Netflix to raise price for Blu-ray access

Typical. I'm surprised they didn't do this ages ago. I wonder, will Blockbuster use this as an opportunity to take some customers from Netflix?

In a recession, they raise prices? Who do they think they are, the oil companies ?

i think it has to do with the fact that there are so few blu ray players around.....this isn't good for sony though LOL!

Originally posted by iluvendo:

---

In a recession, they raise prices? Who do they think they are, the oil companies ?

---

Bingo key word Recession........

They didn't do it ages ago, because Sony/BluRay still had some competition to undercut. But of couse, despite all the anti-consumer practices that Sony lives by, very few people ever seem to remember beyond a week or two how much they've been abused, so Sony keeps getting away with it time and time again...

Originally posted by iluvendo:

---

In a recession, they raise prices? Who do they think they are, the oil companies ?

---

Almost as bad...they're big media.

I have been using Netflix for some time now. Never rented a Blu Ray/HD DVD disc, not into it yet, but somehow, don't know why, I thought they would be a bit more expensive, a different plan or something. To be honest, from a business point of view,the move to increase the fees for Blu Ray rentals makes sense to me. Everywhere and with everything, the extra service/quality, etc...is taxed extra. I am surprised too that the price was and still is same as for DVDs.

Maybe in a few months prices will come back down, however, I would think if Sony really wants 50 percent market share they would lower the wholesale price (I assume a wholesale price increase is due to Sony since they control the BDA) and consequently lower the retail cost.

Originally posted by cyprusrom:

---

I have been using Netflix for some time now. Never rented a Blu Ray/HD DVD disc, not into it yet, but somehow, don't know why, I thought they would be a bit more expensive, a different plan or something. To be honest, from a business point of view,the move to increase the fees for Blu Ray rentals makes sense to me. Everywhere and with everything, the extra service/quality, etc...is taxed extra. I am surprised too that the price was and still is same as for DVDs.

---

I remember looking into how much it cost to add HD-DVD to your service and was really surprised they were doing it for free. It makes sense though. The discs do cost more, so the service to get them should cost more. You don't expect to rent a Bentley for the same price as a Civic. Be happy that for some reason, your rental company was letting you do that for a while.

This is completely expected and should surprise no one. My local Blockbuster charges an extra $1 to rent BluRay (and even HD DVD - when they still had them.)

If this means I can get more "Available Now" rather than "Very Long Wait" in my BluRay queue then I don't mind paying a few extra bucks.

Quote:

---

Maybe in a few months prices will come back down, however, I would think if Sony really wants 50 percent market share they would lower the wholesale price (I assume a wholesale price increase is due to Sony since they control the BDA) and consequently lower the retail cost.

---

The BDA doesn't control software prices. The studios can set the MSRP for each title that they release.

What would Blockbuster do without these guys?
Netflix has (or had) the better business model, better delivery, better titles, fresher physical inventory.
Blockbuster is on the edge of oblivion, yet doltish decisions like this keep them alive.

Originally posted by OzMick:

---

They didn't do it ages ago, because Sony/BluRay still had some competition to undercut. But of couse, despite all the anti-consumer practices that Sony lives by, very few people ever seem to remember beyond a week or two how much they've been abused, so Sony keeps getting away with it time and time again...

---

this is the zombie consumer mentality that will guy features options and everything consumer friendly in the media industries, when the sheeple care not for being raped in the bum while their wool is stolen then who is to stop the black booted rapists...why its the black paint tinfoil that wearing sheeple of coarse.
Worlds near their end when the sane become complacent to madness and the crazy speak truth and reason.

Originally posted by juankerr:

---

The BDA doesn't control software prices. The studios can set the MSRP for each title that they release.

---

Studios may set MSRP for the retail stuff they release but if wholesale prices increase there has to be a reason for it. I think that if studios are increasing the wholesale price of the disks thats got to be tied to an increased cost to Blu disk production, probably due to a price increase from Sony or another member of the BDA.

However, I admit I am just speculating. It just seems odd to not point the finger at BDA members when the wholesale costs of disks increase, when in fact they should be decreasing unless production is starting a decline.

Originally posted by Pop_Smith:

---

It just seems odd to not point the finger at BDA members when the wholesale costs of disks increase, when in fact they should be decreasing unless production is starting a decline.

---

The BDA doesn't set the price of disc mastering, authoring and replication.

