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[AlteredBeast]

POST 13,000 BITCH!

BLU-RAY 4 LYFE!

Edit: Aw, shit.

LOL!!

Post failed...like Blu-ray's future!!

 

[terrene]

Bought Weeds Season 1 and Season 2 on BR, as well as the excellent copy of Dog Day Afternoon. (Brilliant transfer, great movie, all the extras from the nice DVD edition - with some of the extras in HD!)

I still won't drop a dime on any HD-DVD releases (don't want to be part of the problem) but you have to raise an eyebrow at its newfound momentum. It seems a question of whether the business advantages that BR has lined up will be any match for the getting-cheaper-all-the-time HD-DVD alternative. Americans are very value-oriented. You have to worry about how Sony is leaving the low-end market up for grabs, as if they learned nothing from the Wii.

 

[OokieSpookie]

Bought Weeds Season 1 and Season 2 on BR, as well as the excellent copy of Dog Day Afternoon. (Brilliant transfer, great movie, all the extras from the nice DVD edition - with some of the extras in HD!)

I still won't drop a dime on any HD-DVD releases (don't want to be part of the problem) but you have to raise an eyebrow at its newfound momentum. It seems a question of whether the business advantages that BR has lined up will be any match for the getting-cheaper-all-the-time HD-DVD alternative. Americans are very value-oriented. You have to worry about how Sony is leaving the low-end market to die, as if they learned nothing from the Wii.

A publicity stunt does not equal momentum.
I would wait until the next few week's sales figures before giving it that much credit.

 

[lupin23rd]

I've been reading some rumors that someone (Toshiba?) is going to make a statement on the payoff that Paramount / Dreamworks received. I find it hard to believe, although I have no idea what difference it would make if they did come out and say they paid them out for it - to the concerned sides or to consumers.

On a separate topic - I need to get an HDTV and it's likely going to be a 720p set as I'm n a strict budget, and I may bail to Japan in the next few months. Right now it's a toss-up between a 32" Aquos, and a 42" Sony 3LCD DLP (which is actually the cheaper one, but I would need a stand). It's hard to say no to a cheaper, bigger set (with true 720p, not that 1366 x 768 bs that LCDs have now), but might be harder to sell off if I do bail to Japan.

Will be used for PS3 and Blu-ray (yeah I know I should get 1080p yada yada yada)

Which would you guys choose between these options?

 

[rc213]

Was the complete Fox release listed ever posted? I saw one that had Red Dawn, Ronin and Independence Day on it. :O

 

[The Main Event]

LOL!!

Post failed...like Blu-ray's future!!

:lol

 

[captive]

Anyone happen to have the chart/jpg of cost to manufacture hd dvd discs vs blu-ray discs with the combo comparison vs bd 50 etc?

Anyone? I know it was posted in this thread, but i havnt a clue one which page.
found it.
http://wesleytech.com/blu-ray-vs-hd-dvd-replication-costs-analyzed-again/113/

 

[Rotten Markhor]

I just saw the HD-DVD commercial with Michael Imperioli.

The Blu-Ray folks need to get James Gandalfini to do a commercial stat!

 

[VanMardigan]

You have pretty much proven most of my points.

Yes is nice
But yes it should all be on the disk in the first place.
The 300 disk has proven that all of the shiny features do not equal sales, so it does not give an advantage there but even if it did as you said yourself blu ray will be able to do any of this too so while nice for the loyal it really does nothing in the Blu-ray vs Hd-dvd scene.

Either you didn't pay attention to my post or you just feel like arguing points nobody's countering.

I'm not talking about stuff that should be on the disc, I'm talking about stuff that can't be placed on the disc for time reasons or because they haven't been done (like a separate featurette, a new language audio track, etc.

I don't think 300's sales is a reflection of its contents. It's not like most people had to choose between both versions, and even if they did, they weren't priced equally. Nobody in their right mind would pick the Blu Ray version over the HD DVD version, all other things being equal (price, and format availability in their house). Don't pretend that the sales gap had anything to do with a rejection of the kickass special feature set. Speaking of which, if you know what was ON the 300 HD DVD disc, we wouldn't have to discuss crap about why stuff can't be on the disc in the first place. Creating your own cut of the movie and sharing it with your friends is hardly something I'll consider as a negative or something to be concerned about.

All this focusing on the negative aspects of the interactivity technology seems like a thinly veiled shot at a feature set you're not privy to because your format is incomplete.

 

[SRG01]

Either you didn't pay attention to my post or you just feel like arguing points nobody's countering.

I'm not talking about stuff that should be on the disc, I'm talking about stuff that can't be placed on the disc for time reasons or because they haven't been done (like a separate featurette, a new language audio track, etc.

