ADV launches download service

[Tyrdium]

A couple months later than I expected, but they did indeed launch it. You can now download your "favorite" episodes, for the low, low price of $5, dub only.

... what? I can buy the DVDs for less than $5 an ep, and they come with more stuff. GJ, ADV.

(link (http://www.advuniverse.com/))

[sohryu]

And what a selection.

* sohryu clicks on "All Titles"

Area 88 TV
Comic Party Revolution
Divergence Eve
Gilgamesh
Godannar
Guyver - AWA Promo
Jinki: Extend
Lady Death
Magical Play
Nurse Witch Komugi
Panyo Panyo Di Gi Charat
Parasite Dolls OVA
Princess Tutu
Yumeria

:O!

[Tremolo]

Of those titles, only Gilgamesh and Princess Tutu are what I'd actually call worth watching. The rest, not really. If at all.

I like how they don't have a full Guyver episode, just a promo. >_>

[Grasshopper]

Wow, what's the point of even putting Lady Death on there?

[sakura_blossom]

I'd rather just spend my money on the dvd's. <.<

[Starwind Amada]

This sure is pointless. Why spend five bucks on a video file of one episode when you can buy at least three episodes on a high-quality DVD (with extras) for about $15 more?

[Milkymagic]

Yeah, I don't like it either, by owning the DVD there's a better deal to be had. Also, their selection isn't the greatest, but there are some I'm interested in seeing nonetheless, but again I'd say it's the savings of the DVD purchases that make it not so tempting. Also, there's dub only, and no extras to even combat a DVD purchase. Sorry if I stated the obvious, but I can't help but wonder...

"What were they thinking!?"

[7Raven7]

For some reason "downloading" and "paying" do not fit into the same sentence in my mind...

[soundchazer]

Well... I have to give them credit for starting something that will become the norm in the future. They just need to figure out that if you are buying digital content, the sum of all the content that would equate a full DVD should not cost the same amount as an actual DVD.

[Mouse]

And this is their master plan to defeat fansubs?

Lol.

[Starwind Amada]

No, LOL. This thing will be dead within a week. ADV always starts something big, and then it fails. Here's a bunch of things they started that died withing a year:

ADV Manga - the manga publishing division, which has since given its library to Tokyopop
ADV Toys - the toy distribution division, whose only products were some plushies from Excel Saga
ADV Kids - the division that released kids titles (i.e. shows that were edited, such as Knights of the Zodiac)
Ani-Minis - the single-episode preview minidiscs, whose only titles were Azumanga Daioh, Full Metal Panic! and Robotech

ADV, just stick with publishing Newtype USA and the anime division. There's plenty of other companies to do the other stuff.

[Tyrdium]

ADV Manga - the manga publishing division, which has since given its library to TokyopopWhat? When? Does this mean I'll finally get more Yotsubato and Gunslinger Girl? Tell me! >_>

[Major Tom]

What? When? Does this mean I'll finally get more Yotsubato and Gunslinger Girl? Tell me! >_>

*Waits with baited breath*

Those two were some of my favourites as well......I was wondering why Gunslinger simply stopped at volume 3.........

[Datsun]

I'm assuming that either ADV actually believe that consumers will pay for the "convenience" of downloading official episodes, or they're just being unbelievably arrogant gits and will go ahead with their astronomical prices in the hope that this will become the norm and that people will just come to accept $5 an episode as the going rate.

I think it's touch and go as to whether it'll work or not... I'm always so surprised at how easily some people part with their money.

And yeah, I'd love to read more Yotsubato as well. She's just wacky!

[Emeraldas]

For some reason "downloading" and "paying" do not fit into the same sentence in my mind...

Same here. I will never pay for something that isn't the actual physical product.

[Shadowmage]

From what I see, the anime listed here are extremely obscure shows that have not brought the company much money. I guess they might as well milk the licenses for all they are worth before they put these shows on thinkpacks for Christmas.

Like Soundchazer, I'll give them credit for starting an anime download service that works. With a company as large as ADV, this old idea might actually become practical. I'm sure that other companies are closely watching ADV and this new service.

[soundchazer]

Same here. I will never pay for something that isn't the actual physical product.

