DARK SHADOWS FORUMS

General Discussions => Current Talk Archive => Current Talk '24 I => Current Talk '07 II => Topic started by: Philippe Cordier on November 13, 2007, 06:14:09 AM

Title: DVD Long-Term Availability
Post by: Philippe Cordier on November 13, 2007, 06:14:09 AM
I hope to eventually have the entire DS series on DVD, but so far have only been able to purchase a few of the sets (usually when there's a sale).

Knowing that videos and DVDs frequently go out of print, I am concerned about the long-term availability of MPI's DVD sets.  MPI was great as far as the VHS tapes were concerned as they seemed to have an endless supply.  (Had I known then about the emerging DVD market, I wouldn't have sunk so much money into the VHS format.)

Has anyone heard if MPI will continue to keep the entire series available - and for how long?  It could be many years, maybe decades, before I could hope to purchase all of them.

Title: Re: DVD Long-Term Availability
Post by: David on November 13, 2007, 07:14:32 AM
MPI released it's first DS VHS tape in 1989. Every single volume & special edition remained in print for over a decade, until DVD rendered VHS obsolete.

DS has been a BIG seller for MPI.
Don't worry.

David
Title: Re: DVD Long-Term Availability
Post by: Willie Loomis on November 13, 2007, 03:51:01 PM
I've collecected them all, it took me about a year (and alot of money!!!!)   but when they weren't at the stores (i.e. Borders, J&R) i would ask them to order.  also, i bought out of sequence, when they were readily available.  amazon is good for them as well as Barnes & Noble. 



I am now in the process of collecting the beginning series. 

what i cannot seem to find is HODS and NODS on video.   (not used)
Title: Re: DVD Long-Term Availability
Post by: Gothick on November 13, 2007, 04:41:40 PM
DS has, as far as I can tell, broken records yet again in staying IN PRINT consistently for far longer than is usual for ANYTHING on home video/disc.  Presumably that trend will continue with the new excitement in the run-up to Depp's film and the fact that the series, as a pop culture artifact, seems to be more widely visible than at any time since 1968.

Willie, we're probably going to see a DVD release of the two movies within the coming year.  If you have to have new copies of the VHS releases, try Amazon markets and other outlets on the Net.  I recommend getting the laser disc if you have a player for them although they still were not released with the correct screen ratio (can't speak to the audio mix).

G.
Title: Re: DVD Long-Term Availability
Post by: adamsgirl on November 13, 2007, 06:31:52 PM
As someone who purchased the entire series on VHS, I can tell you that, at times, certain volumes were sold out, and I'd have to wait for them. Then, when MPI announced they were discontinuing the VHS tapes altogether, I had to scramble to acquire the volumes I didn't yet possess. There was such a rush from fans like myself that the office had a difficult time keeping up with all the orders! So, long story even longer, I don't foresee the DVD's being discontinued!
Title: Re: DVD Long-Term Availability
Post by: Philippe Cordier on November 14, 2007, 08:59:23 AM
Thanks to everyone for all the hopeful comments! I can breathe a little easier now!


Title: Re: DVD Long-Term Availability
Post by: Willie Loomis on November 14, 2007, 06:34:24 PM
now, this might seem a little anal!   but, i did not get the picture postcard in the 2nd dvd set for the POST Barnabas shows.   (and i bet it's my favorite girl, Julia Hoffman!)

1)  am i correct on that
and
2) If i write to MPI, will they send me one? 

i dont' feel my set is fully complete without that card.   does that sound weird?
Title: Re: DVD Long-Term Availability
Post by: Brian on November 14, 2007, 09:43:48 PM
Willie Loomis, no that is not weird.  Obviously, a set is incomplete without the postcards.  I'm unclear which set you're talking about, though:  is the DVD SET # 2 with episodes 251-290?  If so, I have the postcard that came with the set, and it's not Julia.  I don't know if MPI will send one out or not, but it doesn't hurt to inquire with them.  I've been a long-time member of the DVD Club, and anytime I've had problems, MPI responded quickly and politely to me and always has resolved any problems (for instance, one time a charge went onto my CC twice for the same item, and the charge was reversed within 24 houors), and the first DS DVD Special Edition had a section (DS on Location) that would be play on my DVD player;  MPI acknowledged that certain players would not play that section, and quickly sent me a VHS copy of that portion of the program.  (I've had no problems on that DVD with newer players.)

