1146 replies to this topic

[dee-bee-five]

Blu-ray Increases Market Penetration
Posted January 30, 2009 03:25 PM by Josh Dreuth

In the most recent issue of Home Media Magazine, new Nielsen First Alert data is now reporting that Blu-ray sales represented 17 percent of the home video market for the week ending January 25th, a new record for the high definition format. The previous record of 16 percent was reached only a few weeks ago, and makes for some very impressive results for the month of January.

Source: http://www.blu-ray.com/news/?id=2357

That's interesting stuff, but why do you keep posting those updates? We know Blu-Ray is making its way into more and more homes, it's no secret.

Well evidently some people don't as we have posters here on CBn who claim that Blu-ray will never overtake DVD, despite all evidence to the contrary. This report shows that Blu-ray is well ahead of where DVD was at a similar point in the earlier formats lifetime.

That wasn't the point I came from. I have no idea if Blu Ray will or won't overtake DVD. I merely repeated the opinion of my flatmate - who works in IT - that the consensus amongst his colleagues and wider contacts is that Blu Ray will falter. They may, of course, be utterly wrong...

[Loomis]

Blu-ray Increases Market Penetration
Posted January 30, 2009 03:25 PM by Josh Dreuth

In the most recent issue of Home Media Magazine, new Nielsen First Alert data is now reporting that Blu-ray sales represented 17 percent of the home video market for the week ending January 25th, a new record for the high definition format. The previous record of 16 percent was reached only a few weeks ago, and makes for some very impressive results for the month of January.

Source: http://www.blu-ray.com/news/?id=2357

That's interesting stuff, but why do you keep posting those updates? We know Blu-Ray is making its way into more and more homes, it's no secret.

Well evidently some people don't as we have posters here on CBn who claim that Blu-ray will never overtake DVD, despite all evidence to the contrary. This report shows that Blu-ray is well ahead of where DVD was at a similar point in the earlier formats lifetime.

Ah, but that doesn't mean that Blu-ray is necessarily guaranteed to overtake DVD. It merely shows that, erm, Blu-ray is well ahead of where DVD was at a similar point in the earlier format's lifetime.

There is, as far as I can make out, no evidence that Blu-ray will bury DVD. I predict that Blu-ray will remain a niche format for dyed-in-the-wool movie and audio/visual buffs, but that DVD will remain the mainstream and the norm.

In Britain, at least, the availability and choice of titles on Blu-ray is just pisspoor. I can't even come up with a list of ten Brit Blu-rays I'd want to own, and, yes, I've tried.

I also very strongly suspect that only a handful of very recent films (e.g. CASINO ROYALE and THE DARK KNIGHT) are even worthwhile upgrades to Blu-ray. For the majority of movies out there, the difference in quality can only be minimal at best.

[dee-bee-five]

Blu-ray Increases Market Penetration
Posted January 30, 2009 03:25 PM by Josh Dreuth

In the most recent issue of Home Media Magazine, new Nielsen First Alert data is now reporting that Blu-ray sales represented 17 percent of the home video market for the week ending January 25th, a new record for the high definition format. The previous record of 16 percent was reached only a few weeks ago, and makes for some very impressive results for the month of January.

Source: http://www.blu-ray.com/news/?id=2357

That's interesting stuff, but why do you keep posting those updates? We know Blu-Ray is making its way into more and more homes, it's no secret.

Well evidently some people don't as we have posters here on CBn who claim that Blu-ray will never overtake DVD, despite all evidence to the contrary. This report shows that Blu-ray is well ahead of where DVD was at a similar point in the earlier formats lifetime.

Ah, but that doesn't mean that Blu-ray is necessarily guaranteed to overtake DVD. It merely shows that, erm, Blu-ray is well ahead of where DVD was at a similar point in the earlier format's lifetime.

There is, as far as I can make out, no evidence that Blu-ray will bury DVD. I predict that Blu-ray will remain a niche format for dyed-in-the-wool movie and audio/visual buffs, but that DVD will remain the mainstream and the norm.

