View Full Version : Is HD DVD/Blue Ray worrying you?
Ok, a bit of a basic question but...
After years, thousands of pounds, and a lot of effort is there anyone who's absolutley sickened about DVD not being the ultimate format anymore? All I can see on the forums is people saying "Can't wait for (insert film title) on HD". After buying nearly 400 dvds am I now going to be left the equivelant of a VHS owner? Also, do we think DVD is going to be faded out any time soon? Or will there be room for both formats? Will HD DVD players play normal DVD's?
If so I may just re-buy my fave's on HD.
Is anyone else sticking with normal DVD? To be honest i can't face buying a HD TV, HD DVD player, and then replacing all my films and waiting for Star Wars, Back to the Future all over again:(
A bit rambling but I was trying to fit a lot of questions in as little space as possible:)
So, when is this place becoming the HD DVD forums. leaving me to click on the small heading on the homepage entitled " Standard Definition DVD Forum" :(
MrSynner
28-05-2006, 09:20
I'm not particularly worried by either format, but I am annoyed that we have a format war - usually, when there are two competing formats, then it's nearly always the case that NEITHER wins - see SACD/DVD-A, Minidisc/DCC.
Should one or the other win, then the triumphant format should still play your old DVD's - I reckon I've got something like 800-900 odd DVD titles, so replacing them all would be unrealistic - so I'll just switch to whichever HD format and continue from there, perhaps replacing the odd classic title or two (LOTR, Star Wars, the Alien movies, etc)
As for which will win, who can say yet, although I think that HD-DVD has quite a lead on Blu-Ray - HD-DVD is on sale now, while Sony are yet (to my knowledge) to actually show a fully-functional Blu-Ray player.
Blu-Ray does have a really cool name though, much better than the very clumsy HD-DVD. Come to think of it, successful formats usually have short, three letter acronyms, or just two syllables in their name (successful - VHS, DVD, CD. Failed - Betamax, Minidisc, VideoCD for example) :D
Saying all that, it is worth remembering that DVD was the victor of a format war way back when, beating off (fnarr!) the challenger that was DIVX (not the file format, but an alternative digital disc-based video format that charged you a fee each time you played the movie, or would only play once, leaving you to chuck the disc away rather than return it to Blockbusters - cueing howls of outrage from the environmentalists)
Nope - I'm sticking with DVD for a few years yet as pre-recorded DVD's on the whole are cheap & widely available - Players are cheap too (& I've got a relatively good upscaling player in the Denon 2910)
Gonna wait until all the fuss dies down & wait until one format wins out or players that will play both formats become the norm (give that 3-4 years to happen) :dork:
Steve1977
28-05-2006, 18:46
After years, thousands of pounds, and a lot of effort is there anyone who's absolutley sickened about DVD not being the ultimate format anymore?
To be honest, no im not. Im not really yearning to get into HD-DVD/Blue Ray to be truthful. Its not really the big leap that was VHS to DVD (in my opinion)
VHS was grainy and was prone to messing up and almost always in 16:9.
DVD elimenated the grain and gave you a stunning picture along with many extras and 16:9.
When the next generation players have come down in price, I'l probably get one and then buy my favourite must have films on that format along with any new releases.
HD will be great for nature programs (programs iv never had any interest to watch before for a prolonged period of time) and sport and generally TV. But films are not TV, they dont need everything to be in focus. So a HD film can only be so good. Of course I am in no doubt that a HD film will look better than a DVD, but enough for me to re-buy my entire collection ? nah
Spectre07
28-05-2006, 19:23
I'm not worried. I don't intend to buy a HD display for years, I've got a projector and a decent upscaling DVD player. So, as far as I'm concerned, DVD's are fine for years to come. I'll eventually go for whichever format wins out. Then I'll concentrate on replacing my DVD collection but only when the HD conterpart is £7.99 or less.
And in case you're wondering I won't be upgrading to the next format, I reckon 1080p is fine for home cinema. I'm really not interested in seeing my favourite movie stars at the sub-atomic level.
Let's be honest here.
We should all realise that it's only a matter of time before we have solid state storage.
