Hello Jessica, A quick keyword search for 'Blu-ray' in our catalog pulls up over 1,800 results, and this may be close to correct. We order Blu-rays instead of DVDs whenever possible. We do not have a problem making Blu-ray players available for classrooms. I am not aware of any problems relating to durability. Some of the issues that we have encountered are:
1. Blu-rays (and now DVDs) frequently are sold with Digital Copy and/or UltraViolet discs, which we do not circulate. 2. When a film needs to be streamed for a class, it takes longer to stream a Blu-ray than a DVD. If a class needs a title streamed in a hurry, the DVD version probably will be the streamed version. 3. Many Blu-rays are sold in Blu-ray/DVD combo packs, and there is a problem with patrons checking out the packs and then losing/damaging one disc. In the future, our Media department plans to split up the discs and circulate them separately. 4. We do not have multi-region Blu-ray players and so only purchase Region A Blu-rays. 5. Some Blu-ray versions of classic films have been altered from their original form (for example, the 2009 release of The French Connection: http://www.examiner.com/article/addendum-to-march-6th-blu-ray-releases-new-wall-street-french-connection-bds, which was corrected later), and we have to read more customer reviews to make sure of the quality of what we are ordering. Michael S. Phillips Library Associate I Monographic Acquisitions Division Texas A&M University [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]> 5000 TAMU | College Station, TX 77843-5000 Tel. 979.845.1343 ext. 151 | Fax. 979.845.5310 http://library.tamu.edu From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Jessica Rosner Sent: Tuesday, October 22, 2013 2:43 PM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [Videolib] Blu-ray questions "Dislike" was the wrong word to use. I realize it is a tech & financial issue. I just want to clarify this is not a combo pack. Basically it is documentary with some extras that will be on DVD and a fairly massive library of extras which basically constitute a mini archive that will only be on Blu ray. It was a compromise of a difficult situation but I still hope that students or instructors who want access to the material that is blu ray only and would likely be for research will find a way to access it though it certainly sounds like a bitch. I really appreciate everyone's input. On Tue, Oct 22, 2013 at 3:34 PM, Foster, Jennifer <[email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>> wrote: Jessica: I don't think it has anything to do with like or dislike. It has more to do with availability and budget, and of course, as others have said, who makes the decisions. We have no Blu-ray players in either institution (community college and university) unless someone has requested them for a specific purpose. The library has no Blu-ray DVDs and we don't order videos that don't also have DVD capability. Although I think we are a long way off from eschewing DVD format, and we still have way too many VHS tapes, I also don't think Blu-ray will be the replacement. Jennifer Foster Media Librarian Victoria College/University of Houston-Victoria Library 361.570.4195<tel:361.570.4195> http://vcuhvlibrary.uhv.edu Message: 4 Date: Tue, 22 Oct 2013 13:06:22 -0400 From: Jessica Rosner <[email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>> Subject: [Videolib] Blu ray questions To: [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]> Message-ID: <CACRe6m_4=sJ8kLj=apse-kxkln773fsr-sqg9_e_f3pbbkw...@mail.gmail.com<mailto:[email protected]>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" I know most of you do not like blu-ray but I would like to know how much a problem it is. I am working on a kind of epic project I have been making cryptic references to and for complicated reasons much of it is Blu ray only. In terms of research I would assume most students and most libraries have reasonable access to playing on Blu ray either using a player or a laptop. I guess the bigger issue is classroom use, is it really that difficult to get Blu ray player for a classroom ( to make this even more complicated the part of this collection most likely to be used in class will be available on DVD). Feedback appreciated but it is not possible to change formats on this material though it will be available for streaming for those schools who can do their own. -- Jessica Rosner Media Consultant 224-545-3897<tel:224-545-3897> (cell) 212-627-1785<tel:212-627-1785> (land line) [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.
