I don't know if this has been discussed before or not, but it's something that been bugging me for a little while now.

Often times I'll get a DVD that was recently released and it's already in the database.  As I look through the profile it's chalked full of wrong information.  It has cast credits that are wrong and out of order, the overview is almost always wrong, the video format is usually wrong, the cover scans are usually generic low-quality and sometimes have 'copyrighted material' on them...I could go on.  I guess what I'm trying to get at is this...

It seems that DVD Profiler staff and supporters put a lot of emphasis on making sure things are entered correctly and nothing is taken from "third party databases".  So why are pre-release profiles okay?  What purpose do they serve?  If the person who wants to add it to the DB wants the movie, then buy it and add it when it's released then we can be sure the info is correct the first time and save the screeners time. (especially now with the new update and everyone racing to the be one with the most profile contributions accepted by updating moot pieces of the profile and nothing else *rolls eyes*)  It seems to me that pre-release profiles are only done to pad the number of profile contributions accepted in members' own profiles. *rolls eyes again*  If you have no intention of buying the movie then why do you care if it's in the DB or not?  If you do add the pre-release profile and are planning on buying the movie, then why not be the first to correct the information that is not correct and finish filling in the fields with correct information?

I'm looking at a profile right now.  It was submitted on July 6th 2008, the DVD was released September 9th 2008 and I purchased it on September 25th 2008 and when I looked at the profile I had to do through and correct the usual information.  I am now looking at the DVD Collection of the person who added the pre-release profile and the movie is still not in that collection list.  So why did this person add the movie?  Doesn't make sense to me, but I'm willing to listen if there are indeed good reasons for this.  Not that it matters really.  Just in a ranty mood right now.

I actually agree with you aka510. It's something I have mentioned in the past.

However, the ability to add pre-release films to your wish list is a prominent feature of Profiler - and those profiles have to come from somewhere.

In most cases people are meant to still gather information such as release date/EAN/SRP etc from reliable etailers.
While cast/crew etc are meant to be left blank - as these cannot be verified visually. (Although I know there is an argument for copying cast from old VHS tapes for films that are finally getting a DVD release).

What actually happens, in my opinion, is people see pre-release profiles as an opportunity to put personal preference data into the online database...with no actual thought about the consequences to the database or to such tools as the Credit Lookup.

What I can tell you is that no matter how frustrating it is for you this is a feature that will NOT be going away.

The best thing to do is simply to take these pre-release profiles at face value and use them for the purpose they are meant: ie, to go in your Wish List.

Hope that helps explain the logic a little.

Steve:

If you have ever seen any of my pre-release Profiles they are indeed very limted. But to eliminate Actors and crew seems excessive. Roles I would agree with. But for example The Dark Knight, I can tell you without seeing the credits, that Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Maggie Gyllenhal, Gary Oldman, Aaron Eckhart, Michael caine and Morgan Freeman had prominent roles in the film. They may have to be re-ordered and of course role data will need to be filled in once we have the disc in hand, but basic cast data info is not terribly difficult.

Pre-release data is VERY important BTW. Even though from time to time the release dates turns into a moving target.

Don't ask me who is in the new Star trek beyond Leonard Nimoy.

Skip

Quoting skipnet50:

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Steve:

If you have ever seen any of my pre-release Profiles they are indeed very limted. But to eliminate Actors and crew seems excessive. Roles I would agree with. But for example The Dark Knight, I can tell you without seeing the credits, that Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Maggie Gyllenhal, Gary Oldman, Aaron Eckhart, Michael caine and Morgan Freeman had prominent roles in the film. They may have to be re-ordered and of course role data will need to be filled in once we have the disc in hand, but basic cast data info is not terribly difficult.

Pre-release data is VERY important BTW. Even though from time to time the release dates turns into a moving target.

Don't ask me who is in the new Star trek beyond Leonard Nimoy.

Skip

Makes NO difference Skip, as I believe I told you once before, the original release of "The Living Daylights" had to be withdrawn from sale just a couple of days after being released because one of either the cast or crew objected to being included in the DVD version. In the end the title was released but with edited credits as an agreement could not be reached over it.

So as required under the Rules, cast & crew should only come from the DVD credits, else you might as well just use IMDb, they seem to list everybody and his dog for credits. If you want this to be the most accurate DB for DVD's available then as you keep telling people Credits from the Credits Period, you can't have it both ways.

As I said earlier YES I use the Pre-Release feature of DVDP I have even submitted data for some of these myself, but I just supply Release Date (which as you say can move), SRP (if know), Film Produced date (again if know) and if available Pre-Release cover artwork. I have already in my wish list some films that haven't even be seen in the UK cinema's yet, some TV shows tat haven't (that I am aware) been seen even in the US yet (BSG season 5) but once UPC/EAN 's are known and any other details (release date etc) I will be able to hopefully submit.

Steve

I for one am glad if the profiles are in the database since it helps me plan my purchases and track interesting releases. If you find that the info is wrong, why don't you correct it yourself instead of complaining? 

I'm not a big fan of those pre-release profile. I don't use DVDP to check what dvd will be release (many website are there for that). If someone really want to attach his/her name to a contribution (I don't see any other reasons for this) good for him/her, but at least keep the info minimal.

By the way DVDP is for cataloguing your dvd not to see your screen name everywhere. I've the same oppinion on the users who place thousands of title on their wishlist when they know that they will never buy them. This is just a way to vote on them and dictate their preference, I've much more problem with this problem and I don't see any good reasons to autorize the voting on the wishlist title (you can't check the dvd, why your vote would be right).

I have submitted Pre-Release submissions for DVDs that I have later removed from my Wishlist. When I did submit the info, which is usually limited to SRP, Release Date, Promotional Cover Images and Features, I ONLY take the info from the Media Publishers listing for the DVD. Many times I AM interested in buying the release, but sometimes I change my mind before the release hits the shelves.

I did this with the Season 1 release of BURN NOTICE. When I was looking over upcoming releases, I saw this and thought I would want to purchase it, When I tried to add it to my wishlist, it wasn't in the Database, so I submitted it. A couple of weeks later, I was looking at my wishlist to see what I had pegged as things I wanted to buy, and changed my mind on the BURN NOTICE set.

There are plenty of DVDs that are added on the release day as well. Many times they are small obscure releases that hadn't been added as a pre-release, but they are also many times store exclusives that have a unique UPC. Hancock had about 3 or 4 different store exclusive versions this week. I ended up submitting the Steelbook edition from Best Buy. Currently there is no Cast and Crew data, but either I or the many other users who purchased that edition will update that info.

Quoting Pantheon:

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Quoting AESP_pres:

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This is just a way to vote on them and dictate their preference, I've much more problem with this problem and I don't see any good reasons to autorize the voting on the wishlist title (you can't check the dvd, why your vote would be right).

I totally agree.

I have quite a few things in my wishlist presently.... but I NEVER, NEVER, NEVER vote on contributions for them (always press neutral) because I CAN'T check the information.

Anyone who votes YES or NO is wrong IMO.

I partially agree with this. Some things you can know without owning the title like release date, SRP, etc... Those I do vote on. If they don't provide sources or list invalid sources, I vote. I don't vote on contributions when you can only know by having the title.