How Many Times Have You Bought Star Wars? How Many Times Will You?

from the keep-on-buying dept

Fri, May 5th 2006 6:14pm — Mike Masnick

We've noted in the past that a big part of the entertainment industry's business model (and part of the reason they're such big fans of copy protection) is that they want to get you to buy the exact same content over and over and over again. This clearly annoys many customers. Just yesterday, in our discussion about the MPAA's bogus numbers, someone in the comments complained about studios releasing so many different versions of a DVD, so that fans get annoyed. They buy the basic version when it comes out. Then there's the special edition, the director's cut, the Criterion edition and so on. Tony Gentile points us to a story at E-Online about people buying Star Wars movies again and again every time it's released in a different format or version (in this case, the announcement that the theatrical versions will now be released on DVD). Gentile wonders when people will realize that they're buying the exact same thing they already have over again. Obviously, the studios understand (and love this), and people seem willing to buy -- but as we've seen, just because some people buy, it doesn't mean they're happy about it.

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95 Comments

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Justin, 5 May 2006 @ 6:17pm

Well, anyone who's seen both the new versions of the OT and the Original cut know it's really not the same thing at all.
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kaden, 5 May 2006 @ 6:47pm

Thanks for clearing that up, Justin.

I knew it was all just a misunderstanding.
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- Anonymous Coward, 7 May 2006 @ 8:18am
  
  Re:
  I think he meant The OC...
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Wayne, 5 May 2006 @ 6:48pm

My answer
0, 0

No problem here.
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Michael Long, 5 May 2006 @ 7:14pm

Not happy either...
As someone who's worked in the industry, I have to say I'm not too happy about it either. Then again, I'm not exactly thrilled to be paying rent, car insurance, health insurance, making car payments, paying off student loans, or having to buy food, clothing, gas, or other necesisities.

Since people spend the vast majority of their income on those things as opposed to the occasional DVD, perhaps, instead of constantly harping on the entertainment industry, you can figure out a way for all of those other industries and companies to provide their products for free?

I'm sure a lot more people would benefit, and if everything else was free I could probably afford to work for nothing as well...
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- Anonymous Coward, 6 May 2006 @ 5:39pm
  
  Re: Not happy either...
  people who attempt to compare paying for food, clothing, gas, or other necessities to digital music need to go back to econ 101 and learn about the concept of scarcity
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Michael Short, 5 May 2006 @ 7:23pm

pfff!
Michael Long, cry me a river.

The local gas company isn't suing me because I try to put my gas in my truck AND my car, ala music industry.

Oh, and BTW, the gasoline I purchase KICKS ASS! It rocks, baby!

Most new movies today are junk.
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- LadyJane, 5 May 2006 @ 8:38pm
  
  Re: pfff!
  So, youre comparing Gas and Music/Movies?
  
  Do you think you would get sued if the first six tracks of an album were on your computer and the rest of it was on your ipod?
  Because thats exactly the way youre comparing it.
  
  If the entertainment today sucks, dont even worry about purchasing it or stealing it or making extra back up copies. Why worry about getting sued over "junk"
  
  And that kick ass gasoline youre buying? Maybe they arent sueing you for using it what, twice? is that what youre trying to say you do with it? whatever, but you are taking up the butt from that great wonderful company as the gas companies have had a record increase in profits (up to a 49% increase i believe) as the consumer shells out more money that they are told is due to limited supply, crisis, etc. It's really due to executives wanting more money.
  
  Everyone seems to grouse at the entertainment industry because they know we dont NEED entertainment to survive. However it can be a great and stimulating part of the human experience. People CHOOSE to by entertainment. If they buy all the releases of something, thats their choice, and their problem if they are upset because they didnt realise they fell "victim" to a simple marketing strategy. You expect artists to give up their professions and let everyone take their work for free? If its so terrible, don't buy it once, twice, or however many times, and dont pirate it. You would be wasting your time anyway wouldnt you? Quit paying attention everyone, and big bad nashville and hollywood will just disappear....
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- Anonymous Coward #7, 6 May 2006 @ 12:12pm
  
  Re: pfff!
  Amen. The old ones aren't incredibly great and worth buying 7 times, but it's better than buying "Scary Movie 4" 7 times.
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dorpus, 5 May 2006 @ 7:50pm

Oh wait
I thought you meant all star war movies are the same, with aliens with thick lips and high cheeckbones in ethnic neighborhoods representing bad guys.
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- Get Over It Already, 6 May 2006 @ 4:21pm
  
  Re: Oh wait
  Oh come on. Are there people still mad because they felt that Star Wars aliens were racist. Please, find something else to be upset about because that is so tired. Bitch about gas prices and movie prices, but let's not try and make EVERYTHING a political statment!
  
