Blu-rays are 8 years old and DVDs still cling to them like a cancerous tumor. Why?

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by eiknarf

I thought blu disc sales went up slightly each year? I read they were up 10% in 2012, 2013... so assumed now, 2014, with better prices and more HDTVs in homes (and hopefully more DVD players breaking and people having to replace them with bluray players), they'd still rise

There are people more educated than me to comment but disc sales were down for many weeks from January. They are picking up now and have been good for the last month or so. Regardless, IMO, this is not looking good.

[wormraper]

Originally Posted by I KEEL YOU

That link: Reality.

This link: Imagination fantasy dream land where 4K discs will rule the world a couple of years from now.

Personally, as a lover of physical media, I am grateful for every blu ray release we are fortunate to get. I just hope that as many movies get released on blu ray as possible before the physical media seriously begins to die out.

I'm sorry, but that's a lot of doom and gloom for no reason. there's a LOT of stuff behind the scenes and sony is ALWAYS reporting enormous losses.

as for going all digital... pshaw, yeah right... with the ISPs cracking down on bandwidth and over 30% of the entire bandwidth in the U.S. used for netlix alone, which is still pure crap... think of them killing off physical media and trying to sell it all digital streaming... our entire infrastructure would collapse, even if everything was 480p.... digital streaming ruling the world is about as much reality as 4k disc supplanting Blu-ray next year.. the infrastructure is NOT here... not even close... and the U.S. is the MAJORITY of where digital streaming is all the rage. the rest of the world really doesn't stream anything. and they're the ones who have crap tons more infrastructure that we do.

the ONLY way digital streaming in the U.s. has a chance of COMPLETELY taking over is for the ISPs to invest BILLIONS, upon BILLIONS into replacing our entire network backbone. anything less just WILL NOT WORK. And do you think they'll do that out of the kindness of their hearts? no , they'll pass those enormous costs onto the users where you will see an ENORMOUS resistance to it, since the only reason streaming is even taking a foothold is because it's dirty cheap like Amazon prime and netflix....

Are 4k discs going to take off and be the savior of the market? no, but the DVD boom days are over and studios need to realize that it will never be that way again. Not with Blu-ray, not with 4K and certainly not with streaming

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by I KEEL YOU

That link: Reality.

This link: Imagination fantasy dream land where 4K discs will rule the world a couple of years from now.

Personally, as a lover of physical media, I am grateful for every blu ray release we are fortunate to get. I just hope that as many movies get released on blu ray as possible before the physical media seriously begins to die out.

IMO, you almost sound pleased. What do you expect from a enthusiasts forum? Most people on here want to believe a 4k disc will happen and at least have a niche following. Nothing wrong with that.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by wormraper

I'm sorry, but that's a lot of doom and gloom for no reason. there's a LOT of stuff behind the scenes and sony is ALWAYS reporting enormous losses.

as for going all digital... pshaw, yeah right... with the ISPs cracking down on bandwidth and over 30% of the entire bandwidth in the U.S. used for netlix alone, which is still pure crap... think of them killing off physical media and trying to sell it all digital streaming... our entire infrastructure would collapse, even if everything was 480p.... digital streaming ruling the world is about as much reality as 4k disc supplanting Blu-ray next year.. the infrastructure is NOT here... not even close... and the U.S. is the MAJORITY of where digital streaming is all the rage. the rest of the world really doesn't stream anything. and they're the ones who have crap tons more infrastructure that we do.

Also, where is the format that overtakes bluray? The bandwagon bores (IMO) are saying streaming but where is the format? iTunes, UV, Vudu, amazon, digital HD, google, now tv, Comcast, Disney everywhere? It's a mess.

At the moment I can buy discs in advance and watch one a week on film night. How will I do that with digital without the risk of the movie buffering or wifi cutting out and me putting my fist through my screen in frustration.

[wormraper]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

Also, where is the format that overtakes bluray? The bandwagon bores (IMO) are saying streaming but where is the format? iTunes, UV, Vudu, amazon, digital HD, google, now tv, Comcast, Disney everywhere? It's a mess.

At the moment I can buy discs in advance and watch one a week on film night. How will I do that with digital without the risk of the movie buffering or wifi cutting out and me putting my fist through my screen in frustration.

so true. the entire digital streaming setup is a nightmare... sure they could stabilize in a few years, but who knows. still people would be in for an ENORMOUS shock to receive $200-$250 bills for internet and streaming services alone if everything went all digital. People are jumping on netlfix, hulu, amz prime etc because they're SICK of paying retarded cable bills, not because they see streaming as the future. they're cutting the cord so they can cut the bill, not because they are so into the future.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by wormraper

so true. the entire digital streaming setup is a nightmare... sure they could stabilize in a few years, but who knows. still people would be in for an ENORMOUS shock to receive $200-$250 bills for internet and streaming services alone if everything went all digital. People are jumping on netlfix, hulu, amz prime etc because they're SICK of paying retarded cable bills, not because they see streaming as the future. they're cutting the cord so they can cut the bill, not because they are so into the future.

Agreed

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

http://www.theverge.com/2014/5/1/567...rges#230866887

Depressing reading!

