How do I enlighten newbs?

[Kristin Simard]

I know we are "early adopters", but hell, I didn't realize to what extent! I walked into a CD and DVD music store (that also carries standard DVDs of popular films) and asked what Blu-ray titles they were carrying. It's a small independent music store (but the biggest in town, with quite a good selection of music) and my strategy was to nudge them if they needed to get things in stock for next week. They can order from their distributor and have it on the shelf in a day or 2, (if it is in stock at the dist).

The manager of the store asked "Blu-ray discs?". I said "Yeah, high definition".
He took me to a bunch of high-bit DVD-Rs that were in a blue-grey package and I tried to explain what Blu-ray was. "You mean, these are pre-recorded?" Yupp. Never heard of 'em.

I was tempted to ask this guy over to my house for a look-see-hear, but being a young single woman, that offer can carry other add-ons that I don't want.

What should I do? Take a disc or two down to the shop to show what the pkg. looks like? Setting up a demo down there would be too much of an ordeal. Especially since they are not carrying any of the products and I am not a salesperson. How do I tell these people? If you have any suggestions, please tell.

No, I don't live in a "back-water" town. It's supposed to be an arts center with music festivals, even a film festival.

Thanks in advance.

[alain turgeon]

Bringing a disc to show what it looks like is a good idea. Then if you know a store nearby that has a blu-ray demo you could suggest to him to go and have a look. Explain to him the advantages of blu-ray over dvd like better pq and aq.
I know what you're going through,in 97 i was an early adopter of dvd and i never missed a chance to educate everyone i could about it and now it's the same whith blu-ray. Keep on spreading the good news and good luck

[Rob71]

Originally Posted by Kristin Simard

I know we are "early adopters", but hell, I didn't realize to what extent! I walked into a CD and DVD music store (that also carries standard DVDs of popular films) and asked what Blu-ray titles they were carrying. It's a small independent music store (but the biggest in town, with quite a good selection of music) and my strategy was to nudge them if they needed to get things in stock for next week. They can order from their distributor and have it on the shelf in a day or 2, (if it is in stock at the dist).

The manager of the store asked "Blu-ray discs?". I said "Yeah, high definition".
He took me to a bunch of high-bit DVD-Rs that were in a blue-grey package and I tried to explain what Blu-ray was. "You mean, these are pre-recorded?" Yupp. Never heard of 'em.

I was tempted to ask this guy over to my house for a look-see-hear, but being a young single woman, that offer can carry other add-ons that I don't want.

What should I do? Take a disc or two down to the shop to show what the pkg. looks like? Setting up a demo down there would be too much of an ordeal. Especially since they are not carrying any of the products and I am not a salesperson. How do I tell these people? If you have any suggestions, please tell.

No, I don't live in a "back-water" town. It's supposed to be an arts center with music festivals, even a film festival.

Thanks in advance.

Does he have an internet connection in the store? You could send him to this site http://www.blu-raydisc.com/ or you could send him here, just let us know ahead of time so we'll be on our best behavior.

You said it's a music shop so maybe you could point out the concerts or musicals on Blu-Ray?

[Marcusarilius]

Originally Posted by Kristin Simard

I know we are "early adopters", but hell, I didn't realize to what extent! I walked into a CD and DVD music store (that also carries standard DVDs of popular films) and asked what Blu-ray titles they were carrying. It's a small independent music store (but the biggest in town, with quite a good selection of music) and my strategy was to nudge them if they needed to get things in stock for next week. They can order from their distributor and have it on the shelf in a day or 2, (if it is in stock at the dist).

The manager of the store asked "Blu-ray discs?". I said "Yeah, high definition".
He took me to a bunch of high-bit DVD-Rs that were in a blue-grey package and I tried to explain what Blu-ray was. "You mean, these are pre-recorded?" Yupp. Never heard of 'em.

I was tempted to ask this guy over to my house for a look-see-hear, but being a young single woman, that offer can carry other add-ons that I don't want.

What should I do? Take a disc or two down to the shop to show what the pkg. looks like? Setting up a demo down there would be too much of an ordeal. Especially since they are not carrying any of the products and I am not a salesperson. How do I tell these people? If you have any suggestions, please tell.

No, I don't live in a "back-water" town. It's supposed to be an arts center with music festivals, even a film festival.

Thanks in advance.

You must have alot more time on your hands than most of us. This is not a slur statement. It's not your job to inform the public. Me... Go into BB, CC and they have nothing. Nothing New on release days and these guys are supposed to know something about this. I live in Everett, WA. Just north of Seattle. Practically connected. It's a disgace how little regard BD releases are in my area. I'm done with these guys. Amazon for everything now. The shops around you will catch on eventually. Even if you educated them, what are the chances they will carry BDs in the near future. Unless you really feel a need to spend a bunch of time showing demos and packing your equipment around, then by all means do. The HD market is so NOT mainstreme as I'm finding out. This is nothing like DVDs were when first released. People came on board so much quicker to that format. Give it time. HD sets are getting cheaper, Players are getting cheaper. Won't be long now and it will be a totally blu world.

