Blu-ray sales slow despite of lack of competition

One factor in the slowing of sales not yet mentioned is the rise in price of Blu-Ray players. Once HD-DVD gave-up the ghost, Blu-Ray prices rose across the board; sometimes as much as $100. In this kind of market, the magic number is $299. When mid-range players reach this point, then sales will begin to stabilize, if not increase because of other economic factors.

It's difficult for the average consumer to appreciate the advantages of Blu-Ray when compared to DVD. So far, the only advantage is better picture quality and, for many, that's just not enough to warrant a new investment for something that seems so similar. So far not many title publishers have taken advantage of the vast space Blu-Ray offers and none have taken advantage of its internet-based interactive features. This June SONY will release a Blu-Ray player at $499 which will have internet access and allow publishers to create some interactive content which will greatly enhance the Blu-Ray experience.

there's gonna be a metal gear 4?? you're shittin me

Hmm.... better rethink using HD for porn. High-def implant scars aren't going to be appetizing.

i usually prefer vids with natural tits. i prefer small & supple to big and suffocating

High costs, limited catalogue, (unwarranted) fears about backward compatibility, not everyone having a HD tv to make it worthwhile and as mentioned the economy is far from rosy - these may be factors??

Also apathy, never disregard apathy. And resistance to change, that too - remember CD's and DVD's?

As I've said before, when players are £50, disks £10 and 42" HD TV's £250 I'll buy. Until then I have an HD projector, an upscaling player and a large collection of legacy (hah!) DVDs.

Oddly enough, I'll probably buy a burner for my PC.

You can also fit a lot more on blu ray than a normal dvd, such as multiple commentaries, having scenes overlap on another while playing the actual movie, loads more special features and also not forgetting crisper picture and sound quality. But of coarse the downside is that unless you have the HD TV to handle such stuff you are basically screwed even if you have a ps3 or a blu ray player to begin with.

i feel no longer deserving of making fun of my dad for not knowing how to program a VCR cuz you all are speaking gibberish to me. blu rays and HD's and pcq's and bbc's

exactly. we got a sony flat screeen 1080 yadda yadda all the bells and whistles and shit. but i got a playstation instead of a blu-ray player so i can watch dvd and blu ray but blu-ray looks SO MUCH better.

Great...so now you can waste your time at a much higher definition,

and cost.



My biggest reluctance is that I have 100 channels and NOTHING WORTH A SHIT TO WATCH.

The vast majority of movies are worthless crap.
The vast majority of television shows are worthless crap...


And, really... does being able to see the pores in Jon Stewart's skin make his jokes any funnier?

Does being able to see the fake explosions and over the top ridiculous stunts make the blockbusters any less shitty?

I got to spend , what, $2500 and pay another $40 per month to have even more vivid drivel piped into my eyes?

My biggest reluctance is that I have 100 channels and NOTHING WORTH A SHIT TO WATCH.
i notice that too, the more channels you pay for, the less interesting tv there is. seriously i after browing through timewarners premium package and seeing channels like discovery kids and a soap opera channel i made my b/f switch back to basic.

The vast majority of movies are worthless crap.
The vast majority of television shows are worthless crap...
amen

And, really... does being able to see the pores in Jon Stewart's skin make his jokes any funnier?
that's an improbability, jon steward being funnier is like saying can the sun get any hotter

Does being able to see the fake explosions and over the top ridiculous stunts make the blockbusters any less shitty?

I got to spend , what, $2500 and pay another $40 per month to have even more vivid drivel piped into my eyes?
nope, this doesn't include the hidden taxes and fees they tack on while you're oogling over the screen

I'll be getting a PS3 & Blu Ray for MGS4 too.

(There are vids all over youtube if you type mgs4 marley)

As for me...I paid £25 for a DVD player that plays anything, even videos on CD's in .avi or .mpg format. That's $50 if you're American.

The DVD player has component (HD) output too although I haven't tested that yet, I will be doing soon.

I see no reason to buy a standalone Blu Ray player. The only justification is it being included with the PS3, and the PS3 having MGS4.

My TV is 32" 1080i

HD looks better over the air then cable and Satellite tv and its free!!

That's a good point, too --

I'm enough of a tech quasi-nerd, and even I'm tired of all the numbers & acronyms dealing with HD.

It's bullshit, really. Let me go into a store like "way back" in 2000 and say, "I want to buy a TV so-and-so inches across," and NOT worry about compatibility, lag, resolution, contrast ratios, or anything else.

The engineers have out-featured the consumers. Most people don't care about that crap.

amen. it seems like we're getting to the point where you'll need an engineering degree just to figure out how your phone works. one thing that makes the average consumer frustrated is buying something, then realizing the clerk didn't tell you about the converter you'll need or all the other gadgets and gizmos that take an entire day
to connect

Are my eyes fucked up or something? I really can't tell the difference between these things......black and white, yes, plasma and LCD, possibly, but has anyone even done a study into what maximum level of detail the human eye can pick up?

Not like it really matters that much anyway. You watch There Will Be Blood and it still looks grainy. You watch a Michael Bay film and you still feel like jacking off....er, i mean, you still enjoy the large explosions and weighty dialogue. And as for watching TV in HD, frankly I don't want to see the previously imperceptible hairs on Maria Sharapova's upper lip that much.

Of course progress is progress, but I feel satisfied with the DVD format. I honestly wouldn't go Blu-Ray unless it was cheaper than DVD. Screw cutting edge........*


*don't, repeat DON'T screw cutting edges. it hurts.