Re: [Videolib] Blu-Ray in libraries
I agree with Gary that Blu-ray and streaming are solutions to two different issues, one being image and the other being convenience. For my film studies professors I do buy Blu-ray. We've outfitted our four teacing spaces with Blu-ray decks and HD projectors or TVs, and converted 4 of our 32 viewing stations to Blu-ray. I usually only buy Blu-ray if requested, but when I do I also buy a regular version of the title. My non-film-studies professors are more interested in streaming for its ease of access. Alas, most streaming licenses aren't what we're looking for (in perpetuity for a resonable cost) so we don't have that many. Cheers, Matt Matt Ball Media and Collections Librarian University of Virginia Charlottesville, VA 22904 mattb...@virginia.edu | 434-924-3812 From: videolib-boun...@lists.berkeley.edu [videolib-boun...@lists.berkeley.edu] On Behalf Of ghand...@library.berkeley.edu [ghand...@library.berkeley.edu] Sent: Monday, September 27, 2010 2:06 PM To: videolib@lists.berkeley.edu Subject: Re: [Videolib] Blu-Ray in libraries Hi all I gotta say it again: I think the notion of skipping over Blu-Ray in favor of streaming is completely and absolutely faulty thinking on any number of scores. First of all: Blu-ray is a format whose major attraction is a high resolution image and high quality sound. It is almost completely unlikely that streamed video will every offer such (unless there's some major consumer electronics tech breakthroughs). Conversely, the primary advantage of streamed video lies in it's ease of access--it's bypassing of physical media. It's not really an either/or proposition. The thing that keeps me up at night has to do with neither Blu-ray, nor streamed media, per se. It has to do with what is VERY likely to get lost in the shift from one format or delivery mode to another. Gary Handman Pamela, I'm with you. I am finishing up a laserdisc CED conversion project, and am in the middle of a VHS conversion project. I'm hoping to hold off on blu-ray as long as I can, and am hoping we can skip right over the format to streaming. That said, if there's a film we want, we'll buy it. In whatever format it comes in. Right now, I'm still buying the occasional VHS tape as needed, and I'm sure we have a handful of blu-rays in the collection as well. As far as equipment, we bought a few PS3s for our gaming collection and put them in our media viewing area in case we need to support blu-ray viewing in-house. On Mon, Sep 27, 2010 at 9:17 AM, Jana Atkins jatki...@uco.edu wrote: I’m late to this discussion, of course, but I have not been buying Bluray discs, nor do I plan to start buying them. I’m also more interested in waiting until I can move into the streaming arena. However, my school does not have a film studies program. The interest in the titles I purchase are almost solely plot/story-based. Picture and sound quality for DVDs is usually good enough. I’d say the only exception I’d make where I’d say that sound quality is important would be opera and other stage productions. But my experience there is that picture and sound quality often aren’t much of a consideration during production, so moving to a better format isn’t really going to help. Better to provide a more accessible format. And for the record, I completely agree with Gary’s assessment that Blueray = Betamax. And also with Dennis’ that DVD = VHS. And I honestly believe the next step to that argument is streaming = DVD. Jana Atkins, B.M., M.L.S. Performing Arts/Multimedia Librarian University of Central Oklahoma Max Chambers Library 100 N. University Edmond, OK 73034 405-974-2949 *From:* videolib-boun...@lists.berkeley.edu [mailto: videolib-boun...@lists.berkeley.edu] *On Behalf Of *Pamela Bristah *Sent:* Friday, September 24, 2010 10:19 AM *To:* videolib@lists.berkeley.edu *Subject:* [Videolib] Blu-Ray in libraries A perennial question, but a good one to revisit to from time to time: Are you purchasing Blu-Ray titles for your library, or are you holding off? (I'm especially interested in hearing from college and university libraries, since we're in the same boat.) If you're purchasing, what criteria do you use? Do you re-purchase titles you have on DVD, or only new titles? Having just about completed switching the collection from VHS to DVD, the thought of moving next to Blu-Ray makes me want to lie down and go to sleep, for about 45 years. And, the cost would be prohibitive. Wouldn't it be a wonderful thing if libraries could go straight from DVD to streaming video, at Blu-Ray image quality? For feature films, not just educational and documentary titles? Oh well, a girl can dream. __ Pamela Bristah, Collections Librarian, Wellesley College, 106 Central Street, Wellesley MA 02481 phone 781-283
Re: [Videolib] Blu-Ray in libraries
