BluRay (Yay or nay?)

[HyeJinx1984]

I'm really conflicted. Part of me wants to get a Bluray player really bad and replace much of my DVD library in that format... and the other part of me is worried this will be the laser disc of this generation... a format that dies off within a year or two.

It's really frickin' annoying. Especially with Christmas money coming in and me wanting a darn BluRay player! So what do you think?

[Renrock]

I watch a lot of movies and I love it , but it's not a necessity. It's great if you want the best picture possible on your TV , but I don't think DVD is going anywhere. it's really a personal decision of if you want to spoil yourself or not.

[Meatwad555]

go get a ps3.

[HappyCat]

PS3 gets the win

but Blu-Ray is like halfway out of its baby steps in my opinion, 2009 will hopefully snap the prices in half then it will explode like a nappy filled with baby poo

[onduvalst]

Walmart is backing and promoting blu ray,so you will see the price drop.

[Transbrak]

I was a skeptic but now I'm a believer.

Just be careful, once you start watching Blu-Ray DVDs look ugly.

[HappyCat]

I was a skeptic but now I'm a believer.

Just be careful, once you start watching Blu-Ray DVDs look ugly.

thats true, I actually feel the image is kind of blurred when I go back to normal DVD

lé sigh!

[killer_roach]

I was a skeptic but now I'm a believer.

Just be careful, once you start watching Blu-Ray DVDs look ugly.

That's very, very true... of course, I could tell the difference pretty much immediately, it's just getting painfully obvious the more stuff I watch.

[Fennz]

Blu-ray is the way to go.

My parents got a blu-ray player in May and I finally bought the Dark Knight in Blu-ray when it was released.

All I can say is...WOW.

[GalacticVirus]

I might get one to rent movies, if the price comes down to the point where I can no longer resist it, but I'm not going to rebuild my DVD collection. I learned my lesson going from VHS to DVD, I'm not shelling out for 2nd or 3rd copies of movies that are just going to sit on my shelf most of the year anyway.

Also, I had heard that it depends on your TV size, that you need like a 50 inch or larger TV to really notice the difference. For those of you who think DVD's look ugly now, how large is your TV?

[bood-boy]

blu-ray is a dying format. it will never catch on like DVD did. the future in movies is either VOD/rental thru ur provider or they will be delivered on some sort of flash card or memory stick. blu-ray is NOT here to stay.

[Flawless]

I'm sorry, but I can't buy into this whole VoD/downloaded thing winning this 'generation'.

Blu-Ray may be the last one before that becomes really, really popular and plausable but Blu-Ray isn't dying.

A) Too many people are collectors like me, who like physical copies.
B) The internet isn't fast enough yet to give us Blu-Ray quality or even DVD quality on time in anywhere but major cities.
C) People are too stupid to work VoD etc. on the whole.

There will always be a physical media, ALWAYS.

[Wolfbeckett]

I agree with Flawless. On demand internet movie delivery is awesome but it's nowhere near replacing physical copies yet, and probably never will completely just because of the collector aspect. For this generation, Blu Ray is king.

[killer_roach]

Also, I had heard that it depends on your TV size, that you need like a 50 inch or larger TV to really notice the difference. For those of you who think DVD's look ugly now, how large is your TV?

I first started watching my Blu-Ray movies on a 24" 1080p LCD computer monitor via HDMI, and have since switched over to a 46" 1080p LCD. You can tell the difference easily enough even on a smaller screen, but I will admit to having a better eye for detail than most, so maybe certain things that bug me with DVDs even at smaller screen sizes (like blocking and noise) might be not very noticeable to others.

[culturedog]

Every format is a dying format in the Sylvia Plath sense. I was a die-hard Laserdisc guy (and just watched my LD of The Long Kiss Goodnight last evening), but when I bought my first DVD all of the industry rags were already talking about HD on disc back then. I knew damn well that DVD wasn't going to be the final answer, but it just looked so freakin' good that I had to go for the now.