Who want's spinning disks in their computer?
Who wants films of spinning bits of plastic with little motors and gear wheels?
It's obvious we will end up with solid state (I guess for practical reasons) credit card size cards (like smart cards in your sky box)
But which hold full hi-def movies
Holographic I guess could be VERY lightly and I think it's working in the lab NOW.
Just a matter of time.
I certainly think by the time I retire pretty much everything will be solid state.
bollecks
29-05-2006, 08:25
Formats all have finite lifespans. Many of my DVDs are replacements for more expensive but inferior laserdiscs and I never really expected them to be the best forever.
I must admit, in this age of giant hard drives I look at my collections of 2,000 CDs and 700 DVDs taking up huge amonuts of space and can't help thinking that I'd like to have the whole lot on a nice media server rather than start filling up more shelves.
DRM puts me off buying music online, but whereas I play music repeatedly there are a tiny number of movies I've watched more than twice and I can't help wondering if HD movie downloads will be the way forwards.
DeadKenny
29-05-2006, 09:40
Blu-Ray does have a really cool name though, much better than the very clumsy HD-DVD.
May seem cool, but what does it really mean to the average consumer?
Already consumers are being bombarded with the letters HD with new TVs being HD Ready and constant adverts on Sky about HD channels. It's only natural that it will sink in just what HD-DVD is. It's simple... it's DVD, but in HD. Ask them what Blu-Ray is and they'll just shrug.
As for worrying, there's no point really. Just sit back and watch what happens would be my advice if you're in no rush to be the first to buy into HD. Players are far too expensive and the titles being released are mostly crap. It's too early in my opinion.
Personally I'm not concerned about re-buying my collection but I'm not going to rush out and do it. Though I've done it before on VHS anyway (and my VHS collection was more expensive). The only thing I am doing is holding off on double-dipping on DVD. e.g. the new James Bond collection. I've bought the films 3 times over already so I'm going to hold off for HD in the future. The current DVDs are good enough for me and my current low def telly anyway.
I've already slowed down on buying DVDs but that's not because of HD, it's just because I don't have the time to watch them and I waste my money on films I only watch once. If there is a new film I really want to get though and I haven't already got a version, I'll still buy it on DVD for the moment.
Besides HD-DVD/Blu-Ray may fail and we move on to holographic formats :D
As was mentioned elsewhere.
The move from VHS Tapes to DVD Disks was a MASSIVE one.
Slimmer cases and thin media compaired to a bulky VHS tape.
Instant access to various parts of the movie.
5.1 Surround Sound.
Superb Quality images.
Perfect freeze frame and trick frame functions.
No having to rewind the movie when you finished watching a film.
Then we had players come down to £25 (cheaper than Video Recorders) and many movies to sub £10 or less.
Meaning almost every kid in the country has a DVD player in their bedroom.
A total turnaround from VHS to DVD with many many benefits.
But now, they are going back to the consumer with ANOTHER new product and what's the advantage this time?
Well, if you look really close, you can see the picture is a bit better.
The Players will be REALLY Expensive and the films (guessing) over double what a normal one is.
So, everyone (normal people) going to rush out and upgrade?
Nope.................
I've actually been in store with friends (won't say which sex, but I'm sure you can guess when I tell you!) and pointed out a HD demo on a new screen.
They look and say, "And?" I say, it's HD Look how clear it is, and I just get a blank, well, it looks just like a DVD on our TV.
I think there is going to be a LOT of marketing needed this time around as DVD to HD-DVD is just not much difference (to most people)
For normal 28" or 32" TV's sitting across the lounge I would say the difference is not going to be much at all.
Would I like one..............?
Yes, but then I am a bit :dork: when it comes to thins kinda thing and I'll sit 2ft away from my 37" HD LCD looking at the quality.
Any more proof needed? Hey well people are buying pirate DVD's by the bucket load at weekend carboots, downloading stuff off the Net etc etc, and many times the quality is junk and I'd never want anything like that.
But millions of people seem to rate price and new'ness of the movie above image quality.