Good luck.

Brian
Title: Re: DVD Long-Term Availability
Post by: michael c on November 15, 2007, 05:38:02 PM
i didn't own a dvd player until 2005 and by then i had already invested in all of the 1966-68 episodes on video and then switched to the dvd format with the start of the quentin storyline.

now i'm really torn as to how much i want to invest in buying everything on dvd.it's quite expensive and i doubt i'll re-watch the entire series over from begining to end.

i am thinking about the "the beginings"(formerly the "collector's series").i have started to see them in lots of book and dvd stores.what does everyone think about them?do the extras make them worth it?
Title: Re: DVD Long-Term Availability
Post by: Willie Loomis on November 15, 2007, 06:42:37 PM
i feel that you should buy them, because i said i would just watch the arcs.    but i am doing it again from beginning, and the adam story is just winding down.     so, i'm about half way through it.   (hint, tho:   if you fall asleep, just keep going!    dont' rewind!)
Title: Re: DVD Long-Term Availability
Post by: Mysterious Benefactor on November 18, 2007, 11:05:15 PM
Since no one else has gotten into the following aspect of the situation, it probably should be mentioned that it's probably not likely that the DS DVDs, in their present form, anyway, will be produced for decades to come. Video technology has changed extremely rapidly in recent years. There are already two completely different second-generation DVD technologies available as it is (HD DVD and Blu-ray). (Thankfully, the players of both those types are backward compatible with the first-generation technology that produced the DS DVDs.)

Personally, I wouldn't be surprised if the first-generation DVD format doesn't go the way of vinyl LPs in the not all that far distant future. It's also up in the air as to whether or not MPI would upgrade/rerelease the DS episodes on whichever one of the two second-generation formats comes out on top. So, it could be doubtful that MPI would continue producing DS DVDs in their first-generation DVD format for decades to come once the second-generation DVD format takes hold (like VHS killed Beta when it came to videotape). It's possible that we'll see the availability of the DS DVDs in their present form for another decade - certainly on sites like eBay. But, unless MPI does indeed rerelease some sort of upgraded sets, to expect the current sets to be around for decades on sites like Amazon or Deep Discount is probably wishful thinking.  [hall2_sad]
Title: Re: DVD Long-Term Availability
Post by: joe integlia on November 19, 2007, 04:06:53 AM
i cant imagine a hd or blueray release of the ds episodes. obviously ds was not shot in high definition so there is no need for it unless they try to do some kind of cropping to make it wide screen like they shamelessly did with the 91 series on dvd. i think they should leave it the way it is. the dvds look crystal clear and i cant see how they could possibly improve it.
Title: Re: DVD Long-Term Availability
Post by: Mysterious Benefactor on November 19, 2007, 05:01:36 AM
i cant imagine a hd or blueray release of the ds episodes.

Agreed.

Quote
ds was not shot in high definition so there is no need for it unless they try to do some kind of cropping to make it wide screen like they shamelessly did with the 91 series on dvd.

I don't know much about HD DVD, but if it's like HDTV, perhaps shows that were not shot in widescreen would not be cropped but would be packaged with black bars to the left and right of the picture (sort of the opposite of letterboxing), which is what most HDTV stations seem to do. For instance, here's a capture that I just took from a local HDTV station from their showing of Frasier:

(http://www.dsboards.com/images/notwide.jpg)
Title: Re: DVD Long-Term Availability
Post by: Brian on November 19, 2007, 05:26:59 AM
Quote
For instance, here's a capture that I just took from a local HDTV station from their showing of Frasier:

Well, not being a fan of Frasier, I don't recognize these characters.  But, at first glance, I see several residents of Collinwood (perhaps from an alternate universe).  From left to right:  Barnabas (back to us),  Elliot Stokes, unidentified family member, Roger, Elizabeth, Burke Devlin, Carolyn and Vicki Winters.  LOL.

