There needs to be more of this kind of article, that take people who might be interested by the hand, and asks (and answers -mostly- correctly) the right questions. It also has a conclusion that I share: The rapid success of the format might be simply be a matter of "how much for a film?"
Quote:
10 questions about Blu-ray you'll want the answers for
This was to be the season Blu-ray won our hearts — and it still may. But the economic downturn has thrown a tough new hurdle at the high-def disc. Blu-ray faces strapped consumers worried about investing in a new format, a new library and still-pricey players. But it's the best video source around, and if you have or plan to get a new HDTV, you may be considering Blu-ray, too. USA TODAY tech writer Mike Snider offers an FAQ.
Demystifying Blu-ray
Q: Why do they call it Blu-ray?
A: Because Blu-ray Disc players and PC drives, as well as Sony's PlayStation 3, use a blue laser beam to read data from discs, rather than the older red lasers used for DVDs. A blue laser can be focused more tightly, so disc makers can pack more data on a disc the same size as a DVD. Blu-ray Discs can hold up to 50 gigabytes, compared to a DVD, which holds less than 10 GB. That added capacity can hold video up to six times the resolution of DVD, plus more bonus features and improved surround soundtracks.
Q: Can you really see the difference between Blu-ray and DVD?
A: Side-by-side, most people can easily see Blu-ray's improvement in picture quality. The video resolution, called "1080p" because it constantly (or progressively, hence the p) redraws 1,080 lines across the screen (each line containing 1,920 pixels), surpasses the best HDTV broadcast or cable signals. "Once you start seeing high-definition (video) on a 1080p monitor, DVD cannot compare," says Peter Bracke, editor of HighDefDigest.com. "Even my mom is impressed with it."
And filmmakers are doing their bit as well to make Blu-ray stand out. "We spent more time on (the Blu-ray image) than on the theatrical release, making sure every single color and shade is there for a reason," says Hellboy II: The Golden Army director Guillermo Del Toro. "The movie has never looked and sounded better."
Q. What do I need to watch Blu-ray?
A: Other than a BD player, you'll probably want an HDTV, to get the full quality and widescreen effect. (When watched on a older, standard-shaped tube set, the image is severely letterboxed with dark bands above and below.) Before buying a Blu-ray player to connect to an older TV, check the player's back panel: Not all have the kinds of outputs needed to connect to older sets. Most players send audio and video to newer TVs and displays via a single cable called HDMI. And don't get caught up in the various flavors of HDTV — 720p, 1080i and 1080p — because Blu-ray players can send an HD signal to any of them. As for screen size, most viewers won't get much benefit, Bracke says, unless it's at least 40 inches (diagonally).
Q: Are all Blu-ray players the same?
A: No. But most important, all Blu-ray players will play standard DVDs — and most "up-convert" those DVDs so they look closer to HD quality. Most players handle music CDs as well. If you are particularly interested in checking out picture-in-picture commentary tracks and online bonus features on discs, look for players that include Profile 1.1 (picture-in-picture capability) and BD-Live or Profile 2.0 (online connections) among the specifications.
Initially, the only player that was fully equipped was Sony's PS3 game system, but many current Blu-ray players in the $250 range have both sets of features. "It's bad for early adopters, but for mainstream consumers it won't matter because by the time they jump in, it will all be settled," Bracke says.
Two recent entries, the LG BD300 ($350) and the Samsung BD-P2550 ($370) also let Netflix subscribers stream movies.
Q: Should I buy now or wait for prices to drop?
A: That depends. Earlier this year, players sold for at least $400, but special holiday deals have resulted in entry-level models "for as low as $149, and $249 for really good, fully featured models," says Bill Hunt, editor of TheDigitalBits.com. "And if you don't already have an HDTV, some manufacturers are going to be offering combo deals, where you'll get a player free or nearly so when you buy an HDTV. With the economy the way it is, major retailers are all offering terrific bargains, too." As newer, more expensive models continue to hit stores, older ones will be reduced in price. "If you love movies, buy now," says TVPredictions.com's Phil Swann. "If you don't, wait. Prices will (continue to) fall."