I think the best way is this (I'm talking getting the movies into homes after the early adopters)
Get the HD-DVD version and the normal DVD version onto the SAME DISK.
So when you buy your next Movie from Blockbuster you will already be getting the HD version anyway.
Then hopefully in time, either thru breakage or just "it's getting old" people will migrate over to a HD player as they know they already have HD movies in their collection.
Expecting Joe Average to fork out £100's for a HD player and change his collection over from DVD to HD-DVD is just not going to happen as there is not enough reason for him to do it.
Just my 2 cents anyway :)
As was mentioned elsewhere.
The move from VHS Tapes to DVD Disks was a MASSIVE one.
Slimmer cases and thin media compaired to a bulky VHS tape.
Instant access to various parts of the movie.
5.1 Surround Sound.
Superb Quality images.
Perfect freeze frame and trick frame functions.
No having to rewind the movie when you finished watching a film.
Then we had players come down to £25 (cheaper than Video Recorders) and many movies to sub £10 or less.
Meaning almost every kid in the country has a DVD player in their bedroom.
A total turnaround from VHS to DVD with many many benefits.
But now, they are going back to the consumer with ANOTHER new product and what's the advantage this time?
Well, if you look really close, you can see the picture is a bit better.
The Players will be REALLY Expensive and the films (guessing) over double what a normal one is.
So, everyone (normal people) going to rush out and upgrade?
Nope.................
I've actually been in store with friends (won't say which sex, but I'm sure you can guess when I tell you!) and pointed out a HD demo on a new screen.
They look and say, "And?" I say, it's HD Look how clear it is, and I just get a blank, well, it looks just like a DVD on our TV.
I think there is going to be a LOT of marketing needed this time around as DVD to HD-DVD is just not much difference (to most people)
For normal 28" or 32" TV's sitting across the lounge I would say the difference is not going to be much at all.
Would I like one..............?
Yes, but then I am a bit :dork: when it comes to thins kinda thing and I'll sit 2ft away from my 37" HD LCD looking at the quality.
Any more proof needed? Hey well people are buying pirate DVD's by the bucket load at weekend carboots, downloading stuff off the Net etc etc, and many times the quality is junk and I'd never want anything like that.
But millions of people seem to rate price and new'ness of the movie above image quality.
I think the best way is this (I'm talking getting the movies into homes after the early adopters)
Get the HD-DVD version and the normal DVD version onto the SAME DISK.
So when you buy your next Movie from Blockbuster you will already be getting the HD version anyway.
Then hopefully in time, either thru breakage or just "it's getting old" people will migrate over to a HD player as they know they already have HD movies in their collection.
Expecting Joe Average to fork out £100's for a HD player and change his collection over from DVD to HD-DVD is just not going to happen as there is not enough reason for him to do it.
Just my 2 cents anyway :)
Well Said:)
MrSynner
29-05-2006, 11:51
I think the best way is this (I'm talking getting the movies into homes after the early adopters)
Get the HD-DVD version and the normal DVD version onto the SAME DISK.
So when you buy your next Movie from Blockbuster you will already be getting the HD version anyway.
Then hopefully in time, either thru breakage or just "it's getting old" people will migrate over to a HD player as they know they already have HD movies in their collection.
That is already happening - there are dual-format discs starting to appear in the US, with the DVD version on one side and HD-DVD version on the other side, for slightly more than the standard DVD costs. This is why I think HD-DVD has already won the war.
Everyone I've showed HD footage to has been completely blown away by it - even my Mum, who is quite happy with VHS rather than DVD.
Still think HD-DVD is a duff name though - HDVD would have been better - High Definition Versatile Disc - works much better. That double-D makes the name trip up the tongue in my opinion.
The most important thing to note is that SD-DVDs will still play in your HD player, they will still look as good as they do now, possibly even better with a good upscaling player, so for most of your collection, there is no need to upgrade. Also remember that most TV shows etc. were shot in SD, so they will never get HD releases (even if they issue them on HD-DVD).
So, unlike VHS to DVD, you can keep your old collection and play it without having to fiddle around with multiple players.
