Has BR (Sony et al) given up on marketing?

[Iguana Man]

Maybe I haven't paid as much attention of late, but it seems I haven't seen much for nothing on the BR adds?

Have they (Sony) basically said screw it, we won? No more commercials or adds in mags/papers?

If they have scaled back, why? How in the world are we going to move forward if J6P doesn't see a lot more BR advertising/campaigns? You know, to gain the acceptance of J6P.

[Taxi]

And why in the hell do they insisit on putting those stupid "Blu-Ray is the future" trailers/ads at the beginning of Blu-Ray discs?

Hello!?! I'm watching a BRD, obviously I believe the hype? Don't put this crap on my software that I'll have to watch for eternity!!!

They're wasting money advertising to the wrong folks. (Yes, I know, it cost them nothing to put that on the disc...)

(Sorry, Iggy. Didn't mean to derail...)

[Ruined]

I've noted this in another thread, but currently there is not enough infrastructure to market Blu-ray to J6P yet. If players were to drop to $199 and be heavily advertised overnight and the consumer response was huge there would be no way in hell the pittance of BD replicators would be able to keep up with the software demand. So prices will likely be kept high and advertising scaled back until more BD software lines can be put into place. Remember a BD line is totally different than a DVD line and costs a ton of money to put in place - and even more oodles of cash if you want your line capable of BD50.

[videoworx]

Traditionally, this time of year is dead for home theatre sales. It won't pick up until the Father's Day push. Then you'll see plenty of marketing, as well as three or four shipping BD 2.0 players.

BD replication lines are a non-issue, as Panasonic and Sony have both stated they can push well over a million discs/month if need be. The whole BD replication concern was just misinformation propagated by Amir and his AVS compadres.

[ganthc]

Originally Posted by videoworx

The whole BD replication concern was just misinformation propagated by Amir and his AVS compadres.

And repeated over and over again by the hd-dvd fanboies.

I still see blu-ray marketing in magazines. You still see bd mentioned with every movie trailer..."Buy on dvd and blu-ray." Each retailer is giving bd more attention. And without a major retail event happening, like Mother's Day or Father's Day or Memorial Day, there isn't a huge push for marketing. I think you will notice more attention at that time.

[powerknowledge]

Originally Posted by Taxi

And why in the hell do they insisit on putting those stupid "Blu-Ray is the future" trailers/ads at the beginning of Blu-Ray discs?

Hello!?! I'm watching a BRD, obviously I believe the hype? Don't put this crap on my software that I'll have to watch for eternity!!!

They're wasting money advertising to the wrong folks. (Yes, I know, it cost them nothing to put that on the disc...)

(Sorry, Iggy. Didn't mean to derail...)

Not to derail further, but:

A-fucking-men. (That looks a LOT worse in print than it sounds, but you get my drift).

The only thing worse than those ads are the ones playing before DLP-projected films in my area (mostly at Carmike theatres) which proclaim the incredible quality of digital projection, in digital projection, for people already watching a digital projection. Not only are the ads clearly recorded in something marginally above standard-def (seriously, it looks like camcorder footage), but the disconnect between that footage and the testimonials of the "excited moviegoers" over the incredible quality of the images consistently has the majority of the audience snickering (and this is a north-Twin-Cities-suburb audience, mind you: not as "Fargo" as one might think, but a lot more "Fargo" than we care to think of ourselves). The best testimonial: That the difference between film and digital projection is, respectively, "like the difference between CDs and MP3s!" WHAT?!?!?!?!?!?

Ennyhoo, back to regularly scheduled programming. For the record, I'm stymied about why the marketing push hasn't increased too.