So... if a doctor were to remove your tonsils, you would refuse to pay until you physically see them?

How about paying for security services? You don't know if the service will work until your burglarized the first time.

And life insurance? You will never see that product either!

[7Raven7]

Perhaps the better phrase to use might be why buy the cow when you can get the milk for free?

[Tyrdium]

Perhaps the better phrase to use might be why buy the cow when you can get the milk for free?Because milk doesn't make for tasty steak.

[Milkymagic]

First take the milk, then eat the juicy steak, it's a two-for-one deal!

lol!

Of course, in this case, it totally depends on the quality of the milk.

[Daravon]

I don't watch dubs. How foolish of them to only offer dubs.

[Roark]

That's not the point. Em and I have gone back and forth on this before, and a LOT of people see a major distinction here. You buy a DVD, you get SOMETHING. You download, you get "bits." ADV needs to overcome this "I want somthing physical" objection. Moreso in a community where "download" equates to "free."

That said, remember: this is not a physical product that you can buy and hold onto. The actual product here is naught but light and sound encoded into bits. Whether those bits are pressed onto a DVD or transmitted over fiber is inconsequential. When you buy a DVD, you're not buying it for the disc, nice of a coaster as it may be. To get metaphysical (in the philosophical sense) about this, you pay for a transitory perceptual experience of moving lights and sounds, with the ability to perceive that experience multiple times, at your convenience. Now, this download service does not offer all the same perceptual experiences the disc does (the discs include extras, subs, &c.), nor does it compete price-wise with the company's other purveyance of these perceptions (i.e., the DVD.) Now, the trade-off should be convenience, but the effort to obtain these goods legally seems to be higher (credit card, account creation, &c.) than just firing up a link to animesuki (fansubs only, no liscensed, i'm a mod, yadda yadda) and a torrent. Given that there's only so many hours that I watch anime in the day, which is the better option?

So, the service has problems. I don't like people saying that "I want to have something physical" is a problem. Print out the cover art and wrap it around your HDD if you want: it's the same thing. People are willing to pay for a movie (completely transitory experience), but not a rewatchable download? Which "product" is less ephermal: the movie or the download? I think the big problem here is that music, movies, books, etc. have been marketed as products since the invention of the phonograph, rather than services/experiences, as seems more fitting based on the nature of such things. Nobody expects to "own" a service. People expect to own goods like houses, cars, toys, and digital watches. People don't expect to own services like "cooking my meal" or experiences like "seeing that band". Back when records were first marketed, people had to think of them like goods, since you got something physical that housed the actual product. Now, we need to make a mental leap and realize that enterainment is not equivalent to the physical product, but is rather perceptions and experiences that can be housed and transferred in numerous ways.

[soundchazer]

That's not the point. Em and I have gone back and forth on this before, and a LOT of people see a major distinction here. You buy a DVD, you get SOMETHING. You download, you get "bits." ADV needs to overcome this "I want somthing physical" objection. Moreso in a community where "download" equates to "free."

That said, remember: this is not a physical product that you can buy and hold onto. The actual product here is naught but light and sound encoded into bits. Whether those bits are pressed onto a DVD or transmitted over fiber is inconsequential. When you buy a DVD, you're not buying it for the disc, nice of a coaster as it may be. To get metaphysical (in the philosophical sense) about this, you pay for a transitory perceptual experience of moving lights and sounds, with the ability to perceive that experience multiple times, at your convenience. Now, this download service does not offer all the same perceptual experiences the disc does (the discs include extras, subs, &c.), nor does it compete price-wise with the company's other purveyance of these perceptions (i.e., the DVD.) Now, the trade-off should be convenience, but the effort to obtain these goods legally seems to be higher (credit card, account creation, &c.) than just firing up a link to animesuki (fansubs only, no liscensed, i'm a mod, yadda yadda) and a torrent. Given that there's only so many hours that I watch anime in the day, which is the better option?

