ZDNET: Blu Ray prices SPIKE!

http://blogs.zdnet.com/gadgetreviews/?p=158
Funny how the MOST ADVANCED blu ray player EVER PRODUCED is still 400 bux. Yes Toshiba has a big scar after the hidef mess.... but Sony's Blu Ray partners ARE GETTING TORTURED in LACKLUSTER SALES, while the PS3 rakes up the profits....

Irony 1: All these standalone blu ray players ARE FAR TOO EXPENSIVE, compared to what the PS3 offers in features, daily updates, upconversion, HD, gaming.... AND CELL PROCESSOR. So they stay put on retail shelves.

Irony 2: Everytime each of these high-priced standalones finally moves out of the shelf... Sony gets a piece of their profit. OUCH!

No wonder they can't lower the price. Oh, that and MONOPOLY.

Question is: These partners.... ARE THEY STILL SCRATCHING THEIR HEADS, OR PROGRESSED TO SHOOTING THEIR FEET?

If this keeps up, the Recession Generation may just do the UNTHINKABLE... like purchase a Super Upconverter for HALF the price! Who knows, maybe by that time, the PS3 will sell for $200.

Blu-Ray Partners: "Well what about us?"
Sony: "You're on your own bud. That's not my box."

[Post edited by xplaytendo on Mar 13, 2008]

Doesn't Panasonic have more money than Sony? I understand that Sony seems like a bigger company because they do stupid things to control the world like buying movie studios,record labels and such. Sony probably loses more money than any company ever. I just hope that maybe Panasonic or another company from the BDA can take over, I want HDM to go mainstream, but with Sony leading it means fail.

1. Panasonic already makes Blu-ray players. Proof: http://www.panasonic.com/consumer_electronics/blu-ray/default.asp

2. Sony does not own the BDA, and is just another member of the board. Proof:
http://www.blu-raydisc.com/top/About_us/Index.html

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Funny how the MOST ADVANCED blu ray player EVER PRODUCED is still 400 bux

how is that funny, that is very affordable for the most advanced br player. If i recall the most advanced hddvd player was like over 1000$. i'm still scratching my head over that one.
are you at a bar while you are typing this>?

@rangooth
sony=fail? recent history shows sony=win!

whats with the blatant contradictions? can't you guys just say "well played sony, but we will be careful with our money still until you can prove trustworthy". Instead its "A Sony guy at best buy stepped on my shoe last year and didn't even realize it! That is the perfect metaphor for the company in itself. They are scum and would rather make money than give me a player at 200$ because they are monopolists! They aren't smart like me, companies should hire me to go one on one marketing chess against sony. i r so much smarter!"

I have my own reasons for not liking Sony and most have to do with business practices of large corporations such as Sony and less to do with Sony's actual products. It is of my opinion that the way Sony killed HD DVD right out of the gate in the manner that they did is VERY bad for the HDM industry.

The DVD market is a multi-billion dollar industry in the United States alone. There is plenty of room for two HD formats, probably even three. Throw the rest of the world in there and easily three formats could compete. But Sony chose to be greedy and use some very underhanded tactics against a smaller corporation that could not throw money around like Sony could. Sony convinced the studios that there would be this mass confusion over two competing formats. There was no confusion. The early adopters are usually the more technically minded people. Who here on this forum was confused as to which they should buy and who knew from the get-go which was their preferred format? By the time either format would have hit the mainstream knowledge of both would have been plenty. Were you ever confused as to whether you should drink Coke or Pepsi? They are basically the same with only moderate differances that mean little to those who aren't die-hard fans of either brand. Just like HD DVD and Blu-Ray.

Anyway, the end result was HD DVD being killed off way too early and now there is no second format to compete with. Prices will (and currently are) go up, choices will become limited, and in general the market will begin to stagnate and it will not become "the new chosen format" that everyone seems to think it will become.

spoonard you are completely 100% backwards sir please cease and desist.
I've been watching amazon and prices are the same for movies that they have been 2 months ago. there is no spike. The best player is 400$. It is very cheap to buy for HD compared to an HDTV.
Two formats does NOT WORK. please get that through your head. DVD was one format. videotapes got big despite two formats because of the fundamental revolution of the product. Two companies selling the same things but incompatible with each other leads nowhere, especially when a larger dominant format still exists. how many years would it have taken DVD to take off if there were three companies all selling the same movies but with different formats? No company would make enough headway to kill vhs, because stores would have to spend three times as much money putting out the same selection of movies that vhs would take up. thereby losing 3 times the profit. Stores would be like, f*ck that we just carrying vhs from now on.
Do these ideas not register spoon? please take a business class or something.

