Vudu Now has 99 HD Titles for Rent

[HeadHodge]

Re: Vudu Now has 99 HD Titles for Rent

I don't remember it very well, but I think VHS->DVD transition took awhile even though VHS->DVD is a greater improvement over DVD->Blu-Ray (that's what "analysts" say). I'd think DVD will be around for 2-3 years before it's going to start being phased-out from store shelves. It will have to do with prices of HD sets (very low nowadays) and, more importantly, BR players and media.

By mid-2008 we're supposed to se $299 players, so under-$199 is what some experts think we will see (due to more manufacturers and smaller & cheaper parts). So, in that light, in 2-3 years Blu-Ray players will be dirt-cheap just like DVD players right now.

Well I agree it does take time to churn legacy equipment. You can still buy TV's at Costco that have combo DVD and VHS players in them.

But that's why I like the idea of dual formatted discs, one side BluRay, the other DVD. That way it doesn't force someone to go and buy a new player right away, and for people who purchase disks, it doesn't throw away there investment when they do buy a BD player later.

I guess you would call it a logical upgrade path.

[Rusdude]

Re: Vudu Now has 99 HD Titles for Rent

Well I agree it does take time to churn legacy equipment. You can still buy TV's at Costco that have combo DVD and VHS players in them.

I guess you would call it a logical upgrade path.

But that's why I like the idea of dual formatted discs, one side BluRay, the other DVD. That way it doesn't force someone to go and buy a new player right away, and for people who purchase disks, it doesn't throw away there investment when they do buy a BD player later.

From what I understand the problem is costs. Combo disks were more expensive that DVD or HD-DVD by itself. Now, if they cost the same as HD-DVD, it'd be more easily justifiable. Costs is also what killed Warner's combo format (one disk for Blu-Ray + HD-DVD).

[HeadHodge]

Re: Vudu Now has 99 HD Titles for Rent

From what I understand the problem is costs. Combo disks were more expensive that DVD or HD-DVD by itself. Now, if they cost the same as HD-DVD, it'd be more easily justifiable. Costs is also what killed Warner's combo format (one disk for Blu-Ray + HD-DVD).

Sure I'll bet that's true for the manufacturer (that it's cheaper to not provide dual formatted disks), but definitely not for the consumer, unless the consumer were able to buy something like a 2 for 1 pack, where the consumer got a version of both formats on seperate disks.

[aaronwt]

Re: Vudu Now has 99 HD Titles for Rent

Well I agree it does take time to churn legacy equipment. You can still buy TV's at Costco that have combo DVD and VHS players in them.

But that's why I like the idea of dual formatted discs, one side BluRay, the other DVD. That way it doesn't force someone to go and buy a new player right away, and for people who purchase disks, it doesn't throw away there investment when they do buy a BD player later.

I guess you would call it a logical upgrade path.

They can't make a working combo BD. HD DVD could but that is done now. So no combo discs with BD titles. The only thing they could do is have a standard DVD in the case with the BD.
And I think they've had a DVD in with the BD for a couple of titles but the DVD only had a digital version for the PSP on it.

[Rusdude]

Re: Vudu Now has 99 HD Titles for Rent

Sure I'll bet that's true for the manufacturer (that it's cheaper to not provide dual formatted disks), but definitely not for the consumer, unless the consumer were able to buy something like a 2 for 1 pack, where the consumer got a version of both formats on seperate disks.

No, I mean retail costs. Combo disks cost more in retail than HD-DVD-only titles. They carried something like $10 MSRP premium from what I recall (it's hard to remember prices since there were always specials).

[HeadHodge]

Re: Vudu Now has 99 HD Titles for Rent

No, I mean retail costs. Combo disks cost more in retail than HD-DVD-only titles. They carried something like $10 MSRP premium from what I recall (it's hard to remember prices since there were always specials).

But it's still cheaper than buying the DVD now and then buying the BluRay later when they upgrade.

But after thinking about it, I'm not sure my argument is very strong. Since a BluRay player will play a regular DVD then I'm now thinking that's a sufficient upgrade path for the consumer. So if the consumer doesn't want to buy a new player, then let them eat cake.

I think that everyone could be right. On one hand if the industry keeps putting out DVD's along with Bluray disks then yes it could drag on for years. But if the industry is serious about supporting only one format then all they have to do is agree on a cut off date to stop producing DVD's. Similar to what the FCC has imposed on the industry for digital TV.

Regards

[RonV]

Re: Vudu Now has 99 HD Titles for Rent

I think that everyone could be right. On one hand if the industry keeps putting out DVD's along with Bluray disks then yes it could drag on for years. But if the industry is serious about supporting only one format then all they have to do is agree on a cut off date to stop producing DVD's. Similar to what the FCC has imposed on the industry for digital TV.

Be careful on that one. If DVD is replaced and we are "forced" (a government term for the market has chosen) then the Feds may have to intervene and provide discount coupons for new DVD players at our tax payers expense. You know we can't keep poor old uncle Bob from watchin the latestes DVD from the "Adult" section now can we?

[HeadHodge]

Re: Vudu Now has 99 HD Titles for Rent

You know we can't keep poor old uncle Bob from watchin the latestes DVD from the "Adult" section now can we?

Well that's exactly why you have to vote Republican in order to keep the tax cuts permanent, cut the captial gain rates, get rid of the AMT, and repeal the death tax so that it will "stimulate" the economy.

[NA9D]

Re: Vudu Now has 99 HD Titles for Rent

Well that's exactly why you have to vote Republican in order to keep the tax cuts permanent, cut the captial gain rates, get rid of the AMT, and repeal the death tax so that it will "stimulate" the economy.

Hear! Hear!