So, the service has problems. I don't like people saying that "I want to have something physical" is a problem. Print out the cover art and wrap it around your HDD if you want: it's the same thing. People are willing to pay for a movie (completely transitory experience), but not a rewatchable download? Which "product" is less ephermal: the movie or the download? I think the big problem here is that music, movies, books, etc. have been marketed as products since the invention of the phonograph, rather than services/experiences, as seems more fitting based on the nature of such things. Nobody expects to "own" a service. People expect to own goods like houses, cars, toys, and digital watches. People don't expect to own services like "cooking my meal" or experiences like "seeing that band". Back when records were first marketed, people had to think of them like goods, since you got something physical that housed the actual product. Now, we need to make a mental leap and realize that enterainment is not equivalent to the physical product, but is rather perceptions and experiences that can be housed and transferred in numerous ways.

Translation: The price is too steep for the overall "entertainment value" you get out of it, when compared to other choices.

[ash_chan]

I'd definitely rather buy the DVDs. Not because it's "something physical". I could care less less about that, I simply like DVDs better because with the DVDs I purchase, I also get some sort of extra [like interviews], and I also usually get a few previews for new shows that will be coming out soon.

Of course, if I scourged the internet, I'm sure I could find those without the purchase of a DVD, but I don't have time for that when I can run to the Best Buy down the street and get it in 10 minutes or less.

[Starwind Amada]

Also, with DVDs, you can watch them on a TV, unlike a downloadable file that can only be viewed on a computer monitor. And you get more for your money. Sorry, but five bucks is WAAY to much for a single 25-minute episode. I can rent a full-length movie at Blockbuster for the same price.

[soundchazer]

Technically, you can also watch downloadable files on a TV in a variety of ways, from connecting your CPU to the TV, to burning the file to a DVD and using either a moded console, or a DIVX ready DVD player, or using one of those gizmos that broadcasts the information wireless from computer to TV.

I have used the first 3 methods before. While the quality is almost there if the encoding was done right, it is not as crisp as the actual DVD, plus it will be difficult to get subbed versions approved for download given that additional royalties would have to be paid (which is probably why they started with dubs first).

[Emeraldas]

So... if a doctor were to remove your tonsils, you would refuse to pay until you physically see them?

How about paying for security services? You don't know if the service will work until your burglarized the first time.

And life insurance? You will never see that product either!

What the f*ck? Obviously, I was not talking about services, I was talking about products, and more specifically media products that can be sold online.

I don't like people saying that "I want to have something physical" is a problem. Print out the cover art and wrap it around your HDD if you want: it's the same thing.

I do download things when I can't afford the DVD release; it's not a matter of me objecting to the availability of a file at all. I just don't like having things that I like exclusively inside my computer; I can't burn them to anything except .avi files, and even if I did I would have to write the title across the DVD in Sharpie rather than having the original art. And no, I'm not going to go to all the trouble of buying a CD art program and wasting ink on printing out the cover on a sheet of paper (which would look horrible and cheap, by the way, and it's very rare that you'll find a scan of the entire DVD fold-out art, anyway).

[Starwind Amada]

Technically, you can also watch downloadable files on a TV in a variety of ways, from connecting your CPU to the TV, to burning the file to a DVD and using either a moded console, or a DIVX ready DVD player, or using one of those gizmos that broadcasts the information wireless from computer to TV.

Or you can just get some money from the bank, walk into Suncoast, pick up a DVD, go home, and pop it in your DVD player. No fancy illegally-downloaded software required.

[soundchazer]

Or you can just get some money from the bank, walk into Suncoast, pick up a DVD, go home, and pop it in your DVD player. No fancy illegally-downloaded software required.

Actually... some of it is hardware, and it is not illegal, just like buying the downloads from ADV wouldn't be.

Go to any best buy and ask for DIVX ready dvd players and recorders. Samsung, LG and Toshiba, among others, are selling several models with DIVX compatibility.

About the technology to send the wireless broadcast from the computer is available through Windows Media Center edition and Windows vista, Apple's OS X has a feature like that too, and even X Box 360, also perfectly legal.

Most HDTV and LCD TVs these days have connections for CPUs too, also perfectly legal.

BSplayer, Windows Media Player, ZoomPlayer, VLC, etc. etc. are legal software that you can buy or in some instances download for free.

