The Blu-ray/DVD Flipper Disc is Coming!

Lee Stewart · 12-01-2009, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Universal Studios Home Entertainment GIVES CONSUMERS ULTIMATE CONTROL AND FLEXIBILITY WITH Revolutionary New Blu-ray™ hi-def and DVD "Flipper" Discs BEGINNING With the ReleaseS OF

The Bourne Identity
The Bourne Supremacy
The Bourne Ultimatum

Industry-Changing Dual-Format Technology Features Both  Blu-ray™ and DVD Versions on One Disc

Universal City, California, December 1, 2009 – In a move that is poised to elevate the Blu-ray™ Hi-Def format and provide consumers with the ultimate in convenience and viewing flexibility, Universal Studios Home Entertainment (USHE) announced the introduction of groundbreaking dual-format discs containing both Blu-ray™ Hi-Def and DVD versions of some of Hollywood's most iconic films. An industry first, the new "flipper" discs will launch on January 19, 2010 with the blockbuster superspy thrillers The Bourne Identity, The Bourne Supremacy and The Bourne Ultimatum, starring Matt Damon, premiering as individually packaged Blu-ray™ discs.

http://gizmodo.com/5416218/oh-gee-bl...ntabulous-idea

Lee Stewart · 12-01-2009, 10:56 AM

Guess the old adage of; "The more things change, the more they remain the same" really is true.

Uni sure does love those HDM flipper discs.

Superman · 12-01-2009, 11:20 AM

Make it the same price as a standard BD, don't issue a DVD-only version, and make sure it plays without skipping and they may be on to something. Otherwise, meh.

Chris Gerhard · 12-01-2009, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lee Stewart

Guess the old adage of; "The more things change, the more they remain the same" really is true.

Uni sure does love those HDM flipper discs.

If you mean Universal is a company that continues to make stupid decisions, you might be right. I expect Universal to see the light and never follow through or see early results and abandon the practice quickly. I can name quite a number of dual format discs that failed to find any market and none that succeeded. This is a terrible idea.

Chris

jkkyler · 12-01-2009, 11:57 AM

Hooooray!! I always enjoyed the dual format discs when costing no more than a hi def Blu or HD-DVD standalone disc I preferred them as the kids can watch on sd tv's in their room or can be loaned to friends and family without regard to formats. Been hoping dual format blu-ray would arrive.

Lee Stewart · 12-01-2009, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Universal Studios Home Entertainment president Craig Kornblau said the "flipper" disc should help ease the consumer transition from DVD to Blu-ray Disc. At the same time, it should instill consumer confidence in the high-definition format by allowing buyers to effectively "future-proof" their collections

"Universal's flipper discs are the perfect way for consumers to future-proof their collections while still enjoying their favorite movies on all their existing DVD players," Kornblau said. "The flipper disc offers an easy way for viewers to convert to Blu-ray now or at any time in the future, confident in the fact they will be able to experience their home entertainment purchases in the highest quality picture and sound when they do."

http://www.homemediamagazine.com/hig...dvd-disc-17724

Loves2Watch · 12-01-2009, 01:19 PM

Yeah, future proof until next week when some new technology pops up...

**PFC5** · 12-01-2009, 01:27 PM

I still think this will help BD AND the studios because it will allow people who have not bought into BD yet to get a future proof disc now. I imagine many people who plan to get BD at some future point have stopped buying many movies as a result of this planned future move to BD. I know I slowed way down on SD DVDs before the launch of HD DVD & BD for this reason.

It also allows people to not replace ALL SD DVD players (including the car DVD player) with BD players. With the drop in BD players (SAL) this is less of an issue but still an issue. Also what is the price of the sole portable BD player by Panasonic?

The key is they cannot charge more (or only $1.00 more at most) for these discs IMO.

Lee Stewart · 12-01-2009, 02:50 PM

From Video Business:

Quote:

Last January, Universal released all three Bourne titles on Blu-ray for the first time, but offered them only as a three-film collection. Each Bourne flipper disc will be offered separately for $29.98 (prebook Dec. 8).

MikeRox · 12-01-2009, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Gerhard

If you mean Universal is a company that continues to make stupid decisions, you might be right. I expect Universal to see the light and never follow through or see early results and abandon the practice quickly. I can name quite a number of dual format discs that failed to find any market and none that succeeded. This is a terrible idea.

Chris

The performance of Disney's BD/DVD combi packs vs regular animation packs would seem to suggest there is a demand for the dual player compatibility.