This is all over the tech sites now with the predictable talk of obsoletion thrown in.

[wormraper]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

This is all over the tech sites now with the predictable talk of obsoletion thrown in.

these articles have been going on for over 20 years.. LITERALLY. tech sites have been touting the obsoletion of physical media since before DVD... same sites constantly saying how "next year" we'll see the last of it... it's become quite a joke really

[Race Bannon]

No matter what happens, there will be vast areas of real estate not well served with high speed internet. There will be the extra features and the ability to watch things that don't happen to be on anywhere at the moment.

Physical media makes sense for huge amounts of data.

Even if it becomes a downloadable file, the increase in quality for blu-ray will remain relevant for home theater.

Does anything predict that movie theaters will become streaming centers in the near future? No, the best of the best on quality are still shipping physical media.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by Race Bannon

No matter what happens, there will be vast areas of real estate not well served with high speed internet. There will be the extra features and the ability to watch things that don't happen to be on anywhere at the moment.

Physical media makes sense for huge amounts of data.

Even if it becomes a downloadable file, the increase in quality for blu-ray will remain relevant for home theater.

Does anything predict that movie theaters will become streaming centers in the near future? No, the best of the best on quality are still shipping physical media.

I hope that is all true.

[eriaur]

High bit rate 4K Blu-ray

[posthaste]

Originally Posted by Race Bannon

No matter what happens, there will be vast areas of real estate not well served with high speed internet. There will be the extra features and the ability to watch things that don't happen to be on anywhere at the moment.

Physical media makes sense for huge amounts of data.

Even if it becomes a downloadable file, the increase in quality for blu-ray will remain relevant for home theater.

Does anything predict that movie theaters will become streaming centers in the near future? No, the best of the best on quality are still shipping physical media.

I think competition from streaming will make the next gen physical format better. It has to be, otherwise people will opt for the convenience of streaming. Give me a disc with higher bit depth, HDR, and advanced audio formats. Netflix and Hulu won't be able to deliver that quality in the foreseeable future... unless you think we'll all have symmetrical 1Gbps fiber to the home with no usage caps.

Everytime I drive past the local IMAX/multi-plex theater on Friday or Saturday night, the parking lot is full bumper to bumper. People still do appreciate quality and are willing to pay for it.

[mredman]

Originally Posted by wormraper

so true. the entire digital streaming setup is a nightmare... sure they could stabilize in a few years, but who knows. still people would be in for an ENORMOUS shock to receive $200-$250 bills for internet and streaming services alone if everything went all digital. People are jumping on netlfix, hulu, amz prime etc because they're SICK of paying retarded cable bills, not because they see streaming as the future. they're cutting the cord so they can cut the bill, not because they are so into the future.

THIS! Also look at sales from the big blockbusters on Blu Ray. They are very good just look at Frozen or Game of Thrones. The sales for these would be nothing without Blu Ray

[Whiplash27]

It's all about money IMO. DVDs are just cheaper.

I personally wait until movies drop to $10 or less before I pull the trigger except on rare occasions (Disney movies, new movies, etc). If your average blu ray movie was $5-10 each, it would sell much better. To me buying a new movie for more than $15 is crazy. Also, buying a movie that came out 30 years ago for more than $10 is insanity.

[eiknarf]

They're including DVDs bundled together with a blu-ray for one of two reasons:

1. So the people who like blu-ray discs have a DVD they can play in their car or let a friend borrow

2. So the people who like DVD have a blu-ray disc for incentive to buy a blu-ray player.

My problem with this is: they still sell standalone DVDs without the blu.

So, where's the standalone blu without the DVD?
I see pretty much EVERY new blu-ray release come with a DVD

[ShellOilJunior]

I can't imagine Itunes/Amazon/Hulu/Netflix being the ONLY outlet to watch a movie. I'll continue supporting blu-ray until BR discs are no longer made.

Aside from the theater, nothing beats watching a movie on blu-ray.

[slick1ru2]

Originally Posted by ShellOilJunior

I can't imagine Itunes/Amazon/Hulu/Netflix being the ONLY outlet to watch a movie. I'll continue supporting blu-ray until BR discs are no longer made.

Aside from the theater, nothing beats watching a movie on blu-ray.

Of course it won't come to that.

[Tom Servo]

I want to ask TCM that question. They have so many great classic movies on DVD on their label, but only ONE blu ray release (Lady from Shanghai). Pretty ridiculous if you ask me.

[gmm213]

Physical media wont die for, if nothing else, the fact that studios producers etc make more with someone renting or buying a disc, rental at what 2 a night and buying new release or 20 or so, than a download for 5 or 6 for a new release or a service lile netflix for 8 a month. As well as the fact that online streaming, which I am a user of, is shotty. I can get hd usually but not always and sometimes the site just wonks out. The one thing the digital age has done is bring a new generation into better video. Everyone wants a nice big flat screen no matter if they watch it or not. My cousins kids have a 32" led in their bedroom theyre 6 and 9

[Scarface32]

Originally Posted by Tom Servo

I want to ask TCM that question. They have so many great classic movies on DVD on their label, but only ONE blu ray release (Lady from Shanghai). Pretty ridiculous if you ask me.

That's a statement, not a question.