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Why do movies take so long to come out on DVD?

K so this has been bugging me...

In the UK at least, a movie is premièred, is in the cinema for x months and then takes another ~3 months to come out on DVD after you can no longer find it in any picture hall.

I mean wtf? :wtf:

In that time, you've forgotten all about it, so why don't they release the DVD soon after it is no longer in cinemas?

Does anybody know why?
Firstly, because contrary to popular belief, the film going on screen for cinemas is on tape and not in dvd format (far worse quality). It takes time to convert the tape into dvd format, the film producer has to get the rights, get them passed on to retailers, market them, etc, etc. Also, pirating is way to widespread these days so as soon it comes on the market, it gets ripped and people will stop watching it on the big screens. Today's film revenues are still made by cinema screenings and not dvd sales.
no idea but its annoying me that SATC2 is not out until the end of november on DVD :angry:
They have to see how popular the film is before they decide how many copies of the DVD to make. They're also not going to know from the start how long it will be on the cinema for.. so it takes that much time for the shops to put their orders in, then for the promotion staff to sort out posters etc, and for the things to be made and shipped. 3 months isn't that long really.
Reply 4
Avatar for Freud
Freud
14
The distribution companies have a set time frame for transfer from cinemas to DVDs. That's why a few months ago Odeon announced it would boycott Disney films because they wanted to reduce the time it takes to release DVDs (but they sorted everything out and then everyone was happy :h: )

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Reply 5
Avatar for mfaxford
mfaxford
1
Films go through a number of stages:

First Release: When it's out in the Cinema. Cinemas have to pay a significant amount of the box office takings for the film.

General Release: usually about three months after the first release. Cinemas can then get the print on a per showing / per day charge.

DVD release: often about the same time as General release. (annoyingly for smaller cinemas like the Student Union cinema I help with).

The First release and general release are for cinemas so are generally on 35mm film stock which is much better than dvd/blueray quality.
Reply 6
Avatar for Rubgish
Rubgish
13
If they released the DVD too soon people would be less likely to go to the cinema. If I knew i'd only have to wait a few weeks for a movie, i'd save my £5 and just wait for the DVD.
Rubgish
If they released the DVD too soon people would be less likely to go to the cinema. If I knew i'd only have to wait a few weeks for a movie, i'd save my £5 and just wait for the DVD.

Me too, except for the films that only work with incredible surround sound. :P
Reply 8
Avatar for fbiyi
fbiyi
Piracy. The film companies don't want to deal with Piracy. If they are going to allow it, allow the film to make a little bit of money first!

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