Is Blu-ray outselling DVD now? There seem to be at least as many, if not more, Blu-ray releases now as there are regular old DVD's. It would be ironic if DVD became obsolete before I got around to purchasing a DVD player! Talk about "wait and see"!

I've actually been wondering how long it will be before the announcement is made that DVDs will no longer be manufactured.

Saw this article today - timely for this conversation. Worth clicking the link for the comments - some of the numbers are called into question (justifiably, I suspect), and some people make very good arguments about why they won't go to BR (if I have to upgrade my software when I buy new discs, that's a non-starter for me).

http://www.informationweek.com/news/per ... w_software

[lilred]Americans Cool To Blu-ray

Cable, satellite TV, and the Internet remain strong media choices, and 93% of American still don't own a Blu-ray disc player.

By Antone Gonsalves
InformationWeek
June 22, 2009 03:24 PM

Americans have shown little interest in Blu-ray disc players, an indication that the high-definition movie format is losing out to alternative technologies.

U.S. consumers have given Blu-ray a lukewarm reception, despite buying an increasing number of high-definition TVs, according to Harris Interactive. The percentage of American adults who own HDTVs stands at 47% today, up from 35% in May 2008.

However, Blu-ray players have yet to see such market strength. In an April survey, Harris found that 93% of American don't own a Blu-ray player, down only a bit from the 96% in May 2008. By comparison, 11% of Americans own a machine that plays the now-defunct HD DVD format, which movie studios abandoned in favor of Blu-ray.

So why has Blu-ray failed to excite Americans so far? Milton Ellis, VP and senior consultant for Harris Interactive, believes Blu-ray adoption is being hampered by competition from alternative technologies, such as cable and satellite TV and the Internet, all of which offer HD content.

"Consumers today can easily watch high-definition TV channels or use the Internet or video-on-demand to access high-definition movies," Ellis said in a statement. "In the near future, access to high-definition movies may be a download or streaming delivery of one's favorite movies to a home media server that eliminates the need for a Blu-ray player and Blu-ray disc."

Such a wide variety of emerging choices appears to have dampened interest in Blu-ray. Only 7% of non-Blu-ray owners surveyed said they were likely to buy a Blu-ray disc player within the next year, down from 9% in May 2008, Harris said.

Another indication that Americans are getting their movies in ways other than discs is the drop in purchases of standard-format DVDs. On average, consumers bought about six standard DVDs in the last six months. However, consumers plan to purchase half that amount in the next six months, Harris said.

In trying to boost sales, manufacturers have been dropping the prices of Blu-ray disc players in the United States. The average selling price for players fell nearly 34% in the first quarter, to $261 from $393 a year ago, according to the NPD Group. Prices, however, may have to fall even further to lure more customers. NPD found that consumers likely to buy expect to pay $214 on average.[/lilred]

Alan

Perhaps I should just skip DVD and Blu-ray altogether and wait for video on demand!

Blu-Ray discs aren't going to eliminate the need to rewind VHS tapes, and allow you to jump to a particular scene in a movie within seconds--DVD has already done that. Blu-Ray discs won't allow the consumer to purchase and own an entire season of a particular TV show in a package the size of a trade paperback--DVD's have already done that. Blu-Ray discs aren't going to bring video to your computer, or into your car or onto an airplane with you--DVD has already done that.

I'm not opposed to Blu-Ray, but I don't see how it is as revolutionary as people in the Blu-Ray business claim that is is. Some may prefer the higher-definition picture, but the bottom line is that is the only real improvement that Blu-Ray offers. (I'm no audiophile, but I've not read any reviews of Blu-Ray titles, that have pushed readers to upgrade based solely on the much-vaunted higher-resolution sound. Seven-channel sound vs. five-channel? Who cares?)

I'm considering a Playstation 3 as it has a blu-ray, but am in no rush to get a Blu-Ray player.

I agree with AMW. My DVD copy of 'Slumdog Millionaire' looks pretty impressive on my 46' HDTV from my upconverting DVD player. Can't imagine that Blu-Ray would look THAT much better. However, some of my older DVDs (Episode 1 for instance) looks not as good, but passable for my tastes.

