Why the 4K disc gimmick might actually succeed - Blu-ray Forum

ADWyatt · 02-15-2016, 08:23 PM

4k is a gimmick, whether by disc or streaming.

But what's the big deal about that? Ever since T.A. Edison invented moving photographs every innovation in the visual film industry has been a gimmick, designed solely to make money. Some gimmicks have been wildly successful, such as talkies, color and widescreen, while others, such as Sensurround and Cinerama, have not stood the test of time.

For Home Theater systems, DVDs have been, and remain, wildly successful, and have been the basis of Blu-ray development, which has been somewhat less-accepted by the buying public. Against this backdrop, can 4k Blu-ray be successful enough to climb above the niche market?

It might be hard to think so. 4k BD must compete against DVD, Blu-ray and 3D Blu-ray, and against 2k and 4k streaming. Those are powerful opponents, and the tastes of the buying public can be hard to gauge. But 4k BD has some strong advantages working in its favor...

1. It's convenient, in the same way that DVDs and Blu-rays are. Pop a disc into the player and press 'Play'. If it isn't easy, the mainstream public just isn't going to buy into it. Witness 3D Blu-ray.

2. 4k TVs are poised to begin selling widely in just a few years, and probably within just a year 4k Blu-ray players will start to become affordable for many people. Look for stores like Wal-Mart to begin selling them perhaps by the end of 2016.

3.4k is all-encompassing. This is the format's biggest selling point, and should not be taken lightly. 3D is confined to a narrow niche market, primarily sci-fi and action, while every type of movie fits perfectly for 4k.

4. Streaming will be the most popular form of viewing 4k, but the superiority of disc picture quality and stability could generate enough popularity among the buying public to guarantee its success for at least the next decade.

5. There is still a sufficient number of people who actually want to own discs, and they want to be able to rent them out at video chains. At present in many cases, renting a 4k movie on-line is not a cheap experience. It might cost half as much at a B&M outlet.

6. Finally, there is inherent instability in the streaming market not just in the short run, but in the long run as well. While it is currently possible to purchase movies on-line for less money than buying a 4k disc, there is always the possibility that the company a customer is streaming from might go out of business. There's a lot of competition in the streaming business, and there is no guarantee that even a big-name company might continue with streaming services. A disc, on the other hand, is a disc is a disc. Forever and a day beyond.

With the above in mind, then, my bet is that it's safe to buy into 4k disc technology. Convenience and stability will be large enough selling points, but when true 4k material finally becomes available, the format is poised to become mainstream.

02-15-2016, 08:23 PM	#1
ADWyatt Active Member Member since:Jan 2007	Why the 4K disc gimmick might actually succeed 4k is a gimmick, whether by disc or streaming. But what's the big deal about that? Ever since T.A. Edison invented moving photographs every innovation in the visual film industry has been a gimmick, designed solely to make money. Some gimmicks have been wildly successful, such as talkies, color and widescreen, while others, such as Sensurround and Cinerama, have not stood the test of time. For Home Theater systems, DVDs have been, and remain, wildly successful, and have been the basis of Blu-ray development, which has been somewhat less-accepted by the buying public. Against this backdrop, can 4k Blu-ray be successful enough to climb above the niche market? It might be hard to think so. 4k BD must compete against DVD, Blu-ray and 3D Blu-ray, and against 2k and 4k streaming. Those are powerful opponents, and the tastes of the buying public can be hard to gauge. But 4k BD has some strong advantages working in its favor... 1. It's convenient, in the same way that DVDs and Blu-rays are. Pop a disc into the player and press 'Play'. If it isn't easy, the mainstream public just isn't going to buy into it. Witness 3D Blu-ray. 2. 4k TVs are poised to begin selling widely in just a few years, and probably within just a year 4k Blu-ray players will start to become affordable for many people. Look for stores like Wal-Mart to begin selling them perhaps by the end of 2016. 3.4k is all-encompassing. This is the format's biggest selling point, and should not be taken lightly. 3D is confined to a narrow niche market, primarily sci-fi and action, while every type of movie fits perfectly for 4k. 4. Streaming will be the most popular form of viewing 4k, but the superiority of disc picture quality and stability could generate enough popularity among the buying public to guarantee its success for at least the next decade. 5. There is still a sufficient number of people who actually want to own discs, and they want to be able to rent them out at video chains. At present in many cases, renting a 4k movie on-line is not a cheap experience. It might cost half as much at a B&M outlet. 6. Finally, there is inherent instability in the streaming market not just in the short run, but in the long run as well. While it is currently possible to purchase movies on-line for less money than buying a 4k disc, there is always the possibility that the company a customer is streaming from might go out of business. There's a lot of competition in the streaming business, and there is no guarantee that even a big-name company might continue with streaming services. A disc, on the other hand, is a disc is a disc. Forever and a day beyond. With the above in mind, then, my bet is that it's safe to buy into 4k disc technology. Convenience and stability will be large enough selling points, but when true 4k material finally becomes available, the format is poised to become mainstream.

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