| Author |
Message |
Black Locust
Guest
|
 Posted:
Thu Oct 20, 2005 4:41 am Post subject:
Acceptance of Widescreen DVDs is Growing |
|
|
While I still think the "I need a widescreen TV in order to watch
widescreen DVDs." argument is utter bullshit largely perpetrated by Joe
Sixpacks who hate the "black bars," this news is still a good sign of
things to come..
Widescreen DVDs spread - Along with wider TV sets
By Susanne Ault
The mainstream consumer is going wide. For years, the average DVD buyer
overwhelmingly prefered fullscreen versions of DVDs, as the square shape
of traditional TV sets diminished letterboxed images of the sort
featured on widescreen versions of disc releases. Nevermind that the
pan-and-scan process necessary to produce fullscreen crops portions of
the filmed image from movies.
But with the spread of widescreen TV sets, tastes are shifting
noticeably toward widescreen versions of disc releases. Wholesaler
Ingram Entertainment reports that its DVD orders now split 50-50 between
wide- and fullscreen versions of titles, compared with an order-rate of
75% fullscreen just two years ago.
A representative of specialty retailer Tower reports noting an uptick of
about 5% in widescreen purchases over the past year, though the broadest
releases such as Buena Vista Home Entertainment's Oct. 4 Cinderella
still sell 75% in fullscreen versions. And renters at New England chain
Tommy K's have swung from a one-time 70% preference for fullscreen to
more of a 50-50 split in recent months. Video Buyers Group stores
estimate demand for widescreen versions at 40% of total rentals compared
with 25% a year ago.
Occasionally, studios such as MGM Home Entertainment have released a
title with fullscreen and widescreen versions on one disc. But
generally, bonus features take up too much disc space to satisfy both
consumer types in this fashion. It should be noted that Wal-Mart and
mass merchants generally appear as gung ho as ever on fullscreen
ordering. Yet clutter concerns are prompting studios to streamline
title options when possible.
In August, Buena Vista bowed Sin City in widescreen only. Earlier this
year, First Look Home Entertainment decided to release all of its films
exclusively in widescreen.
You may want to go out with two [versions per title] because you're apt
to get more presence at retail," Buena Vista Senior VP brand marketing
Lori MacPherson said. "But you have to balance that with simplicity. You
don't want to overwhelm the consumer with too many choices." Buena Vista
looks at each title individually to determine whether dual versions are
worth while, she said.
Since permanently benching fullscreen, First Look is pleased with title
sales at most retailers, including Wal-Mart. "I think the retailers and
the consumers are becoming more educated about DVD." First Look senior
VP sales Bill Bromiley said. "It's not this cool new toy, and people are
a lot more forgiving to its nuances."
Lions Gate Home Entertainment puts out most DVD premiers as widescreen
only. For its major films, the studio decides on the format on a case by
case basis. "We have that conversation every time," said Anne Parducci,
Lions Gate executive VP family entertainment and marketing. "How many
SKUs [stock keeping units] do you need to meet retail and consumer
needs?"
Adams Media Research reports that by end of 2005, there will be 20
millions to 30 million households with digital TV sets, a 30% one-year
jump. "It used to be that just the connoisseurs liked widescreen," Adams
Media Research's Tom Adams said. "But prices are plummeting, and you can
get a pretty decent [widescreen set] for less than a grand."
This was taken from the October 10 issue of Video Business Magazine.
--
"Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we.
They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country and our people,
and neither do we." - George Dumbya Bush
|
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
Jay G.
Guest
|
| Posted:
Thu Oct 20, 2005 4:41 am Post subject:
Re: Acceptance of Widescreen DVDs is Growing |
|
|
Black Locust <bl2112@hotmail.com> wrote:
| Quote: |
Widescreen DVDs spread - Along with wider TV sets
By Susanne Ault
A representative of specialty retailer Tower reports noting an uptick of
about 5% in widescreen purchases over the past year, though the broadest
releases such as Buena Vista Home Entertainment's Oct. 4 Cinderella
still sell 75% in fullscreen versions.
|
Actually, in the speicifc case of Cinderella, 100% of the purchases are
"fullscreen", as the 4:3 ratio is the original movie ratio of the film, and
thus the only option available on DVD.