EDIT: just reread your post
COKE AND PEPSI AR NOT INCOMPATIBLE FORMATS THEY ARE DRINKS. I PUT THEM IN MY BELLY!
Blu ray and Hddvd have more than "MODERATE DIFFERENCES" they are incompatible. you sir are a jackass no offense intended, but really stop talking nonsense.

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Anyway, the end result was HD DVD being killed off way too early and now there is no second format to compete with. Prices will (and currently are) go up, choices will become limited, and in general the market will begin to stagnate and it will not become "the new chosen format" that everyone seems to think it will become.

where the hell do you get this stuff, do you just reach in a bag of business jargon you don't understand and put them together? None of those things are happening, or do happen in business.did choices go down when dvd won, no, did prices go up? no, did the market stagnate? no, did it become the chosen format? yes See everything you just said was wrong.

[Post edited by theprof00 on Mar 13, 2008]

you should be banned sir

Ignore him. The guy is as dumb as a roof shingle.

I suppose xplaytendo's post is all backwards too? No sir, it is you who are ignoring the basics of economics here.

[Post edited by spoonard on Mar 13, 2008]

1. Skyhawk I already Knew that Panasonic made Blu-ray players. They have 2 models out, and a profile 2.0 player from them will be out soon.
2. I never said Sony owns the BDA, they are leading them though,correct?
3. Learn to read!

@ theprof00

Sony dosn't how know to dive a format into mainstream.

Think about Betamax,UMD,and minidisc.

Some claim they made the CD, It was Phillips who created CD. Sony just used their money to back the format.

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Question is: These partners.... ARE THEY STILL SCRATCHING THEIR HEADS, OR PROGRESSED TO SHOOTING THEIR FEET?

Are you saying that Toshiba would be a better partner? Selling players for $100-$200 is smart for Toshiba for many reasons, but you can bet that the Philips, Pioneer, Denon, etc. all had a far greater chance of actually making money on Blu-player players with Sony's price points. Many people won't buy a PS3 over a standalone regardless, but who could compete with Toshiba's standalone HD-DVD player prices given that they don't own a piece of HD-DVD?

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Sony dosn't how know to dive a format into mainstream. Think about Betamax,UMD,and minidisc. Some claim they made the CD, It was Phillips who created CD. Sony just used their money to back the format.

Ummmm...are you questioning the ability to bring a format into the mainstream or the ability to invent something innovative? Regardless of who invented the CD format, it seems that Sony had a major part in the marketing and resultant massive success of the CD. I'd say that Sony did okay with the PS2, as well.

I will say, though, that Sony has been guilty many times of being overly proprietary with their technology in the past, which has ended up in market failures.

rangoonth and others... you overlook the support that Sony made sure to have lined up for the Blu-ray format among manufacturers and studios - [contrast this to their Betamax plan where it was basically Sony by itself] - and the fact that Sony ALSO owns it's own studio/music lines of content...

Sony Pictures
Sony Classics
Sony International
Sony TV
Sony Music
Columbia Pictures
Columbia Classics
Columbia/Tri-Star
Screen Gems
...etc

Sony and other BRDA members never lost the 'lead' and 'clout' they had once the PS3 was released, with the defection of Paramount being the only temporary setback in their plans for Blu-ray dominance. But BD sales were greater than HD-DVD, and it's the studio's OPINION that growing hi-def disc adoption and success won't happen if consumers have to 'choose' between one or the other (or both). So you have Warner/New Line/HBO to thank for the final nail in the coffin for any chance of HD-DVD's success... but you want to blame Sony instead of Warner? Hmmm...

Blu-ray won, game over, move on, adopt, ENJOY HI-DEF!

-JIMI (the Voodoo Child)

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Blu-ray won, game over, move on, adopt, ENJOY HI-DEF!

Blu ray won within their OWN CAMP. Consumers can't afford hi-def THEN, they won't be able to afford it NOW. Open your window, RECESSION is saying "Hello!"

The ONLY one that wins is Sony's pockets, in royalty charges from its partners.

Does anybody here know how to read? LH I didn't say anything about support with Blu-ray. I just stated that Sony leads the BDA, that is correct is it not?

deleted due to double darn post!

[Post edited by Skyhawk on Mar 13, 2008]

rangoonth said:

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1. Skyhawk I already Knew that Panasonic made Blu-ray players. They have 2 models out, and a profile 2.0 player from them will be out soon.
2. I never said Sony owns the BDA, they are leading them though,correct?
3. Learn to read!

