Re: Here is my alternative to Blu-Ray....

For what its worth:

I will probably go the way of the HD download at some point (I'm a PS3 owner). I enjoy the movies that I have on Blu and I have quite a good time with the few games that I have.

However, my movie downloads will probably be very similar to how I currently use Itunes. I'll download a few here and there, but when a piece of good work comes out, I like to have a physical copy. I currently own a good bit more CDs then I have downloaded. I don't have a fear of the hard drive crashing and I'm sure that we'll have some pretty good sized HDs to take care of all of those movies. In the end, I don't really think that HD download service are in direct competition to Blu. Its just another option to get the content that we want and I'm all for that..

Give me a 50 MBps connection to the interweb, give me 50TB hard drives..

Uni

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As for extras..it isnt like Fox has extras on half their disks anyway, so no loss. Besides, I saw many Blu fans fighting in that argument months back that it didnt matter because it left more room for the movie's compression and it was more important WHAT mvovies you could get, not what extras it had.

And that's an argument against Blu-Ray, not one in favor of downloads. If the SD editions have special features, and the Blu does not, it's just another reason not to buy the Blu version. If Sony and Fox can't figure out how to maximize the amount of material they can include on a disc still, than that's bad news. I'm not being completely biased here, because some HD DVD titles are/were the same way, but not having all of the features and options is absolutely a strike against downloads. Plus you still haven't addressed the problem of a drive being substantial enough to contain a decent size movie collection. Also, unless you can transfer the content you have on disc to the drive, so you don't have to re-buy movies via download, that's another reason it will not take over.

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[Post edited by interplanetaryspy on Feb 18, 2008]

I don't understand the people who have argued how much better HD-DVD is over Blu-ray because of the extra content, but who are now arguing for digital downloads as their new HD source. I totally respect the opinions of those who prefer HD-DVD for the interactive features, but you lose credibility if you now say that you'll download your films from now on. Same goes for those who tout DVD upconversion as good enough.

Either the HD-DVD features were important or they weren't. Fair enough if you're mad right now, but why suddenly pretend that interactive features and high HD audiovisual quality aren't such a big deal after all?

christ almighty
dont these hd-dud-ded fangirls know when to call it a day?

"it aint over till toshiba says its over"
WELL TOSHITBA-----HAVE----SAID ITS OVER

so just deal with it

In all honesty,

When digital downloads become feasible, in say 5 to 10 years, they will at best be a itunes type market set up. It will always be an alternative to buying hard copy disks. The reason? Not storage, not quality or bandwidth. The reason is that Mom and Pop, the same ones who shop @ walmart, are in no way tech savvy. They will always opt to buy the disk at a store, which is easier for them.

Anyway just my 2c.

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When digital downloads become feasible, in say 5 to 10 years

5-10 years??? WTF?!? With Vudu the playback is instant. Even with the 1080p movies. Instant playback isn't feasible to you? A 4Mb connection isn't unfeasible by any means and that's all you need for the instant playback of HD movies. And they are available through even DSL providers now for less than $50/month. Feasibility has nothing to do with it. It's feasible NOW.

Saavy has little to do with it also. If "mom & pop" can navigate a standard DVD menu, they can use a Vudu, and Apple TV, and Amazon Unbox, even Xbox Live.

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[Post edited by spoonard on Feb 19, 2008]

Well, there's also another HD disc alternative (if interested) - HD VMD - see the growing LIST of Movies

Note: this format does not support the newer lossless audio types.

-JIMI (the Voodoo Child)

How is this possible, with the contracts SONY has signed with the movie studios.
And what does the players cost and who makes them?

You're funny I.B. how would you know what the fine details are in those 'Sony contracts' with the studios? Some of you guys must think the studios must be 'slaves' to Sony (LOL). The studios OWN their content (not Sony) and would never allow another competitor to prevent them from re-selling that content in any way possible - disc, download, PPV, etc.

As for the player costs... take a moment IB to click the "Buy Now" by each player's listing. Prices start at $199 and go up from there, $395, $595, $800. And no, I don't know anyone personally who has purchased one of these players yet.

-JIMI (the Voodoo Child)

JIMI I was'nt trying to be funny. If you do not know me by now, I am truely serious when I ask questions in here. I do not try to jerk anyone around, although I have been passionate about some peoples comments in here. Remember I want every bang for my buck, it's all about the movies.