|
Audio Asylum Thread Printer Get a view of an entire thread on one page |
For Sale Ads |
24.47.70.167
In Reply to: RE: Doom and gloom, gloom and doom posted by Duilawyer on May 28, 2007 at 07:54:06
And only early adoptera are routinely buying HD movies at this time.
HD DVD only has a slight edge hardware-pricewise but I expect that to change when/(if?) economies of scale start to kick in for Blu-Ray; I'm sure Wal-Mart is scouting (and getting quotes) for "cheap" Blu-Ray players as well as HD HD DVD players. Also, most of the major studios support Blu-Ray with Sony, Disney, and Fox supporting Blu-Ray exclusively. Universal is the only major studio which is HD-DVD exclusive. If Universal goes "format-neutral", HD-DVD will be dead within a couple of years.
I'm support both formats because I got a combo player. But I'm rooting for Blu-ray to win because of it's superior storage capacity and video/audio bitrate/bandwidth advantages. Maybe not noticeable on 40" or smaller screens but I've seen low bitrate VC1 motion artifacts on a 126" screen I didn't particularly care for. You are also more likely to be able to fit in lossless audio tracks (uncompressed PCM, TrueHD, and DTS HD MA) with Blu-ray discs.
Follow Ups:
.
By then, the prices will have dropped $5-10-15 per movie (whether DVD or HD-DVD/Blu-Ray).
I notice the less popular movie prices are dropping to the $20 dollar level on DVD planet. I believe mass production will drive prices down even further, but it seems that Sony is determined to keep the prices up and availability limited (at least for transport mechanisms). Sam Sung announced a universal player well before any of the formats were issued but apparently Sony shot down their idea (not to mention that they offered SS a billion dollar contract to build all of Sony's LCD sets!).
WE'll haave to wait and see if Sony's marketing effectively kills the Blu ray as it did the SACD.Stu
and CompUSA closeouts.
My understanding is the Blu-Ray ROM drives will start to be available in quantity this summer which should drive down the price considerably. I won't be surprised if they break the $300 barrier by the end of the year; mostly as a direct result of HD-DVD player prices dropping. I'm sure the BDA consortium would like to keep BD player prices artificially high, but Toshiba et al ain't cooperating.
Last year, before the first Blu ray units rolled out, everyone announced a 500 to 700 dollar model to be forthcoming. I have yet to see those machines from any one, although some of the first generation machines are dropping noticeably in price. I see some $1K machines now selling for $700, which isn't bad, as the next generation has always provided better playback quality at cheaper prices.
Let's keep our fingers crossed.
Stu
Sony has just announced that the list price of their new upcoming BD player will be $100 cheaper than originally announcd, at $500, not $600. They arefeeling the pressure from the competition. That's still a long way from $300.
Jack
.
Here in Australia, HD movies seem to be selling routinely at around the $35-40 mark, but that's Australian dollars. $30 US is about $37 Australian so that's close to parity with the US price. I think the recommended retail prices here are around the $45 Australian mark but I've really only seen HD discs in the larger, specialist DVD outlets that routinely discount new discs so I don't know where to go to buy one at recommended retail price and I've never seen anyone do it.
So what, you ask. Well, new release ordinary DVDs of box office films have recommended retail prices of $35-40 Australian dollars here, so there's little difference between buying a HD movie at one of the outlets that routinely discounts prices or buying a new release standard def DVD at a store charging recommended retail price.
On the other hand, HD players here seem to be selling at prices which are the equivalent of about twice the US price. We have to pay a premium for the machines for some reason but little premium on HD discs and a greater premium on standard def DVD discs.
It's a crazy world.
David Aiken
At Amazon-not combos or multidiscs obviously. B&M stores are selling them for almost MSRP, which isn't helping sales any. In fact, most B&M stores seem to have chosen not to get involved at all. If Wallyworld gets involved in this( there are rumors), they'll sell cheap players as well as cheap discs.
Jack
Seriously Jack, how many titles are selling for $18? Let's face it, if you can buy any of the new releases or desirable titles you're getting a great deal if you can get them for $20-$23 + tax, or (S&H) out the door. Unless you just want all of them to have the HD qualities regardless of if you really care for the flick or not. Even on Ebay you might get lucky and win a bid, but for the most part after you factor in shipping you're at just about the same price. Certainly pricing will continue to become more competative going forward. I bought both Pirates at Circuit for $48 and change plus recieved a $15 gift card back as they matched the promotional price from Target @ $23.98 plus 10% of the difference to boot. Your right about the going price in most B&M's are 24.99, 29.99 and 34.99 respectively excluding multi's.
Costco's selling 50 first dates and Black Hawk down for $14 and change...not exactly at the top of MY list...
:-)
Have you looked at the prices on Amazon? Combos and multidiscs cost more obviously, but your basic HD DVDs list on amazon for $20. Their normal price is 33% off list, plus since I bought 3 discs at once one time back in 2006, I get an extra 10% off all HD DVDs and BDs (this expires at the end of 2007). That brings it down to $18. Bd seems to be priced a couple bucks higher. I have Amazon prime, so I get second day shipping more or less free now. My point wasn't to brag that I get 43% off list, but that if Amazon can sell the discs at that price, other stores probably could get close, if they choose to. You know when Wally World gets into the game, they'll negotiate even better prices.
JackEdit: I do tend to buy more catalog titles than new releases. I don't really have much interest in most of the newer releases.
I'm not trying to be combative, but I was just looking today and I can't find anything less that $19.95 on Amazon unless you're buying used. Okay, I understand the membership discounts, and the super saver discounts, but the fact is they're not normally going to be "18.00". I agree about Wally World, I was just on Bluray.com and there's are many threads about how they wouldn't shop Walmart, but I bet when they have the best prices they'll sure be shopping there. I've bought a couple new releases from them because they were the cheapest at the time. I've don't have that much pride....lol - Hey, If I can get some BR's for $18 I'm there, but you still have to figure in shipping MOST of the time...Let me know you find other HOT pricing. Best,
g
www.deepdiscount.com is having a 20% off sale. Use code DVDTALK or SUPERSALE. I haven't checked recently, but I've used them in the past, the sales are OK.
Enjoy,
Jack
(nt)
I'm not sure how long it will last. This means we should look for an announcement in the next few weeks about how well Blu-ray discs are selling.
Jack
Fry's is almost competitive but the days of "casual browsing/buying" at Best Buy are gone.... at least WRT to Blu-Ray/HD-DVD.
FAQ |
Post a Message! |
Forgot Password? |
|
||||||||||||||
|
This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors: