Why no Blu-ray/DVD combo discs?

[halamadrid]

Originally Posted by BigJay

I'm an owner of one Blu-ray player and there are four other DVD players in my home.

The Blu-ray player (PS3) is for my "home theater" set-up.

The one thing I find discouraging is the lack of Blu-ray / DVD combos.

HD-DVD (the obvious loser) has not all, but several titles available in the HD-DVD / DVD format.

Is there any reason that Blu-ray is not doing this? (Contractual, etc.)

I'd love the ability to enjoy pure and crisp HD on my main set, but sometimes the kids want to watch a movie (Cars, Ratatouille) on the "play room" set and I don't want to have to purchase two copies of the movie.

Are Blu-ray / DVD combos coming out in the future?

If you ask me, it would be a positive step for Blu-ray - hey, sure, you'll get the HD experience on one side of the disc, and the other will be perfect for trips in the mini-van or watching at Grandma's house over the holidays...

I think that what would be best is to have BDs come with a digital copy of the movie or code to allow you to download the movie in a portable format (PSP, iPod, etc.). It is something that is being done already with DVDs and would really be the best solution as most portables also have video outs to connect to a car system or in a hotel room for example. I know I'd pay a few extra bucks to have my blus come with that.

[BigJay]

Yeah, I hear that we're in a transition phase here.'

My reaction is to buy "family friendly" movies on DVD because I can play them on 4/5 of our movie players and purchase the "epics" my wife and I can enjoy on Blu-ray.

The point at the end of the day is that I'm still juggling two formats and though "HD-DUD" never did this with family films (looking at Amazon most of the combos are PG-13 or R movies in the combo (Letters from Iwo Jima, Hot Fuzz, Bourne Supremecy)) not movies you'd share with your kids...

Thought I'm an adult, I still like and appreciate Disney / Pixar movies and have the full set of Pixar movies on DVD.

I bought POTC3 (thought it was a let-down) on DVD instead of Blu-ray because I was traveling at the time, and I did pick up the whole POTC series on Blu - so I basically paid $19.99 for POTC 1 and 2 and 3, then picked up 3 on Blu-ray to watch with the Mrs., then picked up 1 and 2 on Blu - so I'm now deep into both..

[JasonR]

It's the price you pay as an early adopter. I remember having a CD-R and no portable DVDs in my PC. Comes with the territory....

[Firestreak]

Well, I guess long term, if you were paying another $5 per movie to get it with a DVD combo, then you'd at some point eventually justify the price of getting another blu-ray player instead.

At say $300 that's 60 combos, kind of a lot.

At $100 that's only 20 combos though, a bit more realistic for most people. This is a benefit if you ever replace or get a new TV, can hook it up with the player.

Can always also just buy both the dvd and blu-ray, it's essentially what a combo is.

[SDG]

Even if the DVD was burnt on the same side as the BLU-RAY on potential unused space, Royalties would have to be paid to Toshiba and Sony.

I feel for you. I've got three kids, one PS3 and four DVD other players. Same deal you are in.

[crxvtec]

So, when are there going to be blu ray players built into minivans and SUV's? When are there going to be portable bluray players? I think it is pretty safe to say not for awhile. I totally know what you are talking about. Bluray will take a LONG time to beat DVD and become the norm. It seems that some people here are saying that you pretty much need another player but what about portability? Is it going to be a year? two years untill we see portable prices at a decent price? It really is a burden on people who like to enjoy their collection on the go.

[krazeyeyez]

i was thinking along those lines when i first got my blu also, pissed me off when i got a good flick i couldnt take it to my buddys to watch over there, now im so used to blu i dont like watching movies anywhere but on my blu and mt tv and screw the rest of my friends who havnt gone blu yet

[Moonraker]

It was my understanding that there is no "combo" format because blu-ray is not approved by the DVD Forum and therefore they couldn't make a combo.

[mystiksuicide]

Originally Posted by BigJay

I'm an owner of one Blu-ray player and there are four other DVD players in my home.

The Blu-ray player (PS3) is for my "home theater" set-up.

The one thing I find discouraging is the lack of Blu-ray / DVD combos.

HD-DVD (the obvious loser) has not all, but several titles available in the HD-DVD / DVD format.

Is there any reason that Blu-ray is not doing this? (Contractual, etc.)

