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

[eiknarf]

Originally Posted by bruceames.

No, which makes the real DVD sales deceptively low, since some people who do buy the combo pack, would have chosen the DVD-only SKU, if they were forced to choose.

Wait, I'm confused. If they're not counting the DVD that're bundled in the blu combo pack, that means DVD-only sales are doing well...

which also means, there's even more DVDs out there than they're counting because of the DVDs bulked in with the blu's that I buy, right?

[bruceames]

Originally Posted by eiknarf

Wait, I'm confused. If they're not counting the DVD that're bundled in the blu combo pack, that means DVD-only sales are doing well...

which also means, there's even more DVDs out there than they're counting because of the DVDs bulked in with the blu's that I buy, right?

That's correct. Every Interstellar SKU sold had a DVD inside, but only 30% of them were DVD-only. So only 30% of them get counted.

[rdodolak]

Originally Posted by bruceames.

I thought that the higher sales price of Blu-ray is supposed to cover that? That's like saying DVDs are more profitable (which they actually may be in many cases).

It could if, priced right and, all of the copies sell but the price of entry is higher, and can be a barrier for some small labels, which increases the risk of a project especially if a label is leary of spending that money upfront.

[bruceames]

Originally Posted by rdodolak

It could if, priced right and, all of the copies sell but the price of entry is higher, and can be a barrier for some small labels, which increases the risk of a project especially if a label is leary of spending that money upfront.

What it really means is that potential Blu-ray sales simply aren't high enough to justify a print run. By itself, maybe yes, but by releasing dual SKUs, then their DVD portion of the sales will decline, making it less feasible as well (creating a double risk, so to speak).

[rdodolak]

Originally Posted by bruceames.

That's correct. Every Interstellar SKU sold had a DVD inside, but only 30% of them were DVD-only. So only 30% of them get counted.

And this lowers the manufacturing cost per disc for DVD. I highly doubt the 70% that bought the Blu-ray release bought it for the DVD when there is an equivalent DVD release. Thus, in this case, Blu-ray sales are helping DVD absorb two-thirds of the DVD disc manufacturing costs which are already low.. Blu-ray doesn't get the same benefit, in kind, from DVD sales not to mention Blu-ray manufacturing costs are already higher, per disc, when compared to DVD.

[rdodolak]

Originally Posted by bruceames.

What it really means is that potential Blu-ray sales simply aren't high enough to justify a print run. By itself, maybe yes, but by releasing dual SKUs, then their DVD portion of the sales will decline, making it less feasible as well (creating a double risk, so to speak).

Yes, this is true and it creates a fragmented physical media market. Now, if Blu-ray had a lower cost of entry, when compared to DVD, I wouldn't be surprised if we saw more releases on Blu-ray than DVD. Imagine what will happen with three formats: DVD, Blu-ray, and UHD Blu-ray. I just can't see studios and manufacturers keeping around three formats for very long.

[bruceames]

Originally Posted by rdodolak

And this lowers the manufacturing cost per disc for DVD. I highly doubt the 70% that bought the Blu-ray release bought it for the DVD when there is an equivalent DVD release. Thus, in this case, Blu-ray sales are helping DVD absorb two-thirds of the DVD disc manufacturing costs which are already low.. Blu-ray doesn't get the same benefit, in kind, from DVD sales not to mention Blu-ray manufacturing costs are already higher, per disc, when compared to DVD.

Obviously many bought it at least partially for the DVD (either as primary, supplement, or equal interest in both). Otherwise, why would they include it in the first place? Speaking of which, some studios such as Sony and Fox have recently discontinued the DVD in combos. The original intent was to get people to switch to Blu-ray by future-proofing. But now they are more interested in getting people to switch for disc to digital (which is the main reason free codes are included, and not to add value to the package).

Sure DVD is cheaper to produce, but we're only talking pennies here, not dollars. I don't think it's a factor at all in deciding whether to print a Blu-ray run or not, considering the higher sales price will more than cover the additional manufacture cost (otherwise, what's the point of Blu-ray to begin with, if it's not more profitable).

[bruceames]

Originally Posted by rdodolak

Yes, this is true and it creates a fragmented physical media market. Now, if Blu-ray had a lower cost of entry, when compared to DVD, I wouldn't be surprised if we saw more releases on Blu-ray than DVD. Imagine what will happen with three formats: DVD, Blu-ray, and UHD Blu-ray. I just can't see studios and manufacturers keeping around three formats for very long.

At this point, I can't see UHD BD being released at all as a true optical disc format. I don't think the studios are interested (unless they implement online authentication, which would essentially mean it's a digital format). The BDA and a few hardware manufactures may be making noise about it coming, but until I hear something from a few of the studios, I'm not getting my hopes up.

