So today is the big day for people looking to buy the Lost Season 5 DVD or blu-ray. Why buy the DVD? Because, like me, you probably only have a DVD player. Why buy the blu-ray? Because, as people are telling me, the quality is leagues above the DVD's, and they put a special Lost University add-on with the blu-ray that's not available on DVD. Is that fair? Well, the blu-ray is a lot more expensive, so it's nice they're giving something to those who are shelling out for the more expensive set. But if, like me, you've been buying the DVDs from the beginning, before blu-ray even existed, then it's a little annoying that they're telling me this expensive collection I now own is next to worthless and I need to trade up. Sigh. It's like that feeling I got going into Costco last week and seeing the entire Angel SERIES on DVD for $60. Ugh. That's probably what I paid per season...Anyway, for those are are planning on getting it on DVD (comme moi), if you ALSO want a fantabulous guide to the 5th season, go here to check out my guide to season 5 in print form. Don't attempt to watch season 5 without it!! And, if you scroll down, you'll see they're doing the joint offer where you can buy the DVD and the book for a discount (the book is about $10 when you buy it with the DVD!)
In Finding Lost Season 5 I tie together the threads that we've seen from the beginning to this point, and I provide detailed analyses of several books, including Y: The Last Man, A Separate Reality, The Little Prince, Everything That Rises Must Converge, and Ulysses. Yes, Ulysses. In a 20-page epic analysis. And my analysis of the season finale? Over 10,000 words long. You can't miss this!!
And if you already have the book, wouldn't it make a GREAT Christmas gift for someone else?! Yes. Yes it would. Go now! Buy!
Oh, and while you're at it, please remember to vote for me for the Canadian Blog Awards. Apparently you can vote every few hours, according to some of my readers. The ballot is here, and thanks to everyone who voted so far!
15 comments:
congrats, nikki! the book is AWESOME and a total testament to your passion for this show! i highly recommend people get it, if they haven't already!
You need an internet connection to use the Lost University feature on the Blu-Ray set, which is why it wasn't included in the DVD set. I just bought my limited edition set and can't wait to crack it open. I've asked for your book for Christmas, and I'm afraid I can not wait that long to start watching.
"Lost: The Complete Seasons 1-5" is the featured Deal of the Day at Amazon.com. This offer is valid today only, December 8, 2009, and while supplies last.
The Amazon Deal of the Day price is just $108.99 for the Blu-ray set--70% off the list price of $359.95, or $72.99 for the DVD set--70% off the list price of $239.95.
N.B. I have no connection whatsoever with Amazon.com and will not profit in any way whatsoever if others take advantage of this deal.
Hi Nikki, I just sent you an email re: Zari's post.
Fellow Losties, have you guys ordered off US internet sites? I am worried about the brokerage fees and customs/duties. It looks like a great deal...
Watching LOST without Nikki's Finding LOST series nearby is like Lennon without McCartney. Like Abbott without Costello. Like franks without the beans. Like scotch without the soda. Like merry without the christmas (happy without the hannukkah?). Like Jacob without the Man in Black .... oh, wait ....
Okay, bad analogy, there. Buy the book! Take advantage of the deal! Live happily ever after! And, don't forget to floss.
Hey Nikki, love the new book, it's making me anxious to watch season 5 all over again. I was wondering how much you know about the limited edition season 5 dvd? I see they've included a Dharma orientation video, but I haven't owned a vcr in about 7 years, so is it worth buying?
I don't know why anyone who frequents this blog wouldn't buy Nikki's books. You not only get in-depth analysis that organizes and considerably adds to what we discuss here, you can assuage any guilt you might get from knowing that Nikki makes absolutely zilch from running this blog/forum by buying the books and getting the books in the bargain. Think of it as supporting PBS (or whatever your local, non-US equivalent might be) and getting a great gift for just $15 instead of, like, a canvas bag for five times that.
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Verification word: unsemana — Barenaked Ladies' Spanish fan club.
Nikki: It's like that feeling I got going into Costco last week and seeing the entire Angel SERIES on DVD for $60.
I saw two-packs of the series -- Seasons 1 & 2 and 3 & 4 together -- at Target for $20 each. They do have some extras (including a couple of commentaries) listed on the back, but I'm still wondering if anything is different beyond the packaging. Does anybody here have experience to draw from there? I don't have the series on DVD at all yet, nor do I need it, but I'll want to rewatch it one day and I've had my eye on them if a Target gift card comes my way this season.
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Verification word: polin — How we gauge public opinion on Sarah Palin?
@Nikki - the only real advantage of Blu-ray is the sound quality and the extra's. Blu-ray players play and upscale standard DVD's so the picture quality is vertually the same on stuff recorded pre 2005(Older stuff can become even more grainy when upscaled). The advantage of BD is the extra features which is great when watching films like Transformers for example. Its great to see how all the CGI etc was created BUT when it comes to Lost we all know CGI is not the main concern !(we have all seen the dodgy looking Sub !). Personally I think the 'Lost on Location' extras are fantastic and I wish they would include more of these.
ps: Check out Q.I on youtube..Mr Fry is excellent.