I don't think 300's sales is a reflection of its contents. It's not like most people had to choose between both versions, and even if they did, they weren't priced equally. Nobody in their right mind would pick the Blu Ray version over the HD DVD version, all other things being equal (price, and format availability in their house). Don't pretend that the sales gap had anything to do with a rejection of the kickass special feature set. Speaking of which, if you know what was ON the 300 HD DVD disc, we wouldn't have to discuss crap about why stuff can't be on the disc in the first place. Creating your own cut of the movie and sharing it with your friends is hardly something I'll consider as a negative or something to be concerned about.

All this focusing on the negative aspects of the interactivity technology seems like a thinly veiled shot at a feature set you're not privy to because your format is incomplete.

No it's not.

If we were to make an analogy to the current DVD environment, many people do not pay attention to semi-interactive content and extra features.

The main selling point of DVD (and its consequent negative impact on expensive ticket sales) is because of readily accessible media content. The same has been true for CD/MP3 sales, and any kind of accessible media or technology on the market; the more accessible it is for the general population, the more widespread its adoption.

The typical consumer does not pick up a DVD or HD-DVD or Blu-Ray title and ask him or herself, "Oh wow, Jerry Bruckheimer is talking about so-and-so scene and how the camera angles were all messed up so they had to reshoot the scene several times." That's BS. The two things the consumer will look at is a) the title and b) the price. Three things (HD-DVD or Blu-Ray) if we're talking about the Hi-Def wars.

 

[VanMardigan]

So, in that post of yours, what part of it was referring to anything I said?

What are you debating?

 

[SRG01]

So, in that post of yours, what part of it was referring to anything I said?

What are you debating?

hi

You have pretty much proven most of my points.

Yes is nice
But yes it should all be on the disk in the first place.
The 300 disk has proven that all of the shiny features do not equal sales, so it does not give an advantage there but even if it did as you said yourself blu ray will be able to do any of this too so while nice for the loyal it really does nothing in the Blu-ray vs Hd-dvd scene.

Either you didn't pay attention to my post or you just feel like arguing points nobody's countering.

I'm not talking about stuff that should be on the disc, I'm talking about stuff that can't be placed on the disc for time reasons or because they haven't been done (like a separate featurette, a new language audio track, etc.

I don't think 300's sales is a reflection of its contents. It's not like most people had to choose between both versions, and even if they did, they weren't priced equally. Nobody in their right mind would pick the Blu Ray version over the HD DVD version, all other things being equal (price, and format availability in their house). Don't pretend that the sales gap had anything to do with a rejection of the kickass special feature set. Speaking of which, if you know what was ON the 300 HD DVD disc, we wouldn't have to discuss crap about why stuff can't be on the disc in the first place. Creating your own cut of the movie and sharing it with your friends is hardly something I'll consider as a negative or something to be concerned about.

All this focusing on the negative aspects of the interactivity technology seems like a thinly veiled shot at a feature set you're not privy to because your format is incomplete.

 

[VanMardigan]

So you're saying that a dual format owner would prefer the Blu Ray version of 300 over the HD DVD version if the price is the same??

Is that what you believe? Because other than that, I don't see the correlation between the sales gap and the interactivity features. 300's sales follow the 2-1 BR/HD DVD software sales trends pretty much exactly. How are you extrapolating a rejection of special features from that?

 

[OokieSpookie]

Either you didn't pay attention to my post or you just feel like arguing points nobody's countering.

I'm not talking about stuff that should be on the disc, I'm talking about stuff that can't be placed on the disc for time reasons or because they haven't been done (like a separate featurette, a new language audio track, etc.

I don't think 300's sales is a reflection of its contents. It's not like most people had to choose between both versions, and even if they did, they weren't priced equally. Nobody in their right mind would pick the Blu Ray version over the HD DVD version, all other things being equal (price, and format availability in their house). Don't pretend that the sales gap had anything to do with a rejection of the kickass special feature set. Speaking of which, if you know what was ON the 300 HD DVD disc, we wouldn't have to discuss crap about why stuff can't be on the disc in the first place. Creating your own cut of the movie and sharing it with your friends is hardly something I'll consider as a negative or something to be concerned about.

All this focusing on the negative aspects of the interactivity technology seems like a thinly veiled shot at a feature set you're not privy to because your format is incomplete.

I was not addressing you at all with my post, only thanking you for proving my point.
You were not the one who posted the add for the features like it was some huge deal

 

[OokieSpookie]

Either you didn't pay attention to my post or you just feel like arguing points nobody's countering.

