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November 02, 2008
Blu-ray Trick Or Treat
So... got the Hancock Blu-ray, which is Sony's first to go for this differentiating idea. (Speed Racer was the first from Warner Bros and I believe that Juno was the first Blu-ray with Digital Copy from Fox, though I never got theirs to work.)
I actually feel that if “free” Digital Copies are exclusive to Blu-ray, it can help the pitch for the digital future.
Also this weekend, Amazon started running a deal for a $300 PS3 (via discount), if you buy four Warner Bros Blu-rays at the same time. And unlike some of the old deals, it’s not you picking four movies from a very limited number of titles… it’s any Amazon-sold Blu-rays from WB.
I expect Sony to do at least as well soon… if not better. Given the economy and the life of Blu-ray under no small threat, I would be chasing the $250 price point (or lower) right now… but fill it up with a demand of 5 or 6 Sony discs purchased (at a consumer cost of anywhere between $100 and $160).
Do a Bond deal, with the 6 “old” Bond Blu-rays, Casino Royale and a pre-buy of Quantum of Solace and a PS3 for 400 bucks.
Do a Sony Classics package of any 6 of the SPC Blu-rays and a PS3 for $350.
There was an argument somewhere that Blu-ray is already dead… and that is too easy and too premature. I don’t disagree that they are behind the 8-ball and they have to move a lot faster to get the hardware into more homes, as the higher price for the discs just isn’t enough to deter people. You can rent Blu-ray and for 3 or 4 dollars more than DVD, you can buy. And it is much, much better. That said, there should be a second tier price of, say, $15, for product past its prime.
But if the price point ever gets to $150 and a decent upscaling player – and the PS3 is one of the best upscaling players and updates with technology by ethernet or wi-fi – is $100, Sony should be able to make that sale. And if they can get families that buy 4 or 5 discs a month to make one of those – the real cool visual one – a Blu-ray buy, the habit will take hold.
Add to that an increasing ability to deliver actually compelling content with BD-Live, particularly with Disney going deep into it and Sony re-issuing their hot older Blu-rays with the technology on the discs, and you start to have a viable community.
But this all starts with having a machine in the house. Until then, we’re just jerking around.
(PS – I intend to check out the “unrated” edition of Hancock, which promises more, previously unseen footage… but not the earlier cut, I don’t think. But I am very, very curious.)
Posted by dpoland at November 2, 2008 02:14 PM
Comments
Thanks David for the Blu-Ray write up.
I have been using my PS3 for a while now (the best Blu-Ray machine on the market due to the wi-fi firmwares by Sony) and I have it hooked up to a great Samsung HD monitor.
Blu-Ray discs are more expensive and the catalogue is very limited, especially for older classics, but there are some great movies and miniseries to savor.
For example, this weekend I watched BROKEN TRAIL, the Showtime two-parter Western with Robert Duvall and Thomas Hayden Church - a great, moving Western and an absolutely beautiful Blu-Ray transfer - I cannot recommend this disc (and flick) highly enough.
I am looking forward to checking out PATTON and the upcoming LOST: Season 4 soon as well, not to mention THE DARK KNIGHT. Saw HANCOCK this summer and I noticed the unrated version is around 93 minutes as well - I wonder what was really left on the cutting room floor.
In any case, I love the format.
Posted by: Spacesheik ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.mcnblogs.com/thehotblog/nav-commenters.gif)
at November 2, 2008 03:17 PM
I wonder if this is a WB, Sony, or Amazon promotion. Sony is widely expected to bring up the rear, and by a good distance, in the console sales race this season. Anything that will help them shift units can't hurt. FYI, I think the PS3 comes out to $300 after the discount, which is $100, and not $200. A $200 PS3 would be awesome. Look at it another way, the 4 BDs come for free if you buy the PS3. If only they were offering this deal with the new 160 GB model coming later this month. I'd be all over that.
Posted by: Blackcloud at November 2, 2008 03:21 PM
Argh.... you are completely right, BC... that's why I shouldn't write while watching fooball. Correcting...
Posted by: David Poland at November 2, 2008 03:28 PM
I'd get a PS3 if the games were as good as the 360s. As far as BluRay, the quality is there and I'm glad it won over HD DVD. That said, it's another middling format that while a step up from laserdisc, is not even going to be a standard like a VHS or DVD. It's great for movie fans though and the pricing is finally within reach for the average consumer. I do think it's one of the last media generations before direct-delivery takes over.
Posted by: martin at November 2, 2008 03:51 PM
PS3 is going to be a considerable force this holiday season. Why? THE BARGINS! There will be a PS3 markdown at some point over the next two months. So be prepared for PS3 to continue to become the force of the video gaming industry. Why play with the Zune of consoles or a baby's toy, when you can play with the future?
Oh yeah: Black Friday is going to have a 99 dollar Blu-Ray player. So this is should help get Blu-Ray going even more this holiday season.
Posted by: IOIOIOI at November 2, 2008 04:57 PM
Spacesheik: Broken Trail aired on AMC, not Showtime.
Posted by: gradystiles at November 2, 2008 06:01 PM
Unfortunately the "free" digital copy tends to cost a few bucks extra. Or at best they come packaged only in the "special edition."
Regardless, this format is going to die if it doesn't get price parity with DVD fast. And I say that as an owner and fan.
Posted by: Eric at November 2, 2008 06:44 PM
Any word on whether any Academy screeners are in blu-ray?
Posted by: KamikazeCamelV2.0 at November 2, 2008 09:59 PM
Thanks Grady, I stand corrected.
What with MAD MEN and product such as TRAIL, AMC is really turning into a high quality cable channel - good for them.
Posted by: Spacesheik at November 3, 2008 02:17 AM
Amazon apparently has removed the PS3 from this offer. It's still valid, but you have to buy another BD player to get it.
Posted by: Blackcloud at November 9, 2008 07:37 AM
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