Can Blu-ray replace DVD?

[me_inside]

Considering the fact that MOST Americans are cheap as hell when it comes to electronics (even in good economic times) do you think Blu-Ray will replace DVD?

[Zipzap713]

If prices can drop to about $150 a player and $15 per disc, the potential is there. Otherwise we just have to wait for the slow transition.

[EvolutionCherry]

Originally Posted by me_inside

Considering the fact that MOST Americans are cheap as hell when it comes to electronics (even in good economic times) do you think Blu-Ray will replace DVD?

They said the same thing about DVD during the VHS era.

[me_inside]

Originally Posted by EvolutionCherry

They said the same thing about DVD during the VHS era.

What part.....that people are cheap or....that DVD might not replace VHS?

[MasterXeus]

Originally Posted by me_inside

What part.....that people are cheap or....that DVD might not replace VHS?

That DVD might not replace VHS because VHS was cheaper. When DVD first came out they were $29.99 a DVD vs $14.99/$9.99 a VHS tape.

[tron3]

Originally Posted by EvolutionCherry

They said the same thing about DVD during the VHS era.

True, but though it lacked the ability to record, at first, it was a major leap in technology. Less storage space, better quality, random access to content, fewer moving parts, etc. It all adds up. Not only did cost have to come down, but I personally wanted a dual VHS / DVD player before I would upgrade.

While blu-ray doesn't bring anything new to the table in terms of size, and access, the picture is what the public is waiting for. You can see all the BD commercials in the world and merely respond with, "Hmmm...perhaps one day." Now walk into your local retailer like BB, and CC. Once you see Cars playing on BD on a Sony LCD HDTV, your lust ratio is times 10.

As I have said before, I thought I was being smart for anticipating one day owning a 16:9 TV and buying all my DVD's in widescreen.

[dobyblue]

DVD took 7 years to outrent VHS.

[Ruin]

Give it about 5 years, and for people to start caring about the newest technology then blu-ray with definitely replace dvd

[stockstar1138]

Still not sure on this one. I really am a big advocate for blu-ray combo discs (as long as they work correctly).

I think people will not be happy and buy into the if they can't view the movie they paid for on their dvd players.

[ground chuck]

and if you think its sooner than 5-8 years you're crazy. i'd even go out on a limb and say 10 years till we even start to see dvd like prices.

[camper]

Originally Posted by ground chuck

and if you think its sooner than 5-8 years you're crazy. i'd even go out on a limb and say 10 years till we even start to see dvd like prices.

That just doesn't make ANY sense. You're seeing DVD like prices now:

https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/top.php?show=bargains

The Fountain, Lady in the Water, Blood Diamond, Corpse Bride, and many other fairly recent films are $15.95. Granted, they're not NEW releases and they are on Amazon, but they are well within the standard DVD price range. Plus, they're not THAT old.

Prices absolutely need to come down, but the higher quantities they produce the lower the prices will get. You might be 10 years out for the $5 Blu Ray bins at walmart, but it also took DVD 10 years to get there so that is not unreasonable in any way.

~Camper

[meckel]

The answer in the near term is simple NO. The main reason why, most US homes do not have a HDTV. Until we start to see HDTV in 85%+ of home it is just not possible. The reason DVD is one of the most successful products in CE history is this anyone who owned a TV could by a DVD player plug it in and get an instant benefit over VHS. With Blu-Ray this is not the case you need the HDTV to get the benefit.

Now to help with this I would like to see more promo bundels like last month from Panasonic and Sharp (free Blu-Ray player with a 1080P TV). My uncle got a 50'' panny because he got the Blu-Ray player for free (he would not of gotten the player otherwise). As the HD market grows so will the Blu-Ray market

[radagast]

Originally Posted by EvolutionCherry

They said the same thing about DVD during the VHS era.

Exactly. And as more and more people buy HD sets, stores that sell them will have demos showing the difference in PQ. It will happen. People will start buying new titles in Blu-ray.

[Memnoch71]

Not to mention that most people still do not have an HDTV to play them on. Give it another 2 years to really catch on. At that point most homes will have an HDTV of some type and then you will see it start to pull even with DVD.

The more retailers keep pushing it the higher the Sales Voulme goes and the lower the price gets. As soon as someone really sees the difference it makes on a real HDTV, it's over. They are going to want one, and then there's always the need to keep up with the Jonses!

I mean even though I just got my first Blu-Ray player in Dec.(PS3!) I am already thinking about switching over all of my DVD players to Blu-Ray players in the near Future. I guess I need to get a nice 37"-42" 1080p LCD for the Bedroom now also.

[johnnymech]

Originally Posted by EvolutionCherry

They said the same thing about DVD during the VHS era.

True, but everyone could see that DVD was more convenient than VHS tape. Not everyone is excited about the change up to the next disc format.

[bda4life]

The only way I see Blu-Ray replacing standard DVD is when HD capable TV's have reached a major penetration into homes. I cannot imagine that many people in the baby boom generation and above really care about a 1080P visual experience. I know from my parents and grandparents that they are perfectly happy with regular DVD.

Here is another reason why BD won't replace DVD anytime soon.....imagine how many set-top boxes will be sold when the analog signals are shut off in 2009. People are not even prepared for digital signals let alone the next generation HD TV's and Blu-Ray players.

[dialog_gvf]

Originally Posted by Zipzap713

If prices can drop to about $150 a player and $15 per disc, the potential is there. Otherwise we just have to wait for the slow transition.

J&R are having a sale on Blu titles at $11.99, right now. The prices will fall naturally.

But, the prices will probably always be somewhat more expensive than DVD since most of the studios and all the major CE don't like where DVD went with respect to margins.

Gary

[webmaster@michaelbay]

Originally Posted by Zipzap713

If prices can drop to about $150 a player and $15 per disc, the potential is there. Otherwise we just have to wait for the slow transition.

I think prices could dip to $50 a player and there still won't be a massive adoption.

It has to do with lowering the price of the HD TVs. I don't see massive mainstream BR adoption until you can get a 42" HD for $499.

A lot of people I talk to don't see the point of spending thousands of dollars when there current TV does the job.

[blu-backer]

As some have posted, when a majority of homes have HDTVs, then the demand for content to show on those new TVs will allow Blu-Ray to delve into SD DVD territory. Until then, if there aren't enough TVs to show on, then it's safe to say people won't be buying Blu-Ray respectively.

[jubei29]

nope