How long until blu-ray is outdated?
06-08-08 | 10:09 AM
#76
DVD Talk Hero
I don't think anyone is going to disagree with that, I will however, disagree with the "almost, almost" there.
The digital copies would fit just fine, putting it on a second disc is a courtesy for people as Blu-owners is already a small number, Blu-owners with Blu PC Drives is even smaller.
Originally Posted by PopcornTreeCt
Probably wouldn't have been any better for it being smaller. There's nothing innovative about Blu-rays over DVDs other than better PQ and AQ. The digital copy was a nice start but apparently that can't fit on the same disc so it's useless.
Maybe if we get to the point where we can download commentaries from fans/filmmakers from the web, that would be a nice bonus, but I doubt that will ever happen because the studios want us to double and triple dip.
Maybe if we get to the point where we can download commentaries from fans/filmmakers from the web, that would be a nice bonus, but I doubt that will ever happen because the studios want us to double and triple dip.
06-08-08 | 10:12 AM
#77
DVD Talk Hero
Originally Posted by pro-bassoonist
I am going to requote the question RoboDad asked above as it was avoided twice. I am curious to know what more BR needs to offer seeing that you appear convinced it isn't enough?
Pro-B
Pro-B
Otherwise, I think Blu-Rays have about 10 years or so of life as a niche product and will be replaced by VOD.
06-08-08 | 10:47 AM
#78
DVD Talk Hero
Originally Posted by pro-bassoonist
Cut for length
It happens.
Instead of combing through my old posts and looking for gotcha! moments (really? people do change their minds, after all) why not argue against my position? Does Blu-ray offer any better usability than DVD? In fact, name me one widely adopted media format that was successful because of functionality, not usability.
Last edited by Tracer Bullet; 06-08-08 at 10:50 AM.
06-08-08 | 10:51 AM
#79
ISPs don't like VOD. In 10 years, Blu-ray discs WILL be in line with DVD prices. Maybe cheaper. At that point, it wouldn't be too smart to download movies for a fee, over and over again just to watch the damn movie a few months later.
[think Goodfellas with Ray Liotta as narrator]
DVD P: "Ooops! I had to delete the movie off my proprietary machine to make room for more HD movies. Can I watch the same movie again, because I already paid for it?"
Studios: "Fuck you. Pay me."
DVD P: "My ISP is charging me more because more content is being downloaded and--"
Studios: "Fuck you. Pay me."
DVD P: "My box was stolen and the hundreds of movies I have stored? Do I have to pay for all those movies to download them again?"
Studios: "Fuck you. Pay me."
DVD P: "Yeah, I have a machine in my living room, but I also want to watch movies in my upstairs bedroom and my son wants to watch movies in his room as well."
Studios: "Fuck you. Pay me."
DVD P: "Hi. I'm over at my friend's house and I have the same movie on my machine at home."
Studios: "Fuck you. Pay me."
DVD P: "Hi. It's me again. I'm using my laptop on vacation, and I can't get a decent connection to--"
Studios: "Hi sir. Let me check on that one:
-----
I just don't see how VOD is going to be embraced by consumers.
[think Goodfellas with Ray Liotta as narrator]
DVD P: "Ooops! I had to delete the movie off my proprietary machine to make room for more HD movies. Can I watch the same movie again, because I already paid for it?"
Studios: "Fuck you. Pay me."
DVD P: "My ISP is charging me more because more content is being downloaded and--"
Studios: "Fuck you. Pay me."
DVD P: "My box was stolen and the hundreds of movies I have stored? Do I have to pay for all those movies to download them again?"
Studios: "Fuck you. Pay me."
DVD P: "Yeah, I have a machine in my living room, but I also want to watch movies in my upstairs bedroom and my son wants to watch movies in his room as well."
Studios: "Fuck you. Pay me."
DVD P: "Hi. I'm over at my friend's house and I have the same movie on my machine at home."
Studios: "Fuck you. Pay me."
DVD P: "Hi. It's me again. I'm using my laptop on vacation, and I can't get a decent connection to--"
Studios: "Hi sir. Let me check on that one:
Spoiler:
-----
I just don't see how VOD is going to be embraced by consumers.
Last edited by DVD Polizei; 06-08-08 at 10:56 AM.