  Thanks!
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  - dorpus, 6 May 2006 @ 11:46pm
    
    Re: Re: Oh wait
    The movie series is about baby boomers... I mean, white guys dressed like rock stars, taking over the universe while other aliens are bumbling, cute, or evil. The movie series feels as outdated as gray-haired guys with ponytails.
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homo-econimus, 5 May 2006 @ 8:11pm

"just because some people buy, it doesn't mean they're happy about it." then why are they buying it?
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- Anonymous Coward, 5 May 2006 @ 8:31pm
  
  Re:
  cause they are douche bags like you,
  simple enough?
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  - Anonymous Coward, 5 May 2006 @ 8:41pm
    
    Re: Re: Anonymous Coward
    >>cause they are douche bags like you,
    simple enough?
    Man, do you suck your moms dick with that mouth?
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BIll, 5 May 2006 @ 8:33pm

well I dont think this will be a problem anymore judging by the poor quality of the last 3 star wars movies
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Fine Upstanding Pirate, 5 May 2006 @ 8:40pm

Never bought any of the movies
I've just been planning to wait for the uber box set with every version ten years from now, including the updated versions of eps one three four with the CGI edited faces so they all look like our Robot Overlords that will invade next year.

Seriously, though, I just plan to wait until I can get them all at once in a single box set instead of spending all my money on a dozen different formats/versions.
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- Nick, 5 May 2006 @ 11:09pm
  
  Re: Never bought any of the movies
  The nice thing about this set coming out in Sept is that it will include both the original theatrical release AND the 2004 edited versions. I have DVD versions of the originals from Laserdisc, and the original VHS. I have not bought the 2004 version. I do plan on buying this set to be able to have both version in one purchase.
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  - Bored Guy, 6 May 2006 @ 6:26pm
    
    NICK you stupid !?@*
    Nick... Nick... Nick...
    
    YOU ARE A BAD, BAD MAN.
    
    While people here are busy bickering and throwing around stupid words like douche bag you're out creating problems for everyone. If people like you stopped buying the same thing over and over, we wouldn't be having this conversation.
    
    It's the same as spam, if nobody ever read, clicked on links, or purchased items from spam e-mails, there would be no demand for them. Spam could disappear, essentially overnight, if stupid people could simply stop being fooled.
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Apennismightier, 5 May 2006 @ 8:50pm

If youre stupid enough to pay for a movie that you already have, you have nothing to complain about.

This goes for all the Star Wars freaks and all the retards who bought each LOTR seperately, and then in the extended edition pack for example.
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Master stghm, 5 May 2006 @ 9:09pm

I bought the Star Wars on a different format VHS to DVD, when they came out. That's fine for me. I don't want a flood of new versions for movies that just came out though.
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- satan, 8 May 2006 @ 9:56am
  
  Re:
  don't forget blu ray and that other new format
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Tyshaun, 5 May 2006 @ 10:47pm

A fool and his money are very easily parted!
At any rate if you're not smart enough to realize that a movie that is part of a series probably will be released as a box set, and in multiple formats, than just give me your money and I'll buy you what you need (a long jump off a short cliff). Anyway, I can't fault the entertainment industry for regurgitating the same stuff again and again, people buy it.
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Final word, 5 May 2006 @ 11:07pm

Words being final
It really is our own fault, we don't ever do anything... ever. We used get pissed, start yelling and abunch of other people would start yelling then we'd all grabb pitchforks and sticks and rocks and freaking butter knifes and go kick the con artists asses' then chase'em outta town. Or over run the castles and kill the flippin' kings, or piss on the big gas exec's lawn or string bastards up for doing a town wrong. Now we all yell about it, and say something should be done... then go back to looking up picutures of our favorite celebrities in computer altered nude photo's. VIVA LA' REVOLUTION!!!
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Paul, 5 May 2006 @ 11:36pm

Never bought one, never will.
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Brandon, 6 May 2006 @ 12:38am

Just wait, soon we'll be replacing all of it with star wars on bluray or hddvd...
yea, it sucks
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o0otoxic, 6 May 2006 @ 1:25am

get usenet and call it a frickin day all ready what are they gona do arrest the whole world dam im so sick of seen pepole writein crap about payin for movies payin to goto the movies and just down right bitchin all together eather pay up shut up or steal it like the rest of us already
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- BlackGaff, 7 May 2006 @ 1:55pm
  
  Re:
  @ oOotoxic
  I'm so sad that this issue has made you so upset that you're unable to write a coherent sentence, use spell check, or follow the basic principals of grammar.
  I would suggest using Usenet to d/l School House Rocks! - particularly those that focus on grammar.
  Now, to the point of your rant. People make take your argument more seriously if you took the time to organize your thoughts. I hate to admit it, but I do agree with you in that, if people are willing to repeatedly buy the same repackaged material, they have to right to complain. However, there are people who do like different versions of the movie, and want the director's cut, instead of the theatrical release. Granted, the world would be a better place if the industry simply produced one DVD with both versions.
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  - Anonymous Coward, 8 May 2006 @ 12:41am
    
    Re: Re:
    "Granted, the world would be a better place if the industry simply produced one DVD with both versions" YES THE WORLD REALLY WOULD BE BETTER! YOU SHOULD WORK FOR THE U.N.
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Me, 6 May 2006 @ 2:20am

Disney
Disney famously pulls this shite as well.

