Criterion Blu-ray

[MichaelB]

In which case I think we can assume all Criterions will be Region A unless otherwise confirmed.

Oh well, we've always got the BFI and MoC on this side of the pond...

[skuhn8]

No, they're doing it automatically to everything nowadays and have been since about 2006 (even to Janus titles).

Probably posted elsewhere, but this is from the yesterday's Criterion Collection bulletin:

Are Criterion's Blu-ray discs region-encoded?

Yes. Criterion is licensed to sell most of its editions only in North America.

[MichaelB]

This was presumably the case before 2006, when region-free was the norm (with a few exceptions), but I suspect what's happening now is that Criterion are licensing their HD masters to foreign distributors - so it would make a lot of commercial sense to pre-emptively region-code their releases to avoid appearing to encroach on other territories.

So it makes perfect business sense (HD masters are far more expensive, so they've got to recoup their expenses somehow), even if it's extremely annoying for those of us who are locked into Region B.

[skuhn8]

This was presumably the case before 2006, when region-free was the norm (with a few exceptions), but I suspect what's happening now is that Criterion are licensing their HD masters to foreign distributors - so it would make a lot of commercial sense to pre-emptively region-code their releases to avoid appearing to encroach on other territories.

So it makes perfect business sense (HD masters are far more expensive, so they've got to recoup their expenses somehow), even if it's extremely annoying for those of us who are locked into Region B.

I understand that Blu-ray players are hackable as SD DVD players. So there's always that option. I'm still holding off until the new gen players come out (and I haven't been following those developments so don't know when that'll be) but bought an upscaling standard dvd player when I bought a new plasma two weeks ago. Am in a bit of a purchasing limbo regards dvds as I'm trying to get a future strategy sorted.

[MichaelB]

I understand that Blu-ray players are hackable as SD DVD players. So there's always that option. I'm still holding off until the new gen players come out (and I haven't been following those developments so don't know when that'll be) but bought an upscaling standard dvd player when I bought a new plasma two weeks ago. Am in a bit of a purchasing limbo regards dvds as I'm trying to get a future strategy sorted.

My strategy involved a 42" plasma, an Oppo 983 and a PS3, which seemed the most cost-effective way of getting the best quality picture in as multiregion a way as possible, but it does unavoidably lock me into Region B when it comes to Blu-Ray.

The Oppo gets used 95% of the time (believe the hype: it's a phenomenal player), but I need to be Blu-Ray compatible by the autumn for professional reasons, so I didn't have much choice.

But hopefully someone will crack the region situation before too long - next year sometime, with any luck.

[fiddlesticks]

In an effort to keep this thread on-topic (and to help atone for my past sins in helping it go off-topic in the first place), I've responded to these posts in the Technical Issues and Questions thread.

[cgray]

I do not understand why Criterion would eliminate English subtitles from some of the Blu Ray editions. They are at pains to tell their consumers they will not have any features in Blu Ray editions that are not replicated in standard editions. Clearly the converse is not true, and it cannot be explained away simply as a rights issue.

They're running out of space.

The subs are approximately 1MB per language so I seriously doubt that is the reason. Actually this single information will stop me from buying their BD's and another PS3 (US edition) to be able to play them. What a bummer!

I had written awhile ago (concerned, as I almost always watch even English titles with subs, for some reason), and got this back today:

All of our Criterion and Eclipse DVDs (apart from a handful of our earliest releases) have optional English subtitles, and our Blu-ray discs will have them too.

I hope this helps, and thanks for your email!

Best,

Jon Mulvaney

[hammock]

All of our Criterion and Eclipse DVDs (apart from a handful of our earliest releases) have optional English subtitles, and our Blu-ray discs will have them too.

Thanks for sharing this - the best information I received in years!

[Abulafia]

In which case I think we can assume all Criterions will be Region A unless otherwise confirmed.

Oh well, we've always got the BFI and MoC on this side of the pond.

Surely this is shooting themselves in the foot (CC that is). Although perhaps foreign sales (i.e. outside the US and Canada) don't account for a large percentage of their turnover?

Purchasing CC titles from the US, however, is often a hell of a lot cheaper than purchasing MOC and BFI titles from the UK. Moreover, who says the coverage of titles will be similar, and living in Aus means that many of these titles just simply won't be available, or won't be in additions reaching the quality of those companies outside the local market.

Certainly frustrating, though on the flipside how long can it be before region free or all region players flood the market. Let's just hope you don't have to sell a kidney to afford one as the case currently seems to be.

[Morbii]

In which case I think we can assume all Criterions will be Region A unless otherwise confirmed.

Oh well, we've always got the BFI and MoC on this side of the pond...

Surely this is shooting themselves in the foot (CC that is).

Acutally, I imagine that not doing it would be shooting themselves in the foot as their distributors might not license to them otherwise.

[Abulafia]

Acutally, I imagine that not doing it would be shooting themselves in the foot as their distributors might not license to them otherwise.

I see your point. But are not many of their releases from the Janus catalogue? Surely, here, it would be a case of engendering displeasure in possible licensees. Honestly, though, how many 'hardcore' DVD/Blu Ray purchasing cinephiles would not be aware of the internet, CC or other international brands. My point is that Joe Blow is hardly going to walk into Ezydvd or JBs (in Aus) stumble across Godard or Ozu or Bresson, etc, and think "I might blind buy that." How much could possible licencees be offering, compared with terminating your international sales (assuming of course that those international sales are at least somewhat significant).

[Morbii]

Hmm, that's a good point about the Janus catalogue. Perhaps with the Janus titles they've found that they make more money licensing or something?

