Market Frustration

[michaelstr]

OK - one can read in Blu-ray friendly web sites that Blu-ray is prevailing, but I think we Blu-ray fans are about to lose out.

I am 100% sold on Blu-ray (technologically) over HD-DVD, but how on earth can Blu-ray win the standards battle with nonsense like this:

I went to a Best Buy in Austin, TX last week. The comparable HD-DVD player was almost $100 less than Blu-ray player I was interested in. I was offered NINE FREE HD-DVDs with the purchase of my HD-DVD player. The Blu-ray cost more, and there were NO free Blu-ray DVDs offered.

With the cost of even used "next-generation" DVDs being in the low to mid twenties, the effective cost of my HD-DVD player after factoring in the 9 free HD-DVDs was only $200!!!

Blu-ray vendors! HEAR US! This is a LAND GRAB situation! You cannot just sit there and convince 99% of the market that you have a better mouse trap and that they should pay so much more for it.

Very few of us really appreciate the fact that Blu-ray DVDs can use Java and Javascript to interact with the user and all that implies. I will be angry if we lose a better technology because it's being sold by geeks instead of people who know how to market and compete in free markets.

I could not be a bigger fan of Blu-ray, but when it comes to my pocket book, they had better try harder if they want my business. I bought an HD-DVD player last week, and I'm still mad about it.

[spam.curitiba]

Originally Posted by michaelstr

OK - one can read in Blu-ray friendly web sites that Blu-ray is prevailing, but I think we Blu-ray fans are about to lose out.

I am 100% sold on Blu-ray (technologically) over HD-DVD, but how on earth can Blu-ray win the standards battle with nonsense like this:

I went to a Best Buy in Austin, TX last week. The comparable HD-DVD player was almost $100 less than Blu-ray player I was interested in. I was offered NINE FREE HD-DVDs with the purchase of my HD-DVD player. The Blu-ray cost more, and there were NO free Blu-ray DVDs offered.

With the cost of even used "next-generation" DVDs being in the low to mid twenties, the effective cost of my HD-DVD player after factoring in the 9 free HD-DVDs was only $200!!!

Blu-ray vendors! HEAR US! This is a LAND GRAB situation! You cannot just sit there and convince 99% of the market that you have a better mouse trap and that they should pay so much more for it.

Very few of us really appreciate the fact that Blu-ray DVDs can use Java and Javascript to interact with the user and all that implies. I will be angry if we lose a better technology because it's being sold by geeks instead of people who know how to market and compete in free markets.

I could not be a bigger fan of Blu-ray, but when it comes to my pocket book, they had better try harder if they want my business. I bought an HD-DVD player last week, and I'm still mad about it.

hmmmm...BBY has been having it where you get 2 free with the purchase and then you get the 5 mail in ones....plus did you look at the specs of the blu-ray player and that 100 dollar cheaper hd dvd one?

[nhaase]

http://www.bestbuy.com/site//olspage...&type=category

7 free Blu-ray movies w/ the purchase of a Samsung BD-1400. If you were "offered" the free HD-DVDs, then the salesman whom offered them to you may have decided not to tell you of the blu-ray offer.

It is best to do your own research when going to BBuy.

[spam.curitiba]

Originally Posted by nhaase

http://www.bestbuy.com/site//olspage...&type=category

7 free Blu-ray movies w/ the purchase of a Samsung BD-1400. If you were "offered" the free HD-DVDs, then the salesman whom offered them to you may have decided not to tell you of the blu-ray offer.

It is best to do your own research when going to BBuy.

QFT

[glenn22]

I don't think you researched your products/deals very well yet. There are plenty of free movie deals on Blu-ray players out there (as those above have mentioned) and regardless of what promotion is on in-store, there is always the 5 free mail in offer.

The price difference in players is also not that significant when you compare the capabilities of the players. Cheap HD-DVD players are only 1080i and lack a lot of features. An HD-DVD player that is comparable to a Blu-ray player is nearly the same price.

[The Big Blue]

Try the decaf.

[Xerious]

did you ever think the reason they entice you with all those free movies and bargins is because they want to get the hardware pushed into the homes to solidify more number to ther advantage? bluray needs no such desperate moves to be sucessful. it looks nice out the gate but when you go to buy disney movies, sony movies, mgm movies, lionsgate movies.... you're SOL with a $200 player and 9 free movies.

[Manco]

We're glad you're here as a Blu-ray supporter...but..it would have been far better to come in advance, ask some questions and get the facts before making an HD-DVD purchase and lashing out at the Blu-ray camp with an anger post.

You can get the same great deal on a BD player and up to 7 free movies.

Sounds to me like you're another victim of the HD-DVD Propaganda Group (or a troll).

[haushausman]

When trying to sell garbage they usually offer some 'extras' to sweeten the deal.

And that player is most likely 1080i. Comparing apples to oranges now.

My blade, Sting, glows blue... weird.

[Joe Cain]

Well, if you're mad, the only person you have to be mad it is yourself---that is, if you're truly sold on BD as the better format but bought into HD-DVD instead. You're not getting better performance, you're not getting better selection of content; if it's about the pocketbook, then you should've waited until either prices came down or your savings went up.

