Warner Brothers and Criterion Launch Blu-ray Upgrade Programs
The HD-DVD format has officially been dead for over a year now, and we’re starting to see a lot of movies that were previously released exclusively on HD-DVD coming out again on Blu-ray. This, of course, poses a problem for many of us who still have an HD-DVD player and see no need to rebuy these movies yet again simply to change the colour of the case on our shelf. That said, collectors are a pretty anal bunch, and I’m sure it is tearing a lot of people up inside that their high-def movie collections are now split into two groups. Luckily, there are a few companies out there who are keeping the consumer in mind, while also giving Blu-ray another much-needed marketing push.
This week Warner Brothers announced the launch of their Red2Blu program, which allows customers to upgrade HD-DVD titles that they previously purchased to Blu-ray for just $4.95 plus shipping. The best part is that you don’t even have to return the HD-DVD disc itself, just the art sleeve to prove that you bought it. They promise a new Blu-ray version will be delivered within 4 to 5 weeks. Although some customers would have preferred a free upgrade, I think this is a decent deal considering that in some cases you can still find HD-DVDs in clearance bins for under $5. Loophole!
While most people have only been talking about the Warner program thus far, it is worth noting that Criterion also has a similar policy for their standard DVD releases. Check out the fine print in their FAQ, and it says that they’ll send you a Blu-ray version of a Criterion Collection DVD for $20 plus $5 shipping. (You do have to send them the actual disc though.) Let’s hope other studios will take a hint and soon follow suit. Do you plan on taking advantage of either of these offers? If you don’t yet own a Blu-ray player, does it make you more likely to buy one?
Update: The Red2Blu program is currently only available the Contentinal U.S., so international customers (including Canada) are out of luck.
Comments (12)
Boner … gonna have talk to some US connections to make this happen. Why aren’t Caddyshack and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory on Bluray yet.
Come on Universal … follow suit … AFTER Hot Fuzz, Shaun of the Dead, and Children of Men Blurays are out.
Posted by dirrrtyfrank on April 22nd, 2009yes, everyone in Canada send your sleeves to me,
(WINK) address on website.
Posted by rus in chicago on April 22nd, 2009I’m trying to figure out the loophole for us Canadians. The major roadblock: The billing info. You have to pay for the processing using an American credit card.
FUUUUCCCKKKKKK MEEEEEEEEEEEE DUDE.
Posted by Jay C. on April 22nd, 2009if you need Jay I’ll help you out straight up.
I’ve been in limbo for a half year because I redid my entertainment system and bought the XBox 360 with the HD deck! I was waiting for Xbox to get off their ass and do a Blueray drive but they are still acting childish. Plus the new move towards On Demand is probably keeping them from creating the drive. I need an answer from them because it isn’t a simple swap out to an additional blueray drive with my rack.
Posted by rus in chicago on April 22nd, 2009If the rest of the movie was 1/2 as good as the first 30 minutes (and Batman didn’t have a lisp) this could have been a really fantastic film.
Posted by Shut-Up Ed on April 22nd, 2009This is not about Batman Ed.
This is a good idea for those who rode the red train to begin with, me I always knew Blu would emerge triumphant.
Posted by swarez on April 22nd, 2009Not worth the upgrade for criterion. You can get those for $30 anyways. 20 + 5 for an upgrade?
Posted by joe on April 22nd, 2009My 4 WB HD-DVD titles are rotting next to my 360 (that is now my sister’s 360) and they are just dying to come join me after after having a format sex change. This is spectacular news (except for the fact that I rebought A Clockwork Orange on BD cause it was only $15 at Wal-Mart).
Posted by Ryan M. on April 22nd, 2009As soon as I read the beginning i planned to go find used hd dvds places to trade up.
Posted by justin on April 23rd, 2009Too bad HD-DVD was a better format… I’ll keep my HD-DVD colllection as is, thank you.
Posted by Nick on April 23rd, 2009Someone is in denial. Not sure how a format that has twice the capacity (and therefore can contain higher quality audio & video) is better. But hey… enjoy.
As for the main topic, this is a brilliant move by Warner. Bravo!
Posted by Tony on April 23rd, 2009There’s no reason they couldn’t extend the offer to Canada!
Why on earth would they exclude us?
I’ve lost a lot of respect for Warner Bros after this…
Posted by Ron on April 29th, 2009Leave a Reply