mas Posted January 9, 2008 Share Posted January 9, 2008 While I can't really debate the fundamental point made, i wonder how many of the faithful will agree? And if the tradeoffs were made to keep costs down (DOWN????), what do the version 2 additions portend for future prices? And even if BR is the dominant platform, why should one think that higher prices and a lack of significant competition are going to help drive the adoption of the platform? Less competition and higher prices! Are we in heaven yet????? [*-)][:|] With Version 2 of the platform not anticipated until October, 2008, why should anyone buy a player before then? http://www.betanews.com/article/Bluray_Early_adopters_knew_what_they_were_getting_into/1199841379 Blu-ray: Early adopters knew what they were gettinginto January8, 2008, Blu-ray may have taken a commandinglead in the next-generation format war, but the group has a big problemlooming: early supporters of the format will be left out in the cold when theBlu-ray Disc Association introduces BD Profile 2.0 Unlike HD DVD, which mandatedfeatures such as local storage, a second video and audio decoder forpicture-in-picture, and a network connection from the very beginning, thecompanies behind Blu-ray took a different approach. Initial hardware playerslacked these capabilities in order to keep costs down. None of the Profile 1.0 players canbe upgraded to Profile 1.1, which was finalized recently, with the exception ofthe PlayStation 3 -- whose update arrived in mid-December. Likewise, Profile2.0 is expected to arrive in October bringing Internet connectivity thatProfile 1.1 players lack. Representatives at the Blu-ray boothat CES told BetaNews that the PlayStation 3 is currently the only player theywould recommend, due to upcoming changes to the platform. But Pioneer, Samsung,Panasonic and Sony have all been selling standalone Blu-ray players tocustomers. In order to allay confusion, the BDAhas adopted special labels that will be placed on Blu-ray movies. Those with a"Bonus View" sticker will require Profile 1.1 players, while thosewith "BD Live" will require Profile 2.0. In addition, the BD-J interactivitylayer, based on Java, has continued to evolve since the introduction of Blu-rayProfile 1.0. This means that early players may have a buggy implementation andperhaps more importantly, they are not powerful enough to play the latest filmsproperly. When BetaNews asked developers of BD Live whether they wereconcerned about a backlash from early adopters who supported the format fromthe beginning, we were told: "They knew what they were getting into." BDA President Andy Parsons echoedthat sentiment at the Blu-ray press conference Monday, telling BetaNews thatit's normal for new technology to change and older hardware to become obsolete.He added that early Blu-ray owners can continue to do everything they could inthe beginning: watch movies in high-definition. Still, the confusion will onlylikely further alienate existing and potential customers of the nascent format.One key Blu-ray developer told BetaNews that although he builds discs forstudios including Fox and Lionsgate, he did not buy a Blu-ray player forpersonal use. When BetaNews asked why thesemanufacturers rushed out players that were not fully capable and potentiallybuggy due to their BD-J implementation, the Blu-ray partner pointed blameacross the room to HD DVD. "We should have waited another year tointroduce Blu-ray to the public, but the format war changed thesituation," he said. HD DVD was already coming and the BDA had no choicebut to launch Blu-ray. With logic and leadership like that, do you wonder why the HD-DVD Consortium was formed? Blue ray may win, but i only wish that we could say that we have won. But then "its all HD-DVD's fault." But hey, the movies will have labels on them.... [] Amazing! Pardon me as I cry while ROFLMAO Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dougdrake Posted January 9, 2008 Share Posted January 9, 2008 I AM rejoicing - I have a PS3! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mallette Posted January 9, 2008 Share Posted January 9, 2008 I guess I don' have much of a horse in this race as the best video I've ever seen still doesn't fool my cat, who is the ultimate test. I love good movies, but I only find one or two per year that fall into that category and I only find a couple per decade I care to see more than once. BlueRay and HDDVD are just storage media and not "formats." When DVD appeared there was little doubt it would become the dominant method of distribution movies as there was no competition that could deliver content equal to the quality of the playback device in a durable form. That is not true now. A wide variety of high quality, low cost means of delivery are either available or on the horizon. I don't care about having a hard copy since I am unlikely to want to see something more than once, so convenience and on demand are my main issues. These are in the progress of being addressed. I believe the very exisitence of this debate to be a sign that it is moot. Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gibbie Posted January 9, 2008 Share Posted January 9, 2008 I couldn't agree with you more. Even though I have a media PC with over 3TB's of storage for my CD's and DVD's, I would prefer to have content available to me as an on-demand type delivery. I'm not sure what I would be willing to pay for the service but the ability to watch or listen on-demand is certainly appealing. As long as the service is robust and provides a wide variety of content, I can't see why I would need to own the media (CD or DVD). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billybob Posted January 9, 2008 Share Posted January 9, 2008 Enter Netflix,Blockbuster! Can see having a personal archive on CD but yes, owning anything but the most interesting for reviewing may be oldhat. Most certainly for some this is true. People do what they like, but after collecting VHS tapes to the ceiling, some(?) are turning to the fast disposable market, i. e.... rent, download, (with the option to save/delete)IPPV. Tools like the DVR for viewing convenience. Instant grat. (or close) is where the consumer is(general). So some indespensible hardware(DVR,DVD) with a flexi-format input/ output capability would be my personal simplistic choice. Too bad it's a bit too naive as well. Twould seem that the innovations may be just starting, with the consumer playing the catch-up game. I'm just now really getting hip to the CD, and it may be(soon)becoming obsolete before I finally arrive. "Faster Than The Speed Of Life." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
el jopez Posted January 9, 2008 Share Posted January 9, 2008 With Sony at the helm it completely understandable. Ken Kutaragi anyone? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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