Posted on 06/17/2007 10:29:06 PM PDT by Ernest_at_the_Beach
In another blow to HD DVD, the giant Blockbuster video rental chain has thrown its weight behind Blu-ray in the fight to see which format is the high definition successor to the humble DVD.
After renting Blu-ray and HD DVD titles in 250 stores since late last year, Blockbuster has decide to stock only Blu-ray in its other 1250 US stores. Customers were choosing Blu-ray titles more than 70 percent of the time, reports Associated Press via the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.
The release of Sony's Blu-ray-enabled PlayStation 3 games console was also a factor in the decision, said Blockbuster senior vice president of merchandising Matthew Smith. Smith's comments comes after Microsoft conceded that the Xbox 360 games console may eventually support Blu-ray.
While Blockbuster is following market trends, its backing of Blu-ray as the format winner is possible a self-fulfilling prophesy - with other retailers likely to follow Blockbuster's lead. Blu-ray also has some heavy-hitting backers in Australia, with entertainment retail chain JB Hi-Fi declaring it will only stock Blu-ray.
It's true that Blu-ray players are more expensive than their HD DVD counterparts, but at this point I don't think price is a factor. Early adopters aren't too concerned about price tags. In 12 months time when prices fall and the tag becomes important, it will probably already be too late for HD DVD.
Things are staring to look grim for HD DVD, but the format war could drag on due to the release of dual format Blu-ray/HD DVD players from the likes of Samsung and LG. While this is might seem to be a good thing, it's just going to delay mass adoption of one format and thus stop hardware and movie prices falling. Blu-ray v HD DVD is a battle to the death, and the sooner one dies the better off consumers will be.
I’m hoping my early 1980’s Zenith 25” screen TV will continue on for several more years. Has a good picture, and I added Bose speakers.
Haven’t checked yet to see if this Zenith qualifies for the converter, hopefully so but maybe not.
Well, an early 80’s 8080 computer can’t access FR can it.
You’re about in that situation with that TV. Time to upgrade :)
In explaining 24 frames per second versus 30 frames per second or 60 fields per second, you just need to let them know that films are made at 24p and video is 30i/p. To get a film to 30 from 24 you need to do a 3:2 pulldown which means repeating fields which causes a light lack of smoothness. To most people it’s unoticable but for an enthusiast it’s very important.
http://www.dvdempire.com/Content/Features/hidef_wars.asp
The funny thing is that Blockbuster doesn’t have to lift a finger or even be of any active consequence to this HD battle. Simply by making this announcement, their name recognition will influence the market even further.
At first I thought Sony might have struck a deal with Blockbuster (and they probably did strike a small deal), but it’s already in Blockbuster’s best interest to try to finish off the losing format. They can’t afford the space and the effort of supporting three disc formats in their stores.
There’s some interesting discussion on this article as well:
http://www.engadget.com/2007/06/17/blockbuster-chooses-blu-ray-is-the-war-over/comments/5501287/
This is not surprising, looking at the Nielsen Videoscan numbers, as of 6/10 Blu-ray has accounted for *** 2/3 *** of ALL HD sales, since inception of both formats.
Week ending 6/10: 66/34 (BD/HD)
Year to Date: 67/33 (BD/HD)
Since Inception: 59/41 (BD/HD).
source: www.nxtbook.com
I can explain that to my dad.. I can just say, ‘this is the bset picture you can get’ and he’ll agree.
I’ve gotten him to upgrade his PS3 to the latest firmware, which gives far more accurate whites/blacks... Now.. That is hard to describe.
A lot of this is subtle. The 24p is especially so. I think 3:2 pulldown on my samsung DLP is pretty darn good for now.
I expect to upgrade it to a bigger, dynamic LED based DLP by 2010 :) native 24p heh..
For now I do love my 1080p content and display, even thought it’s not 24p native :P~~~
“’m going to enter the country illegally and get a federally issued blueray DVD player.
I understand that’s a “feature” in the new bill......”
Yes, and Home Depot will throw in a 57” DLP set to go with it! I understand that you get a free Emergency Room pass with each delivered set and player! What a deal!
LLS
AVS is a sad case. I registered in 1999 and really enjoyed it over the years. Mods and some members have made it impossible to read there any longer. David Bott was bought and paid for by MS. This comes from someone that is an “insider”.
LLS
I think even they might know the game is done now.
That's what I'm talking about. If I have a 50" in my livingroom, Rather than getting 1080p I'd spend the extra bucks getting as high a contrast ratio as possible since my eyes can still easily perceive the difference. I may not have 1080p, but my picture, for my viewing environment, will likely look better.
I can't believe they sell 32" 1080p systems (most are 720). That's fine if you watch it from two feet away, but you're wasting money using it as a TV at normal viewing distance.
24p will be cool. It would be nice to watch a movie without 3:2 pulldown or what is really "23.976p." It's even better for Blu-Ray since it natively supports true 24p.
It'll also be nice to finally get rid of Never The Same Color.
I simply can’t recommend less than 1080p at this point. Even at 50”.. It is noticable for sure. 2x the resolution and all.
Special thanks to BlessedBeGod for the ping!
>>Maybe someone can clarify for me, but the down side to BLU-RAY, is that it won’t play your old standard DVD movies, and its more expensive than HDDVD.
Your old DVD player or a $39 one from Wal Mart will do that just fine.
>>Not only that, but HDDVD player will play standard DVD’s and bring them up to near HD quality and a HDDVD player is roughly 50% of what a BLU-RAY player cost.
“Near HD quality” suggests your screen is too small, or your eyes too fuzzy. If I’m wrong, then grab one of those cheap magic HD DVD players to play all your DVDs.
Sony has already lost over probably $300 million in the cost of the blue diodes
Some of them do for certain.
LLS
That's sorta my question too. Anyone know the statistics on how total movie rentals for Blockbuster vs. Netflix?? I suspect that these days, the "900 pound gorilla" is Netflix.
Netflix is a billion dollar company.
BB is a five billion dollar company.
I say, bite the bullet and go with the more advanced technology now.
That particular statistic doesn't really address the question. Blockbuster has a huge investment in its thousands of "brick and mortar" stores and infrastructure, which Netflix, of course, doesn't need. The real question remains, how many movies does Blockbuster rent vs. how many Netflix rents per year.
Six months, please, ... just give me six months .................... FRegards
Welcome aboard the VHS vs. BETA vs. DVD vs. HD DVD vs. Blue Ray never ending journey.
Blue Max is a WW-I aerial combat movie that came out in 1966. Why its being discussed here is beyond me.
Compliment your 33 1/3 record player by purchasing yourself a quality cassette player, you won't be sorry and you can also buy yourself a good 1985 Plymouth that just might have a cassette player in it............I'm envious of you! :)
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