Whomever fed you the idea that it is impossible to download video files and watch them on TV was lying to you. You can do it and it can be done legally, if the files you are watching were legally acquired. Since we are discussing about purchasing video files legally from ADV, then it proves that the argument against it because you can only watch it on a monitor is not really true anymore.

And for the record, Suncoast is perhaps the worst choice for buying anime. They are extremely expensive. Now THOSE princing schemes should be illegal.

[7Raven7]

...about this, you pay for a transitory perceptual experience of moving lights and sounds, with the ability to perceive that experience...

?
Ô¿Ô
-

AA prof. of electronic media philosophy?

[Emeraldas]

Go to any best buy and ask for DIVX ready dvd players and recorders. Samsung, LG and Toshiba, among others, are selling several models with DIVX compatibility.

DivX DVD player: $130

About the technology to send the wireless broadcast from the computer is available through Windows Media Center edition and Windows vista, Apple's OS X has a feature like that too, and even X Box 360, also perfectly legal.

Windows Media Center edition: $100
Windows Vista: $250-400
Apple OS X: $70-100

Most HDTV and LCD TVs these days have connections for CPUs too, also perfectly legal.

HDTV: $200-2000
LCD TV: $50-2000

....

Ummmmmm, no.

[soundchazer]

Emeraldas: You are seeing it from the perspective that you would buy all of that JUST to play that type of video.

I have that type of equipment because of their versatility. Playing DIVX is just an aditional perk.

And the point of the post was not to say it was cheap and people should do that, just that the claim that downloading anime means watching it exclusively on a monitor is no longer valid.

[Emeraldas]

Emeraldas: You are seeing it from the perspective that you would buy all of that JUST to play that type of video.

I have that type of equipment because of their versatility. Playing DIVX is just an aditional perk.

Most people don't just happen to have all of that equipment, especially since all of that technology is pretty new. Just because you have it doesn't mean that everyone else has it lying around.

And the point of the post was not to say it was cheap and people should do that, just that the claim that downloading anime means watching it exclusively on a monitor is no longer valid.

For people that can't afford those OSes, TVs and DVD players, it isn't valid. I don't think Amada was saying that it's impossible to do it, just that it's really impractical.

I do think that video downloading will eventually become as affordable and reasonable as music downloading (.99 per song is much cheaper than buying the CD, in most cases). But even with music downloading, I still buy the actual CDs of music I really like. It just makes me feel better to have all the official packaging, booklet, lyrics and art when it's something I care enough about.

[Roark]

What the f*ck? Obviously, I was not talking about services, I was talking about products, and more specifically media products that can be sold online.

I think the doc was trying to say that media has more in common with services than it does with products, in that you pay for someone to do something for you (entertain you) more than you pay for someone to make something (a disc).

I do download things when I can't afford the DVD release; it's not a matter of me objecting to the availability of a file at all. I just don't like having things that I like exclusively inside my computer; I can't burn them to anything except .avi files...
And herein is another major problem (currently) with downloading things.
A. You are tied to that computer, so one HDD crash and that's it. An account based system that allows you to redownload would be better.
B. DRM and bandwith limitations force nonoptimal viewing methods. It's perfectly possible to transfer raw HD files to you in burnable format. It's artificial limitations that stop you from getting the "full" product.

... and even if I did I would have to write the title across the DVD in Sharpie rather than having the original art. And no, I'm not going to go to all the trouble of buying a CD art program and wasting ink on printing out the cover on a sheet of paper (which would look horrible and cheap, by the way, and it's very rare that you'll find a scan of the entire DVD fold-out art, anyway).
It'd be cheaper, more efficient, and better quality-wise to go to Staples of Kinkos and get them printed. Including a HQ scan of the cover art obviates the problem. Again though, copyright restrictions and whatnot come into play here. I can't think of a cheap way to silk screen a DVD-R, though. I personally don't care overly much about that aspect, though. But I know a lot of people do, and that's a barrier to acceptance.

I think we both agree that, right now, ADV's service sucks. I do wonder, though, if you object to the concept of online distribution as a whole, or if you would use it were certain conditions met (account-based instead of HDD, no DRM, full (HD-)DVD images instead of .AVIs, HQ cover art scans for professional printing, &c.).

AA prof. of electronic media philosophy?
I word things as succinctly and precisely as possible. I also look at things as they are, not as they appear.

