As a picky shopper and retail industry expert, I know firsthand how overwhelming it can be to navigate the many movie format options available today. Should you stick with tried-and-true DVDs? Upgrade to Blu-ray? Invest in a 4K Ultra HD setup? Or hedge your bets with multi-format packages that include multiple versions in one?
If you‘ve shopped for movies on Amazon, you‘ve likely come across listings labeled as "multi-format" and wondered what that means exactly. In this ultimate guide, I‘ll demystify Amazon‘s multi-format offerings and provide in-depth analysis on how they compare to other physical and digital movie formats. By the end, you‘ll have all the info you need to make the smartest buying decisions for your home entertainment needs.
Decoding Amazon‘s Multi-Format Movie Bundles
First, let‘s clarify what "multi-format" means in the context of Amazon‘s movie listings. When you see a title tagged as multi-format, that means it includes the film in more than one physical format in a single purchase. The most common type of multi-format package includes both the Blu-ray and DVD versions of the movie. Some multi-format listings may also come with a digital copy that you can redeem through Amazon Prime Video or another digital retailer like iTunes or Vudu.
It‘s important to distinguish between multi-format and "combo packs," which is another bundling term you may see on Amazon. Combo packs typically only include a DVD and a digital copy, but no Blu-ray. While these may be a good option if you primarily watch movies on a standard definition TV and want the bonus of a digital file, they don‘t offer the premium viewing experience of a Blu-ray.
According to a report by the Digital Entertainment Group, Blu-ray and DVD sales still made up 57% of home entertainment spending in 2019, totaling $5.9 billion. And in Q1 of 2020, 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray sales grew 48% compared to the same period in 2019, even with the disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic (Source: MediaPlayNews). This data suggests that although digital streaming is on the rise, physical media formats like Blu-ray and multi-format combos remain popular with many consumers.
The Case for Buying Multi-Format
So why would you opt for an Amazon multi-format movie over a single format version? There are a few key benefits to going the multi-format route:
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Flexibility: With multiple formats at your disposal, you can watch your movies in a variety of ways to suit your setup. Use the Blu-ray for the optimal viewing experience on your main TV, and pop in the DVD for screening on an older TV or laptop without a Blu-ray drive. Having a digital copy gives you even more freedom to watch your films across devices.
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Futureproofing: Investing in a multi-format bundle that includes a 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray is a smart way to build your library for the future. Even if you don‘t have a 4K TV or 4K Blu-ray player now, you‘ll be ready to enjoy the higher resolution when you eventually upgrade your equipment. In the meantime, you can utilize the standard Blu-ray and digital copy.
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Value: In most cases, Amazon‘s multi-format movie bundles cost less than if you were to buy the Blu-ray, DVD, and digital versions separately. For example, the multi-format edition of the film "1917" with 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, and digital copy retails for $29.99 on Amazon. The 4K Ultra HD/Blu-ray with no digital copy is $24.99, the Blu-ray by itself is $16.85, and the DVD is $14.96. Purchased individually, those formats would total $56.80, so the $29.99 multi-format is clearly the better value.
Of course, a multi-format movie will have a higher upfront cost than a single format version. To decide if the premium is worthwhile, consider how you plan to watch the film. If you know you‘ll only ever view it on a standard HDTV and have no interest in special features, you‘re probably fine sticking with the DVD. But if you want the enhanced audio and visuals of Blu-ray now or in the future, springing for multi-format will allow you to have copies in both superior and standard definition.
As a savvy shopper myself, I almost always opt for multi-format movie bundles during Amazon sales like Prime Day or Black Friday. Scoring a multi-format with 4K, Blu-ray, and digital for $15-20 is an incredible value that will give you tons of viewing flexibility for years to come.
Comparing Multi-Format to Digital-Only Options
In addition to multi-format bundles, Amazon offers many movies and TV shows as digital downloads and through its Prime Video streaming service. With so much buzz around the convenience of streaming, you may be wondering if it still makes sense to purchase physical media formats at all. While every buyer‘s preferences and habits are different, there are certainly some pros and cons to going digital-only.
One major advantage of choosing a digital format is the instant gratification – you can access the content immediately after purchase, with no wait for shipping. Digital films are often cheaper than their physical counterparts, and of course, they don‘t take up any space on your media shelf. However, you are at the mercy of the retailer or streaming service to continue hosting the content and making it available to you. If a title is removed from Prime Video, for instance, you no longer have access to it even if you paid for the download. You‘ll also need a consistent Internet connection to stream your movies.
With physical formats like multi-format bundles, the discs are yours to keep and use forever. As I mentioned above, multi-format combos that include a digital copy offer the best of both worlds. You can redeem the digital version for quick access now while still having the Blu-ray and DVD as reliable backups.
The Future of Physical Media Formats
As a long-time retail industry analyst, I always have my finger on the pulse of format trends. With the undeniable explosion of streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, and Prime Video, will physical media become obsolete? While it‘s clear that streaming will continue to claim a larger portion of the home video market, I don‘t see discs disappearing completely any time soon.
The collectors and film enthusiasts who value bonus features, alternate cuts, director‘s commentaries, and other exclusive disc content will keep the Blu-ray and 4K formats alive. And although 4K streaming is available, the compression required often results in a drop in quality compared to a 4K Blu-ray. Serious cinephiles will still reach for physical media to get that true theater-like experience.
That said, I do predict that DVD will be the first format to fall out of favor as more households upgrade to HDTVs that can take advantage of Blu-ray‘s higher resolution. Studios may shift to only producing Blu-ray + digital copy combo packs rather than multi-format bundles with DVD as well. We‘re also seeing a trend towards more titles being released only as "Made on Demand" DVDs rather than mass produced, which is a sign that the format is on the decline.
The Bottom Line
All in all, Amazon‘s multi-format movie bundles offer excellent value and flexibility for shoppers who want to own their favorite films in the highest quality possible while still having a convenient DVD or digital copy on hand. Although a multi-format combo has a higher price point than a single disc format, it‘s a smart investment if you like to watch movies on multiple devices and want to be ready for 4K.
As you‘re deciding between multi-format, Blu-ray, DVD, and digital downloads, consider your current viewing setup, your future equipment plans, and how much you value bonus features. A film buff with a premium home theater is likely to have different priorities than a casual viewer who just wants easy access to their movie library across devices.
Whichever format you choose, you can feel confident knowing Amazon offers an extensive selection of titles and competitive pricing. To get the best deals, keep an eye out for multi-format bundles during major sales events and be strategic about which movies you need in the highest quality vs which you can snag for a bargain on DVD. By assessing your needs and weighing the benefits of each format, you‘ll make the smartest buying choices and build a movie collection that will provide years of entertainment value.