I can read just fine. I'll remind you what you said in regards to this topic of Blu-ray player prices:

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I just hope that maybe Panasonic or another company from the BDA can take over, I want HDM to go mainstream, but with Sony leading it means fail.

Would you like an explanation again that Panasonic already makes Blu-ray players and can compete and price their players competitively? Would you like an explanation that no "single" company actually "leads" or "owns" the BDA? Is English your first language? It's not mine, but I seem to be better at it than you.

[Post edited by Skyhawk on Mar 13, 2008]

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I just stated that Sony leads the BDA, that is correct is it not?

No that is incorrect. I pasted the link to the BDA, why didn't you read it? LAZY?

Yes Sony was instrumental along with 8 other companies in first forming the BDA, but no single company "leads it". Please read the information provided at the BDA site at the link I provided. The BDA was started in 2002 by these 9 companies (you'd know who they are if you bothered to even click on the link!), and you would also know about the voting and resolution structuring of the BDA, and also know there are now 18 member companies represented on the board of directors who have equal voting privileges.

Why should I have to type so much for people who are too darn lazy to click on a link? It's not fair.

rangoonth said -

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"Sony dosn't how know to dive a format into mainstream."

To me, the large BRDA is composed of strong MAINSTREAM support from (1) studios and other content holders, (2) manufacturers, etc that are associated with (3) many retailers, online dealers, and a (4) growing fan/user base of world-wide adopters. Understand now?

-JIMI (the Voodoo Child)

[Post edited by Love Hendrix! on Mar 13, 2008]

yes spoonard xplaytendo is also wrong as he normally is on a great number of posts.

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Funny how the MOST ADVANCED blu ray player EVER PRODUCED is still 400 bux

-xplaytendo
the price is fine for the most advanced format product. Hell most advanced ipod is more than that.
Most advanced HDTV is well over 25k, most advanced umbrella is 80$, the most advanced swimsuit is 400$. what do you want exactly?

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but Sony's Blu Ray partners ARE GETTING TORTURED in LACKLUSTER SALES

they each get a cut of profit for every player sold.

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All these standalone blu ray players ARE FAR TOO EXPENSIVE, compared to what the PS3 offers in features, daily updates, upconversion, HD, gaming.... AND CELL PROCESSOR. So they stay put on retail shelves.

-xplaytendo
there have been several posts on good standalone players for similar price that have been selling really well. don't ask me for the models though, but i know skyhawk tony and lh have posted it.

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Everytime each of these high-priced standalones finally moves out of the shelf... Sony gets a piece of their profit. OUCH!

-xplaytendo
the BDA gets a cut of the profit, by which sony is a member, not the leader.

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No wonder they can't lower the price. Oh, that and MONOPOLY

-xplaytendo
Why should they lower the price, several big box stores sell them on discount already, and ps3 is outselling the 360 for the past 3 months. I don't see any reason to drop the price.

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Question is: These partners.... ARE THEY STILL SCRATCHING THEIR HEADS, OR PROGRESSED TO SHOOTING THEIR FEET?

-xplaytendo
Sony has put a huge amount of money into this technology. And they did lead the BDA, not as a president, but more of a member who contributes a lot. Why should the partners care when they are still making money, with the minimum amount of input?

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If this keeps up, the Recession Generation may just do the UNTHINKABLE... like purchase a Super Upconverter for HALF the price! Who knows, maybe by that time, the PS3 will sell for $200.

-xplaytendo
the recession is nothing. If i can make 1400 a month without a degree and go to college at the same time, i think i can afford a little 400$ machine.

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the price is fine for the most advanced format product. Hell most advanced ipod is more than that.

Good point. New technology is usually a bit pricey to help cover the research costs and early marketing pushes. Some of us got spoiled by Toshiba's market penetration approach to pricing, but I'm always amazed at the people who claim to have spent $2,000+ on HD-DVDs and then say that they can't afford a player that costs more than $150.

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the recession is nothing. If i can make 1400 a month without a degree and go to college at the same time, i think i can afford a little 400$ machine.

Ah a Blu-Ray fanboy. Welcome!

So you think the recession is nothing, huh? Well, your perception of what REAL & what's diluted in your brain pretty much sums up my assumptions of your replies.... ABSOLUTELY USELESS.

