Why are Blu-Ray discs so expensive?

[iluvalex]

OK, I've been kinda following the war of HD here, but only with mild interest. The first reason, I really didn't want to change media... again. I've done that way to many times in my lifetime

Secondly, I guess my purchasing habit of regular DVD's, anything over $15 is just not going to happen. I already know I have to hit it the first week it comes out or wait with patience until prices drop or get used.

But the price of Blu-Ray's are very prohibitive. I just cannot ever see putting out typically $25-$30 for a disc. Cost over benefits... just not there.

So I ask, why is Blu-Ray still high priced? It's been around for awhile. Can we expect it drop in price... Stay constant or even increase in price?

OK, I'll show my age here. I remember when VHS and Beta first started up. A lot of movies were around $100 a pop. As time went on and economics balanced things out, studio's realized a much lower price point brought in far more quantity. Maybe I'm just expecting that to repeat itself. I still thing average joe blow is balking at $30 discs. I could be wrong.

[Pirate]

Moving to HD Software. You'll probably get more answers there.

[Moonraker]

Well when I started collecting DVD the prices were from $39.99 - $34.99 - $24.98

At the current rate, I wouldn't call Blu-Ray expensive, I would call DVD cheap. They will drop as they become more mainstream.

[ganthc]

You can pick up cheap deals ($12-15 per disc) if you wait for the Amazon bogo or B2G1 free deals. Otherwise, considering how much I would pay at the theaters to go see that movie, blu-ray offers better value.

[Pirate]

Blind buying is totally out of control on this forum, though. There will be a meeting in the old Sanderson bakery on the corner of Lumley and Fairfax this Saturday at 7pm. Refreshments will be made available.

[ganthc]

Originally Posted by Pirate

Blind buying is totally out of control on this forum, though. There will be a meeting in the old Sanderson bakery on the corner of Lumley and Fairfax this Saturday at 7pm. Refreshments will be made available.

I throw myself at the mercy of the court, I says!!

[Taxi]

Originally Posted by Pirate

Blind buying is totally out of control on this forum, though. There will be a meeting in the old Sanderson bakery on the corner of Lumley and Fairfax this Saturday at 7pm. Refreshments will be made available.

Ouch!

(Hey, I only bought two, and I mostly liked both of them. )

[Pirate]

There's a lot of red in this thread. Un-watched HD DVD/BD List?

[ganthc]

Originally Posted by Pirate

There's a lot of red in this thread. Un-watched HD DVD/BD List?

It looks like your waving the bird at me.

[Pirate]

Not at you . . .

[Mikado]

Originally Posted by ganthc

You can pick up cheap deals ($12-15 per disc) if you wait for the Amazon bogo or B2G1 free deals. Otherwise, considering how much I would pay at the theaters to go see that movie, blu-ray offers better value.

Exactly. Target has a BOGO right now on certain blu-rays. Their blu-ray's are high but they come out to $15 a piece.

[RaceTripper]

I agree with the OP.

BD is way overpriced. I'm not interested in the Amazon et al. BOGO rehash of crappy older movies I can get on DVD for $5-10, or that I already have on DVD. It's the new releases I'm interested in, and they are $25-35 week of release. So while BD may have won the war, it doesn't mean anything if I don't part with my money for software.

[ganthc]

Originally Posted by RaceTripper

I agree with the OP.

BD is way overpriced. I'm not interested in the Amazon et al. BOGO rehash of crappy older movies I can get on DVD for $5-10, or that I already have on DVD. It's the new releases I'm interested in, and they are $25-35 week of release. So while BD may have won the war, it doesn't mean anything if I don't part with my money for software.

And what are those new releases costing you retail on dvd? (from Best Buy versus from Amazon)

No Country for Old Men - DVD $19.99
No Country for Old Men - BD $23.95

Dan in Real Life - DVD $19.99
Dan in Real Life - BD $23.95

I am Legend - DVD $15.99
I am Legend - BD $18.99

30 Days of Night - DVD $19.99
30 Days of Night - BD $26.95

I don't think that the prices are that monstrously overpriced. DVD prices on TV shows and new releases are usually pretty high to try and capture on demand. They tend to fall down later on in the following months. For BD's, new release also tend to be on the high side on Amazon. But if you wait long enough, most of those great releases end up in bogo sales or in b2g1 offers. Since the dvd's tend to run $20 bucks on opening week, I don't see why the extra $5-10 for great PQ and AQ is not valid.

Now if you don't have the HT to support the upgrade, then yes, it might seem too high, but if you have the setup, why keep collecting more of the weaker presentation of the movie?

[GaLvAtRoN187]

the way i look at it you pay a price for premium product.

