Re: Breaking News!! Warner is soon to be Blu-Ray Exclusive!
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Originally Posted by Mark Booth
Thanks Ron! I rarely hear that without the word ass in there somewhere too! 
Mark |
Hello Mark! I don't think I've heard you referred to in that fashion ("smart ass") since way back in the Compuserve CEFORUM days!
(Just kidding, of course.)
Your theory regarding HD-DVD would be a brilliant one as long as the combo discs (DVD/HD-DVD) are priced the same as the SD discs that they would be replacing. I can see the packaging now: "FREE copy of HD-DVD title enclosed!" Or, "Plays on
ANY DVD player" etc. Since SD media sells in the millions of units while HD titles (both formats) sells in the thousands, not even the most creative Blu-spinners could argue that Blu-ray is outselling HD-DVD. After all, they are already including the "millions" of PS3s in their "Blu-ray Player" count even though a huge number of PS3s have never had a movie inserted in them. So it would be disingenuous to claim that a disc that contains both a SD and HD-DVD copy of a movie on it (one disc, folks) at the same price as the SD version alone shouldn't be counted. (Ironically, I'm one of the people who actually purchased a PS3 as a Blu-ray player and play very few games on it. It's an excellent BD player!) As an owner of many, many HD combo titles already I've never had a problem with any of my discs and in my estimation they work as advertised. (Yes, I've seen the threads about combo disc exchanges, but I've also seen disc exchanges for SD discs and even LDs over the years.)
As a full time user of both HD formats I'm not concerned with who's ahead or who's dropping out of the race. When movies are released I purchase the ones I want regardless of format. And if people panic so that prices go down even more than the BOGO sales, so be it. I'll scoop up every good title offered to me and if it's under $10 a title (like some recent Amazon BOGO sales in both formats) bring them on. My HD-DVD players didn't stop working on "Blu Friday" and I expect to watch the discs for many, many years. (I still spin vinyl and LDs).
As a final observation, I'm constantly amazed by those people who seem to be the most vociferous in arguing about the various HD formats
but who don't even own a player in either format! I can fully appreciate and respect the views of those who are waiting relatively silently on the sidelines because that don't choose to enter the marketplace as long as there is still some doubt as to what format will emerge eventually. There is just as much merit in owning neither player as there is in owning both players as your own personal solution to the format wars. I chose the get both because I love movies and can appreciate the greater visual and sonic qualities that HDM offers because my other equipment can bring out the best it has to offer. When I speak about Blu-ray and HD-DVD I'm speaking from a position of authority, not one of emotion rooted in some sort of allegiance to a format without any personal experience. People are free, of course, to show a preference for one format or another - no matter what the reason - but once stated, be done with it. When people continue to press the issue and then start talking about not owning either format because they can't see any advantage in HDM at this time they lose all credibility as far as I'm concerned. You want to own neither? Fine. But then don't continue to rail about one format's superiority to another if you are not talking from experience.
I've been around a long time on these forums (going back to the very early eighties on CES in the CEFORUM where I was an assistant Sysop). Inevitably, when discussions regarding consumer electronics get heated I have to ask the question, "Do you actually have significant personal experience with the item that you are espousing so passionately?" If the answer is, "No" then I thank them for their time and ask them to tone it down until they do. There is no substitute for experience and it's not generally productive to continue a discussion with a "third person" individual beyond a reasonable point.
Good to run into you again, Mark!
The Chargers and the Giants still playing football. Who would have thunk?
