Should the DVD Format Be Abolished?

[Member-222782]

Personally, I'm somewhere in the middle. An interesting point has been brought up on one of the indie label threads in the Blu-ray forum. Someone suggested studios should cease production of the format and "force" people to buy Blu-ray. While this may seem like overkill and unnecessary, I somewhat agree, to a point. One one hand, it would save the labels and even major studios a bit of money and effort (not to mention shelf space) by focusing only one format. Also, most people have at least 1 DVD player in their homes. Many people DO NOT have BD players at all. Let's face it - DVD is the dominant format and will continue to be. I believe that if DVD were to be discontinued people who haven't upgraded will just simply not buy into another format. This could, in turn, lead to studios concluding that people don't purchase movies on hard formats anymore and actually stop production, would be disastrous to those of us who like to collect and have physical copies of our favorite films.

Another consequence of this is the disappearance of small indie labels who can't afford to release movies on Blu-ray. This is the LAST thing I'd want to see happen. Having something like 92 IN THE SHADE or MORTUARY on DVD is better than nothing. But, tbh, I feel like I'm wasting money every time I buy a DVD. I should be buying it on Blu-ray but I do understand that not every film needs (or can) be on BD. So, what do you think?

[BluRoo98]

Originally Posted by cine74

Personally, I'm somewhere in the middle. An interesting point has been brought up on one of the indie label threads in the Blu-ray forum. Someone suggested studios should cease production of the format and "force" people to buy Blu-ray. While this may seem like overkill and unnecessary, I somewhat agree, to a point. One one hand, it would save the labels and even major studios a bit of money and effort (not to mention shelf space) by focusing only one format. Also, most people have at least 1 DVD player in their homes. Many people DO NOT have BD players at all. Let's face it - DVD is the dominant format and will continue to be. I believe that if DVD were to be discontinued people who haven't upgraded will just simply not buy into another format. This could, in turn, lead to studios concluding that people don't purchase movies on hard formats anymore and actually stop production, would be disastrous to those of us who like to collect and have physical copies of our favorite films.

Another consequence of this is the disappearance of small indie labels who can't afford to release movies on Blu-ray. This is the LAST thing I'd want to see happen. Having something like 92 IN THE SHADE or MORTUARY on DVD is better than nothing. But, tbh, I feel like I'm wasting money every time I buy a DVD. I should be buying it on Blu-ray but I do understand that not every film needs (or can) be on BD. So, what do you think?

Do they still make VHS? Eventually they have to pull the plug. Disney was trying to push bluray with their DVD+bluray titles.

[sycro]

DVDs are also good for cars. I don't know of any car manufacturer's doing Blu-Ray (though I'm guessing some of the high end ones may be).

[bluknight1]

I say no. At least not yet. There is still a huge market for standard def discs and there is loads of standard def content out there (mainly TV shows from the '50s through the early 2000's shot on SD videotape) which wouldn't visually benefit from a format upgrade. However, I feel that DVD will eventually die at some point. Just give it a few years.

[slimdude]

There are still a large number of consumers, who have not invested, nor have any intentions to adapt to blu-ray because, they feel it's not worth upgrading to. Both formats: blu-ray and DVD will remain coexistent with each other, catering to various of people, enabling to make a choice.

[solarrdadd]

i think if they bring the price of players and blu-ray media down enough, and show it off more by way of better advertising, more people will be willing to make the switch.

the other thing is that many of those people probably still don't have a hdtv. also, i've been to enough peoples homes, some of them were friends mind you, that had both a hdtv and a blu-ray player and had it connected via composite video and rca audio to the tv. they really need to better educate folks on how to connect these things to take advantage of them better to get at least the best video solutions.

audio is a whole different issue as most people don't have an external audio system that accepts hdmi if they even have an external audio system.

better advertising and better education to people rather than just trying to shove the tech down their throat without them really knowing how to use it.

[BluRoo98]

Originally Posted by solarrdadd

i think if they bring the price of players and blu-ray media down enough, and show it off more by way of better advertising, more people will be willing to make the switch.

the other thing is that many of those people probably still don't have a hdtv. also, i've been to enough peoples homes, some of them were friends mind you, that had both a hdtv and a blu-ray player and had it connected via composite video and rca audio to the tv. they really need to better educate folks on how to connect these things to take advantage of them better to get at least the best video solutions.

audio is a whole different issue as most people don't have an external audio system that accepts hdmi if they even have an external audio system.

better advertising and better education to people rather than just trying to shove the tech down their throat without them really knowing how to use it.

This just makes me cringe. I picked up an HDMI cable for $10 at Walmart on BF. I grabbed 2 players for $50 each - Sony/streaming players. The problem is lack of desire BECAUSE of lack of education. I agree, more push to explain that the bigger the screen, the more PQ is needed. I remember an ad that used to run on repeat in Target that said if watching DVDs on a HDTV is like driving a sports car in first gear. The anology could be better, but I think the problem is most people don't care. Take that anology for instance, most people think sports cars are fast and "pretty" but they don't have a desire to own one. Many consumers have a large screen TV because that's all they sell now and they are cheaper than before, but they don't understand why the picture should be better and since it comes with a premium price - they aren't interested.

[sycro]

Originally Posted by solarrdadd

i think if they bring the price of players and blu-ray media down enough, and show it off more by way of better advertising, more people will be willing to make the switch.

the other thing is that many of those people probably still don't have a hdtv. also, i've been to enough peoples homes, some of them were friends mind you, that had both a hdtv and a blu-ray player and had it connected via composite video and rca audio to the tv. they really need to better educate folks on how to connect these things to take advantage of them better to get at least the best video solutions.

audio is a whole different issue as most people don't have an external audio system that accepts hdmi if they even have an external audio system.

better advertising and better education to people rather than just trying to shove the tech down their throat without them really knowing how to use it.

