No ‘Avatar’ 3D Blu-ray in 2010

[Smokey]

Apparently 3D stands for 3 dips, because that’s what it looks like it’s going to take to get “Avatar” on 3D Blu-ray. So if you are looking for Avatar in 3D Bluray, you will have to wait after 2010 since no 3D bluray version of Avatar wil be released this year.The reason for this is waiting for fledgling home 3D technology to catch up, says James Cameron.

Two other versions of Avatar (non 3D) will be released this year. The first version which will be released on Aprill 22, is a barebone movie only with no extras or even a trailer. A move made to exploit every bit of disc space for the top-of-the-line audio and video presentation of the film, according to the movie's producer, Jon Landau.

The second version will be multi-disc "ultimate version" set planned for sometime in November 2010, says the Los Angeles Times. Landau and James Cameron will attend an March 23 press event in West Hollywood where they will discuss the release, and plans for a multi-disc "ultimate version" that will follow in November.

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/hero...3/avatar-.html

[E-Stat]

The second version will be multi-disc "ultimate version" ...

Interesting. I would certainly prefer the inclusion of a second disc eliminating the need to wire my player to the internet. "Shelf" pricing for BR will be about $10 or 50% higher than the DVD version. Hmmm. So much for closing the gap.

rw

[pixelthis]

In other words, milk it for all its worth.
I guess two billion wasnt enough.
TALK ABOUT GREEDY

[Sir Terrence the Terrible]

Interesting. I would certainly prefer the inclusion of a second disc eliminating the need to wire my player to the internet. "Shelf" pricing for BR will be about $10 or 50% higher than the DVD version. Hmmm. So much for closing the gap.

rw

That ten dollars extra gives you the DVD AND the Blu ray. That is what your 50% premium gets you.

[E-Stat]

That ten dollars extra gives you the DVD AND the Blu ray. That is what your 50% premium gets you.

Be that as it may, such a premium only benefits the BR buyers for them to play the movie back on their other non-BR players. The price gulf between the formats remains large to sway the large number of folks who have not yet made the switch. Who knows? I suspect they will sell lots of the DVD version.

rw

[Sir Terrence the Terrible]

Be that as it may, such a premium only benefits the BR buyers for them to play the movie back on their other non-BR players. The price gulf between the formats remains large to sway the large number of folks who have not yet made the switch. Who knows? I suspect they will sell lots of the DVD version.

rw

This costs issue is a pickled red herring. If it was an issue, then we would not see the Blu ray format growing, and the DVD format basically shrinking in the market. It would be the other way around.

A single DVD costs $16 bucks, and a Blu ray PLUS DVD costs $25.00. Based on simple math, you are getting a DVD for $9 dollars in stead of $16.00 when you purchase the Blu ray copy. That means either the Blu ray is being sold to you for the same cost as the DVD only version, or the Blu ray is $25.00 and you get the DVD for free. Any way you look at it, the Blu ray is a better value than the DVD is.

I believe this will be another example of the BR disc making a big percentage of the overall disc sales. This title is primed for it just like The Dark Knight was, and several other big titles.

[E-Stat]

This costs issue is a pickled red herring. If it was an issue, then we would not see the Blu ray format growing, and the DVD format basically shrinking in the market. It would be the other way around.

Actually, it indicates what it indicates. Unlike you or I who gladly choose to pay extra, there remains a significant part of the video audience who remain happy buying DVDs. The studios obviously agree with that assessment or they wouldn't continue to release all the latest blockbusters in both formats.

A single DVD costs $16 bucks, and a Blu ray PLUS DVD costs $25.00.

Except of course for Avatar, which happens to be the topic of this thread. Let's review what the article says, shall we?

" For the Earth Day release, the single-disc version of "Avatar" will have a suggested retail price of $29.98 on DVD and $39.99 on Blu-ray. A source at Fox said the "shelf" prices at many retailers will be closer to $19.99 for the DVD and $29.99 for the Blu-ray."

