Ah, another Western consipracy. Well, just remember that Coca-Cola and Criterion aren’t exacly playing the game at the same level. You’re right, companies do get startup money through loans before they start. But, they have to pay those loans back, and they have to keep making money if they want to continue. So, Criterion, and other distributing companies, do need us to actually purchase their product if they are going to continue to expand their catalogues.
But, seriously, do you really think that this is some scheme to keep “avant-gaurde” pictures off the market? It takes time for distributors to get these movies out. DVD catalogues aren’t nearly as expansive as VHS, because VHS was around for over 20 years before being eclipsed by DVD. DVD hasn’t been on the popular maket for even close to 20 years, and so that format doesn’t carry as many titles. We can’t expect a new format to appear, and every film with it. In 10 years, I’m sure that the BD catalogue will be more than impressive.
“In 10 years, I’m sure that the BD catalogue will be more than impressive.”
in 10 years,i’ll be seeing another “rendition” of Psycho or Dolce Vita,nothing will change….
“Ah, another Western consipracy”
DVD’s were SUPPOSED to upgrade the VHS downfall…it may not be a conspiracy (you’re saying it,not me),it’s definitely a pathetic excuse to promote specific products,so who cares about EQUALITY anyways…
A cut up for the Blu-
Ray…
Blu-ray. But love) is of looking. Get drives via the who. What? Can’t friends collect? Your hard mind closets vinyl. The difference, many. To a consumer- resist the on button! Criterion is buy titles codec. Will I desire anime? (and have seeing used) What have in sales? I buy from any. Myself intended to. Your not from OP. VHS! Many talking sales. lossless. And I enjoy and after I being either…I end! Watch I…I change. Or in which VHS I an original who is on any full good regardless purely invested here. Especially after numbers can’t. Long message: getting is resisted. Watch actually title (I get dumped). I interpreted. Blu-rays! So you a fan? Your cassettes? Collection buying longer. I’m always in. I’m old amid Blu-Rays. Sales depending! Still I’m committed anew. Option: A people. I as the message said, others are looking towards the amount of the deal. Resistance now checked. Media collection- check. Pointed yeah the way movies move you. I and many prefer it to any interpreted rule. Criterion to respond: you don’t watch movies mit out sound. Watch. Enormous- There goes my physical being! Respond and onward! I felt versions of DVD. Ah well, still I’m checked. Dust. Warped shelf collection…dust…dust…
if I was asked if I would like to have all my DVDs traded in for Blu-Ray, I would say “Hell, YEAH!”
that is all
What? I am just abandoning my vhs tapes for DVDs! Seriously, I will just jump in when everything is out in Blu-ray and I have no choice. I also still have my records, even though I was forced to buy only cds when they took over. So, no one pushes me into the future before I am ready.
I agree with what Fredo said. I think more folks need to keep in mind that just because they get a Blu-Ray player does NOT mean you have to get rid of everything else. It’s a format people, it’s not a political party. If the movie you’re looking for is on Blu-Ray, great buy it! If it’s on DVD only, then buy that too.
Dimitris, I’m sure that as Blu-Ray becomes more popular and production becomes cheaper, we will see more avant-garde and rare films. Right now, the blu-ray audience probably isn’t big enough for the companies to sell enough blu-ray copies to make their money back.
whoa! you’re JUST now getting DVDs. :D A little late there!!!!!!! I think you’ll find DVDs to be ten time better.
Just a heads up, Ballast is finally making it’s way to DVD next week. And yes, this “Hollywood-capitalist marketing tool” will be released on BD. And I’ll be the first in line to buy it.
I got about 300 dvds. Right now i am thinking about investing in a laserdisc player! fuck blu ray! The only blu ray movie I have is Tyson and that will be the only one I get.
I prefer to by Blu-Ray now but some things don’t need to be in that high of quality/don’t need to be upgraded.
I’ve double dipped on Robocop blu-ray as it’s the X rated Criterion cut but with a much better picture and also Mongol because it was quite cheap.
“And yes, this “Hollywood-capitalist marketing tool” will be released on BD”
typical European-centric approach since Ballast is a U.S. art film,it doesn’t change the line-up of Blu Ray thinking Fredo,get a grip!
for all i care,i’m waiting for the 5 movies from Burkina Faso Blue K mentioned to be released on Blu Ray…right,in 2-3 decades….
Just because a lot of great films don’t have Blu Ray releases doesn’t mean you should ignore the whole format!
My favorite film to watch on Blu Ray is Last Year at Marienbad, not Transformers. I think that as long as a few companies are supplying an art film here and there, it should be sufficient. Not great, but sufficient.
However as much as I love my player, if I had not gotten it for free, there is no way I would have switched. Its just too expensive. However there is no doubt it is better than DVD.
It’s all economics to me. I dumped VHS as soon as DVD player prices dropped and DVD’s started showing up at the flea market and used CD/DVD stores for a few bucks. The picture was better and DVD’s were easier to deal with than VHS tapes. Luckily, my VHS collection was small and easy to abandon/replace. My DVD collection is not small (over 600 titles) and will not be abandoned/replaced. However, as soon as Blu-Ray player prices drop and Blu-Ray discs start showing up at the flea market and used CD/DVD stores for a few bucks, I’ll make the change. I’ll also keep my DVD’s… right next to my vinyl collection.
i could be wrong about this, but i just don’t see blu-ray really catching on and forcing DVD’s to be phased out. i just don’t know many people that rent or buy blu-ray discs and how long have they been available to the consumer? personally, i own just under 1000 dvd’s and have no intention of replacing them and i don’t own a blu ray machine, nor do i plan on buying one in the near future so that is that.