In Britain, at least, the availability and choice of titles on Blu-ray is just pisspoor. I can't even come up with a list of ten Brit Blu-rays I'd want to own, and, yes, I've tried.

Very true.

[Safari Suit]

Ah, but that doesn't mean that Blu-ray is necessarily guaranteed to overtake DVD. It merely shows that, erm, Blu-ray is well ahead of where DVD was at a similar point in the earlier format's lifetime.

There is, as far as I can make out, no evidence that Blu-ray will bury DVD. I predict that Blu-ray will remain a niche format for dyed-in-the-wool movie and audio/visual buffs, but that DVD will remain the mainstream and the norm.

It helps that Blu-Ray discs can be played on the PS3, a luxury DVD didn't have at this point in its life.

I suppose it's fairly inevitable that Blu-Ray will overtake DVD eventually, but I can't see it happening that quickly. And to be frank, I'll be glad if my prediction turns out to be true.

[DamnCoffee]

As would I. I just think that Blu-Ray will be a small luxury on the side.

[eddychaput]

The merits of Blu-Ray, in my oh so humble opinion (snap!) will be judged by how the older, classic films look, both Bond and non-Bond alike.

I own Iron Man on DVD (it's a fun little action movie) and was pleased with the picture quality. When I saw scenes of the same movie on Blu-Ray at a store I thought: You know, it does look better to a certain degree on Blu-Ray, but I don't feel the need to upgrade Iron Man when I evetually buy a DB player. I got the same reaction with The Dark Knight.

Blu-Ray, when I finally convert, will be for Bond, those BBC nature documentaries (Blue Planet and whatnot), films like Baraka, and the old classics so I can see them in the best format possible. With regards to more recent stuff like Iron Man and The Dark Knight, while I notice the improvement in BD, I don't find it to be exponential. It's better, no doubt about it, but not: 'Oh my freaking god! My Iron Man DVD looks like garbage' kind of better.

So, yeah, classics, Bond and documentaries will be the clincher for me on Blu-Ray when I finally make the leap.

Edited by eddychaput, 03 February 2009 - 04:57 PM.

[zencat]

Here's a question. The last batch of blu-rays I bought individually and each disc came in a cardboard slipcase. Looks good on the shelf. I'm thinking about buying the next wave in collection box set to save money, but do the individual discs in the box still come in slipcases? I want them to match. Thanks.

[eddychaput]

I don't know the answer to your query zencat, sorry. I have a query of my own actually. I've discussed with people on other message boards about the Bond Blu-Rays (which I haven't bought...yet) and I keep hearing that the menus are terrible. I'm guessing they aren't the same from the Ultimate Editions? Can someone confirm this (not that they're bad but that they are different from the UE)?

[zencat]

The graphic look of the menus are the same as the UEs. But maybe the drop down menus themselves are arranged differently, because I did find them hard to navigate.

[MarkA]

Here's a question. The last batch of blu-rays I bought individually and each disc came in a cardboard slipcase. Looks good on the shelf. I'm thinking about buying the next wave in collection box set to save money, but do the individual discs in the box still come in slipcases? I want them to match. Thanks.

No they don't come in individual slip cases in the box set. It is more like the kind of cases they do TV series in. Very boring. If you want the film in slip cases with the artwork you need to buy them individually.

[zencat]

Here's a question. The last batch of blu-rays I bought individually and each disc came in a cardboard slipcase. Looks good on the shelf. I'm thinking about buying the next wave in collection box set to save money, but do the individual discs in the box still come in slipcases? I want them to match. Thanks.

No they don't come in individual slip cases in the box set. It is more like the kind of cases they do TV series in. Very boring. If you want the film in slip cases with the artwork you need to buy them individually.

Thank you MarkA. Exactly what I needed to know. I'll spend a few extra dollars on the individual discs then.

[Qwerty]

...because I did find they hard to navigate.

Yeah. It seems like a lot of people aren't too crazy about that aspect of these discs.

