Video Asylum

Posted by grantv (M) on April 14, 2008 at 12:15:28

In Reply to: RE: 2012? posted by Jazz Inmate on April 14, 2008 at 10:55:05

>> Four years is a long ways away. <<

Not really. DVD is a mature technology, BD is a new technology. Four years is a relatively fast time to catch up. I think it took about the same timeframe for CD to supplant LP.

---I feel that as time and technology progress formats may have a shorter life span. Who knows what may happen in four years (new formats?) was my meaning in other words. A more 3 dimensional presentation? Maybe a stretch, but who knows.

>> I wouldn't be at all surprised if both are gone by then. :) <<

I suppose you could be right, but I don't see what there is to smile about if that's the case. Streaming/downloadable video is worse than DVD quality. Who wants to watch that on their brand new HDTV or listen to compressed audio on their nice HT systems?

---The smile goes back to my first reply; that a better technology will arise, not that we'll be using something worse.

>> I'd also think DVD sales are shrinking due to the fact that people have their base set of DVD's that they enjoy most, thus sales are just tapering off. For me, this is exactly what happened with both CD's and DVD's. I barely buy either nowadays as my base set of likeable discs is in my room. <<

Of course. That's what happens when mature formats pass their peak. Studios have been successful in offsetting this by "remastering" and repackaging their biggest sellers every couple of years. But with high def here now, few will want to upgrade their DVD to another DVD. That's where Blu-ray comes in. It has legs and the quality is fantastic.

---I personally have never bought into a "new release" DVD. I think many people (such as myself) tire of this, new formats included. I'm sure the quality of BD is fantastic, and perhaps it will stick around. But even as a semi-fanatic I can't be bothered. If my old X1 PJ bulb dies I'll definately buy an HD PJ in its place. Will I buy a blue-ray player at the same time, hm, maybe. But only if Blockbuster rents them in equal volumes (and similar rental pricing) and the selling prices are basically equal to DVD at the time. I put very little hours on my PJ though, so it could be a few years still. Now I'm going to smile again. :)