People don't seem to be happy about Blu-ray

[DealsR4theDevil]

I have worked at a Hollywood Video for almost 3 years now. I am not the type of person who will start conversations with strangers so I never really told any of my customers about Blu-ray unless one of them asked (which almost never happened) or if it was one of the few customers I actually talked to. I pretty much dont like to get in peoples faces about this stuff.

But recently, like many Hollywood Videos, mine is going out of business and we are liquidating our inventory. People are coming in and buying a bunch of stacks of cheap used movies on DVD. When they come in I am ALWAYS asked the same questions: "Why are you guys closing?" "Whats gonna be here after you close?" "When is your last day?" "Do you guys still have jobs after the store closes?" etc.

One of the most common questions I get is "Did you guys get first picks on all these movies? I bet you guys cleared out all the good stuff." Now I dont like to get into peoples faces about Blu-ray but I dont mind answering their questions honestly (well its either an honest answer or a lie and since I am proud o my Blu-ray....). Whenever I hear that question I say "nah, I dont really buy DVDs anymore, I only buy Blu-ray discs." Now there are a wide array of responses to my statement. Some people ask what Blu-ray is, some people already know what it is and ask me how well I like it, etc.

Now here is where it gets interesting, almost all of them have this additude like Blu-ray is just some new conspiracy for the studios to take their money. For w/e reason, they dont see it as an improvement, they just think of REPAYING for all of their movies. And if I even suggest that it might not be a good idea to buy ALL the DVDs they are buying (they buy like 40 or more most of the time), because DVDs are a slowly dieing market and it might be a good idea to invest into something that will be around for many years, they give me all sorts of dirty looks and not ONE customer has even considered not buying those DVDs. And its pretty sad to because most of the used DVDs we are selling for 6 bucks, they could have bought for 5 bucks new at a circuit city or what not.

Bottom line is, people dont like the idea of a new movie format. I was young when DVDs came out but I remember people getting a bit hostile about them. Saying things like "Whats wrong with VHS?" I dont know why, but part of the reason Blu-ray/HD DVD sales are so low (besides the format war), is because people arent responding postively to the idea of a new format. For some reason this is never an issue with new game consoles or new computers.

[bdrex28]

I think a lot of them just haven't seen the blu-rays on a proper television directly next to a DVD of the same movie.

IF they did this, they wouldn't ask, they'd realize the progress in Video.

So, are all Hollywood Videos closing?

[DealsR4theDevil]

Originally Posted by bdrex28

I think a lot of them just haven't seen the blu-rays on a proper television directly next to a DVD of the same movie.

IF they did this, they wouldn't ask, they'd realize the progress in Video.

So, are all Hollywood Videos closing?

lol, that is one of the questions I am frequently asked. But, no not all of them, a good chunk of them is though. And if revenue doesnt pick up at the other ones over the next few months, then they will be closing more.

[WickyWoo]

Yes, people don't like that idea. But you should be pushing that they don't have to upgrade. All Blu players will play DVDs just fine, and their new movies will look 100x better

[rjg]

Not diss on your chain store, but regarding the frustration of the customers, i was reading i think here yesterday that "another chain" is putting a demo on how the movies look on blu-ray. so that should help the customers

[haushausman]

Originally Posted by WickyWoo

Yes, people don't like that idea. But you should be pushing that they don't have to upgrade. All Blu players will play DVDs just fine, and their new movies will look 100x better

I agree. It's not a whole new thing.. more of an upgrade.

[stockstar1138]

Originally Posted by WickyWoo

Yes, people don't like that idea. But you should be pushing that they don't have to upgrade. All Blu players will play DVDs just fine, and their new movies will look 100x better

actually its more like 6x better

[BluOgre]

Originally Posted by DealsR4theDevil

I have worked at a Hollywood Video for almost 3 years now. I am not the type of person who will start conversations with strangers so I never really told any of my customers about Blu-ray unless one of them asked (which almost never happened) or if it was one of the few customers I actually talked to. I pretty much dont like to get in peoples faces about this stuff.

But recently, like many Hollywood Videos, mine is going out of business and we are liquidating our inventory. People are coming in and buying a bunch of stacks of cheap used movies on DVD. When they come in I am ALWAYS asked the same questions: "Why are you guys closing?" "Whats gonna be here after you close?" "When is your last day?" "Do you guys still have jobs after the store closes?" etc.

One of the most common questions I get is "Did you guys get first picks on all these movies? I bet you guys cleared out all the good stuff." Now I dont like to get into peoples faces about Blu-ray but I dont mind answering their questions honestly (well its either an honest answer or a lie and since I am proud o my Blu-ray....). Whenever I hear that question I say "nah, I dont really buy DVDs anymore, I only buy Blu-ray discs." Now there are a wide array of responses to my statement. Some people ask what Blu-ray is, some people already know what it is and ask me how well I like it, etc.

Now here is where it gets interesting, almost all of them have this additude like Blu-ray is just some new conspiracy for the studios to take their money. For w/e reason, they dont see it as an improvement, they just think of REPAYING for all of their movies. And if I even suggest that it might not be a good idea to buy ALL the DVDs they are buying (they buy like 40 or more most of the time), because DVDs are a slowly dieing market and it might be a good idea to invest into something that will be around for many years, they give me all sorts of dirty looks and not ONE customer has even considered not buying those DVDs. And its pretty sad to because most of the used DVDs we are selling for 6 bucks, they could have bought for 5 bucks new at a circuit city or what not.