06-08-08 | 10:57 AM
#80
DVD Talk Legend
Originally Posted by The Bus
VOD will destroy Blu-ray, once it is correctly implemented.
Do you know where I keep my CDs? In a box somewhere. Well, in a few boxes, as I've got hundreds of them. I'd like to do the same with my DVDs. Honestly, it's about the content. Box art and packaging is nice but it's not THE reason I buy DVDs.
Which is why I'll never pay for downloads. I want a physical medium to store my music and movies on that I don't have to worry about having files become corrupted or lost due to a hard drive gone bad.
If I want to listen to an album, I load it from a menu from within my computer, my PS3, or the 360 (all in different areas of the house). I can put an album on my iPod and take it with me.
I wish I could do that with movies. And we're almost, almost there. To anyone that doesn't see this coming, you're fooling and deluding yourself.
I wish I could do that with movies. And we're almost, almost there. To anyone that doesn't see this coming, you're fooling and deluding yourself.
Turning on the computer, downloading the movie into your portable video player, hooking said player up to the bedroom TV - that will take more time than a lot of people will be willing to spend. It's a lot easier just to put the Blu Ray disc into the player already in your bedroom that's already hooked up to the TV. And if you want to move from one TV to another in the middle of the movie you just take the disc out and put in in another player in another room and pick up where you left off.
For a lot of people (especially those less tech savvy) discs are a lot easier and more conveneient.
As far as VOD (streaming live to a box hooked up to your TV), that's the same as a rental, and a lot of people would rather buy than rent.
It's going to be a long time (25-30 years) before there are no physical media forms (DVD, Blu Ray, whatever) available as new/current products to buy.
And that's not even considering those who DO like to have the packaging!
06-08-08 | 11:00 AM
#81
DVD Talk Legend
Originally Posted by DVD Polizei
ISPs don't like VOD. In 10 years, Blu-ray discs WILL be in line with DVD prices. Maybe cheaper. At that point, it wouldn't be too smart to download movies for a fee, over and over again just to watch the damn movie a few months later.
[think Goodfellas with Ray Liotta as narrator]
DVD P: "Ooops! I had to delete the movie off my proprietary machine to make room for more HD movies. Can I watch the same movie again, because I already paid for it?"
Studios: "Fuck you. Pay me."
DVD P: "My ISP is charging me more because more content is being downloaded and--"
Studios: "Fuck you. Pay me."
DVD P: "My box was stolen and the hundreds of movies I have stored? Do I have to pay for all those movies to download them again?"
Studios: "Fuck you. Pay me."
DVD P: "Yeah, I have a machine in my living room, but I also want to watch movies in my upstairs bedroom and my son wants to watch movies in his room as well."
Studios: "Fuck you. Pay me."
DVD P: "Hi. I'm over at my friend's house and I have the same movie on my machine at home."
Studios: "Fuck you. Pay me."
DVD P: "Hi. It's me again. I'm using my laptop on vacation, and I can't get a decent connection to--"
Studios: "Hi sir. Let me check on that one:
[think Goodfellas with Ray Liotta as narrator]
DVD P: "Ooops! I had to delete the movie off my proprietary machine to make room for more HD movies. Can I watch the same movie again, because I already paid for it?"
Studios: "Fuck you. Pay me."
DVD P: "My ISP is charging me more because more content is being downloaded and--"
Studios: "Fuck you. Pay me."
DVD P: "My box was stolen and the hundreds of movies I have stored? Do I have to pay for all those movies to download them again?"
Studios: "Fuck you. Pay me."
DVD P: "Yeah, I have a machine in my living room, but I also want to watch movies in my upstairs bedroom and my son wants to watch movies in his room as well."
Studios: "Fuck you. Pay me."
DVD P: "Hi. I'm over at my friend's house and I have the same movie on my machine at home."
Studios: "Fuck you. Pay me."
DVD P: "Hi. It's me again. I'm using my laptop on vacation, and I can't get a decent connection to--"
Studios: "Hi sir. Let me check on that one:
Spoiler:
06-08-08 | 11:06 AM
#82
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From: Blu-ray.com
Originally Posted by Tracer Bullet
Instead of combing through my old posts and looking for gotcha! moments (really? people do change their minds, after all) why not argue against my position? Does Blu-ray offer any better usability than DVD? In fact, name me one widely adopted media format that was successful because of functionality, not usability.