Brian
Title: Re: DVD Long-Term Availability
Post by: Ronny G on November 19, 2007, 07:04:55 AM
  (hint, tho:   if you fall asleep, just keep going!    dont' rewind!)

That is my problem. I keep falling asleep during the episodes. The next time I go to watch the show, I forget which episode it was I fell asleep during so I end up going back and rewatch the same episode again.

I think I'll follow your advice next time, and just keep going and don't look back!
Title: Re: DVD Long-Term Availability
Post by: Midnite on November 19, 2007, 07:09:23 AM
But, at first glance, I see several residents of Collinwood (perhaps from an alternate universe). ...unidentified family member...

Doctor Lang!   [hall2_wink]

Very funny, Brian.
Title: Re: DVD Long-Term Availability
Post by: Philippe Cordier on November 24, 2007, 10:44:12 PM
Personally, I wouldn't be surprised if the first-generation DVD format doesn't go the way of vinyl LPs in the not all that far distant future. It's also up in the air as to whether or not MPI would upgrade/rerelease the DS episodes on whichever one of the two second-generation formats comes out on top. So, it could be doubtful that MPI would continue producing DS DVDs in their first-generation DVD format for decades to come once the second-generation DVD format takes hold (like VHS killed Beta when it came to videotape). It's possible that we'll see the availability of the DS DVDs in their present form for another decade - certainly on sites like eBay. But, unless MPI does indeed rerelease some sort of upgraded sets, to expect the current sets to be around for decades on sites like Amazon or Deep Discount is probably wishful thinking.  [hall2_sad]

I hadn't checked back on the board for a while and just found your message, MB. Changing technology and the possibility that DVDs will become obsolete is discouraging. I know that it should be exciting since new technologies are generally an improvement over the old formats. But I'm feeling a little panicky again now ... But thanks for presenting a realisitic outlook.

Title: Re: DVD Long-Term Availability
Post by: Jackie on November 25, 2007, 07:35:04 AM
I hope to eventually have the entire DS series on DVD, but so far have only been able to purchase a few of the sets (usually when here's a sale).
I don't know if this will help you but www.deepdiscount.com is starting to sell the Beginning DVDs.  The first and second set are out already.  This site also offers 20% discounts on top of their already discounted prices so if you ask for their email ads, they will email you the ads when they have their sales.  They just had one and I purchased the second box for about $29. minus 20%.
Title: Re: DVD Long-Term Availability
Post by: Philippe Cordier on November 28, 2007, 07:09:53 AM
Thanks, Jackie.  Yes, I knew about "deepdiscountdvd" (as it was formerly known) through this forum.  [hall2_smiley]

I'm grateful that they do offer the lowest prices on DS sets (along with the widest selection of DVDs I've found anywhere).  Hopefully, I will be getting two DS sets for Christmas - having placed the order myself at the last possible moment of their recent sale.  I made a mistake in ordering, though, and ordered one that I already had.  I immediately e-mailed them asking if they could make a substitution, and am hoping for the best but haven't heard anything. They've always provided excellent service so I'm keeping my fingers crossed and looking forward to the last two collections of the series.  Maybe not the best way to order, I suppose I should go in sequential order ...  [hall2_rolleyes]
Title: Re: DVD Long-Term Availability
Post by: Gothick on November 28, 2007, 06:42:55 PM
The latest rumors I've been hearing is that commercial marketing of DVDs or Blue Rays or whatever may all become obsolescent in the not too distant future as the industry moves towards a model of having people pay to download stuff from secure sites onto their hard drives (or TIVO loops or whatever).  Since the cost for the download to the owner/proprietor would be more or less nonexistent this is as close to a model of pure profit as one could get.  In some cases limited-issue sets may be marketed as collectibles to a small niche of specialized consumers--look at Time-Life's new release (still impending) of the Man from UNCLE episodes as an example of what this looks like.

It's all enough to make this old Luddite's head spin!

