Universal Brings back Flipper Combos, now on Blu-ray

In an industry first, Universal Studios Home Entertainment announced today the introduction of "groundbreaking" dual-format discs containing both Blu-ray and DVD versions of some of the studio's most iconic films. The new "flipper" discs will launch on January 19, 2010 with the spy thrillers 'The Bourne Identity', 'The Bourne Supremacy' and 'The Bourne Ultimatum', premiering in the US as individually packaged Blu-ray discs (see blu-ray.com, November 29). According to Universal, this makes it "ideal" for anyone planning to upgrade to Blu-ray at a future date as well as current owners of both Blu-ray and DVD systems. Each side of Universal's flipper discs includes the entire movie as well as all available bonus features. "Universal's flipper discs are the perfect way for consumers to future-proof their collections while still enjoying their favorite movies on all their existing DVD players," said Craig Kornblau, President of Universal Studios Home Entertainment. "The flipper disc offers an easy way for viewers to convert to Blu-ray now or at any time in the future, confident in the fact they will be able to experience their home entertainment purchases in the highest quality picture and sound when they do." The disc specifications for the 'Bourne' films list the discs as "BD-59", which indicates that they would be dual-layered on both the BD and DVD sides. Flipper BD/DVD discs were tested in the early days of Blu-ray, but they were deemed impractical. It is unknown what development has made them possible now, and if any other company has worked in the development. In 2006-2008, when Universal supported HD DVD exclusively, they were the major studio that most often went for combo editions, using it for most of its new releases and even some catalog titles.
Source: Blu-ray.com | Permalink	Relevant for:

Dave_6  » Dec 01, 2009
Oh boy, combo discs...

jimmybobo  » Dec 01, 2009
Focus on releasing the BEST audio and video transfers for the movie and you will have no trouble getting adopters. OTHERWISE if its a marginal upgrade in those 2 departments, why would anyone upgrade? May as well put a pizza and some flowers on it as well but it won't help you with adopters!

BLu-Balls  » Dec 01, 2009
I f---ing hate flipper discs!!

lobo81865  » Dec 01, 2009
I hate double-sided discs too.

Jayderek  » Dec 01, 2009
I'm absolutely behind the THEORY of combo discs...it's just the fact that with HD-DVD most people had issues with these discs playing (myself included). If these work AND the price is the same as standard BD's - I approve.

decayingdarkness  » Dec 01, 2009
now thats the way to kill dvd eh? way to go blu ray!

bigshoulders  » Dec 01, 2009
I love how ground-breaking was in quotes. I don't own any blu-sdvd flippers, but I do have several of the double sided DVDs. They suck.

eChopper  » Dec 01, 2009
not this s**t again

rmainhammer  » Dec 01, 2009
Until this very minute, Universal was my favorite Blu-ray studio (aside from Criterion). Not anymore! Death to flipper discs!

decayingdarkness  » Dec 01, 2009
this already happened on hd dvd how groundbreaking "sorry im cranky today lol

Blu Titan  » Dec 01, 2009
What a bunch of garbage. I'll pass one very single one of them!!!

woldymoldy  » Dec 01, 2009
Why not just add a dvd along with the movie...like lets say disney? Theres a way to help with adoption and not go with a stupid thing like flipper discs...i hate flipper discs.

mntwister  » Dec 01, 2009
In the hopes that they don't start this on new releases, for those who don't like this, may I suggest everyone send them a note. The web address is: http://universalstudios.com/contact_us.php After click "accept" go to "DVD AND BLU-RAY" then on the next page click USA, and fill in the form.

Hanzaki  » Dec 01, 2009
Is it really cheaper to make a combo disk than put a standalone dvd disc into the case? I wonder... With all the technical issues with the hd-dvd versions I'm not sure it's a good idea. At all.

Unoriginal26  » Dec 01, 2009
WTF??? Flippers are BANNED from my Home.

servocrow  » Dec 01, 2009
ONCE AGAIN UNIVERSAL!! This studio is so lost , I am not sure if they will ever find their way...They have so many goog titles and the WORSE BR transfers and current catalog...now flipper disc....??? what is this, 1998???? GET WITH IT UNIVERSAL!!!!

sandman6662  » Dec 01, 2009

This is a sure way to Piss off alot of Blu Ray fans, If I wanted DVD's I would of never changed to Blu ray . I don't want the DVD format any more ,, CAN YOU HEAR US NOW ????? Just make the Blu ray's with the best transfers's & awsome audio and reduce the price By not wasting money on the DVD crap and you'll get pepole to upgrade.... Make Blu ray movies $15.99 for all new release's and they will sell faster than any DVD ever.....I will not buy any Flipside Blu rays I never did like them and I'm not going to start now ,, Sorry You'r sales will go down now,,,

WorkShed  » Dec 01, 2009
This is friggin' awful! I guess I'll have to wait for the Bourne box set to go down in price because I'll never buy a flipper disc.

obriensg1  » Dec 01, 2009
Flippers are a pain in the ass, even when they were on DVD. You can't have a big title on the front of them and so you are stuck looking at a little ring around the middle that says in small print 'This side up for Blu-ray.' It's confusing as hell. I like the idea of trying to include a DVD version, but why not just do what others are? Package the actual DVD along with it!

discking  » Dec 01, 2009
Universal has a history of lame choices -- remember back in the 90s when they stripped the name brand. major artist pop music out a lot of their titles for DVD, replacing it with generic cheapo music so they wouldn't have to pay royalties? All those mutilated titles have, thankfully, since been re-issued with their original soundtracks.

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