Subiesport Issue 26 Feedback

[wrXmon]

My subscription ran out with the last print copy, coincidentally. So, please send me a copy of this new DVD format for review, and I will let you know what I think about it.

I'm open minded to change!

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[Magic Marker]

I just got my flier/DVD combo in the mail. I haven't had a chance to even look at the DVD. I much prefer to have the entire issue printed which is why I paid for a subscription. I see the Foz article in the flier, but I really don't feel like having to go to a computer or TV to read about it.

Is print media going to die? Not sure, but I can understand the idea of transitioning. If at all possible I'd like to vote keeping the magazine just that; a magazine. If that can't happen I'd rather cancel my subscription.

[424wrx]

i have to post about my updated thoughts. the dvd was a good start. could have been alot better and longer. the rally coverage was my favorite thing on there. i still like a magazine i can sit down and read. if this is gonna stay like this im gonna get a subscription to dsport. i love the idea of a subie specific magazine but dont seeing it evolving back to a magazine again like most people on here want. just my opinions.

[chop204]

I got mine a few days ago. DVD was alright but 14 pg magazine ?! If you guys went back to the normal length plus a DVD it would be sweet but I was a little dissapointed that I had to wait so long in between issues for this.

[iluvdrt]

I still have not recieved mine. This is BS.

[GT11]

I'd rather stick to print copies. I don't want to carry my computer around every time I want to read an article

[02_WRX_OK]

I am still waiting on my copy. Very unhappy.

[Magic Marker]

I think I misplaced my DVD.......

[KaptainKandy]

I have had my copy for about a week and a half and have yet to watch the DVD. While I have ranted in other threads I'm curious to know the SS staff's perspective with the criticism/feedback given in this thread.

The "magazine" shipped with the DVD seemed like something you guys threw in extra, aka filler with some advertisements. Another small yet disappointing thing for me was the packaging. Call me picky but when I buy a DVD, which it seems it the new direction for this magazine, I expect a real case for it. While you guys may be hard-up for cash, draw some pictures on the paper cover or something because otherwise it looks like junk mail. This way I could put it on the shelf and be able to differentiate issues via the spine without digging through a stack of DVDs.

It is unfortunate that you guys couldn't make more out of the magazine section despite that you had twice the time to put it out than you will going forward. At this point my expectations are unfortunately low but will continue to ride out the subscription to support the only independent Subaru publication.

[Aphex28]

Originally Posted by Hondaslayer

Finally got an issue at the shop here.

Going to have to say pass on taking on future issues.

I hate to be blunt, but I just do not see the market for this. I hope I am wrong and you guys do well with it, but I have a pretty good track record. Personally I buy a magazine to read during my downtime. I might be in my garage, at lunch or sitting on the can. I don't buy a magazine to watch on my computer.

Best of luck with the future.

This pretty much sums up my feelings as a whole. I watched some of the dvd, got bored so I started fast forwarding through it, was meagerly impressed, and pretty much shut it off after the rally coverage. Hey, at least I got my issue in early-mid August! I paid for a magazine, not a dvd. I would have bought a subaru dvd if I wanted one.

Let me just say, I have collected every issue since the beginning, and this one was the most upsetting by far. If the costs are too high, charge more! I would definitely pay more for a magazine with some actual content in greater quantities. If it continues in the route it's going now, I'm done with it.

[vf22wrx]

ya i dont like the dvd idea i would rather look at a mag. if they r going to this dvd thing im not reuping.

[bp_968]

The print portion of the magazine is pointless. If its going to be 30 pages just kill it off, don't waste the money printing and shipping it.

The DVD was interesting. For me, personally, if you had full, complete coverage (like in car footage, footage at major corners, interviews, etc) of most all the classes at all the Rally America events (and any other NASA, etc events you could get to) the subscription rate would totally be worth it to me. Having complete video coverage of all north american Stage rally would be awesome! Honestly, I'd prefer it in HD format (downloadable, or whatever) but DVD is liveable. It might even open up your readership since I suspect between TP/KB and Discovery picking up WRC america will really start to see how cool rally is.

Maybe you could increase the size of the "print" section (60-100 pages) and make it PDF only. I wouldn't mind printing it out or reading it on a laptop. But the 30 page "flyer" I was sent with the DVD was pretty useless I have to admit. It took me all of 3-4 minutes to read, probably less.

Serious Rally coverage would totally be worth it. If thats not included and the magazine stays the same size I probably won't renew.

Hope that information was useful, and good luck.

[jnorth85]

I received my "magazine" like others a while ago.
I flipped through it and was not impressed.

I still have yet to sit down in front of the TV to see the DVD When I read I am doing just that, reading.

I rarely get a chance to sit in front of the TV and when I do, I already have a few shows that I like to watch then im done.

Im more of a "movie" guy and if i sit down to watch TV its to watch a movie. the DVD just isn't long enough to qualify as a movie.

I will ride this subscription out but unless the mag comes back as a normal size print mag I will not plan on renewing.

[fieldy72233]

I have to agree with most of the people on here. I thought the adver-zine was a waste. Didn't see the point in it. The DVD is still sitting in the same place as it was when I pulled it out of the packaging. That is unfortunate given how much time I spend in front a computer where I could easily pop it in, but I don't and I probably won't.

I do not believe I will be renewing my subscription give endeveours n the new format. Sounds like you guys are either going to have to find a way to cut costs, or increase circulation. Much of the existing base is probably going to move on. Good luck in your, hoping my next issue is a nice thick magazine full of pictures and articles.

To me, Top Gear is the pinnacle of motor sport magazines, I love it. I gladly pay the $10 for each issue. I understand its tough right now, but I bet people would pay more for a magazine they can sit on the pot with.

