|
Audio Asylum Thread Printer Get a view of an entire thread on one page |
For Sale Ads |
70.72.71.219
In Reply to: Any recomendation for a good DVD player $400 max. posted by audiophilewannabe on December 30, 2006 at 09:37:15:
I've seen the first generation Samsung for as low as $500.
Follow Ups:
The future of home vid is iPod-style players or on-demand cable and I don't think its very far off at all. Blu-ray is the last gasp of spinning disk media. Those dropping big bucks for blu-ray DVD players better watch a lot of movies very quickly to get something for their expense. I think that in five years, dvd players, including blu-ray, will be as rare as VHS today.
On demand cable has been here for quite a while already, and the PQ is questionable. It certainly isn't stopping people from buying DVDs. Unlike music, downloading movies take *alot* of time, even with DSL or cable. Unless you have a fiber optic connection or a T-1, it isn't really practical. Whether or not the hi-def formats make it, DVDs will be around for a very long time yet.
Jack
I'm assuming that a few things will happen. Someone will take the Netflix idea to video file D/L on cable or the web. The models are Napster or iMusic. Setting up a simple screen menu for auto-download is a no-brainer.The cable providers and HBO/Showtime/etc control on-demand now and are botching it badly with crappy selection and high pricing. They seem to have no idea of how to market or exploit it.
It took $100 DVD players for the consumer to really make made the transition to DVD and that was with a huge improvement in vid quality over tape. The PQ difference between DVD and blu-ray isn't so huge to most viewers. I think on-demand service will evolve before blu-ray or HD DVD players get cheap. If Netflix is smart, they're already working on it.
It wasn't so long ago that CD sales were considered safe too. No one (in the industry) dreamed that file xfer would redefine the music industry. Then Netflix came from nowhere to virtually destroy Blockbuster and other vid renters almost overnight. Movie file xfer IS coming.
> > > The PQ difference between DVD and blu-ray isn't so huge to most viewers < < <
The difference between HD DVD and DVD on a decent set is HUGE. As more and more people buy HDTVs, it will become apprent to more people.Downloads of movies are not like downloading songs. Its alot more info. Really high speed internet will be needed-and widespread. Joe Sixpack isn't going to wait 2 hrs, to download a movie. He'll rent a disc intead. Its just not practical right now.
Jack
Didn't mean to get side-tracked on HD vs. std DVD. The issue is the media/delivery. I'm simply predicting a good quality on-demand service will be available before Blu-ray players are under $100 at Walmart. Just as with Netflix, you'll simply keep a list of your movie picks updated with the provider. Instead of disks being mailed, the files will be automatically sent to your cable box as bandwidth permits.And as with .mp3 vs .wav, people will compromise on absolute PQ for convenience, especially when the content (or perception) doesn't really demand HD. Look at the lousy PQ the networks get away with calling HD.
This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors: