Beast
09-12-2002, 06:48 PM
This is from the September 12, 2002 issue of Video Store Magazine. It's nice to see that New Line finally woke up, though it's suprising. After all Warner owns the Snapper Case and New Line, so thats why they have stuck to the outdated Crapper Snapper Cases for so long. Now if only Warner themselves would wake up. :p :)
New Line Moving Away from Snapper Case
Author: ENRIQUE RIVERO
erivero@advanstar.com
Posted: September 12, 2002
New Line Home Entertainment is joining the list of suppliers who have moved away from the DVD snapper cases.
New Line, a division of AOL Time Warner, is phasing out the cardboard cases in favor of the plastic keepcases known as Amarays, spokeswoman Amy Gorton said. The snappers are produced by Ivy Hill Corp., also an AOL Time Warner-owned company.
The transition should be complete sometime next year, when New Line will use a combination of Amarays and other packaging, such as the cardboard and plastic Digipaks for multi-disc special releases.
"Consumers sort of voice a preference for Amarays," Gorton said. "We’re doing what the consumers are asking for."
New Line will use snappers for some releases through the end of this year.
New Line has been packaging its infinifilm line in the plastic keepcases since the line’s debut early last year. It is also using the cases for The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Rings and Blade II double disc sets, as well as for the recently released single disc Platinum Series edition of The Mack.
Upcoming titles to be packaged in the keepcases include Jason X and Jason Goes to Hell, she said.
Consumers are not likely to miss the snappers, say several DVD Web site operators, who applauded New Line’s move.
"Oh, great! Woo-hoo! You can quote me on that," commented Geoffrey Kleinman, editor of DVD Talk.
The list of his group’s complaints includes that the plastic catch holding the snapper closed tends to snag on the edges of the plastic cases sitting next to them in DVD libraries.
"Customers have voiced their displeasure [with snappers]," Kleinman said. "They don’t have the durability of an Amaray and you can’t replace them like Amarays."
Bill Hunt, editor of The Digital Bits, said he found the snappers "adequate," but noted that they were never favorites with DVD fans because they are easily crushed and scuffed.
Consumers, however, smile on the cardboard Digipaks, which Hunt said are more durable than the snappers. He said the news will be greeted “with some happiness by some people.”
"At least our readers have said ‘Ditch the snapper, we’d be much happier to see the keepcase take off," Hunt said.
Ron Epstein, co-owner and co-founder of the Home Theater Forum, noted that matters are made worse now that suppliers seal the snappers on three sides with adhesive security tape.
"You take them off the wrong way and you can scratch those cases very easily," he said.
He said he didn’t think any DVD collector would ever opt for a snapper over an Amaray case.
"True collectors are very concerned about preserving their DVDs and the last thing they want is to damage the cases," Epstein said. "DVD covers mean as much to the collector as the disc inside, in many cases."
Warner Home Video is the only major supplier that still uses the snappers, and consumers want the studio to switch to Amarays. Indeed, a petition on PetitionOnline.com urging Warner to do just that has garnered 1,436 signatures.
Warner representatives did not comment by press time.
MTFBWY and HH!!
Jar Jar Binks
New Line Moving Away from Snapper Case
Author: ENRIQUE RIVERO
erivero@advanstar.com
Posted: September 12, 2002
New Line Home Entertainment is joining the list of suppliers who have moved away from the DVD snapper cases.
New Line, a division of AOL Time Warner, is phasing out the cardboard cases in favor of the plastic keepcases known as Amarays, spokeswoman Amy Gorton said. The snappers are produced by Ivy Hill Corp., also an AOL Time Warner-owned company.
The transition should be complete sometime next year, when New Line will use a combination of Amarays and other packaging, such as the cardboard and plastic Digipaks for multi-disc special releases.
"Consumers sort of voice a preference for Amarays," Gorton said. "We’re doing what the consumers are asking for."
New Line will use snappers for some releases through the end of this year.
New Line has been packaging its infinifilm line in the plastic keepcases since the line’s debut early last year. It is also using the cases for The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Rings and Blade II double disc sets, as well as for the recently released single disc Platinum Series edition of The Mack.
Upcoming titles to be packaged in the keepcases include Jason X and Jason Goes to Hell, she said.
Consumers are not likely to miss the snappers, say several DVD Web site operators, who applauded New Line’s move.
"Oh, great! Woo-hoo! You can quote me on that," commented Geoffrey Kleinman, editor of DVD Talk.
The list of his group’s complaints includes that the plastic catch holding the snapper closed tends to snag on the edges of the plastic cases sitting next to them in DVD libraries.
"Customers have voiced their displeasure [with snappers]," Kleinman said. "They don’t have the durability of an Amaray and you can’t replace them like Amarays."
Bill Hunt, editor of The Digital Bits, said he found the snappers "adequate," but noted that they were never favorites with DVD fans because they are easily crushed and scuffed.
Consumers, however, smile on the cardboard Digipaks, which Hunt said are more durable than the snappers. He said the news will be greeted “with some happiness by some people.”
"At least our readers have said ‘Ditch the snapper, we’d be much happier to see the keepcase take off," Hunt said.
Ron Epstein, co-owner and co-founder of the Home Theater Forum, noted that matters are made worse now that suppliers seal the snappers on three sides with adhesive security tape.
"You take them off the wrong way and you can scratch those cases very easily," he said.
He said he didn’t think any DVD collector would ever opt for a snapper over an Amaray case.
"True collectors are very concerned about preserving their DVDs and the last thing they want is to damage the cases," Epstein said. "DVD covers mean as much to the collector as the disc inside, in many cases."
Warner Home Video is the only major supplier that still uses the snappers, and consumers want the studio to switch to Amarays. Indeed, a petition on PetitionOnline.com urging Warner to do just that has garnered 1,436 signatures.
Warner representatives did not comment by press time.
MTFBWY and HH!!
Jar Jar Binks