DVD Industry Insider Report - January 25

[Audioholics]

<FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size=2>If you read the press it is obvious that CD is long dead, DVD is rapidly dying and the consumer <EM>can't wait</EM> for Blue-ray technology to arrive. Unfortunately, no one has convinced <STRONG>the people who buy the stuff</STRONG> that they want to change or that they are even as far along as writers lead us to believe. </FONT>
<P><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size=2>While the HD and BD camps loudly exclaim the technology is here and their approach has won, industry analysts (usually very optimistic) estimate that Blue technology won't have much of an impact in the next four years. In fact, for the next eight years DVD burners and recorders will remain the product most people buy. According to IDC they estimate that Blue burners won't even be 10% of DVD burner sales by 2012. </FONT></P>
<P><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size=2>[Read the Report]</FONT></P>

 

[Rob Babcock]

I especially chuckle when I read the segment on the increase in blank CD-R sales. For a 'dead' format, CD is still selling pretty robustly. I use almost all DVD at the moment, but I've still got many spindles of CD-Rs, including over 400 inkjet printable discs from Mitsui & ProDisc. I also agree with your take on those printable discs; I haven't bought a non-printable one since I bought my Epson R-300 last year.

The one area I'm a little bit skeptical on is the projections that go out to 2012. C;mon! Imagine those projections make in 1989 (about 12 years before DVD was recognized as the most successful CE device ever made)- they probably would've had rosy stats for VHS sales thru 2001. The success of DVD even blindsided its backers. It's dangerous to forecast tech trends that far out.

 

[HookedOnSound]

don't skimp if you plan on archiving....

I conquer with the statements made in the article about the differences in quality between CDs. I have had misfortunes in using various CD-Rs to record data only to become completely useless after having the slightess scratches (which will occur over time).

At work, we use good CDs internally within our IT dept. and we use 'cheapies' when we distribute data to users on occasion, essentially 'disposable' media.

At home as well I use good quality CDs, my wife takes pics of our young daughter and let me tell ya those pics mean alot to her! It's a small investment for those precious memories!

There is a need for Blue-Ray and HD DVD for alot of ppl and certain types of application (especially archiving 'cause there ain't no such thing as too much storage) but there is too much hype on its necessity for adoptation. I myself am sick and tired of the 'format wars' which is only lending fuel to further fragmentation in compatibility with higher costs and user frustration/confusion which in the end hurts everyone. Afterall, 'media' is meant to be shared right?

 

[Audioholics]

I like to make weekly backups and 4.5GB on DVD is hardly enough room. I can't wait for Bluray or HD DVD to hit PCs... and become affordable.

 

[corey]

Hi Def DVD

I can't believe you're talking about burners, when all I want is software that is compatable with my display. It's outrageous that there's still so little Hi Def programming available. I watched the Super Bowl in Hi Def 2 years ago, but can't this year. I, for one, will not continue to spend money on low res DVD's.

 

[Tex-amp]

I agree with corey that those with hi-def display will want hi-def DVDs to get the most out of them. I wonder if gamers and which console has the hot games will decide this format war instead of the porn industry.

I've had a computer with a CD burner for a couple of years now. I tried to figure out to burn a disc last week for the first time and gave up after about an hour.

 

[BMXTRIX]

You almost can't buy non-HD display devices anymore. Yet, broadcasters think that HD demand doesn't exist - the stupid fools.

When HD discs hit the market, I think that there will be an incredible demand for them and format war or not, manufacturers are going to make broadcasters realize that they are WAY behind the curve as to where people want technology to be.