At this point: I think I'll take Tim Raynor's advice, after your so-many-useless comments from the past- "Ignore him. The guy is as dumb as a roof shingle." That's on PAGE 1 of this thread. The MAN OF MANY PICTURES only talks when need be.

Thanks, Tim. GOOD ADVICE.

[Post edited by xplaytendo on Mar 14, 2008]

Again, don't shut yourselves with the 'one format only' theory...we have three gaming consoles, the XBOX 360, the PS3, and the mighty Wii (regardless of the original XBOX, PS2, or Game Cube, and the PSP, Gameboy and, well MS doesn't have a handheld).

The take off of blu-ray, or any other format, has to happen regardless of competition...it has to do mainly with a good marketing strategy that could involve consumer awareness, prices, etc...

Regardless of the BDA or HD DVD groups, there is always a 'leader' or a company that is stronger, or a flagship company for HD DVD it was Toshiba, for blu-ray is Sony, I don't think anyone would disagree. However, this doesn't mean that Sony or Toshiba alone get all the money from what's sold, we all get that too, right?

I, since I don't own any blu-ray players, don't check up on blu-ray media prices that often, so I can't say whether they have spiked or dropped, but we are still seeing many BOGO sales online and in stores.

However, since blu-ray has no direct competition, it makes finanacial and business sense to keep prices as they are, or get the higher, as long as consumers keep interested in the format, and the purchase of hardware won't slow down. Yes, eventually prices will go down, but not for right now, again, unless the cost of manufacturing hardware goes down.

A $200 blu-ray player with 1080i I think would be a selling point for most Average Joes out there (and why not, myself included), since most of us don't own 1080p sets. It's not that expensive, but it's not cheap either. Also, lowering media prices is a must....to play in your players.

Whatever happens, we are kinda screwed, for there is no direct competition now...and no, I (having being a HD DVD supporter) do not consider DVD2 a 'threat', DVD is...

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A $200 blu-ray player with 1080i I think would be a selling point for most Average Joes out there

There is no manufacturing cost difference between an 1080i player and an 1080p player. Toshiba did that solely for the marketing reason.

Skyhawk, I didn't go to the link because I assumed you thought I didn't know that Panasonic makes Blu-ray players. Yes I do understand that the companies compete, however I think they should compete more, its been 2 years, I think $400 or more is ridiculous.
LH, I understand that Sony has finally got to be with the winning team, however the majority of people are still with DVD.

Just to let you guys know, I'm not an HD-DVD fanboy, I'm format neutral, I just happen to hate Sony and overpricing.

Hell If everyone wanted to they could get the LG combo drive for like $200, if they have a good PC.

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LH, I understand that Sony has finally got to be with the winning team, however the majority of people are still with DVD.

Like me(still smiling, still happy)!

As for Jimi (LH),

"Jimi, your father, John McCain, while a POW in Vietnam, hid this watch up his ass. I now give the watch to you."

hey xplay maybe if you are going to let tim decide who is dumb as a roof shingle, maybe you can let him decide who he was talking about(spoonard). Then you can see that you just wrote something with the wrong assumption again. Talk about shooting for the high score. FAIL

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At this point: I think I'll take Tim Raynor's advice, after your so-many-useless comments from the past- "Ignore him. The guy is as dumb as a roof shingle." That's on PAGE 1 of this thread. The MAN OF MANY PICTURES only talks when need be.

As the prof said, you aimed for the wrong guy and missed xplay. Tim may as well have said that line about you.

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Ah a Blu-Ray fanboy. Welcome!

And you're an HD fanboy. What's your point? Oh I almost forgot, you never seem to have one.

Woooff! Look at all the IDIOTS coming out of the woodwork! Very nice. I got gvortex who thinks they 'disservice' themselves by 'owning' an upconverter, and theprof00 who thinks the collaboration of the super upconverter, will somehow crimp the blu ray flow....A MINDLESS COLLABORATION of DODO BIRDS truely afraid of competition. The punchline: The Super Upconverter is STILL NOT OUT YET, & these boobs are already threatened.

Keep the FLAME ON folks, while I savor OLDBOY in my PS3, you go gather amongst yourselves & compare BLANK NOTES...I love having GROUPIES!

[Post edited by xplaytendo on Mar 14, 2008]

Actually, HD DVD and your beloved DODO bird (very original if I may add) have a lot in common. They're both extinct. Just like your sense of humor xplay.