I'm not talking about stuff that should be on the disc, I'm talking about stuff that can't be placed on the disc for time reasons or because they haven't been done (like a separate featurette, a new language audio track, etc.

I don't think 300's sales is a reflection of its contents. It's not like most people had to choose between both versions, and even if they did, they weren't priced equally. Nobody in their right mind would pick the Blu Ray version over the HD DVD version, all other things being equal (price, and format availability in their house). Don't pretend that the sales gap had anything to do with a rejection of the kickass special feature set. Speaking of which, if you know what was ON the 300 HD DVD disc, we wouldn't have to discuss crap about why stuff can't be on the disc in the first place. Creating your own cut of the movie and sharing it with your friends is hardly something I'll consider as a negative or something to be concerned about.

All this focusing on the negative aspects of the interactivity technology seems like a thinly veiled shot at a feature set you're not privy to because your format is incomplete.

Incomplete?
Damn how dare I be enjoying my movies right now and damn how dare an incomplete format be winning week after week in sales.
Again you are attempting to steer what I am saying to fit your small frame of perception.
I think the features are nice and all, my point is that it is not a big deal and definitely will not make people all of the sudden switch sides
Especially since as you have said yourself, it is only a matter of time before Blu-Ray matches it at least.

 

[VanMardigan]

Why are you quoting me twice in a row with two different responses?? :lol

 

[SRG01]

So you're saying that a dual format owner would prefer the Blu Ray version of 300 over the HD DVD version if the price is the same??

Is that what you believe? Because other than that, I don't see the correlation between the sales gap and the interactivity features. 300's sales follow the 2-1 BR/HD DVD software sales trends pretty much exactly. How are you extrapolating a rejection of special features from that?

Your arguement has two caveats:

1) The person is likely to be the Hi-Def enthusiast, since he has access to two opposing formats. He or she is not the typical consumer.
1a) Dual format players are extremely unaccessible, so that is not a likely scenario.
2) Extra features offer immediate satisfaction or extra utility for everyone.

Your scenario is one that cannot be reduced to a simple "number of features" arguement by simply locking in price and accessibility. The number one falliacy of microeconomics is that the consumer is perfectly rational; anyone in business or marketing knows that this assumption is wrong.

By simply changing the variables of the game, you've ignored the fact that not everyone associates the same amount of enjoyment with extra features and content. Furthermore, even if he or she has access to both formats, does that person lean one way or another? Does that person own more Blu-Ray or HD-DVD titles and prefer to make one collection more "complete"? Does that person merely own the other format to watch the other studio's content and not have any sort of loyalty towards it?

You can't simply change what's happening in reality to fit your arguement, VM. That's just bloody bitter tears.

 

[VanMardigan]

Your arguement has two caveats:

1) The person is likely to be the Hi-Def enthusiast, since he has access to two opposing formats. He or she is not the typical consumer.
1a) Dual format players are extremely unaccessible, so that is not a likely scenario.
2) Extra features offer immediate satisfaction or extra utility for everyone.

All that, to invalidate your own argument. Because, if the person doesn't meet the criteria you outlined above, then their choice of movie (in this case 300) has absolutely NOTHING to do with what features the opposing format has.

Therefore, ookie's argument (which you quoted):

The 300 disk has proven that all of the shiny features do not equal sales

is patently false because, as you mentioned, there is not a large enough format neutral base to make such a determination.

 

[OokieSpookie]

Why are you quoting me twice in a row with two different responses?? :lol

Half asleep damn it

 

[VanMardigan]

Half asleep damn it

I know what you mean, I'm about to go to sleep soon too. Long day.

 

[djkimothy]

So I just got back from Disneyworld. Waste of time... but that's another story.

What's new?

 

[SRG01]

All that, to invalidate your own argument. Because, if the person doesn't meet the criteria you outlined above, then their choice of movie (in this case 300) has absolutely NOTHING to do with what features the opposing format has.

What are you talking about? I'm talking about your point of "all other things being equal" with price and formats in household. :lol

 

[VanMardigan]

What are you talking about? I'm talking about your point of "all other things being equal" with price and formats in household. :lol

Then how else can you defend the statement

The 300 disk has proven that all of the shiny features do not equal sales

???

 

[terrene]

LOL!!

Post failed...like Blu-ray's future!!

A publicity stunt does not equal momentum.
I would wait until the next few week's sales figures before giving it that much credit.

Jesus christ! Kill this thread with fire. And I thought the gaming forum was bad.

 

[SRG01]

Then how else can you defend the statement



???

*points to numbers*

...

*points to price*

...