G.
Title: Re: DVD Long-Term Availability
Post by: B.Collins on December 29, 2007, 07:23:15 AM
it's bullshit is what it is. i prefer the standard dvd myself.  buut i think it was blue-ray my brother believes won't last long. i mean look at the playstation movies they i think stopped making them cause people realized HOW STUPID it is to buy movies for a video game system when they could buy a film to watch on your tv & on your dvd player.  well there's my 2 cents peeps. hehe
Title: Re: DVD Long-Term Availability
Post by: Mysterious Benefactor on February 19, 2008, 06:31:33 PM
Video technology has changed extremely rapidly in recent years. There are already two completely different second-generation DVD technologies available as it is (HD DVD and Blu-ray).

And apparently we have a winner: Blu-ray Wins!: Toshiba Officially Turfs HD-DVD (http://community.tvguide.com/blog-entry/TVGuide-Editors-Blog/Dvd-News-Reviews/Toshiba-Officially-Turfs/800033599)

And, frankly, I couldn't be happier that Blu-ray has come out on top - not because I prefer it to HD DVD (I had no real preference for either), but because of Microsoft's connection to HD DVD. Any time something associated with Microsoft goes down in flames, it's a time to celebrate:

[clap2] [cheerleader] [beer] [clap] [banana] [occasion18] [crowdhappy] [occasion18] [banana] [clap] [beer] [cheerleader] [clap2]
Title: Re: DVD Long-Term Availability
Post by: Gothick on February 19, 2008, 06:37:15 PM
There's a decent Wikipedia article about Blu-Ray that I skimmed through over the weekend.  From what it says, it appears likely that Blu-Ray players WILL be able to play older tech stuff (i.e. the older recensions of DVDs).

It will be interesting to see what develops from this point on, and whether the Industry will be able to coax consumers down yet another yellow-brick road of upgrading any and all movies and shows they own to the new format.  I'm not holding my breath.

G.
Title: Re: DVD Long-Term Availability
Post by: Mysterious Benefactor on February 19, 2008, 06:50:30 PM
it appears likely that Blu-Ray players WILL be able to play older tech stuff (i.e. the older recensions of DVDs).

They do. It's just that Blu-ray players don't play HD DVD and vice versa.

Quote
It will be interesting to see what develops from this point on, and whether the Industry will be able to coax consumers down yet another yellow-brick road of upgrading any and all movies and shows they own to the new format.  I'm not holding my breath.

Well, like I said, I doubt that a lot of product will ever be upgraded to the newest formats. Big titles with broad appeal probably will if upgrading improves them in any way. But so long as the new generation players continue to be backward compatible (meaning they'll play older DVD formats), it's probably not likely smaller titles will be upgraded/reissued.

Given how quickly video technology changes, what will be funny is that in 20 years people will probably be laughing hysterically that there ever was something as "antiquated" as DVD. Who knows what will ultimately replace it - but something surely will. Though in 20 years most of us will probably be too old to care.  [lghy]
Title: Re: DVD Long-Term Availability
Post by: Gothick on February 19, 2008, 10:09:38 PM
What staggers me is how the popularity of DS appears to be soaring.  Every month seems to bring a new bounty of press cuttings and pop culture references to the series.  And it hasn't been on any channel's schedule in several years now!

I would never have thought that something as lo-fi and "unique" as our beloved show would turn out to be the darling of the iWhatever age.

G.
Title: Re: DVD Long-Term Availability
Post by: B.Collins on July 01, 2008, 01:01:24 AM
i agree 100% IF memory serves right, i don't think the cast itself, hell even the crew, the writers etc.. themselves thought that in now 42 yrs. the show would be on dvd, tv well at some point anyways, & NEW fans would LOVE it like we do. conventions & so on. even they said they were QUITE surprised when they started doing conventions for just a little tv show. & than there's the people who are obsessed with the film "The P.I Adventure" just a little film about a sinking ship. they do conventions for that, role playing as well. i remember seeing that on tv a few yrs. ago THAT disturbs me to be honest. D.S. i can see cause that had HOW many good story lines

