Blu-ray versus DVD
The transition from DVD to Blu-ray has started and a 100 video rental and sell-through titles have been released in this country.
When South Africa made the shift from video tapes to DVDs it was a relatively smooth process, with the number of DVDs available increasing as more people bought DVD players.
With the move to the Blu-ray HD format just beginning, Nelmari Claassens, marketing manager for Sony Pictures Home Entertainment at Ster-Kinekor, said that a similar, well thought out process was being followed.
Owners of DVD collections should hang on to them, she said, because Blu-ray players, whether dedicated players or PS3s used for gaming and Blu-ray playback, could handle the old DVD format as well.
“When DVDs are played on the new systems people will immediately see an improvement in quality: not true high definition, but better than standard definition, ” Claassens said.
Given the present economic conditions many people are finding their pockets taking strain and the idea is that a lot of folk will be staying at home this Christmas because they cannot afford their usual holiday.
As a result, the catch phrase “experience a high-definition Christmas” has been born with a view to making HD more affordable, despite the rand exchange rate. “Ten thousand rand will buy you a 40-inch HD screen,” Claassens said.
A wide selection of high-definition Blu-ray software, namely games, movies and music, will also be available this Christmas.
When Blu-ray was launched to the trade in March last year with the first 15 titles, video stores proved very hesitant and take-up was slow. Blu-ray disks are more expensive for the video stores to buy and for people to rent. In addition, there was still some debate between which format, Blu-ray or HD DVD, would dominate the market and stores did not want to be left with obsolete titles on their shelves.
Towards the end of last year video rental stores and more retailers started showing interest. By that time the format war was all over and Blu-ray became the generally accepted format.
Ster-Kinekor also made the decision to change its release format to make it more appealing to people. “When a DVD is available for rent in the new launch cycle, the Blu-ray version is made available at the same time if it is going to be released (in that format) ,” Claassens said.
Where Blu-ray would be available, store posters also began to promote Blu-ray along with the DVD format. The PS3 gaming console, with its ability to play Blu-ray, added further momentum to the format.
“Suddenly, one or two video stores in affluent locations started exploring the Blu-ray option. For example, one of the stores was completely refitted with Blu-ray equipment so that customers could see the difference. Seeing is believing and the interest began to escalate,” Claassens said.
Thus far, she said, there was significant interest from the major franchise video groups. While it is early days in the Blu-ray transition, stores stocking the HD format are seeing take-up from their customers and as more people opt for HD, so the number of rentals is increasing.
On the retail side, a number of specialist stores have installed dedicated Blu-ray walls in their stores and equipped stores with HD screens and PS3 consoles.
At R299.95 prices are higher for Blu-ray compared to new DVD releases, which tend to be in the R150 range. However, after a title has been out in the market for six months, the price drops to R249.95. “Blu-ray is twice the price but you get six times better quality,” Claassens said.
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