View Full Version : Kunkel Report: Can Sony Make the Big Comeback?
Rob2600
07-29-2007, 10:34 AM
The only way I see the format(s) catching on is if the players are offered at the same price as a normal DVD player.
And, as I wrote before, if HDTV prices come down significantly, too. Nobody will buy a $50 HD-DVD player if HDTVs still cost $2,000.
Ed Oscuro
07-30-2007, 12:42 AM
The problem is that in order for HD-DVD and/or Blu-ray to become mainstream, HDTV must first become mainstream. That won't happen for at least another few years. HDTV prices are still too high, the competing technologies cause too much confusion (LCD vs. plasma vs. DLP, etc.), and standard DVDs played on good standard TVs still look great.
I agree with that, as far as movies are concerned. However, I think the shake-out/balance of power might be roughly settled before the HDTV issue is solved. We're also seeing a shakeout in HDTV tech simultaneously with that - at least in that case the best technology is likely to win on its merits, rather than two rather evenly matched technologies fighting a propaganda battle.
j_factor
07-30-2007, 02:40 AM
The other issue is that unlike DVD versus VHS, HD-DVD/Blu-ray doesn't really offer anything new over DVD unless it's a new film made with high resolution cameras. I guess they can fit more stuff on one disc, but that's not really a big deal. I don't see people re-buying movies like Dr. Strangelove on HD-DVD/Blu-ray, like they did for DVD.
Kid Ice
07-30-2007, 04:15 AM
The other issue is that unlike DVD versus VHS, HD-DVD/Blu-ray doesn't really offer anything new over DVD unless it's a new film made with high resolution cameras. I guess they can fit more stuff on one disc, but that's not really a big deal. I don't see people re-buying movies like Dr. Strangelove on HD-DVD/Blu-ray, like they did for DVD.
Not true. HD is closer to film resolution, even for older films.
G-Boobie
07-30-2007, 04:11 PM
And lets not forget storage space. Stranglehold special edition for PS3 comes with the blu ray version of Hard Boiled, right on the disc. Pretty impressive.
More space = more assets with higher-res art, and potentially more complex and adaptive AI... assuming that developers can find the time/moolah/etc. to use it. That, I guess, is the catch.
j_factor
07-30-2007, 04:42 PM
Not true. HD is closer to film resolution, even for older films.
The difference is not to an extent that a significant number of people will care about. IMO.
Kid Ice
07-30-2007, 09:08 PM
The difference is not to an extent that a significant number of people will care about. IMO.
IMO it's a huge difference, but you're probably right about people not buying into it anyway. By the time most have HDTVs a lot of people will probably be downloading HD flicks.