-Jay |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
UCLAN
Guest
|
| Posted:
Thu Oct 20, 2005 4:41 am Post subject:
Re: Acceptance of Widescreen DVDs is Growing |
|
|
Black Locust wrote:
| Quote: | While I still think the "I need a widescreen TV in order to watch
widescreen DVDs." argument is utter bullshit largely perpetrated by Joe
|
[...snip]
Why is this crossposted to a vcr newsgroup? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
John Harkness
Guest
|
| Posted:
Thu Oct 20, 2005 1:15 pm Post subject:
Re: Acceptance of Widescreen DVDs is Growing |
|
|
This isn't even well-researched.
Blockbuster noted the swing months ago.
And of course Cinderella is selling mostly in full screen. There is no
widescreen version.
John Harkness
On Wed, 19 Oct 2005 20:49:31 -0600, Black Locust <bl2112@hotmail.com>
wrote:
| Quote: | While I still think the "I need a widescreen TV in order to watch
widescreen DVDs." argument is utter bullshit largely perpetrated by Joe
Sixpacks who hate the "black bars," this news is still a good sign of
things to come..
Widescreen DVDs spread - Along with wider TV sets
By Susanne Ault
The mainstream consumer is going wide. For years, the average DVD buyer
overwhelmingly prefered fullscreen versions of DVDs, as the square shape
of traditional TV sets diminished letterboxed images of the sort
featured on widescreen versions of disc releases. Nevermind that the
pan-and-scan process necessary to produce fullscreen crops portions of
the filmed image from movies.
But with the spread of widescreen TV sets, tastes are shifting
noticeably toward widescreen versions of disc releases. Wholesaler
Ingram Entertainment reports that its DVD orders now split 50-50 between
wide- and fullscreen versions of titles, compared with an order-rate of
75% fullscreen just two years ago.
A representative of specialty retailer Tower reports noting an uptick of
about 5% in widescreen purchases over the past year, though the broadest
releases such as Buena Vista Home Entertainment's Oct. 4 Cinderella
still sell 75% in fullscreen versions. And renters at New England chain
Tommy K's have swung from a one-time 70% preference for fullscreen to
more of a 50-50 split in recent months. Video Buyers Group stores
estimate demand for widescreen versions at 40% of total rentals compared
with 25% a year ago.
Occasionally, studios such as MGM Home Entertainment have released a
title with fullscreen and widescreen versions on one disc. But
generally, bonus features take up too much disc space to satisfy both
consumer types in this fashion. It should be noted that Wal-Mart and
mass merchants generally appear as gung ho as ever on fullscreen
ordering. Yet clutter concerns are prompting studios to streamline
title options when possible.
In August, Buena Vista bowed Sin City in widescreen only. Earlier this
year, First Look Home Entertainment decided to release all of its films
exclusively in widescreen.
You may want to go out with two [versions per title] because you're apt
to get more presence at retail," Buena Vista Senior VP brand marketing
Lori MacPherson said. "But you have to balance that with simplicity. You
don't want to overwhelm the consumer with too many choices." Buena Vista
looks at each title individually to determine whether dual versions are
worth while, she said.
Since permanently benching fullscreen, First Look is pleased with title
sales at most retailers, including Wal-Mart. "I think the retailers and
the consumers are becoming more educated about DVD." First Look senior
VP sales Bill Bromiley said. "It's not this cool new toy, and people are
a lot more forgiving to its nuances."
Lions Gate Home Entertainment puts out most DVD premiers as widescreen
only. For its major films, the studio decides on the format on a case by
case basis. "We have that conversation every time," said Anne Parducci,
Lions Gate executive VP family entertainment and marketing. "How many
SKUs [stock keeping units] do you need to meet retail and consumer
needs?"
Adams Media Research reports that by end of 2005, there will be 20
millions to 30 million households with digital TV sets, a 30% one-year
jump. "It used to be that just the connoisseurs liked widescreen," Adams
Media Research's Tom Adams said. "But prices are plummeting, and you can
get a pretty decent [widescreen set] for less than a grand."
