Well now we know Blu-ray is doing its best to imitate the standard DVD market. Still making inroads with the mainstream crowd, we’ve seen loads of Blu-ray deals to get prices closer to standard DVD. And you can now add multiple releases—just in case you weren’t happy the first time around and need all the extras your eyes can take on a collector’s edition.
Sony Pictures plans to release “Casino Royale: Collector’s Edition” as a two-disc set in October, according to High-Def Digest. Yep, only about a year and a half after the original Blu-ray came out last March.
I can’t wait for the 5th, 10th, 15th, 20th, 25th anniversary editions! As much as I love all of the different versions of “The Matrix,” “Reservoir Dogs,” “Lord of the Rings” and other DVDs that have gotten the multiple release treatment, I’m just not sure they’re all necessary. Especially a pricey new Blu-ray so soon, which is the first re-release I know of (excepting the catch-up releases of movies that had been HD DVD-only originals, if you want to count those).
But obviously plenty of people snatch up the multiple DVD editions—lots of collectors out there for the “collector’s edition” discs. Then again, I’ve never been much of a DVD extras watcher, and that’s where these sets shine, including the new “Casino Royale,” which will include more commentaries and documentaries. There’s also a new Dolby TrueHD 5.1 surround track, which certainly adds some luster, plus you’ll get a ticket to the upcoming Bond flick “Quantum of Solace,” which I suppose is like a $12 rebate these days.
As for the original “Casino Royale” Blu-ray release, I’ve already seen it used many times as reference material at electronics tradeshows for its tremendous audio and video, and would suggest it as a definite pick-up anyway for those of you who don’t own it. Only question now is, do you want to wait until October?
Do consumers really use any of the extra content? , I sure don’t. My main interest is picture and sound quality.
I wonder if there will ever be Blu-ray “Superbit” versions? How about 7.1 soundtracks?
Extended editions also interest me, like the Lord of the Rings trilogy that was released on DVD. The extended editions incorporated the scenes that were cut and didn’t make the theatrical versions. This would be an excellent edition for all movies.
Remember when Hollywood fought the idea of a home video market and did everything in its power to thwart it? Now, I read somewhere, home video is actually the studios’ biggest moneymaker, despite the occasional “Titanic” or, today, “The Dark Knight”.
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Rocky, Maybe I can suggest some glasses for you. Blu Ray will always look and… 
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Sony replaced (at no charge) all the 1st editions of “The Fifth Element” on Blu-ray Disc, for all the unfortunate consumers who bought the original, low-quality transfer, with a “Remastered” (Blu-ray) version which promised (and delivered) better picture and sound quality (complete with “DolbyTrueHD” soundtrack). This is a welcome trend from Sony Pictures we could get really get into.