My brain goes through a series of intricate, sometimes irrational, calculations to determine if it's worth investing in Blu-ray versions of standard definition DVDs I already own. In cases like these Lost Blu-rays, which have the same bonus features as their lower-def DVD counter-parts, double-dipping is even more painful. But Lost is my favorite show on TV by a country mile and Disney has done an exceptional job with the other Lost Blu-rays (the image quality is even better than that of the high-def broadcasts), so ultimately, I went for the upgrade. With other video releases — I'm looking at you 12 Monkeys Blu-ray coming out next month — the answer isn't as easy.
What about you PopWatchers? What criteria do you use when you decide to double-dip with a Blu-ray purchase?
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Awesome extras and a decent price
No offense, but there are waaaayyy more dilemmas than double-dipping.
Just don’t do it. It would totally ruin the box spacing, but just bust the 1st and 2nd season on the blu-ray to upconvert the picture to quasi-HD. If there’s no new special features, then don’t waste your time with the Blu-Ray.
Gary, I’m as empathetic as possible on this one, but I say wait for the inevitable SERIES box set on Blu-Ray. “Lost” is my favorite show, as well, and I have all four seasons on standard-def (purchased before I bought a Blu-Ray player), but I’m holding off on buying Season 5 in Blu, as well as rebuying the first four seasons. Besides, I’ve heard the picture quality on Seasons 1 and 2 is not much better than DVD (there is surely going to be a remastering, at some point), and you know that Disney will pull out all the stops and add in a bunch of exclusive features for the series set. So, from one DVD/Blu-Ray collector to another, I suggest patience. Holding off on buying the Blu-Ray versions of seasons 1 and 2 can’t possibly be worse than having to wait until next year to witness the end of one of television’s greatest works. Can it?
According to [http://aintitcool.com/node/41431, you can get $20 back per season if you already own ‘em on DVD. Dunno if that’s true, though.
Here ya go… seems to be $20 total you can get back, which must mean you can’t use this coupon for EACH season:
http://highdefdiscnews.com/proof/lostrebatefull.jpg
I go through this dilemma with every movie that I end up not buying either — They should do what disney does with their blu rays — add a dvd copy as well. I don’t want to buy a blu ray that will only play on one machine but not on the 10 other dvd players I have — on my computers, my other tvs, etc. So I hope that studios will take this next step so that we don’t have to decide between blu rays or dvds. It would cost the studios what 30 cents if not less for the extra dvd.
Definitely get the blu-rays. It seems Disney is offering a $20 mail-in rebate per season if you already own the DVD, which makes it a pretty solid deal. It’s like your DVD purchase was a downpayment on the Blu-Ray.
http://www.aintitcool.com/node/41431
Way to go, Disney. Very cool.
That comment from Jack’s Appendix makes me happy. I’m a DVD guy, and I’ve wanted to upgrade for awhile. I’m thiking the Complete LOST Series will be a good time. This year though, Season 5 is releasing as a Dharma Intitiation Pack, which I can’t wait for.
This whole question is kind of ridiculous, especially in this economy. Buying another $50 set of DVDs just to have a higher quality of something will be out of the question for somebody with an average income right now.
Can I have your old DVDs?
Shut up, Todd. It’s a perfectly valid question. Stop your finger-wagging.
For me, it is simple, if i already have it on DVD, i am not buying it on blu-ray. Don’t get me wrong, it is tempting, but i cannot rationally justify it. plus i think some dvd’s look just as good on the blu-ray player, that could just be my own naivete though.
I’d wait. The prices will go down. But it in summer 2010 or even 2011 when you don’t remember the first two seasons that well. But I feel your pain. I own the first two on DVD (That’s how I first saw the show), the 3rd on Blu-ray, and don’t even own the 4th
I’ve had it with TV releases by season, and then they release the one big set at the end with stuff that’s not on the regular season dvd’s (*cough* Seinfeld). I’m waiting for LOST to wrap after next season and then buy the one big mega-set of all the seasons on blu-ray.
Amen man! I totally went through the same thing. I purchased season 1 and 2 on standard DVD back at Christmas but never got the chance to watch them. I have season 3 and 4 on Blu-Ray. I was fortunate enough that my assistant bought season 1 and 2 off of me so now I am free to get the Blu-Ray however the complete Battlestar Galactica will soon arrive on Blue-Ray and I already have seasons 1-4 but not 4.5 on standard DVD. I am very torn by the whole thing. Eventually I will come around to buying it….but maybe wait till Christmas after The Plan comes out. At the very least my purchase will signify to the studios that I love something enough to buy the complete series on Blu-Ray so they will make more! Holla.
I avoided this problem by waiting to purchase LOST on dvd/blu-ray until after the whole series was over, and once season 6 is over, i’m buying them all on blu-ray, and a blu-ray player..and a new flat-screen TV.
Definitely a dilemma…really only for the action/adventure genre where the high-def makes such a difference. (I’m not running out to buy Wedding Crashers on BluRay, personally.) I’m with some of the other posters here…I’m not going to buy the DVDs of Season 5 & 6, then I’ll wait until the giant BluRay boxed set comes out of all 6 seasons plus countless extras. Interested to see what sort of cool packaging it will come in. A Dharma-shaped tin, perhaps?
You know, people are starving in China…and America. They should have such “problems.”
Personally I come on this site to enjoy myself, have a fun pop culture discussion, and forget about my actual woes for a while. But that’s just me.
LOST is awesome, but Blu-ray is way overpriced. I went with the DVD version and my wife and I watch it often!!!!
@your mom – I just wanted to let you know I’ve been sleeping around with the chick up the street who bought LOST seasons 1 and 2 on bluray, and it’s over. I want a divorce.
Geez, can’t anyone talk about anything without throwing in the economy anymore? I splurged and re-bought Season 1 and 2 on Blu-Ray, and I’m upgrading my Season 3 as well (purchased before I got my PS3) and I don’t feel bad about it. It’s my favourite show and well worth it. And yes, when they do release the ultra special complete series collection, I’ll probably shell out for that too and just sell the old stuff.
haha, wow, i thought I was obsessed with LOST… lol i guess my idea of obsessed has now officially changed. DONT DO IT OBVIOUSLY!!! thats a total waste! u already have them on normal DVD!!! but thats just my opinion… GO LOST!
I’ll make it easy. Yes, you must buy the blu-rays.
Never actually bought them on DVD, so this is an easy decision for me. Single dip!
does anyone know why the Lord of the Rings trilogy hasn’t been released in blu-ray?? I would buy those instantly. Also would like to see The Sopranos in blu-ray
The are releasing the theatrical version of LotR trilogu on blu-ray. Avoid those if you want to hold out for the blu-ray extended editions which don’t have a release date.
why don’t you guys just wait until the series is over and buy the entire series on blu-ray that comes in a special packaging and all the works, instead of buying season to season and knowing that it will end and be on sales with a great series package?
I sold seasons 1 and 2 last year while I could still get good money for them knowing that they would come out in Blu Ray eventually. Now we’ll just rent the discs one at a time through Blockbuster. Too much money to spend to own them.
Blu-Ray is ridiculous. If you already own it on DVD then why throw more money at them.