This was taken from the October 10 issue of Video Business Magazine. |
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
moviePig
Guest
|
| Posted:
Thu Oct 20, 2005 2:04 pm Post subject:
Re: Acceptance of Widescreen DVDs is Growing |
|
|
Jay G. wrote:
| Quote: | Black Locust <bl2112@hotmail.com> wrote:
Widescreen DVDs spread - Along with wider TV sets
By Susanne Ault
A representative of specialty retailer Tower reports noting an uptick of
about 5% in widescreen purchases over the past year, though the broadest
releases such as Buena Vista Home Entertainment's Oct. 4 Cinderella
still sell 75% in fullscreen versions.
Actually, in the speicifc case of Cinderella, 100% of the purchases are
"fullscreen", as the 4:3 ratio is the original movie ratio of the film, and
thus the only option available on DVD.
|
Not at all. For us "connoiseurs", there's a version with *four* black
bars...
--
/---------------------------\
| YOUR taste at work... |
| |
| http://www.moviepig.com |
\---------------------------/ |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Nick Macpherson
Guest
|
| Posted:
Thu Oct 20, 2005 5:33 pm Post subject:
Re: Acceptance of Widescreen DVDs is Growing |
|
|
Derek Janssen wrote:
| Quote: | moviePig wrote:
Jay G. wrote:
Black Locust <bl2112@hotmail.com> wrote:
Widescreen DVDs spread - Along with wider TV sets
By Susanne Ault
A representative of specialty retailer Tower reports noting an uptick
of about 5% in widescreen purchases over the past year, though the
broadest releases such as Buena Vista Home Entertainment's Oct. 4
Cinderella still sell 75% in fullscreen versions.
Actually, in the speicifc case of Cinderella, 100% of the purchases are
"fullscreen", as the 4:3 ratio is the original movie ratio of the
film, and
thus the only option available on DVD.
Not at all. For us "connoiseurs", there's a version with *four* black
bars...
Yes, but the article citing was to be meant in the traditional a.v.d
spirit of "Why won't Warner release the widescreen 'Gone With the
Wind'?--Sign my petition!" ;)
Stanley Kubrick preferred 4:3 to widescreen but if he was alive today |
he'd realize he was wrong so we need the Kubrick DVDs re-released in
widescreen no matter what his family says. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Derek Janssen
Guest
|
| Posted:
Thu Oct 20, 2005 5:37 pm Post subject:
Re: Acceptance of Widescreen DVDs is Growing |
|
|
moviePig wrote:
| Quote: |
Jay G. wrote:
Black Locust <bl2112@hotmail.com> wrote:
Widescreen DVDs spread - Along with wider TV sets
By Susanne Ault
A representative of specialty retailer Tower reports noting an uptick
of about 5% in widescreen purchases over the past year, though the
broadest releases such as Buena Vista Home Entertainment's Oct. 4
Cinderella still sell 75% in fullscreen versions.
Actually, in the speicifc case of Cinderella, 100% of the purchases are
"fullscreen", as the 4:3 ratio is the original movie ratio of the
film, and
thus the only option available on DVD.
Not at all. For us "connoiseurs", there's a version with *four* black
bars...
|
Yes, but the article citing was to be meant in the traditional a.v.d
spirit of "Why won't Warner release the widescreen 'Gone With the
Wind'?--Sign my petition!" ;)
Derek Janssen
djanss@charter.net |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Richard C.
Guest
|
| Posted:
Thu Oct 20, 2005 7:09 pm Post subject:
Re: Acceptance of Widescreen DVDs is Growing |
|
|
X-No-archive: yes
"Jay G." <Jay@tmbg.rg> wrote in message news:JLD5f.93$mD2.8@fe04.lga...
| Quote: | Black Locust <bl2112@hotmail.com> wrote:
Widescreen DVDs spread - Along with wider TV sets
By Susanne Ault
A representative of specialty retailer Tower reports noting an uptick of
about 5% in widescreen purchases over the past year, though the broadest
releases such as Buena Vista Home Entertainment's Oct. 4 Cinderella
still sell 75% in fullscreen versions.
Actually, in the speicifc case of Cinderella, 100% of the purchases are
"fullscreen", as the 4:3 ratio is the original movie ratio of the film,
and
thus the only option available on DVD.
-Jay
=================================== |
You mean to tell me that the statistics LIE? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Richard C.
