Been convinced of this ever since I watched HD-video over Apple-TV, sent to my viewing room over the internet.

Blu-ray will be a niche format, a very small niche. Like Laserdisk to VHS -- and we'll be getting 720p (available now) and 1080p (also available, but not as ubiquitous) over the web. But most people, including myself, do quite excellently with upscaled DVD - though I will confess that I really enjoy 720P/1080i on my screen.

If the studios had put out some quality classics on Blu-ray when it was launched, instead of Doom this and Underworld that, then I would have bought it right away. The new Godfather cycle, and Bladerunner, etc -- instead, they gave net-distributed HD-content a chance to get established, while they were busy with Slasher MLXCCIV.

It's just so convenient with net download. I began watching a new television series the other day - pressed a button, a minute later it was ready to watch, in 1080i, with 5-channel sound. And while the sound on a Blu-ray disk is better, if they bother to process it in high-resolution (that doesn't always happen), the sound I get from the download is more than acceptable.

We are moving towards further development of digital media (the entire concept of mp3)

Who in the world thought yet another update of the compact disc would be successful?! Look at laser disc, mini disc etc.

 
Soon enough technology will develop to a point where we can seamlessly add a device such as a hard drive (or those of us with discerning taste - a BS5/BM5) to our existing setup, and enjoy premium quality AV at the touch of a button on the remote. Video stores will no longer need to exist.

Until then i'm extremely happy with a B&o CRT with SD TV and a DVD every now and then 

*edit* snap soundproof great minds think alike 😕 

I am pretty sure like most of you that Blu-ray will be a niche market, but so is B&O, and in the eye of many potential buyers (not necessaraly represented here) it would feel that something is missing in the product range if B&O did not have a Blu-ray player.

p.

i was going to argue with you guys and prattle on aboot how wonderful blu ray is , but , i actually agree 100% with you

i've bought plenty of blu rays but after getting freesat last week ( for the hd stuff ) and having loads of various hd stuff on my mac from the net ( don't ask ;) ) i've come to the conclusion that the spinning disc is most definietly NOT the way forward , the sheer convenience of not having to search the shelves for a film when you've had a drinky etc is more than enough impetus for moi to ditch the whole disc format thingy

fast internet and solid state disks are , in a few years we'll have a credit card with enough space for 20 blu rays , plus you'll be able to record as well 

remember star trek ( the old one ) where they had those plastic cards ? and what aboot the old gaming consoles like the nec pc engine from 1987 - which had 1 megabyte ssd cards even then...

what i'd like is a bv7 with a wireless net connection and a built in terabyte hard disk  ! 

This possibility to control the Sony Bluray DVD, is that done through the settop box controller?

/C

That is the best way - though the Beo5 could be programmed to do it as well.

The Beovision 7 with Blu-ray should be with us in May. Can be retrofitted in late BV7-40s.

PhilLondon wrote:

I am pretty sure like most of you that Blu-ray will be a niche market, but so is B&O, and in the eye of many potential buyers (not necessaraly represented here) it would feel that something is missing in the product range if B&O did not have a Blu-ray player.

p.

Phil,

I know that being on the left side of the Atlantic gives me a different perspective on your issue, especially since we never got the HDR-1 or HDR-2...so I'll just base my conclusion on our shot-lived experience with the DVD-1.

Considering the ease with which the PUC takes control of 3rd party boxes of all sorts, thereby providing B&O customers with the same level of 'integration', I can only say "No!  B&O, stay away from building external sources!  Bad B&O!  Bad!!  Sit.  Stay!"  

Over here the DVD-1 was a disaster, despite the perfect integration.  By the time it shipped most dealers here were happily showing (and selling) Panasonic RP-91's with amazing pictures on US-Avants with full control.  Other players worked as well.  The DVD-1 was a 'Me Too!" product meant for a B&O fetishist, which simply isn't enough people, and it had no inherent advantage beyond the matching paint.  Which one never saw, as all of the boxes were stashed away out-of-sight.

If B&O continues to focus on VisionClear®, sound competence, and the PUC, then I don't think they'll ever need another video source of their own.

With the picture my old Avant gives me from iTunes at 480p, and the image that a BV-7, -4, or -9 can give with the 720p material, I am compelled to agree with others here...let B&O 'leap-frog' Blu-Ray and focus on command and control.  With the retreat of DRM, B&O have an opportunity to put their stamp on the User Interface, and move from there.

Russ

Just took delivery of the Beovision 7-40 with Blu-Ray...can't wait to try out all these movies from Woolies!

Blu-Ray just took a serious hit today with the announcement by Apple that HD movies are now available for download purchase -- not just rentals anymore.

Esh wrote:

Just took delivery of the Beovision 7-40 with Blu-Ray...can't wait to try out all these movies from Woolies!

How is the Blu-Ray working?  Does this mean the Blu-Ray upgrade for BV7 is now available in the US?