OK OK OK enough
Prof and gvort, HD DVD owners did spend a lot of money on a format that eventually lost out to blu ray, so plunking down another 500 bucks for a player that is (at best) uncertain as to how good it will operate when 2.0 comes out is going to take awhile. I also make 1400 a paycheck and 500 dollars still seems like a lot to me. That is just me and my own opinion.
By the way, I own a 60 gb PS3 that I purchased in the summer of 2007, and after the smoke cleared, it was close to 1000 bucks too. The wife is not letting me forget that bill.
I own Pirates trilogy, blazing saddles, 300, terminator 2, total recall and cars.
I also own A30 and A35 with 30 movie titles because at 10 bucks a piece, can't beat that.

Silverado, I never had an issue with HD DVD in the first place, as a matter of fact I almost bought an HD-A2 in December of 2006, months before I bought my first Blu-ray player. And if HD DVD would have prevailed, I would have gladly bought a unit or two and continued enjoying high definition media on it for years to come.
What I do have a problem with is people like xplay (resentful HD fanboy) who cannot carry on a normal discussion without disrespecting someone (by name calling) with a differing opinion. He's a total hypocrite (like the rest of his kin) by believing that since HD DVD didn't become the HDM format of choice, that DVD, DVD 2.0, HD VMD or even downloadable HD content will definitely hamper the adoption of Blu-ray, not to mention its supposed high price. It's all BS. Oh and let's throw the impending possibility of recession into the mix as well. As if that wouldn't have occurred if Toshiba's format would have prevailed. There are just way too many double standards coming from that side of the isle.

If people really believe $400 (in today's value) is over-priced for a quality Blu-ray player (or PS3), then you should just stick with DVD prices, -or- IF adopting into Blu-ray at some point, just RENT the discs since buying them is apparently not affordable (based on the gripes posted here). Note: I've purchased my Blu-ray discs for between $10 to $20 on average, and also RENT them too.

And I also support manufacturers MAKING A PROFIT ON THE TECHNOLOGY THEY BRING US! Why should studios etc care about movies, concerts, TV shows, and their home video equivalents if not able to make a FAIR PROFIT from their investments?

And prices will come down somewhat in time, as more adoption takes place, and more companies and promotions arrive. Just noticed a few minutes ago a reduction for Warner's Blu-ray of I AM LEGEND - just $18.99 on Amazon, whereas it was $24.95 before.

-JIMI (the Voodoo Child)

[Post edited by Love Hendrix! on Mar 15, 2008]

I don't wana go against you Hendrix, but I Am Legend is a lame disc release...it's not worth our money or time...specially the LAME 'new ending'...

And you are right by saying about the profits, and once again, we can say Yes or No when buying something...WE HAVE THE SOLUTION, not them...

Really? I said yes to HD DVD and that option was taken away from me. I really don't know how long DVD will be an option either. Now that we have 1 hidef format I'm pretty sure the studios want to faze out DVD to make people rebuy their movies on bluray and to stop DVD piracy (hopefully) with BD+. Sony of course would love for this to happen since they are the principal financial backer of bluray so they will reap the most rewards if/when this comes true.

For the next six months, I'm just going to be very patient about what I buy, as the Blu-ray camp is likely to do a major push from September-December with lots of promotions on both hardware and software. Even without an HD War, they (and the studios) obviously want many people to adopt Blu-ray over DVD, so there's still a big incentive to convert more buyers, which will translate to lower prices. The prices probably won't be as low as they would have been with HD-DVD still running strong, but all things considered given the point in Blu-ray's life cycle, I'll be more than happy with discs in the $15-$22 range. Regardless of what you think of I Am Legend, an $18.95 Blu-ray of a major release is a good sign: to get the same extras, the 2-disc DVD is $22.99.

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Now that we have 1 hidef format I'm pretty sure the studios want to faze out DVD...

Very true.

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...to make people rebuy their movies on bluray and to stop DVD piracy (hopefully) with BD+.

Well, that's won't work either, considering Slysoft AnyDVD software already decrypted BD+
http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20071108-blu-rays-drm-crown-jewel-tarnished-with-crack-of-bd.html

The decrypted hi-def movies are already flooding the net (in whatever 'transfer' form a user wishes), while the term blu ray, is hardly a household name. THIS IS A BIG PROBLEM. The only slowdown to BD piracy, is the expensive price of a blu ray burner & blank platter... for now. Given time & manufacturer competition (with cheaper parts & production), both will go down in price, just like the DVD burners & blank platters of today.

So pushing blu ray to consumers, as a better way to stave off piracy... is VERY VERY temporary.
It will always be a game of tag between the Backers & the Hackers in this medium, everytime Group A patches platter... only to be HACKED the next week, by Group B.
The Studios will need to think of something else.

