Movie Downloads vs Blu-Ray

Blu-ray is cool, don't get me wrong. The picture is awesome and the menu features are much more interactive. With the PS3 sporting a Blu-ray player, there?s no doubt in anyone?s mind that this clinched the win over the battle HD-DVD vs Blu-ray.

However, many people are now beginning to ask the question "so what??

Much of this has to do with the fact that Blu-ray is not an entirely new technology. Sure, it?s an improvement on the DVD, but it?s not a brand new thing. Many people want to wait to upgrade their systems until there?s something totally new (and 100% accepted) on the market. DVDs still outnumber Blu-rays in stores and some shops do not sell Blu-ray at all!

So what does this mean? Has Blu-ray already had its moment in the sun? Will it be phased out to make room for the ?next? technology? It?s hard to say. But when the majority of Blu-ray sales are to those with a PS3, (or at least a very significant portion of them) you know there?s a problem. When a stand alone player can?t sell on its own, there?s a definite issue at hand.

Blu-ray also has a unique disadvantage. It?s the first new video technology that has to compete with an actually thriving movie downloads business. When you factor in iTunes sales and Netflix rentals, there?s a greater emphasis on renting than ever before. In short, people are sidestepping the whole ?what player to buy? decision altogether by renting movies or downloading them onto their computers.

Standard DVDs look great. There?s no doubt about it. And sure Blu-ray looks better, but only if you have an HDTV. Otherwise, standard and Blu-ray are playing on the same playing field.

One of the main reasons many people aren?t buying in to Blu-Ray is the high cost of Blu-ray players and the pricey blu-ray discs. Also, many blu-ray players are very slow to start playing blu-ray discs. The current technology seems glitchy, unpolished and very pricey.

As much as I love Blu-ray, it has a rocky road ahead. With high costs, increased rentals and downloads, and a public without the equipment to appreciate its superior quality, Blu-ray may very well be doomed.

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