HDTV Almanac - Strange Bedfellows?

[alfredpoor]

What could possibly bring the cable companies and the Hollywood studios together? Aren’t these the same two warring camps that have been playing chicken over retransmission fees? Well, consider these two words: Netflix and Redbox.
The fact is that DVD sales continue to drop as consumers choose other ways to get their movies at home, and [...]

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[film11]

Those opting for OnDemand over disc should be aware that widescreen movies are cropped to 16X9. And no lossless audio.

[alfredpoor]

...and quite likely a good hard extra squeeze on the compression.

Alfred

[videograbber]

Absolutely correct.

OnDemand is a poorer quality product, for more money. Of course, that's why both the studios and cable cos like it.

The only thing OnDemand has going for it is convenience. Kind of like the mini-bar at the hotel (in more ways than one). Only problem is that RedBox and Netflix are pretty darn convenient already.

- Tim

[wjhunt]

Except that Redbox and Netflix won't have movies the day of the DVD release. That is huge.

[akirby]

How long is the delay? A few days? If you've waited several months for the dvd release, what's a few more days?

[film11]

Not a few days. It's a month.

[wjhunt]

I believe it's 28 days. That's a sizable disadvantage in my humble opinion.

[alfredpoor]

You're correct about the 28 days, at least for some of the new agreements negotiated by Netflix and Redbox. You and I differ on its significance. I rarely watch movies in theaters, and am only vaguely aware of release dates. When I want to watch a movie, I see what's available and pick one. I certainly can understand that a 28-day waiting period is an obstacle for some folks, but I believe that there is also a sizeable portion of the market that doesn't really care.

Alfred

[akirby]

I didn't realize it was 28 days, but I'm with Alfred on this one. I rarely try to rent a movie when it first comes out on dvd/blu-ray. But I also understand there are some that want it immediately.