Basically, my plan is to wait a couple of years for the formats to settle and prices to drop a bit, and then upgrade the films I think would really look better in HD - big action flicks, heavy visual based films, while keeping the bulk of my collection knowing that they will look as good as they always did.
DeadKenny
29-05-2006, 12:37
Also remember that most TV shows etc. were shot in SD, so they will never get HD releases (even if they issue them on HD-DVD).
In theory some shows shot on film could be released in HD with a beneficial increase in resolution. e.g. original Star Trek was shot on film. In practice most such shows are likely to have been transferred to video and the film beyond use now.
One thing though is old SD shows can be upscaled to an HD format better by the manufacturer of HD-DVD/Blu-Ray discs than an up-scaling player or TV will do. This isn't because of the quality of the kit but because up-scaling players/TVs are limited by having to do it real-time. Careful upscale remastering should in theory provide better results. It'll never be as good as true HD though.
thescrounger
29-05-2006, 12:52
The transition from DVD to HD-DVD will be seamless. Like a slow fade in a film. By the time HD-DVD has taken over you won't even have noticed and all your older DVDs will still be supported for many years anyway, so long as the format remains a disc shape.
That is already happening - there are dual-format discs starting to appear in the US, with the DVD version on one side and HD-DVD version on the other side, for slightly more than the standard DVD costs. This is why I think HD-DVD has already won the war.
I had heard is was proposed to do this (why I mentioned it) but I did not realise it WAS actually happening/going to happen.
I'd agree, if DVD's can be sold on the high street with both normal and hi-def on the same disk it's a winning idea.
Unless BluRay is better in some major way.
Telling people the capacity is more means nothing really, unless there's something much better about it in reality.
thescrounger
29-05-2006, 12:56
If they do that over here I will definitely start buying the discs straight away.
Still think HD-DVD is a duff name though - HDVD would have been better - High Definition Versatile Disc - works much better. That double-D makes the name trip up the tongue in my opinion.
Indeed.
But it's the HD for High Definition which is going to stick in peoples minds.
They have just bought (or are going to be buying) a new flat TV which has HD marked all over it, so HD DVD may be what they will look for to go with it in the future.
Will they look for BluRay ?
Do they sell BluRay TV's ?
I'd guess many people have heard (or at least could understand) what High Definition TV is. Looks clearer/better somehow.
But I would put money down that many people would not have a clue if you asked tham what BluRay was. (Some kind of fancy Janapese fish perhaps?)
thescrounger
29-05-2006, 13:42
Bluray will have the struggle based on it's name alone. It's marketing campaign will have to explain to people what it is. HD-DVD won't have the problem as mentioned, everybody will know what HD is. and HD-DVD needs little explanation.
Bluray will have the struggle based on it's name alone. It's marketing campaign will have to explain to people what it is. HD-DVD won't have the problem as mentioned, everybody will know what HD is. and HD-DVD needs little explanation.
Indeed....
I can see it now.
HD-DVD = Hi Definition DVD.
BluRay, what's that?
Oh, actually it's Hi Definition DVD also.
Mrs Average thinks for a moment.............
No, actually I think I'll take the REAL one, HD-DVD rather than the other one that's copying it.
:)
DeadKenny
29-05-2006, 16:52
I'd agree, if DVD's can be sold on the high street with both normal and hi-def on the same disk it's a winning idea.
Like how SACD was a success with SACD on one layer and regular CD on the other... ;)
Like how SACD was a success with SACD on one layer and regular CD on the other... ;)
Ahhh,
I've no idea about how SACD was sold, but it's a very good example.
Normal CD is excellent for the majority of the population and was a revolution (pun intended) compared to the vinyl record that came before it.
Normal DVD is excellent for the mojority of the population and was a revolution compared to the VHS video cassette.
They both offer very little over the formats they are hoping? to replace.
When I said about "on the same disk" I mean you have no choice.
It's not EXTRA price to buy the version with HD on it.
A new film comes out (as they do) for 14.99 or 15.99 or whatever and the dual format version is the only version that's produced.