@Blam: considering my vocal stance in favor of blu-ray, you won't be surprised to hear me recommend this format over standard DVD. Blu-ray DVD's hold up to 7x the amount of content that a standard DVD does - now, this is not to say that every disc is filled to that extent (e.g., the blu-ray versions of Seasons 1&2 contain the same number of features as the original DVD's). However, the remastered video ranges from every bit as good as the original to fanTASTIC in it's richness, depth of color, sharpness and overall WOW factor. As CNET says, "Blu-ray ... uses better video-compression methods, resulting in more contrast and richer colors".
More importantly, in addition to high-definition video, blu-ray DVD's offer higher resolution audio options. More CNET: "New high-resolution soundtrack formats, such as Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio, are essentially identical to the studio master, so you'll be hearing things exactly as the director and audio engineers intended." As you can imagine with a show such as LOST, the use of ambient audio, along with Michael Giacchino's phenomenal score, significantly impacts one's enjoyment of/appreciation for the presentation as a whole.
As for features, it's not just that there is more space to include additional offerings. The way that they are presented often differs: CNet, "The most basic innovation is the pop-up menu, which allows you to access the menu functions while the movie continues playing. Other innovations include picture-in-picture video commentary and the ability to download new content right from your Blu-ray player". Among other things, this refers to BD-Live, which on the Season 5 set allows you to use your internet connection (most blu-ray players offer this kind of connectivity) to connect to LOST University, about which you may have heard quite a bit by now.
This additional content access means - new and different trailers going forward, instead of the same ol', same ol' in perpetuity, notifications and perhaps delivery of additional related material that was created after the disc was released, etc.
Lastly, this codec has currently won out over HD-DVD as the high-definition delivery system of choice. While not guaranteed forever (nothing is), it is most likely to be the video/audio standard for the forseeable future. When Neil Young recently released the first volume of his career-spanning Archives box set on CD, he also produced it for blu-ray DVD, saying, "There is just no comparison between [it] and a regular compact disc or even 5.1 sound. It's the difference between a true reflection of the music and a mere replica."
Yes, it's more expensive - but as you replace/add components to your home entertainment system going forward, you will be acquiring the devices that maximally take advantage of this technology. It's an investment in the future. Not to minimize the cost issue - I'm well aware that many folks are struggling these days for basic necessities and that to advocate for this kind of luxury expenditure can come off as insensitive and tone-deaf to the social reality. I just feel that if you are considering a purchase and if you can conceivably save for one or the other - blu-ray is the way that you want to go.
The full article on blu-ray (a nice overview) at CNET can be found at http://reviews.cnet.com/blu-ray-guide
HA! My verification word is "remix". The Technology Gods chuckle mightily.
Jopinionated posted yesterday that she put in the blu-ray of Lost and was brought to tears by the sheer beauty of it. I almost ran out of my house and bought a blu-ray player right then and there. ;)
I'll admit I haven't kept up with the prices on blu-rays, but have they come down at all? I remember DVD players first coming out and they were in the thousands and now you can buy one for $75. I got mine when they'd come down to about $300, which was about a year or so after they'd first taken off. Are blu-rays still prohibitively expensive?
I still don't plan on rebuying everything on blu-ray... Lost, yes, but other series, no.
I've just never been an early adopter of technology. (I know, humanebean is nodding sagely and saying "TELL me about it.") I have a kindle on order!! Does that get me any technology pioneer brownie points? No? Damn.
Blu-ray prices have indeed come down. Particularly this holiday season, you can find them as low as $100 for the basic ones (I haven't seen one for $75 yet but I'll take your word for it, Nik!) and can comfortably find many in the $200-$300 range with all the bells and whistles. Now, that's a LOT, mind you, but as Nikii sayeth, a LOT LESS than they used to be.
More importantly, the costs of the discs themselves are dropping down towards what many folks have been paying for standard DVD's. Yes, they still get a premium price for the newest titles ($20 and up) but you routinely see sales of blu-ray discs for $10 or even less depending on the titles.
What?? You ordered a Kindle without even waiting to see what Apple's rumored 'tablet' is going to look like next spring?? *sigh* Actually, I hear people swear by their Kindle .. and it's certainly a LOT less expensive than Apple's tablet is likely to be. ; ]
Verification word: "weliz". As in, "weliz about time to upgrade to blu-ray!".
My copy shipped today :)
Voted for you number one and your friend number two in the blog awards. You definitely deserve it. Since July when I discovered your blog and your LOST books any other reading has taken a backseat!
Hey Nikki !
I just amazoned your book but have a questions.....im watching the Lie right now ( like as im writing)and i dont remember it getting answered but what exactly was bens plan that he was alluding to with Jill.....and something i dont even remember what would go wrong if the DIDNT go back/ why did they have to go back.....
i hope you amke more sense of it in your book O_o
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