[gkstar]

Just came across this thread. After years of trying to guess the right time to go to the book store and buy a copy I subscribed to the digital version. I was surprised with the small magazine size and accompanying video but not put off.

A fair amount of posters in this thread have commented on how large DSport and Top Gear magazines are, do they not realize the huge size discrepancies in the target markets...only Subaru for SubieSport or all import/tuner cars...probably makes a difference when you are trying to get advertisers, don't you think?

If video is the way forward, great, I am sure it will take some time to adjust but so is life. I would like to see the following options for video(these might have been mentioned I only skimmed the full post):
1. Segmented portions with a menu or simply different files to download and watch. This way we do not have to go through the entire video to find the part we might be most interested in.
2. Avi format for those of us who have iPhones etc., so we can still "read" the magazine on the john

Maybe raise the subscription costs. Probably not the most well received idea, but I for one would be willing to help the magazine stay alive.

Thanks guys for working hard to keep the magazine alive w/o a drop off in content.

[Drizzie]

When these things coming to the great white north? Got a subscription for Christmas 2008, received only two mags to date and still waiting on this flyer with a DVD. Any ideas where it might be?

[paved1]

Really? Man, I know ****e is rough all over but this sucks. Luckily I HAVE received my latest SS but as I was leaving for vaca, I just threw it in the car with my other car mags. Between fishing and fishing I pull my mags out, SS on top, to find that? Really? I haven't even plugged the DVD in. Such a disappointment. Reading through this thread, it sounds like there is some cool stuff on the DVD but if I have to watch commercials to get to it, I'm even more pissed. As a supplement a DVD is fine, but as the sole format, I'm out. Like most everyone else, I like something to take with me to read when I have no access to technology, whether I'm on the pot or fireside at the campground, this is why I paid for a subscription. I may not be able to get the same content online but I can get my car fix for sure. SS was the mag I looked forward to most, but was consistently disappointed with the last few issues. Sad, sad day. Good luck, but if this is where you're going my subscription will end.

[iluvdrt]

Originally Posted by iluvdrt

I still have not recieved mine. This is BS.

Still waiting. 1 issue since my subscription renewal in Dec.

[chimchimm5]

And wow... when you guys said 15 pages I thought you were kidding. I just looked at the pdf and can't believe it.

Magazines may indeed be walking zombies, but this feels like a bait and switch. I did not subscribe to this, although if I ever actually get my magazine and DVD I might be ok but I dunno... I didn't get it yet.

Did Subiesport take this change because they were ALREADY losing money with the normal magazine format?

EDIT: I'm a moron... I let the subscription die out but thought it was still going so I didn't get Issue 26.

So... what's on the DVD, since apparently that's where the focus of the magazine has shifted too.

[biodtl]

I paid for a 2 year subscription recently and received 1 actual magazine, and then this issue. I was surprised at what I received. The DVD sat for a few weeks before I watched it. I did like the DVD, but am disappointed in the subscription. I would not have subscribed if I knew about the format change ahead of time. The DVD did seem a bit amateurish, but had decent content. I found the tuning portion informative, the fact that he blew the engine concerned my wife about getting her car tuned though, lol!

Lots of unanswered questions here.

Will subscribers be receiving all issues they had paid for? It seems a lot of people feel left in the dark about that.

If a subscriber is unhappy, can they get refunded for the remaining issues?

Are European subscribers out of luck with the DVD format?

[leafs fan]

More on the print format would be nice. I like to read while I work out or long trips whatever the occasion print is more portable than a dvd player or pc since I have no laptop. To be honest though I dont mind either way. I would however like the magazine to be bigger. I have newspaper flyers with more pages.

[Jester808]

Well, a magazine like DSport releases a full 2-3 hour DVD and still maintains alot of magazine content. I understand both mags are completely different, I mean, they have a much bigger staff and corporate backing. Along with the DVD being done by someone else (Ignition DVD), while they are allowed to focus a bit more on the mag since it is a monthly release and not a bi-monthly release.

I just wasn't to keen on the feeling that the DVD was focused more on than the actual magazine itself, the feeling that the magazine was sort of being replaced by the DVD. It's a first shot here and all though, great effort, great content on the DVD, I can't ever really complain too much about Subaru content in either Mag form or DVD form I just want more in the mag, that's all

[iluvdrt]

When am I going to get mine????

[Quadsbc]

Ive had it for about a month and still havent looked at it. I like to read a hard copy on my lunch break but I'm not bringing my laptop when I'm on a job site. When I get home, I check the forums.


Although its a cool idea and this is where magazines will be going. I believe you should make it an option, hard copy or cd.

[t3hWIT]

I don't quite understand why feedback is requested, but any negative comments are met with offensive replies from the Subiesport reps. The general consensus is that if you don't agree with Subiesport's route, you either don't understand, you don't matter, or both. Professionalism is key.

I've been a loyal subscriber since the second issue, and loved every issue. The magazine used to be full of positive, well written articles. Recently however, it's been laced with hints of elitism and pessimism.

I'm extremely disappointed with these "digitalized" issues. If I recall correctly, I paid for a bi-monthly (as in, 6 issues per year) paper magazine that I can sit down and read. I am not receiving what I paid for, both in frequency and content.

"Who cares, he's only one person. We have plenty of other subscribers."

Plenty of other subscribers who paid for a bi-monthly printed magazine, and instead are receiving a CD with a folder of videos. I've discussed this issue with a few other Subiesport subscribers, and I can assure you that I'm not alone.

That said, I will not be resubscribing. Good luck in your future endeavors.