Useful info. that could be added to reviews...

I have a request to improve your reviews so that DVD buyers can make an even more informed purchasing decisions: information on whether new DVDs include unskippable trailers and self-promotion before the DVD menu access. The new “Animal House: Double Secret Probation Edition” includes nearly 5 minutes of trailers and Universal marketing shorts before being able to access the DVD menu. There is no way to skip this “feature”, even using the chapter skip button or by pressing the menu button. You are forced to either sit there and watch them or use the DVDs fast-forward function EVERY TIME you insert the disc. This harks back to the old days of the VCR. It’s an unacceptable marketing low.

I have contacted Universal regarding the inclusion of this material, asking them to include at the very least the ability to go to the menu by clicking the player’s “menu” button. But who knows if this is a temporary practice or new policy. Therefore, my request is that you just include a note in your reviews that simply states “Note: this DVD contains x minutes of Trailers and features before DVD menu access, and the chapter skip and menu butttons have been disabled.” No editorial or opinion would be required. But just that line would help many of us DVD buyers make better decisions on purchases, and show the studios that it is not a practice that is going unnoticed.

Thanks for listening!
KP

That’s probably a good idea, KP. To be honest, I can’t remember if I was able to skip those previews on my player or if I actually sat there and watched them. I remember the preview for “Scarface”, then after that, I can’t remember. I’ll have to look into that tonight.

Generally I don’t mention movie previews since the majority of DVDs out today have them. In most cases I don’t even see them as an extra feature because they don’t pertain to anything vital that would relate to the reviewed film. Sometimes I forget to mention a chapter selection menu because, well, every DVD has them and I find mentioning it pointless.

I strongly agree with you, KP, that non-skip previews are very annoying. Out of the hundreds of DVDs I own I only recall two that have this annoying problem. Disney & Universal are notorious for forced previews at the beginning of their DVDs, but they have always been easy to skip by hitting the ‘next’ or ‘menu’ button on the remote. However, I don’t think this issue should be counted as a big enough distraction to sway the viewer from purchasing a decent DVD. You are right that it is worthy of mention in reviews, and I’ll be sure to keep that in mind.

Now days, in the theatre, I find I’m distracted by ads for Nike, Sprite, Pepsi, Movietickets.com, and at least 10 to 15 minutes of movie previews before the main picture ever starts! However, all that annoyance does not distract me from purchasing a ticket. Ironically, I look at non-skip previews the same way; they’re annoying but by the end of the main feature you’ve long forgotten about them. My suggestion is to take a deep breath, don’t let it get to you, go make some popcorn and by the time you get back it will all be over.

;)

I feel your pain my friend. I, too, am afraid that the studios might start sticking us with more non-skip ads on our DVDs. I understand that studios need to advertise to spark peoples interest in future products, but it’s infuriating when it is forced upon us. You could be right that it will get much worse. I remember two years ago the theatres here in Phoenix only played one-retail commercial before they went into previews; now they play at least three to four! It really comes down to the theatre making the money off of that and not the studio. However, it’s still a major pain to deal with.

KP, I usually get to my theatres early to get a decent seat. You’re right that I could show up later, but I’d miss the opportunity in getting a good rail seat. Besides, the front row is the movie theatres nose-bleed section and it sucks to be that close.

It is upsetting to see studios stoop themselves to this type of marketing, especially since you purchased the product, and because of that, you should NOT have to deal with forced advertising! I’m surprised that the music industry hasn’t come up with forced advertisement on music CDs. It never seems to end! I can only imagine that someday it will be like in “Minority Report” where there will be holographic ads that know your name!

Well, I guess on the bright side…at least the fast forward worked! lol. :D

Oh, and telemarekting calls...this worked for me:
A few years ago I used to get slammed with sales calls and then I changed my phone number to an "Unlisted Number". Now I rarely ever get telemarketing calls; maybe one or two a month. Of course, I did put myself on that no-call list the government's offering. But hey, if worse comes to worse try the unlisted number trick. It worked for me. ;)

I'm completely PO'd that I just bought Lost In Translation and it to has the forced preview "feature". I'm so PO'd I decided not to watch the movie and return it to the store where I purchased it. The studios need to pull their collective arses from the posterior and realize that the tape model doesn't belong in the digital medium of DVD's with their random access methods. If we don't object loudly to this new direction the studios are taking then it will become commonplace. Jeez, put the previews on the DVD but give me chapter skip and/or menu access. I'm a man on a mission to see this practice stopped!
:@

I hear you man! it happens here in Argentina too, with region 4 dvds as well. They must give us the chance to skip the advertisement and access the menu. Although I don't know if this practice is powerful enough to keep me from buying a movie I really like... but it would certainly lower my rating if I had to review it.

- Nico.

I think that Universal is beginning to feel the pressure from consumer complaints. With the "The Bourne Supremacy" DVD, you can click on the Menu button on your remote control in order to skip forced previews. This is much better than having to fast-forward through the trailers, though forced previews are forced previews no matter how easily one can skip them.

Paramount is trying to insitute this as well recently. Now you have to press the FF button to skip 6 previews first. They used to have the opening screen where you can choose to watch the Previews or go straight to the Menu. I guess no one cares to watch the Previews.