Will DVD Backwards Compatibility hurt Blu-Ray adoption?

[Maxell]

I was thinking that one huge factor that DVD had versus VHS was that it is not backwards compatible, only if you buy combo machines. But Blu-ray will likely always be backwards compatible with dvd's at really no cost difference. And many people's dvd collection will still be in very good condition, unlike quickly aging VHS tapes.

Just a thought.

[Sith]

There's certain movies i own on dvd that i will not consider replacing
on Blu ray, so maybe...

[Mikedo]

I too have some dvds that I'll just keep on DVD, what I would like to see are more deals similiar to what disney is doing with Cars... send in your proofs of purchase from the regular dvd and the bluray and they'll send ya 10 bucks. Normally I wouldn't be replacing it but I probably will with that deal. I thought I saw something similiar around the forums for Con Air.

[Mikedo]

By the way, hi everyone I'm new around here. Loving the blu


(Blatant attempt to inflate post numbers... woohoo 3)

[ranma]

Since then you can't play DVD on your blu-ray players

[PeteS]

Originally Posted by Maxell

I was thinking that one huge factor that DVD had versus VHS was that it is not backwards compatible, only if you buy combo machines. But Blu-ray will likely always be backwards compatible with dvd's at really no cost difference. And many people's dvd collection will still be in very good condition, unlike quickly aging VHS tapes.

Just a thought.

I mentioned here:

Originally Posted by PeteS

The biggest differences here are that DVD was a broader technological step - more recognisably so; and yet Blu-ray maintains backward compatibility.

But Blu-ray rides on some other waves as well, which are inexorable:
..
2. The transition to 16:9 (wide) screens tends to make existing DVD libraries obsolete, hence people will replace their collections (yes I know you videophiles always bought anamorphic DVDs, but most didn't);

3. As Blu-ray becomes the accepted standard, and convergence is still an issue - desktop PCs will ship with it, notebooks also - average people replacing old DVD players will say 'why not' to a Blu-ray upgrade.
..

So to summarize I think its a bigger advantage than it is a disadvantage. It allows average folks to say 'why not' , buy a BD player and maintain their libraries, but over time they will replace their collections anyway.

[OokieSpookie]

It helps blu ray adoption by making people say "well I can play my dvds on it so I will make the move" instead of "I have too many movies on dvd to lose"

[Oddiophile]

I'm going for the Trojan horse theory. If Blu-ray players make it below $100, manufactures and retailers may phase out DVD players in favor of Blu-Ray players because it can play both. So if someone wants to replace there broken dvd player they may have to buy a Blu-Ray player even if for no other reason to play DVD's.

[NovaKane]

I think the benefits of it playing DVDs far outweigh the possible negatives.

I couldn't even imagine trying to get the public to buy another machine whose only use is to exclusively play Blu discs, while ignoring their library of DVDs.

[Blu-Beard]

Originally Posted by NovaKane

I think the benefits of it playing DVDs far outweigh the possible negatives.

I couldn't even imagine trying to get the public to buy another machine whose only use is to exclusively play Blu discs, while ignoring their library of DVDs.

+1

[Marquoz]

I'm glad of the backward capability, it allows me to slowly phase my collection over to Blu, and only have one machine for those that haven't made the change over yet. It would drive me nuts to watch Stargate on the PS3, and then have to unhook it, and hook up the DVD player to watch Stargate SG-1 on DVD. It's SO much easier to just eject the blu, and insert the dvd. I would have been more hesitant to buy one without backwards capability.

The way I look at it, instead of only having a few blu's I can play, I've got hundreds of discs I can play.

[ToonyLoons]

I think it is a good thing to have BC in the players. Plus it is a good way to compair the differance of DVD to Blu. I like my upscaled DVD's but it is still a slight pain to my eyes now that I am used to the amazing HD quality of Blu.

[Blu As Hell]

Originally Posted by Mikedo

By the way, hi everyone I'm new around here. Loving the blu


(Blatant attempt to inflate post numbers... woohoo 3)

I like this new guy...he's funny!!!!

[dbs2]

imo Once you watched a Blu, and you put a dvd on afterwards, yes it is watchable but it is so poor still, there will always be films you wont replace, but also there is always a new target of adopters that do not have the large collections and will be buying more and more Blu back cat Titles.... Like Me

[Marquoz]

Originally Posted by dbs2

imo Once you watched a Blu, and you put a dvd on afterwards, yes it is watchable but it is so poor still, there will always be films you wont replace, but also there is always a new target of adopters that do not have the large collections and will be buying more and more Blu back cat Titles.... Like Me

I agree, but the wretched MGM hasn't released any of the stargate series on Blu yet. Grrrr, I'd pay up to 5$ to the studio head if he'd give just a date! (of release)

[SomethingForKate]

Unfortunately for me, and likely others outside of the US, I've come to depend heavily on my region-free DVD player. At least half of my DVD collection is region 1, the other half is mostly region 2 and some region 3 & 4's are in there somewhere too.

This means that while my PS3/BD player can happily play my region 2 DVDs, I still have to rely on my DVD player for much of my collection. So when I watch a DVD, I rarely use my PS3.

Someone needs to "chip" the PS3 to make it universally region-free for BDs as well as DVDs.

SFK

[Icemage]

Originally Posted by dbs2

imo Once you watched a Blu, and you put a dvd on afterwards, yes it is watchable but it is so poor still, there will always be films you wont replace, but also there is always a new target of adopters that do not have the large collections and will be buying more and more Blu back cat Titles.... Like Me

I don't consider DVDs watchable anymore. I wandered past a display in Wal-Mart earlier this evening and was horrified at seeing the DVD of Madagascar running on an HDTV. The EE ringing was so heavy and blatant... ugh. And on an animated title, too!

[Maxell]

My other worry is that there will also be many movies that aren't produced to Blu-Ray. Most of the VHS catalog is now on dvd, but will that ever be true about dvd to blu-ray? It's already a big nuisance that many new movies are not showing up in either high-def format unless it was a "blockbuster hit". What incentive do hollywood studios have to create high-def discs of lower rated or lower budget movies, especially older titles?

[Lord_Phan]

Originally Posted by OokieSpookie

It helps blu ray adoption by making people say "well I can play my dvds on it so I will make the move" instead of "I have too many movies on dvd to lose"

Exactly!

[Lord_Phan]

Originally Posted by Maxell

My other worry is that there will also be many movies that aren't produced to Blu-Ray. Most of the VHS catalog is now on dvd, but will that ever be true about dvd to blu-ray? It's already a big nuisance that many new movies are not showing up in either high-def format unless it was a "blockbuster hit". What incentive do hollywood studios have to create high-def discs of lower rated or lower budget movies, especially older titles?

That's the economics. They will not spend the money to flood the market until the market can bare the burden of the cost and reimburse them with profit.

When more people have a blu-ray player, then more movies will be made and the prices will come down.