No matter what you’ve heard, don’t buy Blu-ray… Yet.
I’ve got a HD-DVD player and a handful of movies for it. I didn’t want to take sides but I got it refurbished (i.e. cheap) so who was I to argue. However, recent reports makes it look like Blu-ray may just win this format war. But don’t let that cause you to run out and get a Blu-ray player just yet. Why not? Well, they’re not forward compatible!
So here’s how it’s going to work: current players are Profile 1.0, and can play future hi-def discs but no bonus stuff. Profile 1.1 discs will include additional bonus material that won’t play on 1.0 players—these discs will have a "Bonus View" sticker. Come October, Profile 2 capability will come to the market, which includes Internet activity, but only on Profile 2.0 players—these discs will have a "BD Live" sticker.
There is one notable exception: the Playstation 3. So, if you’re going to get one of those, you won’t have the above-described problem. If you want a stand-alone Blu-ray player, don’t even think of getting one before Christmas.
Michael Sauers is the Director of Logan Library in Logan, UT. Prior to this he was one of the founding staff and Technology Manager for Do Space in Omaha, NE. After earning his MLS in 1995 from the University at Albany's School of Information Science and Policy Michael spent his first 20 years as a librarian training other librarians in technology along with time as a public library trustee, a bookstore manager for a library friends group, a reference librarian, a technology consultant, and a bookseller. He has written dozens of articles for various journals and magazines and has published 14 books ranging from library technology, blogging, Web design, and an index to a popular horror magazine. In his spare time, he blogs at TravelinLibrarian.info, runs The Collector's Guide to Dean Koontz website at CollectingKoontz.com, takes many, many photos, and typically reads more than 100 books a year.
Unless otherwise stated, all opinions are my own and are not to be considered those of the City of Logan, UT.
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One Reply to “No matter what you’ve heard, don’t buy Blu-ray… Yet.”
At $400, the PS3 still seems like the best Blue Ray option, esp. if you think you might use it to play games.
I’m sitting this one out till next year, at least. I don’t feel the need to be an early adopter.
At $400, the PS3 still seems like the best Blue Ray option, esp. if you think you might use it to play games.
I’m sitting this one out till next year, at least. I don’t feel the need to be an early adopter.