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Best & Worst Tech of 2008 (Blu-ray: the Worst)
Yahoo! Tech Article
Blu-ray - I'm happy to see that Blu-ray players have come down in price... but the media has not, and there's no way I'm paying $25 to watch Step Brothers. Plus the technology is still, bafflingly, dog-slow. |
In 1998, the 1998 equivalent of Step Brothers was about $25 (in 1998 dollars) on standard-def DVD and earning pretty universal praise.
Today, asking $25 (in 2008 dollars) for it in HD merits you a "Worst Tech" award?! Whatever. ...mainstream tech writers, column inches, etc. |
I remember going in to The Wiz locally and seeing DVDs priced at $25-$30 back in '99. Heck I paid over $20 for Analyze This when I first got my player.
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Originally Posted by Doctorossi
(Post 9140977)
In 1998, the 1998 equivalent of Step Brothers was about $25 (in 1998 dollars) on standard-def DVD and earning pretty universal praise.
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Originally Posted by Qui Gon Jim
(Post 9140988)
It was also a world where you couldn't go down to WalMart and browse a bin full of titles priced for $5, or go into a drug store and get the new releases on Tuesday. In other words, expectations have changed. I think this BD at this point in its life vs. DVD at the same point is an extremely flawed comparison for these and other reasons.
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I love HD but the disc prices really annoy me too, especially after DVDs bottomed out.
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Originally Posted by Doctorossi
(Post 9140977)
In 1998, the 1998 equivalent of Step Brothers was about $25 (in 1998 dollars) on standard-def DVD and earning pretty universal praise.
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I agree, you can't compare the two formats at this point in their lives for the reasons already stated. DVD took a while to change people's habits with regards to movies - they eventually warmed up to the idea of purchasing movies and building a collection. BD doesn't have to do this now.
You have to remember, DVD is still a pretty new format to most people. If the studios expect us to purchase our movies all over again so soon by adopting a new slightly-improved format - the price has to be more enticing. I'm surprised they didn't include the compatability problems as a reason to list it in their "worst" section. The slowness is one thing, but the fact that many discs have problems playing in different players is frustrating. This shouldn't happen to a format that's already 2 years old. |
The entire HD world of media/hardware is the worst product/idea in a long, long time.
Despite its benefits, the technology has confused and frustrated novice users and early adopters alike. Arcane terminology, confusing statistics, ever changing "standards" and marketing terms, clueless stores and salespeople . . . . Very disappointing. |
I remember paying $35 for office space when it first came out, and that was on sale.
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Originally Posted by Qui Gon Jim
(Post 9140988)
It was also a world where you couldn't go down to WalMart and browse a bin full of titles priced for $5, or go into a drug store and get the new releases on Tuesday. In other words, expectations have changed. I think this BD at this point in its life vs. DVD at the same point is an extremely flawed comparison for these and other reasons.
Originally Posted by Doctorossi
(Post 9140977)
In 1998, the 1998 equivalent of Step Brothers was about $25 (in 1998 dollars) on standard-def DVD and earning pretty universal praise.
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I have a shitload of Blu titles coming to me. Average prices are $6.69 for 10, and around $11.50 or so for about 12 titles.
This guy can blow it out his ass. And I certainly paid $34.99 and $29.99 for my DVD titles back in late 97 and 98. First title was The Thing. I paid $35 for that fucker. If you want the LATEST titles, you will pay. Doesn't matter if they are Blu-ray or regular DVD. Which this dumbass doesn't mention. |
Originally Posted by DVD Polizei
(Post 9141058)
I have a shitload of Blu titles coming to me. Average prices are $6.69 for 10, and around $11/50 or so for about 12 titles.
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Here's a part of another of the author's articles on Yahoo.
http://tech.yahoo.com/blogs/null/111734 Unexpected tech trends and predictions for 2009 "Blu-ray Ascending - It pains me to predict this, but I believe Blu-ray is going to grow in popularity and market share vs. DVD." Why does it pain him to say that? Sounds like this guy hates Blu-ray. Gee, I wonder why someone like that would put it on a worst tech list? |
While I agree that Fox's catalog titles need to come down if they want to be mainstream, I guess I'm just a glass-half-full kinda guy when it comes to Blu-ray software pricing. I used to pay $50 (back when $50 was $50) for an LD with the movie, a trailer and, when I was lucky, a commentary track.