Players "have gotten to where they are more in the consumers' sweet spot," says NPD Entertainment analyst Russ Crupnick, but price resistance has shifted to the software side as many Blu-ray Discs cost $25, he says. "Consumers have become increasingly price-sensitive, thanks to DVD."
Q: Do I need to replace all my DVDs with Blu-ray Discs?
A: No. Remember, Blu-ray players will play DVDs and most will boost the video resolution (or "up-rez" them), so "there is no reason for the consumer to think that all of their video library is going to be antiquated," says Panasonic's Rich Simone. Adds Swann, "I would recommend getting new releases in Blu-ray, either by rental or purchase, and watch your old ones using the up-converting feature."
Studios will try to entice movie lovers to repurchase films they may have already on DVD (and perhaps videocassette) by remastering the video and adding new extra features. "They can see them in the way the director originally intended them to be seen," says Sony Pictures Home Entertainment's Rich Marty. "DVD is a huge market, and those will continue to look great, but now they have a choice. We think once they see them in high-def, it's going to be a no-brainer."
Q: What features do Blu-ray movies have that DVDs don't?
A: Most bonus features such as commentaries, documentaries and deleted scenes are "the same kind of thing DVD has, except that it tends to be more interactive and complex on Blu-ray," says Hunt. Some discs have interactive games, such as the Casino RoyaleCollector's Edition's multiplayer Bond trivia game. A few of the newest releases take advantage of bonus features delivered via the Internet: Last month, Del Toro conducted an online chat with owners of the Hellboy II Blu-ray Disc.
"It is my hope when we are proposing, planning and designing the interactive instruments for The Hobbit (Part 1 is scheduled for 2011), we can take full advantage of it," Del Toro says. "We are trying to make people very aware that there are features locked in the Blu-ray Disc that allow them to go interactive with the Net." And The Dark Knight director Christopher Nolan will have a Dec. 18 screening of the Blu-ray Disc (9 p.m. ET/6 PT), during which those who own it can watch and chat online with him during the film. (More details at thedarkknight.warnerbros.com/dvdsite/event.) Another online feature lets viewers post their own feature-length commentary to share with friends.
But overall, while Hollywood may tout next-generation interactive features, Swann says, "the real feature is the picture."
Q: Will my sound system work with Blu-ray?
A: The simple answer is Blu-ray will sound as good as DVDs do on your system. Many HDTVs and displays have built-in speakers, but surround-sound fanatics will want to make sure their receiver has digital audio inputs. And movie fans who want to get the most out of Blu-ray's improved soundtracks will want to look for higher-priced players that either decode or pass along ultra-high-resolution sound formats Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio. Discs such as Dark Knight (out Tuesday) can hold one or more soundtracks with up to seven speaker channels (plus a subwoofer) for those fortunate enough to have top sound equipment. The result sounds "as good as the studio masters in some cases," Hunt says.
Q: How large a selection is available on Blu-ray?
A: So far, about 1,000 Blu-ray Discs have been released, compared with more than 93,700 DVDs, according to The DVD Release Report. Releases have ramped up this fall, Hunt says. "There's an amazing lineup of both new and catalog movies coming out now, with an even more amazing slate on the way next year," from The Dark Knight and Iron Man to Sleeping Beauty and Casablanca.
Still, Bracke says, "It's going to be a long time until the volume of Blu-ray titles matches DVD. "
Q: Rather than buying Blu-ray, shouldn't I just wait for HD movie downloads?
A: Current movie downloads can take two hours or more to arrive, and even those labeled high definition do not match the quality of Blu-ray. "Blu-ray is going to give you to the best-looking high-definition video quality you'll see anywhere — better than video-on-demand or downloading, or HD cable, or even HD satellite," Hunt says. "Blu-ray simply offers the best video and audio quality available, with the most advanced bonus features." And discs also are more convenient, whereas, "HD downloads are years away from being a convenient alternative," Swann says.
I'd say that was pretty informative. Although the sound issue was a little off. When he says it will as good as DVD I almost choked. As good.. DVD doesn't compare with a lossless soundtrack.. They really rep'd the picture, but sound is really half of the glory of blu-ray. It's what makes it so immersive.
