Why So Blu?

Warner’s Blu-ray/DVD Combo Packs in 2010

Looks like Warner Home Video is following Universal’s take on providing their Blu-ray customers with a DVD copy of the film they just purposely bought on the Blu-ray format.  While it’s not the same flipper technology Universal is using, Warner will be packaging each Blu-ray in 2010 with an additional DVD disc and a Digital Copy disc.  Can you say wow?  Is it necessary?  I guess that depends upon the customer in question.  I know a lot of people who are very appreciative to have all of this value at no extra cost and I also know the Blu-ray purists who are disgusted by having a DVD included in their Blu-ray packaging.  I mean after all, we are buying the Blu-ray edition for a purpose right?  I guess this way Warner has the whole household covered.  The parents get the Blu-ray…the kids get the DVD for the minivan ride…and the teens get the portable copy for their iPod.  It’s a win-win for everyone right?  What’s your opinion?  Please feel free to chime in below.

By releasing every new theatrical release as a Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack, Warner Home Video is giving viewers the ability to watch their purchase on just about any home playback device they have.  I guess you can’t argue the logic there right?  Wow!  I just heard myself say something nice about the DVD format.  I must check iummediately and make sure I don’t have a fever.

“When people experience Blu-ray—they love it, and with Blu-ray combo packs on all of our top new releases, we are giving consumers the titles they want without having to sacrifice convenience and portability,” said Ron Sanders, president at Warner Home Video. “And our new Blu-ray Double Feature sets make it easier and more affordable than ever for consumers to build or expand their home movie libraries and discover why Blu-ray is simply the best way to watch movies at home.”

In addition to the Blu-ray/DVD Combo Packs, Warner also announced they will be selling Blu-ray Double Features in February.  Each Blu-ray set will sell for under $25.  The first wave of releases includes Analyze This/Analyze That, Presumed Innocent/Frantic, Grumpy Old Men/Grumpier Old Men, Miss Congeniality/Miss Congeniality 2 and Dirty Harry/Magnum Force.  I am skeptical about these.  I wonder if the video quality of the films will be sacrificed to fit the films on the same Blu-ray disc?  Oh well, I guess we will find out in February.