HD-DVD and Blu-Ray Disappointing So Far

Dster76 writes "Reuters is reporting that the new format wars are showing signs of underwhelming performance, both technically and financially. In fact, according to the article, the new formats are just not selling. Reuters chalks it up to a current lack of interest. They indicate that as more movies and players become available this autumn, sales should improve. Just the same, the current picture is quite sour." From the article: "'Neither format is selling well or at the level I had expected. I had expected early adopters to step up and other retailers have had the same experience,' said Bjorn Dybdahl, president of San Antonio, Texas-based specialty store Bjorn's. 'High expectations were set. At every meeting with Sony, every demonstration was spectacular,' Dybdahl said. 'Then along comes the first Blu-ray player from Samsung and that's when my expectations were hurt. When we put the disc in, all the sales people looked around and said it doesn't look much better than a standard DVD,' he said."

Comments

still confusing

[johnnyringo]

It's still too confusing to decide which format will be supported by the most releases, what tvs/monitors display the content best, and where to find current content... how many movies are out now anyway? 3? I am still miffed they are confusing consumers with 480, 720 and 1080 both "i" and "p." let alone tv resolutions vary in between each and up and down scale. I wish I was getting off-topic, but it is all so closely related it's frustrating. ug!

I wonder how this is going to effect the PS3 as well. It's all a bit nutty.

I guess it's back to watching Anchorman in regular-def dvd for the weekend.

"Mr, burgundy, you have a massive erection"
"It's the pleats."

Hmmm. 1% better, heavy DRM and too $$$$

[Maxo-Texas]

I can't imagine why folks are not rushing to this.

DVD's look great on screens up to 55".
DVD's can be backed up and are very cheap.
DVD players are dirt cheap.

HD/Blu ray are
1) expensive
2) heavily drm'd
3) havn't chosen the best movies to start with.
4) Not that much better on the screens joe average can buy.
5) DO NOT EVEN WORK CORRECTLY on HD MONITORS if they are more than about 7 months old (downsample if the player doesn't detect a secure connection to the monitor)

I can't imagine why consumers are not flocking to these--

Re:Good for screen cappers...maybe

[sfeinstein]

Sit tight, the MPAA agents are on their way. They are your friends. Let them in when they ask politely.

Fill the blanks

[kirun]

Dear [electronics manufacturer],

Wonder why [new format with uncertain future] isn't selling?

Remember [format that flopped]? We do.

Signed, the buying public.

History will repeat itself?

[Etnie]

Porn will lead the way!

Re:maybe, a scan line too far

[delete]

I was an early adopter of DVD (got mine in '99 as I recall)

Beware, you should now expect a flurry of posts from Slashdot'ers who feel it necessary to inform you that they owned a DVD player several centuries before you.

Re:maybe, a scan line too far

[Omestes]

LaserDisc?