And yes, I do have an undergrad philosophy degree, with the plan to continue it through graduate and doctoral levels.

[Daravon]

People watch anime on their monitors? What a horrible way to go about it. I always hooked my computer up to the TV. And stereo.

[ash_chan]

People watch anime on their monitors? What a horrible way to go about it. I always hooked my computer up to the TV. And stereo.

Not everybody has the ability to do that, though.

I have an old TV that can barely hook up to a VCR, and I don't even own a stereo.

[KiraraKim]

And for the record, Suncoast is perhaps the worst choice for buying anime. They are extremely expensive. Now THOSE princing schemes should be illegal.

The reason why a place like Suncoast is more expensive then lets say Best Buy is because Suncoast makes it sales primarily from DVDs. Best Buy on the other makes it sales primarily from electronics. If they don't make a lot of money off DVD sales this will not hurt their business. Besides new releases at Suncoast are really not that expensive. It's the older DVDs that are full price. Ordering online is also cheaper because they do not have to worry about as many costs as an onsite location.

Not trying to say which option is better (although of physical stores I do think Suncoast has the best selection) just explaining the price differences.

[soundchazer]

Most people don't just happen to have all of that equipment, especially since all of that technology is pretty new. Just because you have it doesn't mean that everyone else has it lying around.



For people that can't afford those OSes, TVs and DVD players, it isn't valid. I don't think Amada was saying that it's impossible to do it, just that it's really impractical.

I do think that video downloading will eventually become as affordable and reasonable as music downloading (.99 per song is much cheaper than buying the CD, in most cases). But even with music downloading, I still buy the actual CDs of music I really like. It just makes me feel better to have all the official packaging, booklet, lyrics and art when it's something I care enough about.

For the record, I have been able to hook up my CPU to a regular TV since 2001 just using my video card (without using some of those external TV adaptors that have been available since the mid 90s), so it is hardly a new technology. Almost any computer bought in the last 3 or 4 years have the capacity to hook an adaptor that will cost you less that 50 bucks that will either allow you to use S-video or Component connections and hook them up to your TV.

It is not impractical at all. I was just giving several of the more sophisticated options (which usually also make video files look better on a TV screen). As daravon says, it is fairly easy to hook your current computer to a TV and the soundcard to a stereo and watch whatever file you want without the constraints of a monitor.

Edit 1: I do realize that not all TVs have more than a coaxial hookup. In those cases, you would connect your computer through your VCR/DVD player.

Edit 2: I know what Suncoast's business model is. They are still very expensive. The only reason I would buy anime there would be because I don not have a place like Best Buy near the place I live, or because I have no ability to secure a credit card to order online. And yes, I do realize many of the people in this forum are underage and do not have access to a credit card yet.

[Major Tom]

Most HDTV and LCD TVs these days have connections for CPUs too, also perfectly legal.

Also, there are video cards (or were, my brother has one, and I'm fairly sure they are still made and you still can get second handies) that have a standard composite video out connection on them, so it can be hooked up to any TV that has a standard AV connection (or through an RF converter for the real ancient monsters). Chuck in a stereo RCA to 3.5mm phono conversion lead, and voila! Sound and video hooked up to your TV from the PC, all legit.

Edit: Damn, SC beat me to it......

[KiraraKim]

As daravon says, it is fairly easy to hook your current computer to a TV and the soundcard to a stereo and watch whatever file you want without the constraints of a monitor.

This option is very easy considering my friend who is not technologically advanced in the least does it all the time. I would do this myself except my computer and TV are in two different rooms. I am assuming some other people might have this problem.

Although I guess I am easy to please because I never had a problem with watching anime on my computer screen.

[Tyrdium]

Hooking up your laptop to your TV really isn't hard at all, especially on a Mac. All you have to do is plug the S-Video or composite cable in and set the TV's input. Everything on the computer side gets configured automagically.

DivX DVD player: $130$60 (http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Philips-DVD-Player-DVP642/sem/rpsm/oid/100066/catOid/-12873/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do) MSRP, $50 on sale.