This is the sort of info that the BDA needs to make official for consumers that will answer all the questions they have. SDVDs Will Work is the deal-maker.
I should pass this along to one of my co-workers. He keeps telling me blu-ray isn't all that its cracked up to be. He says DVD lloks fine there is no need to go blu. I keep telling him it's not about whats fine its about quality. I never get anywhere with him. hoever I must admit I'm geting alot of people intersited in it in my area. I'm getting more and more people ask me about blu it's a good thing, that I havbe a pretty good knolwdge base to answer them. Awesome artciale but I agree, the sound bit is a bit off.
they forgot to mention the firmware updates and how movies don't always work out the gate. it may not seem like a big deal to some, but for joe six pack that will be a deal breaker. it's sort of one for me as well. so much that i am considering getting the dvd of i want to believe so i can watch the movie. i'm sorry, but i am weak and i want to watch my favorite movie.
this is the most informed article I have read. good job.
also someone pointed out that they need to advertise that blu-ray players still play standard dvd's. I think they are starting to realize that. I just saw a best buy commercial for blu-ray that pointed that out.
I think over the next couple of months we will se a major spike in blu-ray sales.
they forgot to mention the firmware updates and how movies don't always work out the gate. it may not seem like a big deal to some, but for joe six pack that will be a deal breaker. it's sort of one for me as well. so much that i am considering getting the dvd of i want to believe so i can watch the movie. i'm sorry, but i am weak and i want to watch my favorite movie.
Deal breaker? That's BS. I think the article is fine. Firmware updates weren't worth mentioning. I have the S350 player which is easy to connect to the internet. The player will notify you when a new update is available. Then it will do the update for you. The last update, version 010 was 2008-09-25. It has played every new release that I have gotten so far flawlessly. I suspect that the other new players like the Panasonic BD 35 et al are similar.
As for J6P, the typical middle class stereotype, he's not as stupid as some think. Anyway, even if J6Ps aren't geeks or techs, it doesn't take much savvy or brains to hook up the player to a network. Although I have no facts at the moment to back this up, but I probably don't need any when I say that millions of J6Ps have broadband networks in their homes. BD-live is bound to attract J6P's attention, and he loves to get more for his money. So far from the BD-live content that I've seen, it seems to be pretty much targeting J6P and his family.
For the S350 and other Profile 2.0 players that have broadband connectivity, firmware updates is a non issue anymore.
He does have a point as Blu-Ray spreads further however.
If Blu-Ray is to ever become close to what DVD has, it'll have to spread to places that don't have easy internet access at their TV sets.
Maybe they can do something like you register a Blu-Ray player with the company and everytime a new firmware comes out they send you a cheapie 2$ USB stick with the firmware on it or something.
He does have a point as Blu-Ray spreads further however.
If Blu-Ray is to ever become close to what DVD has, it'll have to spread to places that don't have easy internet access at their TV sets.
Maybe they can do something like you register a Blu-Ray player with the company and everytime a new firmware comes out they send you a cheapie 2$ USB stick with the firmware on it or something.
More likely the BDA will instill some standards to post-houses and all discs must play on all players without requiring a firmware update or discs will need to be recalled an replaced for those who can't get a firmware update easily. That's how it works for DVD.
The BDA already has literature like this available at most of the main Blu-ray retailers. Look for the blue colored foldout at stores. I have seen them freely available to customers at Best Buy and other stores. I do agree this was a well written piece to uninformed consumers.
I'd say that was pretty informative. Although the sound issue was a little off. When he says it will as good as DVD I almost choked. As good.. DVD doesn't compare with a lossless soundtrack.. They really rep'd the picture, but sound is really half of the glory of blu-ray. It's what makes it so immersive.
I think you misunderstood what the article was saying...
What they meant was that it will, at the very least, sound as good as a DVD would. That assumes no upgrade to your sound system or anything.
For example... someone watching a DVD on their TV with no surround sound would get the exact same audio experience from Blu-Ray as they would from DVD.
Obviously, if you have a sound system capable of playing high-def audio, then it will sound better than DVD. I agree, that the article should have explained this aspect better.
