Blu-Ray available now for PC

AshG said:
In theory, isnt EVERY format an interim format? The only thing to talk about is how long the interim is... With PS3 which will get a GIGANTOR push, you will see a decent amount of penetration of BR. With more games released, the cost of media will fall, etc. etc. etc. this will NOT be the case for HD-DVD. I think BR will get a good 5+ years. Think about it... this year you will have blueray data burners for home and professional, XDCAM cameras, XDCAM decks, PS3 units and standalone movie players all using BR media... HD-DVD? Let's just say, the prospects are much more grim...


ash =o)
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There is merit to your thinking. But a $600 dollar PS3 will sell....but I don't think as big as it could have if it were $400...and the majority of people buying it are because its a PS3, not a BR player.

XDCam...Big in NY and thats about it from what I can gather in the past couple years....the big push of a BR one doesnt excite me...doesnt seem like it excites the mass markets either. I'll take my HVX...or an HDX.

$3500 laptops...screw that.

Standalone players...dud.

We'll see what the market brings to bear, but I think this a true interim format with a very finite lifespan. Too many peope are invested in DVD with not many people owning actual HD TVs...And technology is changing way to rapidly to just accept these new formats and keep them for 5+ years.
 
last week Panasonic released their 101A which is a blue ray burner and I belive it was $999 and the TDK -25 gig disks were listed at $19.99 each.
 
So if you want to be cheap what about the idea of burning a high definition file on a regular DVD and seeing if those HD-DVD or Blu-Ray players will play it?
 
OK, now we are stepping into stuff I know about (video games). Blu-ray will win this next format war. The PS3 will win it for them. It isn't fair to compare Blu-Ray to older techologies that didn't become industry standards (mini-disc, etc). The reason why is PS3. You are only kidding yourselves if you don't think that Sony will sell out of $600 PS3's this holiday season. True, many people don't know about Blu-Ray. Will the same be true after the huge media-blitz for PS3 this Christmas when people are once again buying them for $1500 on eBay and the stories are in the evening news everyday. That is the point where it hits. That is the point where Blu-Ray wins. When you can guarantee yourself millions of customers as an install base right off of the bat, you have a product that will succeed. The fact of the matter is that the video games industry is bigger than ever, and now that they are becoming multimedia machines, they will play a BIG role in the upcoming disc media wars. I can see HD-DVD possibly co-existing with Blu-ray, but I definetly don't see Blu-Ray getting stumped or overtaken. It is actually impossible when you think of it. The PS3 will decide it all. Even though I don't necessarily think that PS3 will win the next videogame console war.

Also, you can't say anybody is "in the lead" yet. I haven't seen one Blu-Ray or HD-DVD title or player in my local Target store yet. These products haven't really been released or marketed to mainstream America yet. Have you even seen a TV commercial for these products yet? The media-push hasn't started yet, and I honestly don't think either company cares who is in "the lead" right now. As far as I am concerned they are both still at the starting line. This Holiday season will be the beginning of the breaking in period.

One more thing... The DVD generation didn't get going until the PS2 came out. Think about that. It was inevitable that DVDs were going to eventually take over VHS, but it wasn't until PS2 came out that the switch started rapidly happening.
 
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MrPolarBare said:
OK, now we are stepping into stuff I know about (video games). Blu-ray will win this next format war. The PS3 will win it for them. It isn't fair to compare Blu-Ray to older techologies that didn't become industry standards (mini-disc, etc). The reason why is PS3. You are only kidding yourselves if you don't think that Sony will sell out of $600 PS3's this holiday season. True, many people don't know about Blu-Ray. Will the same be true after the huge media-blitz for PS3 this Christmas when people are once again buying them for $1500 on eBay and the stories are in the evening news everyday. That is the point where it hits. That is the point where Blu-Ray wins. When you can guarantee yourself millions of customers as an install base right off of the bat, you have a product that will succeed. The fact of the matter is that the video games industry is bigger than ever, and now that they are becoming multimedia machines, they will play a BIG role in the upcoming disc media wars. I can see HD-DVD possibly co-existing with Blu-ray, but I definetly don't see Blu-Ray getting stumped or overtaken. It is actually impossible when you think of it. The PS3 will decide it all. Even though I don't necessarily think that PS3 will win the next videogame console war.

Also, you can't say anybody is "in the lead" yet. I haven't seen one Blu-Ray or HD-DVD title or player in my local Target store yet. These products haven't really been released or marketed to mainstream America yet. Have you even seen a TV commercial for these products yet? The media-push hasn't started yet, and I honestly don't think either company cares who is in "the lead" right now. As far as I am concerned they are both still at the starting line. This Holiday season will be the beginning of the breaking in period.