Originally Posted by RoboDad
The problem is, you didn't answer Drexl's question.
Earlier, you said that Blu-ray needed to offer more than just improved picture and sound to differentiate itself from DVD. What did you have in mind?
Earlier, you said that Blu-ray needed to offer more than just improved picture and sound to differentiate itself from DVD. What did you have in mind?
Anyhow, seeing how radically you changed your position on practically every single point you made, it is probably understandable why you can not answer.
Pro-B
Last edited by pro-bassoonist; 06-08-08 at 11:09 AM.
06-08-08 | 11:10 AM
#83
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From: A far green country
Originally Posted by The Bus
VOD will destroy Blu-ray, once it is correctly implemented.
Do you know where I keep my CDs? In a box somewhere. Well, in a few boxes, as I've got hundreds of them. I'd like to do the same with my DVDs. Honestly, it's about the content. Box art and packaging is nice but it's not THE reason I buy DVDs.
If I want to listen to an album, I load it from a menu from within my computer, my PS3, or the 360 (all in different areas of the house). I can put an album on my iPod and take it with me.
I wish I could do that with movies. And we're almost, almost there. To anyone that doesn't see this coming, you're fooling and deluding yourself.
Do you know where I keep my CDs? In a box somewhere. Well, in a few boxes, as I've got hundreds of them. I'd like to do the same with my DVDs. Honestly, it's about the content. Box art and packaging is nice but it's not THE reason I buy DVDs.
If I want to listen to an album, I load it from a menu from within my computer, my PS3, or the 360 (all in different areas of the house). I can put an album on my iPod and take it with me.
I wish I could do that with movies. And we're almost, almost there. To anyone that doesn't see this coming, you're fooling and deluding yourself.
VOD faces several problems that no implementation can overcome, as long as the studios are the owners of the content:
- Studios sell content to other studios, and those new content owners will be under no obligation to honor previous consumer "purchases" of downloaded content.
- Studios are purchased or absorbed by other studios, and again, the new owners will not necessarily be obligated to honor previous consumer "purchases".
- Studios can opt to place titles on moratorium, suspending existing "purchases" for a time.
- VOD providers can fail or be purchased by other VOD providers. In such cases, there will be no guarantee of access to content previously "purchased".
- Consumer storage of "purchased" movies can fail, and VOD providers may have cumbersome and costly requirements to replace lost content, or may even disallow re-downloading the content without repurchasing it (which has already happened in at least one documented case).
06-08-08 | 11:13 AM
#84
DVD Talk Legend
Originally Posted by DVD Polizei
[think Goodfellas with Ray Liotta as narrator]
DVD P: "Ooops! I had to delete the movie off my proprietary machine to make room for more HD movies. Can I watch the same movie again, because I already paid for it?"
Studios: "Fuck you. Pay me."
DVD P: "Ooops! I had to delete the movie off my proprietary machine to make room for more HD movies. Can I watch the same movie again, because I already paid for it?"
Studios: "Fuck you. Pay me."
06-08-08 | 11:28 AM
#85
DVD Talk Legend
Originally Posted by B5Erik
hich is why I'll never pay for downloads. I want a physical medium to store my music and movies on that I don't have to worry about having files become corrupted or lost due to a hard drive gone bad.
There's a technology called Qflix that will allow downloading of videos to be burned to copy-protected DVDs, which will allow major studio adoption of the technique.
http://www.qflix.com/
For most people that's a lot of work just to watch a movie in the bedroom...
It's a lot easier just to put the Blu Ray disc...
As far as VOD (streaming live to a box hooked up to your TV), that's the same as a rental, and a lot of people would rather buy than rent.
It's going to be a long time (25-30 years) before there are no physical media forms (DVD, Blu Ray, whatever) available as new/current products to buy.
06-08-08 | 11:31 AM
#86
So, basically VOD will complement physical disc content. Which is more realistic.
06-08-08 | 11:36 AM
#87
Originally Posted by Draven
Prices directly in-line with current DVD prices, and a sub-$200 player that isn't a video game machine and maybe you'll have something.
Otherwise, I think Blu-Rays have about 10 years or so of life as a niche product and will be replaced by VOD.
Otherwise, I think Blu-Rays have about 10 years or so of life as a niche product and will be replaced by VOD.