I’m late to this discussion, of course, but I have not been buying Bluray discs, nor do I plan to start buying them. I’m also more interested in waiting until I can move into the streaming arena. However, my school does not have a film studies program. The interest in the titles I purchase are almost solely plot/story-based. Picture and sound quality for DVDs is usually good enough. I’d say the only exception I’d make where I’d say that sound quality is important would be opera and other stage productions. But my experience there is that picture and sound quality often aren’t much of a consideration during production, so moving to a better format isn’t really going to help. Better to provide a more accessible format. And for the record, I completely agree with Gary’s assessment that Blueray = Betamax. And also with Dennis’ that DVD = VHS. And I honestly believe the next step to that argument is streaming = DVD. Jana Atkins, B.M., M.L.S. Performing Arts/Multimedia Librarian University of Central Oklahoma Max Chambers Library 100 N. University Edmond, OK 73034 405-974-2949 From: videolib-boun...@lists.berkeley.edu [mailto:videolib-boun...@lists.berkeley.edu] On Behalf Of Pamela Bristah Sent: Friday, September 24, 2010 10:19 AM To: videolib@lists.berkeley.edu Subject: [Videolib] Blu-Ray in libraries A perennial question, but a good one to revisit to from time to time: Are you purchasing Blu-Ray titles for your library, or are you holding off? (I'm especially interested in hearing from college and university libraries, since we're in the same boat.) If you're purchasing, what criteria do you use? Do you re-purchase titles you have on DVD, or only new titles? Having just about completed switching the collection from VHS to DVD, the thought of moving next to Blu-Ray makes me want to lie down and go to sleep, for about 45 years. And, the cost would be prohibitive. Wouldn't it be a wonderful thing if libraries could go straight from DVD to streaming video, at Blu-Ray image quality? For feature films, not just educational and documentary titles? Oh well, a girl can dream. __ Pamela Bristah, Collections Librarian, Wellesley College, 106 Central Street, Wellesley MA 02481 phone 781-283-2076, fax 781-283-2869, pbris...@wellesley.edumailto:pbris...@wellesley.edu **Bronze+Blue=Green** The University of Central Oklahoma is Bronze, Blue, and Green! Please print this e-mail only if absolutely necessary! **CONFIDENTIALITY** This e-mail (including any attachments) may contain confidential, proprietary and privileged information. Any unauthorized disclosure or use of this information is prohibited. VIDEOLIB is intended to encourage the broad and lively discussion of issues relating to the selection, evaluation, acquisition,bibliographic control, preservation, and use of current and evolving video formats in libraries and related institutions. It is hoped that the list will serve as an effective working tool for video librarians, as well as a channel of communication between libraries,educational institutions, and video producers and distributors.
Re: [Videolib] Blu-Ray in libraries
Pamela, I'm with you. I am finishing up a laserdisc CED conversion project, and am in the middle of a VHS conversion project. I'm hoping to hold off on blu-ray as long as I can, and am hoping we can skip right over the format to streaming. That said, if there's a film we want, we'll buy it. In whatever format it comes in. Right now, I'm still buying the occasional VHS tape as needed, and I'm sure we have a handful of blu-rays in the collection as well. As far as equipment, we bought a few PS3s for our gaming collection and put them in our media viewing area in case we need to support blu-ray viewing in-house. On Mon, Sep 27, 2010 at 9:17 AM, Jana Atkins jatki...@uco.edu wrote: I’m late to this discussion, of course, but I have not been buying Bluray discs, nor do I plan to start buying them. I’m also more interested in waiting until I can move into the streaming arena. However, my school does not have a film studies program. The interest in the titles I purchase are almost solely plot/story-based. Picture and sound quality for DVDs is usually good enough. I’d say the only exception I’d make where I’d say that sound quality is important would be opera and other stage productions. But my experience there is that picture and sound quality often aren’t much of a consideration during production, so moving to a better format isn’t really going to help. Better to provide a more accessible format. And for the record, I completely agree with Gary’s assessment that Blueray = Betamax. And also with Dennis’ that DVD = VHS. And I honestly believe the next step to that argument is streaming = DVD. Jana Atkins, B.M., M.L.S. Performing Arts/Multimedia Librarian University of Central Oklahoma Max Chambers Library 100 N. University Edmond, OK 73034 405-974-2949 *From:* videolib-boun...@lists.berkeley.edu [mailto: videolib-boun...