-
Hey, guest user. Hope you're enjoying NeoGAF! Have you considered registering for an account? Come join us and add your take to the daily discourse.
The Verge: Blu-ray is dying faster than expected
- Thread starter Blablurn
- Start date
- Status
Prophet Steve
Member
I doubt it is dying too soon, and I am not surprised that sales are lowering with the digital alternatives, but I really do not want to see it go anytime soon.
I love Netflix and such, but the quality of a good blu-ray is so much more better.
I love Netflix and such, but the quality of a good blu-ray is so much more better.
Crimsonclaw111
Member
Blu-ray + digital copies are where it's at.
I feel like I am one of five people who enjoys watching bonus features and commentaries on films. Digital copies never include that stuff
iTunes ones do, usually.
Maybe they should make watching blu-rays less of a hassle compared to netflix. Mandate no more crappy previews, no more flashy menus. No more multiple 'please don't steal this' in six languages. I bought the damned disc! I'm not the person you should lecture about stealing. Just make so when I put the disc in, the movie just plays. They should have done this years ago.
Hours Left
Member
Nope.
Blu-ray for life.
Blu-ray for life.
That really sucks.
While I appreciate streaming I really enjoy owning physical copies of movies that I love.
I typically only stick to Netflix and the like for streaming, though, and absolutely refuse to actually BUY films digitally. If I'm going to spend money on a specific film I will purchase the disc every time.
It's not just about collection either. The quality of streaming movies just isn't on par with a good Blu-ray and I've yet to achieve proper 24hz playback from any of those services. :\
It's like all of the things I dislike in technology are succeeding. LCD panels? Digital distribution? People just don't give a shit about quality, it seems.
That said, music CDs are still released regularly and that business was absolutely stomped on by digital downloads so I have hope that Blu-ray won't be going anywhere for a while. Hell, DVDs are still being made for new releases.
While I appreciate streaming I really enjoy owning physical copies of movies that I love.
I typically only stick to Netflix and the like for streaming, though, and absolutely refuse to actually BUY films digitally. If I'm going to spend money on a specific film I will purchase the disc every time.
It's not just about collection either. The quality of streaming movies just isn't on par with a good Blu-ray and I've yet to achieve proper 24hz playback from any of those services. :\
It's like all of the things I dislike in technology are succeeding. LCD panels? Digital distribution? People just don't give a shit about quality, it seems.
That said, music CDs are still released regularly and that business was absolutely stomped on by digital downloads so I have hope that Blu-ray won't be going anywhere for a while. Hell, DVDs are still being made for new releases.
Sadly nothing. All streaming services use low bitrate, while BD releases are in the excellent 30-35mbit range.
The Broken Ska Record
Member
That's how I feel. I'll watch a movie on Netflix or some other service, but there's just something about putting in a disc that's just more statisfying.
Megadragon15
Member
Why would movie companies limit their physical media revenue stream to a niche product like Blu-ray? That would be stupid.
Or the opposite. Provide a DRM free digital solution like we have for music. I'd buy that in a heartbeat if it was a decent quality.
Prophet Steve
Member
Haha, that is one of the things that annoys me more about blu-rays actually. I am a lazy fuck when it comes to that and I dread having to get up and put a disc in something.
Nearly everyone I know still buys DVDs and still don't have a blu ray player. Granted I don't have one myself but I wouldn't bother with a DVD copy.
nintendork666
Member
People have been saying this for quite a while now. I have a real soft spot for the format, and even posted on blu-ray.com for some time. In many ways, streaming, and dowloaded rips just aren't up to par with what BD offers quality-wise, but the digital alternatives are more convenient for most people. Me? I like a healthy combination of both. Hopefully we won't see most niche publishers suffering too badly.
ShinobiFist
Banned
I'm all digital when it comes to my films now. But Apple doesn't offer that losses Audio. They need to include it ASAP.