BD costs more to manufacture, and offers alot more in terms of audio/video quality and interactivity than dvd. Of course it's going to be priced higher.
Even the list prices NOW for both formats are very similar. BD is just not getting a larger discounted price when they're released.
06-08-08 | 11:39 AM
#88
DVD Talk Legend
Originally Posted by RoboDad
VOD faces several problems that no implementation can overcome, as long as the studios are the owners of the content:
Studios sell content to other studios, and those new content owners will be under no obligation to honor previous consumer "purchases" of downloaded content.
Studios sell content to other studios, and those new content owners will be under no obligation to honor previous consumer "purchases" of downloaded content.
VOD providers can fail or be purchased by other VOD providers. In such cases, there will be no guarantee of access to content previously "purchased".
Consumer storage of "purchased" movies can fail, and VOD providers may have cumbersome and costly requirements to replace lost content, or may even disallow re-downloading the content without repurchasing it (which has already happened in at least one documented case).
06-08-08 | 11:51 AM
#89
DVD Talk Hero
Originally Posted by Mr. Cinema
The pricing is following exactly as DVD did. DVDs didn't drop down to $15 after 2 years of existence. BD and DVD both have very similar list prices during their first 2 years of existence. If you're expecting all BDs to drop down to the $15 area now, you'll be waiting for some time.
BD costs more to manufacture, and offers alot more in terms of audio/video quality and interactivity than dvd. Of course it's going to be priced higher.
Even the list prices NOW for both formats are very similar. BD is just not getting a larger discounted price when they're released.
06-08-08 | 12:36 PM
#90
DVD Talk Hero
Originally Posted by pro-bassoonist
Actually, I looked through your posts to see where you stand on the issues you argue about as you never replied to this question:
For me to argue against your position I must know what your position is, and up until the last post you made here you were very clear that BR does not offer better usability yet you have not made it clear what more means to you. This was why Drexl made his initial comments and this is why RoboDad re-questioned you.
Anyhow, seeing how radically you changed your position on practically every single point you made, it is probably understandable why you can not answer.
Pro-B
For me to argue against your position I must know what your position is, and up until the last post you made here you were very clear that BR does not offer better usability yet you have not made it clear what more means to you. This was why Drexl made his initial comments and this is why RoboDad re-questioned you.
Anyhow, seeing how radically you changed your position on practically every single point you made, it is probably understandable why you can not answer.
Pro-B
Usability refers to the physical properties of the format- size, ease-of-use, how one uses it, plays it, buys it, acquires it, keeps it. In thinking about this Blu-ray vs. DVD "battle" for a while now, it has become apparent to me that media formats succeed or fail based on usability, not functionality. Blu-ray clearly offers no advantage over DVD in usability.
06-08-08 | 12:41 PM
#91
DVD Talk Legend
Originally Posted by Tracer Bullet
I'm not trying to be offensive, but I don't think you understand the distinction I am making being functionality and usability. Functionality refers to the quality of presentation- audio/visual quality, primarily, but also refers to added features such as commentary tracks, special features, etc. Basically, the content portion of the format.
Usability refers to the physical properties of the format- size, ease-of-use, how one uses it, plays it, buys it, acquires it, keeps it. In thinking about this Blu-ray vs. DVD "battle" for a while now, it has become apparent to me that media formats succeed or fail based on usability, not functionality.
Usability refers to the physical properties of the format- size, ease-of-use, how one uses it, plays it, buys it, acquires it, keeps it. In thinking about this Blu-ray vs. DVD "battle" for a while now, it has become apparent to me that media formats succeed or fail based on usability, not functionality.
Like with OAR, it will take a lot of educating the masses for them to really get the benefits of Blu Ray on an HDTV (which more and more people own every month), but as time goes on people will learn, they will see the difference, and they WILL want HD programming for their HDTV's that they paid a premium price for.
DVD is a digital medium based on a technology and a picture standard that was created before WWII. It will hang around for quite a while, but all that while Blu Ray will continue to grow.
06-08-08 | 01:03 PM
#92
DVD Talk Hero
Originally Posted by B5Erik
That would be true - if we weren't switching to a new TV format. But since we are in the early stages of a switch to High Def the old DVD's are noticeably deficient compared do Blu Rays when it comes to functionality.
