Universal Announces ‘Flipper’ Format for Home Video
We think the following press release from Universal is pretty cool and could be a game changer for those quibbling about being forced to upgrade to Blu-ray.
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.
For the first time ever, consumers will have the ability to choose between Blu-ray™ and DVD formats, simply by flipping a single disc. With complete utility in one convenient package, the revolutionary medium can be used on any DVD or Blu-ray™ compatible player, game platform or computer, making it ideal for anyone planning to upgrade to Blu-ray™ at a future date as well as current owners of both Blu-ray™ and DVD systems. Each side of Universal’s flipper discs includes the entire movie as well as all available bonus features, with the Blu-ray™ side featuring exciting BD exclusives such as U-Control and BD-Live™.
“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,” said Craig Kornblau, President of Universal Studios Home Entertainment. “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.”
The release will mark the first time the Bourne trilogy, one of the highest grossing action movie franchises in history, is available individually in Blu-ray’s™ renowned perfect picture and purest digital sound. Each film is accompanied by an array of exciting bonus features that plunge viewers deeper in to the shadowy world of international espionage, including top-secret files, challenging strategy games, fascinating filmmakers and actor profiles, commentary, deleted scenes and Universal’s renowned BD-Live™ functionality.
Riddled with deception, intrigue and high-octane thrills, each chapter of the globe-hopping search for Jason Bourne’s true identity raises the stakes another lethal notch as the undercover killer settles old scores and uncovers new secrets. A commanding roster of acclaimed actors accompanies Damon on his quest, including Chris Cooper, Clive Owen, Brian Cox, Julia Stiles, Franka Potente, Joan Allen, David Strathairn and Albert Finney.
My question is though, will these turn out to be as effective as double sided DVDs, where they screw up a lot?
Game-changer? I don't know about that.If it's offered at the same orice as one of the other formats, I'll get it.If not, and I have blu-ray, why would I want a lower-res format?And also if not, if I don't have blu-ray, I'm not likely to plan for the future, because who knows how quickly blu-ray will be replaced with the next-gen format for home movies?
Initial thoughts were that its an interesting idea, thinking about it for a while though… if you have a Blu Ray player why would you watch the DVD version, and will people who want the DVD want to pay extra the Blu Ray will cost on the thought that they may one day upgrade.
Exactly! I can't count the times that I have flip discs mess up and my players refused to play them. I'm planning on buying a PS3 in the next few months, but I won't willing buy flip discs that any company puts out because they simply suck.
That's the idea – they'll be selling their over-priced Blu-Ray disks to people who aren't willing to pay the price gouge for the relatively-small quality step-up … because if you want the DVD (which they won't sell separately)…
Good God, didn't Universal learn anything from the debacle of flipper discs for DVD? The quality control was horrible, discs often wouldn't play, there were flaws in the two layers that caused reading errors. Clearly another example of how Hollywood NEVER learns from their past mistakes.
I have several DVDs that are "flipper" formatted – mostly wide-screen on one side, pan&scan on the other – and i've never had any particular problems with any of them.
This is, of course, a move to raise prices for DVD-only purchasers, while at the same time reducing inventory costs.Wanna bet on whether the price is the same as for current BluRay releases?
Hmmm.I don't see my comment – i basically said Just a way to squeeze a bit more money out od DVD-only customers, while reducing their own inventory costs.Wanna bet on whether they cost the same as a current BluRay?Blu-Ray adoption has been slower than hoped for because it only offers an incremental increase in quality (about 25%) for a large increase in price. (The equipment, at least.)
I've been waffling about moving to blu-ray for a number of reasons. The price of the players is moot by now – models under $100 are available with a little diggin, but I'm waiting to get a PS3. But after that, I don't think I'll really appreciate the jump in quality until I have an HD TV, and that's an expense I'm not prepared to incur. However, now that several stores made good-sized HDTVs available as black friday doorbusters (ie, two per store) for $300, we'll likely see that price become a standard in a year or so, and THAT I can afford.
I think it's a cool idea, even though I probably won't take advantage. I buy so few movies the last few years, it doesn't make much difference to me.