Should I stop buying DVDs?

[Ullar]

My family will get a HD in a few years and i was wondering since my DVDs are amaphoric do i need to replace them w/ HD?

[Beat]

Both HD-DVD and Blu-Ray are backwards compatible with old-model DVD's. Rest easy.

[Ullar]

thanks.

[Lord Dalek]

Right now you should keep buying regular old dvds. That format is the most stable at the moment.

[king zrz]

thanks.Heck,no!alot of cool upcoming releases on dvd arecoming out .get them and then change it later.oh take the other guys advice to consideration he is right...

[Ullar]

huh?

[king zrz]

huh?i was answering your earlier questiion.sorry about the confusion...

[Ullar]

thanks.

[Ishtar]

I would continue buying DVDs aswell. HD-DVD/Blu-Ray isn't gonna immediately replace DVD and DVDs are still the common media. When DVD first came out in like 1996 it didn't immediately replace VHS until like the early 2000's.

[Adam Tyner]

The advantage of getting a few years' pleasure of what you can buy now outweighs the cost of possibly buying something again down the road.

[Simpler Simon]

Just so I understand - when we finally hit the format wars, are studios solely going to release movies in the format they've backed? Like all Sony releases will be blu-ray only, and all WB releases will be HD only, for example?

Sounds kinda obvious when I say it like that (especially with sony putting blu-ray in PS3), but would it then take a clear winner in the format war for studios to re-release their catalogue in the other format again?

[Adam Tyner]

Like all Sony releases will be blu-ray only, and all WB releases will be HD only, for example?Right now, the only HD DVD-exclusive studio is Universal. Paramount and Warner have said they'll release for Blu-ray, but the extent and timing of their support are as yet unknown. The other studios currently only on the Blu-ray side may wind up releasing for both formats, but since Sony's one of the chief companies behind Blu-ray, you won't see them on HD DVD anytime soon.

[Lord Dalek]

Right now, the only HD DVD-exclusive studio is Universal. Paramount and Warner have said they'll release for Blu-ray, but the extent and timing of their support are as yet unknown. The other studios currently only on the Blu-ray side may wind up releasing for both formats, but since Sony's one of the chief companies behind Blu-ray, you won't see them on HD DVD anytime soon.It's probably going to be a while before Warner releases a Blu-ray disc due to them jumping on at the last minute.

[Adam Tyner]

I'm skeptical we'll see much on Blu-ray from anyone outside of Sony or Lion's Gate until August or September.

[Sugar Daddy]

for me, the bigger problem with dvds is having to deal with the fact that i spend a substantial amount of money buying M*A*S*H seasons individually and then only the complete set will have the extras. that is definitely depressing, and makes me at least consider no longer buying dvds.

[Leaping Larry Jojo]

Just so I understand - when we finally hit the format wars, are studios solely going to release movies in the format they've backed? Like all Sony releases will be blu-ray only, and all WB releases will be HD only, for example?

Sounds kinda obvious when I say it like that (especially with sony putting blu-ray in PS3), but would it then take a clear winner in the format war for studios to re-release their catalogue in the other format again?

I wonder how much customers are willing to determine who wins the format war, if any of these two actually wins. HD especially demands a lot from its customers--such as an HD-TV, a new player, sound system and whatnot, to fully appreciate the upgrade from regular ol' DVD. Otherwise, the improvement in quality is too minimal and linear to get customers to go out and start supporting it. What made people change from VHS to DVD were these things--

--You only needed a DVD player, and you could hook it up to any old TV you already had and still see an immediate improvement from VHS quality.

--People were ready to throw out VHS', which were getting clunky and inconvenient when compared to the possibility of getting movies in this "looks like a CD" type format.

I don't know enough about Blu-Ray to comment, but I truly doubt people would be willing to start throwing out their DVDs for a truly better format until at least 2010.

And also, first generation software of new formats always suck when you see the miracles they can do down the road. All those people who snapped up those first few DVD releases in 96-98 are probably wishing they'd release newer versions of those DVDs by now (if they haven't already re-released them)

[Dogbert]

Leaping Larry, I want to follow-up on what you said, but don't take it as me disagreeing. I agree with your points completely.

Everyone likes to compare the DVD->BRD/HD-DVD switch to the VHS->DVD switch. And for good reason too, as it illustrates how these new formats aren't so much an evolution as DVD 2.0. However, thanks to backwards compatibility, isn't that enough?

