Power Ranger Empire - View Single Post - Blu-Ray vs. Downloads

**Dai Shi** · 03-30-2008, 05:34 PM

So I've been visiting some tech sites lately. One thing some people bring up is how they think that downloads will replace or beat out Blu-Ray. Personally, anyone thinking or saying that are still sore HD-DVD lost....or are utterly clueless. Here are some reasons why:

Unlike DVD and Blu-Ray, downloads usually do not have extra features. Some may not care for them. But many videophiles do. You do not get those features in a download.
Audio quality. At this point, hands down, Blu-Ray beats out downloads for audiophiles. Most downloaded movies are compressed (even HD ones) and lose quality usually in audio, video, or both in that dept.
50GB Blu-Ray vs. 50GB download. Both in high def. Blu-Ray is working on a 200GB disc. Seriously. Would you download the 'Planet Earth' series clocking in at easily over 100GB's?! Frankly, even with 1000GB's (terabit) of storage, that space would fill up very quickly. Who wants to have numerous hard drives to figure out where their movies are on? THEN to have to search for them.
The cost of Flash memory is still very expensive. Its still quite a ways off before 100GB's of flash is affordable.
Most people prefer a hard copy of their movie. Hard Drives can and do fail. Who wants to re-download even 500GB's worth of movies or more because of a hard drive failure?! Seriously.
Broadband and server/ISP restrictions. Even if you aren't limited on broadband speed, the server you are downloading from likely has it already pre-determined at what speeds you can download from. Especially if they are busy. Where you live compared to the server location makes a difference too. If the server you are downloading from crashes or stops. Or is running slow, how long are you willing to wait to download 1 movie?! I could have went to the store, bought a 50GB Blu-Ray move in high def with all of the features, without fear of hard drive failure or a slow server/connection....and watched it before you finished your download.
Over half of the country, even if on high speed, is not at tolerable high speed levels to download a 25GB movie. Heck you should see the people complain on the Playstation forums if there is a 135MB PS3 firmware download. It's not the server thats the problem. It's their slow connection. It's worse with a 1.5GB game demo.

There are more reasons. But I'm sure you get the point. Downloads are an interm solution for basic use. NOT for the true high def experience you get from Blu-Ray or even the now dead HD-DVD. Let alone in terms of features.

Downloads ARE NOT the way of the future as some would like you to think. At least not in our lifetimes. I can see flash media ultimately taking over down the road. But downloads are only great for rentals and short term use at this point.

03-30-2008, 05:34 PM	#1 (permalink)
Dai Shi Lord of Thunder Join Date: Mar 2008 My Mood: Thanks: 5 Thanked 52 Times in 37 Posts Time Spent Online: 3 Hours 13 Minutes 53 Seconds Friends: (26)	Blu-Ray vs. Downloads So I've been visiting some tech sites lately. One thing some people bring up is how they think that downloads will replace or beat out Blu-Ray. Personally, anyone thinking or saying that are still sore HD-DVD lost....or are utterly clueless. Here are some reasons why: Unlike DVD and Blu-Ray, downloads usually do not have extra features. Some may not care for them. But many videophiles do. You do not get those features in a download. Audio quality. At this point, hands down, Blu-Ray beats out downloads for audiophiles. Most downloaded movies are compressed (even HD ones) and lose quality usually in audio, video, or both in that dept. 50GB Blu-Ray vs. 50GB download. Both in high def. Blu-Ray is working on a 200GB disc. Seriously. Would you download the 'Planet Earth' series clocking in at easily over 100GB's?! Frankly, even with 1000GB's (terabit) of storage, that space would fill up very quickly. Who wants to have numerous hard drives to figure out where their movies are on? THEN to have to search for them. The cost of Flash memory is still very expensive. Its still quite a ways off before 100GB's of flash is affordable. Most people prefer a hard copy of their movie. Hard Drives can and do fail. Who wants to re-download even 500GB's worth of movies or more because of a hard drive failure?! Seriously. Broadband and server/ISP restrictions. Even if you aren't limited on broadband speed, the server you are downloading from likely has it already pre-determined at what speeds you can download from. Especially if they are busy. Where you live compared to the server location makes a difference too. If the server you are downloading from crashes or stops. Or is running slow, how long are you willing to wait to download 1 movie?! I could have went to the store, bought a 50GB Blu-Ray move in high def with all of the features, without fear of hard drive failure or a slow server/connection....and watched it before you finished your download. Over half of the country, even if on high speed, is not at tolerable high speed levels to download a 25GB movie. Heck you should see the people complain on the Playstation forums if there is a 135MB PS3 firmware download. It's not the server thats the problem. It's their slow connection. It's worse with a 1.5GB game demo. There are more reasons. But I'm sure you get the point. Downloads are an interm solution for basic use. NOT for the true high def experience you get from Blu-Ray or even the now dead HD-DVD. Let alone in terms of features. Downloads ARE NOT the way of the future as some would like you to think. At least not in our lifetimes. I can see flash media ultimately taking over down the road. But downloads are only great for rentals and short term use at this point.