by Jeff McNeal, editor - The BIG Picture
November 20, 1998
It's easier to receive than to give... It's easier to complain than to offer praise... It's easier to tear down than to build... It's easier to spend than it is to save...
These are just some of the truths of human nature.
It's downright incredible the way the vast majority of open DVD supporters have rallied in opposition to the things we dislike about DVD. Thanks to the Internet, we have become a formiddable force, shaping public opinion and many studio policies. While we have been frustrated that some DVD-producing studios have their collective heads in the sand, others have been quite receptive to our wants and needs. One studio in particular has set a stunning example for others to follow, and continues to lead the way with new promotions and a high-visibility president who's not afraid to trumpet the praises of open DVD while objecting - loudly, to the confusion and dissention inherent in Divx.
But have we really stopped to show our support and thanks in a tangible, meaningful way? Indirectly, perhaps, but not really.
Sometimes the best ideas are right under our noses.
As the traditional American holiday of Thanksgiving approaches, most of us find ourselves examining the things we truly are graetful for in our lives. For most of us, it's the love and health of our families and friends, followed by our own personal successes - and of course, our love-affair with DVD. I know a lot of us are grateful, that at long last, all studios are finally supporting (in varying degrees) open DVD. It's been a great year.
This afternoon I received an extraordinary suggestion from one of our readers, Luke Robinson, who wrote:
"I see in the bulletin that WB are giving away free DVDs with Win98 now. This only reinforces the fact that the WB has been consistently the most ardent supporter of DVD. Whenever a studio misbehaves, there are campaigns organized to get them into line, but I don't see much activity on the other side of the fence.
Perhaps we could organize some sort of "thank you" from the DVD community to the good studios such as WB and Columbia/Tristar, to show that the net community can reward as well as punish. The on-line home theater community has developed somewhat of a reputation for hair-trigger responses, and if we can't avoid that reputation we might as well show that our responses run the gamut."
Not only do we think that's a good idea -- we think it's a great idea. While most of us already own a large number of Warner discs -- and their sales stats bear that out -- we have been continually amazed at the fine example that Warner Brothers and their home video division president, Warren Lieberfarb, have set for the DVD community. Indeed, in a recent poll conducted by our friends at Home Theater Forum, Warren Lieberfarb and Warner Brothers' name came up time and time again to the question posed: "Who is most responsible for the success of DVD?"
Luke is right. The DVD community is capable of moving mountains in terms of our inexhaustible opposition to things we don't like, like the advent of pay-per-view DVD's promoted by Divx, and more recently, the lack of 16x9 enhancement by some Johnny-come-lately studios that are now supporting open DVD, if not wholeheartedly.
But what have we done, besides shop as usual, to say thank you, to Warner Brothers and Warren Lieberfarb, specifically?
We were dismayed to learn that the "Buy 4, Get One Free" promotion had to scale back to the original "one per household" rule because of fraud and abuse. That's a sad commentary in and of itself.
If you'll remember, one per household was the original rule, however Warner relaxed that rule as a way to say "thank you" to those of us that bought a whole lot more than just four Warner titles! That was a remarkable gesture... but after months of abuse, who can blame Warner for reinstating their original rules? You have to remember that Warner Brothers, with their value pricing, must sell in volume in order to make their investment in DVD profitable.
Of course, the best way (and most enjoyable one) to really say thank you to Warner for the exemplary support of open DVD and dogmatic opposition to Divx, is for each and every one of us to purchase more WB titles! I know that I'm going to -- and I'm going to feel good about it. It's time that we all gave back to Warner to thank them for their leadership, great pricing and uh -- all those free DVD's they've been giving away -- don't you think?
The BIG Picture would like to officially declare the week of November 23rd, WARNER APPRECIATION WEEK. Anytime during this week, we would like ALL DVD enthusiasts to buy a minimum of two Warner Brothers titles. After all, they're among the most full-featured and lowest priced titles on the market -- so we don't think that's asking too much. A similar appreciation week for Columbia Tristar should also be implemented in the near future, but let's not dilute the current promotion with a dual focus. Let's send a message, together, that's undeniably clear:
I realize this doesn't give you much time to prepare, but as we're acutely aware, news travels like lightning on the Internet and we'd like to make a large impact that can be measured by Warner Brothers before the official Christmas shopping season begins, which is traditionally after Thanksgiving.
Keep the discs for yourself or give them as gifts! Go ahead, SHOW YOUR APPRECIATION in the best way possible. Buy a minimum of two Warner Brothers discs next week, preferably before Thanksgiving, and reward Warren Lieberfarb and company for their unprecedented, exemplary and unwavering support of open DVD. Please help spread the word to all the other DVD websites, forums and and newsgroups:
It's the least we can do. That's my opinion. What's yours?
Post your comments in The BIG Picture Forum.
Thank you in advance for your support this coming week. Let's show 'em what we can really do! By clicking the banner above, you can check out Warner's vast title selection!
Jeff McNeal, Editor & Publisher
The BIG Picture
PREVIOUS EDITORIALS
Turn! Turn! Turn!: A time to heal
DVD: In search of standards
DVD Quality Control: Who's watching the gate?
Chipping Away at DIVX: One blow at a time.
DVD Video Retailers: Where's the beef?
Copyright 1998, by Jeff McNeal Productions. Click here to see our legal notice.