Guess we shall have to wait and see though, and it will ALL depend on 2 things.
1: Pricing.
2: What most high street stores decide to stock.
Otherwise it could be a BluRay Betamax again.
And yes, I had Betamax (a Sony C7 and a Siny C9) as it was the better format.
And I bet there are many many people who will just wait and see before buying.
Spectre07
30-05-2006, 10:43
The more I hear SACD mentioned the more I think the new HD formats are going to be nothing more than a side line, something for the film buffs and gadget freaks. I don't think it's inevitable that DVD is going to be superceded by BR/HDDVD. It's too early for a new format and in the eyes of many people too little appreciable difference to justify the switch. I think most people are going to be quite happy with their DVD's for long enough for a completely new way of watching films to emerge, perhaps solid state as someones suggested.
thescrounger
30-05-2006, 11:17
Like how SACD was a success with SACD on one layer and regular CD on the other... ;)
I'm not sure that's a fair comparison.
DeadKenny
30-05-2006, 12:32
Why not? The point was supposed to be that even if SACD wasn't bought into by the masses, everyone would get it because all CDs would eventually have SACD on it anyway but compatible with CD players, then eventually all players would be SACD and thus the seemless move would occur. But it never did.
This is what Tempest is suggesting with HD-DVD/Blu-Ray and this is my case point about how such ideals don't work out :D (especially when Sony are in charge ;))
thescrounger
30-05-2006, 13:30
SACD only seemed to have the same penetration as laserdisc. I mean I don't have one, I don't even know the technical ins and outs of it. Nor am I particularly interested . But the HD formats will get massive coverage in shops etc.
Also, isn't it HD-DVD that are doing this, not BRD?
pompeyfan
30-05-2006, 17:53
Is HD DVD/Blue Ray worrying you?
Nope not in the slightest - I'm more than happy with the current quality of DVD's and will only consider a high def version when 3 criteria are met:
1. OIne of the formats wins out or dual format players commonplace.
2. The price of hardware drops to current DVD player prices ie: sub £80 for a decent one.
3. Discs are commonplace and no more expensive than current titles.
Is HD DVD/Blue Ray worrying you?
Nope not in the slightest - I'm more than happy with the current quality of DVD's and will only consider a high def version when 3 criteria are met:
1. OIne of the formats wins out or dual format players commonplace.
2. The price of hardware drops to current DVD player prices ie: sub £80 for a decent one.
3. Discs are commonplace and no more expensive than current titles.
Agreed and if you wish I can make all of that happen.
What I will do is Buy one.
The moment I do that, the OTHER format will win the war and prices will plummet.
But only after I've paid a fortune on the wrong one first!
Well, that's what normally happens :brickwall
I personally think that in a few years time, SD and HD DVDs of the same film will be sold in the same way that simultaneous single and double-disc releases are.
From what I've seen/heard, any TV under 30" will not be significantly improved by HD, and certainly not any under 21" (I've seen HD on my PC monitor and it looks little different to a well encoded DVD). While some people will upgrade their main TVs to HD, there will be a big section of the population who still have small televisions, or who have small second TVs with attached DVD players.
I've not seen it with DVD, but my experience with photos suggests that a 'live' downscaled DVD will look worse than a DVD encoded with SD, thus people will always continue to want SD-DVDs, and they won't be 'phased out' like some people suggest.
I really really think it will be a total mess if HD-DVD and normal DVD have to co-exist along side each other for more than a short time.
You go into a DVD store now, racks and racks of DVD movies.
What are they going to do, have another section for HD-DVD movies and yet another section for BluRay movies.
A film then has to come out and be stocked in all 3 formats.
What a mess that would be for the consumer and retailer.
OK, It's bound to be like that for a little while, but I don't suppose anyone wants that for long. Can you imagine people buying the wrong versions all the time as they don't understand, or dam I wanted the BluRay version but they only have HD-DVD versions in stock at the moment.
Arghhhhhh!!!!
Like someone who watches a DVD on a 14" portable, I don't see any problem with having a movie that's too good for your display device.
All I know is, if they keep both formats (or even 3) running along side each other, prices (of the 2 hi-def ones) will remain high.