Like with OAR, it will take a lot of educating the masses for them to really get the benefits of Blu Ray on an HDTV (which more and more people own every month), but as time goes on people will learn, they will see the difference, and they WILL want HD programming for their HDTV's that they paid a premium price for.
06-08-08 | 01:08 PM
#93
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From: Blu-ray.com
Originally Posted by Tracer Bullet
I'm not trying to be offensive, but I don't think you understand the distinction I am making being functionality and usability. Functionality refers to the quality of presentation- audio/visual quality, primarily, but also refers to added features such as commentary tracks, special features, etc. Basically, the content portion of the format.
Usability refers to the physical properties of the format- size, ease-of-use, how one uses it, plays it, buys it, acquires it, keeps it. In thinking about this Blu-ray vs. DVD "battle" for a while now, it has become apparent to me that media formats succeed or fail based on usability, not functionality. Blu-ray clearly offers no advantage over DVD in usability.
Usability refers to the physical properties of the format- size, ease-of-use, how one uses it, plays it, buys it, acquires it, keeps it. In thinking about this Blu-ray vs. DVD "battle" for a while now, it has become apparent to me that media formats succeed or fail based on usability, not functionality. Blu-ray clearly offers no advantage over DVD in usability.
My question to you is: what more in terms of usability BR could have offered to separate itself from SDVD?
Pro-B
06-08-08 | 01:14 PM
#94
DVD Talk Hero
Originally Posted by pro-bassoonist
Tracer, I understand perfectly what you wrote. The reason I went back through your posts is because I did not read a single comment clarifying what more in terms of usability BR could have offered? Your only to-the-point comments have been about functionality.
My question to you is: what more in terms of usability BR could have offered to separate itself from SDVD?
Pro-B
My question to you is: what more in terms of usability BR could have offered to separate itself from SDVD?
Pro-B
Blu-ray does nothing to make it easier to watch a movie. That is what the average person cares about. Whatever the next home media format is, it is going to be more usable than DVD or Blu-ray and will make it easier to watch movies. And the next step in making it easier will be eliminating more of the effort of watching video.
Last edited by Tracer Bullet; 06-08-08 at 01:16 PM.
06-08-08 | 01:25 PM
#95
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Originally Posted by Mr. Cinema
The pricing is following exactly as DVD did. DVDs didn't drop down to $15 after 2 years of existence. BD and DVD both have very similar list prices during their first 2 years of existence. If you're expecting all BDs to drop down to the $15 area now, you'll be waiting for some time.
BD costs more to manufacture, and offers alot more in terms of audio/video quality and interactivity than dvd. Of course it's going to be priced higher.
Even the list prices NOW for both formats are very similar. BD is just not getting a larger discounted price when they're released.
BD costs more to manufacture, and offers alot more in terms of audio/video quality and interactivity than dvd. Of course it's going to be priced higher.
Even the list prices NOW for both formats are very similar. BD is just not getting a larger discounted price when they're released.
BD does not have any of these luxuries. Just because DVD was successful does not necessarily mean that BD will follow suit.
06-08-08 | 01:35 PM
#96
DVD Talk Legend
Originally Posted by Qui Gon Jim
DVD was the perfect storm. It hit at a time when the economy was good, it offered a paradigm shift in the playback and availability of films, and, most importantly IMO, it had no other delivery methods impeding its way.
BD does not have any of these luxuries. Just because DVD was successful does not necessarily mean that BD will follow suit.
BD does not have any of these luxuries. Just because DVD was successful does not necessarily mean that BD will follow suit.
Standard DVD's look like crap on a lot of HDTV's. Blu Rays look incredible. People will see that.
Not everyone cares, but over time a large number of people will switch so that they can get High Def movies for their High Def TV's. And don't discount the, "Keeping up with the Joneses," factor. That will have a lot of people buying them just to have the latest and the coolest video equipment. A lot of people that can't afford HDTV and Blu Ray now will find those items at more affordable prices a year from now (and certainly 2 years from now).
06-08-08 | 01:38 PM
#97
DVD Talk Hero
Originally Posted by B5Erik
That would be true - if we weren't switching to a new TV format. But since we are in the early stages of a switch to High Def the old DVD's are noticeably deficient compared do Blu Rays when it comes to functionality.
