What is wrong with Home Media these days? (DVDs, Blu-Rays, etc...)

When did DVDs become so ridiculous?

So first of all, what's with all these promotions they sell that provide you with a "combo pack". For example, you could buy something like Avatar in a three disc combo pack! You get a DVD, a Blu-Ray and a Digital Copy of the movie.



It's still the same damn movie. Look, I understand that Blu-Ray is of a higher quality, and that's fine. If you have a Blu-Ray player (and you're willing to spend a little more), then you can buy a Blu-Ray. If you don't have a Blu-Ray player, then you buy a DVD. Why on earth would you want three copies of the same movie. I don't get it. I honestly don't get it. It baffles me. It's like the people that buy both paired copies of a Pokémon game...but at least those are slightly different...

This normally wouldn't be such a problem...except in such a case where you can only buy a combo pack. There's a documentary I want to purchase, and it's available online from its independent distributors. And they only offer a Blu-Ray + DVD combo, and it costs $40. I don't want a Blu-Ray of the movie. I don't want to pay for a Blu-Ray of this movie. I would have no use for it. I would be spending money on a disc that would sit and gather dust.

Why? Who has use for these? And don't tell me "you can give the other one away as a gift." If you're going to give a gift, you buy two separate copies. These combo packs completely blow my mind.

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But then, if I'm lucky enough to get the DVD, now they've become completely *bleep*ed up.

Look, I'll be honest...I never really liked widescreen. For some reason, I think movies and games look better in 4:3 fullscreen. It's just a preference of mine. So I used to get annoyed when movies would only come in widescreen format and would be letterboxed like so:



But really, I shouldn't have been complaining. It was never a big deal, and I have a widescreen TV now so it's fine.

So can someone PLEASE tell me when DVDs started doing THIS?!



What is this?! Are we taking a step backwards? This is 2.39:1 format, and from what I understand it's the standard aspect ratio used in cinemas. Why? When did this happen?

I have plenty of "widescreen" DVDs from the early 2000s that are in normal widescreen, despite originally being a theatrical release. Why is it that movies these days are squished into this now? I feel like I'm squinting.

I hadn't bought many DVDs this past year, but just recently I got Ice Age 4 and Wreck-It Ralph. And I was REALLY looking forward to seeing Wreck-It Ralph. I was so disappointed that the only aspect ratio is was presented in was 2.39:1. It was so small and squooshed.

This is ridiculous. Why is this necessary. "You can see more of the screen" is a bullshit answer. If it's important enough to see, it's going to be in the middle of the screen. I'm not even sure they make 2.39:1 TVs, so who is this for? You're never going to end up with an optimal viewing environment to see this kind of crap...so why?

I remember when VHS' used to have a message at the beginning. "This film has been modified from its original format to fit your screen." Whatever happened to that?

The world is run by moronic monkeys, and it's not hard to see why...

quote Giga Bowser

So first of all, what's with all these promotions they sell that provide you with a "combo pack". For example, you could buy something like Avatar in a three disc combo pack! You get a DVD, a Blu-Ray and a Digital Copy of the movie.

I'd assume that it's more convenient...

...yeah I don't get it either.

quote Giga Bowser

Why is it that movies these days are squished into this now? I feel like I'm squinting.

To bring the cinematic experience home I guess.

I also prefer it if it filled up the entire screen, but for epic cinematic moments, having those bars appear up top and down below makes things even more cinematic, like "aww man shit's going down" or "shit's going to be intense!!". It's p *bleep*in lame when they have it for like the entire movie though haha.

quote Giga Bowser

No, I don't know who that is.

Ashley Tisdale

quote Giga Bowser

So first of all, what's with all these promotions they sell that provide you with a "combo pack". For example, you could buy something like Avatar in a three disc combo pack! You get a DVD, a Blu-Ray and a Digital Copy of the movie.

To be honest the multiple copies thing makes sense to me, at least with BluRay and DVD. I have a PS3, so I enjoy watching movies in Blu Ray. But my PS3 is a pain in the arse to move from my room to the living room so if I want to watch it with other people I don't have to move my PS3 I can just use the DVD player. Also if someone else in the house is playing on it then its nice to have a DVD copy so I can still watch the film if I want.

Don't worry, digital distribution is the future OP.

Different versions could have a different cut. There might be extra scenes or something. It's cool if you can afford all of those devices, but meh you only really need one of them. You can watch everything on internets anyways

I suppose those are some legitimate reasons, but why is the combo pack the only option? Why can't you just pay for a single disc?

I don't really buy DVDs, so I haven't noticed this as much. I'm pretty sure you can still get single disc releases over here.

quote Giga Bowser

ProudLoz: Yes, I do end up using the zoom feature to make it fit my screen, but it's so silly to even have to do something like this. Why are these discs being made in a format that would not fit (to my knowledge) any common television for home purchase.

What happened to options, people?!

How is it silly? The artist (in this situation being the director) shot the film in a certain way and he wants you to watch that film, in that certain way so you can understand what he was trying to tell you. The director should have a say on what aspect ratio he want to show you his film. If you don't agree with it, then don't purchase the film or just zoom in.

Yes, but what happened to "This movie has been formatted to fit your screen"? This is home media. We're not in the theatre any more.