[Post edited by xplaytendo on Mar 16, 2008]

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Well, that's won't work either, considering Slysoft AnyDVD software already decrypted BD+

And months and months after that announcement, AnyDVD HD edition still doesn't decrypt BD+, only AACS.
http://www.slysoft.com/en/anydvdhd.html

But it's a moot point IMO, since few of the pirated DVD movies I've seen seem to be copies of the consumer DVD anyway. It's a bit obvious that studios, or the companies employed by the studios have a little insider problem.

gj skyhawk.
looks like another comment by xplay that turns out to be false.
I will agree with you play that BD won't do anything. But the studios think it will, and as priacy becomes more and more complicated, there will be less and less of it happening. Think about it. When Kazaa was out there were so many illegal downloaders it was truly amazing. after it got shut down, Only bittorrent was really useful. Now there are a bunch of different settings like in eMule that people don't know how to use correctly, and virtual drives, and .rar files and so many things that are now more complicated to hack, although hackable. Compare getting a file on Kazaa, to bittorrenting it now. Now there is no internal search engine no database. protection has come a long way.

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gj skyhawk.
looks like another comment by xplay that turns out to be false.

Ummm, nope. Your CLUELESS comments about me are amusing at best. Be mature next time & actually post something useful. Slysoft HAS decrypted BD+.
http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/03/19/slysofts-latest-anydvd-hd-release-strips-bd-from-blu-ray-discs/

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And months and months after that announcement, AnyDVD HD edition still doesn't decrypt BD+, only AACS.

Apparently, Slysoft has had this 'feature' since December 2007, but only waited for the 'format war' to end. Of course, the Studios & Slysoft now play the game of "patch 'n crack".
http://blogs.zdnet.com/hardware/?p=1542

There is NO SUCH THING AS TOTAL SECURITY. The HACKERS & BACKERS will play the Cat 'n Mouse game, to Patch (titles one week) & Decrypt the latest titles (the next week)- figuratively speaking, of course.

[Post edited by xplaytendo on Mar 19, 2008]

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If people really believe $400 (in today's value) is over-priced for a quality Blu-ray player (or PS3), then you should just stick with DVD prices

This one of the fears that I (huge hidef fan) am afraid that the consumers will do. I supported both formats because I love movies and most studios were exclusive. Now that Blu ray won, I am cringing at the player prices and the lack of knowledge the average consumer has about the hi def market. I would love to see more electronics stores with movies on SD DVD and Blu ray side by side so when average consumer walks by, they can see the huge difference and then maybe make a more intelligent choice.

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I would love to see more electronics stores with movies on SD DVD and Blu ray side by side so when average consumer walks by, they can see the huge difference and then maybe make a more intelligent choice.

But in some way, this has already been happening for the past year. Again, most people see a difference but they just don't care. When DVD was side by side with VHS (you really didn't need side-by-side as the difference was majorly obvious) the jaw dropped and the ol' lightbulb in the head went on saying, "I gotta' have that!" Then hi-def comes around and the difference there is minor in comparison, so the high price doesn't justify an immediate purchase. Basically, and probably for a lot of people, I can manage to live while I wait. No knock on hi-def as it is truly sweet, but it isn't like I'm going to lose sleep over it if I don't have it.

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I would love to see more electronics stores with movies on SD DVD and Blu ray side by side so when average consumer walks by, they can see the huge difference and then maybe make a more intelligent choice.

You see dvd movies & hidef movies side-by-side on retail shelves NOW. Yes, consumers do see the difference in showrooms, but MANY cannot justify the cost.

The Majority is not dumb or unintelligent on this matter. As stated before by many posters: People just don't care, nor is it in their priority of must-buy list. Even worse, this Recession has made it even harder for consumers to CONSIDER this additional expense.

Well.....if the cost can't be justified, then the consumers will make the decision to not buy. At least a choice would be made and we can all just lean back and enjoy the movies we have and stop this incessant bickering.
I love this forum and how passionate everyone is about their formats and movies.
I rented I am Legend on SD DVD last night to watch at a friends house ( no hi def in his house) and before the previews there was advertising to buy movies on HD DVD? This could serve to confuse even more.

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I rented I am Legend on SD DVD last night to watch at a friends house ( no hi def in his house) and before the previews there was advertising to buy movies on HD DVD? This could serve to confuse even more.

This is what I love about the "menu" button on my remote. Just press it and confusion goes away!