At the moment, the media is in love with the concept of VoD. Which is funny, because that stuff rarely came up when HD-DVD was battling Blu-Ray. As soon as the format war was over, 3/4 of all news pieces were "Blu-ray won, but it still loses. Nyah-nyah!"

Video on demand is fine, and can surely replace the rental market, but while casual movie viewers will love that, Flawless correctly pointed out that the collectors market will not be addressed through that system. And again, on demand HD quality is nowhere near Blu-ray level.

Even if I were to own a 200 Terabyte drive filled with my favorite movies, what if it fails or gets crisped in a lightning storm? Just download 'em all over again, right? Unfortunately, that won't happen as rights (especially for cult or criminally underseen films) are a slippery entity. Sure, the big blockbuster titles from the major studios will always be available On Demand, but the little ones will appear and then disappear (possibly for good) once the rights dry up.

Just look at what happens with Criterion Collection titles or countless other obscure goodies. Granted, most people aren't going to be interested in this, nor will they notice when things disappear from the menu - but the film nuts are still going to want physical media. I know I am.

Worst case scenario is Blu-ray becomes a niche market just like laserdisc was. Hardcore film nuts had LD while the rest of the world had VHS. Now the hardcore types will have BD-R while everyone else has VoD.

Still, Blu-ray isn't dead yet as a commercial success, even though the media's been digging its grave ever so diligently since early '08. Sales are increasing (the Dark Knight just sold a gajillion copies) and prices are lowering (sub ten dollar Blu-rays now exist).

Besides, VoD is sooo old news! I'm holding out for the service that beams movies directly into your brain!

[LZ_69]

Outstanding post CultureDog, I'm all for Blu-ray, right now VoD is not my cup of tea simply because my internet speed is not up to the task and my PS3 is already down to the last 20GB of space as it is.

But I think some poeple as spiteful at BR simply because maybe they where HD-DVD supporters, if HD-DVD had won the format war you would never have heard a peep about the issue. it would have been HD-DVD all the way.

[bood-boy]

blu-ray wont last as long as DVD's did, and they wont be as popular as dvd's, there will be a new form of delivery before blu-ray really "catches on"... i read somewhere that dark knight has sold about 2 million blu ray copies, and 12 million dvd copies. i ebt dvd' will outlast blu-ray. people arent ready to switch to blu-ray yet. and by the time theyre ready to switch, there will be a new form of delivery. discs are old news. memory sticks (like flash drives or SD cards, something along those lines) will be better. just plug it directly into your TV or an input box, no need for stupid lasers reading your discs.

[killer_roach]

culturedog: And then there's always the other hassle with digital distribution of movies... most places' licensing follows the iTunes model, and you can only download once. If your hard drive goes, oh well...

LZ_69: Not just HD-DVD supporters, 360 fanboys as well... if Blu-Ray catches on, that's a major selling point for the PS3, which adds to the value proposition of the system.

bood-boy: I doubt you'll see much with flash media, mainly due to the costs involved... by the time flash becomes viable as a format, Blu-Ray discs will have about reached commodity pricing... and, needless to say, it will be a long time before 25GB of flash gets that cheap (1-4 cents per GB). Not to mention the innate limited lifespan of flash memory due to state leakage...

[lawrence1103]

I think that the issue here with some people thinking that Blu ray may not be here to stay is that the price for the players and disc are pricey. Give until next year when prices start going down. All new technology is always expensive at first, sooner or later price goes down. I like all my Blu Rays, i would love to replace all my DVDs, but at the time being it'll break my pocket. So i'm doing it one movie at a time when i can. Blu Ray will be around for about 7-10 years, until technology get better and something new comes up. But i love the HD quality of Blu Ray, now i just need a bigger TV.

[culturedog]

i read somewhere that dark knight has sold about 2 million blu ray copies, and 12 million dvd copies.

