Wednesday February 15, 2012

JAPAN NEWS AND DISCUSSION

Can Blu-ray save Christmas for Hollywood?

Technology Nov. 16, 2008 - 05:37AM JST ( 22 )

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22 Comments

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wargalley20011Nov. 16, 2008 - 07:27AM JST

I haven't bought blue-ray because dvds are cheaper than ever. Plus, now I can watch new movies online like with Amazon video on demand without buying a player, or have alot of movie boxes lying around.
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YangYongNov. 16, 2008 - 11:13AM JST

Blu-Ray is the Laser Disk of the 21st Century. It's dead already.
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gogogoNov. 16, 2008 - 12:31PM JST

Wow microsoft must be wetting their pants that hollywood is pushing playstation 3.
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WeaselNov. 16, 2008 - 01:09PM JST

When you can buy a DVD movie for nearly 1/3 the cost of a Blu-ray, that might be the missing link that the corporations are overlooking during these tight economic times.
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jonobugsNov. 16, 2008 - 01:52PM JST

The days when Hollywood could charge $40-$50 dollars are quickly coming to an end I think. Perhaps serious collectors are willing to pay that for a movie, but I haven't spent more than $10 on ANY movie in a long time and I'm pretty sure I'm not alone.
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badge123Nov. 16, 2008 - 02:48PM JST

I doubt so, blue ray is jack if you don't have a good TV to go with it. The switch from dvd to blue ray dvd is not as dramatic as it was from VHS to DVD which was totally different. I don't even have a blue ray, DVDs are cheaper and look just fine to me.
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AzraelNov. 16, 2008 - 03:12PM JST

Yep, DVDs look just fine to me as well, and being cheaper than Blue-ray the decision between the two is a no-brainer. Plus in Japan buying a DVD from Amazon.uk is cheaper than buying it from Amazon.jp (shipping fees included! It's incredible - I think the Japanese are made to pay dearly for those Japanese subtitles). I never spend more than 1500yen on a DVD. Blue-ray is SO expensive.
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PleasureGelfNov. 16, 2008 - 07:07PM JST

How the Blu-ray saved Christmas. Coming to the movie theater near you this winter! Unmissable.
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BlackFlagNov. 17, 2008 - 12:21AM JST

I buy blurays on ebay for 20 dollars each, tough cheddar if my japanese friends want subtitles. yes you do need a HDTV and decent sound system to appreciate the difference but once you do it is night and day.
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WeaselNov. 17, 2008 - 12:27AM JST

The switch from dvd to blue ray dvd is not as dramatic as it was from VHS to DVD which was totally different

I'd have to disagree with you on that one. I've got my squibs about the costs of Blu-ray vs DVD (which forces most of us to Ebay or the other auction sites to get a decent bargin), but as far as picture quality (provided you're using an HDMI cable - which you can a decent brand for about $15 on Amazon.com) there is a notable difference. If you're using the standard RCA plugs and the S-video cable, I'd agree with you that you won't see much difference in picture quality between DVD and Blu-ray.
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gonemadNov. 17, 2008 - 07:05AM JST

As far as picture quality is concerned what I have seen BD is a really significant improvement over DVD, but sometimes I feel there's still a lot of room for improvement. Whether that's worth the increased price, everybody has to decide for himself.

I see two other blocking points for BD: for those who only have a minor interest in the mainstream Hollywood productions, as of today there's still little reason to go for BD.

Last but not least, BD has a copy protection scheme which allows Hollywood&Co to revoke the keys for certain disks or players. So there's always the danger that someone cracks the key of the player you use or one of the disks you own. Then after you buy a new disk suddenly that player or disks won't work any more. Who is going to pay for the replacement and the trouble you have? As long as that hasn't gone through the courts, my answer as a potential customer remains simple: no, thanks!
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ebisenNov. 17, 2008 - 09:15AM JST

Yes the switch to Blu-Ray is dramatic - if you have the proper system (at least a 40 inch screen - better a projector with a 100 or more inch screen and a 7.1 channel home theater system) then you'll notice a huge quality difference. Those who say they didn't notice one they don't know what they are saying. Why is Blu-Ray so damn expensive in Japan? I purchase all my disks from Amazin.com or .uk and the price is less than half sometimes... it's incredibly stupid marketing. I mean why aren't those who fixed the prices sooo high here fired already??
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SargeNov. 17, 2008 - 10:01AM JST

I buy blurays on ebay for 20 dollars each ( with no subtitles )"

You're getting ripped off.
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BlackFlagNov. 17, 2008 - 10:23AM JST

sarge style post...

"You're getting ripped off"

No I'm not
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SargeNov. 17, 2008 - 10:25AM JST

"No I'm not."

Yes, you are.
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BlackFlagNov. 17, 2008 - 10:26AM JST

explain how please
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AirionNov. 17, 2008 - 10:49AM JST

I find the jump from DVD to Blu-ray is comparable to VHS to DVD. The problem is most people don't have an HDTV set yet, so that's a hurdle. Most people probably haven't even sat down and watched a movie in HD, so they don't know what they're missing (maybe for the better). DVDs do look fine, but Blu-rays look amazing. It's like getting a pair of glasses for the first time. DVDs are cheaper, but I always go with the Blu-ray version if it's available because I can't give up that visual "wow" factor.

Price is an obstacle, but only a temporary one. DVD wasn't always cheap either.
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IchyaParadiseNov. 17, 2008 - 11:50AM JST

For those of you who can afford it, go ahead and help bolster the economy. For those of us that do not really care, whatever. Have not bought a DVD in a long time and have not bought a Blu-Ray yet. Too me, again notice the "too me", it is not worth it. I do not watch movies over and over again. Everyone is different. For those who like to spend their money on disks that sit on shelves or disk sleeves for how long and do not get watched, good for you. I will just drink my money away, at least I know it is killing me and I can just piss it away instead of sit there.
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wesbeltzNov. 17, 2008 - 01:11PM JST

Has it also not occurred to these people that consumers may be purchasing less physical discs in general, whether through iTunes or pirating?
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ca1ic0catNov. 17, 2008 - 10:11PM JST

Can Blu-ray save Christmas for Hollywood?

Nope.
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SargeNov. 17, 2008 - 11:09PM JST

BlackFlag - $20 for a movie without subtitles? You think that's cheap? You must have money to burn.
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BlackFlagNov. 18, 2008 - 12:56AM JST

sarge, it doesnt have japanese subtitles, you misunderstood. a U.S. bluray (with english subtitles) costs $20. the same bluray Japanese release (with japanese subtitles) costs 4,800 yen. Japanese buyers are getting ripped off, I'm not.