Blue-Ray

[STRYPER]

If you are not aware of this new breakthrough in technology, there is a new media medium out in the market called "Blue Ray" which are discs similar to DVD's. Basically, if a DVD is a better CD, then a Blue Ray is a better DVD.

My question is this? Does anyone seriously believe Blue Ray will just replace DVD's just like that? Within the next 5 years or so??

I know very little about Blue Ray technology and I know less about it's impact on the current economy. But I wonder, will the American people be willing to throw away their entire DVD collection simply to get the bigger and better thing? Some will, of course, but I highly doubt Blue Ray will have as big an impact as DVD's did several years ago. In my opinion, DVD's are too new to be replaced by a new medium.

What do you think?

[jasonjannajerryjohn]

It is my personnal belief that Blue-Ray has already failed, and it will be gone soon. Thus, the PS3 destined to fail.

[Jonathan]

Earlier this summer, Target and Blockbuster announced they would be switching over from DVD products to mainly Bluray. Unfortunately, I can't find the same sources now that I did then.

Anyway, I think that bluray will have their hands full. Sure, it may be more high tech and a better resolution, but DVD is more than ok, and b/c of that I doubt people will be willing to switch and spend all that money.

One of my friends said it better than I when a number of us were discussing these announcements (he started out by answering my question about what the difference was between the two--that's why the first sentence seems kinda random):

They have more storage space than DVDs. It makes sense, but the problem is it's looking like stores and manufacturers are trying to phase out DVDs and force Bluray on us too soon. When VHS tapes gave way to DVDs, you could still find VHS versions of most movies for a few years after DVDs became mainstream. Now it sounds like within the next year it will be nigh impossible to find a DVD version of most new releases. The other problem is the VHS to DVD switch seemed like a bigger step, and thus more worth the investment, because we went from these big, bulky video cassette tapes to sleek compact discs. Now we're going from compact disc to... another compact disc?

Just seems awfully rushed and forceful considering it's not that big of an upgrade.

[The Top Crusader]

I have heard that HD DVD is likely to beat Bluray, however, I have no source for that, I just vaguely recall hearing that... either way I think the public would like to wait a few more years before they give up on current DVDs...

But as long as the PS3 continues to fail I will be content!

[STRYPER]

Earlier this summer, Target and Blockbuster announced they would be switching over from DVD products to mainly Bluray. Unfortunately, I can't find the same sources now that I did then.

Anyway, I think that bluray will have their hands full. Sure, it may be more high tech and a better resolution, but DVD is more than ok, and b/c of that I doubt people will be willing to switch and spend all that money.

I suspected this and my question is similar to yours in the matter of consumer willingness. Is the market ready for an entire re-working of their media library? We're not through yet updated our DVD library

I have heard that HD DVD is likely to beat Bluray, however, I have no source for that, I just vaguely recall hearing that...

I remember hearing this as well but that was years ago. Either Bluray or DVDHD, I don't see how the consumer economy can be ready.

But as long as the PS3 continues to fail I will be content!

I heartily agree!!

[Thursday Next]

HD players are backwards compatible and will play regular DVD's. Blue-Ray discs are bigger than regular DVD's and from what I've seen the players aren't backward compatible. We are about to see another VHS vs Beta Max battle take place.

For those who aren't old enough to remember Beta Max was Sony's video tape player. Sure it was better quality, but you couldn't record over the tapes and it was more expensive. VHS one out on the fact that you could record over the tapes. Blue-Ray is put out by Sony. If history is anything to go by HD will win. DVD's have just come down in price for people to afford them so they also won't be eager to switch. I think there are some people who are going to sit this one out to see which technology will win.

[STRYPER]

HD players are backwards compatible and will play regular DVD's. Blue-Ray discs are bigger than regular DVD's and from what I've seen the players aren't backward compatible. We are about to see another VHS vs Beta Max battle take place.

For those who aren't old enough to remember Beta Max was Sony's video tape player. Sure it was better quality, but you couldn't record over the tapes and it was more expensive. VHS one out on the fact that you could record over the tapes. Blue-Ray is put out by Sony. If history is anything to go by HD will win. DVD's have just come down in price for people to afford them so they also won't be eager to switch. I think there are some people who are going to sit this one out to see which technology will win.

Very very good analogy. I was trying to think of something like that to include in my original post and I completely forgot about Beta . I agree that most (myself included) will sit this one out and I anticipate Bluray going the way of the Beta Max....

[WatchaCall]

For those who aren't old enough to remember Beta Max was Sony's video tape player.

Hey, I'm old enough to remember 8-tracks vs. cassettes. And vinyl. Guess it could be worse. Fortunately, I don't remember 78s.

[Laurie]

For those who aren't old enough to remember Beta Max was Sony's video tape player.

