Forum - View topicIs DVD a dying format, should I buy my anime on BD whenever possible?
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joshuafer
 Posts: 262 |
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I was going to place a large order for some anime from rightstuf, and I could not decide whether to buy it on DVD or blu ray format. I was wondering if DVD will be phased out over the next few years, does anyone know ? I have a blu ray player, obviously DVDs are a litle cheaper, and I just am not sure which format to go with. I will wait a few days and then check back, thanks for any help guys,
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Vaisaga
 Posts: 13246 |
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All Blu ray players can play DVDs, so it'll be a good long while before you need to worry about your DVDs becoming useless. It's really a question of if you prefer saving money or having a higher video quality.
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Tony K.
 SubscriberModerator  Posts: 11509 Location: Frisco, TX |
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It really just depends on your preference in aesthetics. The jump from SD to HD can look and sound awesome, but it varies on the source material, how well it was constructed/remastered, how much of the technical qualities you actually understand or care for, and what kind of equipment you're using for all of it to make a difference.
From my experience, most newer TV shows (say, from 2008 and beyond) look pretty spiffy in HD. Others from the mid-2000s and below can vary, as a lot of them use SD digital or traditional cel animation, which in some cases can't look any better than what was made 'cause that's just the nature of its construction (or if it's a botched piece of processed crap like the new DBZ BDs). I would say the biggest differences you'll notice are in movies or OVAs since, by default, those usually have much bigger budgets, and thus, will probably be worth the difference in quality (surround sound, better film masters, and whatnot). In terms of money, I think most don't people realize that buying BDs can be just as cheap as DVDs. You just have to be patient and either wait for a sale (between November and January is what I notice are the best times) or for a re-packaged re-release of the same title with a lower SRP (like a "complete series" set that was once a "season set, part whatever"). Overall, I wouldn't say DVD is "dying" just yet, at least for anime. For live-action Hollywood movies or TV shows, yes. But for anime, probably not. The current market for HD anime in the U.S. simply isn't that big. Unless companies go back and remaster a bunch of older, more highly-regarded titles people here grew up with and continue to put out the newer stuff on BD, then I'd say you're okay with buying either, right now. Just do your homework and be patient in your purchasing habits to get the most out of your money. EDIT: Grammar goof. Last edited by Tony K. on Sat Feb 22, 2014 3:20 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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yuna49
 Posts: 3804 |
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Older series shot in 480p standard definition do not necessarily benefit from Blu-ray releases. Here, for instance, is one reviewer's comments for the Chobits Blu-ray at Amazon:
Movies are entirely different matter, of course, since 35mm film has more native "resolution" than even 1080p digitization. |
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Touma
 Posts: 2651 Location: Colorado, USA |
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Even if the DVD format is phased out the discs that you buy now will still play. As others have said you should make your decisions based on relative price and quality of the two formats. Whether or not DVD is a dying format should not be an issue. |
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P€|\||§_|\/|ast@
 Posts: 3498 Location: IN your nightmares |
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I look at the upside of the DVD format possibly being phased out. There are many titles that may never see a blu ray release and that makes the DVD version increasingly valuable. It is nice to know I have things in my collection that could fetch a pretty penny.
Also, blu rays provide a reason for an older title to be rereleased simply because some collectors refuse to buy DVDs, even though it may not be possible to get a markedly higher remaster quality than the DVD version on some titles. |
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Errinundra
Moderator
 Posts: 6611 Location: Melbourne, Oz |
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There's another issue with BDs. As part of its DRM Blu-ray players need constant firmware updates. My original PowerDVD that came with my PC stopped playing all my BDs a few months back. It was either buy a new version of PowerDVD or get around it permanently with AnyDVD HD (which also allows me to source BDs from anywhere in the world).
Also, BDs are clunky to play on a PC and I haven't yet found a satisfactorily simple way to take screenshots, something that is important to me. |
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Redbeard 101
Oscar the Grouch
Forums Superstar  Posts: 16974 |
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Personally I save my money for BR purchases for those that warrant the better visuals. Those heavy in special effects such as action, science fiction, and other titles. As mentioned older titles also may not necessarily convert to BR very well. Then there's the additional price tag. You throw those factors, and others, into the mix I think the answer to your initial question is no. DVD is not a dying format. Not yet anyways. Not as long as BR continues to grow. While different styles they are both the same format., That being physical media. As long as there's a demand for that "dvd" will continue right along with BR discs. I would say though that physical media, as in discs, are on borrowed time though. Much as vhs tapes and players were phased out I think in the near future discs will be phased out themselves. Just my opinion.
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Tony K.
