Regardless of the high density format war, I think it's pretty obvious that at some point, standard DVDs as we know them will be phased out.

The question is- when?

And how long will the people who make HD players continue to make them backwards compatible, so that people with massive DVD collections can continue to enjoy their films, long after standard players are no longer available?

Just curious to hear people's thoughts on this.

Apologies if this has been discussed to death already and also if this is in the wrong forum. Technically it's not an HD topic but since this topic wouldn't be an issue without the coming of HD- this seemed like the correct forum.

1. I personally I don't think it will die, at least at the hands of BR (and even if HD-DVD had won, I'd say the same thing)

2. There's no reason NOT to make HD players backwards compatible. That'd just turn off the general public who, I assume will also DVDs and not only still have DVDs, but one's that are not and probably will never be available on BR. This isn't like VHS to DVD and I don't think it's much of an expense to make it backwards compatible (unlike when VHS/DVD dual players came out).

DVD will outlast BD.

I don't think there will be any format in the next 20 years that will be as successful and ubiquitous as DVD. There would have to be something monumentous to moe the masses to start a NEW media-based film collection.

The bar has been set for the masses that movies should cost between $5 and $10. Until BD or whatever can get into that category, DVD has no worries.

I kinda hope so, cause I'd hate to have to rebuy all my movies in blu ray.

I can see reaching a point where it's time to start making all NEW purchases in that format, but man- I don't wanna go back and buy the James Bond movies all over again.

Maybe if they added a Connery commentary but beyond that I plan to be buried with the discs I have now.

Well no, not really.

But maybe.

And even if BD somehow overtakes DVD, I can't think that Sony or the other BD player manufacterers, would not make backward compatiple. I just don't see the general public replacing their DVD collection (however small) with BD, which means DVD will be around as long as there is disc media.

Agreed. People who really think DVD is going to be replaced by hi-def blu-ray or whatever are deluded. Not gonna happen. DVD is here to stay.

Those are my feelings as well. As long as SD prices keep dropping and the general public can pickup new and recent titles for $15 or less, and cheap players, it's going to be around for a long time. People see BD titles at $25 and $30, and expensive players, it's not going to be a tough choice for them.

Sony has to find a way to get BD into more homes. They have to step up the advertising and lower prices. They have to give the non-tech person the incentive to make the switch, whether it's a BD player with every Sony HDTV, more software sales, something...

Never.

I don't care how popular BD gets, JSP will always be buying DVDs whether he has an HDTV or not. Hell, I'LL always be buying SD's even when I get a BD player. I still buy them and I have an HD player.

So, yes, it will never die.

There is a report that there was a shooting on the corner of Crenshaw and that SD is holding on for dear life.

December 21, 2012, along with the rest of world (stupid Mayans).

DVDs will always be the primary mode of distribution for movies/television shows (as far as Blu-Ray goes).

Blu-Rays I think are going to be primarily for movie lovers/home theater owners and DVDs will say the prefiered choice for Joe Shmos...

well you hope they're stupid Mayans!

HDTVs still aren't in everybodys homes yet that obviously has to happen first

They are backwards compatible and upconvert your standard DVD's. There is no need for you to upgrade every single DVD you own.

If there is a particular movie you especially love then I guess that would be a good reason.

Maybe sometime in 2009 when the FCC will stop broadcasting analog signals.

Why? Most people aren't buying these TVs to display HD content.

They get them because they are cheap, big and available. I think the HD aspect is a very small reason for such a purchase.

DVD won't be replaced by a different DVD format. DVD will be replaced by digital downloads. Like MP3s to CDs. Just don't know when it will happen, or if they will ever be able to figure out the copy protection problems....but it's already close with renting movies onDemand via cable, satellite, Xbox Live, etc - and buying movies through iTunes. That's where the future is at, IMO - and I welcome it.

Will the government be hooking everyone up with super-duper high-speed internet access to get these large downloads for movies in the future? Even the low income folks can afford a hand-me-down TV and a $20-$30 DVD player, but they won't always have high-speed internet access for the "download movies" paradigm shift that people keep espousing as the future for movie distribution into homes.

i agree.

Why is it the government's responsibility to buy your movies or pay for your internet?

Not everybody can afford an iPod or a subcription to Napster or an Internet connection for iTunes. No difference.

I agree with those saying DVD is here to stay. It'll be the last mainstream physical medium for film/TV. BluRay seems here to stay now, but as a somewhat more popular version of the LaserDisc--primarily for the upscale and enthusiast market. By the time BluRay could surpass DVDs, I suspect downloads & streaming will have surpassed both.

These type of heretical statements may get you punished in this forum.

DVD and BD will co-exist. Studios will look at BD as another form of profit for their movies, but I do see BD cutting into some of DVDs revenue during its lifespan.

I think it is amazing, the capability that people have to underestimate technological progress in this world we live in. It is insane to say that any piece of technology will NEVER be phased out. That flies in teh face of everything that has happened in human history, particularly the past few decades. DVD will NOT be around for another 20 years. That's crazy talk. In five years, 10 years absolute max, DVD will be gone as far as being able to buy copies of new movies on it, or being able to find them in the store. Of course, since DVDs last a long time, people will have, and watch, and trade and sell private collections for possibly 20 years or longer, just as a great many people still have record collections. But as a format for releases of new stuff, the countdown is on already. I find it amazing that anyone could think that is NOT going to happen in the next several years. Technology moves forward...usually faster than you think.