You can only educate stupid people so much. When I was in Wal-Mart a few days after Christmas, I overheard a conversation between a shopper and a media employee while I was looking at audio cables.

Shopper: I need an HDMI cable.

Employee: Those are right here. *grabs one to hand to him*

Shopper: No, I have that.

Employee: Then you have an HDMI cable.

Shopper: I need one to hook up my computer to my TV.

Employee: This is what you would need then.

Shopper: No, I need it to be USB on the other side.

Employee: That doesn't exist.

Shopper: But it's an HDMI cable.

[solarrdadd]

Originally Posted by sycro

You can only educate stupid people so much. When I was in Wal-Mart a few days after Christmas, I overheard a conversation between a shopper and a media employee while I was looking at audio cables.

Shopper: I need an HDMI cable.

Employee: Those are right here. *grabs one to hand to him*

Shopper: No, I have that.

Employee: Then you have an HDMI cable.

Shopper: I need one to hook up my computer to my TV.

Employee: This is what you would need then.

Shopper: No, I need it to be USB on the other side.

Employee: That doesn't exist.

Shopper: But it's an HDMI cable.

while that's not the word i would have chosen, i do understand what you mean. but, people still need to be educated better. i find that there is a ton of stuff out there technology and the average person has no idea what do do with it. the stores should have more of what homedepot and lowes does, offer free mini classes on basic hometheater hookups, soundbar hook ups, subwoofer uses, 2 channel setups and have it so people can see setups with at the backs and show multiple options for connections. some basic theory and setup information. lots of people are very visual, and everybody has a camera phone so there ya go.

i think something like that would be very , very helpful to the average joe.

[Eddie501]

Originally Posted by solarrdadd

the other thing is that many of those people probably still don't have a hdtv. also, i've been to enough peoples homes, some of them were friends mind you, that had both a hdtv and a blu-ray player and had it connected via composite video and rca audio to the tv. they really need to better educate folks on how to connect these things to take advantage of them better to get at least the best video solutions.

The problem is the almost every new Blu Ray player INCLUDES ONLY these cables. So of course people who don't know better think that's how they're supposed to be hooked up. I have never figured out why they include these cables for device that is supposed to play hi def. They should either include an HDMI cable or nothing at all.

[UpsetSmiley]

Heck no!

DVD's are the sole reason Blu-rays were sought after. The people wanted their movie fix but in high-def, right? DVD took years to take effect. I know this, because I only converted to DVD's in 2010! Yeah, seriously.

Let DVD run it's full course, plus most people don't have on the go Blu-ray players that aren't already built in to their laptops. Not to mention a lot of people, my family included don't ever know what Blu-ray is and the benefits of such. A majority of consumers don't know what they're missing until it's in their face.

I only started buying Blu-rays at the start of 2012.

[vmumu]

nah, it should be kept

[L.J.]

I really like the blu-ray format the sound and picture are great. On dvd, I still like to. Some of my classic movies are on dvd I haven't upgraded because Haven't found a version on blu that I like better. Also all my tv shows are on dvd, if forced to go straight to blu I won't upgrade these due to exspense thats why I still buy them on dvd. I know a lot of people who still don't see the advantage of upgrading most of them are not collectors. From the stand point of some one who is not a collector or enthusist there is no advantage. I would hate for dvd to go because I don't think it would be good for the industry. I am a strong blu fan but I also still like my dvds.

[bluthx]

Originally Posted by L.J.

I really like the blu-ray format the sound and picture are great. On dvd, I still like to. Some of my classic movies are on dvd I haven't upgraded because Haven't found a version on blu that I like better. Also all my tv shows are on dvd, if forced to go straight to blu I won't upgrade these due to exspense thats why I still buy them on dvd. I know a lot of people who still don't see the advantage of upgrading most of them are not collectors. From the stand point of some one who is not a collector or enthusist there is no advantage. I would hate for dvd to go because I don't think it would be good for the industry. I am a strong blu fan but I also still like my dvds.

+100%

[Canada]

DVD will be around for a long time no matter how much I dislike it.

[L.J.]

I also look at it like this, blu is at the forefront but the industrie is already looking for something to make it obsolete. The longer we hold on to dvd the longer it will maybe take them to phase out blu.

[Canada]

Originally Posted by L.J.

I also look at it like this, blu is at the forefront but the industrie is already looking for something to make it obsolete. The longer we hold on to dvd the longer it will maybe take them to phase out blu.

Good point I never thought of that.

[David McMinn]

If SD-DVD is abolished then what would happen to the combo sets? Also, there are a lot of older television series that haven't been converted to blu-ray yet. Such as Adventures Of Superman, Knight Rider, Original Battlestar Galactica. I wonder if then would blu-ray players still be able to up-convert SD-DVDs like they do now. I admit that I have a lot of VHS tapes laying around; but, I have programs on them that have never been given DVD treatment such Civil War Journal. Finding VHS players is becoming harder and harder these days, I just hope the two I have never give out.

I know that the entertainment media would like to put everything in the digital format for everyone to enjoy. I would like to see everything given the royal treatment all programs deserve like Star Trek The Generation project' but, I doubt will happen.

[Mansinthe]

They could put sd content onto blurays in sd. Saves a few discs as well.

[sycro]

http://www.gallup.com/poll/166745/am...nge-times.aspx

58% of Americans have a VCR. 41% of 18-29 year olds.... 74% for 65+.