Like with OAR, it will take a lot of educating the masses for them to really get the benefits of Blu Ray on an HDTV (which more and more people own every month), but as time goes on people will learn, they will see the difference, and they WILL want HD programming for their HDTV's that they paid a premium price for.
DVD is a digital medium based on a technology and a picture standard that was created before WWII. It will hang around for quite a while, but all that while Blu Ray will continue to grow.
Like with OAR, it will take a lot of educating the masses for them to really get the benefits of Blu Ray on an HDTV (which more and more people own every month), but as time goes on people will learn, they will see the difference, and they WILL want HD programming for their HDTV's that they paid a premium price for.
DVD is a digital medium based on a technology and a picture standard that was created before WWII. It will hang around for quite a while, but all that while Blu Ray will continue to grow.
06-08-08 | 01:40 PM
#98
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From: Blu-ray.com
Originally Posted by Tracer Bullet
Nothing. It is basically DVD+. The same goes for HD DVD, as well.
Blu-ray does nothing to make it easier to watch a movie. That is what the average person cares about. Whatever the next home media format is, it is going to be more usable than DVD or Blu-ray and will make it easier to watch movies. And the next step in making it easier will be eliminating more of the effort of watching video.
Blu-ray does nothing to make it easier to watch a movie. That is what the average person cares about. Whatever the next home media format is, it is going to be more usable than DVD or Blu-ray and will make it easier to watch movies. And the next step in making it easier will be eliminating more of the effort of watching video.
*
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/...entry_id=26852
Netflix: DVD business could peak in 5 to 10 years
Netflix's online DVD rental business could peak in five to 10 years, CEO Reed Hastings told investors Wednesday.
"Everybody peaks sometime," Hastings said in a brief interview. But "the DVD is a strong eco-system and Blu-ray is going to make it stronger."
The Los Gatos company expects eventually to shift its emphasis to streaming television shows and movies online. Last week, for instance, Roku, a startup, introduced a $99 set-top box that transfers video to the television, one of four expected Netflix-enabled set-top boxes to be introduced this year and next. Executives said they also hope the Netflix service will be incorporated into future game consoles, Internet-enabled televisions and high-definition DVD players.
Right now, Netflix offers about 10,000 titles online -- most of them older and independent films, and none so far in high-definition -- and said it hopes that studios will soon clear the rights to add more films to the mix.
But it added that it believes its model to offer combined online DVD rentals and a streaming service for a monthly fee will help pave the way as it competes against the likes of Apple, Amazon, YouTube and other Web sites and services.
Netflix is distinguishing itself by not depending on advertisements or fees to download the shows and films, executives said. Consumers also don't have to watch the videos during a limited time period.
Netflix said it could reach as many as 20 million subscribers through streaming. But it emphasized that it doesn't plan to introduce a stand-alone streaming service any time soon -- "We're a long way before we reach that point in time," said Netflix chief financial officer Barry McCarthy -- and that DVDs allow it to offer a full library.
Separately, Netflix executives also said that it expects to offer online streaming to Intel-based Mac computers this year. Currently, it is only available for Windows PCs.
And though it currently does not charge extra for rentals of next-generation Blu-ray DVDs, it is testing different prices for its high-definition offerings.
Netflix's online DVD rental business could peak in five to 10 years, CEO Reed Hastings told investors Wednesday.
"Everybody peaks sometime," Hastings said in a brief interview. But "the DVD is a strong eco-system and Blu-ray is going to make it stronger."
The Los Gatos company expects eventually to shift its emphasis to streaming television shows and movies online. Last week, for instance, Roku, a startup, introduced a $99 set-top box that transfers video to the television, one of four expected Netflix-enabled set-top boxes to be introduced this year and next. Executives said they also hope the Netflix service will be incorporated into future game consoles, Internet-enabled televisions and high-definition DVD players.
Right now, Netflix offers about 10,000 titles online -- most of them older and independent films, and none so far in high-definition -- and said it hopes that studios will soon clear the rights to add more films to the mix.
But it added that it believes its model to offer combined online DVD rentals and a streaming service for a monthly fee will help pave the way as it competes against the likes of Apple, Amazon, YouTube and other Web sites and services.
Netflix is distinguishing itself by not depending on advertisements or fees to download the shows and films, executives said. Consumers also don't have to watch the videos during a limited time period.
