Check out this article

http://www.betanews.com/article/Analysts_Studios_will_gain_from_HD_DVDs_exit_but_consumers_wont/1203532784

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[Post edited by tluvstech on Feb 23, 2008]

Quote:
Check out this article

http://www.betanews.com/article/Analysts_Studios_will_gain_from_HD_DVDs_exit_but_consumers_wont/1203532784

[Post edited by tluvstech on Feb 23, 2008]

Interesting read. A lot of people won't like to hear that kind of stuff in hear.

Quote:
"Consumer spending on DVD sales and rentals was pretty flat in 2005 and 2006 at about $22 billion. It dropped last year for the first time, by about 3 percent," Wilson said today.

"The studios really need the new high-def format to catch on so they can drive revenues back up," the ABI analyst told BetaNews.

I think the drop in sales and rentals was crap movies last year. I'm not saying they were all poop but the majority of them were.

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[Post edited by Jedi_Soljah on Feb 23, 2008]

I agree Soljah, there was a lot of crap so it doesn't suprise me that sales were down.

Hopefully this year will get better. I can at least look forward to a few HD releases until May, then I'll be back to SD DVD (if anything is worth it) until I can afford a different player. Hope there are some HUGE BR player sales at Christmas time this year!!!!! I got a plamsa TV when I retired from the Army in '06. Then I got an HD DVD player last year for my anniversary. I had no idea of a format war when my wife got it for me. I truely thought they were just both next generation DVD players living peacefully together. Then I came here and WOW was I surprised.
Anyway, It wil be a hard sell for me to get my wife to get me a $300 - $400 BR player.

Oh well, I can wait.

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[Post edited by Jedi_Soljah on Feb 23, 2008]

Jefi-S... you can always buy a player later, and sign up for an online NETFLIX RENTAL membership. The most popular plan is just $16.99 a month (+ tax), for up to 3 discs out-at-a-time (free postage-paid mail return when thru viewing). That way you can experience Blu-ray Hi-Def every month at an affordable price - could probably rent around 10 or more movies a month (depends on your spare time).

And with Netflix (or Blockbuster's) online membership, you have access to ALL of the possible releases, and not just those available and in stock at a local video rental store.

-JIMI (the Voodoo Child)

JIMI, I actually thought about that but I still have to get my wife to agree...

That's the hard part...
I'm on lock down bro...hehehehehe It's a long story.

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[Post edited by Jedi_Soljah on Feb 23, 2008]

On "The Beltway Boys" on Fox tonight:

"When I get my $600 dollar tax refund, I'm buying a BluRay player." No kidding, I was half asleep when they said it. Woke me right up. Of course, it doesn't help you Canadians any...

Quote:
Of course, it doesn't help you Canadians any...

Huh?

I don't know. I think the studios enjoyed their hundred million dollar payoffs. They made more money from those than the combined total of HD DVD/blu ray sales.

Quote:
Huh?

Americans are getting a $500-$800 tax refund to avoid a recession.

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[Post edited by NutManIV on Feb 24, 2008]

Thank you NutMan. That's all I meant by that. Actually, I've thought of doing the same, but I won't unless the final profiles are in place and/or prices have become more reasonable. By that time the Pioneer BDP50 should be out so the 30 might be priced lower and there should be some news about the Oppo as well.

Now that I think about it, I have some friends who live in Quebec but work in Jay, VT. I'm assuming that they pay American income tax. I wonder if they will be eligible for the tax rebate. This recession is going to hammer everybody.

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Americans are getting a $500-$800 tax refund to avoid a recession.

Hmm... sounds like an expedient, politically motivated move. Would not tax reform and lowering borrowing costs for small businesses be a better strategy? I can't see a business owner permanently taking on extra staff or giving raises simply because more inventory is moved during a single month. But I could be wrong...

Well its a hit or miss kind of thing. You go into a recession when people stop spending money. The tax refund is to encourage people to go buy stuff like an HD TV or whatever. Most people will, thankfully. It could backfire if the media scares people enough though. If people think theres going to be a recession they'll save all their money. Ironically that will cause the recession.

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This recession is going to hammer everybody.

If there is a recession you're okay if you have a government job.

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[Post edited by NutManIV on Feb 24, 2008]