After reading up on IGN's recent piece on the number of pluses the DVD format still had to offer, we became a bit convinced that perhaps Blu-ray had a remaining adversary to contend with - despite leaving HD DVD in the dust during the last format war. Especially if the blue format hopes to win over those who have built up their vast movie collections over the 12 year time span that the DVD format has been around, they're going to need more than just fancy high resolutions...
Survey: Are DVDs Still Better Than Blu-rays?
Whether or not you agree or disagree - here's a list of interesting reasons why IGN thinks DVD still beats out Blu-ray in the long run:
- It's Cheaper Than Blu-ray: Both DVD players and DVDs themselves remain affordable. Blu-ray releases tend to retail for an average of $10 more than their DVD counterparts.
- Mo' Technology, Mo' Problems: We've all heard the complaints about Blu-ray load times. This sort of thing varies from player to player and title to title. The bottom line is that some people value performance and reliability more than innovation.
- You Already Own A Ton of DVDs: The DVD has been around since 1997 -- near ancient in tech years. In the 12 years since the format was launched, home video buyers have snatched up movies on DVD at an astonishing rate. The DVD has even been called the most successful consumer product of all time.
- Up-Conversation Really Works: DVD upscaling works by creating a new line of pixels -- this is accomplished by a process that copies parts of the surrounding pixels. It's essentially a technologically-enhanced guess at how a true high-def picture should appear.
- You Can't Get That on Blu-ray: Content is king. And while studios are working to make more video product available on Blu-ray, the fact remains that there are innumerably more titles on DVD. There's also no indication that manufacturers will cease production on DVDs in the foreseeable future.
- Blu-ray is A Stop-Gap: It's a fact. It may not happen tomorrow, or next year, or even five years from now, but sooner or later digital downloads are going to replace physical media for the most part.
Despite owning a few Blu-ray discs ourselves, it's hard to argue against the fact that digital downloads may take over sometime in the near future. Just cross your fingers and hope there's not another format war when it comes to digital media distribution (though we kinda have a feeling it's already starting to happen).
Comments (14)
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The question has never been is it better, the question has always been is it worth it?
Once Blu-Ray players get cheap enough, most people will stop buying DVD players and get Blu-Ray players (they play DVDs, too).
Upconversion is total BS. Blu-Ray looks better than DVD.
Digital Download quality is lame.
Physical media (for video) is not going anywhere for a while. Once, the players get cheap enough (they are already available for under $200 - wait till they are under $100), people will buy blu-ray players, the installed base will grow large, blu-ray content will become more widely available and drop in price.
view sfmitch's profile
I haven't jumped on the Blu-Ray wagon for a few reasons:
1. The Price. It's not like the jump from VHS to DVD where the quality and lifespan of VHS were far behind. Even though Blu-Ray is better, the quality of DVD's is really good.
2. With almost 500 DVD's, it's hard to think about switching formats.
Also, as the bandwith for internet increases, I think downloading movies is becoming more popular. Convenience always plays a big factor in these transitions.
view modernguy's profile
I agree, the question is not 'is it better', because Blu-rays are clearly better. It's a brand new format, so of course availability, price, and the question of how long it'll last are huge concerns, but they were for DVDs, as well (which, btw didn't last very long at all before a new format took hold).
The point is, if you really do enjoy technology and have an HDTV, DVDs look horrible compared to Blu-ray.
view Shannon in SF's profile
I like my high def downloads! I just wish I could play them anywhere I wanted to... :(
view ekoshyun's profile
The "when everyone buys the player, the media price will drop" argument is a complete falacy. That's what was said when CDs came out in the 80s. It didn't happen. CD prices didn't drop until very late in the format's lifespan. I didn't see any large DVD price drops after it was adopted either. It is when demand for a particular movie slows down and supply is still high that the price drops.
Yes, Blu-ray is more advanced that DVD. The difference is not even close to as much as that between DVD and VHS, though. BR will never be more than a blip in the progression from DVD to streaming / downloading. (This blip is very similar to the blip caused by Laser Disc between VHS and DVD.) Most people prefer convenience and price to high-quality. If this was not the case, CDs and MP3s would never have overtaken vinyl records.
view BigD's profile
Agreed with BigD 100%.
BluRay was too little too late. DVD technology has served us well for over a decade, and will soon be phased out by streaming, not another physical media (BluRay). Services like Hulu, and Netflix are the first to show us the true power of streaming and that is only the tip of the iceberg. Over the next few years, both broadband speed increases and advances in streaming technology will ensure that BluRay quality video can be delivered via our trusty old friend, the InterWeb.
view ominoustoad's profile
i made the jump when i purchased my PS3 a year ago. however i have yet to put a bluray disc in my system (not even the demo disc). the thought of getting the bluray experience hasn't at all been something i'm looking forward to.
view FightTheFuture's profile
I chose DVD although I am now converting my DVD's for AppleTV which will serve me better. High quality transfers and the convenience of having the films organized and ready to play right then along with my music, etc.. At the distance I sit from my 37" 720p HDTV, I don't feel the instant need for Blu-ray though I know the quality is better. I do like special features though, which is why I still buy DVDs.
Nouniard
view Nouniard's profile
I'm with modernguy - the price of a blu-ray player is prohibitive, and I already have so many DVDs. I can see myself eventually buying a PS3 to have a player and gaming console in one, but even then I'm waiting until I have a good reason and a lot of disposable income. So basically, it's not happening in the near future.
view confusednazgul's profile
I rip for my apple tv as well.
view mscot's profile
I still don't have a Blu-Ray player. Even if I do get one (possibly in an HTPC) I'm still staying the course, going as digital as possible...
view silvarga's profile
I love blu-ray, but the catch for a lot of people is affordability. Another catch is must-have-worthiness of content. So far the content on blu-ray discs doesn't make the format oh-my-gawd-I-need-that. Some of the content is downright awful (hello, The Dark Knight set!).
view stickyricemama's profile
I also haven't made that leap to blu-ray. Pretty much the same reason other's haven't. Yes, I've seen the difference and it's awesome however like someone else stated I also have many DVDs and nows just not the time.
Also, when it comes to format there's always something new and better that's in the works. Hopefully by then the economy will be better or they'll offer it at a reasonable price.
view E.I.F.'s profile
I voted for blu-ray, but concede many of the points that have been made by those sticking with DVD. For those who simply want to watch a movie on their family room TV once in a while, DVD quality if fine. But for those, like me, who have invested in upgrading their audio AND video systems, the thought of being stuck with DVD (or even worse, typical web download) quality is enough to induce tears.
Also, while blu-ray hardware prices prior to Christmas 08 were somewhat high, I think it that pricing is now an issue because of another reason (besides the lousy economy). I think the glut of $20-$40 DVD players have changed people's perceptions of how much a disc-playing video box should cost. What may have been thought of as acceptable entry level pricing when DVD players first came out ($150-200) is now considered too high...
view looksgood_soundsgood's profile