[zombieking]

If these people don't know what blu-ray is, it's probably better they don't sell them in their store. Anyone connected to entertainment media should have an inkling as to what blu-ray and hd-dvd are by now. If they don't, they simply don't care. If your mind is set on teaching them, however, good luck.

Today was my first day working in a privately owned video store in my little hometown. The owner prefers buying fullscreen versions of his movies over the widescreen, because he hates the black bars, yet he owns a 42" Panasonic plasma in his home. I explained aspect ratio and even brought up bluray with him, telling him all blus were widescreen. He said, now for sure he won't invest in bluray, and that he doesn't mind distorting the picture to fill the whole screen. This coming from a video store owner?

After all that, it would've been easier for me to beat my head against a brick wall.

[MOONPHASE]

Originally Posted by zombieking

If these people don't know what blu-ray is, it's probably better they don't sell them in their store. Anyone connected to entertainment media should have an inkling as to what blu-ray and hd-dvd are by now. If they don't, they simply don't care. If your mind is set on teaching them, however, good luck.

Today was my first day working in a privately owned video store in my little hometown. The owner prefers buying fullscreen versions of his movies over the widescreen, because he hates the black bars, yet he owns a 42" Panasonic plasma in his home. I explained aspect ratio and even brought up bluray with him, telling him all blus were widescreen. He said, now for sure he won't invest in bluray, and that he doesn't mind distorting the picture to fill the whole screen. This coming from a video store owner?

After all that, it would've been easier for me to beat my head against a brick wall.

well actually some movies on blu-ray are anamorphic widescreen where it can be in full screen if you have the correct settings but hey i dont like the black bars either but i just have to put up with them on the ones that are not anamorphic widescreen

[bdrex28]

What part of the country do you live in Kristin?

That's pretty amazing they've never heard of blu-ray.

I agree, send them to this site or the BDA site and let them read up.

[MOONPHASE]

Originally Posted by Kristin Simard

I know we are "early adopters", but hell, I didn't realize to what extent! I walked into a CD and DVD music store (that also carries standard DVDs of popular films) and asked what Blu-ray titles they were carrying. It's a small independent music store (but the biggest in town, with quite a good selection of music) and my strategy was to nudge them if they needed to get things in stock for next week. They can order from their distributor and have it on the shelf in a day or 2, (if it is in stock at the dist).

The manager of the store asked "Blu-ray discs?". I said "Yeah, high definition".
He took me to a bunch of high-bit DVD-Rs that were in a blue-grey package and I tried to explain what Blu-ray was. "You mean, these are pre-recorded?" Yupp. Never heard of 'em.

I was tempted to ask this guy over to my house for a look-see-hear, but being a young single woman, that offer can carry other add-ons that I don't want.

What should I do? Take a disc or two down to the shop to show what the pkg. looks like? Setting up a demo down there would be too much of an ordeal. Especially since they are not carrying any of the products and I am not a salesperson. How do I tell these people? If you have any suggestions, please tell.

No, I don't live in a "back-water" town. It's supposed to be an arts center with music festivals, even a film festival.

Thanks in advance.

i know exactally how you feel and i always will tell people how great blu-ray movies are compared to dvd and all of the other formats that have been available. i want to educate the world just how great blu-ray can possibly be and telling them that every day blu-ray just keeps getting better and better and i also tell them about the ps3 and everything it can possibly do and even give them a heads up of things to come for the ps3 and telling them that they will not be disappointed if they started investing in blu-ray.

[pro-bassoonist]

1. Facts, facts, and more facts.

2. Avoid BS and Fud and offer facts.

3. Then be respectful to those who may not be as informed as you are. Offer facts.

4. Be kind and consider that the person you are talking to is likely in the Hi-Def fiasco precisely for the reason you are: love of cinema. Offer facts!

5. Finally you offer more facts.

Dr. A

[gand41f]

Originally Posted by Kristin Simard

I know we are "early adopters", but hell, I didn't realize to what extent! I walked into a CD and DVD music store (that also carries standard DVDs of popular films) and asked what Blu-ray titles they were carrying. It's a small independent music store (but the biggest in town, with quite a good selection of music) and my strategy was to nudge them if they needed to get things in stock for next week. They can order from their distributor and have it on the shelf in a day or 2, (if it is in stock at the dist).

The manager of the store asked "Blu-ray discs?". I said "Yeah, high definition".
He took me to a bunch of high-bit DVD-Rs that were in a blue-grey package and I tried to explain what Blu-ray was. "You mean, these are pre-recorded?" Yupp. Never heard of 'em.

I was tempted to ask this guy over to my house for a look-see-hear, but being a young single woman, that offer can carry other add-ons that I don't want.

What should I do? Take a disc or two down to the shop to show what the pkg. looks like? Setting up a demo down there would be too much of an ordeal. Especially since they are not carrying any of the products and I am not a salesperson. How do I tell these people? If you have any suggestions, please tell.

No, I don't live in a "back-water" town. It's supposed to be an arts center with music festivals, even a film festival.

Thanks in advance.

Find a nearby place (electronics store or whatever) that has a Blu-ray demo setup and send him there to take a look. I'm assuming he'd be interested in music, so point out the availability of music titles in BD and also mention that most of the Blu-rays come with lossless audio.