[SilentBob]

Well i haven't noticed the ads in my Maxim Magazine lately (were pushing it hard a fe wmonths ago) Although i see more and more movie releases promoting the Blu-ray release a lot more. Usually over laying the actual dvd cover on screen. Plu lately i have noticed my local Best Buy and Future Shop flyers pushing Blu-ray a lot more as well. Most of them are now offering HDTV/HT packages with a free Blu-ray player. Then you have them offering 3 movies with any purchase of a player (usually the latest Blu-ray release and 2 others) and/or a $50 Gift Card to go with it too. So yeah they might of the war but the fight for the buck from J6P/HT guys like us, continues

[Jast3r Rogu3]

Depends on where you live.

[Derb]

I see lots of ads from my WSR mags for both. But now more for BD than anything else. Lots of players ads & FOX's D-Box BS as well.

Last tv commercial I saw which mentioned "Own it on DVD & Blu-Ray Today!" was for No Country for Old Men.

Taxi,

Polygram did the same thing for their initial DVDs back in 97. I get what you mean. Sinse its 6 times the rez, the BDA feels they need 6 times the convincing. Yeah dvd had it but there is toooooo much ads on HD now. Only FOX has not pimped out the format "on disc" (I'm 99.9% sure )

[dugpa]

This is a normal retail cycle. Advertising is ramped up during the holidays, then pulled back during the start of the year. Once Q4 hits you'll see another major push like last year.

[Ruined]

Originally Posted by Ruined

I've noted this in another thread, but currently there is not enough infrastructure to market Blu-ray to J6P yet. If players were to drop to $199 and be heavily advertised overnight and the consumer response was huge there would be no way in hell the pittance of BD replicators would be able to keep up with the software demand. So prices will likely be kept high and advertising scaled back until more BD software lines can be put into place. Remember a BD line is totally different than a DVD line and costs a ton of money to put in place - and even more oodles of cash if you want your line capable of BD50.

Originally Posted by videoworx

BD replication lines are a non-issue...

The whole BD replication concern was just misinformation propagated by Amir and his AVS compadres.

No, its actually reality as evidenced by the comments of actual BD replication house PacificDisc:
AVS Forum - View Single Post - Seriously, what happens if Blu-Ray sputters in the market?

Looks like my comment was correct - and also if Amir made a similar comment that Amir was telling the truth... Someone ELSE on this board appears to be propagating misinformation

[videoworx]

Originally Posted by Ruined

No, its actually reality as evidenced by the comments of actual BD replication house PacificDisc:
AVS Forum - View Single Post - Seriously, what happens if Blu-Ray sputters in the market?

Looks like my comment was correct - and also if Amir made a similar comment that Amir was telling the truth... Someone ELSE on this board appears to be propagating misinformation

Amir said BD-50 was "science fiction", and that we'd "have cold fusion before BD-50".
It's been very widely reported that his primary purpose as a Microsoft employee, was to spread misinfomation about Blu-Ray and HD-DVD - using places like AVS as a launching pad. Google it, and you'll find plenty of evidence.

As for facts:
DV - News - Sony DADC produces 10 millionth 50GB Blu-ray Disc

"Sony DADC has produced more than 50 million Blu-ray Discs in its three plants, In addition, these three plants have a combined Blu-ray manufacturing capacity of 21 million discs per month."

That was from last October.

[Ruined]

Originally Posted by videoworx

Amir said BD-50 was "science fiction", and that we'd "have cold fusion before BD-50".
It's been very widely reported that his primary purpose as a Microsoft employee, was to spread misinfomation about Blu-Ray and HD-DVD - using places like AVS as a launching pad. Google it, and you'll find plenty of evidence.

As for facts:
DV - News - Sony DADC produces 10 millionth 50GB Blu-ray Disc

"Sony DADC has produced more than 50 million Blu-ray Discs in its three plants, In addition, these three plants have a combined Blu-ray manufacturing capacity of 21 million discs per month."

That was from last October.

None of this invalidates anything I said, or what Amir said for that matter, again an actual BD replication house has stated BD50 is still not widely available for replication yet even for the tiny BD market within the past week:
AVS Forum - View Single Post - Seriously, what happens if Blu-Ray sputters in the market?

