Blu-ray And Hd-dvd No Replacement For Dvd.

[franin]

Current DVD collectors are unlikely to replace their DVD collections with either Blu-ray or HD DVD discs. So believes Jim Bottoms, of UK Research Company Understanding and Solutions. Consequently, he predicts that Blu-ray and HD DVD will, at best, only grow the packaged media market by 15-20 per cent. Speaking at the 3e did with DVD.” However, Bottoms does envisage that HD DVD player prices could fall to 400 dollars by the end of the year, dropping to 100 dollars by 2010.

OOPs! Well myself being a current dvd collector who enjoys movies, have already begun replacing my dvd collection.Jim bottoms is sureley talking out of his bottom.

[AndrewW]

Jim bottoms is sureley talking out of his bottom.

That he is.

Wonder if he shacks up with Bill Hunt ?

Andrew.

[betty boop]

I actually believe there is some truth in what mr bottom has to say there. I'm not goign ot be replacing all my dvds. some select few maybe but mainly buying stuff on hi-def that dont have on dvd. Infact will be trying not to buy at all if I can jsut swapping trading / renting instead if possible. will be lot more selective in my hi-def purchases ! certainly wont be buying them in the same way as have done with DVDs

[MELso]

I generally won't upgrade - my rules of thumb to justify an upgrade to HD are:

1. Must have played the original DVD at least three times (this knocks out 95% of my collection) and there must be a perceptible gain going HD, or

2. Must have a fundamental flaw in the transfer (non-OAR, non-anamorphic etc), or

3. The original DVD is faulty (e.g. succumbed to DVD-rot).

I certainly don't have money to be splashing on upgrading titles, and if I did, I'd rather be buying new titles rather than upgrades.

I suspect the average punters with their DVD collections will feel the same way and therefore Mr Bottoms is right...

[sulimo]

I generally won't upgrade

Me either. I've spent way too much money on DVDs that I've watched once at best. Which is why most of my DVD purchases in the past 1-2 years have only been once they reach sub $20 prices. Normally I just trawl BigW and other sales. There has to be something really special for me to play 'new' prices.

Thus I've made a promise not to re-buy any title that I own on DVD. There are a couple of exceptions though. Star Wars (OT only and only if it includes the pre-SE cut), Indy and a couple of others. At least until I can pickup titles at similar bargain prices.

[Julian L]

OOPs! Well myself being a current dvd collector who enjoys movies, have already begun replacing my dvd collection.Jim bottoms is sureley talking out of his bottom.

Unless you intend to replace every single title with a HD DVD or Blu-Ray disc, then he's right. I don't think he's saying some titles won't be replaced, only that all title won't be replaced. Many people did replace their entire VHS collection with DVDs, however given BD and HD DVD players are backwards compatible with SD DVD, I don't see that being replicated. Personally, I can't see myself rushing to replace "All in the Family" or "Seven Samurai" with BD versions. Hell, I can't see myself replacing more than 10% of my collection.

[korrupt]

I think I would only replace 'big' titles. Like the Star Wars movies or Indiana Jones.

[Tweet]

So there is a real case here for studios not to flood the marketplace with 'junk' HD movies but rather provide for the better quality movies getting the 10 star treatment.

Even the big production releases could be made 'HD only' once the HD player base became sizable.

Doing this creates a greater incentive for consumers to move towards HD which is what the studios and CE manufacturers want.

C.M

[Tony Montana]

I think I would only replace 'big' titles. Like the Star Wars movies or Indiana Jones.

I'm not sure if I'd even do that - unless my discs were broken. I've bought the Star Wars series enough times over the years in all its various forms to qualify for a free upgrade to HD from Mr Lucas!

[MELso]

So there is a real case here for studios not to flood the marketplace with 'junk' HD movies but rather provide for the better quality movies getting the 10 star treatment.

Even the big production releases could be made 'HD only' once the HD player base became sizable.

Doing this creates a greater incentive for consumers to move towards HD which is what the studios and CE manufacturers want.

C.M

True - but making a movie HD-only merely shifts a sale from SD to HD. It doesn't grow the market and it doesn't address the issue of consumers upgrading titles. There are two factors that have encouraged the growth of the DVD market to date:

1. DVD is the first mass market format to have an 'ownership' rather than a renting culture; and

2. The movie buffs who bought movies on LD and VHS have proven willing to upgrade.

However this time round, consumers will already have a large library of films. Once a consumer owns one copy of a film, are they likely to want to purchase another? I suspect not although we shall see...