Human nature can plan. Without planning any activity is impossible. Plan all: and the families counting the budget, and the state bodies aspiring most effectively to carry out tasks in view. Plan also commercial structures, in particular, engaged in distribution of DVD-production and release of corresponding specialised magazines.
At once it is necessary to notice, that given article reflects personal opinion of the author and the objective information should not be perceived as completely.
The estimation of production let out by the Russian companies-distributors is based on own experience of the author – almost all films on the DVD-carriers, specified more low, by it have been seen personally. It would be desirable to apologise in advance in case of detection of any discrepancies in names of the companies and films. It not official article, and reflexions of the simple inhabitant concerning quality of DVD-production. To avoid charges in bias, the companies are listed in alphabetic order. The list included only those distributors with which production the author is acquainted.
Video service. Once the company most favourite by me has started to lose now the authority – one of last releases DVD «Six demons Emili Rose», «the death Tunnel», "Cave" and others not only are completely deprived any additional materials, but also have no original sound track. Does not give in to a reasonable explanation as the company from under which wing there were excellent releases of "Chronicle Нарнии», «nation Treasures», "King Arthur", «the Spiderman 2», «Pirates of Caribbean sea», «Терминатора 3», «13 ghosts» could become on a way of release of such cheap production. Naturally, special art value the "cut off" releases (in particular, «the death Tunnel») do not represent, however it should not become the reason of a similar disgrace. On the other hand, the image on all DVD from Video service continues to remain rather good. Besides, to the company having the exclusive right on distribution диснеевских of cartoon films (by the way, practically all cartoon films of studio of Disney, let out by Video service, have ideal quality and a large quantity of additions) to forgive all is possible almost. Even release slipshod DVD.
Gemini-film. One of unconditional leaders among Russian companies-distributors DVD. Excellent releases – the main distinctive line of this company. It is enough to result examples of films «Fantastic four», «Star wars: the episode III», "Titanic", «I, the Robot», "Anger" to understand, is how much good the Gemini-film (from novelties it has underfulfilled only "Kingdom of heaven"). Deserves approval and the initiative of release of old blockbusters – «In a siege» (the first and the second), «the Strong nutlet» (the first and the second), «That hides lie», «do not speak words», "Simulator" and others. Nevertheless, despite presence of an English sound track, these films have not enough additional materials. To such powerful company as the Gemini-film followed think of better filling of releases of films-hits of former years.
The UNION-VIDEO. Strong «середняк». Lets out production with quite good quality of the image, an original sound track and a minimum quantity of additions (if at all they are available). As examples "Shaitan", «the Weapon baron», «Крип», «Cuba of the Zero», «the Lost angel» and many other things can serve.
CP Digital. Told about the UNION-VIDEO it is quite applicable and to CP Digital: good "picture", an original sound and a minimum of additional materials. The main difference between these two companies consists that CP Digital sometimes lets out magnificent collection editions – «the Call. The trilogy», «Терминатор 2: the Doomsday», "Pilot" (at once I will make a reservation, that last did not look, but the quantity of the additions specified on a box, very much impresses).
DVD Magic. The company name speaks for itself. But not in positive sense. The magic consists that, letting out the films representing to the classic of a world cinema, disgusting (other word simply not to pick up) quality (even piracy "screen" copies better), this company continues to remain "afloat" and appears in all lists and catalogues as the distributor licence DVD. In spite of the fact that already it is a lot of years ago "Video service" declared itself the official and exclusive distributor диснеевской production (and continues to remain it), DVD the Magic with an enviable stubbornness lets out so-called licence copies of cartoon films of studio of Disney. It is the real Magic! Remember, how at group Queen – It’s a kind of Magic. Unfortunately, magic is also that DVD from this company are on sale till now in firm shops along with qualitative production of other manufacturers. Really "pirates" should still to much learn at DVD Magics! To be convinced of reliability of my words, it is enough to look any classics published by these умельцами, for example, «Once in the Wild West» or «For a handful of dollars» (not to confuse at all to brilliant release of the same film company Twister Digital Video!).
Film Prestige. It is one of the most elegant Russian companies-distributors DVD of production. It specialises on release of gift editions of masterpieces of world cinema on various themes: «Federiko Fellini's Collection», «Collection Одри Хепберн», «Michael Kejna's Collection», «the Collection the Eurohorror» etc. DVD this company distinguishes high quality of the image (even very old pictures are excellently looked), an original sound track and magnificent registration of boxes. It is necessary to carry small quantity of bonuses to lacks on disks.
MC Entertainment. Already that company MC Entertainment has begun mass release licence «аниме» (the Japanese cartoon films) in Russia, it is necessary to allocate it especially among other domestic distributors. Except «аниме» the company lets out on DVD various film production from the West and East countries – «the Cradle of nightmares», «you like Hitchcock?», "Tamara", «the Crying murderer», "Damnation" (the television version), "Shiver" and others. Production MC Entertainment is distinguished by the qualitative image and obligatory presence of an original sound track. The astable situation has developed with bonuses – on separate releases there are many additional materials, and on others they practically are absent.