It sounds like you are spinning more and backpedaling from your initial post (now trying to turn it into a general MS attack) instead of addressing mine.

With less than a million BD standalones in place and minimal disc sales compared to mass-market techs DVD, there is no way in hell BD50 is a feasible technology for mass market sales at this point with BD50 replication being strained with the currently miniscule market. And that was the point of my original post - they cannot make BD a mass market tech yet, as the replication is not there yet for software. Having 10+ million standalone players in the mass market, but only the software capacity demand capability for the equivalent of 1 million standalone players would be a disaster in the making. It may be more feasible 1yr from now, but currently BD50 for the mass market is a pipe dream. I believe this is also where Amir was coming from with his comments... After all compare HD30 which could be replicated in the same quantity as DVD to BD50 which even now still can't fulfill demand even for the tiny BD market nevermind the DVD market, and you have a huge difference in replication there. One was ready for mass market replication at launch, the other still isn't ready for the mass market 2 years later. Linking a Sony press release, the same company who also said Playstation 3 could "age SD content to HD like fine wine", is a very weak retort.

[videoworx]

Originally Posted by Ruined

It sounds like you are spinning more and backpedaling from your initial post (now trying to turn it into a general MS attack) instead of addressing mine.

Stop whining. I'm simply pointing out that using a single post on AVS (a proven breeding ground for misinfomation) does not help support your point, especially when both Panasonic and Sony have publicly stated they can produce millions of BD-50s per month. Your personal belief that Blu-Ray CEs lie about everything suggests that you may be the one spinning this non-issue.

Software supply will keep up with demand. There is absolutely no reason to believe otherwise.

[Derb]

BD-50 replication was an issue a few years ago but not now. I believe yields are somewhere in the 80% range now. Not that it matters much sinse most BDs are BD-25 but if need be, they can roll out millions of Planet Earth discs per month.

[chlngr1970]

So, you admit that the space issue is a non issue? More of the lies coming out. I would love to see Blu Ray fall on it's face...

j

[Ruined]

Originally Posted by videoworx

Stop whining. I'm simply pointing out that using a single post on AVS (a proven breeding ground for misinfomation) does not help support your point, especially when both Panasonic and Sony have publicly stated they can produce millions of BD-50s per month. Your personal belief that Blu-Ray CEs lie about everything suggests that you may be the one spinning this non-issue.

Oh I gotcha, comments from a source involved with the real-life BD replication of discs "doesn't support my point," while Panasonic & Sony's PR which needs to be ever-glorious regardless of the truth to publically propel the format they invested billions in supports your point.

Software supply will keep up with demand. There is absolutely no reason to believe otherwise.

Well, except the reason given by those actually involved in software replication. But we'll just forget about that tiny detail in favor of rah-rah boisterous PR, won't we.

[Ruined]

Originally Posted by chlngr1970

So, you admit that the space issue is a non issue?

Derb certainly stepped into that one, didn't he?

[videoworx]

I would love to see Blu Ray fall on it's face...

Leaving home theatre enthusiasts with what, exactly? Heavily compressed downloads? a 10 year old video format?

[Ruined]

Originally Posted by videoworx

Leaving home theatre enthusiasts with what, exactly? Heavily compressed downloads? a 10 year old video format?

HD-VMD is an option if it garners studio support. It would require quite the exodus though and is thus unlikely.

Most likely if the BD50 situation does not improve (i.e. BD50 lines don't become more economical and reliable for replication houses to implement) then we will likely just see Blu-ray used as a 25GB format for the masses.

In any scenario, HD downloads is an obvious alternative, too.

[Iguana Man]

Originally Posted by chlngr1970

So, you admit that the space issue is a non issue? More of the lies coming out. I would love to see Blu Ray fall on it's face...

j

I blame you for me finding this (and Derb, I love you man)

WEEEEEE!

[Taxi]

Topic, people...

