Oh noes teh sky is falling!

[The Great Owl]

I consider Blu-ray a resounding success, and it's fun to see more and more classic titles being released in the format each month.

[Takeshi666]

Originally Posted by cakefactory

Cause laserdiscs were owned by like, 1% of the US population and the discs were only sold in niche stores like Media Play?

In the other hand, there was also no Amazon.

[Todd Tomorrow]

Originally Posted by Takeshi666

In the other hand, there was also no Amazon.

Why does that make a difference ? We bought everything in actual stores, small and large. Small stores didn't carry Laserdiscs at all and in large stores like HMV they took up a tiny section. If you really wanted a range of titles you had to go to a specialised store (only available in large cities) or get them via mail order. Unlike Blu-ray it was an premium niche format, taken up by small number of people. At the time I couldn't afford to get into it, unlike with Blu-ray. The majority of people I know have a Blu-ray player. I didn't know anybody personally who had a Laserdisc player. Laserdisc was a small niche format, Blu-ray is completely mainstream.

[Takeshi666]

Originally Posted by Todd Tomorrow

Why does that make a difference ? We bought everything in actual stores, small and large. Small stores didn't carry Laserdiscs at all and in large stores like HMV they took up a tiny section. If you really wanted a range of titles you had to go to a specialised store (only available in large cities) or get them via mail order. Unlike Blu-ray it was an premium niche format, taken up by small number of people. At the time I couldn't afford to get into it, unlike with Blu-ray. The majority of people I know have a Blu-ray player. I didn't know anybody personally who had a Laserdisc player.

Different distribution methods. Constant access to an up-to-date catalogue. And of course, the pricetags. All I'm saying is that if laserdisc did have all those things back then too, it probably wouldn't been quite so niche, and conversely, blu-ray would probably be just as niche if every title cost upwards to $100.

All I'm saying is that I'm weighing in those factors when I'm comparing blu-ray to laserdisc in regards to how much of a failure/success it is. Laserdisc certainly was no failure either, considering they kept being made up until the beginning of the DVD era. If it wasn't, it would've gone the way of the CED.

[Todd Tomorrow]

Originally Posted by Takeshi666

Different distribution methods. Constant access to an up-to-date catalogue. And of course, the pricetags. All I'm saying is that if laserdisc did have all those things back then too, it probably wouldn't been quite so niche, and conversely, blu-ray would probably be just as niche if every title cost upwards to $100.

All I'm saying is that I'm weighing in those factors when I'm comparing blu-ray to laserdisc in regards to how much of a failure/success it is. Laserdisc certainly was no failure either, considering they kept being made up until the beginning of the DVD era. If it wasn't, it would've gone the way of the CED.

It doesn't matter what you figure in or not and then speculate what could have been. We can't know. All that matters is that Laserdisc was a niche format and Blu-ray isn't and therefore the two don't compare. Maybe when 4K discs come out you'll get your modern equivalent of the Laserdisc.

[Number 6]

I don't feel Blu-ray is a failure. It just didn't make as big a splash as it's predecessors (VHS and DVD) because of it's format (High Definition). When VHS and DVD were introduced they were compatible with the broadcast standard of the day (Standard Definition) and could be played on any TV. One only had to purchase a VCR or DVD Player. With Blu-ray one needs a HDTV and a Blu-ray Player. A costly investment in a economy that's been lagging for quite some time.

[TheWalkingDead]

I would say it is not as successful as DVD. Then again Im not sure about the timeframe between the two formats.

DVDs were available around 1997
DVDs were competing with VHS until around 2004

7 years competing with another format (before "eliminating" VHS)

If you go by those timeframes, then it is still too close to call it a complete failure.

Blurays were available around 2007
Blurays are still competing with DVDs in 2014

7 years currently competing with another format (then again they are both competing against streaming/downloads)


You could definately say HD-DVD was a failure.

[erlinmeyer]

On the LD front, they were available, if you lived in the right spot, I guess. We had the at big department stores like Macy's and Emporium and Record stores like Tower Records and some smaller stores in the bay area of CA. Having over 300 still in my inventory, they are still being played because of non availability of some titles in Blu-ray or DVD. I don't consider that a failure of Blu-ray.
Amazing how things change over the years. When there were only 3 broadcast channels available to view and they were controlled by the Networks, getting an independent channel was amazing, then color came and PBS, etc. Now with all the cable, satellite, broadcast, digital online options available, I still hear "there is nothing to watch". Because everything you favor is not available on BD is the same thing. You just have higher expectations than what businesses are willing to give you and as a result the medium is a failure. Computer makers must be a failure because they don't make software that can control the players like they did for Laserdiscs. When will the crying end? Quite happy with my BDs and if you think it is such a failure, please send your collection to me and I'll appreciate it.

