So Blu has won an irrellevant victory

[mitchl]

So now I see where Smackdown is going.

First you have the very few deniers of the victory of Blu- who say that with Paramount and Universal and their strong unwavering support (but they no longer say things like EXCLUSIVE, but instead say CURRENT)- that maybe they can sway Fox or Disney. Well, hell, why don't you just sway Columbia?

But now it really seems like it is coming down to these two arguments:
1) Downloads -- Gee, I can't wait to just download what I want. I am sure my 8mbs cable which I share with the subdivision will work out just great in getting that HD movie in about a week. We will get FIOS! - except that is going to be going to such a small population it won't mean much, and it still takes a day.

Plus, when was the last time you saw a BOGO on iTunes or XBL? Sure you can subscribe with Netflix, but as soon as they turn it on with HD, you think it will be subscribe or PPV? And what about Spiderman or Transformers or Cinderella that gets watched a gajillion times.

Plus- if this really takes off, and is good -- I will welcome this with open arms. Since I got an iPod, my music purchases have dropped through the floor. I used to expand my library by 50 CDs a year, now I might buy 15-20 a year because I am not stacking things on my shelf for some eventual listening, I buy at the time of purchase what I want to listen to right then, and instead of 5 CDs at BestBuy, I get 1 or even a half of an album now and then will get one later.

2) Upconvert -- Well instead of going with 1080p/24, I would rather just upconvert my movies. Ok, maybe you shouldn't have been here at all - but thanks for playing.

3) DVDs are so good that people won't replace their libraries and HDM won't really ever take off -- I will admit I am still buying DVDs of movies I don't think I will replace, there is no reason I need SuperBad in HD. But most of my library now is not made up of catalog titles, it is made up of day and date releases -- for those, I am not going to change my strategy.

So all these arguments are reasons not to HDM at all- HD-DVD would have supposedly sucked just as bad against these. I am not buying it--- this is sour grapes by the red folks, and we need to stop engaging in these arguments.

HD-DVD loyalists, enjoy Zodiac and Transformers and Blades of Glory. maybe you will get a few more exclusives before it is out-- but why even buy those, just download them or upconvert them-- save your money.

[Gr00v3r]

This I find all pretty funny. Calling a Blu Victory on the Blu-ray vs. HD DVD Smackdown Forum Irrelevant.

[winstonshu]

Originally Posted by Gr00v3r

This I find all pretty funny. Calling a Blu Victory on the Blu-ray vs. HD DVD Smackdown Forum Irrelevant.

reading comprehension for the win.

his title is sarcastic, as one might understand if they comprehended the content of the post.

[ymmv]

Originally Posted by Gr00v3r

This I find all pretty funny. Calling a Blu Victory on the Blu-ray vs. HD DVD Smackdown Forum Irrelevant.

Read the full post instead of responding on just the subject title.

[Gr00v3r]

Originally Posted by winstonshu

reading comprehension for the win.

his title is sarcastic, as one might understand if they comprehended the content of the post.

I did read it I know he was being sarcastic I just found it funny.

[Wulf]

Originally Posted by mitchl

3) DVDs are so good that people won't replace their libraries and HDM won't really ever take off -- I will admit I am still buying DVDs of movies I don't think I will replace, there is no reason I need SuperBad in HD. But most of my library now is not made up of catalog titles, it is made up of day and date releases -- for those, I am not going to change my strategy.

You've already shown why Blu-ray will never reach the money making position DVD did! That was the same buying stance I took with HD movies. I'm not sure any of these formats will make it folks. Why? Well look at it this way if we're doing this to save a buck what do you think J6P will do? Also, the only reason you have some titles like SuperBad on HD was the BOGO deals. That's the only reason some of you bought them (freebies). I think this drives a serious point home and something the HD formats are going to have a hard time with!

[Nomen Luni]

Originally Posted by Wulf

You've already shown why Blu-ray will never reach the money making position DVD did!

Doesn't have to. It, or rather it-plus-DVD, just has to make more money than DVD will.

[Pyrochaos]

Originally Posted by Wulf

You've already shown why Blu-ray will never reach the money making position DVD did! That was the same buying stance I took with HD movies. I'm not sure any of these formats will make it folks. Why? Well look at it this way if we're doing this to save a buck what do you think J6P will do? Also, the only reason you have some titles like SuperBad on HD was the BOGO deals. That's the only reason some of you bought them (freebies). I think this drives a serious point home and something the HD formats are going to have a hard time with!

I kind of agree to a degree. I don't really have any comedies on HDM, just because i never really saw the point. Sure Happy Gilmore is my favorite movie, but do I really need to see it in HD?