And I used to walk 8 miles barefoot through the snow to school every morning. And I liked it! :D |
Originally Posted by Mr. Cinema
(Post 9141074)
Why does it pain him to say that?
Edited to add -- I don't know what kind of player he's using, but... http://tech.yahoo.com/blogs/null/108657 I've got my own problems with Blu-ray, having been giving it a fresh shot over the last few weeks. The player I have is a real pain vs. my cheapie DVD player. Startup time is ungodly, and I'll never understand why the player can't automatically figure out to play a Blu-ray disc if there's one in the device when it starts up. Instead it goes to an aggravating "home page" after a 30-second wait, and then it's another button press and another minute-long wait before I can get to the Blu-ray disc's home screen. Fast-forward and reverse is jerky and difficult to finely control, and that's a problem because I have to use them all the time due to the player's biggest annoyance: It doesn't remember where you were in a movie if you stop in the middle. If I quit at the 1 hour mark while watching a DVD on my bargain player, it picks right back up there the next time I turn it on. I understand that different model players will have different features, but this is standard on even the cheapest DVD gear. It's unfathomable that a $300 Blu-ray player can't get the job done. Is Blu-ray dead? When people like me who have both units sitting side by side actively prefer using DVD instead of BD whenever they can, you've definitely got some trouble ahead. |
Is this the same guy that predicted HD-DVD to win the format war? If so, that pretty much explains everything.
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Originally Posted by Michael Corvin
(Post 9141062)
Did you walk into a retail outlet and purchase them at that price? Bulk discounts and buying shit you are on the fence about, to get to whatever a sale requirement is, isn't even close to being the same as having reasonably priced movies on retail shelves.
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Originally Posted by mattysemo247
(Post 9141102)
Is this the same guy that predicted HD-DVD to win the format war? If so, that pretty much explains everything.
It's not like he picked Ralph Nader for president and then is making other political predictions. |
Is Blu-ray dead? When people like me who have both units sitting side by side actively prefer using DVD instead of BD whenever they can, you've definitely got some trouble ahead. Ah, perspective. Ah, priorities. |
Originally Posted by Qui Gon Jim
(Post 9141120)
So if someone is wrong once, then they are wrong forever? He was hardly alone going into CES2008 which changed everything.
Anyway, I'm getting happier with BD softeware prices. New releases are still way too much, but some studios (Universal/Paramount/Sony/Lionsgate) are making catalog pricing very attractive. Day and Dates are still a major problem with some titles almost double the price of the 1 Disc DVD set...but things should get better. 2009 will be the year of "Digital Copies"...every studio seems keen on this idea. I really wish they would just pack the normal DVD movie instead which would give people considering an upgrade to BD any easier transition (which is why I always liked Combo HD DVDs). Disney has already experimented with this (Sleeping Beauty), and HSM3 BD should have a DVD included instead of a DC when its announced along with Pinochio. |
Originally Posted by Mr. Cinema
(Post 9141074)
Why does it pain him to say that? Sounds like this guy hates Blu-ray. Gee, I wonder why someone like that would put it on a worst tech list? I mean, COME ON, the guy OWNS a Blu-ray player. Doesn't that give him a right to slam it every chance he gets? :lol: |
Originally Posted by SonOfAStu
(Post 9141224)
I mean, COME ON, the guy OWNS a Blu-ray player. Doesn't that give him a right to slam it every chance he gets? :lol:
I guess it's easier to just dismiss him personally instead of intelligently digesting what he has written, and deciding what points are valid and what is trash. I guess the "smart" thing to do is trash the whole thing because it is critical, and by golly we can't allow any criticism, right? |
Originally Posted by Drexl
(Post 9141010)
Yes, The Waterboy was that expensive.
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Originally Posted by GizmoDVD
(Post 9141198)
:lol: I don't think people really know what went on behind the scenes and how things changed literally in the blink of an eye. It is very akin to how BD "Insiders" were literally notified hours before Paramount went Red in August.
Anyway, I'm getting happier with BD softeware prices. New releases are still way too much, but some studios (Universal/Paramount/Sony/Lionsgate) are making catalog pricing very attractive. Day and Dates are still a major problem with some titles almost double the price of the 1 Disc DVD set...but things should get better. |
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