In the HD DVD vs. Blu-Ray format wars, fairly recently ago the HD DVD format has pulled out becoming no longer available. This leaves only the Blu-Ray standing. I have been seeing in most sources how this is a win for Blu-Ray. However, from my standpoint I disagree. While Blu-ray outlasted HD DVD, it hasn't made it into my living room. I don't expect it to either. I wanted to post the question: Do you or are you going to transfer and starting buying Blu-Ray players and DVDs? This is of course if the market continues to make standard DVDs availible. Personally, I feel this newest format is much like Laserdisc. Sure it better than what most of us are using now, but I already have a decent library of DVDs and fine player, and I could care less about a higher resolution in most cases.
The futurist part of me thinks the next step (or not too distant step) I'm willing to make is a non-dedicated media storage device. A device where the media is not solely contained to a single disc like a CD or DVD that is hard written on the physical item. Rather the next step I foresee is multi-media storage devices (much like the ipod or Zune) that you will upload and store any type of media you would want access to on a single device or network. This would virtually eliminate the need for large, space-consuming physical libraries. Of course it could have problems at very least of 'all your eggs in one basket' and you aren't really owning the movie, game, or music but simply leasing it associated with its inconvenience. However, with access to the media online, it should reduce cost as nearly nothing in made in creation of the media and it doesn't have to be shipped to retailers. I understand that really hasn't happened on itunes but it is still possible. I'm not saying I like these changes. I for one enjoy having a physical copy in my hands. I just think this may be the way of the future.
To summarize and pose the questions, Do you think Blu-Ray really won, or are they still in competition with standard DVDs? Lastly, what to do think the future holds for media storage?
The futurist part of me thinks the next step (or not too distant step) I'm willing to make is a non-dedicated media storage device. A device where the media is not solely contained to a single disc like a CD or DVD that is hard written on the physical item. Rather the next step I foresee is multi-media storage devices (much like the ipod or Zune) that you will upload and store any type of media you would want access to on a single device or network. This would virtually eliminate the need for large, space-consuming physical libraries. Of course it could have problems at very least of 'all your eggs in one basket' and you aren't really owning the movie, game, or music but simply leasing it associated with its inconvenience. However, with access to the media online, it should reduce cost as nearly nothing in made in creation of the media and it doesn't have to be shipped to retailers. I understand that really hasn't happened on itunes but it is still possible. I'm not saying I like these changes. I for one enjoy having a physical copy in my hands. I just think this may be the way of the future.
To summarize and pose the questions, Do you think Blu-Ray really won, or are they still in competition with standard DVDs? Lastly, what to do think the future holds for media storage?