The difference is ten bucks. I will agree that the shelf pricing will more realistic than list price where the differential is FIFTY PERCENT.

Based on simple math, you are getting a DVD for $9 dollars in stead of $16.00 when you purchase the Blu ray copy. That means either the Blu ray is being sold to you for the same cost as the DVD only version, or the Blu ray is $25.00 and you get the DVD for free. Any way you look at it, the Blu ray is a better value than the DVD is.

You are both preaching to the choir and completely missing my point. As for me, I couldn't care less if I get a DVD copy when I buy the higher resolution BR version. I'm buying the better quality. For those who are not as quality sensitive, however, paying a FIFTY percent upcharge to get the BR version (DVD copy or not) may or may not seem reasonable to them.

I believe this will be another example of the BR disc making a big percentage of the overall disc sales.

Agreed. A "big" percentage with a substantial percentage that is not. Such has nothing at all to do with my "two channel head". It is called observation.

rw

[Smokey]

"Shelf" pricing for BR will be about $10 or 50% higher than the DVD version. Hmmm. So much for closing the gap.

I think if you wait couple of months, the price will probably drop to more reasonable price of $19.99 for Blu and $14.99 for DVD. But wonder how sales of non 3D disc will hold up since most of people went to see Avatar for its 3D feature. I'm guessing most people will rent the first release of movie, and buy the ultimate version when it comes out in November.

In other words, milk it for all its worth. I guess two billion wasnt enough. TALK ABOUT GREEDY

Really, nothing new here. Studios being doing the same thing for high gross movies since home videos became the norm. Just look at how many version of Terminator 2 movies are out there on DVD.

The ultimate version will not be the 3D version. I do not believe that will come until next year. I suspect that Fox is probably going to re-release the film later this year(during a lull in releases before Christmas) to coincide with the release of the ultimate version to Blu ray and DVD.

That probably explain why Fox is holding back on 3D version of this movie. Cameron said the main reason 3D will not be released this year is because of waiting for 3D hardware to be more available to home viewers. But 3D hardware is already available on the market for those that want to test the water.

[Woochifer]

I think if you wait couple of months, the price will probably drop to more reasonable price of $19.99 for Blu and $14.99 for DVD. But wonder how sales of non 3D disc will hold up since most of people went to see Avatar for its 3D feature. I'm guessing most people will rent the first release of movie, and buy the ultimate version when it comes out in November.

Geez, you gotta get your head out of those discount bins! Those are probably the prices you will see during the week-of-release. AThat's what happened during the holiday season, and even this week with the release of The Princess and the Frog, the barebones Blu-ray copy was selling for under $20 at some stores.

A couple of months after release is exactly when the prices on new release videos are typically at their highest. Still new enough to have some remaining demand, but too old to draw crowds into stores or websites. And not old enough for demand to drop to the point that stores need to drop prices to clear shelf space.

As you say, this has been done many times before. If you'll recall, this release strategy is exactly what Lord of the Rings did when they released the theatrical cut first and preannounced the special edition copy for holiday release. Think about it this way, at least Fox is announcing their release schedule well in advance.

That probably explain why Fox is holding back on 3D version of this movie. Cameron said the main reason 3D will not be released this year is because of waiting for 3D hardware to be more available to home viewers. But 3D hardware is already available on the market for those that want to test the water.

Yep. With more 3D TVs in place next year, you'll see a greater uptake. There are plenty of other high grossing 3D movies that will come out this year, and hold things down until Avatar really shakes things up.

[Smokey]

Geez, you gotta get your head out of those discount bins!

Well, bins was the reason for my movie collection to grow as I buy most of my movies for under $10. For example, pickup up Mutiny on Bounty with Clark Gable and Charles Laughton, and Lost In America for $3. You be amazed how many (forgotten) movies are out there that you have not seen in a long time. And thanks for DVD low prices, we can have them.

Those are probably the prices you will see during the week-of-release. AThat's what happened during the holiday season, and even this week with the release of The Princess and the Frog, the barebones Blu-ray copy was selling for under $20 at some stores.

