Ignatz Mouse
Banned
I am amazed, as well. But it it helps PSP get critical mass and more games (and it might well *not*) then I say "go go UMD movies!"
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New Line contributes pics to fast-moving UMD format
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It's only a matter of time before other platforms show up - Sony isn't the only one holding a license to manufacture units with UMD drives.
Question is whether a mediaplayer-only device (say, UMD+HDD builtin) has a chance of success though.
I did hear Samsung may be working on a UMD-phone though - which would be kinda interesting thing to see if real
sonycowboy
Member
Fafalada said:It's only a matter of time before other platforms show up - Sony isn't the only one holding a license to manufacture units with UMD drives.
Question is whether a mediaplayer-only device (say, UMD+HDD builtin) has a chance of success though.
I did hear Samsung may be working on a UMD-phone though - which would be kinda interesting thing to see if real
Agreed. Although, I don't think we would have ever seen other UMD players, if movies hadn't taken off. It'll be interesting to see how Music does. There you've really, really got an issue of piracy and existing products blocking thier path to any level of success.
Agent Icebeezy
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I remember recalling that developers didn't like competing against other forms of media on the same platform. I know that the PS2 and Xbox play DVDs as well, but this could be the first platform to usurp games. I'm sure that isn't sitting well with publishers
dskillzhtown
keep your strippers out of my American football
Zaxxon said:
Same here. But I guess I was totally wrong. All these movies wouldn't be coming out if they weren't selling. I am awaiting 'Time Bandits' myself.
Nightbringer
Don´t hit me for my bad english plase
Here we are waiting our ultra expensive PSP (250 euro and the Euro valor is now 1,20 US $).
Any of you know if Sony has the same plans for the European market?
Any of you know if Sony has the same plans for the European market?
sonycowboy
Member
Monorojo said:
Yep,
Although, given that Sony has shipped over a million UMD movies (not including Spider-Man), it's likely well over 1.3M in terms of UMD's shipped.
How many are sold is another story altogether, although it seems good enough that UMD support continues to grow more and more each day. Showtime has just announced their support for the format (crappy original shows) and the only studio holdout is WB (of which New Line is affiliated with)
Lord Error
Insane For Sony
That's assuming that you compare prog scan enabled TV with a PSP. You have to keep in mind that most people still own some crappy bulb-screen CRT TV and watch their DVDs on them using RCA cables. I can see such people being amazed at the bump in the picture quality they would get by watching something on a PSP.sonycowboy said:
Personally I feel they should limit UMD music content to video/concerts. The pure audio content is better served through web services IMO.Sonycowbow said:
That's also why I suggested a HDD+UMD as a standalone media player.
True, although so far PSP software tie-ratio has been doing better then any portable in recent history (heck it's better then PS2s was at launch). If this becomes a trend then I don't think software side has much to worry about.
radioheadrule83
Banned
Very odd to me. I'm getting a PSP myself at Euro launch or sometime thereafter, but I know for a FACT I will not buy one single UMD movie. What on earth is the point?
Hellraizah
Member
Seriously, I think the idea of UMD movies is very stupid.
But there's something so sexy about them.... the boxes, the media.....
But there's something so sexy about them.... the boxes, the media.....
open_mouth_
insert_foot_
I refuse to buy a UMD of a movie that I have on DVD already. It just seems redundant and a waste to me.
I would, however, buy (or rent) UMD's of cartoons, anime, television series, and movies that I'll only watch one time on the go. Plus, I'd rather use my train time to do reading rather than watch UMDs.
I would, however, buy (or rent) UMD's of cartoons, anime, television series, and movies that I'll only watch one time on the go. Plus, I'd rather use my train time to do reading rather than watch UMDs.
While I can sort of understand it, I just can't fathom what sort of situation you'd be in where you'd like a movie enough to pay 15-30 bucks for it on a portable only format and watch it with any sort of frequency.
Even if your job required you to travel constantly, are you going to watch a movie more than once every few months?
Renting these things however, I can totally see.
Even if your job required you to travel constantly, are you going to watch a movie more than once every few months?
Renting these things however, I can totally see.
What's so hard to understand? Its like a new fad, the PSP is built around its wonderful screen and everyone falls in love with the screen. So to show off abit and check out the screen, people will buy the movies. Its like if you buy a HD TV, didnt you also buy a few new DVDs or bring out some of your spectacular films to check it out? or maybe that nice new lcd monitor. sure you did.
Another comparison is iTunes, people buy an iPod and buy crappy mp3s from iTunes simply because ... well ...they have an iPod.
There is every likelihood that it wont last long, because no one wants a film on UMD as well as a film on DVD or in the future HD DVD or blu-ray whatever. It'll wear off soon - thats my guess anyway. Unless there is a really strong desire to have portable movies....
BTW whats the PSP battery life like during UMd playback? I might get one
Reading manga on the go and watching animes sounds like fun.
Another comparison is iTunes, people buy an iPod and buy crappy mp3s from iTunes simply because ... well ...they have an iPod.
There is every likelihood that it wont last long, because no one wants a film on UMD as well as a film on DVD or in the future HD DVD or blu-ray whatever. It'll wear off soon - thats my guess anyway. Unless there is a really strong desire to have portable movies....