I’ve only bought blu rays that criterion has put out because I had found them used and they weren’t as expensive as the standard version. But I will never start buying just blu-ray just because unless dvds aren’t made anymore. I find just watching the film is far more important than what version I’m watching.
Looks like I’ll have to stock up on a couple of DVD players in reserve, since the darn things don’t seem to last but so long.
I’m enjoying my DVDs just fine, thank you very much. But once I get a PS3, I’ll definitely get some Blu-ray movies.
Daily, I read articles about how Blu-ray has out-performed dvd in the same time frame. Here’s one from today in fact:
http://www.blu-ray.com/news/?id=3653
I understand the frustration with not getting classics and foreign films in high definition, but I will never understand the lack of enthusiasm for better technology.
Strawdawg, I feel the same way.
Just an informal poll, who here has a 32+ inch 1080p HDTV, a BD player, has watched a Criterion BD on it, and would still prefer the DVD version?
My guess is no one.
I do think it is a matter of economics. The more you can spend on your video setup the more impressive Blu-ray becomes. What needs to be made clear is that a film in capable hands, such as Criterion, transferred to Blu-ray Disc can bring you closer to it’s creators visual intentions than DVD. I think that an accurate visual presentation is as important as everything else in the art of film-making.
24FPS: I completely agree 100%. As a filmmaker myself, I’m always interested in trying to get the best, most accurate representation of what the filmmaker wants you to see. Short of buying film prints, blu-ray is the best way at this point for a home environment.
I believe the tide will begin to turn this holiday season. If the reports I’m reading actually come to pass some retailers (namely wal-mart) will begin selling the no frills blu-ray players on black friday for as little as $49. That’s a price point I believe alot of people will not ignore and begin to make the conversion in large enough numbers to make a serious shift in the rental arena, and sell thru. I myself have only begun some in depth analysis of the various brands available but hope to make the conversion soon. Wireless will be a major consideration this time through also.
Yeah, the wireless models are great. With the player I have now I have to unhook it and take it up 2 flights of stairs to update the firmware, which I’ve had to do twice already, to keep the player current.
You think that’s bad, try loading it from a disc. What a pain in the ass, although Sony is pretty good about sending out the firmware updates for free. My advice to anyone buying one: If you can afford it, get the wireless or at least get one with 2.0.
Laser Disc and DvD were around for years, they just didn’t become commercial until around 2001 or 1999. But they had been around since the early 90’s. So chances are there still time to come for wide commercial, people just can’t afford it and they know it.
Laser Disc and DvD were around for years, they just didn’t become commercial until around 2001 or 1999. But they had been around since the early 90’s. So chances are there still time to come for wide commercial use, people just can’t afford it, and they know it.
Earlier in the year when I went all Blu-ray, I said to myself I will not buy anymore DVD’s. But then I started seeing what kind of releases Criterion and other companies started to release and realized…these will probably never be released on Blu-ray and if it released on a future medium…it will be stored on some server and we would be forced to watch it via streaming video (not my preference, but I realize many people are going towards this).
But I have started buying DVD’s again…particularly Criterion or classics that will not be out on Blu-ray anytime soon.
But I enjoy Blu-ray… to see picture quality that is vibrant, dark sections that on DVD or other previous media that you were unable to see but now you can in high definition. Audio quality that is clear and for those who have a good receiver and a 5.1 or 7.2 set up, sometimes that immersiveness of hearing that crystal clear sound around you is incredible.
Here in the US, I understand its different than Europe and Asia. Blu-rays are becoming as cheap or cheaper than blu-rays, because they don’t scratch as easily as DVD…you can buy them used at a local video rental store. And Blu-ray players can be purchased under $100 during sales.
But moving to Blu-ray is not going to be quick for some people. The cost of a TV, speakers, subwoofer, center speakers, surround speakers may be out of the budget for some. Some may feel why buy when we can just download it via bit-torrent.
But by no means am I 100% abandoning DVD and nor will I sell or trash my DVD’s. But for newer purchases, I choose Blu-ray over the DVD.
um…no. not yet and i have no foreseeable plans to do so.
I’m thinking about getting the Sony BDP-S560. It has come down in price considerably. The wireless feature sounds like the way to go.
I went blu-ray and I love it! If I can get the disc on Blu-ray, I will. The fact of the matter is that there are a lot of great DVDs out there that won’t come out on blu-ray for a while, especially Criterion ones. It’s not a bad idea to snatch them because who knows if how fast DVDs may go into obsolescence, taking their director commentaries with them.
Dimitris Psachos
“You do know that distributors need your money in order to release all of those precious movies you want.”
oh Nathan,we all know publishing companies like Criterion HAVE money beforehand in order to SEARCH around the world,so please,don’t try and rub anything on me.
Coca-Cola doesn’t need MY support to produce cans and bottles..
Blu Ray is just a more Western update of DVD,so anything “avant-garde” or “rare” is automatically OFF-LIMITS for Blu Ray marketing conservatives….