With HD-DVDs loss, it’s now DVD vs. Blu-Ray as VHS to DVD was
By Jonathan Schlaffer
Now that Blu-Ray has won the format war against HD-DVD, it’s main competitor will be DVD itself. DVDs came into our lives around 1997 making them “old” in the technology world. Before DVDs, there were VHS tapes but the conversion didn’t take place overnight. It’s going to be similar when it comes from moving to Blu-Ray from DVD.
When DVDs hit store shelves in the last couple years of the 20th century, VHS tapes did not disappear overnight. There was a gradual shift away from the aging analog tapes to the new awesome (high-def for the time) digital format.
Even if they are 11 years old, DVDs still look very nice when viewed on an HDTV. Blu-Ray is definitely better when viewed side-by-side with a DVD but unless they are, you’re not likely to say, “man, these DVDs sure look like crap.”
DVDs will gradually be phased and will be replaced by Blu-Ray. The good news is that you won’t have to re-purchase all your old DVDs, any Blu-Ray player will be more than happy to upconvert any DVD and play it back for you.
Right now Blu-Ray players and movies are quite expensive when compared with the DVD-only counterparts. New Blu-Ray releases can cost almost $25 with the DVD costing $12 to $14.
Standalone Blu-Ray players run between $500 and $800. HD-DVD players are still available for the dirt cheap price(s) of $100 to $140 for the low end and slightly more for a higher-end player.
Blu-Ray players are running about the same price of DVD players when they were first available so we’re not too far off the mark here. However, the PS3 is a future proof Blu-Ray player and gaming console so for now, if you are determined to go Blu-Ray, just buy a PS3 for $400, a bargain when compared with standalone players.
As for your HD-DVD collection, we have some thoughts on that.
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February 20th, 2008
It’s going to harder this time around because not everyone has a HD Tv and Blue-ray player. Both are more expensive when the first dvd player came out. But this could be because inflation but who knows prices may drop dramatically in the next few years.
February 20th, 2008
Now come blu-ray vs. dvd. Dvd will go the way of hd-dvd.
February 20th, 2008
Blu-ray players really aren’t any more expensive than DVD players were at this stage in their lifespan. However, you are correct in saying that it will take longer for Blu-ray to dominate the market because it will take awhile for everyone to get around to buying a HDTV. But it is a happening, and it is happening at a pretty rapid pace. Downloads won’t be a serious contender for quite some time.
February 21st, 2008
blu-ray could barely beat hd-dvd. how in the world could you expect it to dominate dvd when you can watch dvds on an upconverting player that look like hd. it’s not like it was with dvd vs. vhs when there was a huge difference in quality. blu-ray will struggle around for a year or two and by then something really better or cheaper will come along that will actually make people want to jump on the bandwagon. blu-ray doesn’t have that appeal.
February 22nd, 2008
So all I want to know is what do I buy now? Just purchased a new Sony Bravia and they added in at a great price a hd dvd player. I haven’t opened it and wonder if I should just return it and use my old dvd player till this mess gets figured out?