Subscriber Moderator Posts: 11509 Location: Frisco, TX |
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Really? Are you one of those "streaming media" proponents, too? 'Cause I don't think the U.S. has nearly the infrastructure it needs for that kind of Internet speed and coverage. I live in one of the fastest growing cities in America and some places around here don't even have FiOS, yet. Or are you a supporter of cloud storage? Most people like to "have" things, be they discs, trinkets, clothes, or other kinds of paraphernalia that we like to spend our hard-earned money on. But unless U.S. Internet can be top-notch everywhere all the time, then I don't see physical media being phased out anytime soon. The guarantee of steady bit rates and tangible storage from physical media is too lucrative an industry as it is. |
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shamisen the great
 Posts: 658 Location: Oregon, USA |
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If I have the option, I will go with a blu-ray version; but I won't refuse to buy a show if it's only available on DVD. Like Vaisaga said, blu-ray players play DVD's also. The issue I waver on is whether to upgrade to blu-ray on things I already have on DVD. I was upgrading for a while, but now I tend to only do it if it I think it is a noticeable improvement. That said I would upgrade to a nice blu ray set of Evangelion or Utena in a heartbeat even though I already own two versions of those shows.
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Redbeard 101
Oscar the Grouch
Forums Superstar Posts: 16974 |
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Gotta say Tony I don't like the passive aggressive tone in the streaming media question. Maybe you didn't mean it that way but it sure came off that way to me. Am I one of THOSE people...real friendly. I know your love for movies, entertainment centers, and the whole experience to put it simply. As for the question itself actually no, I am not. I am a COLLECTOR. And as such I like to be able to hold the items I collect. Be it anime, figures, shot glasses, etc. To see them and physically interact with them. It's why my Nook in 2 years only has 3 dozen books on it and I still buy actual books. It's why I still buy anime sets month in and month out, That being said I think the people who like to "have" things are being replaced slowly but surely by the people who want things NOW. And digital media brings them their movies, tv, etc quicker, You can take it further with you. The rise in mobile platforms further that. Now you can hook up your computers right to your tv. No need for players of any kind honestly. That sort of technology is still in its infancy so to speak and not widely used. I think however it will continue to grow and physical media will slowly but surely be phased out. Just as traditional print is being phased out by digital media. Protoculture Addicts ring a bell? I prefer to have the actual product physically but just as mp3 have readily decreased cd sales I think digital movies/tv/etc will eventually phase out dvd's and BR discs. Granted I think it's years away but it will happen. And yes I know our internet cable/connectivity/etc infrastructure is pathetic. Compared to much of Europe and of course Japan we're little fish swimming in the deep end. Unfortunately 99% of people are ignorant to that fact and how behind we are. Despite that fact I still see digital media in all forms only gaining more ground over traditional media distribution, Call me pessimistic if you want. |
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joshuafer
Posts: 262 |
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Thanks for the replies, folks. I had totally forgotten blu ray players also play dvds, since I usually play blu rays on my ps3 and dvds on a player. Not even sure the ps3 plays dvds, to be honest, never tried it. Most of the anime I was looking at buying was pretty new, so I think I will go with blu ray for the purchase, thanks a lot guys.
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Tony K.
Subscriber Moderator Posts: 11509 Location: Frisco, TX |
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No passive aggression intended  . It's just that when most people doubt the viability of physical media, the next "big" thing was supposed to be streaming. And I'm a real skeptic about that happening anytime in the near future based on on the things I said above (poor infrastructure and the fact people like to collect stuff).
Now, if technology was so advanced and able to somehow compartmentalize media in such a way that we ended up with mega storage devices, highly efficient processors, or heaven forbid a virtual experience like the Holodeck (which a lot of people will definitely find themselves addicted to, for better or worse), then I'd say yeah, physical media will eventually run its course. Unfortunately, technology hasn't quite reached the level of Star Trek, yet, and it probably won't in our lifetime. Unless there is a World War III, you and I survive it, Dr. Cochran makes first contact with the Vulcans, and we cryogenically freeze ourselves to wake up in Pichard's era minus a guy named Simon Phoenix  .
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walw6pK4Alo
 Posts: 9322 |
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People all already dumping physical media for streaming, the problem is the low bandwidth and thus shitty results you wind up with. I don't stream though, I'll always prefer to download high bitrate video files and play them locally on my player of choice with my settings.
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Touma
Posts: 2651 Location: Colorado, USA |
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If optical discs are phased out in the near future I think that they will be replaced by another physical medium, probably some sort of solid state device. Just as VHS was replaced by DVD. But in order for that to happen the new format would need to be as much of an improvement over Blu-ray as DVD was over VHS. And even if it does happen the discs that are made before that will still exist, and as long as they do exist there will be a way to play them. You can still buy new turntables, with USB connectors, to play vinyl records. In another post you mentioned MP3's replacing CD's. That is a good point. I have not played a CD in several years. I ripped all of my good CD's and now listen to the MP3 files, and I have downloaded a lot of MP3's. But I never listen to streamed music. I use an MP3 player, which is a physical storage device. One physical medium has replaced another. Also, I still have those CD's and can play them if I want to. I can probably play them on my Blu-ray player, though I have not tried that. I definitely can play CD's on my DVD player. |
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