How did they come up with that DVD Packaging?

[Spider-Man]

How did they come up with the idea for the basic amaray case for DVDs? That's the packaging that we see on the majority of DVDs. Given how close DVDs basically are to CDs why didn't they just make similar jewel cases for DVDs that resemble the CD case?

[Simpler Simon]

Possibly to show that they are a different (maybe superior) product compared to VCDs, which use the same size packaging as CD cases.

It also gives the DVD the same level of "respectability" as VHS tapes, back when people had more tapes on their shelves than discs. You got the height of the VHS box but only half the thickness, a nice visual representation of the advances in technology.

[Stu]

DVD's are actually more "collectable" than CD's too. When DVD's where originally released, they were aimed at the upper market. Having low quality packaging would be a direct 'violation' of the market they were aiming for.

Given how many of my CD cases have snapped, crushed, broke etc, I'm glad that DVDs come in stellar packaging. I actually think it's time for CDs to improve thier packaging too.

[sdp]

as a kid i liked the jewelcases but now i find them not interesting but also kind of old looking and i hate them because of how easy they break :mad: I prefer digipacks for cd packaging.

I find the snappers to be the "jewel case" for dvds.

[Adam Tyner]

Given how many of my CD cases have snapped, crushed, broke etc, I'm glad that DVDs come in stellar packaging.Exactly. I think the Amaray's pretty much perfect.

[Michael24]

There were some DVDs very early on that were only sold in jewel cases. One of the first discs I ever saw was THE SHADOW, and it came in a standard jewel case, as did SUDDEN DEATH and a couple others. They were all later reissued in Amaray cases, though every once in awhile, I still see a DVD for a cheaper movie in a jewel case.

[Scorpio_G]

In my Esthero CD it packaged like a old vinel(sp?) record. You can unflold the flaps to read the listings and in a side pocket the cd comes out. And my Gorillaz Demon Days album it fold out in 4 overlapping squares revealing the CD when you open them all.

At first I was like, WTF? But the packeging grew on me. :D It'll be cool if DVD use this way of packeging too. It saves a lot of space, especialy when you living in a really small dorm room.

[Duke]

Exactly. I think the Amaray's pretty much perfect.Amaray's awesome for 1-2 disc sets (Swinging hinges are a gift from God), though I do wish we'd see more clear swinging hinge cases (the only one I've seen is for GitS: SAC Vol. 2), and more 3-4 disc Amaray cases (Technically, you can fit 4 DVDs in one Amaray case). I've seen something similar with Bandai's Gundam Collection sets, but I still would rather like to see a fully packed Amaray case.

'Course, I also wish we'd get more thin-pak sets instead of Digipaks. Kinda like the Stargate Atlantis boxset, but with a better quality artbox.

[Mynd Hed]

Besides the fragility of jewel cases, I think the other big reason for the switch was probably because a rectangular case would more easily allow studios to adapt movie posters for use as cover art.