HD DVDs

["simonjamescoates" <simon@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hi all,

I've just noticed that play.com are listing Blu-Ray and HD DVDs -=20
they are between 2 to 4 times more expensive than standard DVDs.  The=20
rrp seems to be =A325 for most.
What annoys me is that I've got about 500 DVDs and there's no way I'd=20
be able to afford to buy them again.

Remember when the DVD (and CD) fatcats came under fire for inflated=20
prices - since DVDs cost less than 20p to manufacture.  The price was=20
justified by movie production costs, copyright etc... But that means=20
I've already paid my share towards these additional costs when I=20
bought my 'standard' DVDs.  How can they justify this new=20
disproportionate price increase with HD DVDs - I know they're new now=20
and prices will fall but I feel prices are too high.

If it wasn't for the copyright protection features of HD I'd be happy=20
to justify owning a 'pirate' HD DVD or download if I also owned the=20
standard DVD.  I'd just be getting a higher resolution version of a=20
movie I've already paid for.

Wouldn't it be fairer to have some sort of 'upgrade path' where you=20
could exchange your standard DVDs for HD versions for a sensible fee?

Just a thought

Regards

Simon

=20