[RaceTripper]

Originally Posted by ganthc

And what are those new releases costing you retail on dvd? (from Best Buy versus from Amazon)

No Country for Old Men - DVD $19.99
No Country for Old Men - BD $23.95

Dan in Real Life - DVD $19.99
Dan in Real Life - BD $23.95

I am Legend - DVD $15.99
I am Legend - BD $18.99

30 Days of Night - DVD $19.99
30 Days of Night - BD $26.95

I don't think that the prices are that monstrously overpriced. DVD prices on TV shows and new releases are usually pretty high to try and capture on demand. They tend to fall down later on in the following months. For BD's, new release also tend to be on the high side on Amazon. But if you wait long enough, most of those great releases end up in bogo sales or in b2g1 offers. Since the dvd's tend to run $20 bucks on opening week, I don't see why the extra $5-10 for great PQ and AQ is not valid.

Now if you don't have the HT to support the upgrade, then yes, it might seem too high, but if you have the setup, why keep collecting more of the weaker presentation of the movie?

I want to run to BB after work and pick up a BD movie for $15-17 the week of release. That's what I'm used to doing with DVD. But those BDs are $25-30. Sure you can list some select DVDs on the high side and the BDs on the low side to make it look like they are close, but they really aren't across the board. Amazon charging $18.99 for a new BD elease is unusual, at least for the titles I've wanted. If I go to CC or BB for a DVD the week it's released it is not $19.99, but several dollars less. What I typically see -- in general -- is $15-17 for the DVD and $25-30 for the BD. When I can get a new release BD for around $15-17 then I'll open my wallet. The B1G1 deals won't be interesting to me until the catalog gets larger with new titles I don't already have.

I really don't want to spend more than $20 for a BD title. That it is better PQ than DVD is irrelevant to me.

[Monrozombi]

When i started collecting dvds back in 1999 most were priced 24.99-29.99. It seems then that prices went down, esp for new releases and multi-disc sets. It seems now that SDdvds, at least for multi-disc releases have risen in price again. The 2-disc special editions on SD, the week of release are sometimes 23.95 or more. For that price I'll just buy the BD version of a film and get the better PQ & audio quality.

Hell I was in walmart last night and looking at their films I noticed that their prices on non-new releases (not catalouge titles) are pretty much around 19.95. I could remember when releases were regularly 5-7 less then other stores.

Once BD moves from a niche market to the mainstream forum for home video viewing and more people are buying the prices will go down.

[RaceTripper]

Originally Posted by Monrozombi

Once BD moves from a niche market to the mainstream forum for home video viewing and more people are buying the prices will go down.

I hope and expect, but don't underestimate the greed of the studios.

[Taxi]

Originally Posted by RaceTripper

I hope and expect, but don't underestimate the greed of the studios.

The market trumps greed every time. People made the same argument when VHS still outsold DVD.

The prices will come down, because the studios want to move product.

[Pirate]

I think WM had I Am Legend--a popular new release--at $18.99, so prices are already falling. And, remember, you are getting an extra 600p for your money.

[Monrozombi]

Originally Posted by Pirate

I think WM had I Am Legend--a popular new release--at $18.99, so prices are already falling. And, remember, you are getting an extra 600p for your money.

I am surprised that they have it for that price. For that I picked it up at my local WM last night, had to price match it from Walmart.com in store has it for 29.96.

[jbat31]

Originally Posted by ganthc

And what are those new releases costing you retail on dvd? (from Best Buy versus from Amazon)

No Country for Old Men - DVD $19.99
No Country for Old Men - BD $23.95

Dan in Real Life - DVD $19.99
Dan in Real Life - BD $23.95

I am Legend - DVD $15.99
I am Legend - BD $18.99

30 Days of Night - DVD $19.99
30 Days of Night - BD $26.95

I don't think that the prices are that monstrously overpriced. DVD prices on TV shows and new releases are usually pretty high to try and capture on demand. They tend to fall down later on in the following months. For BD's, new release also tend to be on the high side on Amazon. But if you wait long enough, most of those great releases end up in bogo sales or in b2g1 offers. Since the dvd's tend to run $20 bucks on opening week, I don't see why the extra $5-10 for great PQ and AQ is not valid.

Now if you don't have the HT to support the upgrade, then yes, it might seem too high, but if you have the setup, why keep collecting more of the weaker presentation of the movie?

Your above prices are wrong.

the sd dvd's were cheaper on opening week than those quoted and amazon is the only place with the bd stuff that cheap

[chlngr1970]

Originally Posted by iluvalex

OK, I've been kinda following the war of HD here, but only with mild interest. The first reason, I really didn't want to change media... again. I've done that way to many times in my lifetime

Anyone who has been involved with home media collecting, has. First, VHS. Then, if you had the means, Laser Disc. Next up, DVD. And now, BD. It is a natural progression of technology. What you have to do is determine where you stand on replacing your older media. Me, I am going to have to be content with my DVD software, as there are a few things, IMHO BIG things, that I don't agree with about BRD. This isn't that bad a proposition for me since I have modest collection that I could be happy with for a long time.

Originally Posted by iluvalex

Secondly, I guess my purchasing habit of regular DVD's, anything over $15 is just not going to happen. I already know I have to hit it the first week it comes out or wait with patience until prices drop or get used.