PLUS god knows how many costumes from the different periods as well. PLUS well you see my point i'm getting at i'm sure. anyways, as for dvd's.  ayuh i agree with the format comment. in 20 yrs. i'll be turning 50. & knowing me i'll prolly care but who knows maybe i won't. all dvd's are really IF  you really honestly think about it is just miniture laserdisc's.   Laserdisc's. were the way of the future for HOW LONG? & they had something before that i forget what that was called. buut Laserdisc's  were EXTREMLY EXPENSIVE!  some weren't. buut you go & find "It's a mad mad mad mad world" on laserdisc way back when & that cost i think $60 bucks ? when the dvd itself while it was in print, i don't i don't think it is anymore. buut when it was in print, $15-20 bucks maybe cheaper depending on where you go. buut yes, in short i wonder what will replace
dvd's at some point? my guess is that they prolly will get even SMALLER! what isn't these days ? cell phones are getting for some unknown reasons smaller! i don't understand that myself.  isn't it MUCH HARDER NOW To find your celly than it was 5 or 10 yrs ago? am i right? anyways i'm sorry about rambling on like this. i can at times get carried away. hehe
Title: Re: DVD Long-Term Availability
Post by: Willie on July 01, 2008, 02:38:29 PM
I almost wonder if Blu-Ray will ever catch on.  They had the same thing with audio Cd's, they came out with two new formats, super audio CD and DVD-audio.  they had a big war just like they did with Blu-Ray and HD DVD, and when it was over, nobody bought them.  They're just a niche market thing now.  I can see the same thing happening with Blu-Ray.  Most people (myself included) are perfectly happy with standard DVD's.  There's no huge jump in quality like there was between VHS and DVD.  Most of the stuff I watch is not big budget Hollywood stuff, and isn't filmed on equipment that would benefit in any way from a high definition DVD.  And then there's the problem with the stuff Hollywood churns out being as unpopular as ever.

Who knows.
Title: Re: DVD Long-Term Availability
Post by: MsCriseyde on July 01, 2008, 04:18:32 PM
I can see the same thing happening with Blu-Ray.  Most people (myself included) are perfectly happy with standard DVD's.  There's no huge jump in quality like there was between VHS and DVD.
I would beg to differ with you on that. Last summer, I rented Letters from Iwo Jima from Netflix, and the rental DVD was two-sided with HD DVD and standard formats. After watching the full movie in HD, I put in the standard version just to see if I could tell the difference. It was like night and day, even down to the clarity of the lettering in the subtitles.

When the DVD format was introduced, some people said they saw no real improvement over VHS. In fact, I'm sure I can probably find some folks here on this board who still won't make the jump from VHS to DVD with their DS episodes. My guess is that their not seeing an improvement across formats has more to do with the money involved in making the switch than it does with the actual quality. That financial argument I can buy. The argument that there is no actual improvement in quality I can't.
Title: Re: DVD Long-Term Availability
Post by: Mysterious Benefactor on July 01, 2008, 05:08:09 PM
I posted two screen captures in this topic:
to illustrate the difference between the quality of the DS DVDs vs. the VHS - and it's quite noticeable. Absolutely no offense to the actual blind or seeing impaired, but anyone would have to be blind not to perceive it.  ;)  Though as you say, I'm sure there are those who'll deny it...
Title: Re: DVD Long-Term Availability
Post by: Willie Loomis on July 01, 2008, 06:32:42 PM
well, i find that the condition of the tapes on the DVDs  astounds me, for such an old show.   They are in good condition all things considered.

although, i don't understand why they couldn't colorize the episodes that were missing and shown in black and white.    i mean, really, at 50.00 a clip that's not asking too much.   

Title: Re: DVD Long-Term Availability
Post by: Mysterious Benefactor on July 01, 2008, 06:45:48 PM
although, i don't understand why they couldn't colorize the episodes that were missing and shown in black and white.

Oh, Willie, Willie, Willie - you're so lucky you said that here and not on some of the other DS boards/lists because you would have instantly ignited a flame war the likes of which you would not soon forget!  [lghy]  Though still, we have no control over the unspeakable acts that guests and members might contemplate doing off-forum, so you might want to hire some security to guard against potential death threats...

I'll say that my opinion is that colorizing anything is sacrilege. But I'll leave it at that.  [b003]
Title: Re: DVD Long-Term Availability
Post by: retzev on July 02, 2008, 12:23:27 AM
...although, i don't understand why they couldn't colorize the episodes that were missing and shown in black and white.   

