Hey, I have quite investing (buying DVDs) because I feel that I am going to end up having to buy the same titles overagain.

The new formats will be here soon and I just don't see the value in a collection that will be outdated technologically in 24 months.

Isn't this 8 track, cassette, CD, VHS, Laserdisc all over again?

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

Don

I think that this topic has been done to death.

You are right. My advice, don't buy anything! The Japanese are already working on the next generation of HDTV that is 16 times sharper.

4K woohoo!

I think this thought process is pure idiocy, and by soon, would you care to give us a timeline of some sort? The parties involved are still arguing over which format will eventually replace our beloved disc, and it's going to take quite some time before the next generation format hits critical mass. In essence, if you're a lover of film then you collect. Both Blue-Ray and HD-DVD formats will be backward compatible with existing DVD discs. Technology is always advancing and it's axiomatic that new formats will be on the horizon. Worry about what's over the next hill or two when you get to it. Some of our most treasured catalog titles are only being released now. Should we wait six or seven more years until they possibly see a release on a subsequent format when we can watch and enjoy them now? Give me a break...

I just buy DVDs for entertainment.

If you plan on participating in this hobby, you might as well get used to it. You'll be rebuying the same old crap over and over again until you die. It's called planned obsolescence. The electronics industry wants you to buy the same shit over and over again. They make more money that way. Of course, technology advances as well. Nothing you can really do about it.

About the only thing you don't have to buy over and over are amplifiers and speakers. But that's about it.

Think of it this way. You get to feed starving artists :P

I have a small DVD collection. I don't regret buying them because outfitting every room in the house with DVD is an inexpensive propostion. However when Blue Laser tech comes it will be a few years before you will think about HDTV in every room. Sure that means I'll have my favorites in both formats. So what, forward progress is great and just imagine how LotR is going to look in HiDef....drool.

I have to say that over the last month I've lost considerable interest due to the constant dipping of the studios. And the waiting. And I look at my racks and realize that I don't watch even 1/10th of my collection each year. I'm trimming the fat way down and keeping only the absolute necessities. I'll never buy like I have in the past. There is no time for it.

Just don't buy anything. Live off the land and shun all materialism. It's the only way to be truly safe from the trappings of consumerism. I advise you to liberate yourself by sending me all your DVD's.

I do see the OP point though. I loathe the ongoing march of technology. I hate buying something only to have it outdated in a short time. I'm not going to stop buying DVDs and am quite happy with the current format. I don't know if they will really ever be "outdated". There was a huge jump between VHS and DVD (yes there was laserdisc but...) so I don't think I would rebuy many, if any. Look at CD's, my CD collection still isn't outdated even though newer better formats exist.

the way I see it is this: I will continue to purchase DVDs in their current form. when HD-DVD finally arrives I will see what type of pricing is set for hardware/software and make my decision then. I see no problem moving into the new format as long as there is a significant change without a huge premium in cost. I don't see myself repurchasing all but a few titles in my current collection just for an upgrade. I will definately upgrade a few of the good horror movies I have in HD when they become available. besides, I think it's about time that AB re-re-re-re-re-re-re-re-re-re-release Army Of Darkness and Halloween.

Yes, it is.

However, I still enjoy by CDs and Laserdiscs almost daily. And I've even been known to play an audio cassette or VHS tape every now and again.

The previous format doesn't melt or self destruct when the new format comes out.


You either have to enjoy what you have... or always be waiting for the next best thing. It may help if you start considering your DVDs to be DVDs and cease thinking of them as 'investments'.

I wonder if I should finally jump on this here technology bandwagon? I think it's time to finally get rid of my horse 'n buggy since my horse is getting a little ling in the tooth and get me one of them there auto-mobile thing-a-ma-jigs. anyone care to recommend a good one?

You may not want do that. You'll only be that much more disappointed when hover-cars hit the market.

Ralph Kramden is still waiting for 3-D television.

I'm sure when HD/Bluray gets going, most will be upgrading a large part of their collections. Get real, you go to Best Buy and see those new HD titles. LOTR, SW, Criterions, etc. Then prices start to fall, fight some 20% DDD wars, and before you know it most of your collection is replaced and you're Ebaying your old DVDs for pennies.

If a movie that I own and love becomes available in a superior version and I can afford to (and want to) upgrade at that time, then why wouldn't I? The reality is though that SOOOO many titles are still not out or are just beginning to trickle out (7+ years after the DVD format began to become popular in the US) on region 1 DVD that I fully expect to see the same issue with the next formats... and as has been stated numerous times by others, "holding off" is ridiculous if you want control over what you watch and when you watch it... the bottom line is that if something you want is available and you can afford it, get it... if you don't want it enough to get it or can't afford to get it right now then don't worry about what's in the pipeline... (and OP, next time please use the search and resurrect an old thread on a dead horse topic instead of creating a new thread on a dead horse topic)