Pyramid Home Video. One more representative of group «steady середняков» among distributors DVD, letting out production, as a rule, with the good image and an original sound. A weak place is practical absence of additions. As typical examples "Rottweiler", "Hostage" and others can serve «Damned wood», "Wolf-single", «Alone with death».
Twister Digital Video. Weak enough on usual DVD to releases the company. Nevertheless, many Russian companies-distributors should follow an example the remarkable collection editions Twister Digital Video abounding with excellent additional materials and differing excellent sound and the image – «Way Карлито», «For a handful of dollars», «the Present love». It is thought, that the company only will win, if refuses the "grey" regular releases and will pass to release of collection masterpieces. Definitely, at it it turns out better. If it is not favourable from the economic point of view it is necessary to raise level of let out ordinary production.
Universal Pictures Rus. On quality of let out production this company can make a serious competition the Gemini-film, and by quantity … In my opinion, Universal Pictures Rus at present is the largest company-distributor on volume of releases DVD in the Russian market. « Сириана "," the Kiss навылет "," Last Samurai », all series about Harry Potter,« King Kong "," Mission Серенити "," Konstantin "," Island », all films about the Batman, including last,« Чарли and chocolate factory "," Лемони Сникетт: 33 misfortunes »and many other films. Besides, the company lets out magnificent collection editions –"Gladiator", the trilogy« Back in the future », the trilogy« Park of the Jursky period "," the Jaw ». Practically for all releases excellent image and a sound, a considerable quantity of bonuses are characteristic. Nevertheless, there is a number of claims to Universal Pictures Rus. The tendency to release of good films in"cheap"execution without any bonuses (« Munich "," Doom »- the first release,« To be in time till midnight "," the House of wax figures "," the Key from all doors »and so on) disturbs. Some of them have even no original sound track. This practice has something in common with activity the Gemini-film on release of blockbusters of last years. Such serious company as Universal Pictures Rus the ugly release "Innocent until proven guilty" was absolutely unworthy. Not only that in it there are no bonuses and an English sound track, in one of episodes image and sound synchronisation is broken. The impression that you look a bad piracy copy is made. Cause disappointment and some qualitative editions – «the Batman. The beginning» and "Konstantin" what for have lost an original sound. As a whole, certainly, Universal Pictures Rus undoubtedly is the leader in Russian market DVD of production. Nevertheless, it would be desirable, that the company approached to quality of all without an exception of the releases more responsibly.
VOX Video. Small on volume of release DVD of production the company has got to our list thanks to releases of very good films – "Descent" and «Gloomy time». Prominent features: the quite good image, absence of bonuses and an English sound track (the last concerns only «Gloomy time»), original cardboard packing DVD.
West Video. It is possible to put undoubtedly, this company in one number about the Gemini-film and Universal Pictures Rus. The magnificent image and a sound, a great lot of additional materials – all it concerns production West Video. «Dark forces», «Horror Амитивилля», «the City of sins», «Brothers the Grimm», «the Attack on 13th site», «to Kill Bill» (both parts) – vivid examples of remarkable releases of the company. In difference of the above-stated two giants of video business West Video practically does not do misfires with release of the DVD. Nevertheless, probably, it affects quantity of let out films – them is insignificant a little in comparison with production of other companies.
Much to our regret, given article has not captured DVD production of other worthy Russian companies, as for example, Ekaterinburg Арт (ЕА). It is caused by that the author well familiar with their video releases, did not look recently films on DVD-carriers let out by them.
I treat kindly a network of shops "Unions". Normal shops. CD wide range, VHS, DVD, computer and prefixal games (the last, the truth, not so is a lot of). I am the regular visitor and the buyer, the blessing, that one of shops is in five-seven minutes of walking from a work place. Nevertheless, in the organisation of activity of this of one of the structures of retail trade of audio largest in Moscow and a video production there are riddles it is difficult enough to them to find a reasonable explanation.
Riddle the first. As already spoke, the "Union" assortment is wide. However to buy the film necessary to you on DVD, let out it is enough recently, it is necessary to try fine. All regiments are forced by new releases, for example, «Тристана and Isoices», "Tins" and «Hunting for a piranha», that is films, in my opinion, not representing to special art value. Nevertheless, they fresh, just had time to remove from wide screens on digital disks. I understand, that each new film and it DVD release have the right to a life, however it is necessary to know when to stop! As the example, is less than half a year new gift release of "Park of the Jursky period» ago tried to "catch" - will not believe, more month went to "Union" and asked, when it will deliver. Answered, that delivered, but in one – two copies, and them very quickly bought up. The release uses extremely considerable demand. Aha! Means, next time will deliver more than popular production! Anything similar. Next time a similar picture. But regiments are filled up by the same novelties which nobody buys. Has found out from managers, that, it appears, the shop does not supervise (!!!) the delivered goods. It, probably, speaking to language of an epoch of "stagnation", «lower from above». For itself a problem has solved – has gone to «the Purple legion» and without problems has bought "Park".