One more thing... The DVD generation didn't get going until the PS2 came out. Think about that. It was inevitable that DVDs were going to eventually take over VHS, but it wasn't until PS2 came out that the switch started rapidly happening.
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HD-DVD has been out in the US for about a month now. There is NO marketing. Same thing will happen for blu-ray. You just end up seeing a commercial for a new movie and it will say "Now on DVD, UMD, HD-DVD, and Blu-Ray" And consumers will say WTF???

PS3 will be an overpriced success because its a PS, not because it has BR. And this "may" give some type of life to BR...but it will be more like, this is the technology Sony uses. Almost like Honda marketing their VTEC engines, or Dodge with the HEMI. Its in the PS3 where BR may keep some kind of shelf life...but honesly BR is a waste in the game machine. It is the most difficult system to develop for...and Sony made it REALLY hard on programmers in the beginning, and 15-25gb is way too much for games...it will remain wasted or filled with extra craps like The Making Of.

No one cares about HD-DVD or Blu-Ray....those that have even heard about it.
 
Again, it doesnt matter that nobody cares because PS3 will have a giant built-in audience. Within 6 months the price will drop to $399 and I expect Xmas of 2007 to have the PS3 for $299.

The people who DO care about BR right now and in the coming months are the rapidly growing ENG guys using XDCAM and XDCAM-HD and home video/computer enthusiasts looking for a way to back up large amounts of data on solid media. BR is expected to have 200GB disks by the end of the year, perfect back-up system for the smaller production guys who dont have the time or money to do tape back-ups.

I agree about HD movies... they will take off when and ONLY when the players and disks are the same price as current SD tech. ($299 and under for the player, $25 and under for the movies)


ash =o)
 
I have a feeling that BR-DVD is going to be used for backing up lots of source files for your HDV or DVCPRO HD shoots. Thats about it.

BR-DVD is going to be just like beta. Only used for broadcasters to archive. Assuming that HD-DVD-Rs dont cost 1/2 as much...then..ow.

What will this be for Sony? 6 for 6 on failed formats?
 
Demistate said:
I have a feeling that BR-DVD is going to be used for backing up lots of source files for your HDV or DVCPRO HD shoots. Thats about it.

BR-DVD is going to be just like beta. Only used for broadcasters to archive. Assuming that HD-DVD-Rs dont cost 1/2 as much...then..ow.

What will this be for Sony? 6 for 6 on failed formats?
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They will never learn. They did try this time with giving 3rd parties immeadiate access to the technology.

But they really screwed the pooch with all the delays to the market. There was a while where I thought Blu-Ray had a real chance at getting a foot hold. Not anymore.

If any of their burners or players have issues upon release...kiss it good-bye quickly.
 
I'm surprised everyone is poo pooing on HD-DVD/BluRay. If these formats don't succeed then what's the point of owning a High Def camera? You won't have a distribution format for your work if these formats don't take off.

I guess there is always the download route but most regular folks used to DVDs would probably rather continue with High Def DVDs than downloads.
 
js33 said:
I'm surprised everyone is poo pooing on HD-DVD/BluRay. If these formats don't succeed then what's the point of owning a High Def camera? You won't have a distribution format for your work if these formats don't take off.
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Whats the point of wide spread distribution on HD if only 20% of the population has HD TVs?
 
I agree with js33, why all the negativity re HD-DVD and BR?

Sarlacc - maybe the point isn't widespread distribution. I see an immediate need for professional distribution and 'my edit suite to my living room' distribution. Also, both formats are well suited for archival purposes. And as for widespread distribution, that 20% of the population is going to grow and grow much faster than it has in the first few years.

Maybe the two formats are interim formats...maybe not. While you wait for the next best thing to emerge in five years, you have formats to work with now. BR is half the cost of my first Pioneer A03 dvd burner. By this time next year, media will be very affordable and the format war will be moot point because players will be able to read both formats.

These players may never see wide consumer acceptance but I'm willing to bet they make big inroads in the professional community.
 
scarfie said:
I agree with js33, why all the negativity re HD-DVD and BR?

Sarlacc - maybe the point isn't widespread distribution. I see an immediate need for professional distribution and 'my edit suite to my living room' distribution. Also, both formats are well suited for archival purposes. And as for widespread distribution, that 20% of the population is going to grow and grow much faster than it has in the first few years.