Which is why I maintain, the BEST idea would be HD-DVD and normal DVD on the same disk and only that 1 disk to buy, so over the course of time, many people will start building up a hd-dvd library without even knowing it, and we'd have a slow, smooth and easy change over.
(but that's without BluRay muddying the waters)
Spectre07
30-05-2006, 22:17
BR and HDDVD won't be as ubiquitous as the DVD. I can see retailers offering limited space for the new formats and when they fail to catch on to the same degree as DVD, restricted to online/mail order only or to larger branches of high street stores.
neilalford
31-05-2006, 07:37
It's pretty hard to predict the future though, I read an old issue of T3 magazine from 1997 the other day where they reviewed the Panasonic A-100 DVD player (my first player), their general opinion was that DVD would probably fill the gap in the market of people who want something better than VHS but who couldn't afford Laserdisk, which isn't exactly what ended up happening!
mattwakeman
31-05-2006, 10:05
Is HD DVD/Blue Ray worrying you?
Nope not in the slightest - I'm more than happy with the current quality of DVD's and will only consider a high def version when 3 criteria are met:
1. OIne of the formats wins out or dual format players commonplace.
2. The price of hardware drops to current DVD player prices ie: sub £80 for a decent one.
3. Discs are commonplace and no more expensive than current titles.
Ditto. And especially the more that I read about the incredibly intrusive anti-copying methods that are being put in place. If I buy a disc I want to be able to copy it for my convenience. If you treat me like a thief then I shall keep my money thank you very much.
I have to agree with the original posters sentiments - i was a little worried. Having read this thread, i'm a bit calmer now :)
I wont be moving over in a hurry - i'm happy with the quality of my dvds
DeadKenny
31-05-2006, 11:46
From what I've seen/heard, any TV under 30" will not be significantly improved by HD, and certainly not any under 21" (I've seen HD on my PC monitor and it looks little different to a well encoded DVD).
Must be a poor quality monitor as on my 15.4" laptop HD is leagues ahead in quality compared to even the best DVDs I've played on it, and that's in 720p (laptop is too slow to play 1080p stable, not to mention not big enough resolution :D).
splobber
31-05-2006, 13:19
Not at all as it's not like the large jump from VHS to DVD.
DVD is so popular at the moment that it is not going to die out over night, they will come a time when a new format comes along and when the technology and discs are a reasonable price then I will consider it.
Spectre07
31-05-2006, 17:17
Well I've just bought a Denon 3910 and last night I coopled it with my panny PTAE100 using component leads watched Fellowship of the Rings and I see absolutely no need to bother with HD etc. I am going to buy another projector next year though.
DeadKenny
31-05-2006, 19:48
Last week's Doctor Who comes to mind at this point (not that it was a good episode :D). Set in the 50s, people getting TVs for the first time and the comments are that the picture (this is 405 line black&white days) is so sharp and clear.
;)
I remember the first time we got a colour TV, I couldn't believe the bright images on the screen :nuts:
I remember the first time we got a colour TV, I couldn't believe the bright images on the screen :nuts:
Indeed, when we 1st got colour I was so amaized that I just sat there watching all the adverts. Awesome.
Also remember adverts for TV's on TV, where they showed you how good the colour/picture was on the set they were selling.
I remember (when I was young I hasten to add) looking at these adverts and thinking wow, look at that picture on the set they're selling. It's way better than ours... :doh:
Its not like you will have to replace every dvd you own. Only those which were shot in HD right? Even then you ask yourself "Have I even watched his DVD since I bought it?"
I'm guessing here, Blu-ray will die a quick and painful death.
neilalford
01-06-2006, 12:14
Its not like you will have to replace every dvd you own. Only those which were shot in HD right? Even then you ask yourself "Have I even watched his DVD since I bought it?"
I'm guessing here, Blu-ray will die a quick and painful death.
Well, film is already a higher resolution than Hi-Def anyway, but yep, it's not like you'll be forced to buy everything again in Hi-Def, I imagine that when I get round to getting Hi-Def stuff it will be a case of replacing a few of my favourite films with the Hi-Def version and then buying hi-def films in future.
