10 Reasons Why High Definition DVD Formats Have Already Failed
10 Reasons Why High Definition DVD Formats Have Already Failed - an article from earlier this summer I had meant to talk about some time ago. Personally, I’m a bit concerned about the new formats coming down the tube- mainly because I had way too good of a time with my movie collection. I still like to grab my flicks for the home theater, but I’ve become mighty selective. For several months I’ve been blogging and posting about the formats that are about to hit us large in 2007: HD-DVD and BluRay. Without detail, the list in the article calls out:
1. Nobody likes false starts
2. Format Wars Don’t Sell Players
3. HD DVD and Blu-ray are NOT Quantum Leaps in Technology
4. Studios are Conservative, Greedy and Unmotivated
5. Playstation3 Cannot Save the World
6. Those Who Ignore History…
7. People Want Technology that’s 15 Minutes Ahead of Its Time
8. Enthusiasts Are Getting Tired (and Smarter)
9. A Skeptical News Media Doesn’t Help
10. Broadband and IPTV to Compete?
My vote, if I needed to give one, would go to HD-DVD. High definition is all the rage through broadband and satellite companies now- and this creates a familiarity the consumer market will remember when HD-DVD players start costing less than $1000.
I don’t understand why the market always charges an arm and a leg when new technology comes out. Sure- because they can right? But if the new player prices could compete with traditional high end DVD player price tags, and the media wasn’t so darn over the top in price and underdeveloped in content features- damn, there would be a pretty penny to made.
Nevertheless, the technological constrainsts of enjoying HD-DVD in market already flooded with a more than satisfactory medium does make me lean towards the failure angle for the forseeable future. And BluRay? C’mon Sony- we all remember the minidisc movement- the only way this catches on is if Sony goes non-proprietary.
Fact remains- the new HD formats are something special to behold, but to the mass market the traditional DVD still looks rather stunning, especially on a nice TV with component inputs. Point- many people do not own a TV capable of playing high definition content; which, I’ll mention, doesn’t look nice when forced on a television that can’t handle it. (Think:XBOX360).
Let’s say the law about HD TV compatibility passes and takes hold- and the price tag for all this starts to go down- AND people adopt… The DVD market has created massive collections in living rooms and basements across the country already. I own hundereds of movies, but there’s no way I’m buying them all again. I don’t think anyone will. Give me my Star Wars and Lord of the Rings, and aside from a few odds and ends, I’ll be happy to maintain everything else on standard DVD.
So what’s the deal for 2007? Just like my last weblog on RSS: I am rather skeptical. I love my sports in HD, but everything else can wait for now.
Filed under: Geek
I know that every time someone brings up this subject, there is always a smart ass comment about … “Remember Betamax?” (yeah ok, I’ll be that guy this time).
This whole Blue Ray vs. HD-DVD thing sucks! Not because the technology sucks (I agree it is not revolutionary technology - i.e. were not talking 20 TB on a disk or anything), but because we as consumers lose out. Forced to choose between two equally stunning platforms for the delivery of rich content.
What about Sony’s MiniDisc format? What about Sony’s Memory Stick? When is Sony going to stop trying to change the storage world?
I stopped buying DVDs years ago. After amassing a collection of around a hundred DVDs I realized, “Hey, I never watch these fucking things!”. I have no real desire to go out and buy a 1k plus player and over priced movies that I already own again. One day this will catch on when it becomes the standard but not many will rebuy every movie they own. It’s just getting tedious now and a way for movie studios to make money.
My reccomendation: Buy an upconvert DVD player for 100 bucks. Newer movies look amazing, just as good as HDTV and you don’t have to rebuy your entire movie collection. Watching Episode III on the upconvert is not far off from HD or bluray and definitely reason to not waste the money.
I think the current DVD market, with all the Tv Shows being released, has solidfied its place in our society for years to come. The new formats will appease those who always feel the need to have the new thing, but I feel for the most part will take a long time to catch on if ever.
Also, how many movies do you really need to see in HD, I mean will clerks look any better in HD. Star Wars, LOTR, Star Trek…those types of movies would be the ones to benefit from a high format, but whe you see a commercial pushing Click on blu-ray, I just don’t get any warm fuzzy feelings inside.
If anything, I could see the Blu-Ray format becoming more of a game based disc than anything. The fact that it can hold double what a DVD can, can provide more opportunities for video game developers and programmers than it can for movie companies. I mean in the beginning special features were cool, but honestly, how many people sit there and watch all the special features these days. I can say of the 150+ DVDs I own, I’ve only checked out maybe half of the special features and listened to only a couple of the commentaries.
Blu-Ray, the “nintendo cartridge” of the future. HD-DVD, the betamax of the future.
great response pac. one thing i will mention- the lord of the rings extended editions have my favorite special features- i really do enjoy them. overall, special features are nice after you watch it for the first time, but otherwise- its all about the movie.
This article was lame. The persons views were non helpful and not really true.
Jeff, what did you find untrue about the article?