[Turn]

Here's a question. The last batch of blu-rays I bought individually and each disc came in a cardboard slipcase. Looks good on the shelf. I'm thinking about buying the next wave in collection box set to save money, but do the individual discs in the box still come in slipcases? I want them to match. Thanks.

This brings up a complaint I have, one of the few, about Blu-ray in that many boxed sets have taken to placing the individual discs on these little, I don't know what to call them, nubs, maybe, made of some plastic spongy material.

The ones in the Bond boxed sets are not bad as they stay in place. The Planet of the Apes set I have is much worse. Nice packaging, but these things don't hold the discs on the packaging for anything and you hate to press them on there too hard for fear of damaging the discs. I've had to open the thing carefully when taking it out in case one slides off and potentially scratches the disc.

[eddychaput]

I've been told Blu-Ray discs are more resistant to scratches than DVDs.

[DamnCoffee]

I've been told Blu-Ray discs are more resistant to scratches than DVDs.

Really? My Casino Royale Blu-Ray copy has quite a few, and I take really good care of it.

[DLibrasnow]

I've been told Blu-Ray discs are more resistant to scratches than DVDs.

That is true. I am not sure why or how, but I know Blu-rays have a special coating that makes them more resistent to scratches than DVDs.

The graphic look of the menus are the same as the UEs. But maybe the drop down menus themselves are arranged differently, because I did find them hard to navigate.

This is the one area of the Bond Blu-rays that is a negative. The menus are the same as the Ultimate Editions (which I did not like as much as the Special Editions)

[Bond111]

The graphic look of the menus are the same as the UEs. But maybe the drop down menus themselves are arranged differently, because I did find them hard to navigate.

This is the one area of the Bond Blu-rays that is a negative. The menus are the same as the Ultimate Editions (which I did not like as much as the Special Editions)

Agreed there. I was really disappointed after the excellent, title-specific menus of the SEs were replaced with the generic, cut-and-paste affair of the UEs.

Also I hate the "cutesy" names they give the menu options. Why not leave it at 'Play Movie'? Apparently that's not exciting enough for Bond fans.

And (sorry for the diatribe) has anyone actually found any worth in the "Mission Control" section on each disc? Though I have not navigated them extensively, all I've seen is just taking bits of the film and categorizing it. What purpose does this serve? Why not just watch the film?

[DLibrasnow]

The graphic look of the menus are the same as the UEs. But maybe the drop down menus themselves are arranged differently, because I did find them hard to navigate.

This is the one area of the Bond Blu-rays that is a negative. The menus are the same as the Ultimate Editions (which I did not like as much as the Special Editions)

Agreed there. I was really disappointed after the excellent, title-specific menus of the SEs were replaced with the generic, cut-and-paste affair of the UEs.

Also I hate the "cutesy" names they give the menu options. Why not leave it at 'Play Movie'? Apparently that's not exciting enough for Bond fans.

And (sorry for the diatribe) has anyone actually found any worth in the "Mission Control" section on each disc? Though I have not navigated them extensively, all I've seen is just taking bits of the film and categorizing it. What purpose does this serve? Why not just watch the film?

I am with you on all points Bond111. The Mission Control section is a waste of disc space. There are so many things that they could have included but did not. The 1977 "Making of The Spy Who Loved Me" BBC series for example, or the 21st Anniversary television special from 1983.

[Qwerty]

And (sorry for the diatribe) has anyone actually found any worth in the "Mission Control" section on each disc? Though I have not navigated them extensively, all I've seen is just taking bits of the film and categorizing it. What purpose does this serve? Why not just watch the film?

It is rather lacklustre. The only thing of some value I suppose is the small voiceover bit by Maud Adams included in the "Around the World with..." section on there, I suppose.

[Bond111]

And (sorry for the diatribe) has anyone actually found any worth in the "Mission Control" section on each disc? Though I have not navigated them extensively, all I've seen is just taking bits of the film and categorizing it. What purpose does this serve? Why not just watch the film?

