buying movies; Blu-Ray or regular dvd

Starter

I agree 100% that the big obstacle right now is that people don't want to shell out for something virtual vs. something they can physically hold.

But I'm telling you, the only thing holding DTO's back is the right player or program that will impart a tangibility, make them seem less like a fragile bit of data and more like a definitively permanent product... and something like that could drop tomorrow...

As for rentals, well being in Los Angeles, I may be reflecting on a unique demographic, but both myself and the majority of my friends have switched exclusively to downloads... with AOD releasing titles the same day as DVD, it's often the only option for some flicks, unless you want to cruise to eight different Blockbusters trying to find a popular new release. I definitely don't see discs holding onto the major rental market share for 5-10 years...

PFC5

In 5-10 years that may be so, but i suspect something better will come along to replace them all unless studios want to stick to rental only with downloads. It is true the younger generation now seem to NOT want something physical to own, but once they learn more as they age they will see the vaule in it.

Unless ISPs reverse the current trend of putting caps on bandwidth, downloads will remain very niche IMO. It will be like car phones when they first came out if they do not. They think it is great until they get the first bill from the ISP after starting movie downloads and it is much higher. By the time they realize how much those downloads cost in extra ISP fees they will already be in the next month and still have another higher bill. Just like those early cell/car phone users calling everyone to say "guess where i am calling you from" and see the cost the next month.

Of course once someone has a hard drive failure with all the movies on it they will also see the value in physical discs then too.

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gwj2001us

Actually, I've been astonished at the quality of many of the Standard Def DVDs I've watched on my 52" LCD using my Blu-Ray player. So I've changed my strategy: If it's a "special" movie that means a lot to me, or if the Blu-Ray DVD has more Bonus features, then I'll pay the extra and get the Blu-Ray, but for most "ordinary" movies, the Standard Def DVD is what I'll get. All of that assumes that there is a substantial difference in price between the two versions. I always check prices online and many of the Blu-Ray DVDs that have been out at least 3 months are very reasonable in price.

HD Goofnut

Give it 6 months of this and you'll be buying everything on Blu-ray because once your eyes are spoiled there is no going back to the light side.

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