I still stand by the notion that being able to play the film in SD on older players will become increasingly important in the interim while BD players replace bedroom players etc. It's the bridging part which sales of BD/DVD combis would suggest is now starting to come into it's own. It's a shame HD DVD was clearly 2 years too early

Personally though... I don't want flippers, damn all you BD fanboys who made BD the successful format... I'd have had my lovely TWIN discs by now

awol · 12-01-2009, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PFC5

I still think this will help BD AND the studios because it will allow people who have not bought into BD yet to get a future proof disc now. I imagine many people who plan to get BD at some future point have stopped buying many movies as a result of this planned future move to BD. I know I slowed way down on SD DVDs before the launch of HD DVD & BD for this reason.

It also allows people to not replace ALL SD DVD players (including the car DVD player) with BD players. With the drop in BD players (SAL) this is less of an issue but still an issue. Also what is the price of the sole portable BD player by Panasonic?

The key is they cannot charge more (or only $1.00 more at most) for these discs IMO.

This is what I was thinking. I know a few people pointed out that the combo discs were not that successful in the red format, but I think that may have had more to do with people not solid on a format yet either way. Didn't they cost more than the HD DVD copy by itself?

dangerdoc · 12-01-2009, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lee Stewart

http://gizmodo.com/5416218/oh-gee-bl...ntabulous-idea

Will this require new firmware to play like the HD DVD flippers?

I never understood why adding an SD layer on the back of the disc would require a firmware fix to play the HD layers on the front of the disc.

Chris Gerhard · 12-01-2009, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jkkyler

Hooooray!! I always enjoyed the dual format discs when costing no more than a hi def Blu or HD-DVD standalone disc I preferred them as the kids can watch on sd tv's in their room or can be loaned to friends and family without regard to formats. Been hoping dual format blu-ray would arrive.

The dual format discs will cost a lot more to make and royalties are a lot more, so how can it cost no more than a straight Blu-ray disc? I would much rather buy the straight Blu-ray disc at a lower price. I just let any children in my house watch any title I own on Blu-ray on a big screen HDTV.

Chris

Chris Gerhard · 12-01-2009, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeRox

The performance of Disney's BD/DVD combi packs vs regular animation packs would seem to suggest there is a demand for the dual player compatibility.

I still stand by the notion that being able to play the film in SD on older players will become increasingly important in the interim while BD players replace bedroom players etc. It's the bridging part which sales of BD/DVD combis would suggest is now starting to come into it's own. It's a shame HD DVD was clearly 2 years too early

Personally though... I don't want flippers, damn all you BD fanboys who made BD the successful format... I'd have had my lovely TWIN discs by now

What? The biggest Blu-ray sellers historically have no DVD included. Disney Blu-ray titles with or without a DVD sell well. I would like to see a given Disney Blu-ray/DVD combination package sales figure compared to the same title sold at a lower price without the DVD. What we saw with the format war was the worst sellers were the higher priced combo releases, a lower priced straight release sold better. None of these companies can give DVD's away, although over the short term may sell Blu-ray/DVD at lower than normal prices considering the added cost as a promotion. I much prefer the straight Blu-ray be sold at an even lower price and I am certain that would be a better seller as well.

I just won't accept a DVD can be included free of charge and comparing a package including both to a straight Blu-ray release and saying these companies can sell both for the same price is a fairytale. Over the long run it is impossible.

Chris

**bruceames** · 12-01-2009, 06:58 PM

Flippers I believe will only be a temporary "fix" and that they will eventually come out with twin discs (both version on the same side). That would be the ideal product, but as we know HD DVD already had some of those, but only single layer.

I think it's a good idea anyway, from the overall market standpoint, because it will seed the market like crazy and future proof DVD purchases. Also it would guarantee Blu-ray becoming the next gen format, since every DVD purchase would also be a Blu-ray purchase.

The only disadvantage is lack of disc artwork, but I think few people are anal enough to care much about that. The manufacturing cost would be a buck or two more, but would go down over time of course to mere pennies. And higher sales (from offering a better value product) would more than offset the extra cost of manufacturing and thus the price would essentially end up being the same (or perhaps even cheaper) than a BLu-ray only release.

This is actually very good news for the format as it really opens up the market to all DVD consumers and any Blu-ray fan who thinks otherwise is just being selfish and not looking at the big picture.

