Why HD-DVD and Blu-ray Are DOA

mikesd81 writes "Slate has up an article on why both new DVD formats are effectively dead on arrival. Article author Sean Cooper cites internet movie and cable on demand services, the price of new hardware, and the inexpensive cost of newer hard drives as the reasons behind his argument. The article goes on to say buying movies online isn't there yet. Titles in standard-def are few, in hi-def fewer still. With five times the visual information of a standard-def flick, an HD download of The Matrix, were it even available, could take all day over the average broadband connection. But consumers are demanding change, and change will happen fast." From the article: "On iTunes an album costs about 10 bucks--as much as $8 less than some CD retailers charge, partially because of the reduced cost of getting music to buyers online. Look for the same savings when it comes to downloading movies. And then there's the fact that hard-disk storage capacities are pushing ever upward while size and price drop. In a few years, you'll buy every episode of The West Wing on a drive the size of a deck of cards rather than on 45 DVDs in a box the size of your microwave oven." Phil Harrison is already saying the PlayStation 4 won't use discs.

Umm

[ReidMaynard]

In a few years, you'll buy every episode of The West Wing..

Oh God...make it stop...

Micro-microwave ovens?

[HTH NE1]

"In a few years, you'll buy every episode of The West Wing on a drive the size of a deck of cards rather than on 45 DVDs in a box the size of your microwave oven."

Where can one find these microwave ovens that are only 3" x 7.5" x 11" (the dimensions of The West Wing complete series boxset)?

Re:Portability

[forrestf]

What would AOL Send us then, Read-Only Flash drives?

Re:His prediction is 5 years too early

[Anonymous Coward]

Good thing you're using the high speed light... your connection would be much worse if you used the light that's slower.

Re:His prediction is 5 years too early

[Moofie]

"I currently use high-speed light."

Every physics teacher in the universe suddenly cried out in horror...

Re:His prediction is 5 years too early

[Mister Whirly]

"In Europe and Japan and elsewhere they already have the speeds necessary for movie download. USA is sadly behind."

Hello, my name a Borat and I have one high-speed internet in my home country of Kazakhstan. It is much faster than connection in US and A. High Five! It is nice. Please don't download my movie, or I will be execute by MPAA.

Re:His prediction is 5 years too early

[Monkeyboy4]

And the English teachers smiled because he spelled the word 'lite' correctly.

A positive review of satellite internet.

[PaganRitual]

Because you asked :

The dish on my roof looks cool. I feel like a spy or a military outpost. Sure, the connection sucks, but have you ever seen the inside of a Ferrari? I bet that looks crap as well. Quid pro quo.

Re:Vongo

[double07]

I feel for you man... but I've recently signed with a couple of online movie stores once called http://thepiratebay.com/ [thepiratebay.com] and the other called http://isohunt.com./ [isohunt.com.] Both of these stores are fantastic, not only was the sign up free but I can download all of their movies for free also! Choices? often I can decide if I want the high quality DVD version or a small version they seem to call a "Rip". They also don't have any DRM and I'm free to put it on my phone or iPod if I choose. Recommended: 10/10