless there's overwhelming adult interest in a particular title. All of the hidef disc players can upconvert SD discs, so you could play it on your home deck as well as in your minivan.

I realize raising children is very expensive these days, but if you're not willing to make a few sacrifices (you don't buy yourself a title you want for yourself so you can provide the kids with both the SD and the HD version of THEIR favorite film), what's the point? Then there's the practicality of the whole matter: the "mobile" version would be the one you let the kids handle themselves, while only you are allowed to handle the hidef version.

Then there's the practicality of the whole matter: the "mobile" version would be the one you let the kids handle themselves, while only you are allowed to handle the hidef version.

No kids, but if I did, that would be the main issue for me. $30 to $40 on a movie is alot of money for me, and I honestly wouldn't feel right about keeping it in the car and letting it get tossed around.

One of the main advantages of Blu-ray is that there is no combo disc.

Veto

There's no point to doing it. It will only help the people who buy it thinking it will work on their dvd player even when they can't read the sticker that says it won't. On top of that, I can't wait to hear the people that play the dvd side and go "this isn't hd."

That and they'll just add more money to the price, I want the prices to go down not up.

I have kids and currently have multiple SDVD players (including the car) but only 1 BD player (my PS3). It is essential to have movies that play in the car. Therefore, for average kiddie flicks, its SDVDs only; for our family favorites, I'll buy both SDVD and BD versions but really try to find special pricing on BDs (like Disneyshopping.com having BOGO for POTC I & II = $30 total for both).

Big no-no...

I hope it NEVER happens. I like that BD movies are $5 cheaper then HD-DVD. Not to mention there was a SLEW of problems with HD-DVD discs when the combos first came out. Most HD-DVD'ers hate the combo disc.

If they were the same price, sure.. give us combo, but i am not paying extra $$$ for a disc i will never watch.

Maybe on the rare occasion I want to pop it into my laptop, or let a friend borrow it, sure. but I don't think i want my friends borrowing my blu-ray discs if they dont' have a blu-ray player.


In the end, I doubt very much Blu-Ray will ever do combos. Most owners want HD movies, not SD movies. If you spent your hard earned cash on the best audio/video, why downgrade?

Regardless of whether people like or dislike the idea of a combo disc for either format...

Even if the BD "powers that be" wanted to do this, wouldn't it be up to the DVD Forum to allow / disallow ?

Since the DVD Forum's champion is HD-DVD, I'd wouldn't expect this happen anytime soon (if ever).

I understand your problem, but some people on here don't have kids and probably wouldn;t know what to do if they did have them. they do not even understand the value of money. if you make bluray dvd, it satisfies you and it makes bluray sell more because people will see the word dvd on it and will be able to play it. common sense.

If I had children, I would also just buy the SD DVD for them to watch their favorite movies on the go, or at friend's houses, etc. If it's a family fave, then I would get both the blu-ray disc and the DVD, but I would wait until a buy-one-get-one, just like I do with most titles :).

Could they package a bare bones DVD in the same package? Not on the same disc, but as 2 disc set. I just bought Ratatouille on DVD because my kids wouldn't be able to watch it in their bedroom. Would have been glad to pay an extra $5 for a combo package. I'm bought the Shrek 3 combo and the kids watch it every night in their room.

Point is, combos are great for kids movies, and not bad for adults either.

I was bed ridden for 2 days after a surgery recently and watched 300, The Departed and Fearless in my bedroom on my regular DVD player, and was quite happy I had them in that situation.

I am not sticking up for them in that situation, but they are great if you have kids.

Would the BDA be "allowed" to pack in a DVD with a BD? That would be the best situation for both camps IMO. They sell 2 disc BD sets, why not throw in a single layer cheap DVD version of the film (no extras) for the kids movies instead of a second BD full of useless extras?

My only problem with combos is the price. I have never experienced the tech issues some have had with combos so, price is my only concern. If they were priced the same as non-combo releases, or offered a non-combo as well, then I wouldn't have a problem with them. I don't like having to pay for something I don't want or need. The only combo I own that I have actually used both sides is the DVE HD DVD. I use the HD side in my HD DVD player (obviously) and the SD side in my PS3. Other then that I don't think I have ever watched the SD side of any of the others I own. Any dual format release that is a combo on HD DVD is an automatic BD buy. Warner and especially Universal have missed out on a number of sells from me because of the combo disc. All my hate would go away if the price was the same as non-combos.

