Skip to content

Thanks for buying AnyMovie on DVD!

Congratulations on your recent purchase of AnyMovie on DVD! You are just a few quick steps away from enjoying this fine feature on your home theater system. To get started, here's all you need to do...

  1. Remove the AnyMovie DVD from the bag provided by the store.
  2. Remove the shrink wrap from the AnyMovie DVD. Note that this step will require either exceedingly long and sharp nails, a pair of scissors, or a knife of some sort. Take care when using the scissors or knife that you don't accidentally damage AnyMovie's packaging--we spent hours creating those glorious photos and writing that flowing text. It'd be a shame to damage the package before you even have AnyMovie open!
  3. Remove the decorative slipcover that protects the AnyMovie DVD case, which in turn, protects the AnyMovie DVD itself. Don't misplace this slipcover, though, as you'll want to keep it handy when storing the AnyMovie DVD in your DVD rack. During this step, you may notice that the slipcover and the actual DVD case have identical artwork, front and back. This may lead you to wonder why we included the slipcover, since it appears redundant, increases shipping costs, and eventually increases landfill usage. Don't worry about such things; that's our job. Just rejoice in the knowledge that you'll soon be enjoying AnyMovie on your own theater system.
  4. Using either your sharp fingernails, the scissors, or the knife from step two, remove the sticky anti-theft wraps that we have thoughtfully placed on the top, right, and bottom edges of the DVD case. You may find these annoying, especially as they have a tendency to either tear apart or rip off portions of the DVD case artwork, but rest assured--they're there for your protection. Really. See, if they weren't there, then we'd be forced to charge more for the AnyMovie DVD due to increased piracy. You see, there's no telling how many people would stand there in the store, rip the shrink wrap off the package, remove the slipcover from the DVD case, pry open the DVD case, and remove the disc(s) before slipping out of the store unnoticed. Thanks to these plastic peel-offs, though, we don't have to worry about such things.
  5. Turn the DVD case on its edge, and look at the long side of the case. Notice the two tabs with the words "Open" and the small arrows pointing up. Insert your sharp fingernail, or other suitably pointed object, into the nearly-invisible crack at the top of these tabs, then pry in a downward direction. With luck, the tabs will pop open. If you're out of luck, though, your fingernail will pop off, or your sharp object will break. If this happens, please find another fingernail or sharp object to use to complete this step. If you're bleeding, first apply a bandage to prevent any blood from staining the AnyMovie DVD. (Our warranty doesn't cover malfunctioning discs caused by consumers' bleeding onto the media).
  6. Open the DVD case, and quickly scan through the valuable movie discounts and other advertising we've included to keep your costs down. Again, we're acting in your interests here. Without these inserts, your cost would be notably higher. If you splurged on the Special Edition of AnyMovie, then you may find some interesting-looking related extras. If you bought the standard version, you're now staring at an empty black case, devoid of anything useful other than the disc itself.
  7. Remove the disc from the carrier. Note that this will require at least two hands, and possibly three, especially if you have small hands. Do your best not to touch the disc in any way during this step; you may get a fingerprint or scratch on it, which will, of course, not be covered under warranty (we cannot be responsible for damage caused by the consumer).
  8. Insert the DVD into your player, and then sit back and enjoy AnyMovie!

Yes, I received a few DVDs for Christmas. Yes, I think the packaging for DVDs has gone beyond ridiculous to the point of idiocy. Do I think things will change anytime soon? Unfortunately, no. But I feel better now, having ranted about it a bit!

9 thoughts on “Thanks for buying AnyMovie on DVD!”

  1. "8. Insert the DVD into your player, and then sit back and enjoy AnyMovie!"

    Or not. You forgot:
    • Put the DVD into the player,
    • Try to find the remote ( as the DVD player has no buttons to actually play the DVD on it),
    • Skip all the previews (if they come before the menu),
    • Wait while the menu loads with a slick animation,
    • Figure out where the play button on the menu is (or hope that it is default, note: this must be done with your eyes closed and the TV muted, as you don't want the movie clips on the menu to give the movie away),
    • Choose widescreen or fullscreen if the disk is a hybrid,
    • Press the menu button on the remote and repeat the previous two steps as you in inevitably chose the wrong one,
    • Skip previews (if they are here),
    • Read the FBI warning, which cannot be skipped, and
    • Finally…
    • Watch the movie.

    Remember, DVD's are infinitely better than VHS tapes. Just keep telling yourself that.

  2. ...or simply have your better half/companion/friend/etc setup everything and then yell out when the movie is about to start - he he. Oh, and be sure that DVD doesn't slip to the floor otherwise that 'man's best friend' will think it's a Frisbee and leap into action.

  3. And sometimes removing the disc from the carrier (step 7) is made easier for you because in transit the disc as already popped out of its intended holding place, likely scratching the disc as it sloshed around loose in the carrier before you ever even purchased it, which leads to a trip back to the store to exchange the DVD and allowing you to enjoy this entire process once again.

  4. Gee, here in France things aren't anywhere near as bad (nor are they for DVDs I buy from the UK). Shrink wrap, yes, but no anti-theft thingy; sleeve in some cases, but not always (generally only for gatefold DVD holders); and advertising and previews are rare.

  5. The MPAA and RIAA think we (the ones that pay their salaries thru sales toSony, Time-Warner, et. al) are masochistic IP pirates.

  6. Pingback: Breaking Windows 2.0

  7. Yes I love DVD packaging too. I have also become fond of CD packaging, since the sticky wraps tend to leave a nice residue on the case. No doubt though, the best of all is when you get a set of DVDs that is shrink wrapped and than has individually shrink wrapped movies.

  8. Pingback: links for 2006-01-16 at Musings of a Chicagoan

  9. I've been meaning to write about this for some time. Now I can just point here. :) Thanks Rob!

    At my house the family is somewhere between amused and annoyed when I get movies and start my special process I have developed to remove all the unnecessary crap from the cases.

    The stickers are the worst. I honestly can't see how anyone would think they might prevent theft...

Comments are closed.