BTW whats the PSP battery life like during UMd playback? I might get one
Reading manga on the go and watching animes sounds like fun.Hellraizah said:
I agree with that, heh. But I'll try to never buy one either way.
Seriously though, are these REALLY selling? Suncoast has been selling PSP games/movie and PS2 games for a few months now and my friend that works there tells me she has not seen anyone buy a UMD movie in 3 to 4 weeks.
Shao said:What's so hard to understand? Its like a new fad, the PSP is built around its wonderful screen and everyone falls in love with the screen. So to show off abit and check out the screen, people will buy the movies. Its like if you buy a HD TV, didnt you also buy a few new DVDs or bring out some of your spectacular films to check it out? or maybe that nice new lcd monitor. sure you did.
Another comparison is iTunes, people buy an iPod and buy crappy mp3s from iTunes simply because ... well ...they have an iPod.
There is every likelihood that it wont last long, because no one wants a film on UMD as well as a film on DVD or in the future HD DVD or blu-ray whatever. It'll wear off soon - thats my guess anyway. Unless there is a really strong desire to have portable movies....
BTW whats the PSP battery life like during UMd playback? I might get one
Yea I guess I can see that. Having hardware with a game drought and a 'must justify purchase' mentality probably doesn't hurt.
I'd have to argue with you on the iTunes thing though. I buy tons of stuff off of there, mostly because its cheaper than the actual cd would cost and I can have it in about 10-15 seconds.
I'll take lower quality for instant gratification.
That being said if Sony had an online movie distribution network with the PSP like they should have, they'd be banking right about now.
Only thing about UMD I can understand making it popular is that it allows small form factors for portable media players. Portable DVDs players are too bulky right now. Even if it was the size of a discman, it's still too big. A UMD is so much smaller, that there are a number of possibilities there. But my main beef is that the format is ROM, and thus completely worthless to me. But there are suckers everywhere, and if the success of the format eventually leads to a rewritable version, then I'm all for it. PEACE.
)I wouldn't have dreamed UMDs would have sold so well, but now that they are, I hope word of mouth spreads and leads to a push in PSP sales; I might try a few myself, but I don't really see myself buying more than a few; might be nice for plane rides and such where a laptop isn't as portable, but I take plane rides like a few times per every 10 years :lol But pretty much a laptop with a car inverter and a portable DVD player have me covered for everything else, that and the PSPs own MP4 capabilities (and the inevitable DivX homebrew)
You know, very reasonable responses for why people buy UMD's and how they are good for some people have been posted countless times but I seem to see the exact same trolls in every UMD thread saying they hate UMD's (honestly, how can you an inanimate object?) and cannot see why people buy them. If you are that close minded and refuse to listen when people tell you why then pick up a book or try to learn that humanity does not share your same opinion on life and everything that goes with it.
sonycowboy
Member
I was thinking about this earlier today and I have got to believe that the PSP is expanding the market for handhelds even more than many thought. Clearly, the market is a bit older than with Nintendo handhelds, by and large, but I think it's possible that people underestimated the appeal of the system to the more casual consumer, who places as much importance on video and music system as they do on the games themselves.
Of the gaming crowds that I've seen on message boards and even in specialty stores, I haven't seen anyone who is big on UMD movies. But clearly, many PSP owners are.
Now, for Sony this can be both good and bad to have a real "crossover" product. It's good because it drives the installed base, allows for residual game sales, pushes the viability of the UMD movie (and potentially) music functionality, and also give spur to actually making the Sony Connect downloading system some real potential.
However, it could also lower the tie ratio, which when combined with a likely loss on the hardware of some amount, along with Sony offering UMD movies to studios WITH NO ROYALTIES (for now), it could give Sony some short term losses associated with the product.
In the end, though, driving the installed base inevitably has good effects in the end as the market will provide what consumers want. So, if we've got casual or non-traditional gamers involved, I think we'll see EA, Activision, Sony, etc make an interesting play for this market and that could provide for a very interesting twist going forward for game design and overall market strategy.
Of the gaming crowds that I've seen on message boards and even in specialty stores, I haven't seen anyone who is big on UMD movies. But clearly, many PSP owners are.
Now, for Sony this can be both good and bad to have a real "crossover" product. It's good because it drives the installed base, allows for residual game sales, pushes the viability of the UMD movie (and potentially) music functionality, and also give spur to actually making the Sony Connect downloading system some real potential.
However, it could also lower the tie ratio, which when combined with a likely loss on the hardware of some amount, along with Sony offering UMD movies to studios WITH NO ROYALTIES (for now), it could give Sony some short term losses associated with the product.
In the end, though, driving the installed base inevitably has good effects in the end as the market will provide what consumers want. So, if we've got casual or non-traditional gamers involved, I think we'll see EA, Activision, Sony, etc make an interesting play for this market and that could provide for a very interesting twist going forward for game design and overall market strategy.
Spastic Colon
Member
Sony doesn't get any royalties for UMD movies?
Ouch for Sony till they start making a profit on hardware...
Ouch for Sony till they start making a profit on hardware...
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