I'd love the ability to enjoy pure and crisp HD on my main set, but sometimes the kids want to watch a movie (Cars, Ratatouille) on the "play room" set and I don't want to have to purchase two copies of the movie.

Are Blu-ray / DVD combos coming out in the future?

If you ask me, it would be a positive step for Blu-ray - hey, sure, you'll get the HD experience on one side of the disc, and the other will be perfect for trips in the mini-van or watching at Grandma's house over the holidays...

Sorry but the BDA has done perfectly well up to now not using that dumb idea that hd dvd group had. In other words "HELL NO"

[blu2]

http://www.physorg.com/news2510.html

Victor Company of Japan, Ltd. (JVC) is pleased to announce that it has developed the world's first Blu-ray/ DVD combo ROM disc technology, which enables storage of video content in both high definition and standard definition. The new ROM disc, which has a total storage capacity of 33.5GB, uses a triple layer structure made possible by JVC's development of a proprietary, high-performance reflective film.

The date? December 24, 2004

For whatever combination of reasons, we have no such product today.

[ranma]

aren't the current Combo discs for HDDVD double sided? One side HDDVD, the other side DVD.

In that case, there is no problem to produce combo blu-ray/DVD. However, because the DVD Forum was chaired by toshiba, who is strongest HDDVD backer. then No BDA member ever want to pay loyalty to toshiba by making their blu-ray disc combo.

[Kristin Simard]

Why not have a Blu-ray~VHS combo player? In fact, have one that also plays laser discs and 33 rpm records? and 78s for that matter? And how about wax cylinders while we're at it?

Maybe I sound facetious, but the idea of Blu-ray is to move up to a new and more advanced entertainment system. Why then linger with DVD? Once you own a Blu-ray player and HDTV with 1080p, a DVD becomes obsolete, but you can still play those old DVDs (though you may not want to once you are spoiled by high def).

To use an old Hollywood screenwriter's phrase (lifted from the Army in
Europe) "either shit or get off the can".

Blu-ray is the new pay-off. Don't look back.

[JasonR]

Originally Posted by Kristin Simard

Why not have a Blu-ray~VHS combo player? In fact, have one that also plays laser discs and 33 rpm records? and 78s for that matter? And how about wax cylinders while we're at it?

Maybe I sound facetious, but the idea of Blu-ray is to move up to a new and more advanced entertainment system. Why then linger with DVD? Once you own a Blu-ray player and HDTV with 1080p, a DVD becomes obsolete, but you can still play those old DVDs (though you may not want to once you are spoiled by high def).

To use an old Hollywood screenwriter's phrase (lifted from the Army in
Europe) "either shit or get off the can".

Blu-ray is the new pay-off. Don't look back.

[dmxoneiuv]

how about this posted about 2 weeks ago:

Hitman Gets Unrated Blu-ray Release ( https://www.blu-ray.com/news/?id=884 )

clipped from article:

Also included with be a standard definition digital copy (presumably on a separate DVD) enabling you to put a digital copy of the film on your portable device.

i would not mind paying a few dollars more if there's a standard dvd w/ blu-ray purchase for this particular use such as for portable dvd player or for use in a car dvd player when on the go

[Kristin Simard]

Originally Posted by dmxoneiuv

how about this

...?

Well, IMO we should be demanding the new, not lingering with the old. With Blu-ray becoming the standard, it's just a matter of time before there are lots of portable Blu-ray players on the market, likewise car Blu-ray players and HD screens.

[jadedeath]

Originally Posted by BigJay

If you ask me, it would be a positive step for Blu-ray - hey, sure, you'll get the HD experience on one side of the disc, and the other will be perfect for trips in the mini-van or watching at Grandma's house over the holidays...

If you ask me it's a bad idea.

1} DVD side would be too easily scratched.

2} Who gives a crap about gramma's house? She probably doesn't like the same movies you're into anyway.

3} In the car there will eventually Blu-Ray players now that they've won anyway.

Logan

[Prometheus59650]

Originally Posted by Marcusarilius

[COLOR="Navy"]Very Few of us even bother buying DVDs anymore. HD TVs are quickly becoming the standard. Next year, all channels are supposed to be HD.

Digital.

Not HD.

[JasonR]

[martinstraka8282]

I know I dont want double sided discs, Ive always hated them no matter what the benefit is.

[supersix4]

dont the blu-ray players play dvds just buy another blu-ray player problem solved