*points to numbers again*


We're talking about your arguement here about "oh if prices were equal, HD-DVD 300 would sell more than Blu-Ray" while ignoring that it's a failed arguement to start with. :lol

 

[SRG01]

Jesus christ! Kill this thread with fire. And I thought the gaming forum was bad.

No, not yet!! We must reach 400 pages first! :lol

 

[VanMardigan]

We're talking about your arguement here about "oh if prices were equal, HD-DVD 300 would sell more than Blu-Ray"

Except I never made that argument. I simply stated that the 300 sales couldn't possibly be used to make an argument against the attractiveness of interactivity (which was being bashed at the time). In order to make that argument, you'd have to present the very specialized scenario you keep pointing out. But keep spinning stuff around and you might find something you can pin on me. Eventually.

 

[Witchfinder General]

Question for X360 HD-DVD add on/Oppo owners


Right, I already have a Blu-Ray player (Sony BDP-1SE) and due to the whole rift in studio alliances last week it has forced my hand in to getting an HD-DVD player.

I live in Australia and in order to afford my new AV receiver (Marantz SR-9600 - Fuckin' awesome) I sold my old reference DVD player and am now at the mercy of my Sony Blu-Ray player for PAL DVD playback and my imported US PS2 for NTSC DVDs (horrible, I know).

Now, as Blu-Ray is my main high-def format of choice would it make sense to get the X360 HD-DVD add on with an Oppo DV-981HD? A locally bought Toshiba HD-DVD player is out of the question as it won't play any NTSC DVDs (I have a collection of close to 500 DVDs with half of them being from the US) so I figure the above is my best option.

My TV is this Samsung.

Will the Oppo do a better job of DVDs than my Blu-Ray player?
Will the X360 HD-DVD add on do a good job for HD-DVD despite being limited to 1080i over component?

I really appreciate your help.

 

[theBishop]

This thread exists in a parallel dimension where nothing is as it seems.

BTW, who gives a shit about Blu-Ray and HD-DVD?! UMD baby.

UM-muthafuckin'-D.

 

[mrklaw]

Either you didn't pay attention to my post or you just feel like arguing points nobody's countering.

I'm not talking about stuff that should be on the disc, I'm talking about stuff that can't be placed on the disc for time reasons or because they haven't been done (like a separate featurette, a new language audio track, etc..

you're putting a lot of faith on studios using internet connectivity to add new features of value to consumers, and not just use it as a cheap way to push more marketing at them.

 

[Crayon Shinchan]

Jesus christ! Kill this thread with fire. And I thought the gaming forum was bad.

The only reason this thread has been kept open is because I imagine mods don't want this inanity spilling out into other threads, of have multiple subjects created for every development.... only to have the same few people argue the same talking points every fucking time!

 

[djkimothy]

I see nothing has changed since I left. :/

 

[Petrarca]

I see nothing has changed since I left. :/

when did you leave?

 

[djkimothy]

when did you leave?

lol, last week.

 

[Petrarca]

lol, last week.

where did you go?

I'm back in town too after 3 weeks

 

[djkimothy]

where did you go?

I'm back in town too after 3 weeks

Disney world. I'd rant on how it's the shittiest place on earth. but I don't feel like making a thread for that.

I missed a fucking opportunity to apply for this government job. And for what, long lines for 3 minute rides, sore feet and legs and stress levels that I haven't felt since my undergrad years. :/

Who the fuck would go back to a place like that?

 

[Brofist]

Disney world. I'd rant on how it's the shittiest place on earth. but I don't feel like making a thread for that.

I missed a fucking opportunity to apply for this government job. And for what, long lines for 3 minute rides, sore feet and legs and stress levels that I haven't felt since my undergrad years. :/

Who the fuck would go back to a place like that?

:lol what are you 70 years old

 

[djkimothy]

:lol what are you 70 years old

If you had to babysit the children that went on the trip you'd understand.

 

[theBishop]

Disney world. I'd rant on how it's the shittiest place on earth. but I don't feel like making a thread for that.

I missed a fucking opportunity to apply for this government job. And for what, long lines for 3 minute rides, sore feet and legs and stress levels that I haven't felt since my undergrad years. :/

Who the fuck would go back to a place like that?

Yeah, but you must've seen a lot of future Blu-Ray owners there since its the only place they'll be able to see Snow White and Mickey Mouse.

 

[DarkJediKnight]

OMG! Steelbook. Pure sex!

 

[Christoff Yurievich]

that has to be one of the most poorly designed disc-arts ever.

where is that available, btw?

 

[DarkJediKnight]

Germany, but it's region free.

 

[Midas]

OMG! Steelbook. Pure sex!