Don't forget that that comparison is of a relatively new format versus one that's had over a decade to become an industry standard. Flash back a little less than ten years and then see how DVD was doing against VHS.

That didn't stop it from taking over as the dominant format. HD is getting bigger and bigger - a few years ago you couldn't find any widescreen displays at Wal-Mart or K-Mart, but now even those retailers are pimping HD models. Public awareness of HD is getting stronger, especially with the proliferation of informative ads about the 2009 switchover.

Right now there are a ton of people who feel 'duped' into buying DVD, hence the whole "it's good enough" mindset. But there's no real reason standard definition video can't get dumped as quickly as VHS did as BR-D prices continue to plummet and suddenly DVD doesn't look quite as good as reruns of CSI: Miami on that new flatscreen.

There's always a great deal of resistance to a regime change. When I was a loyal reader of Widescreen Review back in my LD days, they were adamant that DVD would fail, and that a 12" Laserdisc platform was the only way to go. So basically, never say never. Especially when the newer format is being implemented in households far more quickly than its predecessor was.


culturedog: And then there's always the other hassle with digital distribution of movies... most places' licensing follows the iTunes model, and you can only download once. If your hard drive goes, oh well...

God, I don't even want to think about the digital rights management mess that could come out of this. Just watching 'your' movie over at a friend's house could require a team of lawyers and three thousand forms to be signed and notarized. :D

[kiggidykev]

I hope Blu-ray does start to take off. I was rather hesitant to embrace a new format (since we have too many DVDs as is, and I didn't want to re-buy any of them), but after watching a few Blu-ray's at my folks' place on their gorgeous Bravia TV, I'm sold on it.

Not for every movie that comes out, mind you. I don't think I would spend money to see older stuff like Superman I or Rambo: First Blood in high definition. But for more modern titles like Iron Man or Dark Knight, I would just love to see those in the best possible resolution.

[culturedog]

I hope Blu-ray does start to take off. I was rather hesitant to embrace a new format (since we have too many DVDs as is, and I didn't want to re-buy any of them), but after watching a few Blu-ray's at my folks' place on their gorgeous Bravia TV, I'm sold on it.

Not for every movie that comes out, mind you. I don't think I would spend money to see older stuff like Superman I or Rambo: First Blood in high definition. But for more modern titles like Iron Man or Dark Knight, I would just love to see those in the best possible resolution.

I hear you! I certainly didn't rebuy all of my LDs on DVD, just like I didn't rebuy all my VHS titles on LD. And of course my lady has also put a strict moratorium on double dipping (except for James Bond movies) for the time being.

But it's funny you mention Superman I and Rambo:First Blood, since those are two of the films that really surprised me on Blu-ray. Mostly because I had seen them looking crappy for so long that I was amazed at how incredible they could look.

Iron Man and Dark Knight will look good on just about every format, but there's something really cool about seeing an old classic come alive again! Granted, the sound isn't always up to snuff on those old releases, but watching 'em on Blu-ray feels like being able to time travel back to watching them on film during opening weekend.

In any case, I think the Blu-ray players' ability to upscale DVD is a huge selling point. DVD did well for a long time, but when the first DVD/VHS combo decks came out it started to infiltrate a whole other corner of the market. By telling people that their old discs won't have to be discarded, but can actually look better than ever - that's a pretty killer angle.

Of course the media took that the other way and spouted about how upscaling progressive scan DVD-only players are way cheaper than Blu-ray decks - but they're a bunch of douchebags! :D

[bood-boy]

I hear you! I certainly didn't rebuy all of my LDs on DVD, just like I didn't rebuy all my VHS titles on LD. And of course my lady has also put a strict moratorium on double dipping (except for James Bond movies) for the time being.

But it's funny you mention Superman I and Rambo:First Blood, since those are two of the films that really surprised me on Blu-ray. Mostly because I had seen them looking crappy for so long that I was amazed at how incredible they could look.