What, no. There are plenty of us on this site friend. I love to collect them. (and watch)
Jedeye Sniv
Banned
The problem with Blu-ray for me is that they're just so damn expensive. We got used to the price of DVDs having dropped and then they go and introduce a new format at double the price. Yeah, go fuck yourselves studios, that's not how the world works. We have an audience used to streaming and torrenting, sticking a middle finger up at them and demanding over the odds for disc media is short sighted.
TheAbsolution
Member
Nothing digital compares to BluRay quality right now. Even pirates prefer it for their format.
Trent Strong
Banned
Digital forever, physical media never.
Blu-ray is kind of a shitshow with the horrible DRM and insane amount of unskippable stuff, which makes the legally bought copy way worse than a pirated copy that just has the files you actually want to watch.
But it's also the only format right now that has proper quality. Once streaming services start putting out 20+ mbit video, I'm ready to move on from physical media.
But it's also the only format right now that has proper quality. Once streaming services start putting out 20+ mbit video, I'm ready to move on from physical media.
Where are you shopping? The MSRP is often high but it's very easy to find Blu-ray discs for very cheap.
Mushroomer25
Member
Not at all shocked. I'm curious, what has been the ratio of Blu-Ray to DVD sales in recent years? Did most people make the switch, or just jump from DVD to digital?
paradise_circus
Member
blu-ray movies costs in the range of 8 to 15 here in berlin, germany. rented blu-ray movies cost me 1 a day.
TBH, blu-ray movies are the cheapest solution for me.
NekoFever
Member
Love it and will continue to buy it as long as the AV is superior to digitally distributed options, which I guess is forever.
Netflix's 4K video is less than half the bit rate that Blu-ray in 1080p gives to video alone, let alone the lossless audio.
This is why I think it'll be fine. It's not like physical media loses money; it's just making less money than it used to. As long as there's an enthusiast market and it's profitable, like LaserDisc in the pre-DVD days, it'll keep rolling.
Double the price? Here it's like £3 more for the BD over the DVD.
Dog Problems
Banned
Movies and television shows is one area I'm not ready to move away from physical to digital, despite wanting to very badly. If there's ever a way to legally get downloads that are DRM-free and blu-ray quality then I will make the switch.
Jedeye Sniv
Banned
Well that's the thing, I don't shop any more. No need to. But if I see them in a shop it's usually about £15-20 which is £10 too much for me. And even then, the idea of paying £10 for a physical copy of a movie I will probably only watch once has become antiquated and weird very quickly. Streaming services and VoD have really changed the way I consume media.
Urk, I really dislike these streaming services attempts at "4k" or "1440p" video. It really shows me that they have no idea what's actually best for video quality. They should stick to 1080p and focus on bit rate.
Honestly, 720p video with a much higher bit rate would look nicer than "4k" video as we have it on Netflix.
TAJ
Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.
Don't hold your breath there, especially when corporations finish killing net neutrality.
Wolfe
Member
And just like vinyl albums, the market share may shrink but the medium will live on.
Also yes like others have mentioned it's not hard to find blurays on the cheap especially when it comes to shit like Amazon. Granted not always the case if you want to buy a movie day 1 or something but I have yet to spend over 12 or 13 bucks on a single bluray and that specifically was for Miami Connection which was a special case. Hell shit like the Indiana Jones collection has been as low as 30 bucks.
The problem with upping bitrate is that broadband connections in the US suck ass, so they have to find a good compromise between quality and bandwidth.
Few enough people would be able to stream 30mbps Blu-ray quality content with any kind of stability, and even many of those that could would hit their bandwidth caps hella fast.
Zeyphersan
Banned
The only reason I buy a blu-ray anymore is if it's real cheap or comes with a digital copy. All my purchases revolve around getting my movies on VUDU. The actual discs have become kind of irrelevant to me
Jill Sandwich
the turds of Optimus Prime
Hmm, better get that Disney stuff before it vaults for good.
From which store?
OverlordSteph
Banned
digital is cool and everything but i still prefer to hold a physical copy of a movie, recently bought the lord of the rings trilogy on Blu-Ray for £10 .. best investment of my life. Unwrapping the box and popping it open is a great feeling... even if Blu-Ray disappears i would still keep collecting them
- Status