Bottom line is, people dont like the idea of a new movie format. I was young when DVDs came out but I remember people getting a bit hostile about them. Saying things like "Whats wrong with VHS?" I dont know why, but part of the reason Blu-ray/HD DVD sales are so low (besides the format war), is because people arent responding postively to the idea of a new format. For some reason this is never an issue with new game consoles or new computers.

All they have to know is DVD is compatible with BR players. Maybe then they would see it less as "oh so the stuidos want me to replace my entire liabrary!" and more as "oh I can get the new movies on BR and keep my older titles without having to replace them".

Believe me their is a big difference. Without backwards compatibility....I'm not sure the public would buy into BR.

[T-Town Oil]

Originally Posted by BluOgre

All they have to know is DVD is compatible with BR players. Maybe then they would see it less as "oh so the stuidos want me to replace my entire liabrary!" and more as "oh I can get the new movies on BR and keep my older titles without having to replace them".

Believe me their is a big difference. Without backwards compatibility....I'm not sure the public would buy into BR.

you mean my old DVDs will play on my ps3?

[BluOgre]

Originally Posted by DealsR4theDevil

lol, that is one of the questions I am frequently asked. But, no not all of them, a good chunk of them is though. And if revenue doesnt pick up at the other ones over the next few months, then they will be closing more.

Which is great news for me.....I run Blockbuster stores that compete with Hollywood (sometimes literally across the street) and these closings are going to increase business tremendously.

So it leaves me more $$$ to buy bluray product for more stores......and a nice bonus every qtr doesn't hurt either.

[Blu Tiger]

People don't know what their missing. I have friends come over and ask if the difference between DVDs and blu-ray is that noticable. Then I show them a blu-ray movie on my Pioneer Elite@1080p and they are shocked. They see what all the fuss is about. I'm on a mission to open people's eye about blu-ray.

[tru2blu707]

people dont like change, especially if they dont understand it. i believe it is our part to try and educate the average consumer when the oppurtunity presents itself. the sooner blu ray hits the mainstream...the better for mankind

[GasCat]

Great post Deals. Yup, I can see people acting like that. The same thing happened when Circuit City closed their doors. People (including myself) love to see those sale signs. Paying 6 bucks when you can get it new elsewhere is the herd mentality in effect. "I better get this before the next person does!"

DVD isn't going anywhere for years to come. The first thing Blu needs to do is unify. After that studios will need to release everything new in Blu. Until that happens most consumers will not fully adopt a new format.

[Shin-Ra]

Originally Posted by stockstar1138

actually its more like 6x better

The compression's so bad on DVD that you're not getting your full SD resolution's-worth so it's more of an increase than that really.

Improved interactive Java features are the kinds of extras that are probably supposed to appeal to those that aren't swayed 'just' by improved audio and video quality.

[buyhd]

All they see are dollar signs coming out of their wallets when you give them the honest answer. I'd venture to think that if people had the money they would be more than happy to already be an early adopter.

[bhampton]

I know lots of HD DUD-ers that aren't happy about Blu Ray.

Personally,.. I'm thrilled with it. I'm buying Blu Rays the way I used to buy DVD's and it's brought back the joy of HT.

-Brian

[jsteinhauer]

I think the real problem is that the BD's don't look any better or different, physically. The step from VHS to DVD was easy. DVD's have a space-age, high-tech look in comparison. They are shiny, and they take up much less space, to boot. That step was even more important in that DVD's would never get destroyed by the machine that played them. Did you ever have a machine eat your VHS? The average person is just not an audio/videophile and DVD is good enough. There are thousands of better restaurants than Mickey D's, with better prices even, but they stay in business.

[pedigree]

Originally Posted by jsteinhauer

I think the real problem is that the BD's don't look any better or different, physically. The step from VHS to DVD was easy. DVD's have a space-age, high-tech look in comparison. They are shiny, and they take up much less space, to boot. That step was even more important in that DVD's would never get destroyed by the machine that played them. Did you ever have a machine eat your VHS? The average person is just not an audio/videophile and DVD is good enough. There are thousands of better restaurants than Mickey D's, with better prices even, but they stay in business.

good point about the look. its true though many people were convinced that blu rays were actually smaller in size (kinda like a mini disc) and thats why someone couldnt buy a blu ray and use it in their player. when i told them it had basically the same look they seemed somewhat dissapointed. its as if they were seeking something more space-age like to kinda make them feel that they were investing in something new

[WickyWoo]

That's why I was and still am a caddy advocate. It'd feel different to people. Could have beautiful art on it too.

[tron3]

Originally Posted by DealsR4theDevil

...

Now here is where it gets interesting, almost all of them have this additude like Blu-ray is just some new conspiracy for the studios to take their money. For w/e reason, they dont see it as an improvement, they just think of REPAYING for all of their movies. ...

If that is the case then it is a conspiracy I am buying into. Just like how they held back CD for 50 years to resell album songs. I was probably the single most honest guy you could meet at a Radio Shack when I worked there. Yet I got plenty of pissed looks and no sale for my honesty. I swear sometimes they want smoke blown up their butt, and other times they want it straight. There is NO PLEASING the general public. - Period. The sooner you learn that the less stress you will have.

You meet all kinds in retail. Remember, anyone who is truly rich doesn't shop for this stuff himself. He pays some guy to buy it and set it up for him. Then you have your geeks who know stuff and the the meeks who do not.

But I will admit I don't feel buying yet ANOTHER new format of movies. It will have to some damn impressive 2160p "movie on a memory stick" device to see my money yet again. Short of that, blu-ray is the last hurrah for me.