Riddle the second. Repeatedly faced the following problem – discrepancy of the information on the goods available on sale which is put in pawn in the shop computer, and its real presence. On the computer it is, and in shop is not present. Mysticism! After martyr and unsuccessful searches of a disk by the seller sometimes, the truth, itself found the film necessary to me hidden in other category or section.
Riddle the third. «Скидочная». Being the aficionado of "Union" (mentioned it above) was boundless it is glad to rather pleasant innovation – the joint action of "Union" and Экспобанка on granting of discounts for novelties by card Visa Electron given out to buyers. «Here in my street the holiday also has come!» – I have thought. But not all so is simple. At me the habit – to "catch" a novelty in day of its exit or, at the worst, next day (the same situation as with «Park of the Jursky period» can simply turn out). I come to shop, I take the novelty which has liked me, I show a card and … I Find out, that the discount for my goods is not present. On my requirements to recheck, the cashier (very lovely girl) convinces me, that the corresponding information under the discount for this production is not put in pawn yet in the computer. To me as to the small child patiently explain, that the discount will be day through two-three-four. Has already got used to this unostentatious service, and has been for the first time simply enraged. In the West the discount extends on the goods at once when it gets to shops, and in "Union" the novelty becomes the present novelty which is subject to the discount, only in some days after its occurrence on regiments. Than it is before, the science does not know.
Riddle the fourth. The most improbable. A month ago (about that) there was on licence DVD "Matador", a remarkable and touching comedy with participation of the Pier of Brosnan and Greg Kinnera. Till now it is not present in "Union". Besides, sellers at all do not know, that such film already is available on sale. The same situation has developed with left couple of weeks back DVD «Six demons Emili Rose». The impression is made, that these films simply are not present or in "Union" strict censorship on certain films (it is possible to result still similar examples and them will be much) is entered. At the same time after official release they have appeared at once in «the Purple legion». I even have an official proof – I already there have bought them.
And in general I very much love "Union". And from work nearby.
Recently gets the increasing scope campaign for release of films on licence DVD under the low price (as a rule, 99 roubles) much earlier their official release abroad (one of the freshest examples – Doom, Other world: Evolution etc.). It was preceded by statements in specialised magazines and other mass-media that the given action will promote strengthening of struggle against a piracy, becomes the beginning of the end of distribution of counterfeit DVD-production in Russia and, in general, considerably will expand a circle of potential buyers licence DVD, experiencing material difficulties. Whether so it actually? Whether these measures are really effective and thoughts of the Russian companies-distributors are so pure? Let's look.
1. In the basic weight cheap licence DVD are characterised by enough poor quality of the image, a bad sound (an apportion 2.1, instead of 5.1), full absence of bonuses and frequently - an English sound track (it rather an important point as I, for example, I I know people whom presence of English language on a disk helps to improve skills of possession of it). To regret, with last two negative qualities some sin also "expensive" licence DVD.
2. Despite efficiency «лицензионщиков», "pirates" all the same advance them on release dates. Thus at them quality of the image does not concede to cheap licence disks, and the English sound track almost always is present. However, for the sake of justice it is necessary to notice, that at cost «пиратки» as call in the people counterfeit production, lose cheap DVD a little – their price varies from 100 to 150 roubles.
3. « Ahead of schedule »letting out cheap«лицензионки», the companies-distributors reserve the right to itself for more later reprinting of the same films, but already in« other packing »- with bonuses, English (or another) a sound track, a good sound etc., in any way not warning about it of the buyer. As an example the history with Doom can serve. When in shops there was this film, moreover under the"cheap"price, the agiotage has begun – all bought up it, being assured, that is the unique version of a film which will be on sale in Russia. However now leaves (or already there was) new,"expensive", so-called"full", version Doom – with all above-stated characteristics (according to announcement Universal Pictures Rus). Thus, in накладе there were the people who have earlier bought the"cut off"cheap version (first of all it concerns buyers for whom the disk price has basic value not, and its quality). And it not a unique example, and widespread enough practice (in the West too so do, but their special releases, basically, differ from the initial version of a film with fine characteristics simply quantity of bonuses).
Therefore it is represented, that the Russian distributors dissemble a little, speaking about struggle against "pirates" their methods (mainly, "efficiency" of release of films means). The obvious aspiration to receive бóльшую profit at the expense of release, to put it mildly, not absolutely qualitative production Is available. And "pirates", being assured of the advantages (see above), continue to fill up counters with the counterfeit goods.
Nevertheless, the choice always needs – to be bought for you cheap licence DVD, to wait for good expensive reprintings or, having given up as lost everything including on money, to order from abroad or through «the Purple legion» and "Ozone" magnificent первозонные versions.