Iron Man and Dark Knight will look good on just about every format, but there's something really cool about seeing an old classic come alive again! Granted, the sound isn't always up to snuff on those old releases, but watching 'em on Blu-ray feels like being able to time travel back to watching them on film during opening weekend.

In any case, I think the Blu-ray players' ability to upscale DVD is a huge selling point. DVD did well for a long time, but when the first DVD/VHS combo decks came out it started to infiltrate a whole other corner of the market. By telling people that their old discs won't have to be discarded, but can actually look better than ever - that's a pretty killer angle.

Of course the media took that the other way and spouted about how upscaling progressive scan DVD-only players are way cheaper than Blu-ray decks - but they're a bunch of douchebags! :D



thats how i felt when i first got DVD.... i couldnt believe how awesome Halloween 4 looked on DVD! i was so used to my VHS that looked like crap, and i thought, wow, dvd's really make these old movies look like theyre brand new movies now.

[culturedog]

thats how i felt when i first got DVD.... i couldnt believe how awesome Halloween 4 looked on DVD! i was so used to my VHS that looked like crap, and i thought, wow, dvd's really make these old movies look like theyre brand new movies now.

I remember the colors in particularly totally kicking my ass on DVD! You could have deep reds and purples and not have them all filled with nasty video noise.

I remember watching old European trash horror movies and just being amazed that anyone would take the time to make them look so good again!

[sa_nick]

Your making it more of a commitment than you have to. You said you want to get a blu ray and replace all your DVD's, dont do that, just when new movies come out buy the blu ray instead of dvd. Maybe get a couple of your favourite movies on blu ray even if u have the dvd, but i wouldnt worry about re-collecting every dvd i have as a blu ray instead.

[jacobB12`]

Y'know, the PS3 is a great dvd upscaler ;)

[bood-boy]

Your making it more of a commitment than you have to. You said you want to get a blu ray and replace all your DVD's, dont do that, just when new movies come out buy the blu ray instead of dvd. Maybe get a couple of your favourite movies on blu ray even if u have the dvd, but i wouldnt worry about re-collecting every dvd i have as a blu ray instead.

precisely. the only way i would ever buy a blu-ray player is if my current dvd player were to bite the dust. if i had to buy a new dvd player, id get a blu-ray, but i would never rebuy any of my movies on blu-ray. i watch the majority of my movies on TMN n HBO in HD, and if i like it ill record it on my PVR and not erase it. for instance, i will NEVER delete the Big Lebowski off my PVR.

[harbingerofdoom]

im fairly certain that BR is going to be the defacto standard...but not for another couple years. there are LOTS of people (like me) who have no problem with DVD and dont want to spend the money on a new player and replacing all of my movies.

as someone else said... its a personal choice right now... but if you choose to go BR, you wont have to worry about it going away overnight.

[Mex]

I have a pretty extensive DVD collection. When I got my PS3 I made the decision not to re-buy any movies in BR format. I might make an exception or two here and there but for the most part I don't think it's worth it.

From now on though I'll probably stick to BR with the exception of Comedies. I really don't need to see Will Ferrell in high def.

[Gatsby 42]

As you'd imagine, it's only really good when it comes to movies with great effects, movies like Wall-E, The Dark Knight or the Golden Compass are movies that are perfect for blu ray, but on the flip side, you can get a movie like Superbad which has no point in being blu ray because it's just as horrible and worthless on DVD.

DVD won't be going anywhere until Blu Rays stop getting so damn expensive, so until then most film buffs will be enjoying both.

[LZ_69]

I have a pretty extensive DVD collection. When I got my PS3 I made the decision not to re-buy any movies in BR format. I might make an exception or two here and there but for the most part I don't think it's worth it.

From now on though I'll probably stick to BR with the exception of Comedies. I really don't need to see Will Ferrell in high def.