Deal breaker? That's BS. I think the article is fine. Firmware updates weren't worth mentioning. I have the S350 player which is easy to connect to the internet. The player will notify you when a new update is available. Then it will do the update for you. The last update, version 010 was 2008-09-25. It has played every new release that I have gotten so far flawlessly. I suspect that the other new players like the Panasonic BD 35 et al are similar.
As for J6P, the typical middle class stereotype, he's not as stupid as some think. Anyway, even if J6Ps aren't geeks or techs, it doesn't take much savvy or brains to hook up the player to a network. Although I have no facts at the moment to back this up, but I probably don't need any when I say that millions of J6Ps have broadband networks in their homes. BD-live is bound to attract J6P's attention, and he loves to get more for his money. So far from the BD-live content that I've seen, it seems to be pretty much targeting J6P and his family.
For the S350 and other Profile 2.0 players that have broadband connectivity, firmware updates is a non issue anymore.
most of the joe six packs aren't going to know initially to hook their blu-ray player to the internet. nor will they want to. plus most entertainment centers are nowhere near an internet connection. so they would have to pay to run another line so they can connect the internet to the blu-ray player. they're not going to want to do that. i'm certainly not a tech geek, but i'm also not tech dumb either. even i had problems with the firmware updates and all. i didn't even know about them at first.
plus when i tried to play i want to believe the other night it wouldn't work. i finally found out that my player needed a firmware update. that was though after i did some digging around on the internet. joe six pack isn't going to want to do that. when they get home to play their new blu-ray they just got and it doesn't work. they're going to be pissed. really pissed. they don't hang around places like this so they won't know what's up. so yes firmware updates is a big, big deal.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Terjyn
He does have a point as Blu-Ray spreads further however.
If Blu-Ray is to ever become close to what DVD has, it'll have to spread to places that don't have easy internet access at their TV sets.
Maybe they can do something like you register a Blu-Ray player with the company and everytime a new firmware comes out they send you a cheapie 2$ USB stick with the firmware on it or something.
most of the joe six packs aren't going to know initially to hook their blu-ray player to the internet nor will they want to. plus most entertainment centers are nowhere near an internet connection. so they would have to pay to run another line so they can connect the internet to the blu-ray player. they're not going to want to do that. i'm certainly not a tech geek, but i'm also not tech dumb either. even i had problems with the firmware updates and all. i didn't even know about them at first.
plus when i tried to play i want to believe the other night it wouldn't work. i finally found out that my player needed a firmware update. that was though after i did some digging around on the internet. joe six pack isn't going to want to do that. when they get home to play their new blu-ray they just got and it doesn't work. they're going to be pissed. really pissed. they don't hang around places like this so they won't know what's up. so yes firmware updates is a big, big deal.
More BS. Do you think J6Ps don't know how to read? My S350 manual on p.25 shows how easy it is to hook up the player to a wireless LAN router. Paying to run another line to connect to the internet is stupid. J6Ps aren't that dumb at least not the ones I know. It would be easy for J6P to hook up a wireless router.
I watched I Want to Believe last night and it played fine. My player still has the 2008-09-25 update. Sorry to hear you had problems. Some players don't. I'm a very happy owner of the S350. I will tell you this. If any J6P buys an S350, and I'm sure plenty of them did on Black Friday, then they are at least less likely to be having firmware update problems. So for S350, PS3, and S550 owners, firmware updates aren't that big a deal. I suppose for other players, it might be.
ok. paying to run another line to connect to the internet is stupid. then tell me how one connects their blu-ray player to the lan/internet line if there isn't one at all near the tv? which is actually something that happens. and if joe six pack happens to have cable internet then they'll have to pay for another line. because the cable company will charge them.
The solution is simple; tell people they can download the update data off the internet for their player (anywhere they can access a computer), insert the USB drive with the data on it (or whatever the player uses), and follow the update instructions. It really isn't that hard. You're complicating an issue. People would only say that's a deal-breaker because they don't know how to do it. It's like riding a bike...Learn once and you're set.
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Blu Ray to the masses: 10 questions about Blu Ray
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