They probably could've, but chose not to. Alleluiah!


*edit - nevermind, MB got it [ghost]
Title: Re: DVD Long-Term Availability
Post by: Willie on July 02, 2008, 02:27:48 PM
That financial argument I can buy. The argument that there is no actual improvement in quality I can't.

What I said was that there was no HUGE improvement in quality, not that there's none at all.  The other thing with VHS tapes, especially if you rented them, was that once they started getting a bit worn they started looking really bad, but DVD's of course look brand new no matter how many times they've been played. 

There's just not that level of improvement from DVD to Blu Ray.  Of course, there's the other side of the financial argument as well.  Once somebody has spent all the money on a hi-def TV and Blu Ray player, they're certainly not going to tell other people that they only notice a small improvement, they'd sound silly for having spent all that money.  We've all seen Hi-def TV's in stores and yes, when you stand 3 feet in front of a 60" hi-def screen it looks quite impressive.  But when you stand 15 feet from a 32" high def screen, like I would in my own house, the difference is only moderately noticeable.
Title: Re: DVD Long-Term Availability
Post by: B.Collins on July 06, 2008, 10:42:39 PM
i agree Willie although 1stly let me say that VHS over dvd & The quality is worse. let me reverse that IF you may. i meant to say that Dvd over VHS is of course FAR BETTER. & yes i've seen screen caps of HD DVD films over standard dvd & the quality is a little bit better. buut i also agree it depends on what kind of tv set it's playing on. IF you have a 60 inch tv set than yes i'm sure it does look indeed better. my rents do. i don't though mine is i think 27 inches buut it's wide soo it looks bigger than it's actual size. their tv you put in let's say Law & order & you know how for fans of the show here they letterbox it. & letter boxing a tv show it just stupid IF ya ask me buut that's NOT the   
  issue i was referring to. i was referring to they letterbox MOST tv shows for some ungodly stupid reason & on my rents tv which as i said it's
60 inch. i believe & you can't see the bars. NOT at all. than you put that same episode on my tv & there they are.

  buut i do agree though i think blue-ray is going to fad out sooner or later. it's also stupid that they put insert players into video games. for the games ok i can see that. they are easier to use. i can understand that part. i like the games as dvd's myself to be honest. buut to put one in to play movies. is just absurdly stupid. anyone today has a dvd player. even IF you have no money to live on, you most likely have a dvd player of some kind. ya know?  that's my point. also Willie i agree they should have colorized the b&W episosdes that were shown in color when originally aired. buut it really doesn't matter to me either way. IF one of the reasons was cause it would destroy the qualtiy than i am  THRILLED they choose NOT to do that ya know? buut anyways yes i do agree that Blue-Ray is stupid & SHOULD go out
like a bad fart caught in the wind.
Title: Re: DVD Long-Term Availability
Post by: Willie Loomis on July 10, 2008, 05:34:45 PM
although, i don't understand why they couldn't colorize the episodes that were missing and shown in black and white.

Oh, Willie, Willie, Willie - you're so lucky you said that here and not on some of the other DS boards/lists because you would have instantly ignited a flame war the likes of which you would not soon forget!  [lghy]  Though still, we have no control over the unspeakable acts that guests and members might contemplate doing off-forum, so you might want to hire some security to guard against potential death threats...

I'll say that my opinion is that colorizing anything is sacrilege. But I'll leave it at that.  [b003]

to clarify, to colorize the episodes that were in color, but lost and shown in black  and white.  and to be quite honest, the whole show should have been left in black and white.  more "spooky" i think.
Title: Re: DVD Long-Term Availability
Post by: Mysterious Benefactor on July 10, 2008, 06:00:11 PM
Oh, I knew what you meant - though some fans are real sticklers and wouldn't even want the kinescope eps to be colorized. I wouldn't dismiss that security detail just yet.  [ghost_nowink]

Seriously, though, even if TPTB had wanted to colorize the kinescopes, I suspect it might have been more trouble than it was worth given how washed out and/or murky they often are.