This is also a natural progression of technology. New Tech is almost always very expensive. That was one reason I chose HD DVD over Blu Ray, and why I thought it would ultimately win out. But, since the BDA has such deep pockets, they bought themselves a victory. Once economies of scale come into play, the BRD hardware will come down. Then the software will follow.

Originally Posted by iluvalex

But the price of Blu-Ray's are very prohibitive. I just cannot ever see putting out typically $25-$30 for a disc. Cost over benefits... just not there.

So I ask, why is Blu-Ray still high priced? It's been around for awhile. Can we expect it drop in price... Stay constant or even increase in price?

See my point above. For a bit, you may see a spike in pricing as now there is no competitor to drive competitive pricing. Eventually, the BDA CEMs will start competing with each other, and again, once the economies of scale kick in, prices will fall.

Originally Posted by =iluvalex

OK, I'll show my age here. I remember when VHS and Beta first started up. A lot of movies were around $100 a pop. As time went on and economics balanced things out, studio's realized a much lower price point brought in far more quantity. Maybe I'm just expecting that to repeat itself. I still thing average joe blow is balking at $30 discs. I could be wrong.

And you would be right. The biggest reason, IMHO, that the BDA was posting the numbers they were, is because of half price discs, AKA BOGO Free. It's a lot easier to justify buying a $40 Blu Ray disc when you get another one for free

Originally Posted by Moonraker

Well when I started collecting DVD the prices were from $39.99 - $34.99 - $24.98

At the current rate, I wouldn't call Blu-Ray expensive, I would call DVD cheap. They will drop as they become more mainstream.

THis is a good point, since DVD has been around for 10+ years.

Originally Posted by ganthc

You can pick up cheap deals ($12-15 per disc) if you wait for the Amazon bogo or B2G1 free deals. Otherwise, considering how much I would pay at the theaters to go see that movie, blu-ray offers better value.

Hopefully, for you that will continue...

Originally Posted by RaceTripper

I agree with the OP.

BD is way overpriced. I'm not interested in the Amazon et al. BOGO rehash of crappy older movies I can get on DVD for $5-10, or that I already have on DVD. It's the new releases I'm interested in, and they are $25-35 week of release. So while BD may have won the war, it doesn't mean anything if I don't part with my money for software.

This is a problem that only YOU can decide to overcome. I personally have no problem with ordering my media if it will save me 40%...

Originally Posted by ganthc

And what are those new releases costing you retail on dvd? (from Best Buy versus from Amazon)

No Country for Old Men - DVD $19.99
No Country for Old Men - BD $23.95

Dan in Real Life - DVD $19.99
Dan in Real Life - BD $23.95

I am Legend - DVD $15.99
I am Legend - BD $18.99

30 Days of Night - DVD $19.99
30 Days of Night - BD $26.95

I don't think that the prices are that monstrously overpriced. DVD prices on TV shows and new releases are usually pretty high to try and capture on demand. They tend to fall down later on in the following months. For BD's, new release also tend to be on the high side on Amazon. But if you wait long enough, most of those great releases end up in bogo sales or in b2g1 offers. Since the dvd's tend to run $20 bucks on opening week, I don't see why the extra $5-10 for great PQ and AQ is not valid.

Now if you don't have the HT to support the upgrade, then yes, it might seem too high, but if you have the setup, why keep collecting more of the weaker presentation of the movie?

This is another good point.

Originally Posted by GaLvAtRoN187

the way i look at it you pay a price for premium product.

And once that premium becomes the standard, you will find that prices will be more in line with the standard of about 6 years ago. Ten years from now, we will be having this same discusson about the next format...

j

[ganthc]

I think downloads could potentially be less money because of lower production costs.

And yeah, I think that the BDA knows that if they want blu-ray to be more than just a laserdisc format, they will continue to put out high standards, and offer more features. And also the prices will be lower. Although they are technically in a group, all the CEs will be wanting to create the most popular bd player. Some of that popularity will come from pricing. If Toshiba had decided it wanted to do bd players, it could have driven the prices even lower.

As it stands, the prices fell massively because of the war. Now that the war is over, prices may not fall as dramatically...but fall they will. As supplies for the blue lasers, and for the lenses and other parts become cheaper and cheaper, so will the players. While China has been prevented from making bd players at this point, because of a piracy fears, they could still manufacter the parts and sell those. I'm guessing they could be quite the supplier for all the CEs needing to bring down costs.

The media will also come down because of the economies of scale you mentioned. I'd say that in another year, there will be downward pressures on selling bd discs at $30 a piece...mainly from their main competitor now, DVD.

[Ruined]

Prices on BD players cannot fall to mass market levels rapidly because there are not nearly enough BD software lines to handle mass market capacities.

[SilentBob]

I shall agree with the OP pn the subject but i say its to be expected. The Canadian dollar is at or even above the US dollar and yet most Blu-ray movies are still costing me an extra $10-$20+ over the US prices. Thank god for Amazon.com Sure i miss not going out on release day to get the movie but when you can save a shitload of money from ordering from the states its worth the wait. So because of that i actully think in general that the prices are (for this early in the game) pretty good . . .stateside. I would