This will be my first Blu-ray. Double dipping since I got the Korean edition on DVD. Please tell me this has English subs?

Edit - Where can I get it? The place I usually buy DVDs from doesn't have it.

 

[Forsete]

Yes please, do tell where I can acquire this ITEM!!!

 

[distantmantra]

Last I heard, it doesn't have English subtitles.

 

[Midas]

Last I heard, it doesn't have English subtitles.

I'd better learn German then.

 

[DarkJediKnight]

All highdef releases should be in steelbook instead of the crappy plastic they now use. Hey, they want to charge us money, make it look good.

 

[neojubei]

OMG! Steelbook. Pure sex!

When?? Where???? how much?

Germany, but it's region free.

WTH, why does Germany get this awesome package?

 

[Crayon Shinchan]

Nice package. Too bad I didn't like the movie.

Or maybe it's a good thing, as I don't know german.

 

[Christoff Yurievich]

this was on Yahoo's front page:

Division over next-generation DVDs deepening

By Gina KeatingMon Sep 3, 9:59 AM ET

Hollywood studios are becoming deeply divided over which high-definition technology will replace the DVD, increasing prospects that it will be years before next-generation players become standard equipment in U.S. households.

Paramount Pictures (VIAb.N) and DreamWorks Animation SKG Inc (DWA.N) signed exclusivity deals to distribute their next-generation discs on Toshiba Corp's (6502.T) HD DVD format for the next 18 months, a move that evened a contest where Sony Corp's (6758.T) Blu-Ray Disc appeared to be pulling ahead.

Paramount expected the lower-priced HD DVD players, which start at $299 compared with $499 for Blu-Ray, to tempt consumers more this holiday season when summer box office blockbusters are released on high-definition DVD.

"We are in a very nascent stage in the world of high definition packaged media," said Kelley Avery, president of Paramount Home Entertainment. "Our approach is taking a look at what will motivate the consumer."

But the Walt Disney Co (DIS.N), a Blu-Ray supporter, has sent a traveling road show to the top eight U.S. shopping malls to promote Blu-Ray players to those looking to upgrade.

"Our goal with the Disney Magical Blu-Ray Tour is to reach as many people as possible and help educate consumers across all demographics," said Bob Chapek, president of Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment.

Pali Research analyst Rich Greenfield said Paramount's defection from Blu-Ray "alter(s) the landscape meaningfully, as Paramount is the leading theatrical distributor year-to-date."

Eight of the 15 top-grossing films of the year, including "Shrek the Third," "Transformers" and "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" were released by studios that distribute exclusively on HD DVD or on both formats.

SEDATE TRANSITION

Tom Adams, president of Adams Media Research, said the 18-month period of exclusivity for HD DVDs at the two studios comes during slow but growing sales for the new technology and will have little impact on consumers.

"It was going to be a more sedate transition in our view anyway," Adams said. "That's one reason that a period of exclusivity didn't sound too terrifying to the studios."

The 1.66 billion standard DVD and VHS units sold so far this year dwarf the 3.9 million next-generation discs sold since the format was launched last year.

Preliminary estimates compiled by Adams Media Research show that about 1.5 million U.S. households can play Blu-Ray discs on Sony PlayStations 3 video game machines or dedicated players, versus about 300,000 households whose Microsoft XBoxes or dedicated players are HD DVD compatible.

Sony has dominated high-definition software sales as well, selling twice as many discs as HD DVD in the United States.

The two formats are nearly at parity in the number of titles each has released -- about 200, according to Digital Entertainment Group data.

Despite Sony's early edge, Adams and others warn it is simply too early to tell which format will prevail.

Adams expects HD DVD to be ahead in 2008, in terms of dedicated players, capturing about 1.1 million U.S. households, compared with 900,000 households with dedicated Blu-Ray players.

PriceWaterhouseCoopers also expects to wait several years for a winner to emerge and give large numbers of U.S. consumers confidence to buy.

"Relatively few stand-alone (high definition) players have been purchased, which suggests that the presence of two incompatible ... standards could be inhibiting the market," PWC said in its Global Entertainment and Media Outlook: 2007-2011.

In the long wait for a winner, studios that chose one format could find they're leaving money on the table, Adams said.

"The more positive development for the industry ... would have been having the Blu-Ray-exclusive studios start releasing on HD DVD," Adams said. "We think ... there's some inevitability that they will have to release in both formats."

Universal Studios is a unit of General Electric Co (GE.N). Warner Bros is owned by Time Warner Inc (TWX.N). Twentieth Century Fox is a unit of News Corp (NWSa.N). Paramount is a unit of Viacom Inc (VIAb.N).