Maybe the two formats are interim formats...maybe not. While you wait for the next best thing to emerge in five years, you have formats to work with now. BR is half the cost of my first Pioneer A03 dvd burner. By this time next year, media will be very affordable and the format war will be moot point because players will be able to read both formats.

These players may never see wide consumer acceptance but I'm willing to bet they make big inroads in the professional community.
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You could very well be right. I just don't see too many people wanting to invest when they know the next thing is just around the corner.

How has the industry in Wilmington been doing lately? I lived in NC when the state went from 3rd in the country for production to being "the place where the shoot Dawson's Creek." Damn same too. Great city. I prepped my first two features out of JDC.
 
The Sarlacc said:
Whats the point of wide spread distribution on HD if only 20% of the population has HD TVs?
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There wouldn't be a point if that 20% number just sat there forever. But let's be real, that ain't gonna happen. You also decry the delays. By your own reasoning, why would that matter if so few people have HDTVs? DVD didn't just instantly happen. By the time BR/HD-DVD gets going cheaper, better, faster that percentage will probably be doubled. Soon you will be hard pressed to find a TV NOT capable of HD in some way.

BR/HD-DVD will be pushed heavily in 2007 and onwards. Some no name company isn't going to just swoop in and suddenly have all these big-time BR/HDDVD backers jumping ship. They have enough to worry about with their current HD commitments.

The only alternative source of HD you're getting in the near future (probably over the next decade) is HD on demand (downloading). And that ain't exactly gonna give you a way to archive your footage.
 
Kaz said:
There wouldn't be a point if that 20% number just sat there forever. But let's be real, that ain't gonna happen. You also decry the delays. By your own reasoning, why would that matter if so few people have HDTVs? DVD didn't just instantly happen. By the time BR/HD-DVD gets going cheaper, better, faster that percentage will probably be doubled. Soon you will be hard pressed to find a TV NOT capable of HD in some way.

BR/HD-DVD will be pushed heavily in 2007 and onwards. Some no name company isn't going to just swoop in and suddenly have all these big-time BR/HDDVD backers jumping ship. They have enough to worry about with their current HD commitments.

The only alternative source of HD you're getting in the near future (probably over the next decade) is HD on demand (downloading). And that ain't exactly gonna give you a way to archive your footage.
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I talk about delay in terms of Sony being given a good chance to come in a take a winning position. They fumbled that one.

DVDs didnt take right off...but most people knew about DVD. There was pretty much only DVD (lets not even try and count divx) and most people were waiting for DVD. Not too many people are waiting for HD-DVD or Blu-Ray. And not too many want to spend the money on the players AND spend the money on upgrading their TVs, too.

Most people will start upgrading to HD TVs when the absolutely have to so, its not going to just blow up with everyone suddenly running out to buy HD TVs.
 
I guess what I don't understand is, people are trying to give you higher quality content and higher capacity storage and you're bitching. Even if you elect to wait for the next big thing, what's the point? Why the ill will? Help me out here!
 
I was excited for Blu-Ray for the longest time.

Then came the proposed cost factors...the lack of a certain studio's backing (with a rather large library.)

The reports that the images where THAT much better then a good DVD player with uprezzing or progressive scan. So, why should I repurchase my 300+ movie collection that took me the last 8 year to build? (Of course I would never re-buy all of it, just certain movies but still.)

The whole idea of another format war (you would think they would learn by now.) Which leads to the confusion of the general consumer who just wants to be told what to buy.

The fact that when you think about it, it really is a"tide me over" format, both of them. My DVDs still look great on my 32" XBR and my 27" trinitron...Sure I could be watching them in HD...but if the image quality isn't THAT much better why make the investment? I can wait. The money is better off spent elsewhere.

I don't want to settle for JUST blu-ray when someone can make something even better, that will most likely last longer. And it could be here sooner then you think. Technology is moving so rapidly right now.

I don't want to spend my money on something that isn't going stick around that long.
 
Kaz said:
I guess what I don't understand is, people are trying to give you higher quality content and higher capacity storage and you're bitching. Even if you elect to wait for the next big thing, what's the point? Why the ill will? Help me out here!
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While I'm thinking about it...they did this with DVHS years ago...I didn't anyone shouting from the mountain tops and running out to buy that...;)
 
Well... that WAS tape....
One last gasp by JVC trying to capitalize on their technology.

I think we're beyond the "Be kind and rewind" era! :)
 
Kaz said:
Well... that WAS tape....
One last gasp by JVC trying to capitalize on their technology.

I think we're beyond the "Be kind and rewind" era! :)
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Most definitley...but the image and sound is much better then DVD. Though I wouldn't touch one with a ten foot pole.
 
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