Mark Holtz
11-23-02, 11:32 AM
I was just taking a look at the statistics at The Digital Bits (http://www.thedigitalbits.com/articles/cemadvdsales.html), and noticed that sales of DVD players went over 39,000,000 in early November. If I remember correctly, it took a lot longer for VHS and CDs to be adopted and become mainstream.
And, take a look at what is happening in the marketplace. There are more DVD sets being talked about and being released by the studios than VHS sets. In the case of the seasonal box sets, what would have taken up a entire shelf on VHS is a small 1-2" package on DVD, with a standard box set having four "hour-long" or eight "half-hour" episodes. In many cases, you get the episode either uncut or without a black bar underneath.
In the Anime market (you figured I would work Anime in this somehow), many of the licensing companies have discontiued VHS releases almost completely and sticking with DVD.
And the price of the players have dropped. My 3108, which was purchased in February, 1999, was $399, and included five free DVDs plus the retailer included some free ones as well. Now, you can pick up a name-brand DVD player for less than $100.
Amazing, considering that some of the studios were holding back on DVD because of some legitimate concerns. Now, it seems like DVD is yet another revenue avenue.
The only fly in the ointment? Some major retailers are insisting that the studios release the movie in "full screen" format rather than the original aspect ratio, and stock only the full-screen format. I was at K-mart to purchase a DVD on sale, and the sales person said, "I don't believe it comes in widescreen." The movie? E.T. The Extra Terrestrial. Fortunately, Best Buy price matches.
And, take a look at what is happening in the marketplace. There are more DVD sets being talked about and being released by the studios than VHS sets. In the case of the seasonal box sets, what would have taken up a entire shelf on VHS is a small 1-2" package on DVD, with a standard box set having four "hour-long" or eight "half-hour" episodes. In many cases, you get the episode either uncut or without a black bar underneath.
In the Anime market (you figured I would work Anime in this somehow), many of the licensing companies have discontiued VHS releases almost completely and sticking with DVD.
And the price of the players have dropped. My 3108, which was purchased in February, 1999, was $399, and included five free DVDs plus the retailer included some free ones as well. Now, you can pick up a name-brand DVD player for less than $100.
Amazing, considering that some of the studios were holding back on DVD because of some legitimate concerns. Now, it seems like DVD is yet another revenue avenue.
The only fly in the ointment? Some major retailers are insisting that the studios release the movie in "full screen" format rather than the original aspect ratio, and stock only the full-screen format. I was at K-mart to purchase a DVD on sale, and the sales person said, "I don't believe it comes in widescreen." The movie? E.T. The Extra Terrestrial. Fortunately, Best Buy price matches.