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, [email protected]
<mailto:[email protected]>
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 tool for video librarians, as well as a channel of communication
between libraries,educational institutions, and video producers and
distributors.
