Article: High-definition DVD market facing static

Ronald Epstein · 09-01-2006, 10:42 AM

Read all about it HERE

Tim Glover · 09-01-2006, 11:11 AM

Good article....I wish there had been some quotes from the same electronics store owner of how good HD-DVD looked instead of just how bad Blu-Ray disappointed them.

Regardless, we all knew the upgrade bug would be rather slow compared to vhs to dvd. Going to be a long process. Studios will have to stay focused on the big picture instead of daily numbers.

Thanks for sharing....

FrancisP · 09-01-2006, 12:50 PM

There is a real possibility that the upgrade bug may never hit and all you have is a niche market. The weakness in the model is that consumers will be required to purchase something they already have. I bought The Searchers over the summer and I'm expected to buy a high def copy a few months later? There are plenty of SD discs that I have on my list. They may not be as big a leap over videotape as HD ism but it is still a huge leap.

Bob_L · 09-01-2006, 01:49 PM

The concern I have is that this migration to HD ultimately requires a COMPLETE replacement of the consumer's hardware: DVD player, TV (if you don't already have HDTV), and--in many cases--audio system (to support HDMI).

As a home theater enthusiast/addict/victim, I'm prepared to do this. But I think the consuming majority will display a lot of sales resistance to this.

At least at the time of the tape to DVD transition, you could just hook your new DVD player up to your existing TV and get the benefit.

Sami Kallio · 09-01-2006, 01:54 PM

Majority of the TVs sold today are HD, aren't they? I think SDTV's and EDTV's will dissappear from the market fairly soon. In the future I think you are forced to buy into HDTV and I see the same being for HD-DVD/BR as well. It won't happen overnight but it will happen.

**HTF Ads**

Glen C · 09-01-2006, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FrancisP

There is a real possibility that the upgrade bug may never hit and all you have is a niche market. The weakness in the model is that consumers will be required to purchase something they already have.

No doubt about it.

They almost are treating home movies as "video game consoles" in that thinking normal people will just toss everything and start again... like a 13-year old who gets a new console for xmas (or 25 year old who buys himself a new system).

This quote is particularly telling considering most felt HD-DVD was DOA last year.

Quote:

HD-DVD player unit sales were 33 percent higher than Blu-ray player unit sales in their respective first six weeks on the market.

MarekM · 09-01-2006, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Glen C

No doubt about it.

They almost are treating home movies as "video game consoles" in that thinking normal people will just toss everything and start again... like a 13-year old who gets a new console for xmas (or 25 year old who buys himself a new system).

This quote is particularly telling considering most felt HD-DVD was DOA last year.

no this quote is telling nothing......... there is NO RELEVANT info from first six weeks......., if you will have statistic DATA after first 6 months maybe or one year, then you can tell......

Marek

Frank@N · 09-01-2006, 03:19 PM

This diode shortage thing has me worried...

Second gen units on both sides will be delayed and there still won't be enough PS3s to go around (most of which will be bought by gamers).

More cold water being thrown on HD home playback, as if there wasn't already enough problems.

Felix Martinez · 09-01-2006, 04:43 PM

You know what? I just realized that I see movies in my dedicated home theater and then watch all the supplements, and sometimes audio commentaries, etc. in the bedroom or computer. Guess that will all have to change

Shawn Perron · 09-01-2006, 05:06 PM

Quote:

This quote is particularly telling considering most felt HD-DVD was DOA last year.

The gist of the article is that both formats are pretty much DOA.

Quote:

"Neither format is selling well or at the level I had expected. I had expected early adopters to step up and other retailers have had the same experience," said Bjorn Dybdahl, president of San Antonio, Texas-based specialty store Bjorn's.

Seems like neither camp has anything to crow about.

Consumers have the choice between:

1) a format with only 3 studio support and less capacity (45gigs while talked about are not in the existsing spec)

2) a format with $1,000+ players and hit or miss video quality.

Also the possibility that buying either of these formats can leave you with a player and library from the dead format. Not exactly a situation compelling consumers to buy now instead of later.

Chris S · 09-01-2006, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by High-definition DVD market facing static

...Sony Pictures Home Entertainment said it has not received any complaints from distributors regarding its discs.

This seems hard to believe. Especially considering the reports of retailers complaining about how bad some of the early titles looked.