Let's assume one of the two formats dies (or becomes insignificant) within the next two years (we'll go with HD-DVD, as BR is my favorite). Unlike with VHS, you can buy a next gen DVD player and still be able to play the old format. So, once the prices become closer to DVD, the switch will be made by default. By 2010, BR players could easily be under $200. I'd guess under $75 by 2012 if not sooner. As long as one format receives enough support to stay alive until that time, it will naturally phase out DVD.

Sort of like how DVD-ROM drives are standard now for pre-built PCs and have almost completely replaced CD-ROM drives. The technology costs the same, so why not use the better one that can do everything the other can and more?

As for the specific question this thread is based on, I'd say no. If you're into TV-on-DVD titles, definitely not. They're less likely to receive a re-release in HD format anytime soon and even if they do, it might not be as much about quality as jamming an entire season on one or two discs. If you are crazy about HD quality, then you should consider waiting for the HD format for movies, but I still wouldn't recommend it. Until you know you will be buying an HD player and which format it will be, I'd hold off. Remember, the backwards compatibility makes it much easier to just keep buying the old format, as it won't be a complete loss unless you really can't stand DVD quality.

[Wanted]

Hmm... keep buying DVDs. Sure, they produce them by the thousands, but you'll one day regret that you didn't get that one release if you don't get it when you wanted to/should have.

[Leaping Larry Jojo]

My issue, though, Dogbert, is that HD-DVD's reliance on the consumer to purchase an HD-TV to full take advantage. Now, I don't know how cheap they've dropped down to now, but on brief glance through stores, HD-TVs still cost $500 plus, certainly not the kind of money Joe $200 Standard TV is willing to invest in to take advantage of the new technology.

Even if the new HD players are backwards compatible with DVDs, the quality is minimal if at all noticeable to the casual eye when hooked up to a standard TV, still the television of choice with the majority of the public. So then Joe Schmoe will be asking what is the purpose of buying a new HD player just to see, at most, an extra zit on Russell Crowe on his standard TV?

It would be an easier transition of they made HD-DVDs compatible with regular DVD players, and I know some companies are doing hybrid DVDs to ease the transition. But at $39.95 or so for these hybrids, why get it in the first place, Joe Schmoe asks, when a perfectly good DVD version is right there still?

Again, I just don't know if the improvement level is significant enough for Joe S. With DVD-ROM drives, you can argue that watching movies and playing games off of one dvd on your computer is a SUBSTANTIAL improvement over plain ol' "insert Disc 5 to continue" CD-ROMS. But I really don't know if the improvement-to-cost ratio is balanced enough to entice Joe S for HD-DVDs.

Maybe yes, if HD-TVs eventually drop down to standard TV price then things will pick up, but that requires people to go out and buy HD-TVs by the droves, which hasn't happened yet. People aren't so willing to chuck out a perfectly good TV, standard or otherwise.

[Adam Tyner]

My issue, though, Dogbert, is that HD-DVD's reliance on the consumer to purchase an HD-TV to full take advantage.Disney is one company that's taking an extremely long-term view -- they're talking about wanting to have 4x3 standard definition versions of their animated movies along with the high-def, widescreen ones on the same Blu-ray disc so that kids can watch them on 13" TVs in their bedrooms. Geez, how many years off is that?

I don't think anyone here has anything to worry about. No one's going to be forced to switch to a new format, and DVD will be around for a long, long time.

I don't really fret about if/when the public at large will buy in, though, and I'm not expecting it to be much more than a Laserdisc-esque niche for a long while to come. I just want enough people to pick up players for the studios to keep a steady flow of titles at a fairly reasonable price.

There are more compelling reasons to wait than to buy in anytime soon too -- I don't regret picking up an HD DVD player on day one at all, but I don't think I'd actually recommend it to anyone else right now. Too expensive, too few titles, too not-so-user-friendly.

But at $39.95 or so for these hybrids, why get it in the first place, Joe Schmoe asks, when a perfectly good DVD version is right there still?Not only is the pricing absurd, but they're mismarketed too. The hybrids come in HD DVD-style packaging and aren't mixed in with the regular DVDs -- they're usually stuck in some endcap or something with the other HD DVDs. So why not just release it on HD DVD only, which would drop the sticker price a few bucks? I don't remember anything prominent on the Rumor Has It hybrid saying that it'll play in a traditional DVD player too. Stupid, stupid, stupid.

[Dogbert]

Maybe yes, if HD-TVs eventually drop down to standard TV price then things will pick up, but that requires people to go out and buy HD-TVs by the droves, which hasn't happened yet. People aren't so willing to chuck out a perfectly good TV, standard or otherwise.By the time the blue laser based tech becomes cheap enough (I'd say anytime between 2009 and 2012, but that's just my guess), HDTVs should be in a consumer friendly price range too. IIRC, U.S. law mandates that stores stop selling non-digital ready TVs sometime before the end of 2007. So consumers may not have a choice much longer. Yes, stores will likely get around the law by selling SDTVs with HD tuners & converters built-in, but I don't expect that to last very long with HDTV prices falling all the time.

