View Full Version : Screener Copy Only Message
I've recently received Fear of the Dark (R1) from DVDSoon and throughout the film the message "Screener Copy Only" is displayed at the bottom of the screen. Could this be a pirate? PQ seems OK. I'd rather know before emailing them, although I don't really want a film with any messages popping up every now and again.:confused:
It's also the first R1 I've received that hasn't had those security stickers on it....if that's relevant.
graham.myers
13-03-2004, 7:55 PM
sounds like a pirate to me. from dvdsoon you say - weird
Sounds like one of those DVDs they send out to the Film Academy for Oscar previews?! Very strange :confused:
Cheers guys, I've filled out the Replacing Items section on DVDSoons site, and I'll see what happens.
bowenjones
13-03-2004, 10:35 PM
What could've happened is that someone ordered the dvd
and replaced it with the pirate disc and sent it back saying
it was faulty. They then sent the "faulty" disc out to you.
I ordered a mobile phone from one of the shopping channels
once and I couldn't register it as it had been reported stolen!
I don't think that any reputable online company would send
out pirate goods - the consequences would be too great.
Was the dvd shrink wrapped?
captaineyecatch
13-03-2004, 11:53 PM
Hasnt Fear of the Dark dvd got recalled due to a fault on the dvd ?? Looks like you have found out what the fault is
Sandi at discemporium was also asking about this see herehttp://www.avforums.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=122078&highlight=fear+of+the+dark
JIimmy
14-03-2004, 9:00 AM
Originally posted by Lex
Sounds like one of those DVDs they send out to the Film Academy for Oscar previews?! Very strange :confused:
The studios did not do send out screeners this year to stop them being pirated iirc.
KraGorn
14-03-2004, 9:29 AM
The ban only lasted a short time, the MPAA backed-down in the face of a threatened law suit ... though some like New Line reverted to VHS rather than DVD for screeners.
Fatti
14-03-2004, 10:31 AM
Originally posted by captaineyecatch
Hasnt Fear of the Dark dvd got recalled due to a fault on the dvd ?? Looks like you have found out what the fault is
Sandi at discemporium was also asking about this see herehttp://www.avforums.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=122078&highlight=fear+of+the+dark
It was recalled and DVDSoon had it down as a preorder for March 30th. Mine was shipped on March 9th, two days after placing the order. I wonder if I got the tail end of the 'problem' version.
Originally posted by bowenjones
I don't think that any reputable online company would send
out pirate goods - the consequences would be too great.
Was the dvd shrink wrapped?
I also can't imagine for one minute that DVDSoon would knowing send out a screener version. It was shrink wrapped and had the same problem that Lex mentioned in his thread http://www.avforums.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=123472...it was stuck to the spine and left bits behind. The only thing it didn't have was those security stickers you get on the top and bottom of the case.
I've emailed them the Affidavit they've ask for with a screen grab of the offending message....just wait and see what happens now.
Not heard anything from DVDSoon, so I thought I'd give them a ring - Excellent customer service. Apparantly their emails are a bit back-logged at the moment as they are short staffed.
I asked what the "Screener Copy Only" message meant, and after a long pause, she said they were versions sent to the retailers for them to watch and shouldn't of actually been sold. Oh well, least they were honest, if not a bit embarassed.
cybersoga
18-03-2004, 5:45 PM
I recon they made that up, the problem was probably a mistake when the dvd was mastered. Why would retailers have special versions to watch themselves? Do review copies have these messages?
docsmith2k1
18-03-2004, 5:58 PM
Non of the promotional DVD's I have had for review have ever included this kind of marking. They have always been the same as retail versions except in standard jewel cases rather than DVD cases, occasionally the "extras" have been on VCR tapes.
Originally posted by cybersoga
I recon they made that up, the problem was probably a mistake when the dvd was mastered. Why would retailers have special versions to watch themselves? Do review copies have these messages?
Judging by the pause before answering, I did wonder whether it might be plucked-out-air answer. Even so, they've admitted it shouldn't it shouldn't of been sold, and have promised a replacement, so I'm happy with that.
ferris57
20-03-2004, 1:04 AM
I recon they made that up, the problem was probably a mistake when the dvd was mastered. Why would retailers have special versions to watch themselves?
Video rental shops used to recieve vhs copies with screener messages exactly as described. Basically for them to decide if they wanted to stock the movie or not.
Well, after about 3 weeks, I finally go the replacement, and guess what....the replacement got the Screener Copy only messages as well.....aaarrrggghhhh !!!!!!
Roughneck1
16-04-2004, 10:48 AM
This is a studio mistake, they pressed the screener version instead of a "clean print".
This versions was recalled but some are still out their with distributors. No way of telling that i know of until you open and view.