Forgot the worry about DVDs, I'm wondering how long the HD-DVD/Blue-ray formats are going to last until you start buying the video collections again on the different format. VHS lasted 25 odd years before DVD really surpassed it. DVD format has only been in the market place less than 10 years and a new format is out. So how long will this the new HD format(s) last? With the rate of technology improving and solid state media taking over the world - I'd give it max 5 years shelf life :nuts: It’s the same with hardware products, old TVs used to last decades but newer sets bomb out in matter of years. Optical media is time bomb media which regardless of hype and guarantees given by various manufactures is not deigned to last many years.
Indeed.
The product (that if they wanted to) could replace HD-DVD and BluRay with a solid state card (for just $1) is almost here.
This is the future.
Get rid of naff spinny disks with motors and servo's and stuff.
http://techon.nikkeibp.co.jp/english/NEWS_EN/20050608/105586/
WOW! That some storage for price ratio. But I very much doubt it materialise to buy for $1, it would virtually kill off any optical HD media over night. I’ve seen this kind of media mentioned a few times over the years and it hasn’t become a reality yet. I think too many people will have too much to loose if such storage for that price is out in the wild.
DVDWotcha
02-06-2006, 09:53
The product (that if they wanted to) could replace HD-DVD and BluRay with a solid state card (for just $1) is almost here.
It's an interesting concept but I really don't see it coming to market any time soon. The big boys in the market have an investment in HD and BR to protect and they would likely squash any competition from this holo technology, one way or another.
Well, don't forget that HD-DVDs probably only cost $1 to print, the big cost we pay is for the actual film itself.
Grandmaster
02-06-2006, 10:13
Optical disk pressing costs are significantly higher with HD-DVD, but a lot, lot higher with Blu-Ray which uses an altogether new technology.
The thing is we ALL should know that we WILL get solid state cards with HD movies on, very similar (if not almost the same as) the one in the link I posted a few messages up.
Holo storage has indeed been a long time coming, It's not come in time for HD at the moment. I'm sure all of us would love to have a 30GB credit card device.
The Movie industry should have no issues about it.
The only thing will be the cost of the hardware, but being solid state, there is no reason why it should (technically) be cheaper than even a £20 DVD player eventually.
Just a shame it will stay either a hi end product, or kept on the back burner until the new spinny disks (HD-DVD/BluRay) have come and gone.
All depends how they are going to market the device I guess.
thescrounger
02-06-2006, 17:03
Thing is, people like the look of a nice shiney round disc. I can't see them marketing movies on a piece of plastic card very well, no matter how huge the space is.
Thing is, people like the look of a nice shiney round disc. I can't see them marketing movies on a piece of plastic card very well, no matter how huge the space is.
I agree. A DVD is sort of a tribute to how much we love the film. You get the nice packaging and artwork and can look at it on your shelf. If we just store films on a piece of plastic it won't be the same at all.
Hmmmmm,
Not wanting to disagree, but I'd say to the last 2 comments:
What Rot.
And what were people saying when they got rid of those lovely BIG 12" LP's ?
With the lovely double album fold out sleeves?
Trust me, a CD/DVD packaging is pathetic to look at compared to a lovely big fold out double LP cover.
Even vinyl picture Disks.
Now we have rotten little 4" disks with tiny artwork on them.
Anyone not buying them?
Something the side of a credit card would have the whole back of the card for printing on, plus I'd imagine they would sell them in a sleeve about the same size of a CD case anyway.
thescrounger
03-06-2006, 13:28
You can't market a movie on a postage stamp, let alone charge in some cases up to £60 for a complete season on one. The marketing advantage for using mediums with limited space is that they can make the package look bigger and charge more for it.
The future (or now) of storage is HDDs. Seems redundant to introduce a credit card sized medium of selling movies on. Seeing as it's not really that much smaller or slimmer than a disc anyway. New formats need to be something of a quantum leap to make them viable.
New formats need to be something of a quantum leap to make them viable.