@lists.berkeley.edu] *On Behalf Of *Pamela Bristah *Sent:* Friday, September 24, 2010 10:19 AM *To:* videolib@lists.berkeley.edu *Subject:* [Videolib] Blu-Ray in libraries A perennial question, but a good one to revisit to from time to time: Are you purchasing Blu-Ray titles for your library, or are you holding off? (I'm especially interested in hearing from college and university libraries, since we're in the same boat.) If you're purchasing, what criteria do you use? Do you re-purchase titles you have on DVD, or only new titles? Having just about completed switching the collection from VHS to DVD, the thought of moving next to Blu-Ray makes me want to lie down and go to sleep, for about 45 years. And, the cost would be prohibitive. Wouldn't it be a wonderful thing if libraries could go straight from DVD to streaming video, at Blu-Ray image quality? For feature films, not just educational and documentary titles? Oh well, a girl can dream. __ Pamela Bristah, Collections Librarian, Wellesley College, 106 Central Street, Wellesley MA 02481 phone 781-283-2076, fax 781-283-2869, pbris...@wellesley.edu ***Bronze+Blue=Green*** The University of Central Oklahoma is Bronze, Blue, and Green! Please print this e-mail only if absolutely necessary! ***CONFIDENTIALITY*** -This e-mail (including any attachments) may contain confidential, proprietary and privileged information. Any unauthorized disclosure or use of this information is prohibited. VIDEOLIB is intended to encourage the broad and lively discussion of issues relating to the selection, evaluation, acquisition,bibliographic control, preservation, and use of current and evolving video formats in libraries and related institutions. It is hoped that the list will serve as an effective working tool for video librarians, as well as a channel of communication between libraries,educational institutions, and video producers and distributors. -- Rudy Leon Learning Commons Librarian Undergraduate Library University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (217) 333-3503 http://www.deepening.wordpress.com AIM: rudibrarian VIDEOLIB is intended to encourage the broad and lively discussion of issues relating to the selection, evaluation, acquisition,bibliographic control, preservation, and use of current and evolving video formats in libraries and related institutions. It is hoped that the list will serve as an effective working tool for video librarians, as well as a channel of communication between libraries,educational institutions, and video producers and distributors.
[Videolib] Blu-Ray in libraries
A perennial question, but a good one to revisit to from time to time: Are you purchasing Blu-Ray titles for your library, or are you holding off? (I'm especially interested in hearing from college and university libraries, since we're in the same boat.) If you're purchasing, what criteria do you use? Do you re-purchase titles you have on DVD, or only new titles? Having just about completed switching the collection from VHS to DVD, the thought of moving next to Blu-Ray makes me want to lie down and go to sleep, for about 45 years. And, the cost would be prohibitive. Wouldn't it be a wonderful thing if libraries could go straight from DVD to streaming video, at Blu-Ray image quality? For feature films, not just educational and documentary titles? Oh well, a girl can dream. __ Pamela Bristah, Collections Librarian, Wellesley College, 106 Central Street, Wellesley MA 02481 phone 781-283-2076, fax 781-283-2869, pbris...@wellesley.edu VIDEOLIB is intended to encourage the broad and lively discussion of issues relating to the selection, evaluation, acquisition,bibliographic control, preservation, and use of current and evolving video formats in libraries and related institutions. It is hoped that the list will serve as an effective working tool for video librarians, as well as a channel of communication between libraries,educational institutions, and video producers and distributors.
Re: [Videolib] Blu-Ray in libraries
Not to piss Gary or anyone off, but as I've mentioned before, DVD sales are way down and the journalists are much more interested in covering bluray. Add to that my films usually start with $10,000 to $50, film transfers done at 2K, that our reputation is based on quality, that I tend to move into a technology when the player drops below a $100, *and* that Netflix really wants streaming more than DVDs, the decision is pretty clear for our company. (Probably not for educational films.) I'm really considering releasing Bluray only and having DVD-Rs for those who want otherwise. We are definitely at the crossroads! -- Best, Dennis Doros Milestone Film Video/Milliarium Zero PO Box 128 Harrington Park, NJ 07640 Phone: 201-767-3117 Fax: 201-767-3035 email: milefi...@gmail.com www.milestonefilms.com www.ontheboweryfilm.com www.arayafilm.com www.exilesfilm.com www.wordisoutmovie.com www.killerofsheep.com AMIA Philadelphia 2010: www.amianet.org Join Milestone Film on Facebook! VIDEOLIB is intended to encourage the broad and lively discussion of issues relating to the selection, evaluation, acquisition,bibliographic control, preservation, and use of current and evolving video formats in libraries and related institutions. It is hoped that the list will serve as an effective working tool for video librarians, as well as a channel of communication between libraries,educational institutions, and video producers and distributors.