[I KEEL YOU]

Originally Posted by TheWalkingDead

DVDs were available around 1997
DVDs were competing with VHS until around 2004

7 years competing with another format (before "eliminating" VHS)

If you go by those timeframes, then it is still too close to call it a complete failure.

Blurays were available around 2007
Blurays are still competing with DVDs in 2014

Do you have stats that prove this?

I find this VERY hard to believe. I had a Playstation 2 (which played DVDs) since 2001, as did all my friends and NO ONE I knew bought VHS since that year. And by 2004, I don't think they were even selling VHS in stores so they could "compete" with DVDs.

By the way, DVDs are not just competing with blu rays here at the end of 2014. They are still outselling them.

[Moviefan2k4]

I still remember the first Blu-Ray I ever bought, and was amazed by the picture and sound improvements, even on a standard-def TV. I'm no expert on technical aspects, but I highly doubt movie studios would still be releasing their products on a format they believed was a failure.

Yes, there's several titles I'd like to see released on Blu-Ray, and the #1 pick on my current wish-list is "Aladdin". The folks at Disney have delayed that so many times, and the date used for "Sleeping Beauty" would've been perfect for it. But that doesn't mean I'm going to completely abandon the format.

[jscoggins]

Originally Posted by I KEEL YOU

By the way, DVDs are not just competing with blu rays here at the end of 2014. They are still outselling them.

Indeed, after switching to BD/DVD combo packs, Criterion actually backtracked and started selling separate SKUs again.

[DetroitSportsFan]

Originally Posted by I KEEL YOU

By the way, DVDs are not just competing with blu rays here at the end of 2014. They are still outselling them.

By a wide margin.

Originally Posted by Moviefan2k4

I'm no expert on technical aspects, but I highly doubt movie studios would still be releasing their products on a format they believed was a failure.

Well, the big studios are licensing out catalog titles like never before. Apparently they don't think much of Blu-ray except for new releases.

[thecalm_7]

Originally Posted by I KEEL YOU

Do you have stats that prove this?

I find this VERY hard to believe. I had a Playstation 2 (which played DVDs) since 2001, as did all my friends and NO ONE I knew bought VHS since that year. And by 2004, I don't think they were even selling VHS in stores so they could "compete" with DVDs.

By the way, DVDs are not just competing with blu rays here at the end of 2014. They are still outselling them.

I moved to FL in July 2008. My job fell through and I worked at Movie Gallery. When I started there we still rented childrens vhs and had 30" long section 5" high of vhs. People were furious that when snowbird season came around, they couldnt rent tapes of new releases. We threw away what could not be sold at the end of 2008. I gave a customer a 007 vhs box set on xmas day instead of chucking it. While not competing, people were still using, wanting, and buying til the end. We had more vhs than blu-ray in 2008.

[Moviefan2k4]

Originally Posted by DetroitSportsFan

Well, the big studios are licensing out catalog titles like never before. Apparently they don't think much of Blu-ray except for new releases.

The only thing that bothers me about this is when the licensed films are given sub-par treatments, or end up being over-priced like Twilight Time's "Sleepless in Seattle".

[benricci]

The entire format's a failure because they haven't put out a couple movies you want? No, I don't think so.

[zeze]

Originally Posted by I KEEL YOU

Do you have stats that prove this?

I find this VERY hard to believe. I had a Playstation 2 (which played DVDs) since 2001, as did all my friends and NO ONE I knew bought VHS since that year. And by 2004, I don't think they were even selling VHS in stores so they could "compete" with DVDs.

By the way, DVDs are not just competing with blu rays here at the end of 2014. They are still outselling them.

I think 2001 might be a little bit too early but 2004 is definitely too late. I believe the last major VHS release I bought was this which came out in late 2002.

[wormraper]

Oh dear. Why is this outside the "oh no the sky is falling" thread?

Isn't this the same old thread? You know, the "is bluray a failure because I haven't seen x title available yet"

[Batman1980]

Originally Posted by wormraper

Oh dear. Why is this outside the "oh no the sky is falling" thread?

Isn't this the same old thread? You know, the "is bluray a failure because I haven't seen x title available yet"

Blu-ray is a failure because I don't have every single movie I want on it.

[Todd Tomorrow]

Originally Posted by Darth Anakin

Blu-ray is a failure because I don't have every single movie I want on it.

In that case every single home video format was a failure as far as I'm concerned.

As someone who grew up in pre-home video times, I'll shake my walking stick at all of you and call you a bunch of self-entitled whiners who have no idea how good they've got it when it comes to access to their favourite films at very high quality.

[Cahleb]

Girl, bye. You're overreacting.