The transition from DVD to Blu-ray has started and a 100 video rental and sell-through titles have been released in this country.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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. <\/p>\n
“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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
A wide selection of high-definition Blu-ray software, namely games, movies and music, will also be available this Christmas. <\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
“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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n