Re: [Videolib] Blu-Ray in libraries
Check back with me in five years, Dennis... Bluray = BetaMax gary Not to piss Gary or anyone off, but as I've mentioned before, DVD sales are way down and the journalists are much more interested in covering bluray. Add to that my films usually start with $10,000 to $50, film transfers done at 2K, that our reputation is based on quality, that I tend to move into a technology when the player drops below a $100, *and* that Netflix really wants streaming more than DVDs, the decision is pretty clear for our company. (Probably not for educational films.) I'm really considering releasing Bluray only and having DVD-Rs for those who want otherwise. We are definitely at the crossroads! -- Best, Dennis Doros Milestone Film Video/Milliarium Zero PO Box 128 Harrington Park, NJ 07640 Phone: 201-767-3117 Fax: 201-767-3035 email: milefi...@gmail.com www.milestonefilms.com www.ontheboweryfilm.com www.arayafilm.com www.exilesfilm.com www.wordisoutmovie.com www.killerofsheep.com AMIA Philadelphia 2010: www.amianet.org Join Milestone Film on Facebook! VIDEOLIB is intended to encourage the broad and lively discussion of issues relating to the selection, evaluation, acquisition,bibliographic control, preservation, and use of current and evolving video formats in libraries and related institutions. It is hoped that the list will serve as an effective working tool for video librarians, as well as a channel of communication between libraries,educational institutions, and video producers and distributors. Gary Handman Director Media Resources Center Moffitt Library UC Berkeley 510-643-8566 ghand...@library.berkeley.edu http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/MRC I have always preferred the reflection of life to life itself. --Francois Truffaut VIDEOLIB is intended to encourage the broad and lively discussion of issues relating to the selection, evaluation, acquisition,bibliographic control, preservation, and use of current and evolving video formats in libraries and related institutions. It is hoped that the list will serve as an effective working tool for video librarians, as well as a channel of communication between libraries,educational institutions, and video producers and distributors.
Re: [Videolib] Blu-Ray in libraries
We are purchasing Blu-rays here at the University of Michigan Ann Arbor, and my approach to selection is in line with Meghann’s; film studies kinds of films, stuff like Planet earth, and a few like Avatar that I know patrons will want. Blu-ray circulation is surprisingly strong. We have one HD monitor/blu-ray player set up in our viewing area. Jeff From: videolib-boun...@lists.berkeley.edu [mailto:videolib-boun...@lists.berkeley.edu] On Behalf Of Meghann Matwichuk Sent: Friday, September 24, 2010 12:01 PM To: videolib@lists.berkeley.edu Subject: Re: [Videolib] Blu-Ray in libraries We at the Univ. of DE Library are purchasing BluRays. We only have about a dozen on shelf right now, but our two biggest circulating titles are Avatar and the Planet Earth series. I do not purchase titles on BluRay unless we have a standard-definition copy already in the collection -- there are two few of our users who have the players, and they are not supported in the classroom. I personally see it more as a novelty than a serious shift in collection priorities, however I'm starting to think that some titles will soon be purchasable only in combination (standard packaged with BluRay). I ran across a yet-to-be-released PBS title not too long ago that appeared be coming only in such a package. This will create a headache for us -- How to catalog -- split them up? Keep in original packaging and they end up with BluRays -- we encourage folks to check there for standard copies as well? Headaches aplenty. I try to purchase titles that best show off the technology, e.g. those that were filmed in high-def or have been subjected to high-quality high-def 'restoration'. The recent BBC nature titles are incredible on BluRay, as are the restored Kubrick films and some others. Animated films also benefit especially from high-def presentation, so we have a number of Pixar films on BluRay. DVD Beaver is a good source for determining the quality of BluRay releases. A few notes: * Just as some VHS titles look better on VHS than they do on DVD, some standard definition DVDs look better than BluRay. Case in point: North by Northwest. The standard (restored) version has better contrast and gives a much more pleasurable viewing experience than the BluRay, which is pretty flat / dark (albeit perhaps truer to the film) in comparison. At least IMHO. * We have several LG BluRay players and they can be somewhat fussy when playing discs. After investigation (and my own personal experience), I feel confident in saying that the best BluRay player currently available is the Sony PlayStation 3 console. Even if it's not being used for gaming at all, it's a great player. More consistent, can handle heavy use, well-designed interface. * They can be more time-intensive to catalog, thanks to menu complications and some poor design. Disney especially. Best, * Meghann Matwichuk, M.S. Associate