Comments on: All eyes on new DVDs' format war
The pictures are crystal-clear, but the real-life future of high-definition DVDs remains foggy.
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reduced close outs ($7 to $15 per DVD), or the local pawn shops
($5 to $8 each). SOmetimes, I have to wait a month or so to get a
title through apawn shop, but I've got plenty of others to watch in
the meantime.
Maybe if the normal price dropped to $12 to $15, i'd buy more new
DVD's.
reduced close outs ($7 to $15 per DVD), or the local pawn shops
($5 to $8 each). SOmetimes, I have to wait a month or so to get a
title through apawn shop, but I've got plenty of others to watch in
the meantime.
Maybe if the normal price dropped to $12 to $15, i'd buy more new
DVD's.
I hated this with Beta and VHS, hated it again with the ridiculous amount of DVD writable formats, hated it further with the even more ridiculous number of flash formats, and this one is just as stupid. Personally, I blame Sony. I applaud them for their innovation, but they just seem to be uncompromising and never seem to want to get involved early with a unified format. Memory Stick, UMD, and now Blu-Ray are prime examples of coming up with a brilliant technology, but failing to bring everyone to them or making any effort toward compromise. Instead, people who love their technology end up painting themselves into a corner in terms of compatibility.
Don't take this as if I don't like the Memory Stick or UMD. I just believe it is Sony's fault that they can't get the support for their tech as the standard.
Companies backing Blu-Ray: Apple, Dell, Hitachi, HP, JVC, LG,
Mitsubishi, Panasonic, Pioneer, Philips, Samsung, Sharp, Sony,
TDK and Thomson
From Wikipedia:
HD DVD is promoted by Toshiba, NEC, Sanyo, and (most
recently) Microsoft, and backed by four major film studios.
I hated this with Beta and VHS, hated it again with the ridiculous amount of DVD writable formats, hated it further with the even more ridiculous number of flash formats, and this one is just as stupid. Personally, I blame Sony. I applaud them for their innovation, but they just seem to be uncompromising and never seem to want to get involved early with a unified format. Memory Stick, UMD, and now Blu-Ray are prime examples of coming up with a brilliant technology, but failing to bring everyone to them or making any effort toward compromise. Instead, people who love their technology end up painting themselves into a corner in terms of compatibility.
Don't take this as if I don't like the Memory Stick or UMD. I just believe it is Sony's fault that they can't get the support for their tech as the standard.
Companies backing Blu-Ray: Apple, Dell, Hitachi, HP, JVC, LG,
Mitsubishi, Panasonic, Pioneer, Philips, Samsung, Sharp, Sony,
TDK and Thomson
From Wikipedia:
HD DVD is promoted by Toshiba, NEC, Sanyo, and (most
recently) Microsoft, and backed by four major film studios.
about the bottom line. And HD-TV is a cheap screw option
compared to Blu-Ray. So go with HD-TV for the movies, and
provide dual mode (HD-TV and Blu-Ray) burners for data
storage (like the DVD+RW and DVD-RW burners now).
I want Blu-Ray for its data storage capacity. I want any format
that works for the HDTV movies.
It's time to fish or cut bait.
And cost will dominate,as far as I can see
HD-DVD. I think Microsoft is backing it, aren't they? Tsk, tsk, they always go with such horrible formats. If Windows Media is any indication in their decisions, HD-DVD is not the way to go!
about the bottom line. And HD-TV is a cheap screw option
compared to Blu-Ray. So go with HD-TV for the movies, and
provide dual mode (HD-TV and Blu-Ray) burners for data
storage (like the DVD+RW and DVD-RW burners now).
I want Blu-Ray for its data storage capacity. I want any format
that works for the HDTV movies.
It's time to fish or cut bait.
And cost will dominate,as far as I can see
HD-DVD. I think Microsoft is backing it, aren't they? Tsk, tsk, they always go with such horrible formats. If Windows Media is any indication in their decisions, HD-DVD is not the way to go!
For blu ray though, sony figured out how to beat the chicken and the egg dilemma, people WILL buy blu ray players (ps3) before there is even a lot of movies available.