[PillowRock]

Perhaps with the Janus titles they've found that they make more money licensing or something?

That simply translates to: The difference between licensing exclusive Blu rights in each zone and non exclusive rights (which is essentially what they would have to do if they were selling non-region-locked copies themselves) is greater than the profit margin that they would expect to see on their international sales of the products produced for the North American market.

[Morbii]

Perhaps with the Janus titles they've found that they make more money licensing or something?

That simply translates to: The difference between licensing exclusive Blu rights in each zone and non exclusive rights (which is essentially what they would have to do if they were selling non-region-locked copies themselves) is greater than the profit margin that they would expect to see on their international sales of the products produced for the North American market.

That's pretty much what I said, except that with Janus titles I'm guessing they don't need to negotiate any sort of rights for the non-exclusive.

[PillowRock]

except that with Janus titles I'm guessing they don't need to negotiate any sort of rights for the non-exclusive.

What I meant was:
They can sell licenses to *other* Blu producers in *other* regions.
If Criterion is already selling non-region locked disks of the movie in question, then *those* licenses sold to *other* producers must be nonexclusive.
If Criterion's disks are coded as Region A, then *those* other licenses can be exclusive.
The license fees for the exclusive version of the license will bring in more money for Janus.

That's the difference in licensing fees that I was talking about; the ones the that they stand to receive, not ones they would be paying. And that is what I was comparing to the profits from Criterion's potential foreign sales.

Sorry if what I meant wasn't clear before.

[kekid]

I have noted that Amazon.com is selling the Criterion Blu Rays for $27.95 (list price $39.95). The Criterion exchange program requires the owner of the previous disk to send back that disk and pay $20 plus shipping. This does not seem like a good deal to me. By the time we account for shipping, we are getting $5 for the old disk. I would rather give it to a friend as a gift. If the intention was to encourage consumers to buy the SD versions rather than wait for the BD, this will not do it. For example, buying Salo now from Amazon and upgrading it later for $20 would mean a total cost of about $50 for the BD. Only uninformed consumers would see this as a fair incentive to go for the SD now and upgrade to BD later. I do not see any good argument for them not to have issued Salo in both formats at the same time and (as promised) at the same price.

[swo17]

I also noticed that Amazon is asking 4 cents less for the Blu-rays than the SDs. Now there's really no reason not to go Blu!

Seriously though, that exchange program really won't work. Maybe if they lower the price to $10 each. Maybe. Otherwise, the only reason I can see for participating is if you want the extras on the SD. For example, buying the SD of Last Emperor, and then upgrading the theatrical version of the film to Blu-ray yields you the best of both worlds. And for only, um, $60 or so. Hmmm...

[Cash Flagg]

I'm sure there is a perfectly rational explanation for all of these omissions. Someone should ask Criterion. (I would, but they don't ever seem to respond to my emails.)

It is a text error on the site; the "Moving Pictures" episode supplement will be on both SD & BD releases. We will correct the page shortly.

[denti alligator]

The Criterion exchange program requires the owner of the previous disk to send back that disk and pay $20 plus shipping. This does not seem like a good deal to me.

I'm sorry, but I seem to have missed this announcement. Can you post the details, preferably with a link.. Thanks.

[swo17]

The Criterion exchange program requires the owner of the previous disk to send back that disk and pay $20 plus shipping. This does not seem like a good deal to me.

I'm sorry, but I seem to have missed this announcement. Can you post the details, preferably with a link.

The details are mentioned earlier in this thread, or else here.

[Darth Lavender]

It is a text error on the site; the "Moving Pictures" episode supplement will be on both SD & BD releases. We will correct the page shortly.

Hooray! This is back to being a Day 1 purchase.

[Max von Mayerling]

It seems to me that they're being pretty upfront about the Criterion strategy. There will be no avalanche of Blu Ray reissues. And, perhaps more importantly, on the new releases, it sounds like if it doesn't hit the street Blu Ray, we shouldn't hold our breath waiting. For example, it seems highly unlikely that we'll see a Vampyr or La Ronde Blu Ray anytime soon. Like it or not, I appreciate the fact that they tried to clarify their approach.

[Jun-Dai]

The Criterion exchange program requires the owner of the previous disk to send back that disk and pay $20 plus shipping. This does not seem like a good deal to me.

I think the idea is not so much that it's supposed to be a good deal as it's probably they can run the exchange program in a cost-effective manner. If it were $10 per disc, they'd probably lose a fair amount of money on the arrangement, but for $20 they probably calculated to break even. Also, while it doesn't make so much sense individually, might it make sense if you bundle together 5 or 10 titles? For someone that's determined to upgrade, it might be cheaper and easier that way.

[swo17]

I hadn't thought about bundling. I don't think it's clear what the shipping charges would be if you were to exchange more than one at a time. Someone should ask.

I understand that Criterion needs to break even on the transaction. But the fact remains that the price of the whole new Blu-ray from an independent retailer can be severely discounted, while the $25 fee from Criterion is non-negotiable. DVDPriceSearch already shows a retailer asking just $23.95 for the BD of Bottle Rocket (and just a few dollars more than this for the other titles). Given this, I don't know why anyone wouldn't just buy the new BD version and sell their old SD copy, again, unless they wanted to keep something (like a booklet, or the TV version of Last Emperor) that the BD is lacking.

[Narshty]

They've probably not worked out the specifics yet.

I think it's a fine idea though - allowing people to hang onto their thick booklets and novel reprints without having to duplicate. What happens if you only submit the first disc of The Last Emperor boxset though?