Librarian Instructional Media Collection Department Morris Library, University of Delaware 181 S. College Ave. Newark, DE 19717 (302) 831-1475 http://www.lib.udel.edu/ud/instructionalmedia/ On 9/24/2010 11:18 AM, Pamela Bristah wrote: A perennial question, but a good one to revisit to from time to time: Are you purchasing Blu-Ray titles for your library, or are you holding off? (I'm especially interested in hearing from college and university libraries, since we're in the same boat.) If you're purchasing, what criteria do you use? Do you re-purchase titles you have on DVD, or only new titles? Having just about completed switching the collection from VHS to DVD, the thought of moving next to Blu-Ray makes me want to lie down and go to sleep, for about 45 years. And, the cost would be prohibitive. Wouldn't it be a wonderful thing if libraries could go straight from DVD to streaming video, at Blu-Ray image quality? For feature films, not just educational and documentary titles? Oh well, a girl can dream. __ Pamela Bristah, Collections Librarian, Wellesley College, 106 Central Street, Wellesley MA 02481 phone 781-283-2076, fax 781-283-2869, pbris...@wellesley.edumailto:pbris...@wellesley.edu VIDEOLIB is intended to encourage the broad and lively discussion of issues relating to the selection, evaluation, acquisition,bibliographic control, preservation, and use of current and evolving video formats in libraries and related institutions. It is hoped that the list will serve as an effective working tool for video librarians, as well as a channel of communication between libraries,educational institutions, and video producers and distributors. VIDEOLIB is intended to encourage the broad and lively discussion of issues relating to the selection, evaluation, acquisition,bibliographic control, preservation, and use of current and evolving video formats in libraries and related institutions. It is hoped that the list will serve as an effective working
Re: [Videolib] Blu-Ray in libraries
Gary, Agreed. Not really an argument. But DVD = VHS. DD On Fri, Sep 24, 2010 at 12:49 PM, ghand...@library.berkeley.edu wrote: Check back with me in five years, Dennis... Bluray = BetaMax gary Not to piss Gary or anyone off, but as I've mentioned before, DVD sales are way down and the journalists are much more interested in covering bluray. Add to that my films usually start with $10,000 to $50, film transfers done at 2K, that our reputation is based on quality, that I tend to move into a technology when the player drops below a $100, *and* that Netflix really wants streaming more than DVDs, the decision is pretty clear for our company. (Probably not for educational films.) I'm really considering releasing Bluray only and having DVD-Rs for those who want otherwise. We are definitely at the crossroads! -- Best, Dennis Doros Milestone Film Video/Milliarium Zero PO Box 128 Harrington Park, NJ 07640 Phone: 201-767-3117 Fax: 201-767-3035 email: milefi...@gmail.com www.milestonefilms.com www.ontheboweryfilm.com www.arayafilm.com www.exilesfilm.com www.wordisoutmovie.com www.killerofsheep.com AMIA Philadelphia 2010: www.amianet.org Join Milestone Film on Facebook! VIDEOLIB is intended to encourage the broad and lively discussion of issues relating to the selection, evaluation, acquisition,bibliographic control, preservation, and use of current and evolving video formats in libraries and related institutions. It is hoped that the list will serve as an effective working tool for video librarians, as well as a channel of communication between libraries,educational institutions, and video producers and distributors. Gary Handman Director Media Resources Center Moffitt Library UC Berkeley 510-643-8566 ghand...@library.berkeley.edu http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/MRC I have always preferred the reflection of life to life itself. --Francois Truffaut VIDEOLIB is intended to encourage the broad and lively discussion of issues relating to the selection, evaluation, acquisition,bibliographic control, preservation, and use of current and evolving video formats in libraries and related institutions. It is hoped that the list will serve as an effective working tool for video librarians, as well as a channel of communication between libraries,educational institutions, and video producers and distributors. -- Best, Dennis Doros Milestone Film Video/Milliarium Zero PO Box 128 Harrington Park, NJ 07640 Phone: 201-767-3117 Fax: 201-767-3035 email: milefi...@gmail.com www.milestonefilms.com www.ontheboweryfilm.com www.arayafilm.com www.exilesfilm.com www.wordisoutmovie.com www.killerofsheep.com AMIA Philadelphia 2010: www.amianet.org Join Milestone Film on Facebook! VIDEOLIB is intended to encourage the broad and lively discussion of issues relating to the selection, evaluation, acquisition,bibliographic control, preservation, and use of current and evolving video formats in libraries and related institutions. It is hoped that the list will serve as an effective working tool for video librarians, as well as a channel of communication between libraries,educational institutions, and video producers and distributors.