Guest
|
| Posted:
Thu Oct 20, 2005 7:09 pm Post subject:
Re: Acceptance of Widescreen DVDs is Growing |
|
|
X-No-archive: yes
"UCLAN" <nomail@thanks.org> wrote in message
news:hTE5f.9645$gj1.7439@fed1read05...
| Quote: | Black Locust wrote:
While I still think the "I need a widescreen TV in order to watch
widescreen DVDs." argument is utter bullshit largely perpetrated by Joe
[...snip]
Why is this crossposted to a vcr newsgroup?
|
===============================
Widescreen is available on VHS too....................... |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Kimba W. Lion
Guest
|
| Posted:
Thu Oct 20, 2005 7:54 pm Post subject:
Re: Acceptance of Widescreen DVDs is Growing |
|
|
Black Locust <bl2112@hotmail.com> wrote:
| Quote: | "You don't want to overwhelm the consumer with too many choices."
|
Has anyone informed the format war folks about this concept?
| Quote: | "People are a lot more forgiving to [DVD's} nuances."
|
Forgiving? I thought these were supposed to be selling points.
| Quote: | "How many SKUs [stock keeping units] do you need to meet retail and consumer
needs?"
|
Ask again when a movie is released in fullscreen DVD, widescreen DVD,
HD-DVD, and Blu-Ray. Retailers will just be having fits of joy.
And what are 25% of the buyers of Cinderella actually getting?
What a load. I certainly hope they pay people to take that magazine, because
it's not even worth "free". |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Russell Watson
Guest
|
| Posted:
Thu Oct 20, 2005 8:47 pm Post subject:
Re: Acceptance of Widescreen DVDs is Growing |
|
|
On Wed, 19 Oct 2005 20:49:31 -0600, Black Locust <bl2112@hotmail.com>
wrote:
| Quote: | While I still think the "I need a widescreen TV in order to watch
widescreen DVDs." argument is utter bullshit largely perpetrated by Joe
Sixpacks who hate the "black bars," this news is still a good sign of
things to come..
snip article |
Despite only having a 15-y/o 27" regular TV, I personally refuse to
buy "full screen" DVDs. I've seen some pretty decent movies in the
Wal-mart $5.50 bin but wouldn't buy them when I discovered that they
weren't widescreen. The "black bars" don't bother me a bit. What's
funny is that my wife professes to hate them. Every time I put in a
DVD she would bitch about it. The last time it came up I told her to
hold on a minute. I turned on the VCR and popped in a tape of recently
taped TV shows that she likes, such as "Smallville" on WB and the
"Stargate" series on Sci-fi. I asked her "What do you see?" and she
didn't get what I was trying to show her. "Look at the top and bottom
of the screen. These shows are widescreen and they're like this every
week, you just don't notice because it's 'TV' and you just watch
what's on there without even thinking about it, but you have it stuck
in your head when it's a DVD that there's something about the ones I
buy that you don't like so you're anticipating it and tend to notice
it more."
Needless to say, she hasn't mentioned it again. Maybe the trend
towards widescreen TV shows is helping to make people more accepting
of it in DVDs. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
David Z
Guest
|
| Posted:
Thu Oct 20, 2005 10:02 pm Post subject:
Re: Acceptance of Widescreen DVDs is Growing |
|
|
Acceptance of DVD = acceptance of widescreen.
Most DVD movie releases are widescreen.
"Black Locust" <bl2112@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:bl2112-34118E.20493119102005@news.uswest.net...
| Quote: | While I still think the "I need a widescreen TV in order to watch
widescreen DVDs." argument is utter bullshit largely perpetrated by Joe
Sixpacks who hate the "black bars," this news is still a good sign of
things to come..
Widescreen DVDs spread - Along with wider TV sets
By Susanne Ault
The mainstream consumer is going wide. For years, the average DVD buyer
overwhelmingly prefered fullscreen versions of DVDs, as the square shape
of traditional TV sets diminished letterboxed images of the sort
featured on widescreen versions of disc releases. Nevermind that the
pan-and-scan process necessary to produce fullscreen crops portions of
the filmed image from movies.
But with the spread of widescreen TV sets, tastes are shifting
noticeably toward widescreen versions of disc releases. Wholesaler
Ingram Entertainment reports that its DVD orders now split 50-50 between
wide- and fullscreen versions of titles, compared with an order-rate of
75% fullscreen just two years ago.