Each studio is free to choose which mastering facility they use. They're free to choose which authoring service gets to do their releases. They're free to choose which replication facility gets their order. In the US for example, the main replication facilities are CINRAM in Olyphant, PA, and Sony's DADC sites.

Quote:

---

Originally posted by OzMick:

---

They didn't do it ages ago, because Sony/BluRay still had some competition to undercut. But of couse, despite all the anti-consumer practices that Sony lives by, very few people ever seem to remember beyond a week or two how much they've been abused, so Sony keeps getting away with it time and time again...

---

this is the zombie consumer mentality that will guy features options and everything consumer friendly in the media industries, when the sheeple care not for being raped in the bum while their wool is stolen then who is to stop the black booted rapists...why its the black paint tinfoil that wearing sheeple of coarse.
Worlds near their end when the sane become complacent to madness and the crazy speak truth and reason.

---

I don't care if people think I'm a raving loony in general, but this isn't a case of paranoia in bagging Sony, it is a case of standing up for your rights as a human being, and Sony (among a few other large corporations) doesn't care about anybodys at all, it is all about making a dollar at any cost, plain and simple. Anyone care for a rootkit?

And why decrease prices when you've just created a monopoly over the HD market? This is just the same cutthroat tactics happening every day across the world: the bigger company can force out competitors by selling at a loss for longer, then prices end up higher than they were in the first place to compensate and recoup losses. Business ethics are for chumps I guess.

Originally posted by OzMick:

---

Quote:

---

Originally posted by OzMick:

---

They didn't do it ages ago, because Sony/BluRay still had some competition to undercut. But of couse, despite all the anti-consumer practices that Sony lives by, very few people ever seem to remember beyond a week or two how much they've been abused, so Sony keeps getting away with it time and time again...

---

this is the zombie consumer mentality that will guy features options and everything consumer friendly in the media industries, when the sheeple care not for being raped in the bum while their wool is stolen then who is to stop the black booted rapists...why its the black paint tinfoil that wearing sheeple of coarse.
Worlds near their end when the sane become complacent to madness and the crazy speak truth and reason.

---

I don't care if people think I'm a raving loony in general, but this isn't a case of paranoia in bagging Sony, it is a case of standing up for your rights as a human being, and Sony (among a few other large corporations) doesn't care about anybodys at all, it is all about making a dollar at any cost, plain and simple. Anyone care for a rootkit?

And why decrease prices when you've just created a monopoly over the HD market? This is just the same cutthroat tactics happening every day across the world: the bigger company can force out competitors by selling at a loss for longer, then prices end up higher than they were in the first place to compensate and recoup losses. Business ethics are for chumps I guess.

---

Its a reasonable hypothesis, but I would like the prices to go up more before I would say they are doing this, prices are going up across the board in the US due to gas prices going unchecked and undealt with.

I feel this is just a move by NF to secure their HD library, BR discs are 10-30$ more than the DVD counter parts more often than not. time will tell for the reason, for now lets wait and see what more people in and around the industry say.

Originally posted by tripplite:

---

i think it has to do with the fact that there are so few blu ray players around.....this isn't good for sony though LOL!

---

so few in FACT that netflix feels they can make money on so "few" of us.

If they weren't buying so many Blu-Ray discs to supply so "few" people, this article wouldn't even exist.

... an ironic comment to say the least.

Quote:

---

Originally posted by tripplite:

---

i think it has to do with the fact that there are so few blu ray players around.....this isn't good for sony though LOL!

---

so few in FACT that netflix feels they can make money on so "few" of us.

If they weren't buying so many Blu-Ray discs to supply so "few" people, this article wouldn't even exist.

... an ironic comment to say the least.

---

if you stop and think about the coming growing demand, they are just getting their ducks lined up so when theres a higher demand for BR movies they can lower the price on rentals.

Originally posted by error5:

---

The BDA doesn't set the price of disc mastering, authoring and replication.

Each studio is free to choose which mastering facility they use. They're free to choose which authoring service gets to do their releases. They're free to choose which replication facility gets their order. In the US for example, the main replication facilities are CINRAM in Olyphant, PA, and Sony's DADC sites.

---

Ok, well I guess I stand correctly then. However, it still makes me wonder why wholesale prices would increase unless manufacturing is decreasing. Although I guess the replication facilities could hike prices just to earn more money, even if replication costs are falling.