[Firestreak]

I guess the point is, if the consensus of HD DVD fans is that digital downloads and upscaling dvds is going to destroy DVD, why did any of you back HD DVD for the win anyway? Why buy an HD DVD player, and buy them for your friends as gifts, is upscaling is better? Why buy 150 HD DVD movies if you are just waiting for digital downloads.

If you honestly thought HD DVD could have been the next format, why can't the format that's been selling better for a whole year do it?

[mitchl]

Originally Posted by Wulf

You've already shown why Blu-ray will never reach the money making position DVD did! That was the same buying stance I took with HD movies. I'm not sure any of these formats will make it folks. Why? Well look at it this way if we're doing this to save a buck what do you think J6P will do? Also, the only reason you have some titles like SuperBad on HD was the BOGO deals. That's the only reason some of you bought them (freebies). I think this drives a serious point home and something the HD formats are going to have a hard time with!

I didn't exactly say it as I meant to..
Yes, comedies like Superbad, I see no point to pay more for HDM when HDM is 10-15 more... when the delta is $5, then I would buy it in Blu. I will never rebuy that title in Blu though- that will just be in the library now in DVD, same thing for Caddyshack. Some maybe, Stripes or Holy Grail I can see replacing.

But a lot of what I do buy - Actions, Sci Fi, Epic Dramas, Documentaries, those I would much rather in Blu if I can. I actually did replace the Spidermans, and will replace the Supermans and probably the first couple Batmans. Now I cannot imagine settling for watching Blade Runner on DVD again, and what about Planet Earth?

I do actually buy a lot of catalog titles in HDM-- I am really enjoying westerns, which I did not have in my library before, but am loving those in HD now- I will surely replace True Grit when it hits Blu.

So will people go out and replace all their DVDs- no, but they will replace some, and probably in a lot of cases they will buy new releases in HDM (I will in most cases).

[dvdvision]

You don't rebuy Blade Runner on Blu, but rebuy Spiderman or Superman ?

I fail to see the sense.

[Amalgamutt]

The Bogo's will die once HD DVD is gone, that is fact. The Bogo's served their purpose and with no competition, why would they continue to offer them? They won't.
When a product becomes the de facto standard, the money making part of the equation comes into play. I'm sure players prices will level out, but don't look for any great deals. Both sides were offering freebies to win over users. When there is only one side, the freebies end, and the money making begins.

[mitchl]

Originally Posted by dvdvision

You don't rebuy Blade Runner on Blu, but rebuy Spiderman or Superman ?

I fail to see the sense.

No, I got the Blu. I said I cannot imagine settling for Blade Runner on DVD again. Now I have the Blu, it was well worth the upgrade, and I would have been happy even if I paid more but am glad it was only $27.95.

Probably not the best example though, since we have never had a good version on DVD before-- but Final Cut in Blu is awesome.

[chodax]

You also forgot than Blu-ray is coming to the PSP

[billd]

Originally Posted by Firestreak

I guess the point is, if the consensus of HD DVD fans is that digital downloads and upscaling dvds is going to destroy DVD, why did any of you back HD DVD for the win anyway? Why buy an HD DVD player, and buy them for your friends as gifts, is upscaling is better? Why buy 150 HD DVD movies if you are just waiting for digital downloads.
If you honestly thought HD DVD could have been the next format, why can't the format that's been selling better for a whole year do it?

The way I see it the ability to download HD content is either already here or coming soon. Here in Hong Kong two of the main Broadband providers offer packages for 1000/100/6/3 Mbps - US$280/$75/$33/$26 month (the 1000/100 packages include basic tv and city-wide wifi access) the other provider offers 1000/200/100/50/25 Mbps (don't have the pricing at hand but it will be very similar.) This is for dedicated bandwidth.
I understand in North America much of the broadband access is slower presumably because of the suburban layout, but it's unlikely to stay that way for long.
On the otherhand, getting access to content is more complicated; there are big problems with distribution rights in other countries. For example there is no iTunes Store access in Hong Kong at the moment. This is one area where North America has a definite advantage.

Bottom line is I would not dismiss HD downloads - there are a few issues to be addressed - however it might happen sooner than we expect.

I have yet to be convinced that Blu-Ray can fill the gap between DVDs today and HD downloads once they arrive. Player prices are coming down, but not fast enough. How long will be be for parity with DVD player prices? 2 years? Here in Hong Kong DVDs have only taken over from the older VCD standard in the the last 2-3 years - price won over picture quality big time. I don't expect Blu-Ray vs. DVD will be any different.

HD DVD could have been an easier sell (just buy a player labeled "HD DVD" instead of "DVD" - the disks have HD on one side DVD on the other - the buyer is barely aware a change is happening) and could have nicely bridged the gap between DVD and HD downloads.