That said, downloading movies (or buying pirated versions) might be getting close to "outselling" DVDs and Blu-Ray combined. Maybe not. But soon. Honest disclaimer: I have never downloaded a movie nor purchased a pirated movie. I have watched pirated movied though. Some good, some with added laughing/snickering/shaking/silhouettes.

Blu-Ray? No thanks. All apologies to Neil Young.

Love me my Blu-ray and my PS3!!!

It really is an improvement in sound and video on many movies. There are a few where its not (say Fired Up!) but thats to be expected.

The last one I watched that looked spectacular was The International. Not the best movie (except for that shoot-out) but it looked gorgeous. Real clear.

I bought a Blu-Ray player at Costco a few weeks ago. I've only watched one BR disc so far: The Dark Knight. It probably wasn't the best choice to showcase BR's superiority -- the whole film was a bit too dark to notice a huge difference. I'm open to suggestions on a disc that might "wow" me (The International doesn't sound like my cup of tea).

If people aren't seeing a significant difference in video quality, BR is likely doomed due to the price difference in the discs.

I see the quality-I just don't care and I'm well aware for the high end visual medium Blu-Ray will be doomed before long while DVDs will stick around for a long time. Something else will topple Blu-Ray just like Video Disc, Betamax, VHS, DIVX (hah-hah!), Digital VHS (hah-hah! never got past the promo stages I believe), Laser Disc and DVD.
Blu-Ray is great quality I'll never deny that, but I'm fien with where I'm at. The discs are way too high priced (as are the blanks) and it's just not worth it for me. Maybe way down the line, but not anytime soon. I just think people are fed up and hurting moneywise, so Blu-ray may have some life in it IF the economy improves and the prices come down more.

The other thing about Blu-Ray...I haven't heard anything from the porn industry touting how Blu-Ray will somehow improve the viewing of pornography. Porn spurred much growth in sales of VCR's, home computers, home video cameras...and DVD players (that little "angle" button?)

One thing about Blu-ray......you really need a very large TV to really see the difference. Watching a DVD on a 50" or larger is where you see the fuzziness that isn't there with Blu.

Good point. Though I would think that the porn industry would like that b-r is harder to rip & post on the internet; on the other hand I don't think they'll be happy with the high disc cost.

Here's an interesting quote I found concerning high-rez porn:



http://blogs.zdnet.com/BTL/?p=11361

The only problem with downloading porn onto your computer or thru the TV is you need to buy from that porn company. Not many people want to give these guys their CC #.

Blu-Ray is the new Betamax, IMO.

Yet, my local Best Buy has about 25% or more of its video racks devoted to Blu-Ray discs.

I've never purchased a Blu-Ray disc from Amazon, yet I get notifications about their Blu-Ray sales and almost never get notified about DVD sales (and I HAVE bought several DVDs from them.)

DVD prices have gone up and the prices of Blu-Ray discs has come down.

I feel like the industry is trying to ram Blu-Ray down my throat and convince me that it is something I want and need. Honestly, videotapes were good enough for me and DVDs provide a sound and video quality that far exceeds my wants and needs. I'm done making "upgrades."

This is why I think it won't take off. Blu-Ray may be better quality, but people of my/our generation have been through so many changes in format - and seen so many of them fall flat (Vinyl; replaced by CD's, and does anyone remember DAT cassettes? Laserdiscs? Not to mention Betamax! The there was that other video format with vinyl discs that never really took off like the tape format did) - that I doubt they'll be so quick to jump aboard so soon after having started their DVD collections.

Where will it all end? Hip-pocket nerve is my bet.

Amen. What's surprised me the most is that even mainstream stores like Walmart are giving Blu-ray a push that people obviously aren't ready for yet.

I will probably end up getting a Blu-ray player some time in the future but I'm in no hurry. Prices are going to have to come way down on the players and especially on the discs.

For the industry, Blu-Ray has much better content protection, is priced significantly higher & gets movie fans to replace there collections yet again. OF COURSE THEY"RE GOING TO RAM IT DOWN OUR THROATS - IT'S A CASH COW!