Comments on: Dare to be Stupid: Is Blu-ray the next Laserdisc?

By: Matt Gamble

Matt Gamble — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 02:58:46 +0000

As far as I know Netflix is sticking with the subscriber system, but I wouldn’t be suprised if they started offering single film downloads for a small cost.

I know several small Independent studios are offering direct downlaods, and including pdf files so you can print out labels and packaging if you want a physical DVD for your shelf. If something similar to that isn’t the future I don’t know what is.

And you go Blockbuster. You keep investing in mortar and brick buildings as your empire crumbles around you. You totally deserve it!

By: josh

josh — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 17:37:40 +0000

the internet is definitely the future. even tho apple tv hasn’t taken off like they probably would have liked, it’s already making HD content available with one click and straight to your tv.

to be honest though, i think the real wave….will be things like the “vudu” box (not specifically, but it’s a start in the right direction)…or more on demand type releases through cable companies. stations/studios like IFC are already releasing films straight to pay per view. i like the netflix model….but i think where it fails is requiring an account to access content. i think it’d be more non-cinephile friendly if you could also have the option to pay per view (maybe you already can? and i missed it?). either way…i think i personally would rather invest in a medium through the internet when the time comes…..versus blue ray and all that jazz.

but oh man, i can’t wait till the day that blockbuster is dead!

By: Matt Gamble

Matt Gamble — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 14:31:10 +0000

I’d agree that Laserdisc is clearly a huge technological leap forward compared to VHS, but even with that their were areas where VHS was superior specifically in cost, studio support, and most importantly the ability to record. The studio support and low cost are easy to cite, but a primary reason why VHS beat the superior Betamax was because you could record for a longer time with VHS tapes. While you could record with Laserdisc, the recorders were incredibly hard to find and far more expensive then the regular players. While the technology should have made Laserdisc the clear winner, its inability to pull even in the battle of convenience is a large reason why it inevitably lost.

Blu-ray still isn’t as convenient a medium as DVD, though Sony certainly is making huge strides in this area, and it will never be as convenient as digital media files.The film industry should be paying attention to the music industry to see what will happen once digital distribution takes over, the entire landscape will change as soon as the need to own physical objects evaporates. And I’m quite convinced this is going to happen much sooner rather than later.

Thanks for the comments.

By: LDsupporter

LDsupporter — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 13:55:58 +0000

This analogy between laserdisc and Blu-Ray is rather apt, but there’s one glaring thing about the analogy: the advancement (of course, this is where the analogy breaks down). Laserdisc technology was far superior to VHS compared to Blu-Ray’s minimal increase over DVD. Laserdisc offered for the first time spotless digital quality picture and sound, never having to rewind ever again, and (my favorite part) bonus features. I guess this doesn’t relate entirely to the article here but I thought it needed to be said.

By: Dare to be Stupid: Is Blu-ray the next Laserdisc?

Dare to be Stupid: Is Blu-ray the next Laserdisc? — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 20:10:55 +0000

[...] Matthew Moskovciak wrote an interesting post today onHere’s a quick excerptThe most documented decision being the inclusion of Blu-ray players with every Playstation 3 console. Thus using the console as a loss leader in an effort to gain a huge lead in market share. That early lead ended up being a clear … [...]

By: Dare to be Stupid: Is Blu-ray the next Laserdisc?

Dare to be Stupid: Is Blu-ray the next Laserdisc? — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 19:20:18 +0000

[...] Betsy Schiffman wrote an interesting post today onHere’s a quick excerptMicrosoft, who went bust when they bet on HD-DVD, have clearly moved on to a medium that plays to their strengths and the consumer’s wants and desires. The future of HD movies is certainly here, and it isn’t Blu-ray. [...]