Netflix said it could reach as many as 20 million subscribers through streaming. But it emphasized that it doesn't plan to introduce a stand-alone streaming service any time soon -- "We're a long way before we reach that point in time," said Netflix chief financial officer Barry McCarthy -- and that DVDs allow it to offer a full library.
Separately, Netflix executives also said that it expects to offer online streaming to Intel-based Mac computers this year. Currently, it is only available for Windows PCs.
And though it currently does not charge extra for rentals of next-generation Blu-ray DVDs, it is testing different prices for its high-definition offerings.
**
http://www.tvpredictions.com/stringer060508.htm
Sony's Stringer: Downloads Can't Compete With Blu-ray
The electronics chief says the high-def disc is gaining steam.
By Swanni
Washington, D.C. (June 5, 2008) -- Sony CEO Howard Stringer says supporters of the Blu-ray high-def disc have nothing to worry about from digital downloads.
In fact, Stringer says downloads won't even be competitive in the United States.
“I don’t think in this country it’s going to be competitive,” Stringer told The New York Times in an article published today.
The executive explained that U.S. Broadband services are so slow that it can take 10-14 hours to download a high-def film over the Net. Americans will never have the patience for that, he argued, so Blu-ray should dominate the home video category.
“Blu-ray is really gathering momentum," he told The Times.
Of course, Stringer has cause to downplay downloads and praise Blu-ray. Sony is the main backer of the Blu-ray high-def disc.
Supporters of digital downloads, such as Microsoft, TiVo, Apple and NetFlix, contend that Broadband speeds will soon increase and eventually make even HD downloads fast and convenient.
The electronics chief says the high-def disc is gaining steam.
By Swanni
Washington, D.C. (June 5, 2008) -- Sony CEO Howard Stringer says supporters of the Blu-ray high-def disc have nothing to worry about from digital downloads.
In fact, Stringer says downloads won't even be competitive in the United States.
“I don’t think in this country it’s going to be competitive,” Stringer told The New York Times in an article published today.
The executive explained that U.S. Broadband services are so slow that it can take 10-14 hours to download a high-def film over the Net. Americans will never have the patience for that, he argued, so Blu-ray should dominate the home video category.
“Blu-ray is really gathering momentum," he told The Times.
Of course, Stringer has cause to downplay downloads and praise Blu-ray. Sony is the main backer of the Blu-ray high-def disc.
Supporters of digital downloads, such as Microsoft, TiVo, Apple and NetFlix, contend that Broadband speeds will soon increase and eventually make even HD downloads fast and convenient.
Ciao,
Pro-B
Last edited by pro-bassoonist; 06-08-08 at 01:42 PM.
06-08-08 | 01:45 PM
#99
DVD Talk Hero
Originally Posted by B5Erik
No, but the shift to HD is certainly a strong indicator that another "Perfect Storm" is hitting, thanks to a little help from the government mandating digital broadcasts. The shift in TV standard is the first in 60 years (70, for all practical purposes, as the difference between pre-war and post-war TV's were negligable - although enough to make the pre-war TV's big paper weights once TV came back online after the war). Anyway - the shift in TV standards is a once in a lifetime thing, and it's happening now - just when Blu Ray needs it.
Standard DVD's look like crap on a lot of HDTV's. Blu Rays look incredible. People will see that.
Not everyone cares, but over time a large number of people will switch so that they can get High Def movies for their High Def TV's. And don't discount the, "Keeping up with the Joneses," factor. That will have a lot of people buying them just to have the latest and the coolest video equipment. A lot of people that can't afford HDTV and Blu Ray now will find those items at more affordable prices a year from now (and certainly 2 years from now).
Standard DVD's look like crap on a lot of HDTV's. Blu Rays look incredible. People will see that.
Not everyone cares, but over time a large number of people will switch so that they can get High Def movies for their High Def TV's. And don't discount the, "Keeping up with the Joneses," factor. That will have a lot of people buying them just to have the latest and the coolest video equipment. A lot of people that can't afford HDTV and Blu Ray now will find those items at more affordable prices a year from now (and certainly 2 years from now).
06-08-08 | 01:47 PM
#100
Suspended
Originally Posted by Draven
What does the digital conversion have to do with hi-def movies?