[Emeraldas]

As daravon says, it is fairly easy to hook your current computer to a TV and the soundcard to a stereo and watch whatever file you want without the constraints of a monitor.

Yeah, but for the majority of people who don't have laptops, who wants to carry their computer to their television or vise versa just to watch a video file? Not me.

$60 MSRP, $50 on sale.

Still $50-60 that I don't want to spend on a new DVD player just to play DivX files.

Anyway, being able to watch the episodes on a TV monitor is not really what I have an issue with in the first place.

[soundchazer]

Yeah, but for the majority of people who don't have laptops, who wants to carry their computer to their television or vise versa just to watch a video file? Not me.

Yes... and not everyone has only one TV around the house either. That argument can be used both ways.



Still $50-60 that I don't want to spend on a new DVD player just to play DivX files.

Shame on you if you only use it for DIVX files. It is after all a DVD player.

Anyway, being able to watch the episodes on a TV monitor is not really what I have an issue with in the first place.

Nor was I the one bringing up the issue about expense and difficulty to do view anime on a TV screen.

[Milkymagic]

I have a poor understanding of electronics, so I usually buy all of my anime (I own 400 DVDs and 200 or so VHS), though I need some media pouches soon enough for all the space they take up. I hear great things about watching anime on your computer through a tv, we have a 42" plasma monitor and tried it once with the computer, worked out great, but this isn't my computer when I say that...my friend and brother each have their own.

Still, I buy anime at retail if I'm hard up for some entertainment, otherwise I focus on hitting some deals, or buying further volumes of what I've been collecting up to this point. Or once in a while, what came from word of mouth.

Downloading anime isn't something I prefer (simply because I'm not computer savvy), but it is a nice feature to have available to those who want quick anime at their fingertips. It's definitely not a problem, but ADV needs to improve their regimen for downloads. It certainly is something I wouldn't mind considering in the future, but for now I have little knowledge of my computer resources.

[LadyYuina]

Five dollars an episode?! That's a little too pricey for me, and although I like anime a lot I would not spend five dollars on one episode.:eek:

[C0MPL3X]

It's easy and affordable (IMO) to watch stuff on PC on TV. Only drawback I can see is of course, DVD having better quality than downloaded episodes. Is it worth paying hundreds of dollars to watch your favourite animes for most enjoyable experience? Depends. Although it is nice to have something physical, collectable and 'superior than what others can get for free'.

[Milkymagic]

I'm a collector first and foremost, plus, I do show earnest support for those who wish to translate anime and sell it to us (like Animeigo and AD Vision). However, I don't want to seem completely innocent either, as I've seen some stuff for free before in my lifetime too. But if I really like an anime that I've previously seen fansubbed, I'll buy its domestic counterpart out of appreciation. Basically if I liked it enough, I'll support it, and I wouldn't give the money if I didn't (regardless of company).

Such titles I've purchased from my enthusiasm: Hyper Police, Koi Kaze, and even Digi Charat. I will also buy Gunbuster from Bandai, since I loved the Patlabor Movies 1 and 2 limited edition boxsets a great deal. I mean, you get complete storyboards, and commentary from everyone involved. Oshii even talks about his directing philosophy, and anyone who knows me can obviously see how stoked I'd be to know his word on directing, being he's my favorite. Maybe they'll do something with Anno for Gunbuster, man that would be so cool!

[Emeraldas]

Shame on you if you only use it for DIVX files. It is after all a DVD player.

I already have a DVD player. I'm not going to buy a second one for the pure purpose of watching downloaded files.

Nor was I the one bringing up the issue about expense and difficulty to do view anime on a TV screen.

Good for you.

[Major Tom]

I already have a DVD player. I'm not going to buy a second one for the pure purpose of watching downloaded files.

Weeeelllll.......when your current player dies, you can buy a DivX compatible one then. :p

[Emeraldas]

Weeeelllll.......when your current player dies, you can buy a DivX compatible one then. :p

Maybe. But I'll still have my PS2 so I still won't really need a new one :P

[Roark]

Maybe. But I'll still have my PS2 so I still won't really need a new one :P
Playing DVD's on your PS2 will kill it in rather short order. I've watched it happen too many times.