Re: [Videolib] Blu-Ray in libraries
Gary, I agree with your assessment of the streaming vs. Blu-ray argument, particularly when it has to do with the question of non-commercial vs. academic use. If the user is simply concerned with content access, streaming will do, but areas like Film Studies are usually concerned with the quality of the image and sound. If I was not supporting Film Studies I would also be questioning the never ending process of repurchasing titles. The Concordia University situation is that we are now getting 2k projectors for the auditoria where Film Studies are taught. We also enthusiastically support 35mm films. Film Studies courses have almost always been taught with a licensed projectionist in a projection booth setting up clips, projecting films and digital media. I have been buying Blu-rays for 3 years now and we have somewhere over 200 titles. My Dean managed to argue for some badly needed capital funds and I have been able to equip my 3 seminar rooms with 65 THX 1080p monitors and all-region Blu-ray players. I'm also in the process of changing the individual viewing stations to make them less institutional and more semi-private with 32 1080p monitors and all-region Blu-ray players. But all this is simply because we have an academic area that requires this and I have been able to successfully lobby for the money (and miraculously there was some money). The result has been very interesting: students are really responding and actually spending a lot of time watching movies here compared to when we had 17 monitors and DVD players. This is the beginning of the semester and it looks like the end of the semester in terms of student traffic. And as for differences in DVD vs. Blu-ray, on some films, if you have an upconverting DVD player the differences are almost indistinguishable. But, on other films, like Kino's The General, the difference is completely mind boggling. Doing a side-by-side comparison of the DVD and the Blu-ray is like watching a VHS transfer next to a 35mm print. In this particular case, I'm not exagerating. It's all a matter of budget first, and supporting client's real needs. Oksana At 11:50 AM 24/09/2010, you wrote: ...oh, buy the way: in thinking about the next evolutionary hop in mediadom, I think it's important to avoid conflating issues having to do with media delivery and ease of access (streaming)with image quality. Let's face it, unless there's a some spectacular quantum technological leap, moving images delivered over networks are always going to be inferior to what can be delivered/projected locally...at least in non-commercial contexts). In other words, the I'm not buying Blu-ray, I'm waiting for streamed delivery is sort of a misguided argument. gary Blu-What? Look...what exactly is the point? Does the university intend to install Blu-ray machines (or HD projectors) in classrooms? Hell, they can barely get it together to put in shades on the windows. Is the media center going to install 42 HD monitors at individual or group viewing stations??? I don't THINK so... Not to mention: In the past three years, I've spent maybe 10 to 15 grand on replacing VHS titles with garden-variety DVDs...no way I can justify rebuying the collection again for the sake of sweeter eye-candy. gary handman A perennial question, but a good one to revisit to from time to time: Are you purchasing Blu-Ray titles for your library, or are you holding off? (I'm especially interested in hearing from college and university libraries, since we're in the same boat.) If you're purchasing, what criteria do you use? Do you re-purchase titles you have on DVD, or only new titles? Having just about completed switching the collection from VHS to DVD, the thought of moving next to Blu-Ray makes me want to lie down and go to sleep, for about 45 years. And, the cost would be prohibitive. Wouldn't it be a wonderful thing if libraries could go straight from DVD to streaming video, at Blu-Ray image quality? For feature films, not just educational and documentary titles? Oh well, a girl can dream. __ Pamela Bristah, Collections Librarian, Wellesley College, 106 Central Street, Wellesley MA 02481 phone 781-283-2076, fax 781-283-2869, pbris...@wellesley.edu VIDEOLIB is intended to encourage the broad and lively discussion of issues relating to the selection, evaluation, acquisition,bibliographic control, preservation, and use of current and evolving video formats in libraries and related institutions. It is hoped that the list will serve as an effective working tool for video librarians, as well as a channel of communication between libraries,educational institutions, and video producers and distributors. Gary Handman Director Media Resources Center Moffitt Library UC Berkeley 510-643-8566 ghand...@library.berkeley.edu http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/MRC I
Re: [Videolib] Blu-Ray in libraries
I've been buying Blu-rays for my medium-sized public library for almost two years, and they circulate well. We have one Blu-ray viewing station, too. Rather than replacing DVDs, the Blu-rays compliment or supplement our DVDs. Generally I buy Blu-rays when we have 15 or more patron requests for titles on DVD, usually the newest box-office hits, about 5 to 10 Blu-rays per month. If I had more money, I'd buy older, better reviewed releases on Blu-ray, but patron demand and title availability for DVDs far outweigh Blu-rays. Mike Michael May Adult Services Librarian Carnegie-Stout Public Library 360 West 11th Street Dubuque, IA 52001-4697, USA Phone: 563-589-4225 ext. 2244 Fax: 563-589-4217 Email: m...@dubuque.lib.ia.us From: videolib-boun...@lists.berkeley.edu [videolib-boun...@lists.berkeley.edu] On Behalf Of Pamela Bristah [pbris...@wellesley.edu] Sent: Friday, September 24, 2010 10:18 AM To: videolib@lists.berkeley.edu Subject: [Videolib] Blu-Ray in libraries A perennial question, but a good one to revisit to from time to time: Are you purchasing Blu-Ray titles for your library, or are you holding off? (I'm especially interested in hearing from college and university libraries, since we're in the same boat.) If you're purchasing, what criteria do you use? Do you re-purchase titles you have on DVD, or only new titles? Having just about completed switching the collection from VHS to DVD, the thought of moving next to Blu-Ray makes me want to lie down and go to sleep, for about 45 years. And, the cost would be prohibitive. Wouldn't it be a wonderful thing if libraries could go straight from DVD to streaming video, at Blu-Ray image quality? For feature films, not just educational and documentary titles? Oh well, a girl can dream. __ Pamela Bristah, Collections Librarian, Wellesley College, 106 Central Street, Wellesley MA 02481 phone 781-283-2076, fax 781-283-2869, pbris...@wellesley.edumailto:pbris...@wellesley.edu VIDEOLIB is intended to encourage the broad and lively discussion of issues relating to the selection, evaluation, acquisition,bibliographic control, preservation, and use of current and evolving video formats in libraries and related institutions. It is hoped that the list will serve as an effective working tool for video librarians, as well as a channel of communication between libraries,educational institutions, and video producers and distributors.