Quote:

---

consumers are used to paying more for high-definition content

---

get them used to paying a high price and let the profits roll in eh! the great consumer rip off yet again.

stick with dvd's ppl.

This sucks. I already pay $30-$35 bucks to buy high-def and now i'm going to get charged extra to rent them. I guess i'm not surprised.

Originally posted by hulud86:

---

This sucks. I already pay $30-$35 bucks to buy high-def and now i'm going to get charged extra to rent them. I guess i'm not surprised.

---

Use Amazon Bro there prices you can't beat or if you got to have it now go to any Wal-mart B&M store there cheaper than BB & CC.

Why/How the hell do people equate this to being a SONY responsible thing? Seriously. This is about NETFLIX raising their prices! NOT SONY. This is the reason why I stick with Blockbuster for my rentals online & in store, as it gives me MUCH more options. Also not every Blockbuster charges extra for BD movies, that is a store by store case basis as they are a FRANCHISE and the owners have the right to adjust prices to what they want/see fit (to an extent). The BB's near me DO NOT charge additional for BD vs DVD and they even have the same time rental lengths (new release 2 1/2 days, old ones 7 days).

Some people here REALLY need to get off their "Everything is SONY's fault" kick and grow up already.

---- and consumers are used to paying more for high-definition content in every other channel, including video rental stores, video-on-demand, and cable channels," Hastings added.----


WRONGE STATEMENT TO MAKE FUKKO!!!!!

So being "used to it" entitles them to screw customers even more???? Next they will say "we're defrauding them now, so they're used to it and we'll just defraud them more and to a greater extent" I don't think so MoFo. How about this................maintain some integrity of doing business and recognize that while Blu-ray does cost a bit more...........and only a bit, it is a format that the industry is DESPERATELY trying to make "standard"......especially SONY. Of course it's more costly than standard DVD. EVERYTHING IN THIS FRAKKIN' WORLD THAT IS NEW IS MORE THAN THE OLD. Not a new concept people. Some things should be recognized as a "different situation" than others. In this case, they're still 'disc format' using 'lasers' to encode '1s and 0s'. Modern business SUCKS! and more so in America than any other country. Starting to not like my country in a big way.

Originally posted by Oner:

---

Why/How the hell do people equate this to being a SONY responsible thing? Seriously. This is about NETFLIX raising their prices! NOT SONY. This is the reason why I stick with Blockbuster for my rentals online & in store, as it gives me MUCH more options. Also not every Blockbuster charges extra for BD movies, that is a store by store case basis as they are a FRANCHISE and the owners have the right to adjust prices to what they want/see fit (to an extent). The BB's near me DO NOT charge additional for BD vs DVD and they even have the same time rental lengths (new release 2 1/2 days, old ones 7 days).

Some people here REALLY need to get off their "Everything is SONY's fault" kick and grow up already.

---

I use blockbusters B&M all the time & the price & dates are the same here also in NC.

Originally posted by Oner:

---

"that is a store by store case basis as they are a FRANCHISE and the owners have the right to adjust prices to what they want/see fit (to an extent)."

---

Good thing you're not in politics!!! GOD forbid you making decisions for anyone................including yourself as based on this statement, I would be fearful of you making them for me.

It's franchises that can vary from location to location and the lame statements of "at participating locations" that is crap!!!

So you sticking with Blockbuster because of the franchise aspect is rediculous and exactly what were you referring to about "more options".............other than the rent online and bring into a store which Blockbuster is taking a serious loss for doing and will probably come to a screeching halt soon.

It's a simple as this...........the consumer sees the Blockbusters, Burger Kings of the world as just that.........BLOCKBUSTER AND BK. Consumer doesn't care about 'who owns' it. We care about the fact that the commercials said there's a sale at BK or BB and regardless of who owns it............WE WANT THAT SALE HONORED. This as opposed to 'doing our homework to determine who owns that specific location and whether or not they're "participating".

Originally posted by hulud86:

---

This sucks. I already pay $30-$35 bucks to buy high-def and now i'm going to get charged extra to rent them. I guess i'm not surprised.

---

Where are you guys buying your movies from? You can definitely find cheaper prices then that online. Deep Discount sales anywhere from 12-30 dollars.