Wait, wait, now stop the presses!!! The fact is that JVC has planned on working on this concept. For the reason that are not available is anyone's guess, but I'm sure that the BDA knows why. I'm not going to add to speculation in this regard. But what I will do is this: post a picture of a prototype of the disc. Me personally. I would rather not see any more problems that could potentially be bad PR for consumers regarding this format. But I do understand the original poster's comments. Just yesterday I was in Target and couldn't find Ratatouille and Cars on BD and my daughter wanted Ratatouille so I got her the DVD. Because she doesn't live with me, she can take it home and if she wants to take it to a friends house that's cool too.

Nonetheless here is the picture that is on Blu-ray.com.

http://www.blu-ray.com/images/media/jvc.jpg

Guess I'm in the minority, and that's OK.

I've never had trouble with combos.

Just out of curiosity, do you guys have kids? If so, are you buying Disney on BR only, S-DVD only, or buying it twice (BR and S-DVD)?

You are in the minority, but not alone. I support both formats and have appreciated the combos on HD DVD as my three kids can (and do) watch them in their bedroom or in the laptop computer in a waiting room at the doctor's office or in the van on trips or copied on my iPod, etc. Sometimes you have to deal with a child who wants to watch Happy Feet ten times a day--whether or not they are in a room with a high def player.

I just bought Ratatouille on BR (only) and it will play on one player. Our copies of Cars, Nemo, etc. have been played tons of times on many different players, but that convenience ends now. We will be spending vacation time with the in-laws and I can't wait to explain to my son why he can't bring Ratatouille, Meet the Robinson's or the Pixar shorts to watch. Ninja Turtles, Happy Feet, Evan Almighty, etc. are safe because of the combo technology--and incidentally, I have a lot of combo discs and both sides work fine on all of them.

I understand that the average AVS member went high def and never looked back, and so combos are useless. But for families like mine, there is a definite benefit to having them.

Well you will find yourself in the minority on AVS.
Most HD DVD supporters hate combo's. and most BR supporters scoff at the idea of combo discs. Of course a lot that might just be that BR doesn't have them, but seeing as how many HD DVD supporters hate them, who really knows.

I forget why exactly, but I believe Combos are not allowed for BR. I thought it was something to do with the DVD consortium not being down with the BDA. But I don't recall exactly. I know there is a specific reason why there are not combo discs for BR.

I have no real problems with combo disks as long as they

A: Run properly.

B: Don't cost more.

Unfortunately for some people, a lot of combo disks don't run properly, and most all of them DO cost more (an average of 8 bucks more). I'll take that back, there is another reason I don't like them, it's because I like my disk art. Probably sounds stupid but I do. I can't comment on why Blu-Ray studios do or don't do this. I don't really know myself. Does Warner produce combo disks for it's titles on Blu-Ray? If not, then I wonder why?

As far as allowing friends to borrow the disks, well, I prefer just to tell them "Oh, Sorry, It's HD-DVD". :P With the new player pricing for HD-DVD they can all afford to get a player or go buy their own disks and stop mooching off me. Whatever format you are, it's a great way to encourage your friends to upgrade. hehe.

One of the main advantages of Blu-ray is that there is no combo disc.

Amen to that. When I want HD movies I want the HD movie ONLY. If for whatever reason I would ever want to buy the SD version, I would do so separately.

Screw combo discs. I don't want to pay the extra for it. Not to mention..i like the printed art on my discs. It's like the argument why don't they put full screen on one side and wide screen on the other. unnecessary.

~G

Screw combo discs. I don't want to pay the extra for it. Not to mention..i like the printed art on my discs. It's like the argument why don't they put full screen on one side and wide screen on the other. unnecessary.

~G

I disagree with the full screen/wide screen comparison. While most wouldn't want the full screen version, I'm sure many still have dvd players that they'd like to watch movies on. Rather than spending another $10-$20 for the SD dvd version, why not pay $1 more. Many places like Amazon offer the combos very competitively priced compared to blu-ray releases.

As for artwork, that's what I think the case is for. Picture is bigger and better detailed and I can peruse it while waiting for the movie to start.

I think having it on a second disc would be good.if needed they could simply stamp disc 2 on the DVD to prevent reselling.

I'd like it as I like to back up movies in
mpeg4 for my ipod. Diehard 4 SD DVD 2 disc seems to have this already built in.

As long as prices don't go up I'm okay with combos. I got a PS3 partly so I could get the BD version cheeper when it was combo on HD-DVD. I can go with out the DVD a $5 more.

Still have to buy some of those BDs. But I imported a few movies this week so my movie budget is spent already.

I am no fan of combos.....but it is an issue. A Disney flick that plays in exactly one machine maybe fine for AVS'ers but it's a no-go for the average consumer. What parent faced with the option of $25+ for a disc that plays in one of seven machines OR a $15 disc that plays in all of the machines will pick the $25 disc?

Answer - few or none.

I'd vote for the 2nd disc - a DVD costs what? Less than $.50?