buying dvds

[freestylin59]

1) Is it worth it buying dvds now that bluray is just around the corner?
2) are bluray players backwards compatible with regular dvds?
3) how much do you think bluray players and disks will cost?
4) when do you think they will be available to the public?

[freestylin59]

5) will new releases coming out now also be released in bluray?

[thunderhawk]

1) Erm, I think you better stop buying DVDs and save the money for a version on Blu-ray Disc. Some members here do the same, if not all.
2) Yes
3) Players: $400 or €400 (PS3 launch price, other stand-alone players will be more expensive). A disc will cost approx. $30 or €30 no?.. (launch, when it gets spread, it'll get the price of a regular DVD nowadays)
4) Early 2006 (spring) if not, mid 2006.
5) Yes ofcourse.

There is another thread about this running elsewhere on this forum I think..

[AV_Integrated]

1 - This is a personal decision. I stopped buying DVDs almost a year ago.

2 - Yes, but no. That is, the blue laser can't read traditional DVDs, but it is expected that all Blu-Ray players will include a red laser as well which will read traditional DVDs. So, to the general consumer, yes, it is backwards compatible.

3 - Original wild guess estimates, based on DVD players original costs, run around $1,000 for the first players. This may be a bit more than what really happens though as the PS3 is expected to be well under $1K.

4 - Currently they are shooting (rumored) for Spring 2006. Definitely by Christmas 2006 I would say.

5 - Absolutely. Expect that all current blockbusters will be available on both Blu-Ray and traditional DVD. You may also see dual format Blu-Ray discs that include both the HD version and a regular version of the film - on the same disc. The regular version will work on any traditional DVD player, while the HD version will be available for the Blu-Ray folks. Very cool. But, yes, expect most major titles to be on Blu-Ray and over time all the big hits. Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, Star Wars, etc. Count on it.

[Blue]

Originally Posted by freestylin59

1) Is it worth it buying dvds now that bluray is just around the corner?
2) are bluray players backwards compatible with regular dvds?
3) how much do you think bluray players and disks will cost?
4) when do you think they will be available to the public?

1. I stopped purchasing DVD aout a year ago - I have been careful to put the money from my virtual DVD purchases in a jar (well a bank account), so I have money to spend on Blu Ray.

Just wait till you get n2Blu's post - I won't steal his thunder.

2 - 5 have been answered

[zombie]

1) Is it worth it buying dvds now that bluray is just around the corner?

I stopped buying DVDs three years ago this coming January. Way too soon by most people's opinions but I wanted to get the best resale value I could before the price of used DVDs sank.

2) are bluray players backwards compatible with regular dvds?

Blu-ray players will play regular DVDs but regular DVD players will not play Blu-ray discs.

3) how much do you think bluray players and disks will cost?

PS3 $500, BD player/recorders $300 with elite models at $800 or more.

4) when do you think they will be available to the public?

Late spring, likely June of 2006.

[mlts22]

1: I'm going to keep buying DVDs. They are not going anywhere anytime soon just because of the installed base. Even the venerable old VHS tape, although fading out slowly, isn't going to be totally gone anytime soon.

2: Technically, a Blu-ray player doesn't have to be compatable with CDs or DVDs, but all the models I've seen, even the prototypes, its assumed that all of them will be able to read (and write to) those formats.

3: Expensive at first, give it a couple years. Just like how DVDs were when they initially came out. Once companies get their manufacturing processes tuned for making these drives, prices should plummet, and more profits will be coming in due to volume of devices sold.

4: I'm going to guess spring or summer, as the PS3 will be released with BD capability in it.

Originally Posted by freestylin59

1) Is it worth it buying dvds now that bluray is just around the corner?
2) are bluray players backwards compatible with regular dvds?
3) how much do you think bluray players and disks will cost?
4) when do you think they will be available to the public?

[mmmhome]

I have never bought a dvd, because I don´t have a dvdplayer or recorder yet. Maybe sometimes ;-)

[thunderhawk]

Originally Posted by mmmhome

I have never bought a dvd, because I don´t have a dvdplayer or recorder yet. Maybe sometimes ;-)

Here at home, I haven't got the capital myself to buy equipment. We watch DVDs on our PS2.
A DVD recorder was planned, but since I bumped on Blu-ray Disc, they'll just skip the DVD recording stage here and head towards BD instead.