I'd agree with that, which is part of the problem (many here are saying) with HD-DVD and BluRay (fish) ;)
They are not THAT much better than normal DVD quality in reality.
Or I suppose to put it more accuratly a GOOD wel transferred DVD.
I want HD movies myself (for my projector)
I'd like to see, say, Monsters inc, running side my side on a normal DVD and a HD-DVD side by side and actuall see the difference.
Then sit back 10 feet away and see the difference.
Don't get me wrong I VERY VERY much hope HD becomes so popular that all movies in all stores are HD-DVD
But will only happen if they are playable in normal DVD players. (Dual format)
Well, I may be wrong........... :)
I agree about postage stamp movies (though of course, no-one worries about paying £50 for a SD card do they?)
I think (and have done for years) that a Credit Card size if the ideal format/size/shape.
The shape and size if totally fixed in peoples minds.
There are already millions of credit card storage devices/wallets etc etc.
Any larger = over size, anything smaller = no point.
Just like plugging the smart card into the front of your Sky box. But it would be a movie card.
Phone Cards / Credit Cards / Store Cards / Smart Cards / Hey even credit card size calculators..... If there is ANY shape/format that is known worldwide (apart from a Record or a CD) it's the Credit Card Shape.
Roll on 3D ;)
thescrounger
03-06-2006, 14:10
HD-DVD and Bluray would be more than enough storage if they opted to use MPEG4 instead of MPEG2.
We've had sony memory sticks for years and nobody likes them.
HD-DVD and Bluray would be more than enough storage if they opted to use MPEG4 instead of MPEG2.
We've had sony memory sticks for years and nobody likes them.
Yeah, Sony have always tried to CONTROL things more.
Let's be honest, if Sony had made the 1st PC's instead of IBM we'd not be anywhere near where we are today.
They have stopped anyone making any clones of their machines, tied down everything with copyright.
They never seem to learn that's the amazing thing.
If you want to get something to be a standard then stop trying to be greedy and control it so much else it will never happen.
Jpeg 2000 anyone?
However, it was Sony who brought the CD on - although Philips basically invented it they needed Sony's expertise to get it completed.
One bit of trivia - the original CD was going to be smaller and only hold 60 minutes, but Sony's president insisted it be long enough to hold all of Beethoven's 9th... so for years Philips insisted on saying that the CD could only hold an hour's music - even to the point of splitting acts in opera CDs when they didn't have to... :lol: :cuckoo:
However, to get back OT, the CD is one example of Sony (abeit with Philips and Polygram) getting it right, even to the extent of making the basic jewel case design copyright free to encourage everyone to use it and therefore get standardised packaging. Just a shame that it seems to be the only time that's happened...
However, it was Sony who brought the CD on - although Philips basically invented it they needed Sony's expertise to get it completed.
One bit of trivia - the original CD was going to be smaller and only hold 60 minutes, but Sony's president insisted it be long enough to hold all of Beethoven's 9th... so for years Philips insisted on saying that the CD could only hold an hour's music - even to the point of splitting acts in opera CDs when they didn't have to... :lol: :cuckoo:
However, to get back OT, the CD is one example of Sony (abeit with Philips and Polygram) getting it right, even to the extent of making the basic jewel case design copyright free to encourage everyone to use it and therefore get standardised packaging. Just a shame that it seems to be the only time that's happened...
Agreed.
The CD was (as far I know) free from any sort of copyright/encryption etc.
Probably (I guess) cos of 2 reasons.
1: They'd not thought about it yet
2: Trying to copy a CD was impossible as there was no equipment to do it so they didn't worry about it as it was uncopyable by default.
Also you made a good point re the case design also.
An instant success (though of course it did take a few years to actually get going due to price of electronics back then)
But yes, a excellent standard which everyone has benefitted from.
Wonder why they can't see that now.
Everything is trying to be controlled more and more these days. Not just with Movies, but with cars, and life in general.
Actually not a nice feeling how we are being kept more and more along paths others have decided we must follow unless we wish to totally opt out.
vBulletin® v3.7.0, Copyright ©2000-2009, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.