We're not really claiming anything.
You'll have to excuse me, but this site very much has taken a negative stance on HD video formats from the getgo:
http://www.audioholics.com/news/editorials/10-more-reasons-hd-dvd-failed
http://www.audioholics.com/news/editorials/but-i-already-have-a-dvd-player/
http://www.audioholics.com/news/editorials/10-reasons-why-high-definition-dvd-formats-have-already-failed/
Without any chance to get footing underneath the formats and move them forward beyond the early adopters, this site has taken a 'they've failed' stance.
Mostly due to comparisons of SACD and DVD-A which is a horrendous analogy.
The market is currently very niche and other technologies are fast approaching. There are hundreds of other websites that are all over BD (and formerly also HD DVD) as if it was already the replacement of DVD.
Yes, and the formats are certainly being marketed right alongside DVD at the moment, but clearly haven't hit an adoption or price point to realistically become a 'replacement' format, that's for sure. Nevertheless, niche status seems to indicate a lack of growth or very limited growth, as opposed to early status, or being in a pattern of growth.
It's not being marketed that way by the studios or manufacturers who get the majority of their money from SD players. Since the industry admits it's niche, why should we drink the same kool aid everyone else is?
The market indicates it as a growing format with growing status and more and more CE support. This is not an industry admiting it to be niche, but an industry pushing forward with a new technology on a long term marketing campaign to replace the old.
Audioholics has taken a stance of 'niche... at best.... probably a failure'
Why... Let's follow to the continued (very poor) comparison:
The same thing you are saying was handed to us during the SACD/DVD-Audio debacle and we were the only site claiming that these formats had serious issues (one of which was poor marketing and industry adoption). Because of these issues (not us) the formats really stalled and eventually fell into obscurity.
SACD and DVD-A were being marketed to people that didn't, and still don't own high end surround gear. This site may cater to that crowd, but the J6P crowd just wants to kick back with their HDTV, enjoy watching HD cable, and listen to the stereo sound from the built in speakers with a one cable connection.
This is not at all what SACD or DVD-A delivered - it was a market very much divided, and not at all easy to setup or access to the average consumer. It wasn't portable, and offerred little - or no - ability for the portable crowd.
In contrast, all I said above was about the average consumer buying HDTV, wanting HDTV, paying for HDTV, and enjoying HDTV. DVD <> HDTV, and I am in full agreement that this is a HUGE hurdle for HDM to overcome, but it isn't in the same realm as DVD-A or SACD, because consumers are getting bigger and better HDTVs, not smaller and more portable ones.
It also isn't even a split - not even close - on support. Pioneer, Sony, Panasonic, Denon, Sharp, Philips, Samsung - vs. - Toshiba WB, Sony, Disney, Fox - vs. - Paramount, Universal.
So, there is definitely some things to work out and it definitely is a struggle, but I would think that any site would get on board with continual support of HD formats and not the random naysayings that consistently occur. The price difference may not justify it right now, but right now it is still very early in the game. In one or two years, pricing may be in a completely different department for both movies and players. Then the site will happily embrace it? I don't think that makes sense.
There's no reason for AH to embrace the formats, but there's far less reason to continually poo-poo them like they don't offer marked improvement in both video and audio quality over HD DVD. Especially with certain films.
We were right then, and we're trying to be cautious (but humble) now.
Cautious wouldn't be calling the formats 'failed' already, but would be encouraging people to buy in, if their budget allows for it (either format - I don't care).
If you want "ra-ra Blu-ray" there are tons of other sites that will tell you what you want to hear. We're giving you our honest observation/opinion of the state of things. And we'll be the first to admit we were wrong if the tide turns and studios and manufacturers start marketing BD as a replacement to DVD. After all, the players are backwards compatible, why not market it this way?
We don't need a Blu-ray.com attitude - people should hear the truth. Yet, to pretend that these formats aren't both still very new and have a long way to go and the first step is to have a single format to take on DVD as next generation would be a lie. Pretending that they don't have a chance against DVD is also a lie. Calling a growing product line a 'niche' product - is very much a lie as well... But I feel this is perpetuated by the site, not all the users here.
I think there are people here who have both formats and swear by the quality of them, regardless of format (BD or HD) yet, they still recognize the potential of format failure... yet they have no doubt of improvement in quality they are getting.
What level of quality improvement?
Here are links to the two original photos:
http://www.avintegrated.com/images/bluraydisc/bluray_knights.jpg
http://www.avintegrated.com/images/bluraydisc/dvd_knights.jpg
FYI: I am going to retake these photos using my A2 for upconversion via HDMI. The photos shown were regular 480p DVD via component and 1080i HD via component to a Pioneer 6070 display.