How does it look on the shelf? Packaging Comparisons

Typical DVD packaging. The cardboard construction of most DVD packages make them a tad flimsy.

VHS
VHS packaging comes it two types; the cardboard box and the plastic clamshell case. Both have about he same amount of surface area while the clamshell can also hold a small booklet or other thin freebie. Because VHS tapes are thick, some tapes have SpineScenes® that make for a nice way to show off a collection.

Laserdisc
Laserdisc packaging is the same size of the disc and folds out to offer tons of printable area. Because of its large size, it is easy for distributors to include full size booklets as well as many other neat freebies that would not normally fit in a VHS or DVD package.

DVD
DVD's packaging is very similar to VHS. Although instead of only having a front a back, it also has a third printable area inside. It can hold small thin booklet inside when closed, but nothing more. The size is awkward and most packages are part plastic and part cardboard. This makes them very flimsy and the plastic easy to break.

Winner = Laserdisc
Laserdiscs have the best packaging because of their size and gatefold qualities. It's like getting a free poster with your purchase, whereas VHS and DVD are just small and hold less. VHS does get points for SpineScenes®, though. As for DVDs, it's best to just take them out of the flimsy packaging and put them into audio CD jewel cases for easier storage.

The large size of an LD jacket allows for extra goodies such as liner notes and extra artwork.

VHS
Video tapes offer the least in bells and whistles. They sometimes can have trailers at the end, but you have to fast-forward to get to them. Other than that, there really isn't anything.

Laserdisc
Laserdiscs offer perfect still-store, frame-by-frame viewing, multiple languages, and chapter skipping. Other features include, multiple speeds, on screen displays that can show remaining time and some players allow you to track the actual frames when viewing CAV discs. Many companies like to include extras such as trailers, pencil tests and liner notes with their LDs.

DVD
DVDs offer everything that laserdiscs offer with the addition of up to eight audio tracks and on screen menu systems that can be fully animated with sound. This extra level of interactivity can allow DVD's to offer simple games and quizzes along with the movie. Their packaging can't hold as much, but liner notes and other paper goodies are typically redone and integrated into the on-screen menus.

Winner = DVD
What DVDs lack in packaging, they make up in interactivity. The on screen menus are really nice to use, and can hold a lot of the same information you would normally get on paper with a laserdisc. DVDs almost always include trailers and production notes along with the movie.