Both Lucasfilm (with Starwars) and Disney (with several releases) had major campaigns before DVD's were available en masse.

Their trick was "Available for the LAST TIME EVER ON VIDEO", of course implying that this was the last time the movie would be widely available period. What they really meant was "last time ever on Video tape" because everything has been/will be released on DVD.

And before someone tells me that "VIDEO" obviously implies a tape, I ask you what do you think the "V" in DVD stands for???
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Pete, 6 May 2006 @ 2:50am

To "Me"
The V in DVD stands for 'Versatile'.

It is annoying when they do multiple releases in this way. If this was a perfect world we could pay the "license" part of the cost once (the bit that's actually expensive) and then just pay the extra media cost (a tiny, tiny portion of the full cost you pay) for the extra releases.

I agree with #19, things like this are bound to come out on high-def (whichever flavour wins the battle) so just wait for that to happen or you'll end up buying your entire collection again (2nd time around for those people who've gone VHS->DVD->high-def).
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Keith Demko, 6 May 2006 @ 3:27am

Lucas long ago stopped doing anythng for the fans instead of his wallet .. that said, I am a sucker, and will indeed buy at least 1 and 2 (or 4 and 5, I suppose) when they come out
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Anonymous Coward, 6 May 2006 @ 4:04am

The V in DVD stands for 'Versatile'.

MPAA / RIAA has taken versatility right out it with their sleazy DRM.
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Yoop, 6 May 2006 @ 4:56am

hmmm
Basically there's no sense of fair play at all in the entertainment business. Yes they have every right to squeeze every last dollar out of the public. But when is enough enough?

...and that ridiculous post about "I pay me rent and student loans...". Nice job on that one. Even an idiot like me saw the humor in your sarcastic post.
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Galley, 6 May 2006 @ 5:01am

Don't forget...
Don't forget that these releases will NOT have restored video, or 5.1 sound. I'll pass.
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PopeRatzo, 6 May 2006 @ 5:13am

It's true that you have to be kind of dopey to buy the same thing twice (if it's not consumable), but the issue here is the Military-Entertainment Complex being unwilling to put any energy into making a better product, and instead trying to figure out how to make people want shit or how to sell the same thing twice. Or even better, how to charge 10 times as much as a fair price that would turn a good profit just because they can.

But let me warn you, if you go down that road of thinking too far, you will find great big ugly sores on the system known as "free market" and what we in this country call "capitalism". Just so you know, there be dragons...

Having already gone down the road myself, I've come to a place where I have no trouble watching the latest PROPER release or using something from eth0. BitTorrent is my friend, and I don't buy Sony. Get my meaning?
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Moogle, 6 May 2006 @ 5:40am

If everyone were logical, rational beings, they'd realize the pattern after the first time. They'd always after make an informed choice between buying early, buying more content, both if it's worth the extra money, or neither to vote with their money.

In reality, the vast majority of people are at times forgetful, impatient, irrational, gluttonous, gullible, and kind of dumb. This sales tactic wouldn't be profitable if it weren't for this, and it is directly preying upon the weaknesses of many people. So, yes, it's a bit of a sleezy, slimeball tactic.

The movie studios make a decision between being liked by their customers and making more money. They obviously didn't care too much about being nice to their customers, so they've earned every critcism they can get.

Don't forget that public good will is an asset as well, and complaining about the company is just as fair a tactic that consumers can use to get more stuff or get it cheaper. So what you people who are critcising the complainers are really saying is "I'm willing to let the movie studios do whatever they want." Way to bend over and take it, guys. :)
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krum, 6 May 2006 @ 6:19am

Backwards...
My situation went backwards with this. My friends and I didn't want the "Extended, additional scenes" versions of the first three films. We just wanted the versions we saw when we were kids...in DVD format/quality. A few years ago Lucas claimed these versions were lost forever. I called bullshit on that and refused to purchase any of the DVD releases. Here we are and now our wait is over. So I'll purchase these 3 films but it will more than likely be the last thing I ever purchase from Lucas again. At any rate, the industry is screwed up but if people are dumb enough to keep purchasing all the different versions then that's the individual's fault for believing the "Last Time On Video Ever !!" label.
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eflotsam, 6 May 2006 @ 6:29am

Tell them with your wallet.
The repackaging happened years ago when vinyl went to CD and everyone went out an bought "The White Album" again. They still want us to buy it again only in SACD or GoldCD or DualDisc or Enhanced...