[eiknarf]

Originally Posted by rdodolak

Yes, this is true and it creates a fragmented physical media market. Now, if Blu-ray had a lower cost of entry, when compared to DVD, I wouldn't be surprised if we saw more releases on Blu-ray than DVD. Imagine what will happen with three formats: DVD, Blu-ray, and UHD Blu-ray. I just can't see studios and manufacturers keeping around three formats for very long.

So which will studios drop?
The DVD, which is cheap and convenient for the ignorant mass? The new UHD/4k blu-ray, which is super new and untested in the market? Or the middle child, blu-ray, which we already built up our collections on?

[bruceames]

Originally Posted by eiknarf

So which will studios drop?
The DVD, which is cheap and convenient for the ignorant mass? The new UHD/4k blu-ray, which is super new and untested in the market? Or the middle child, blu-ray, which we already built up our collections on?

That's easy. The format which has the least potential for sales. And they don't even have to lift a finger.

[eiknarf]

Originally Posted by bruceames.

That's easy. The format which has the least potential for sales. And they don't even have to lift a finger.

Any predictions?

[schan1269]

Originally Posted by Selaboc

WHY!? for the same reason you were browsing pre-owned blus. People want "bargins", even when that bargin means compromising on quality. To many people DVD means cheap and blu means more expensive with quality not even factoring into their decision making.

Maybe the Hummer had a DVD player....

[bruceames]

Originally Posted by eiknarf

Any predictions?

Yes, I predict they will drop neither DVD nor Blu-ray.

[eiknarf]

Originally Posted by bruceames.

Yes, I predict they will drop neither DVD nor Blu-ray.

Neither (with an "n")
I almost misread that.

It does seem... too much, to have THREE frikkin physical formats, all disc based, all at once. Especially since brick and mortar stores are reducing their shelf space for physical media.

I mean, there was a time VHS, and DVD were coexisting successfully...
A time cassette and CD were coexisting successfully...
A time 8-track tape and Vinyl were successfully coexisting...

But we're there ever three?

[schan1269]

I brought this up elsewhere...

Why does DVD "cling" to the market?

Same reason why TT got The Little House.

Yamada's, possibly, last film...and nobody thinks the US market would handle a release anywhere else.

If TLH does not sell out for TT...

Nobody has a right to complain about "DVD clinging" and "what doesn't get released".

[mredman]

Originally Posted by bruceames.

Yes, I predict they will drop neither DVD nor Blu-ray.

^ this. If Disney in the US already think 3D blu ray does not sell enough its obvious 4K blu ray will be even more niche.

[rdodolak]

Originally Posted by schan1269

I brought this up elsewhere...

Why does DVD "cling" to the market?

Same reason why TT got The Little House.

Yamada's, possibly, last film...and nobody thinks the US market would handle a release anywhere else.

If TLH does not sell out for TT...

Nobody has a right to complain about "DVD clinging" and "what doesn't get released".

Would it sell any better if TT only released it on DVD? There is an reason why TT discontinued their DVD releases and moved to Blu-ray and its not related to replication costs.

[eiknarf]

Originally Posted by mredman

^ this. If Disney in the US already think 3D blu ray does not sell enough its obvious 4K blu ray will be even more niche.

So is there a chance 4K blu-ray stays, but just as a niche? Ya know, like an elite product only? The average person doesn't own a Ferrari, or even a top of the line Audi (R8), but they still make em

Also, like, ya know how the average person doesn't have a record player, but vinyl found a lil pocket to stay alive in.

Can that happen with 4K blu-ray?

[bruceames]

Originally Posted by rdodolak

Would it sell any better if TT only released it on DVD? There is an reason why TT discontinued their DVD releases and moved to Blu-ray.

Greener pastures. For the most part, the DVD has already been released and has run its course on sales. TT focuses on middle and lower tier catalogs from the major studios, and probably 98% of them have yet to see a Blu-ray release.

[rdodolak]

Originally Posted by eiknarf

So is there a chance 4K blu-ray stays, but just as a niche? Ya know, like an elite product only? The average person doesn't own a Ferrari, or even a top of the line Audi (R8), but they still make em

Also, like, ya know how the average person doesn't have a record player, but vinyl found a lil pocket to stay alive in.

Can that happen with 4K blu-ray?

I don't see Blu-ray going away anytime soon and it's likely UHD will be a niche format. The majority of consumers aren't going to run out and replace their equipment right away until they have to and as we've seen a large amount of consumers don't want to pay more for a release if there are cheaper alternatives.