Hey, I'm old enough to remember 8-tracks vs. cassettes. And vinyl. Guess it could be worse. Fortunately, I don't remember 78s.

I remember all of those. In fact we had a BetaMax until the switch was made to VHS. We still have a Beta VCR.

[Jonathan]

HD players are backwards compatible and will play regular DVD's. Blue-Ray discs are bigger than regular DVD's and from what I've seen the players aren't backward compatible.

That is key. If HD players can play regular DVDs, they have a better chance than bluray.

And I agree with whats been said about PS3

[Me]

While backwards compatibility is certainly a factor in the changeover to the next generation of content delivery, I maintain that it is not nearly as important as price, and content.

Looking at the technical specifications, Blu-Ray is the superior format. It boasts vastly increased capacity, etc. It also uses the more expensive blue laser technology. Due to this, prices are initially high (some estimates run 3x that of HD-DVD, at least as far as burners go). HD-DVD uses the traditional red laser technology found in current DVD players (albeit with enhancements). The price considerations involved are huge. When VHS transitioned to DVD, the magic price point, where DVD started to see wide adoption was $199 (price of the player). Currently, HD-DVD players hover around $250. Blu-Ray is significantly more expensive, and until recent months, many bought the PS3 as it was the cheapest player on the market. Despite the cost, a number of studios announced initial support for Blu-Ray, enjoying the promise of better copy protection.

Of course, there were problems. The media is more expensive to manufacture, and the players didn't initially sell as well as hoped. Studios are currently searching for solutions. But Blu-Ray seems doomed to failure, despite its technical superiority. Licensing to use the technology seems to be prohibitive. Price is, of course, a concern. In the minds of the consumer, the theoretically superior copy protection can also be a turn-off.

Then look at the content. Strange as it may sound, as the porn industry goes, so goes everyone else (they couldn't license the Betamax technology, and embraced VHS...). The porn industry is embracing the HD-DVD format. Both formats use the same codecs (although Blu-Ray has better support for MPEG-4). As a result, instead of packing higher bit-rate, and thus better quality video on to Blu-Ray releases, studios that release on both formats are putting the same VC-1 or AVC encoded file on both formats. The images come out looking identical, so the consumer goes with the price advantage, which is firmly in favor of HD-DVD. It's also interesting to note that while some are working on dual-format players and discs, current HD-DVD titles offer the HD-DVD version of a film on one side, and on the other, an SD version of the same content. The movies will work in older DVD players, and when the owners upgrade to HD, all they have to do is flip over the disc in their new player, and have access to the HD content, without having to re-purchase their library. It does seem, that unless Blu-Ray suddenly becomes far more competitive, they are doomed to extinction in movie distribution (just for laughs, take a look at the success of other recent Sony formats, such as UMD).

All this does not mean that the PS-3 is a failure as a console. It is actually quite a magnificent piece of machinery. The main failure is a lack of good content for it. It will be interesting to see how things change with the release of the next MGS game, among others.

Then there are those who question the idea of high definition in general, thinking it unnecessary. I challenge those people to look at some good hi-def transfers. One look, and you don't want to go back. The detail and clarity on a good transfer is incredible, and really adds to the movie experience.

All this said, I really don't believe that either format has too much of a future. The next generation, I firmly believe, will be internet or solid state distribution. It is far more convenient than current disc technologies, and is starting to see rapidly increasing adoption.

[WatchaCall]

Then there are those who question the idea of high definition in general, thinking it unnecessary. I challenge those people to look at some good hi-def transfers. One look, and you don't want to go back. The detail and clarity on a good transfer is incredible, and really adds to the movie experience.

No challenge here. I've had a high def tv and receiver for more than a year now and there is no comparison. It's hard to watch standard broadcasts now, especially sporting events. We recently acquired a PS3 but haven't watched a Blu Ray on it yet.

[STRYPER]

Yay, a Me sighting

My issue is simply the time. VHS had a run for, what, 15 years or so. DVD's haven't had 10 years yet. It's just too soon to switch over with the prices that high. HD DVD makes by far the most sense from a consumer's stand point, even if Blu Ray is better technology.

[Me]

Yay, a Me sighting

My issue is simply the time. VHS had a run for, what, 15 years or so. DVD's haven't had 10 years yet. It's just too soon to switch over with the prices that high. HD DVD makes by far the most sense from a consumer's stand point, even if Blu Ray is better technology.

Couldn't resist coming out of the woodwork when I saw the topic.

The price is where the hybrid discs are really going to be an advantage to consumers, as it will ease the cost of immediate upgrade. Player price is dropping rapidly, and shouldn't be an issue in less than a year. High end SD DVD players still cost over $250

[The Top Crusader]

I knew it was the porn industry that drove VHS to success and killed the evil Beta Max, but I didn't want to be the one to bring it up, so thanks Me.