What is this trope? Definition drift?: Better On DVD

The trope as originally conceived is that there are zero changes from the TV or film version to the DVD, yet in the DVD format it is improved because of seeing the Story Arc or Character Development immediately instead of several months.

The problem with the trope is outlined in the OP, people are applying other concepts of what exactly is "Better" on DVD. "Better" is not referring to the actual visual quality. It's about better seeing the products merits when viewed on DVD. What you're talking about is a fringe idea connected to the name rather than the trope. It has it's own merits, it could even be called Cleaned Up For The DVD, but it isn't the trope (In fact a lot of movies are modified for their video releases including simple touch-ups like you're describing, it can be impossible to find the original theatrical version). You could even apply the THX enhanced Star Wars VHS releases made in the early 90's, no actual changes were made but the effects were cleaned up.

edited 20th Apr '11 1:51:18 PM by KJMackley

<Mod Hat ON>

Dunno why this was locked. It isn't concluded. Unlocking.

<Mod Hat OFF>

Thank ya Foxymod.

Enhanced on DVD might be the correct trope for it. Although it can (very rarely) appear in manga magazines to tankoubon format as well. (Negima's tanks gets corrected latin few fixed errors and other things.)

Bah the tag is gone on the Better on DVD page.

Anyway here are some more comparisons of TV to DVD/BD that is the other use for this trope.

[1]◊ [2]◊ [3]◊ [4]◊ [5]◊

edited 27th Apr '11 7:44:24 PM by Raso

Tag is back. Locking the thread removed it. Editing the trope name attached to the thread title restores it.

Ahh thanks foxy mod I didnt know that.

Anyway the actual Anime fandom term for this is "Shafted" after Studio Shaft who does this to every one of their shows. But it isnt unique to Studio Shaft as tons of studios do it in various degrees such as Seven Arcs with Nanoha. or possibly to clean up Off-Model like XEBEC tried to do with Negima! S1.

edited 27th Apr '11 7:51:59 PM by Raso

Bump

I see you're pretty dedicated to the trope so I would suggest making a YKTTW for Enhanced on DVD and that would help clarify Better on DVD's definition.

I guess.. Last time I did a YKTTW I got a lot of flames from people so I guess here goes.

edited 1st May '11 12:39:57 AM by Raso

Here it is.

edited 1st May '11 12:47:01 AM by Raso

Ok DQZ brought up a good point in the YKTTW.

Quite a bit of the misuse here is actually Too Hot for TV which needs some serious Trope Pimping especially in the anime department. One line for ecchi anime needs to be fleshed out to about 1000% its size and wicks need to be created...

edited 2nd May '11 8:10:19 AM by Raso

I agree. I've never heard of it, which is surprising, considering how common it have become in anime.

Should I create another thread for that? YKTTW a small piece to get a list going then merge? Pimp the thing in the anime forum?

Do need to add lines about how in anime that censoring TV releases is a way some companies use to increase DVD sales.

The scope and usage of this trope may be better represented by a title or alt title along the lines of: Better When Binged or Better Serialized.

The best way to reduce confusion between this and Too Hot for TV is probably just to get the latter more exposure, such as by adding examples on the pages of popular users (Queens Blade, Seikon No Qwaser, Strike Witches, Manyu Hikencho etc.)

Should we start by softsplitting the "watching sequentially improves the viewing experience" examples from the "improved visuals in the commercial release" examples?

I have a YKTTW up for that right now (still) [1] its died because no one liked the name and no one could suggest a better one... even after me bumping 50 times and posting in the YKTTW repair shop thread.

As well as confusion with Updated Re-release (which is related but different.)

It's Up For Grabs if anyone wants it.

edited 25th Jul '11 5:14:24 PM by Raso

I've added a suggestion: Upgraded On DVD

Now that I think about it if "Upgraded On DVD" is going to get launched this trope might do well with a rename, because as we already discussed "Better" is a fairly generic term that can be applied to a lot of other things. "DVD Friendly Story" ...maybe.

On a slightly related topic, this trope may be the reason why some shows do so much better in reruns. Viewers can make it more of a daily routine (7 o'clock is X time) and you also don't have months in between episodes.

For this specific trope, that shows are better when you don't have to deal with tv schedules, something like Better When Binged might work.

Better As A Marathon?

I think either of the two above work nicely.

YKTTW in progress. This thread has served its purpose.