As long as we keep buying new versions, they will make them. The solution isn't revolution, it's restraint. If every person bought the first version and never bought it again, leaving rehashed / remastered / reissued with extra tracks on the shelves, you can be damn sure the companies would produce the best shot only once.

Keep buying and they'll keep producing.
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cltsoundman, 6 May 2006 @ 8:02am

different versions appeal to different people...
While I don't discredit the fact that entertainment industry may be trying to get some people to buy the same thing twice, they are also trying to cater to different audiences. Like krum(29) wanted just the original unedited version, I don't really care to see the original, I like the updated version.
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Justin, 6 May 2006 @ 8:29am

Hillarious... You all seem to forget it's the fans that DEMANDED this, if you're not one of what does it fuckin matter to you?

Best part about "teh interweb", people bitch about something ad nasuem, are given what they want, and then bitch about that.
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Anonymous Coward, 6 May 2006 @ 8:41am

They should just supply diff files so people can patch it at the other end... (but serriously, how techy is film, sure it's star wars, but still, give up)
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Mark Kitchen, 6 May 2006 @ 9:04am

I don't see a problem here.
If Star Wars fans want to shell out the $ to have the most recent release - so be it. If it wasn't profitable, the re-releases woulnd't be released.

People do the same thing with Clothes, Cars, Houses and other tangible items...
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- Celes, 8 May 2006 @ 8:10am
  
  Re: I don't see a problem here.
  Mark, I think you're on point with this one. I wouldn't stop myself from buying a new shirt just because I've already got shirts at home. I'll buy the new one if I like it.
  
  I've got the remastered and special editions of the original trilogy on VHS (although I'm just slightly too young to own the original VHS release), and once I'm not college-poor any longer, I may go buy them on DVD because it's easier than taking the VCR out of hiding and hooking it up. If someone profits from that, good for them.
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s1ugh34d, 6 May 2006 @ 9:38am

ha
I know what you mean buying themover and over and over and there all special, but i feel if its so special why isn't it free, if more Indpendant movies were made and more people just let people watch stuff free then the entertainment business would thrive much better

but thats my $0.02 i need no comments
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James C., 6 May 2006 @ 10:21am

i think one of the producers of the movie kill bill once commented to the reporter:
""This is the beauty of having two volumes—Vol. 1 goes out, Vol. 2 goes out, then Vol. 1 Special Edition, Vol. 2 Special Edition, the two-pack, then the Tarantino collection as a boxed set out for Christmas. It's called multiple bites at the apple. And you multiply this internationally."
it goes quite well with this article.
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Anonymous Coward, 6 May 2006 @ 10:21am

No, No, No, No, No...
...and maybe NO

No way would i but that pile of shite!!!
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Posterlogo, 6 May 2006 @ 10:29am

Here's a thought...
DON'T BUY THE SHIT YOU DON'T WANT. How bout it folks? Stop with the whining bullshit. They only produce many different versions because there are people buying them. If it bother you that there are different versions out there, you're just part of the problem. Oh, and it's not going to go away. Some of us thrive on choice and will continue to demand different versions. You think once HD and Blu-Ray come out that people won't want to see Star Wars in HD? And the format after that, and so on? Me, I'll buy my DVD and CD and port it to whatever format I want and use them how I want. I think some of you are confusing fair use with movie versions provided in upgraded formats to meet consumer demand.
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Trollificus, 6 May 2006 @ 11:09am

Once and done.
I agree that people are idiots if they fall prey to this, and people who complain about the different versions are idiots if they think these companies would bother with the marketing approach if it didn't work.

Whatever the features of the new "product", by far the main thing is the movie itself. It's like a friend of mine, lousy golfer, who wanted to spend, like, a thousand bucks for fancy new clubs.

Dude: These clubs are GREAT!! I can't wait to play with them!!
ME: What about your lousy swing?
Dude: Look at the endorsements! The testimonials!!
ME: You never line up the same way twice!
Dude: They've been tested! On MACHINES!!
ME: You get falling down drunk almost every round.
Dude: Man, I'm gonna be so good...

The point being that the 'added content', 'improved sound', director's inanities...errr...commentary; none of that much changes the experience of watching THE MOVIE. Especially first or second time.

I dunno...maybe that's just me.
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Trollificus, 6 May 2006 @ 11:13am

And another thing...
...unrelated to the story, but in response to #6 complaining about Lucas' ethnic-stereotype bad guys*:

We can go back and re-edit those stereotypes out about the time Hollywood doesn't make the villain in a FULL THREE FUCKING QUARTERS OF ALL MOVIES a white guy in a suit who runs an evil international corporation that produces pollutiion. And probably slavery.

I mean, they dumped DR.DOOM for a WGIASWRAEIC???
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Trollificus, 6 May 2006 @ 11:16am

Three in a row...
...and banned?? :D

*-good thing he didn't mention Peter Jackson's swarthy villians, eh?? About all they were missing was the rape and watermelon. Hey, I'm just sayin'...
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Tulio Bertorini, 6 May 2006 @ 11:41am

Wrong Just Wrong
Why can't they put all of the information on the first release, instead of all 5 releases after that. Unless you are a die hard fan, you don't care about the extra features.

I do think it is wrong for companies to do this because some people truly do not have the cash to buy multiple versions of the same DVD.

All DVD need to have a code on them so that when new changes come out, they can just download the new contents instead of the entire DVD again.

Of course these people are the ones keeping our economy going.
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Gollum, 6 May 2006 @ 12:22pm

Possible Solution
There's a clear cut solution to the problem of movies being re-hashed every time a new media format comes out.

If done right, without all the DRM (Yes, I know, like this will ever happen anytime soon, but it's not like any 'solution' is really going to come about in the near future), then a digital distribution system is deffinately the way to go.

Simply download the version of the movie you want, if a new codec comes out years later that's better or more widely used, you can easily convert the format of the digital file. Then if you want a hard copy of it to watch on a TV (without using a media PC or anything), then you spend a couple of cents on the latest hard media (Blu-Ray, HD-DVD, etc).

Paying only a couple cents per disc is a lot better than shelling out 20+ bucks. Though the new media will have to become mainstream enough to have a relatively low price, you probably wont be converting stuff to a new standard before it becomes mainstream unless you already have and are willing to blow a lot of money on a player, etc.

This method is very practical and "versatile," the only problem is that idiot companies such as the RIAA and MPAA stand in the way of something like this from working.
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JustMeAgain, 6 May 2006 @ 12:23pm

Geeeeeeze....
If you want it, buy it.

If it's gonna make you MAD that you bought it, then DON'T buy it.

If you don't ever buy them, don't worrry about it, it's nothing to do with you anyway.

If you do buy them, then don't bitch about buying them.

It's really not all that complicated.
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Anonymous Coward, 6 May 2006 @ 2:00pm

And that's why you rent a movie from Netflix and burn a copy of it. Screw the studios and the stuck up idiot fucking actors and actresses who make them. If I find a movie that is actually worth anything, I will buy it.
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Kerry, 6 May 2006 @ 2:38pm

Star Wars DVD's
Unfortunately they are usually NOT the same. Granted, the movie itself usually is (although there are sometimes added or extended scenes - Lord of the Rings anyone?), but they add in different extras, deleted scenes, short clips about the making of the movie, trivia tracks, commentaries by everyone from the director to the caterer. All these things are used to get you to buy the movie again, but to say everything is the same on each edition is a bit short sighted. Does anyone actually know how many different cuts have been released for Army of Darkness? Anyway, in this case (Star Wars) what they are releasing is the origianal (as shown in theatres) cuts of Star Wars, episodes IV, V and VI. There will be LESS special effects (Lucas went back for the re-release and made them better) and they claim that the video quality will be slightly poorer but for me, the ORIGINAL scene between Han Solo and Greedo will be worth it!!!
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Yoop, 6 May 2006 @ 3:11pm

What Moogle said
"In reality, the vast majority of people are at times forgetful, impatient, irrational, gluttonous, gullible, and kind of dumb. This sales tactic wouldn't be profitable if it weren't for this, and it is directly preying upon the weaknesses of many people. So, yes, it's a bit of a sleezy, slimeball tactic."

I'm just repeatin' that.
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Jason, 6 May 2006 @ 4:54pm

Different Issues
I don't care about them re-releasing because I can rent it and then see if the "additional content" is actually worth paying for.

The problem I have, and I am not sure how often this happens, is when content is cut from the movie for the original DVD release. I'll use Hitchhikers Guide as an example, when my fiance and I saw it in the theatres, one of our favorite parts was the Whale and Petunia scene, specifically where the whale, coming to terms with its environment, says, "hullo ground, will you be my friend," the answer to which is a loud thud and a cloud of dust.

When the movie came out on DVD we bought it and to our surprise that scene was incomplete. I'm expecting an "extended version" will eventually come out and that scene will reappear after most people have forgotten it. Hoping that is not how they work though.
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Aquarius, 6 May 2006 @ 5:09pm

I can accept that George Lucas is finding different ways of selling us essentially the same movies over and over again. I have a choice to buy or not to, and I don't have to resort to name-calling against those who make a different choice than I do in order to feel good about my decision.

I thought, for the most part, that the elements he changed in the Special Editions were superfluous and stupid. (The only excepiton being the awful Ewok song at the end of ROTJ--the SE version was vastly better.) But I bought them when the DVDs were released, because my original theatrical versions were on VHS and have degraded with age as magnetic tape is prone to do.

I'm even alright with the release of the original theatrical versions on DVD, and plan to buy them, because Ewok song notwithstanding, this is how the movies were "meant" to be in my mind.

