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: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Meghann Matwichuk Sent: Friday, September 24, 2010 12:01 PM To: [email protected] 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, [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.