If he sells used CD/DVDs, you may want to bring one of your BDs and show them the extra-shiny backside with antiscratch coating. ("See, I can use my shirt to wipe the dust away and it doesn't scratch!")

Hope this helps.

enjoy
gandalf

P.S. Post #666

[zombieking]

Originally Posted by MOONPHASE

well actually some movies on blu-ray are anamorphic widescreen where it can be in full screen if you have the correct settings but hey i dont like the black bars either but i just have to put up with them on the ones that are not anamorphic widescreen

Yeah I explained anamorphic widescreen too, but he's already a lost cause. I may have to invite him over and pop in Apocalypto or Hellboy on blu to change his mind!

[Zyclone]

if he is part of a chain store he might get them in but if he's indy i doubt he has much of a need to dive into the HD pool yet . alot of chain stores who sell dvds have'nt dipped into HD yet in oz because there is not that many people buying them , and whats the point of a retailer spending the cash then only selling a few of them?

[radagast]

Originally Posted by Kristin Simard

I know we are "early adopters", but hell, I didn't realize to what extent! I walked into a CD and DVD music store (that also carries standard DVDs of popular films) and asked what Blu-ray titles they were carrying. It's a small independent music store (but the biggest in town, with quite a good selection of music) and my strategy was to nudge them if they needed to get things in stock for next week. They can order from their distributor and have it on the shelf in a day or 2, (if it is in stock at the dist).

The manager of the store asked "Blu-ray discs?". I said "Yeah, high definition".
He took me to a bunch of high-bit DVD-Rs that were in a blue-grey package and I tried to explain what Blu-ray was. "You mean, these are pre-recorded?" Yupp. Never heard of 'em.

I was tempted to ask this guy over to my house for a look-see-hear, but being a young single woman, that offer can carry other add-ons that I don't want.

There have been times when posts here have contained nuggets of info on this subject. I think it would be a good idea to have some place on this site that has all the tech info: data transfer rates, capacity, etc, that someone could print off to show people in stores that need educating.

In regards to being worried about inviting some guy over, if I lived in your area I would be glad to chaperone. ha ha.

[glenn22]

Originally Posted by Kristin Simard

I know we are "early adopters", but hell, I didn't realize to what extent! I walked into a CD and DVD music store (that also carries standard DVDs of popular films) and asked what Blu-ray titles they were carrying. It's a small independent music store (but the biggest in town, with quite a good selection of music) and my strategy was to nudge them if they needed to get things in stock for next week. They can order from their distributor and have it on the shelf in a day or 2, (if it is in stock at the dist).

The manager of the store asked "Blu-ray discs?". I said "Yeah, high definition".
He took me to a bunch of high-bit DVD-Rs that were in a blue-grey package and I tried to explain what Blu-ray was. "You mean, these are pre-recorded?" Yupp. Never heard of 'em.

I was tempted to ask this guy over to my house for a look-see-hear, but being a young single woman, that offer can carry other add-ons that I don't want.

What should I do? Take a disc or two down to the shop to show what the pkg. looks like? Setting up a demo down there would be too much of an ordeal. Especially since they are not carrying any of the products and I am not a salesperson. How do I tell these people? If you have any suggestions, please tell.

No, I don't live in a "back-water" town. It's supposed to be an arts center with music festivals, even a film festival.

Thanks in advance.

When it comes to people with this level of knowledge (basically none), you really have to put it all into layman's terms. Tell him that it's like a DVD but with picture quality more than twice as sharp. If he wears glasses, tell him the difference is like when you have your glasses off compared to having them on... etc. breaking it down in simple terms should work best.

[Xerious]

Originally Posted by glenn22

When it comes to people with this level of knowledge (basically none), you really have to put it all into layman's terms. Tell him that it's like a DVD but with picture quality more than twice as sharp. If he wears glasses, tell him the difference is like when you have your glasses off compared to having them on... etc. breaking it down in simple terms should work best.

I agree. Sometimes we get carried away with technobable (1080/24p, Linear PCM, bitrates, bandwidth) and we start to confuse the noobs. I'm a tech support guy myself and sometimes you just gotta put it bluntly. Though the visual clairty btwn SD and HD is not immediately apparent, you will definately need to show them a side-by-side. otherwise it will look the same regardless of how clearer the HD version is. people will ignore the obvious for their own reasons. I hate it when pepole say it's not a big leap like cassettes to CDs, VHS to DVD... because if done right, it really is just that.

[Kristin Simard]

These are all good ideas. I have decided how to approach this:

This shop does a lot of special orders, since it's a small town and they can't stock everything. Arrival time is a day or 2 (depending on the time of day the customer order is placed).

I'm going to take a disc or two down to the shop to show them, then have them look on their computer to see if their distributor carries Blu-ray titles. If they do, I'll order some and tell them I'll be back on October 16 to pick 'em up.

If they seem curious, etc. I'll refer them to you guys and the site Rob71 suggested. I'll also find out where the nearest demo/display is. A fact-sheet to print out would actually be a good idea.

Thanks again

P.S. I'll keep the chaperone idea in mind