[Teazle]

Originally Posted by michaelstr

I could not be a bigger fan of Blu-ray ...

Here's how you could try: sell that useless HD-DVD player and buy some more Blu-ray discs.

[Joe Cain]

Originally Posted by Teazle

Here's how you could try: sell that useless HD-DVD player and buy some more Blu-ray discs.

LOL@that.

It's not just Blu-friendly sites that say BD is winning---pretty much all the data that can be gathered from the real world supports that conclusion, too. WHich is why I find it amusing and amazing that teh interwebz in general seem so HD-DVD slanted...maybe it's because those supporters spend more time online because they have fewer good movies to watch?

[lch]

so you are 100% sold on blu-ray but you bought a hd-dvd player ?
sound like a troll to me.

[T-Town Oil]

either a troll or an absolute idiot

[mystiksuicide]

Well although a $100 is a lot of money id never let that amount of money to influence my decision especially when your buying a piece of equipment that you plan on keeping for lets say 4 years?

I rather pay 7 cents more a day for far superior quality. Besides even at a $100 more a player Blu-Ray continues to out sell HD DVD because lets face it many quality movies are just not available on HD DVD.
Ok it's time for me to go and watch my newly purchased " Meet the Robinsons" a Blu-Ray exclusive

[cartier]

Originally Posted by michaelstr

Blu-ray vendors! HEAR US! This is a LAND GRAB situation! You cannot just sit there and convince 99% of the market that you have a better mouse trap and that they should pay so much more for it.

I bought an HD-DVD player last week, and I'm still mad about it.

First, the land grab is not entirely accurate. Toshiba is widely believed to have been selling their players at a loss in an attempt to increase market share (it has not been working by the way). All this has done is eliminated competition from entering and producing HD-DVD players the real force behind driving down prices. Blu-ray player prices drop because there are other companies entering the market and producing them.

Second, Convincing the market that you have a better product is exactly what they have to do, why because people will pay more for a better product. If this was not true then we would not have premium brands and products like Mercedes-Benz, Apple iPod, etc, everyone would just buy toyota and a rio player. Not only do they charge more for image but they offer things that the competition does not. Granted blu-ray is not charging for image but it is also the difference in technology. Since when is any new technology cheap to produce at first?

Third, you stated that the HD DVD player was $100 less yet you spent about $300 on it. This makes no sense, "$100 is too much money but I will spend $300 on this junk player". Also if you already own a player why are you getting another one? If it is because you have another HD TV then you obviously have a lot of money to spend. In which case why is $100 too much?

Lastly, If you are "mad about it" then you are experiencing something known as "buyer's remorse" a regret of making a bad purchasing decision, paying too much for something that you do not value highly at all. The choice is simple return the HD DVD player you will feel better. And all the posters are right there is the free offer and usually the stores do offer extra incentives.

[Porscheman]

guys, he made one post... hasn't posted again.

Troll that likes to lie!

[JJ_L]

Originally Posted by Porscheman

guys, he made one post... hasn't posted again.

Troll that likes to lie!

Its been just over an hour so he can just have stepped out for lunch.... None the less it does look troll'ish.

[Luis_A51]

Troll

[Luis_A51]

Originally Posted by cartier

First, the land grab is not entirely accurate. Toshiba is widely believed to have been selling their players at a loss in an attempt to increase market share (it has not been working by the way). All this has done is eliminated competition from entering and producing HD-DVD players the real force behind driving down prices. Blu-ray player prices drop because there are other companies entering the market and producing them.

Second, Convincing the market that you have a better product is exactly what they have to do, why because people will pay more for a better product. If this was not true then we would not have premium brands and products like Mercedes-Benz, Apple iPod, etc, everyone would just buy toyota and a rio player. Not only do they charge more for image but they offer things that the competition does not. Granted blu-ray is not charging for image but it is also the difference in technology. Since when is any new technology cheap to produce at first?

Third, you stated that the HD DVD player was $100 less yet you spent about $300 on it. This makes no sense, "$100 is too much money but I will spend $300 on this junk player". Also if you already own a player why are you getting another one? If it is because you have another HD TV then you obviously have a lot of money to spend. In which case why is $100 too much?

Lastly, If you are "mad about it" then you are experiencing something known as "buyer's remorse" a regret of making a bad purchasing decision, paying too much for something that you do not value highly at all. The choice is simple return the HD DVD player you will feel better. And all the posters are right there is the free offer and usually the stores do offer extra incentives.

I think you should replace Toyota with either Ford or GM. Toyota's are produced more efficiently, so they should cost equal or less, but they can charge more because most people consider toyotas to be far more reliable.

Anyways as stated Toshiba's cheap players and movie giveaways have got them %50 of the standalone market: nothing to be proud about. If anything what bluray needs is better advertisement and to educate the public, not massive price drops (although obviously that helps too)

Ill sum it up this way:

Toshiba:
Cheap player prices
Massive movie giveaways
Result:
50% market share
Players sold at loss, movies given away for free
No manufacturer support (due to lack of profit potential)

Bluray:
Players sold at profit, some movie giveaway
Result
50% market share
Profitable player sales, some movies given away for free
Overwhelming industry support

Doesnt take a genius to realize Blurays business model has worked so far!