Blu Ray Vs DVD

[Blue]

There have been a number of discussions about HD (either format) competing with DVD and the analysts prediciting HD will fail. Also the public awareness of Blu Ray is poor. In Aus there has been limited media coverage and no mass media advertising to date. I went into my local Harvey Norman (Wal Mart) where they had a Samsung Blu Ray Player & 50" TV quite impressive. A bit further back they had the Panasonic - you may miss the player but not the TV, it was well HUGE it would have to be close to 100".
There was a guy trying to impress his girl in front of it. He had amazing ammount of knowledge - he knew what blu ray was - the high definition version of a DVD, as we arrived at the same time, I assume he didn't read the card explaing blu ray beside the player. Although that was about the limit of his knowledge at least he was aware. I heard the same sort of comment in another store, I think more people are aware than what we give credit.

Back to the HD vs DVD. Although most people have 26" - 40" TV's in Aus but with the number of of over 40" on displayin stores that will have to change over time. The demos today on both players were the split screen of Blu Ray vs DVD. I must admit on both, but especially the Panasonic (due to size I'm guessing) the Blu Ray looked stunning whilst the DVD (although I'm guessing a simulation of what they disc designers imagine DVD to be) looked well like something that was very blurred.
I think with studios wanting to re sell their movies and disc pressing plants wanting to get in on the higher profit margin, DVD's will go the way of VHS tape very quickly. The consumer will dragged along wether they like it or not, of which I assume many will like it, even if it looks better at the store than at home (what a good excuse to sell a new TV, or should I say new feature wall, except the Panasonic - that could be a full side of the house). I assume HD-DVD is just as good at least you won't tell the difference in the middle of a department store, not that I think we will see too many HD-DVD players in Oz.