Re: OPINION: Next for Blu

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OPINION: Next for Blu »

Published Dec 31, 2008 Recent commentary on the Blu-ray High-Def format from Paul Sweeting of Video Business.

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John J. Puccio

Jan 1, 2009 - CST 2:09 PM

says... "It's crackers to slip a rozzer the dropsy in snide." --A.E. Neuman

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"...the AVERAGE consumer is unwilling to pay $15 more for a Blu-Ray disc (than DVD) and $225 or more on an entry-level Blu-Ray player." --bgraham24

Maybe I'm missing something here. Are you saying that Blu-ray discs cost $15 more than DVDs? Untrue. They usually go for about five bucks more, often less, and in many cases you can buy BDs and SDs for about the same cost if you shop around on-line. Here's an example: The Blu-ray of "The Dark Knight" has a suggested retail price of $35.99 (with Amazon selling it new for $21.99). The DVD Two-Disc Special Edition of "The Dark Knight," which contains the same material as the BD, retails for $34.99 (with Amazon selling it new for $20.99 and used for $19.77).

Also, the price of many Blu-ray players has now dropped to below $200.

Perhaps you're saying that the AVERAGE consumer doesn't price shop or doesn't buy on-line. In that case, consumers deserve to pay more and, yeah, maybe Blu-ray will die because average consumers are stupid or lazy. But I wouldn't count on it.

John

[Post edited by John J. Puccio on Jan 1, 2009 - CST 2:11 PM]

bladerunner1

Jan 1, 2009 - CST 5:19 PM

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Quote:maybe Blu-ray will die because average consumers are stupid or lazy. But I wouldn't count on it.

i was nodding my head "yes" until you said. "But I wouldn't count on it."

prediction for 09.
this is it. prices are going to fall in line with sd. if they don't, bd. will slowly dwindle away like all of sony's other failed formats. studio support will drop..and we will continue to get a trickle of movies from sony pictures....(see UMD)

silverado

Jan 1, 2009 - CST 5:50 PM

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I hope that the genious that decided to risk a billion dollar business (video gaming) to push a HD format that looks like it may become at best niche has a golden parachute. It is not like the PS3 can even remove the Blu-ray drive to reduce cost because the games are also on blu.

bgraham24

Jan 1, 2009 - CST 7:57 PM

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John, if you go to Big Box store X and price DVDs and Blu-Ray discs, by and large, most Blu-Ray discs are going to cost more money. Many consumers do not go through the process of looking for the best price of any kind of film disc, be it DVD or Blu-Ray, on-line. In addition to that, most consumers do not see the cost benefit of spending even $200 on a Blu-Ray player. You can get an upconverter for much less. Of course, "its not high definition", but most people do not care and will not spend the excess amount of money for a marginal leap in quality.
I am a backer of the format and will only buy/rent Blu-Ray discs because I see and hear a big enough difference to justify the added cost. I am, unfortunately, in the minority with this. I consider myself a home-theater enthusiast and look at this stuff differently than the average joe that walks into Best Buy looking to pick up a DVD. The BDA has to reach out and grab this market.

[Post edited by bgraham24 on Jan 1, 2009 - CST 8:00 PM]

John J. Puccio

Jan 1, 2009 - CST 10:31 PM

says... "It's crackers to slip a rozzer the dropsy in snide." --A.E. Neuman

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"...most people do not care and will not spend the excess amount of money for a marginal leap in quality." --bgraham24

You speak as though you have evidence supporting your claim. I suspect it's just your own personal speculation. We all have opinions on where Blu-ray may be going or not going. My own opinion is that it's moving along at a commendable pace, picking up as many converts to HD as anyone could have expected. That it's not suddenly overtaking the marketplace the way BD supporters would like is not unexpected. High-definition televisions have been around over a decade and they have only recently started to catch on.

And even if BD doesn't catch on with all viewers, so what? We all agree that high def looks better than standard def. That's not going to change. Are you worried that the studios and manufacturers that have now invested millions, billions, of dollars in the technology are suddenly going to abandon it? Not likely.

John

bgraham24

Jan 2, 2009 - CST 5:23 AM

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For me, this is a no-brainer issue. The quality of Blu-Ray is head and shoulders above DVD. More importantly, the average consumer can easily see and hear the difference between the two formats. So why has Blu-Ray not completely penetrated the HT market?? Do people hold some kind of sentimental place for DVDs? No, I don't think so. Are people fearful of the technology, i.e. not understanding technology jargon (1080p, HDMI, etc.)? Maybe, not likely. The real crux of the problem is cost.

Do you really believe that the BDA will merely be satisfied with coexisting alongside DVD? I think there goal, all along, has been to replace the DVD standard.

[Post edited by bgraham24 on Jan 2, 2009 - CST 5:26 AM]

spoonard

Jan 2, 2009 - CST 9:09 AM

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It seems most agree that it's cost holding Blu-Ray back. The quote in the article that stated that Blu needs to become what the market NEEDS it to be to survive as a viable format, not WISHES it were to make some fast cash is DEAD ON right. It's all about cost to the consumer at this point. And while prices have fallen quite a bit, I think it's not quite at the point to where people are jumping on board as fast as they could be.

StevePro

Jan 2, 2009 - CST 9:23 AM

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Quote:I think there goal, all along, has been to replace the DVD standard.

And to raise the price points of both software and hardware. But that was then and this is now.

Initially, that may have been BDs ultimate objective, at least until the economy tanked. Now they have to readjust to market realities, and they have done so. BD disks are now just a little bit more expensive then standard DVDs (that is, if you know where to buy them...mainly Amazon) and there are a growing number of excellent players available at reasonable prices. (My $139 Memorex works as well as my $499 Panasonic...really it does). BD won't replace SD they will both live side-by-each for a long time.

spoonard

Jan 2, 2009 - CST 9:37 AM

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Quote:BD disks are now just a little bit more expensive then standard DVDs (that is, if you know where to buy them...mainly Amazon)

Most AAA title Blu-Ray disks are still at a MSRP of $30 to $40 when you buy them at retail outlets like Fred Meyer, Target, and Wal*Mart. A lot of people do shop online though, but not the majority. That means MOST people see standard MSRP prices, and not online prices. So you have a minority of people desperately trying to support what is still a niche market. It's not going to work this way for much longer.

KungFuTaco

Jan 2, 2009 - CST 9:39 AM

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Well I went to best buy yesterday and the only crowded section of the movies was where the Blu Rays where. Enough people there to make me wait for them to move before I could pick up the titles I wanted. People seemed interested in it to me. And in the area where they keep the in store pick up items half the movie players were blu ray.

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