I believe everybody thinks pretty much like this, although I did repurchase Good Fellas in BR for obvious reasons.:cool:

Oh I kinda had to whatch Will Ferrell in HD since Talladega nights came with my PS3:o

But I did buy Stranger than Fiction on BR willingly, that movie has Will Ferrell playing a role like you never seen him before and he's really good as a "serious" actor.

[sillystou]

go.
I finally bought the Dark Knight in Blu-ray when it was released.

All I can say is...WOW.

Darn it.... Can't wait until the 24th.... Me wants to watch it NOW

[Rock_Starman]

I just read an article the other week that said the first big selling DVD was The Matrix wich sold 900,000 in the first week then said The Dark Knight on Blu-ray sold 1.7 million the first week. That's a pretty big jump. After watching the IMAX scenes on BR I don't see how anyone could even attempt to watch anything on DVD anymore.

[DeadManDrumming]

Eh. I say Nay. If DVD quality sucks so bad....why did we bother to watch it in the first place? Heck *most* Movie Theaters have HORRID quality yet people go. I would wait for them to become dirt cheap before I would jump ship. By then I bet ya they will start to plan the hype of HVD. Holographic Versatile Disc....

[LZ_69]

Eh. I say Nay. If DVD quality sucks so bad....why did we bother to watch it in the first place? Heck *most* Movie Theaters have HORRID quality yet people go. I would wait for them to become dirt cheap before I would jump ship. By then I bet ya they will start to plan the hype of HVD. Holographic Versatile Disc....

uhhh..... we wacthed DVDs because it was the best video quality at the time??? and I don't know what movie theathers you frequent but the one I go to has premium HD projectors and oustanding sound.

And yes you could wait until BR players are about the same price as a DVD player these days, I think I have seen them as cheap as 40 bucks, but for a BR player to reach that price tag could be years from now, and by then you're right, the latest tech will be rearing it's little head. But like everybody says, 2009 could be the year when BR technology comes to very reasonable prices.

[Starfleet_Rambo]

I'm sorry, but I can't buy into this whole VoD/downloaded thing winning this 'generation'.

Blu-Ray may be the last one before that becomes really, really popular and plausable but Blu-Ray isn't dying.

A) Too many people are collectors like me, who like physical copies.
B) The internet isn't fast enough yet to give us Blu-Ray quality or even DVD quality on time in anywhere but major cities.
C) People are too stupid to work VoD etc. on the whole.

There will always be a physical media, ALWAYS.

For once, I'm in concurrence with this guy's statement.

[killer_roach]

Well, if you have a PC, you can watch Blu-Ray movies relatively inexpensively, as internal drives now can be had for about $85-90... been tempted to get one, but I think I'll wait for the prices on burners to drop just a bit more (the one I want is still $230).

[Shredder87]

I'd say nay right now. If I don't get a ps3 for christmas, then I'm planning on getting a stand alone player once they drop to about 150, but not that sh**ty Sony one. The one at 300. God that one is awful.

Oh yeah, and I agree on not buying movies that you've already bought unless it's one of your favorites, or a new release.

[Transbrak]

I have a pretty extensive DVD collection. When I got my PS3 I made the decision not to re-buy any movies in BR format. I might make an exception or two here and there but for the most part I don't think it's worth it.

From now on though I'll probably stick to BR with the exception of Comedies. I really don't need to see Will Ferrell in high def.

Due to sales and auctions I have won I have replaced a number of movies:

Resident Evil, Evil Dead II, Batman (The 60's Movie), Nine Inch Nails: Beside You In Time, Resevoir Dogs, Robocop, Paprika, and The Untouchables.

The only ones I didn't think were a stellar improvement was Robocop and Evil Dead II.

I'm trying not to go wild with the replacements but I have alot of cheap friends that are more than willing to buy my old movies for a reasonable price :D

Oh and about the size of my TV to the guy who asked, I have a 46" Sony Bravia LCD and a 57" Sony RPTV

I don't plan on throwing my DVDs out but I also don't plan on buying any more.