It is rather lacklustre. The only thing of some value I suppose is the small voiceover bit by Maud Adams included in the "Around the World with..." section on there, I suppose.

That is true. I suppose I could conceivably utilize those if traveling to a destination Bond's been to.

[Professor Dent]

Here's a question. The last batch of blu-rays I bought individually and each disc came in a cardboard slipcase. Looks good on the shelf. I'm thinking about buying the next wave in collection box set to save money, but do the individual discs in the box still come in slipcases? I want them to match. Thanks.

No they don't come in individual slip cases in the box set. It is more like the kind of cases they do TV series in. Very boring. If you want the film in slip cases with the artwork you need to buy them individually.

The box sets are nice but they should include the slim style individual cases like we got with the UE box sets. I guess this is just one way they try to get the hardcore fans to buy another version of the same thing.

I've been told Blu-Ray discs are more resistant to scratches than DVDs.

That is true. I am not sure why or how, but I know Blu-rays have a special coating that makes them more resistent to scratches than DVDs.

The scratch resistant coating was billed as a feature early on but it was needed to make the format work. Since the data layer on a Blu-ray is packed much tighter & closer to the surface of the disc than on a standard DVD, just one small scratch would render the disc unplayable. TDK stepped-up & made a coating called Durabis as a solution.

[DLibrasnow]

TDK stepped-up & made a coating called Durabis as a solution.

This is amazing:
"TDK's coating survived a determined attack with a screwdriver and a Sharpie permanent marker with no effect on playability--a remarkable feat."

Source:http://news.cnet.com/2100-1041_3-5455621.html

[DamnCoffee]

This is amazing:
"TDK's coating survived a determined attack with a screwdriver and a Sharpie permanent marker with no effect on playability--a remarkable feat."

I'm sorry, but who in the HELL would actually get up one day and think "Oh, I'm bored. Oh! I know! I'll attack the latest Batman movie with a screwdriver! That should kill a few hours!"

[eddychaput]

This is amazing:
"TDK's coating survived a determined attack with a screwdriver and a Sharpie permanent marker with no effect on playability--a remarkable feat."

I'm sorry, but who in the HELL would actually get up one day and think "Oh, I'm bored. Oh! I know! I'll attack the latest Batman movie with a screwdriver! That should kill a few hours!"

Lol. Still, I think it was merely to prove a point: that Blu-Rays can take a lot of punishment and still function.

[DamnCoffee]

Just ordered all the first wave of Bond BD releases. (3 for 2 offer on PLAY.com)

I simply cannot wait to watch these.

[jaguar007]

This is amazing:
"TDK's coating survived a determined attack with a screwdriver and a Sharpie permanent marker with no effect on playability--a remarkable feat."

I'm sorry, but who in the HELL would actually get up one day and think "Oh, I'm bored. Oh! I know! I'll attack the latest Batman movie with a screwdriver! That should kill a few hours!"

I would consider doing that with The Love Guru Blu Ray!

[eddychaput]

This is amazing:
"TDK's coating survived a determined attack with a screwdriver and a Sharpie permanent marker with no effect on playability--a remarkable feat."

I'm sorry, but who in the HELL would actually get up one day and think "Oh, I'm bored. Oh! I know! I'll attack the latest Batman movie with a screwdriver! That should kill a few hours!"

I would consider doing that with The Love Guru Blu Ray!

Yeah, but with that great protection technology, it just wouldn't die. Kind of like a lot of bad movies.

[DamnCoffee]

Could anyone tell me if Die Another Day has burnt in subtitles on Blu, instead of the crap with got with the UE.

[DAN LIGHTER]

apart from the picture being in HD what are the extras like on Blu-Ray? are they the same as the ultimate edition DVDs?

[Satorious]

In terms of the ones I have rented (UK region), the extras are the same - yes. But the main documentaries are now in HD.

My personal plan is to wait until these drop in price more, then just snap up some of my favourites from the series, rather than replace the whole set. If they started releasing them with significantly enhanced extras - well then, that's a different story.