12-01-2009, 11:20 AM	#3
Superman HD makes my pants tight Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Baltimore, MD Age: 35 Posts: 2,607	Make it the same price as a standard BD, don't issue a DVD-only version, and make sure it plays without skipping and they may be on to something. Otherwise, meh. __________________ Samsung 56" 720p DLP HDTV LG 50pq20 50" 720p Plasma HDTV Olevia 42" 1080p LCD HDTV Onkyo TX-SR674 Receiver Onkyo TX-SR606 Receiver Velodyne CHT Front Row 5 piece speakers Sony SS-SR305 for 7.1 surround sound BIC H-100 subwoofer RCA HDV5000 HD DVD Player Toshiba HD-A3 HD DVD Player Samsung BD-UP5000 BD/HD DVD Player Xbox 360 60GB Xbox 360 20GB PS3 60GB PS3 120GB

12-01-2009, 11:57 AM	#5
jkkyler High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Ohio Age: 40 Posts: 569	Hooooray!! I always enjoyed the dual format discs when costing no more than a hi def Blu or HD-DVD standalone disc I preferred them as the kids can watch on sd tv's in their room or can be loaned to friends and family without regard to formats. Been hoping dual format blu-ray would arrive. __________________ HT- Panasonic TH-50PZ800U 1080p plasma, Panasonic PT-AX200u LCD projector, Elite Vmax Electric 100' screen, Onkyo TX-NR905 AVR, Paradigm Titan Monitor v5 fronts, Paradigm CC-190 v6 center, Paradigm Atom Monitors v5 surrounds(x4), HSU research VTF-2 sub, xbox360+hd-dvd player ,Sony BDP-S550 blu-ray, D*tv H21 HD-DVR Bedroom: Insignia NS-lcd26, Samsung BDP-1400 blu-ray Whether you think you can, or think you can't - You're Right

12-01-2009, 01:19 PM	#7
Loves2Watch Ohmmmmmm Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: AZ, NM, TX, MX Posts: 15,819	Yeah, future proof until next week when some new technology pops up... __________________ Theater 1 - Panasonic PT-AE4000U, Draper Premier 119" 16:9 Projector Screen, Panasonic TH-85PF12U Plasma TV, 6 Conrad Johnson LP275M Amps, Anthem Statement D-2 Pre/Pro, 6 Thiel SCS4 Speakers, 2 REL T-1 Subs, Infinity Interlude 120S Sub, Simaudio MOON Orbiter Universal Disc Player, ELP Laser Turntable, 2 Dish Network ViP 622 DVR's, Oppo BDP-83 Blu-ray Player, Onkyo DV-HD805 HD DVD Player. Friends don't let friends buy Korean brand TV's or Sony audio equipment.

12-01-2009, 01:27 PM	#8
PFC5 Super Moderator Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 30,625	I still think this will help BD AND the studios because it will allow people who have not bought into BD yet to get a future proof disc now. I imagine many people who plan to get BD at some future point have stopped buying many movies as a result of this planned future move to BD. I know I slowed way down on SD DVDs before the launch of HD DVD & BD for this reason. It also allows people to not replace ALL SD DVD players (including the car DVD player) with BD players. With the drop in BD players (SAL) this is less of an issue but still an issue. Also what is the price of the sole portable BD player by Panasonic? The key is they cannot charge more (or only $1.00 more at most) for these discs IMO. __________________ Denon AVR-887 Klipsch RP-5 Pwred Towers (mains) (525 watts peak each 12"Subs) All Klipsch RC-25(ctr),(2)SS1(surr),(2)SS1(rearSurr) Toshiba (2)HD-A20,PS3,BD35 For SACD/DVD-A Samsung HD-841 Panny 50pz80u plasma SETTINGS RCA HD50LPW162 50"DLP w/HD2+ SA 3250HD 47" LCD+Yamaha5790+HD-A1(bedroom) Harmony 680 + (2) 670s (amazing remote/support) Game room with Onkyo receiver & B&W Speakers The_Cable_Game Take the high ground and be happier PSN: PFC5

12-01-2009, 06:58 PM	#15
bruceames Moderator Join Date: May 2006 Location: San Rafael, CA Posts: 10,478	Flippers I believe will only be a temporary "fix" and that they will eventually come out with twin discs (both version on the same side). That would be the ideal product, but as we know HD DVD already had some of those, but only single layer. I think it's a good idea anyway, from the overall market standpoint, because it will seed the market like crazy and future proof DVD purchases. Also it would guarantee Blu-ray becoming the next gen format, since every DVD purchase would also be a Blu-ray purchase. The only disadvantage is lack of disc artwork, but I think few people are anal enough to care much about that. The manufacturing cost would be a buck or two more, but would go down over time of course to mere pennies. And higher sales (from offering a better value product) would more than offset the extra cost of manufacturing and thus the price would essentially end up being the same (or perhaps even cheaper) than a BLu-ray only release. This is actually very good news for the format as it really opens up the market to all DVD consumers and any Blu-ray fan who thinks otherwise is just being selfish and not looking at the big picture. __________________ Blu-rays: 69 Latest purchases: Lost: seasons 1-5, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

12-01-2009, 10:56 AM	#2
Lee Stewart Behold - the future! Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Albuquerque, NM Age: 58 Posts: 25,950	Guess the old adage of; "The more things change, the more they remain the same" really is true. Uni sure does love those HDM flipper discs.

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