[Milkymagic]

Yeah, PS2 is the most brittle of the big three during its time (Gamecube, Xbox, PS2), so it wouldn't surprise me if it wasn't acceptable. But then, I'd imagine after making enough PS2s, along with the smaller model; you'd think they would've fixed something...y'know?

That's part of the reason why I didn't get an Xbox 360 until a few months after launch, just in case there were hardware flaws (mine doesn't overeheat like some of the older ones for example).

But about ADV, I think all we can easily determine that they suck at the downloading business as of this moment.

We can only hope for improvement, who knows...

THE END

[jetfire]

The whole deal just sounds like it has too many problems involved with it. Instead of paying $5 per episode, lots of people will just download fansubs for free anyways. Also, for more money, you can get a DVD which contains multiple episodes, plus better video and sound quality. There's also the fact of having a tangible DVD that you can hold onto and bring anywhere. With a video file, it can get accidently deleted or possibly corrupted. And what happens if your hard drive crashes, and you lose about $500 bucks worth of episode downloads? At least with a DVD, there's no risk of that if you're careful with them.

Plus, I can see many people downloading a series for $5 an episode, and then posting it online or through file sharing programs. Then all were left with is more fansubs.

[Emeraldas]

Playing DVD's on your PS2 will kill it in rather short order. I've watched it happen too many times.

I've been playing DVDs on it ever since I got it. It has problems, but that's only because it fell about four feet one day with a game playing inside it. And if it dies, I'll just use my computer. :P Nah, probably not, but if and when I buy a new DVD player, I'm probably not going to be too concerned with making sure it plays video files. I'm sure the lifetime of (good) DVD players are not such that I'm going to have to worry about it any day soon, though.


Also, for more money, you can get a DVD which contains multiple episodes, plus better video and sound quality. There's also the fact of having a tangible DVD that you can hold onto and bring anywhere. With a video file, it can get accidently deleted or possibly corrupted. And what happens if your hard drive crashes, and you lose about $500 bucks worth of episode downloads? At least with a DVD, there's no risk of that if you're careful with them.

Quoted for troof.

[Shadowmage]

They could always offer online discount coupons for future DVDs as part of the purchase. This will be good especially when an anime is in the "fansub" phase; you get to see the anime before they hit shores and get the DVDs when they come out.

[Milkymagic]

Yeah, didn't ADV have something involving the fansub phase for Nadia and City Hunter TV back in the day?

[Shadowmage]

Score one for me!

It seems that ADV has launched a DVD discount system (http://www.advuniverse.com/advbucks.php) to counteract the high cost of each anime download.

[7Raven7]

Score one for me!

It seems that ADV has launched a DVD discount system (http://www.advuniverse.com/advbucks.php) to counteract the high cost of each anime download.

That just doesn't make any sense to me at all.

First, pay to get your favorite DVD downloaded onto the computer. Let's skip the parts that involve people downloading elsewhere without paying or the fact that you can create a dvd off of your computer of pretty much anything that will work in most dvd players. Then, based on how many points you aquire, you can then buy your favorite dvd, so you have a hard copy and a computer copy...


My suggestion is for them to fire their out-sourced marketing company and start over. This failure is going to pull too much budget from anime creation and distribution.

[Shadowmage]

Then, based on how many points you aquire, you can then buy your favorite dvd, so you have a hard copy and a computer copy...

Ah, but you forgot something; you don't have to buy the DVD of the anime you downloaded. You can buy anything in the ADV store. (Yes, the store is overpriced, but its better than nothing)

[ZZalapski]

Still no Azumanga Web Daioh in sight. *sigh*

(Yes, I know it's on YouTube. I'd pay $5 for a higher quality copy, though.)

[7Raven7]

Ah, but you forgot something; you don't have to buy the DVD of the anime you downloaded. You can buy anything in the ADV store. (Yes, the store is overpriced, but its better than nothing)

True.. true, I was just saying for example. There also tend to be two people in the world. Those who like ONLY hard copy games, movies etc and those who don't mind having a soft copy or occationally transfering it to another media. They tend not to mix.

I personally am very picky and only like having a retail copy of movies/shows. I used to be like that with songs but with the whole song library, mp3, pop-culture trend I don't mind having a mix.