What I'm *not* okay wiith is the fact that the Special Editions will also be included in the same package on a separate disc. I'd daresay that most of the people who were interested in the SE's already own them. There were, however, "purist" fans who didn't buy the SE's because of the changes and will be buying the new original releases, and they will probably just ignore the SE disc. The presence of the SE disc is a waste of time, materials, and other resources on Lucasfilm's part. The inclusion of the SE's, like the changes within them, is unnecessary, and it serves no purpose other than to shove the SE's down the fans' throats one way or another.
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- Celes, 8 May 2006 @ 8:24am
  
  Re:
  Ok, I know everyone hates the Ewoks. But let's face it, the Ewok song was the way it was released originally (and possibly because I'm a girl, I happen to think the Ewoks are cute, even if the thought of them helping to destroy the Empire is absurd). And that's the version I grew up enjoying.
  
  Of course, since I was born too late to see Star Wars in the theater the first time around, I went to see the special edition when it was released, and I've got good memories from that.
  
  So I'll buy the set and enjoy both versions. Perhaps Lucas chose to put both versions in the same set for people like me, who aren't stupid and buying things they don't want, but who actually *want* what the company's selling.
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MASTERTECH, 6 May 2006 @ 5:36pm

SOCIETY'S PROBLEM
As near as I can tell, as long as we live in a socialistic/capitalistic society (oxymoron?), where we want everything given to us, yet want everyone to purchase our products for the most amount of money that we can sell it for, we are going to continue to be plagued by "evil corporate giants in white suits" and greedy individuals willing to modify the products that they sell into different formats in hopes that someone will buy them. Not withstanding our country's greediness and meddling policies regarding whether or not we should involve ourselves in the "protection of ourselves from ourselves" and big brother's invasive policies on that subject, I find that over-all we are a greedy, gluttonous society with too much time on our hands and too little common sense. To sum it up, buy what you wish, when you wish, and enough with the complaining already. If you don't like the way our country is run, then change it or move. Your choice.
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Anonymous Coward, 6 May 2006 @ 5:46pm

I don't think the entertainment realizes how many people hold grudges. It might give them some income right now, but it's slowly making people feel ripped off (perhaps to the point where they'll just stop buying movies altogether) and is no way to have a steady profit.
Instead of releasing twenty different versions why not just have one basic version and then one set that has all the extra...stuff in it for a little bit more than the basic version?
That way people who only want the movie can get that, and the people who do want all the extras can get those all provided in one nice boxed set and they won't feel ripped off when a new version comes out.
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Jaffrin, 6 May 2006 @ 5:54pm

Well, this will be interesting. Beta, VHS Remasted release, VHS Special Edition release, and DVD Widescreen release... I wish the Beta was the originals, but My Dad copied them from the originals back when they were first released (barrowed from the neighbors next door back in the day).
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2cent, 6 May 2006 @ 8:41pm

hmmm....
Will the 6disc box set of SW be the end? or will lucas clone himself to make 7-8-9? to get more $$
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- @ || 0 || 0 |/| 0 / 5 |_ 0 5 3 |2, 7 May 2006 @ 8:47pm
  
  Re: hmmm....
  "Will the 6disc box set of SW be the end? or will lucas clone himself to make 7-8-9?"
  
  Lucas is already making an episode 7, 8, and 9, no cloning required (as far as I know.)
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scuzzmaster11, 6 May 2006 @ 8:43pm

the machine
it's just a money machine, folks. you're all griping about big company movies. ever noticed the good movies from indi labels usually come out in one version, and that's it? stop buying the mass-produced mind-numbing corporate-produced movies, and maybe they figure out quality is more important that quantity. my 2 cents . . .thank you netflix . . . it's a sad state that some of the movies i rent aren't even worth wasting a dvd on . . .
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on tilt casino gear, 6 May 2006 @ 10:12pm

I suppose the article would have more relavance
if the first/last star wars movies didnt suck ass and were worth viewing in the first place.
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Andrew Fife, 7 May 2006 @ 12:08am

George Lucas Tax
we should coin a new phrase called the "george lucas tax" that every american has to pay when he releases a new improved version of the star wars series with previously unseen scenes and new cg effects
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Ben Dover, 7 May 2006 @ 2:13am

Burn your own original DVD!
I'm gonna buy this Star Wars DVD (my first, btw), rip it to my PC, remove the "molested" versions, and burn a TRUE ORIGINAL DVD for myself. I don't want any of that disgusting filth Lucas spewed out to be anywhere near my pristine childhood memories. BUY IT ONCE AND NEVER AGAIN!!!
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Anonymous Coward, 7 May 2006 @ 5:48am

otay youse guys. futt you and the ho youse rode in on.
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Yoop, 7 May 2006 @ 6:11am

in reply
The person who said to just "get over it" when talking about racist images: Nice. Great solution. That attitude is really helping the situation.

