I agree with you on this whole heartedly, I think we have all been a little too critical of DEI. I mean come on guys, DEI even at its worst is far better than 'Video Sound, Eros, YRF, WEG etc. I know that lately their standards have semed to come down but even then please keep in mind the kind of business environment they have to work in. What I mean by that is, due to the obviously low cost of production of DEI competitors I am sure it must be hard for DEI to be able to compete with them and at the same time keep the quality of their DVDs. After all quality does cost money and also time (something they can ill afford due to piracy). At the same time I think DEI should also keep in mind that we react so strongly to bad quality from DEI, because we expect better from it. Also unless they get their act together soon enough, they will lose the immense goodwill they have earned over the years.
Regarding Sandish personally. Well I don't know him personally nor have I ever talked to him. But I have written to him a couple of times, not of late though, and each time he has responded to my emails promptly and he has taken the time to answer each one of the issues or questions that I have raised. He has even acted upon a couple of suggestions made by me in the past. This in itself puts Sandish and DEI far above the other companies in the Indian DVD business. On the other hand I have written to all the other DVD manufacturers and not one of them has even had the courtesy to even acknowledge my emails, let alone answer my querries and/or take the suggestions I have made.

In closing I say, give DEI the benefit of the doubt. That their problems are genuine and temporary, hopefully that is and that they will get their act together sooner rather than later. I for one still have not lost faith in DEI, atleast not yet. So Sandish, if you are reading this, please don't let our faith in DEI go to vain.

PS: There is one other thing we should keep in mind regarding costs. Unlike the other companies whose primary business is Theatrical exhibition of films with DVD rights coming in cheap. Wheras in the case of DEI they have to acquire the rights for DVDs seperately and presumably at a higher expense than their competitors.

Can I add that Abhay and YDA have been sucesses on DVD, and YDA is a semi-hit in India. I think therefore the choices of films are plausible. Remember they are in it for the business, regardless weather the film's they chosse are (in your opinon) bad. I persoanlly loved Abhay and hope for DEI to pick more films that are bold in its subject matter. Furthermore Abhay was a massive budget film costing around Rs25crores.

But the DVD quality was bad on Abhay (compared to other discs they have done). The Ayngaran DVD version (dispite its shortcomings of cropped aspect ratio, and wear and tear) wins over the DEI DVD version by miles.

Guys some interesting reading here in these posts. When you can buy a DEI DVD for under $10 bucks you're not gonna get reference quality disc. I tend to agree with S S Audit, companies like DEI,EROS and others are in a business to make a profit so quality will have to take a back seat,as I stated earlier disc's selling for 10 to 15 bucks will give you entertainment not quality,it's too much to ask. Since quality of DEI is somewhat better compared to others i don't blame Lakeshore in being too hard in his criticism,I guess it's the only way to keep the pressure up as it appears from SK's post DEI appears to be listening. On one hand there are several of you posting info on new movies but there are just a few like lakeshore we can count on for posting info on oldies. most of us have old folks,sorry I mean our parents who still prefer to watch oldies so where do I turn to?.

Like I stated companies like DEI,EROS have to turn up a profit to keep in business but if they are forced to use crappy prints for DVD transfer's I ask they put a disclaimer on DVD's covers especially the oldies to warn consumers of quality being compromised. I know it's not going to happen but just wanted DEI and others to keep that in mind.

If wishes were horses beggars may ride. But you are right main wohi hoon since DEI is a cut above the rest we do expect a consistent quality of their work, and yes we should jump on the band wagon with Lakeshore and keep the pressure on. Oh by the way, I am one of the old folks and would welcome reviews on old movies. As for them issuing a disclaimer it's tantmount to them saying they do crappy work.