A representative of specialty retailer Tower reports noting an uptick of
about 5% in widescreen purchases over the past year, though the broadest
releases such as Buena Vista Home Entertainment's Oct. 4 Cinderella
still sell 75% in fullscreen versions. And renters at New England chain
Tommy K's have swung from a one-time 70% preference for fullscreen to
more of a 50-50 split in recent months. Video Buyers Group stores
estimate demand for widescreen versions at 40% of total rentals compared
with 25% a year ago.
Occasionally, studios such as MGM Home Entertainment have released a
title with fullscreen and widescreen versions on one disc. But
generally, bonus features take up too much disc space to satisfy both
consumer types in this fashion. It should be noted that Wal-Mart and
mass merchants generally appear as gung ho as ever on fullscreen
ordering. Yet clutter concerns are prompting studios to streamline
title options when possible.
In August, Buena Vista bowed Sin City in widescreen only. Earlier this
year, First Look Home Entertainment decided to release all of its films
exclusively in widescreen.
You may want to go out with two [versions per title] because you're apt
to get more presence at retail," Buena Vista Senior VP brand marketing
Lori MacPherson said. "But you have to balance that with simplicity. You
don't want to overwhelm the consumer with too many choices." Buena Vista
looks at each title individually to determine whether dual versions are
worth while, she said.
Since permanently benching fullscreen, First Look is pleased with title
sales at most retailers, including Wal-Mart. "I think the retailers and
the consumers are becoming more educated about DVD." First Look senior
VP sales Bill Bromiley said. "It's not this cool new toy, and people are
a lot more forgiving to its nuances."
Lions Gate Home Entertainment puts out most DVD premiers as widescreen
only. For its major films, the studio decides on the format on a case by
case basis. "We have that conversation every time," said Anne Parducci,
Lions Gate executive VP family entertainment and marketing. "How many
SKUs [stock keeping units] do you need to meet retail and consumer
needs?"
Adams Media Research reports that by end of 2005, there will be 20
millions to 30 million households with digital TV sets, a 30% one-year
jump. "It used to be that just the connoisseurs liked widescreen," Adams
Media Research's Tom Adams said. "But prices are plummeting, and you can
get a pretty decent [widescreen set] for less than a grand."
This was taken from the October 10 issue of Video Business Magazine.
--
"Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we.
They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country and our
people,
and neither do we." - George Dumbya Bush |
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Charles Eggen
Guest
|
| Posted:
Thu Oct 20, 2005 10:41 pm Post subject:
Re: Acceptance of Widescreen DVDs is Growing |
|
|
On Thu, 20 Oct 2005 04:15:50 -0400, John Harkness
<jharkness@sympatico.ca> wrote:
| Quote: | This isn't even well-researched.
Blockbuster noted the swing months ago.
And of course Cinderella is selling mostly in full screen. There is no
widescreen version.
John Harkness
But what about folks who want to fill their widescreens with an |
academy image? Maybe we will start seeing "Stretch and Zoom" versions
of Cinderella and Gone with the Wind.
Charles
nzvideos.org |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Jay G.
Guest
|
| Posted:
Thu Oct 20, 2005 11:37 pm Post subject:
Re: Acceptance of Widescreen DVDs is Growing |
|
|
Charles Eggen <cne@efn.org> wrote:
| Quote: |
But what about folks who want to fill their widescreens with an
academy image? Maybe we will start seeing "Stretch and Zoom" versions
of Cinderella and Gone with the Wind.
|
Considering that most Widescreen TVs already have those options for
viewing a 4:3 image, there's no need to offer DVDs of them.
-Jay |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Jay G.
Guest
|
| Posted:
Thu Oct 20, 2005 11:40 pm Post subject:
Re: Acceptance of Widescreen DVDs is Growing |
|
|
moviePig <pwallace@moviepig.com> wrote:
| Quote: | Jay G. wrote:
Actually, in the speicifc case of Cinderella, 100% of the purchases are
"fullscreen", as the 4:3 ratio is the original movie ratio of the film, and
thus the only option available on DVD.
Not at all. For us "connoiseurs", there's a version with *four* black
bars...
|
But it's not in a different aspect ratio.
-Jay |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
|
|
FAQ
Memberlist
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in