[Leaping Larry Jojo]

By the time the blue laser based tech becomes cheap enough (I'd say anytime between 2009 and 2012, but that's just my guess), HDTVs should be in a consumer friendly price range too. IIRC, U.S. law mandates that stores stop selling non-digital ready TVs sometime before the end of 2007. So consumers may not have a choice much longer. Yes, stores will likely get around the law by selling SDTVs with HD tuners & converters built-in, but I don't expect that to last very long with HDTV prices falling all the time.

Really?? You're friggin kidding me. I never heard that. I certainly can't say I enjoy the law forcing consumers' hands.

At any rate, I have no doubt that HDTV prices will eventually fall to SDTV prices *sometime* in the future, but concerning THIS thread, about tossing out the DVDs RIGHT now, it seems a little silly since that probably won't really happen until 2010 or so (that is, when DVDs start disappearing, everyone owning an HD-TV and hopping on the new format).

[Adam Tyner]

Really?? You're friggin kidding me. I never heard that. I certainly can't say I enjoy the law forcing consumers' hands.It just means that TVs have to have an ATSC tuner to pick up digital broadcasts (or not have any tuners at all; the difference between a 'monitor' and a 'TV'), not that only HDTVs will be sold. I believe this just refers to manufacturing, not what stores are necessarily allowed to sell.

[Wanted]

But, the next step that I see is digital SDTV, and not HDTV. Why? The Joe Schmoe theories. Either there's not enough room in his living room, or he doesn't have the money, or he's not out of college yet, or he's living with someone who's satisfied with their current television, or Joe Schmoe just doesn't care.

Sure, we could take our word to the streets, but I doubt that would help. But, the government is doing a good thing. I've heard a lot of good things about ATSC, and plenty of bad things about NTSC.

[Ullar]

thanks. SDTV, HDTV, ASTC?

[Adam Tyner]

thanks. SDTV, HDTV, ASTC?SDTV = standard definition television

HDTV = high definition television

ATSC = ...well, don't worry about the acronym, but an ATSC tuner will pick up digital over-the-air broadcasts. Just like you can use an NTSC tuner to pick up analog broadcasts with an antenna, you use an ATSC tuner to pick up digital broadcasts. Since analog broadcasts are going to cease in the next couple of years, if you rely on an antenna for your TV programming, you'll need an ATSC tuner.

[Ullar]

thanks i don't use ATSC.

[MKCP_90]

The bottom line (from my understanding) is that your DVDs (and CDs) will play on the HD-DVD/Blu-Ray players.

I tend to look at it this way...
CD is to DVD as DVD is to HD-DVD/Blu-Ray.

The real decision will be on whether to buy HD-DVD or Blu-Ray, cuz obviously, they won't be compatible, at least not initially.

[Adam Tyner]

The bottom line (from my understanding) is that your DVDs (and CDs) will play on the HD-DVD/Blu-Ray players.Not necessarily.

Blu-ray players aren't required to play DVDs, although it's expected that most of them will. They are not required to play CDs, and at least some of the initial players will not.

[MKCP_90]

Not necessarily.

Blu-ray players aren't required to play DVDs, although it's expected that most of them will. They are not required to play CDs, and at least some of the initial players will not.

You know what? You are probably right. I hadn't actually thought about that. But, obviously, they wouldn't be required. But, would you rather buy a player that plays CD, DVD, and HD-DVD/BR or just HD-DVD/BR? I would think that the majority of consumers would want a player that can play all three. How many DVD players are there on the market that don't play CDs? I know mine does as does my laptop's DVD drive. I think the beauty of HD-DVD/BR is they are the same medium as DVD and CDs, unlike VHS, laserdiscs, betas, 8-tracks, cassettes, or records. From my understanding, they will all be in one drive. Now, I hope the future isn't crystals, cards, or some other device. I like the disc format.

[Ducktales Fan]

HD-DVD/Blu-Ray isn't gonna immediately replace DVD and DVDs are still the common media.

I have never heard of HD-DVD/Blue-Ray before. What are they?

[The Penguin]

I have never heard of HD-DVD/Blue-Ray before. What are they?I refer you here (http://forums.toonzone.net/showthread.php?t=157845). They are intended by their respective producers to be the follow-up to DVD.