I checked out Walmart prices on new movie blu ray releases for last and this month, and avarage price for them seem to be around $23. So I am guessing the Avatar bluray price will hover around that price for couple of months.

A couple of months after release is exactly when the prices on new release videos are typically at their highest. Still new enough to have some remaining demand, but too old to draw crowds into stores or websites. And not old enough for demand to drop to the point that stores need to drop prices to clear shelf space.

You are probably right. But one can buy at discount prices waiting for a sale or with a coupon if persistent enough. I don't know if you shop at Kroger grocery store or not, but I see $5 off coupon in their flyers for new movies all the time (ofcourse with a $10 grocery reciept ).

Yep. With more 3D TVs in place next year, you'll see a greater uptake. There are plenty of other high grossing 3D movies that will come out this year, and hold things down until Avatar really shakes things up.

I wonder how much a 3D feature on a disc will add to price of disc? Given that %99 of population dot not have a 3d player or TV yet, reasoably low prices (as compare with non 3D disc) will guaranty that 3D discs will not sit on the shelf for a long time.

[Woochifer]

I checked out Walmart prices on new movie blu ray releases for last and this month, and avarage price for them seem to be around $23. So I am guessing the Avatar bluray price will hover around that price for couple of months.

It will vary considerably. The big blockbuster titles get the heaviest week-of-release discounting because those are the titles that draw people into stores and websites in large numbers. Harry Potter, Star Trek, etc. were all readily available for less than $20 when they came out in November and December.

You are probably right. But one can buy at discount prices waiting for a sale or with a coupon if persistent enough. I don't know if you shop at Kroger grocery store or not, but I see $5 off coupon in their flyers for new movies all the time (ofcourse with a $10 grocery reciept ).

Yep, that's how I got The Princess and the Frog combo pack for $16 (online $10 off coupon from Disney and the usual week-of-release discounting). The biggest challenge was finding a copy of that movie in the first place. Three Target stores in my area were completely sold out in all formats, and the first two Best Buy locations I checked did not have any Blu-ray copies left.

I wonder how much a 3D feature on a disc will add to price of disc? Given that %99 of population dot not have a 3d player or TV yet, reasoably low prices (as compare with non 3D disc) will guaranty that 3D discs will not sit on the shelf for a long time.

Early adopters will be fine with paying extra for the 3D version. Pricing only becomes a concern when the feature begins migrating over to lower priced TVs. In the long run, the 3D version won't add all that much because the 2D and 3D versions can fit onto a single disc. It's only in the beginning that you will see premium pricing.

[Sir Terrence the Terrible]

Apparently 3D stands for 3 dips, because that’s what it looks like it’s going to take to get “Avatar” on 3D Blu-ray. So if you are looking for Avatar in 3D Bluray, you will have to wait after 2010 since no 3D bluray version of Avatar wil be released this year.The reason for this is waiting for fledgling home 3D technology to catch up, says James Cameron.

Two other versions of Avatar (non 3D) will be released this year. The first version which will be released on Aprill 22, is a barebone movie only with no extras or even a trailer. A move made to exploit every bit of disc space for the top-of-the-line audio and video presentation of the film, according to the movie's producer, Jon Landau.

The second version will be multi-disc "ultimate version" set planned for sometime in November 2010, says the Los Angeles Times. Landau and James Cameron will attend an March 23 press event in West Hollywood where they will discuss the release, and plans for a multi-disc "ultimate version" that will follow in November.

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/hero...3/avatar-.html

The ultimate version will not be the 3D version. I do not believe that will come until next year. I suspect that Fox is probably going to re-release the film later this year(during a lull in releases before Christmas) to coincide with the release of the ultimate version to Blu ray and DVD. With Alice in Wonderland kicking Avatar prematurely out of 3D IMAX theaters(where it was making the most money), there is too much money being left on the table regarding the film release. Usually most films get kicked out of theaters when they begin to lose viewers. However, Avatar has not shown any loss of "legs" before Alice came along. I am willing to bet they will release it again.