. ..But I did like Bored Guy's statement about spam (no sarcasm). Who is clicking on the those crzy things? If you want penis pills or home loans or pharmacy info can't ya look it up? (Please tell me I'm not the only one getting penis enlargement offers.)
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- Anonymous Coward, 7 May 2006 @ 6:01pm
  
  Re: in reply
  (Please tell me I'm not the only one getting penis enlargement offers.)
  
  Yes, you are the only one!!!
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Dudley, 7 May 2006 @ 6:16am

Yeah this is one of my biggest problems with their claims, aside from assuming a download equals a loss of sale.
Lets say you really like a movie, so you go see it twice in the theatres. Then you buy the DVD, the PSP version, iPod version, a VHS for the cottage, the other DVD version etc etc etc...
arg.
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Anonymous Coward, 7 May 2006 @ 9:46am

Not only that when the popular media type( VHS, DVD) changes and the players become too expensive to make the media work. Will you buy the movie again in the latest media format?

Wouldn't it be nice to take your "backup" and restore it to the new media type?

Furthermore, there is a lifetime to the media itself. A DVD and VHS will only retain the data on them for a limited number of years.
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CRasch, 7 May 2006 @ 10:08am

Cant really count how many copies
Lets see?

1. VHS
2. Laser Disk
3. S-VHS (Don't Ask)
4. Laser Disk with the digital audio
5. DVD
6. DVD Special Edition
7. DVD Special Edition WS

And they are trying to kill fair use with the new bill on the floor. Well, I guess the MPAA really want you to lease the video.
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Huh, 7 May 2006 @ 10:30am

What?
Star Wars? What's that? I've never heard of it.
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Topher31, 7 May 2006 @ 10:57am

NEVER AGAIN!
Once Episode 3 came out with its dismal end to the whole lot of movies, I vow I will never buy another Star Wads movie / game or franchise item again.

George Lucas will not get one red cent out of me ever again.

I literally tossed the DVD's of Ep 1 and 2 in the garbage after seeing Ep3. I did buy the original series on DVD when it came out, but that is when I believe Star Wars truly ended, not after the next 3 Mickey Mouse Edition episodes.

Even if and when I get an HD setup, I won't buy the original trilogy in HD.

Lucas milked us along for nearly 30 years and dupped us out of hard earned money into buying uncountable limited editions and digital remasters and special editions of Star Wars, and after that crap that was Ep1-3, thats the end of my facination with that galaxy far far away.

It will be a great day when people can finally live their lives without thinking about Star Wars, and I feel sorry for all those pathetic losers that can't let go and continue to keep Lucas a billionaire buying whatever junk edition he somes out with next.
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walker, 7 May 2006 @ 12:23pm

It is annoying
yes it is annoying when you buy the basic dvd thats first released then 2 months later the special edition comes out with all these bonuses. Now your paying twice as much as you would have because you loved the movie and want to see the special features. but if youcalm down before you go out and buy and do a little research you can find out if a special edition will be following soon.
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jasonrees, 7 May 2006 @ 12:27pm

T2 is worse
VHS
Laserdisk
DVD
DVD Ultimate
DVHS
DVD Extreme (wmvhd)
and soon bliue ray or hddvd
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Dan, 7 May 2006 @ 1:25pm

Hi-def version
I'll buy that when it comes out too. Thanks for the warning though.
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jdragon, 7 May 2006 @ 3:19pm

I got my DVD collection
and I"m done unless he releases another trilogy of some sort.
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Michael Ayers, 7 May 2006 @ 4:52pm

Uh . . . so what's the actual problem?
Exactly who "has" to buy every version that comes out?

I usually don't buy the "special editions" because I'm not particularly interested in the behind-the-scenes features and so forth. I'm usually only interested in the movie itself, and prefer the disc to not be cluttered up with complicated menus, extra features, etc.

As for the Star Wars movies, since there were two real theatrical releases (the original and re-made versions), it doesn't strike me at all as a problem that both versions are available separately on DVD. Buy the version you like. Don't buy the version you don't like. I actually liked both, and don't feel "cheated" by having both available for purchase.

I would really like to have the original version of "Blade Runner" made available on DVD. I do like the Director's Cut version that's avaiable now, but I would like to also be able to buy the version that I saw (and liked) in the theatre.

I'm a little annoyed at the idea that seems to underly the complaints about this. There is the already-existing debate about whether buying a disc once somehow entitles you to make copies for various reasons. I don't mean to take a side on that, but one argument raised is that, since you bought the movie once, you shouldn't have to buy it again to watch it on a different device or in a different format. Well, maybe so, maybe not. However, this goes a little further to suggest that the fact that you bought one version of a movie (say, the original theatrical version) means you somehow have a right to free copies of subsequent versions (say, a director's cut or a re-mastered version). That just strikes me as absurd.

