Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 may just become the biggest Blu-ray release of the year so far, but it sure is confusing trying to buy the movie in the states.
Unlike the rest of the world, where sensibly, there's the Blu-ray+DVD combo and a separate 2-disc DVD-only release, trying to navigate through the various editions available in the US is more difficult than navigating through the Hedge Maze at Hogwarts.
For general release, there's also three editions, one more than the rest of the world. The extra edition is a Blu-ray only edition, so I guess that's okay for those that don't care for a DVD copy. But that would be fine if the other two editions are the same as the rest of the world. It's not, because the DVD edition is only a pathetic single disc affair.
For those still own only a DVD player, which is still about 75-80% of the public, they can only get the 2-disc edition at Walmart, as this edition has been made an exclusive release for the shopping giant. A lot of Americans, from what I know, get their DVDs from Walmart anyway, so I guess it's not a huge problem. Walmart also sells all the other editions available in the US, including the single disc DVD version, as well as the Blu-ray+DVD combo version and (apparently false) rumours are circulating that these editions at Walmart also get some extra features as compared to the same editions sold elsewhere.
Confused yet?
But wait, there's more. There is also a 4-disc monster release available, but that's only available at Best Buy. It has an extra disc with 2 extra features (On the Road, and Behind the Magic). But the extra disc is a Blu-ray, so it's no good for DVD owners.
So it seems Warner Bros' new strategy is to screw DVD buyers, unless they happen to shop at Walmart, and it may even be the studio's new strategy in promoting Blu-ray.
And while it's understandable that Warner Bros. would make these kinds of lucrative deals with outlets such as BB and Walmart, does this really help the consumer? And when WB brings out a super deluxe ultimate edition with everything, is that also good for the consumer?
And worse yet, this movie is a two parter, so you just know there will be at least one edition with both parts of the Deathly Hallows included!
Do you think buying a movie on home video should be more confusing and difficult than passing year 5 at Hogwarts? Post your answer in this news article's comments section, or in this forum thread:
http://forum.digital-digest.com/showthread.php?t=94763
Home