As far a warners comment about wether they really need blu ray. Blu ray is for games, not movies. Games can have up to 9 hours or more of cut scenes in them, if they want the console to have HD cutscenes, they will need the space. Sony is looking at the future so we dont have to change formats again in 3 years, while toshiba is looking at a short term fix to just get something out the door.
For blu ray though, sony figured out how to beat the chicken and the egg dilemma, people WILL buy blu ray players (ps3) before there is even a lot of movies available.
As far a warners comment about wether they really need blu ray. Blu ray is for games, not movies. Games can have up to 9 hours or more of cut scenes in them, if they want the console to have HD cutscenes, they will need the space. Sony is looking at the future so we dont have to change formats again in 3 years, while toshiba is looking at a short term fix to just get something out the door.
SIGNED:PHYSICIAN THOMAS STEWART VON DRASHEK M.D.
SIGNED:PHYSICIAN THOMAS STEWART VON DRASHEK M.D.
Provided that dual format players are available *as standard* from the outset, the consumer will not perceive a problem and the two formats can compete on price, features, quality of the available films etc. Maybe one will quietly disappear, or maybe they will continue to co-exist. It shouldn't matter. So, having failed to do the sensible thing and agree on a single format, what the industry needs to do now is ensure that the necessary cross-licensing agreements are in place to make this a reality.
Consumers have shown a fondness for maximizing utility; the hd music disc formats that Sony and others tried to introduce a few years back failed because the music producers did not include the standard cd track embedded into the disc (an advertised capability of the formats)for people who had the need to use them on coventional cd players from time to time, causing the audiophiles to balk.
I can see a scenario where blu-ray can lead a separate existence in the gaming world, because gamers are their own market which producers will cater to, but conventional movie studios have nothing to gain by introducing the complexity of a disc that won't play in all existing players. Like the music cd, the current format and its playing equipment have become a center of gravity for all future developments.
Provided that dual format players are available *as standard* from the outset, the consumer will not perceive a problem and the two formats can compete on price, features, quality of the available films etc. Maybe one will quietly disappear, or maybe they will continue to co-exist. It shouldn't matter. So, having failed to do the sensible thing and agree on a single format, what the industry needs to do now is ensure that the necessary cross-licensing agreements are in place to make this a reality.
Consumers have shown a fondness for maximizing utility; the hd music disc formats that Sony and others tried to introduce a few years back failed because the music producers did not include the standard cd track embedded into the disc (an advertised capability of the formats)for people who had the need to use them on coventional cd players from time to time, causing the audiophiles to balk.
I can see a scenario where blu-ray can lead a separate existence in the gaming world, because gamers are their own market which producers will cater to, but conventional movie studios have nothing to gain by introducing the complexity of a disc that won't play in all existing players. Like the music cd, the current format and its playing equipment have become a center of gravity for all future developments.
1. Go to a movie theatre (where ticket prices are $10 each---a manager at one said "Prices are high because people bring in their own snacks." but years ago said "Snacks are expensive because movies are so cheap." Movie snacks are still ridiculously expensive ($5 for a bottle of water!), but movie tickets are $10---with commercials.
2. Buy the DVD for around $20 (average price). This really isn't worth it---many movies I want to see once but not more than once.
3. Rent the DVD for around $5. This is the best option for me, and I'm sure more and more people aren't as eager to part with $20 for a movie that just sits on their shelf after it has been watched once.
If Hollywood wants to sell more DVDs, lower the prices. If movie theatres want more attendance, they need to lower their ticket and concession prices.
Until they do, I'm sure they will see sales slumps---movies are entertaining but few are a big enough bang for the buck.
Entertainment is about value---and in most cases, cable TV and movie rentals are a far better value for the dollar (for the price of 5 movies a month, I have access to over 100 channels) than theatre movies or DVD purchases.
The only DVDs I buy are the few movies I want to own, that I will watch many times over. There are some great values, but overall, most DVDs and most movies in the theatre aren't enough entertainment value for the dollar.
1. Go to a movie theatre (where ticket prices are $10 each---a manager at one said "Prices are high because people bring in their own snacks." but years ago said "Snacks are expensive because movies are so cheap." Movie snacks are still ridiculously expensive ($5 for a bottle of water!), but movie tickets are $10---with commercials.