///
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Fred, 7 May 2006 @ 5:25pm

At last, I'll been waiting for this, I didn't bought the earlier(special)editions,because I didn't like the added slapstick humor added sceenes,and Han shoot first.
I know they fixed some of the crappy sfx,but I want to see the same movies I saw when I was a kid.Not added crap.Just if they sold them separately,I really dislike ROTJ,aw c'mon...the Empire wiped out the Jedi,ruled the galaxy,and a band of rebels with the aid of ewoks(I hate ewoks)beat the Empire?...lol
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Anonymous Coward, 7 May 2006 @ 5:26pm

blah blah
if people weren't emotional wrecks going up and down like roller-coasters then guess what? there would be no advertising or commercials, because they wouldn't work. so i guess every high like getting that pretty little shiny thing has to get followed by a low like ah darn i spent more of my money on the same darn thing, those stupid bad companies. but then again, if somebody can indeed do it better, then they will, bless the free economy where everybody gets to compete for your money.
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jimmx2, 7 May 2006 @ 9:13pm

buying the samething
hey i just pay $56.00 a month for my cable and guess what with a little time and a nice monitor tan
i have all the movies/games/music/programs/ect. that i want and all i need is the hard drive room for it (cheap! ) my point is that im a temp labor i make about $1,200 a month WHEN there is work i have a kid and a GF to take care of and guess what i have all the new xbox games i want all the new metal albums i want and all the classic movies (cuz new movies suck)
yes i download them even thought i could go to Walmart and buy them for 6bucks
i have a computer on 24/7 downloading and my power bill is still only 30buck a month add that to my cable internet bill and i tell ya thats the best entertainment value you can find!
and if i get sued what are they gonna do? fine me money i dont have?
put me in prison where i wont have to work to put food on the table and make me lazy?
my point is the companys make plenty money from ppl that can afford it where i get it for basicly free
and if i dont like the movie/music/game/ect. i just delete it and get more......and im happy and unstressed!but thats just me......
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Ed, 7 May 2006 @ 9:35pm

Pay Up or Be Quiet
If you have a hard time paying for it, dont! I've never bought a star wars video (VHS, DVD, anything) and never will. In fact, I've only ever bought videos when I was buying them as a gift for someone else. I RENT videos so that when the next media 'upgrade' comes along, I won't have to go buy the latest compatible version. If you don't want to shell out big bucks, just rent the stupid thing!

The media companies have every right to re-release movies over and over again. Some people want to keep buying movies over and over, or else Hollywood wouldn't keep releasing them over and over.
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cccc, 7 May 2006 @ 11:40pm

zero, and zero.
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ERIC, 8 May 2006 @ 12:28am

REPLT TO YOOP
I'VE NEVER ACTUALLY HEARD OF ANYONE I KNOW GETTING PENIS ENLARGEMENT OFFERS. YOU MUST HAVE BEEN REFERED TO THAT PROGRAM BY ONE OF YOUR EX-GIRLFRIENDS.
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ERIC, 8 May 2006 @ 12:32am

I find the fact that so many people have an opiniion on this topic, quite disturbing.
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anonymous coward, 8 May 2006 @ 9:31am

I'm not a 35 year old virgin, so I don't care how many versions of star wars are released, I'm not buying any of them. I'm too busy having a normal social life. It's about time for you to stop jerking off to Princess Leiah.
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Dude, 8 May 2006 @ 10:26am

Wait for the rental and burn them! Or, find that sucker 3 cubes to your left that bought it and ask him if you can borrow it; then burn it!
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Steve, 8 May 2006 @ 11:00am

StarWars DVD's
I for one am pretty pissed off at Lucas Film. I have the original trilogy on LaserDisc. I waited for years, Lucas said he will NEVER release the original theatrical versions of the first trilogy. So like millions of other people when he released the "re-mastered and changed versions" I ran out and bought it, thinking that since Lucas said he would never release the orignal version it was as close as I could ever get. Now after making a ton of money on that set, now he decides to change his mind and ok here ya go, oh and by the way, not only am I releasing them now, I will ony do them seperatly, and the discs will include the version you all already have. He can keep em, i'll just copy my laser discs over to dvd and keep my money thanks.
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Yoop, 8 May 2006 @ 7:24pm

well
Well I better just start buying every Star Wars item that comes out and go to the conventions now that I've learned the truth about why I'm getting penis enlargement offers.
Damn.

I'm going over to the Beatles thread.
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eric, 8 May 2006 @ 11:24pm

lol!!!! sorry, I couldn't resist. :)
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Ted Kennedy, 13 Jun 2006 @ 3:59am

Solution?
Hey i was wondering why not just rent all these movies from Netflix, or whatever and then just make copies of them.
That way you just get maybe 30 new movies (or copies of the same movie) every month.
The movie company makes money from renting the movie and you get a perfect digital copy?
Am I the only person who does this?
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