Re: [Videolib] Blu-Ray in libraries
Dennis, as much as I like DVDs, I can easily see why you (Milestone) might choose to go Blu-ray only with DVD-Rs created on demand. The decline in the DVD market is very real. The major studios staved off the stagnation in the DVD market temporarily by flooding the market with TV series on DVD, but that only lasted for so long. As people have noted in earlier threads, the major studios--Warner first and now MGM/US, Universal and Sony are starting to sell DVD-Rs on demand of classic titles that only a couple years ago would have made the cut for a standard DVD release. This is bad for libraries since DVD-Rs are not a stable medium, but I don't know what can be done about that because we're not the primary market for home video titles. At least in Warner's case they're making a lot of wonderful, rare stuff available now. Emory is collecting mostly the same kind Blu-ray titles as Jeff at Ann Arbor and Meghann at U of Delaware, not a large number. We have a Blu-ray player and Pioneer plasma display in the library's Group Viewing Room, and a couple Blu-ray players and HD LCD screens in viewing carrels. (They also play standard DVDs, of course, so they get used either way.) One newly constructed classroom building has high-definition projectors and Blu-ray players installed, but as far as I know the rest of the main campus is still standard-def and standard DVD only. I don't think that having to re-buy at least *some* video titles in a new format or upgraded version is a bad thing at all. I am quite happy to buy both the restored Criterion DVD and Blu-ray of Antonioni's THE RED DESERT when we already have the sad old Image DVD with faded color. People study that film precisely for its use of color, so I consider the upgrade money well spent. Yes it costs money, but it's far less than a lot of other things libraries spend their money on, such as public performance rights for a one-time public screening or copyright clearance fees for a single course reserves reading assignment that exceeds fair use. --James -- James M. Steffen, PhD Film and Media Studies Librarian Theater, Dance, ILA/IDS and LGBT Subject Liaison Marian K. Heilbrun Music and Media Library Emory University 540 Asbury Circle Atlanta, GA 30322-2870 Phone: (404) 727-8107 FAX: (404) 727-2257 Email: jste...@emory.edu Web: www.jamesmsteffen.net -- Message: 3 Date: Fri, 24 Sep 2010 12:49:35 -0400 From: Pearson, Jeffrey jwpea...@umich.edu Subject: Re: [Videolib] Blu-Ray in libraries To: videolib@lists.berkeley.edu videolib@lists.berkeley.edu Message-ID: 3eaaba89d046bd49b271131fdf18e85c06dc905...@itcs-ecls-1-vs3.adsroot.itcs.umich.edu Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8 We are purchasing Blu-rays here at the University of Michigan Ann Arbor, and my approach to selection is in line with Meghann?s; film studies kinds of films, stuff like Planet earth, and a few like Avatar that I know patrons will want. Blu-ray circulation is surprisingly strong. We have one HD monitor/blu-ray player set up in our viewing area. Jeff From: videolib-boun...@lists.berkeley.edu [mailto:videolib-boun...@lists.berkeley.edu] On Behalf Of Meghann Matwichuk Sent: Friday, September 24, 2010 12:01 PM To: videolib@lists.berkeley.edu Subject: Re: [Videolib] Blu-Ray in libraries We at the Univ. of DE Library are purchasing BluRays. We only have about a dozen on shelf right now, but our two biggest circulating titles are Avatar and the Planet Earth series. I do not purchase titles on BluRay unless we have a standard-definition copy already in the collection -- there are two few of our users who have the players, and they are not supported in the classroom. I personally see it more as a novelty than a serious shift in collection priorities, however I'm starting to think that some titles will soon be purchasable only in combination (standard packaged with BluRay). I ran across a yet-to-be-released PBS title not too long ago that appeared be coming only in such a package. This will create a headache for us -- How to catalog -- split them up? Keep in original packaging and they end up with BluRays -- we encourage folks to check there for standard copies as well? Headaches aplenty. I try to purchase titles that best show off the technology, e.g. those that were filmed in high-def or have been subjected to high-quality high-def 'restoration'. The recent BBC nature titles are incredible on BluRay, as are the restored Kubrick films and some others. Animated films also benefit especially from high-def presentation, so we have a number of Pixar films on BluRay. DVD Beaver is a good source for determining the quality of BluRay releases. A few notes: * Just as some VHS titles look better on VHS than they do on DVD, some standard definition DVDs look better than BluRay. Case in point: North by Northwest. The standard (restored) version has better contrast and gives a much more