2. Buy the DVD for around $20 (average price). This really isn't worth it---many movies I want to see once but not more than once.
3. Rent the DVD for around $5. This is the best option for me, and I'm sure more and more people aren't as eager to part with $20 for a movie that just sits on their shelf after it has been watched once.
If Hollywood wants to sell more DVDs, lower the prices. If movie theatres want more attendance, they need to lower their ticket and concession prices.
Until they do, I'm sure they will see sales slumps---movies are entertaining but few are a big enough bang for the buck.
Entertainment is about value---and in most cases, cable TV and movie rentals are a far better value for the dollar (for the price of 5 movies a month, I have access to over 100 channels) than theatre movies or DVD purchases.
The only DVDs I buy are the few movies I want to own, that I will watch many times over. There are some great values, but overall, most DVDs and most movies in the theatre aren't enough entertainment value for the dollar.
I would hope that Best Buy, Netflix, Blockbuster (Oops! BB owned by a company with a conflict of interest-Viacom) Wal Mart and other retailers would create a Retailer's Council and "suggest" a format after careful review of presentations from competing formats, and recommendations by appropriate independent testing and certification groups.
Betamax was a better format, but more expensive, so VHS won out. Which of these two competing formats is most expensive to build, own and operate? Projected failure rates? Repair costs?
Retailers could, through the creation and operation of this Retailer's Council, have serious and worthwhile input on what is best for Consumers. That, after all, should be the primary consideration.
Maybe it should be a consumer body, like Consumer's Union.
While I'm a big believer in free markets and competitive markets, I think consumer's should not have to pay for competing forces and products to be tested on the backs of consumers.
I would hope that Best Buy, Netflix, Blockbuster (Oops! BB owned by a company with a conflict of interest-Viacom) Wal Mart and other retailers would create a Retailer's Council and "suggest" a format after careful review of presentations from competing formats, and recommendations by appropriate independent testing and certification groups.
Betamax was a better format, but more expensive, so VHS won out. Which of these two competing formats is most expensive to build, own and operate? Projected failure rates? Repair costs?
Retailers could, through the creation and operation of this Retailer's Council, have serious and worthwhile input on what is best for Consumers. That, after all, should be the primary consideration.
Maybe it should be a consumer body, like Consumer's Union.
While I'm a big believer in free markets and competitive markets, I think consumer's should not have to pay for competing forces and products to be tested on the backs of consumers.
through a movie????
Damn few, my friend. The first DVD's were single layer DVD's and
they did have to be turned over half way through the movie. Dual
layer DVD's were developed to eliminate the 'turn over' need.
The same thing will be needed for HDTV, and for that, we need a
new format.
through a movie????
Damn few, my friend. The first DVD's were single layer DVD's and
they did have to be turned over half way through the movie. Dual
layer DVD's were developed to eliminate the 'turn over' need.
The same thing will be needed for HDTV, and for that, we need a
new format.
My two DVD players from different manufacturers get very finicky if there are deep scratches on the discs. I get sick and tired of having to return the discs for another copy of a movie when my players won't advance a flick when it hits a serious scratch. This invariably happens about halfway through. I understand this is a problem with Netflix.
I hope CNET will revisit this durability issue with the new formats. It may be a catalyst issue to get manufacturers to finally pick one.
- Which is more durable?
- by Terry Gay July 15, 2005 3:34 AM PDT
- CNET ran a story last year about these two formats. The story pointed out that one of these formats would play even if the more durable discs became heavily scratched. If the two formats have close to the same density storage, then the tie breaker should be its durability. How many time have you rented a DVD from your local video store only to discover it looks like someone used it as a Frisbee?
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Showing 1 of 2 pages (44 Comments)My two DVD players from different manufacturers get very finicky if there are deep scratches on the discs. I get sick and tired of having to return the discs for another copy of a movie when my players won't advance a flick when it hits a serious scratch. This invariably happens about halfway through. I understand this is a problem with Netflix.
I hope CNET will revisit this durability issue with the new formats. It may be a catalyst issue to get manufacturers to finally pick one.