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Perceived value means "knocking their socks off"

205.240.11.90

In Reply to: RE: Its not a question of knocking socks off posted by Jack G on January 05, 2008 at 06:24:07

Audio and video quality are a big part of it, but the overall Blu-Ray experience needs to have a certain "wow" quality: Not much fun to pay $25 for a movie only to find what few bonus features it has are poorly presented, and rather than the little movie-specific booklet, just a generic leaflet extolling the virtues of Blu-Ray. It's like buying a first-class ticket but getting economy-class service. The overall buzz I've gotten to date about Blu-Ray (and HD DVD for that matter) has been positive, but not overwhelmingly so, and it's now up to the Blu-Ray camp to pick up that slack.
I'm not sure that the public as a whole wants to know about B-D Profile 1.0 vs 1.1. In fact, I thought Toshiba erred by treating HD DVD too much like a computer product and freely issuing firmware updates every couple of months. Far better that movies remain backwards-compatible with 1.0 players aside maybe for more advanced bonus content, and best to ease into that gently since some folks are still paying for their 1.0 players.
PLAYER prices need to reach a point where more folks are willing to take their chances, but the movies themselves don't need to go head-to-head with heavily discounted DVDs. That will take care of itself as the B-D market grows and economies of scale kick in.

Edits: 01/05/08

Follow Ups:

Sad to say I don't think the era of firmware updates is over. - oscar 08:46:05 01/05/08 (3)
I've this quesy feeling the newer 1.1/2.0/whatever Blu-ray discs may force periodic updates on 1.0 players to allow playback.

The November '07 Fox titles also forced a firmware fix probably related to first use of BD+; I don't know much about how BD+ works but will it force a firmware update every time they change the BD+ protection scheme ? Or has Fox given up on ever making it effective ?

My player has already been discontinued with warranty to expire within a couple of months. I wonder how long LG will continue to provide firmware updates to support evolving blu-ray discs ?
- Fox and BD+ - Jack G 08:57:55 01/05/08 (2)
  Even though my Sharp BD player was made with the original BD+ programing in it, They did recently have to put out a FW update, or the new (December) Fox discs wouldn't play-they would read then shut off. Next week, Sunshine, a Fox title and the first 1.1 title, will be out. It could be interesting.
  Jack
  - Crap... "Sunshine" was on my list. I'd better wait for the fallout. - oscar 09:10:43 01/05/08 (1)
    Thanks for the heads up.
    - I ordered it, so I'll keep you posted. (nt) - Jack G 11:50:32 01/05/08 (0)
      .
RE: Perceived value means "knocking their socks off" - Jack G 08:39:07 01/05/08 (0)
> > > Not much fun to pay $25 for a movie only to find what few bonus features it has are poorly presented, and rather than the little movie-specific booklet, just a generic leaflet extolling the virtues of Blu-Ray. It's like buying a first-class ticket but getting economy-class service. < < <
Tell that to Fox, who's $40 Bds frequently have less features than the corresponding DVD.

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