Re: [Videolib] Blu-Ray in libraries
I bought 51 Blu-rays back in March, in part because I'd gotten several requests to purchase some, in part because I wanted to conduct a small trial. Part of the way I justified trying out Blu-ray was that I bought also bought regular DVDs of anything that I bought in Blu-ray. So if a student said, No fair, I don't have Blu-ray, we could say, We have the film in regular DVD format. Though our Blu-rays circulate, they don't circulate extremely well and the circs don't appear to be growing. One Avatar, for example, circulated 21 times in regular DVD format. So far, it's circulated 5 times in Blu-ray. For some of the older films, the circs are a bit more even: Raging Bull, in Blu-ray, has circulated twice since March. In regular format, it has circulated four times. On the flip side, I have gotten some anecdotal feedback from students who think it's cool to offer Blu-ray, and we've ILL'd more of the Blu-ray than we have the DVD counterpart. Like many, I think the data show that access often trumps quality. I don't really feel sorry about getting Blu-ray though, because it's not really an access versus quality paradigm. To me, it's a now versus --maybe if we're lucky-- ten years from now paradigm. Of course any library that could (legally) purchase Avatar online and offer it to its patrons, would do so. But why do we keep comparing something like Oliver Stone's Malcolm X with an online PBS Malcolm X? So, Blu-ray may not be about fulfilling the best option, as much as it is about listening to patron input, and determining if it can serve as a small part of the option. I think that each library needs to think about Blu-ray on its own terms. Mary. Mary Hanlin Media Collection Development Librarian Tidewater Community College P: 757.822.2133 F: 757.822.2149 mhan...@tcc.edu -Original Message- From: videolib-boun...@lists.berkeley.edu [mailto:videolib-boun...@lists.berkeley.edu] On Behalf Of Michael May Sent: Friday, September 24, 2010 1:06 PM To: videolib@lists.berkeley.edu Subject: Re: [Videolib] Blu-Ray in libraries I've been buying Blu-rays for my medium-sized public library for almost two years, and they circulate well. We have one Blu-ray viewing station, too. Rather than replacing DVDs, the Blu-rays compliment or supplement our DVDs. Generally I buy Blu-rays when we have 15 or more patron requests for titles on DVD, usually the newest box-office hits, about 5 to 10 Blu-rays per month. If I had more money, I'd buy older, better reviewed releases on Blu-ray, but patron demand and title availability for DVDs far outweigh Blu-rays. Mike Michael May Adult Services Librarian Carnegie-Stout Public Library 360 West 11th Street Dubuque, IA 52001-4697, USA Phone: 563-589-4225 ext. 2244 Fax: 563-589-4217 Email: m...@dubuque.lib.ia.us From: videolib-boun...@lists.berkeley.edu [videolib-boun...@lists.berkeley.edu] On Behalf Of Pamela Bristah [pbris...@wellesley.edu] Sent: Friday, September 24, 2010 10:18 AM To: videolib@lists.berkeley.edu Subject: [Videolib] Blu-Ray in libraries A perennial question, but a good one to revisit to from time to time: Are you purchasing Blu-Ray titles for your library, or are you holding off? (I'm especially interested in hearing from college and university libraries, since we're in the same boat.) If you're purchasing, what criteria do you use? Do you re-purchase titles you have on DVD, or only new titles? Having just about completed switching the collection from VHS to DVD, the thought of moving next to Blu-Ray makes me want to lie down and go to sleep, for about 45 years. And, the cost would be prohibitive. Wouldn't it be a wonderful thing if libraries could go straight from DVD to streaming video, at Blu-Ray image quality? For feature films, not just educational and documentary titles? Oh well, a girl can dream. __ Pamela Bristah, Collections Librarian, Wellesley College, 106 Central Street, Wellesley MA 02481 phone 781-283-2076, fax 781-283-2869, pbris...@wellesley.edumailto:pbris...@wellesley.edu VIDEOLIB is intended to encourage the broad and lively discussion of issues relating to the selection, evaluation, acquisition,bibliographic control, preservation, and use of current and evolving video formats in libraries and related institutions. It is hoped that the list will serve as an effective working tool for video librarians, as well as a channel of communication between libraries,educational institutions, and video producers and distributors. CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This email message, including any attachments, is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information or otherwise be protected by law. Any access, use, disclosure or distribution of this email message by anyone other than the intended recipient(s) is unauthorized and prohibited. If you are not an intended recipient (or an agent