Originally posted by: Zion
Risky? Hardly. First of all, the only new format it can be released on is Blu-Ray because both Lucas and Fox have pledged their support of that format. Second, something as mega-popular as Star Wars could only HELP a format like Blu-ray become more popular. People aren't going to buy one machine over the other because they like a certain player better than the other. They're going to buy whicever one has more attractive media or simply more titles in general.
Now, if they release the box set ONLY on Blu-ray and not DVD, that would seriously impact the amount of sales and most likely wouldn't be worth it. Not to metion the fact that single-disc releases on Blu-ray hover around $30. A box set would probably be close to $150. From a marketing standpoint, it would be wise for them to release it on both Blu-ray and DVD to maximize sales while at the same time helping the success of Blu-ray and catering to videophiles.
Risky? Hardly. First of all, the only new format it can be released on is Blu-Ray because both Lucas and Fox have pledged their support of that format. Second, something as mega-popular as Star Wars could only HELP a format like Blu-ray become more popular. People aren't going to buy one machine over the other because they like a certain player better than the other. They're going to buy whicever one has more attractive media or simply more titles in general.
Now, if they release the box set ONLY on Blu-ray and not DVD, that would seriously impact the amount of sales and most likely wouldn't be worth it. Not to metion the fact that single-disc releases on Blu-ray hover around $30. A box set would probably be close to $150. From a marketing standpoint, it would be wise for them to release it on both Blu-ray and DVD to maximize sales while at the same time helping the success of Blu-ray and catering to videophiles.
Take it from someone who works in the upper-middle end of the custom HT business...either format is up in the air at the moment and precious few people are going to shell out close to a grand just to be able watch SW in HD when for many of them dvd quality is already good enough. Do you know how many of my clients think the standard dvd format is already HD? PLENTY.
Then there are those who are aware of HD formats, but are confused by the whole HD vs. Bluray nonsense. These folks ALL refer to the technology generically as "HD DVD". They make no distinction between the two an coudn't tell the difference between them, and neither could anyone else. The techno babble of one versus the other doesn't mean a damn thing to them. All they care about is..."does it look good?"
And then you have the more techie folks who are almost all taking the "wait and see" position, as am I. People are getting tired of being ripped off. What we already have available in good quality standard dvd players with good cables and displays is good enough to satisfy most folks out there. They're more savvy consumers. They don't want to invest in something with a 50% chance of being obsolete in a year or two.
If the players are selling for $200.00 when this alleged box set is released, then it might move some players as well. But if prices are still hovering in the $1000.00 range, don't expect to see the players start fyling off the shelves.
It is a risk to back any new technology. Hell, a year from now Bluray could be on it last legs. You can't predict what technology is going to do a year from now. Unless every title is released in both formats, one will kill the other. Nobody wants to spend money on technology that they can't watch ALL of their favorite movies on. That's just plain stupid.
Like I said, though...wait and see.