This is a new endeavor so please be patient. As always, any and all constructive comments are welcomed.

Thanks to a kind suggestion by a visitor here I am starting a trend section. This section will initially provide some statistics to show which studios are discontinuing the most titles, who is re-releasing a lot of 'enhanced' discs etc. I will be adding trends for types and participants of commentaries and other information shortly.

Updated or re-released trend: MGM/UA has discontinued a number of titles that have been re-released by Warner Brothers. In almost all cases the discs are the same when re-released. This trend is also seen with Red Distribution and 5.1 Entertainment.

Increase in DVD Releases:

The number of DVDs being released each year is growing rapidly. Here is a breakdown of the number of DVD releases for each year.

Video Version trend for upcoming releases: Looking just at titles listed as 'Pending' 76.3% are being released in 4:3 only, 1.9% in pan and scan only, 0.5% in dual p/s and LBX mode, 1.8% in dual p/s 16:9 mode, .01% in 4:3/anamorphic dual mode, 6.0% in LBX and finally 13.4% in anamorphic only mode. Remember, these stats are for all titles released so they include a lot of special interest discs, old TV shows, music discs etc.

Initial Commentary Trend: Many studios are requiring the actors to participate in commentary tracks before a film is even released in the theaters. Films like the recent Rollerball (2002) had the actors and other cast members lay down the commentary track before the film even hit the theaters. The commentary track is becoming one of the most usual extra included on DVDs. The most common participants are director and cinematographer. Among the rarest is the screenwriter (not counting where the director also wrote the screenplay). More independent films are now receiving commentary

Version trends: Taking a look at the studios with the best record for anamorphic releases shows some interesting trends. For discs with both pan and scan and anamorphic Columbia/TriStar takes the lead followed by MGM/UA with Artisan and Warner tied for third. For the overall release of anamorphic titles Columbia comes in first again followed by Warner Brothers, MGM, Anchor Bay, Paramount, Universal, Buena Vista. Image, Fox and New Line.  

Audio Trends: For studios with the most 5.1 Dolby releases once more Columbia is at the top of the list followed by Warner Brother, Image, Buena Vista, Paramount and Universal. For DTS as the main format the ranking is Universal, Image, DVD International and Red Distribution. Columbia is only now turning to DTS with the release of its Superbit line of discs. The popularity of the new Dolby ES and DTS EX formats are represented by Anchor Bay in the lead followed by Warner Brothers, Universal and Buena Vista.

Most Releases: The studio responsible for the highest percent of DVDs in region one is Image followed by Warner Brothers, Columbia/TriStar, Pioneer, MGM/UA, Universal and Buena Vista.

Top Ten Lists: