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(Mis)Uses of Technology

by Carlo Longino

Wed, Mar 1st 2006 12:19pm





Just As Some Windows Close, More Open

from the get-your-wallet-out dept

While some independent movie studios look to move away from the staggered release system, at least one major Hollywood studio is looking to add another window. The president of News Corp., which owns Fox (and hates the idea of simultaneous release), says the company wants to sell high-definition versions of its films over video-on-demand systems 60 days after their theatrical release, but before they're out on DVD (via PaidContent.org)-- for $25 to $30. The price is awfully steep, but the company think it's justified by the "more than 1 million Americans" that spent over $25,000 on home-theater equipment last year, and points out that for large groups, it's cheaper than going to the movies. That may be true, but so is a standard $5 DVD rental, and the difference in picture quality probably isn't stark enough for most people to justify the premium cost. While this plan would offer consumers another choice, it's simply trying to create another release window that competes solely on exclusivity -- just like theaters. News Corp. is banking on that exclusivity to justify an overinflated cost, sort of like $10 theater tickets.

11 Comments | Leave a Comment

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  1.  
    identicon
    dave, Mar 1st, 2006 @ 12:31pm

    Hi-def content

    I'm one of those folks who spent a buncha bucks on a home theatre system a couple of years back.

    Not to rain on these guys parade, but their damned DRM has already obsoleted my two year old $2400 TV. Now they can take their high-priced hi-def and their delusional DRM schemes and shove them, well... you get the picture.

    And I'm STILL boycotting Sony. They can forget about me buying into blu-ray as well, because I HAVEN'T forgotten their root-kits.

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  2.  
    identicon
    imfbsbn, Mar 1st, 2006 @ 12:33pm

    $10 Movie Ticket

    And where would you be able to see a movie for $10?

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  3.  
    identicon
    wolff000, Mar 1st, 2006 @ 1:00pm

    Re: $10 Movie Ticket

    anywhere if u go by yourself and don't buy anything. movie tickets in my neck of the woods are only 7-8 bucks, of course when you add in significan othher, popcorn, candy, drinks and parking it brings the total up to about 50. back to the topic at hand I actually really like this idea. Only because I pirare everything and this get allow me to get copies of movies so much faster. I hate bootlegs where you can see the audience, camera is shakey, and the worst I have seen is the guy filiming has a bad cough adn regularly bumps the camera. Anyways I say do it and help out all the pirates, AAARRRRRR, where's me bootleg copy of X-Men 3!?!

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  4.  
    identicon
    Anonymous Coward, Mar 1st, 2006 @ 1:01pm

    No Subject Given

    Say hello to pirated better-than-DVD-quality movies EVEN BEFORE the DVD comes out!

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  5.  
    identicon
    wolff000, Mar 1st, 2006 @ 1:02pm

    Re: $10 Movie Ticket

    holy crap i should really proof read. my last post looks like a retarded person smoking crack wrote it. I promise I will proof read my posts, swear.

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  6.  
    identicon
    George, Mar 1st, 2006 @ 1:53pm

    No Subject Given

    At 60 days post release I don't think this will do it. At that time I would much rather watch some other movie that just came out on DVD that I missed or on video-on-demnd for $5 rather than throw down that cash. If it was simulatenously released with the theater version or at least a lot closer, maybe it would be tempting with a couple friends around.

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  7.  
    identicon
    Cap'n Jeff, Mar 1st, 2006 @ 2:34pm

    Netflix still wins...

    If you're willing to wait a few months after the theatre release, you can get the DVD from Netflix for only $18 a month. I see an average of 21~22 movies every month for my $18...it's the best deal out there.

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  8.  
    identicon
    Jobe, Mar 1st, 2006 @ 2:41pm

    Anything to make an extra buck

    They put a new meaning to the word greed.

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  9.  
    identicon
    Isotopian, Mar 1st, 2006 @ 2:54pm

    Re: Anything to make an extra buck

    No, same meaning.

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  10.  
    identicon
    txjump, Mar 1st, 2006 @ 3:24pm

    sooo...

    they want to charge me more in my own living room? where they have no overhead costs? and where i could see thousands of other movies for less.

    im kinda thinking this will fly for a small number of families and the wealthy but not for the singles and couples.

    but i guess its something new they should try ... ya just don't know until you try.

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  11.  
    identicon
    kingmanor, Mar 1st, 2006 @ 5:06pm

    HDTV does look better

    I know its ridiculous and the movie companies just want more money for their shitty movies that no one goes to see anymore, but a good HDTV feed beats a good DVD encode any day of the week. Check out this link to see for yourself:

    http://www.cornbread.org/FOTRCompare/index.html

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]


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