Expedite the HD format war.

[BluThunder]

I've been reading a lot on this forum and throughout the Internet about this crazy format war that is giving every new adopter of HD technology headaches over what to choose. Result: nobody buys anything and everybody waits...

Most of us want only ONE format out there. With that, I think we all agree Blu-ray is the answer.

I'm a movie director in Hollywood, California and like the majority of you on this forum, I am a big Blu-ray supporter. Here's one way to end , or at least “expedite” this format war: We all have to support Blu-ray, and by that I mean going out there and buying Blu-ray discs and equipment. If us, members on this website don't do it then who will? I know we are a minority compared to the entire world, but still, if today we go out there and buy even one Blu-ray disc we are making the difference. I don't know if any of you has been checking the HD Wars reports on dvdempire.com

The week of April 3rd has seen a dramatic drop in Blu-ray sales over HD-DVD from 73.11% to 54.18%. We can not let that happen otherwise this war will go on forever. Don't get me wrong, I think format wars are a good thing at the beginning, so that manufactures can compete against each other and struggle to create better formats at cheaper prices. But enough is enough. The format war is meant to decide which one is superior. We all know the answer to that. Let's all go out there and support our beloved Blu-ray.

For all HD-DVD folks out there, the only reason why I'm supporting Blu-ray is because from a movie director perspective, the technical specs of the Blu-ray format are far superior than those for HD-DVD.

The other day I drove around a few video stores in Los Angeles and I was shocked by the lack of Blu-ray titles on shelves. Some of those smaller stores had only five or six Blu-rays. Zero HD-DVDs (which is a good sign). So I asked the store manager if they will carry more Blu-rays. He replied by saying they are waiting for the “consumers” to decide which format will win and then acquire more titles. There is no doubt that in the long run Blu-ray will be the winner. We are the consumers. We are deciding the fate of Blu-ray. If there is far more demand for Blu-rays over HD-DVDs, movie studios will cease releasing the latter and focus their efforts only on Blu-ray. Results: better looking transfers, more choice of titles, more players (also some of the electronic manufactures are waiting to release their players), more support of one single format.

The future is today, let's not wait for tomorrow. As consumers we can make the difference. Blu-ray is the future of entertainment.

I'd love to hear the views and concerns of everybody. Feel free to post your comments, the films and games you buy, and your experience with them.

Cheers.

[Deciazulado]

bump cus I liked this post

[DavePS3]

I agree, Blu. I lived in LA for 7 years and did a lot of video editing. I also worked at a video distributor and managed a few video stores. It's always a catch-22... the stores don't want to bring in a format no one's asking for and customers don't buy hardware for a product that they don't see for sale or rent anywhere. I'm definately doing my part. I buy Blu-Rays from 6 different retailers here in Toronto and not because of who's the cheapest. I'd rather pay a few bucks more, spread the wealth so that everyone stocking the titles sees ROI rather than just one guy who sells the cheapest. Support all the sources of BD that you can - you may a bit more the odd time, like 3 or 4 bucks per disc but it'll pay off in the long run.

[Nismobeach]

Buying 18 BDs isn't enough?!?!

[DavePS3]

Hey, as long as everyone does what they can, it'll work out. Not everyone can afford every title that pops out every week... nor wants every title but do what you can and spread the wealth around to different sources.

[The Don]

that's not likely....whenever i see the BD displays at stores, people keep crowding around it...

they ask how much the player is (Samsung)...it's 799.99...and then they walk away...

but people are definately spotting the BD displays ...stores are starting to have 2 each and there is a crowd in front of each....

BD is starting to really buzz amongst the regular people who are going out and buying HD sets right now...

[DavePS3]

...and definately don't buy pirate copies of ANYTHING. Directors, crews and actors work incredibly hard on their films and for some jack-ass to walk into a theater with a camcorder and make money off the copies... he should have his legs hobbled! That includes guys making copies on computer. Usually it's the people wiith $50.00 DVD players and 20" Panasonic TV's that buy that crap because they're just too damn cheap anyway but if you know anyone who pirates or buys pirated copies, make your view known! Videophiles want original copies because they're educated. If you (anyone) consider yourself a videophile or movie buff, it's your job to educate the idiots out there!

[JTK]

Originally Posted by Nismobeach

Buying 18 BDs isn't enough?!?!

NO!

[Jack Torrance]

Originally Posted by BluThunder

I've been reading a lot on this forum and throughout the Internet about this crazy format war that is giving every new adopter of HD technology headaches over what to choose. Result: nobody buys anything and everybody waits...

Most of us want only ONE format out there. With that, I think we all agree Blu-ray is the answer.

I'm a movie director in Hollywood, California and like the majority of you on this forum, I am a big Blu-ray supporter. Here's one way to end , or at least “expedite” this format war: We all have to support Blu-ray, and by that I mean going out there and buying Blu-ray discs and equipment. If us, members on this website don't do it then who will? I know we are a minority compared to the entire world, but still, if today we go out there and buy even one Blu-ray disc we are making the difference. I don't know if any of you has been checking the HD Wars reports on dvdempire.com

The week of April 3rd has seen a dramatic drop in Blu-ray sales over HD-DVD from 73.11% to 54.18%. We can not let that happen otherwise this war will go on forever. Don't get me wrong, I think format wars are a good thing at the beginning, so that manufactures can compete against each other and struggle to create better formats at cheaper prices. But enough is enough. The format war is meant to decide which one is superior. We all know the answer to that. Let's all go out there and support our beloved Blu-ray.

For all HD-DVD folks out there, the only reason why I'm supporting Blu-ray is because from a movie director perspective, the technical specs of the Blu-ray format are far superior than those for HD-DVD.

The other day I drove around a few video stores in Los Angeles and I was shocked by the lack of Blu-ray titles on shelves. Some of those smaller stores had only five or six Blu-rays. Zero HD-DVDs (which is a good sign). So I asked the store manager if they will carry more Blu-rays. He replied by saying they are waiting for the “consumers” to decide which format will win and then acquire more titles. There is no doubt that in the long run Blu-ray will be the winner. We are the consumers. We are deciding the fate of Blu-ray. If there is far more demand for Blu-rays over HD-DVDs, movie studios will cease releasing the latter and focus their efforts only on Blu-ray. Results: better looking transfers, more choice of titles, more players (also some of the electronic manufactures are waiting to release their players), more support of one single format.

The future is today, let's not wait for tomorrow. As consumers we can make the difference. Blu-ray is the future of entertainment.

I'd love to hear the views and concerns of everybody. Feel free to post your comments, the films and games you buy, and your experience with them.

Cheers.

Glad someone bumped this post and glad I saw it

As a writer out here in La-La land, I've a vested interest in the format war somewhat. Personally, I can't even understand why this has even been a dispute about what is the better format -- blu-ray, spec for spec, is superior. End of story... so why don't we all embrace it?

I find that the vast majority of professionals in the biz overwhelmingly prefer blu-ray... and the studio executives too.

But you are right that even here, the movie capital of the world... and this is quite odd... most of the local rental stores aren't stocked with blu-ray discs. I miss "Dave's Laser" on Ventura Blvd... I'm sure they would've had it and would've been invaluable in educating the public at large into what was the better format.