A movie that is released direct-to-video ( also known as made-for-video , straight-to-video , more recently , straight-to-DVD ) is one which has been released to the public on home video formats ( historically VHS ) before or without being released in movie theaters or broadcast on television . Direct-to-video ( also known as direct-to-DVD , made-for-video , straight-to-video , and straight-to-DVD ) is a term used to describe a film that has been released to the public on home video formats ( historically VHS ) without being released in movie theaters or broadcast on television .