Blu-ray is dead... apparently

[bryanfury]

Who is this fool?

[chip75]

Originally Posted by Geoff D

My nearest HMV (Bromley) has always had a pathetically small Blu-ray selection. I asked them recently if there were any plans to expand it, and the mook behind the counter said 'no, because no-one's buying them'. Make of that what you will.

I think some people have just gone from DVD to LOVEFiLM or Netflix and bypassed BD altogether. Most people I've spoken to just don't get the benefits of Blu-ray and they certainly don't think there's any improvement over DVD; and streaming has just complicated matters for them.

[Lew Zealand]

Originally Posted by Geoff D

My nearest HMV (Bromley) has always had a pathetically small Blu-ray selection. I asked them recently if there were any plans to expand it, and the mook behind the counter said 'no, because no-one's buying them'. Make of that what you will.

That was probably down to their old prices. I've bought more Blu-rays from hmv since they were re-born than I ever have in the past. My 2 local ones have just expanded their already impressive Blu-ray sections too.

[figrin_dan]

How did he find an open HMV? All 3 of my locals have closed because people don't buy films from shops any more.

[Blu_Ray_UK2007]

Most of my friends who aren't film buffs or HT enthusiasts are quite happy with a DVD back catalouge but buy new releases on Blu.

Blu-Ray has not taken off like DVD but has been my hobby for five odd years now and 'm still buying titles as often as ever!

Nothing lasts forever but Blu-Ray is not over the hill yet!!

[slimdude]

First of all, I've never heard of that Pat Higgins character, and secondly, I don't believe everything I read, especially on the internet.

[Natty]

Originally Posted by chip75

I think some people have just gone from DVD to LOVEFiLM or Netflix and bypassed BD altogether. Most people I've spoken to just don't get the benefits of Blu-ray and they certainly don't think there's any improvement over DVD; and streaming has just complicated matters for them.

+1 the vast majority of my friends are now on LOVEFiLM or Netflix now. I tried the former once (because I got a free £10 Amazon voucher for doing so) and I found it a pain sending discs back. As for Netflix, my internet connection isn't good enough for iPlayer most of the time let alone anything else (dam you Government rural broadband scheme!).

As for the article, it's just a total waste of time and effort and he's clearly written it to get some kind of reaction whilst openly admitting so. You can tell he knows it's pointless because he says he hasn't researched it!

[amoergosum]

Blu-ray is dead... apparently

>>>

The Office - Rimshot - YouTube

[sheldo]

That's the biggest load of crap I've read on the internet this week. I'd suggest that brick & mortar stores are so full of DVDs and not BD's is because they're mostly browsed people that are afraid of technology thus don't know what BD's are & don't use the internet and the elderly.

That and there's still tight gits that would rather have something cheap as possible over picture quality.

[MifuneFan]

I can't read that article without the urge to reach into my monitor and slap the writer for being so clueless.

[DJ Mike]

Blu-ray is dead?!

All pre-orders cancelled.

[David M]

That is unbelievably bad journalism. I don't expect that level of headline grabbing nonsense from the Huffington Post.

I guess next we'll see the site run an article saying "Climate change is not real", based on the observation of one writer looking out of his bedroom window. Astonishing, just astonishing.

[rapta]

I'm sorry but that article was stupid. I have hundreds of DVD's and when I first got an HDTV I got a blu-ray player - since then I have definitely enjoyed the benefits of both streaming (Netflix) and blu-ray. DVD's actually have better quality than UltraViolet and Digital Copies - some people really don't care about quality and consistency, nor special features. They're the kinds of people who just stream stuff and buy second hand DVD's. Streaming is inconsistent - I can watch a 'Super HD' film on Netflix, but living with other people means the streaming quality isn't entirely reliable when others are using the internet. HD streaming or downloading is not going to take over - much like digital music, I would never pay for something intangible and carefully select films and music I buy. I still buy vinyl sometimes, especially for EP's and singles. Therefore I will still buy blu-ray, as it's generally the best format around. I can't really see the PQ or SQ getting much better than it already is unless people start to dedicate an entire room to the house - a 'cinema' room - and huge tellies or projectors replace flat-screens. I'm not entirely confident the world economy could handle such a product at the moment so I'm sticking by blu-ray at least for the next decade. Digital downloads take up digital space and what happens when you drop your hard-drive or somebody hacks your cloud service? Or you don't have internet access when you want to watch a film? Where are the special features? Can I hold the artwork at arms length and regard the film poster for a minute, or check the running time on the back? Maybe one day physical formats will be treated much like vinyl, but that's why people still buy vinyl - it's a superior format. As long as blu-ray sounds and looks the best it will be the best around.

[controlfreak]

I don't think there's much I can say about this that hasn't already been said other than this person is clearly delusional, and it's sad that his silly observation somehow warrants an article.

Originally Posted by Geoff D

My nearest HMV (Bromley) has always had a pathetically small Blu-ray selection. I asked them recently if there were any plans to expand it, and the mook behind the counter said 'no, because no-one's buying them'. Make of that what you will.

My local HMV is Bromley too the blu-ray section is definitely disappointing, but but I'm just thankful the store didn't shut down. It is odd though, because whenever I'm there (I was there today) the blu-ray section always seems pretty busy, especially with the 3 for £20/5 for £30 offer.

[FaceInTheLeaves]

Originally Posted by chip75

I think some people have just gone from DVD to LOVEFiLM or Netflix and bypassed BD altogether. Most people I've spoken to just don't get the benefits of Blu-ray and they certainly don't think there's any improvement over DVD; and streaming has just complicated matters for them.

I agree. Between DVD, blu-ray, Ultraviolet, 3D, downloading and streaming, the distributors are bombarding people with options. Blu-ray might not be dead but it's hardly been a runaway success. Catalogue titles are released at a glacial speed, which undermines confidence and accounts for the lack of shelf space devoted to blu-ray in HMV. HMV sells more DVDs than blu-rays because more films are available on DVD, not to mention TV. I bought the first season of the Sopranos on blu-ray not long after I got my player (the Christmas before last... or the Christmas before that... I can't remember) and if I want the rest of the seasons I'll have to buy them on DVD. That tends to suggest that studios are not committed to the blu-ray format and/or sales are poor. Mark Frost said the reason Twin Peaks hasn't been released on blu-ray is because blu-ray sales are poor.

I hope blu-ray isn't dead. It wipes the floor with DVD, downloads and streaming, but I think format fatigue is setting in. Studios have devalued music and film as a physical product. I'd never pay £10+ for a download. If I can't buy a physical format I'll watch it on pay-per-view.

[Ill_Be_Back]

[RazorwireRyan]

Holy shit. Can I get my money back? This is really worrying

[MifuneFan]

Originally Posted by RazorwireRyan

Holy shit. Can I get my money back? This is really worrying

No it isn't.

[JoeDeM]

Blu-ray is dead as far as BM is concerned, they stock very few titles, or only new releases. HMV has been hemorrhaging for years, and it's not because of Blu-ray but rather high prices and declining CD sales, it's the last place I go if I'm looking for something. Most people I know heavily rely on the Internet for Blu-rays, almost every title available at a reasonable price, and mostly fast delivery (amazon). The title of his article should be the Demise of the BM CD/DVD/Blu-ray retailers and not the death of Blu-ray, it's a model that has pasted it's expiration date.

[Mansinthe]

i think the last time i bought a bluray/DVD/game/cd from a retailer was 3,5 years ago.