[Iguana Man]

Sorry Dad but you started it!

Ok, so here is an article not less than a month ago:

Blu-ray revs up its marketing
Blockbuster demos, 100 new titles among Sony's plans
By Susanne Ault -- Video Business, 2/29/2008

FEB. 29 | Having knocked down HD DVD, Blu-ray Disc supporters now are positioning their advanced format as the one to beat standard DVD, cable and satellite for high quality video delivery.

New marketing efforts will immediately start cropping up at retail. HDTV/PlayStation 3 demonstration displays have been set up at about 1,000 Blockbuster stores in recent weeks. A variety of BD films will be screened at the displays, which are slated to roll out to all Blockbuster outlets in the next couple of months, studio executives said.

“We need to spend very little time congratulating ourselves on winning the format war. I think the worst thing the industry can do is rest on its laurels,” Sony Pictures Home Entertainment president David Bishop said. “Going forward, the messaging will be that Blu-ray is the best possible experience. It’s six times superior in picture quality to [standard] DVD. And it’s just the flat-out best high-def experience when compared to cable or satellite.”

Sony also is working with retail to offer discounts on Blu-ray product bundles. During the week starting Feb. 24, for instance, Best Buy shoppers could save $700 when purchasing together a 40-inch Bravia LCDTV, a 40GB PS3, professional installation services and a choice of BD and PS3 game titles. The package costs $1889.96.

Coinciding with major chains such as Wal-Mart and Best Buy publicly voicing support for BD, Bishop says that “really the next wave of this adopting will happen primarily at retail. They all will be increasing the amount of space that they dedicate to the format. You will be hard-pressed not to find a major retailer giving increased shelf space and promotion in store.”

In another marketing attack, BD backers are lining up take-it-to-the-streets events intended to get the format even closer to the consumer. Sony is discussing presenting Q&As with established directors, who can talk about their experiences with Blu-ray. The celebrity endorsements are an attempt to lure mainstream media attention.

“In order to get consumers on board on a broad level, to have directors that are well-known [approve BD] will add validation to the format,” said Bishop.

Panasonic is in the middle of outfitting the California Speedway, home to NASCAR racing, with Panasonic 40- to 50-inch high-def plasmas. At this point, Panasonic has just finished installing plasmas into all of the Speedway corporate suites. By August, Panasonic TVs will be spread throughout the entire venue. All together, there could be as many as 500 screens primed and ready to blast Blu-ray marketing in between race coverage, explained Panasonic execs showing off the new hardware to reporters.

During this year’s West Coast premiere of NASCAR racing at the Speedway Feb. 23-24, Panasonic also set up a truck inside the racetrack’s FanZone area, which showed off its TVs and BD players and featured MGM BD titles.

Sony’s Bishop said the studio will be releasing its largest selection of BD titles yet in 2008. Sony plans to street slightly more than 100 titles during the year, marking a 54% increase from its 2007 output. From launch to date, the studio has released 93 total BD titles.

Slate highlights include such upcoming theatricals as The Other Boleyn Girl with Natalie Portman, Hancock with Will Smith and Don’t Mess With the Zohan with Adam Sandler.

“In some respects, the [format war] ended a bit quicker than anticipated,” Bishop said. “I didn’t think we’d be sitting here in February and see that it was completely over. The early indications for Blu-ray are really positive. … Consumers are going to want to see these movies in a way they’ve never seen them before, and we are going to continue to feed that.”

[Derb]

Originally Posted by chlngr1970

So, you admit that the space issue is a non issue? More of the lies coming out. I would love to see Blu Ray fall on it's face...

j

Space issue???

When did the BDA ever have an issue with their space.

All of the initial batch of BDs which were BD-50 were "test discs" ("Click" for example)

Meaning the film/audio + extras (cause of so few) could fit on a single layer.

I dunno what you were refering to, but I was merely stating that Replication is a non-issue now.

Holy molasses batman!