Originally posted by Oner:

---

Why/How the hell do people equate this to being a SONY responsible thing? Seriously. This is about NETFLIX raising their prices! NOT SONY. This is the reason why I stick with Blockbuster for my rentals online & in store, as it gives me MUCH more options. Also not every Blockbuster charges extra for BD movies, that is a store by store case basis as they are a FRANCHISE and the owners have the right to adjust prices to what they want/see fit (to an extent). The BB's near me DO NOT charge additional for BD vs DVD and they even have the same time rental lengths (new release 2 1/2 days, old ones 7 days).

Some people here REALLY need to get off their "Everything is SONY's fault" kick and grow up already.

---

It might be Netflix visibly raising their price, but if things are truly as the article states (increasing retail and wholesale price), then it is an upstream price hike that is being passed on. So, as someone has said, manufacturing/distribution prices have likely gone up. Which defies all logic, unless licensing costs have spiked. Which is controlled by the BDA. Which is in turn largely controlled by Sony.

Even if people can't put two and two together and see the root cause, how about we stop defending these thieves, there is no justifiable reason for the price rise other than greed, and they only get away with it because fanboys can't see past the stars in their eyes that they're being taken for a ride.

I think there is a big (and unfortunate) misunderstanding here because of one single word in the afterdawn news article:

Quote:

---

Claiming increasing retail and wholesale price

---

If you look at the original/source article from high-def digest:

http://www.highdefdigest.com/news/show/H...ubscribers/1671

Quote:

---

Citing higher retail and wholesale prices

---

So here's the situation:

Wholesale and retail prices for BluRay are not INCREASING as indicated in the afterdawn article. Instead the prices are HIGHER (as indicated by the source). They are not the same thing. It is understandable that prices for BluRay are higher since it is a new technology and the manufacturing process from mastering to authoring/encoding and to duplication are all more expensive than regular DVD.

Bottom line - the retail and wholesale prices ar NOT INCREASING. As expected, they are HIGHER than regular DVD thus the plan for a higher rental rate.

Maybe DVDBack23 can edit his news article to avoid confusion and reflect the original source more accurately.

Thank You EatSushi for explaining that. It seems some people here do not have a very high reading comprehension and just LOVE to make assumptions based on nothing as well as TRY to put words into peoples mouths which brings me to my next area that needs addressing...

Originally posted by r0b0t3ch:

---

Originally posted by Oner:

---

"that is a store by store case basis as they are a FRANCHISE and the owners have the right to adjust prices to what they want/see fit (to an extent)."

---

Good thing you're not in politics!!! GOD forbid you making decisions for anyone................including yourself as based on this statement, I would be fearful of you making them for me.

It's franchises that can vary from location to location and the lame statements of "at participating locations" that is crap!!!

So you sticking with Blockbuster because of the franchise aspect is rediculous and exactly what were you referring to about "more options".............other than the rent online and bring into a store which Blockbuster is taking a serious loss for doing and will probably come to a screeching halt soon.

It's a simple as this...........the consumer sees the Blockbusters, Burger Kings of the world as just that.........BLOCKBUSTER AND BK. Consumer doesn't care about 'who owns' it. We care about the fact that the commercials said there's a sale at BK or BB and regardless of who owns it............WE WANT THAT SALE HONORED. This as opposed to 'doing our homework to determine who owns that specific location and whether or not they're "participating".

---

#1) Who the hell do you think you are? You REALLY need to watch who & how you talk to people. You REALLY have to read over the rules as it seems you have forgotten them.

#2) What point are you trying to make about "Thank God I am not in politics"? Are you for real? I mean seriously!

#3) You absolutely totally missed my point and then try to make assumptions about the choice I made being BECAUSE of it being a franchise? What are you daft?

#4) I don't understand what is so hard to understand. NETFLIX is the ONLY one doing this (as of now) and there has been no indication or information that states otherwise.

Now now.........don't be gettin' all defensive and huffy and puffy just because I was right about ya'. I said nothing mean or beligerent and did not call you names so TAKE IT LIKE A MAN! You're a moderator amigo. This is daily for you. No biggie.

I have to agree with some posters, some people don't know how to read, unable to comprehend, or just simply lack the "hardware" necessary for proper reasoning. Hence, let's blame Sony...for what, again?

Just a quick question for those that are all pissy about the raised prices for renting higher quality video on BRD: why the expectation to get premium quality at the same price paid for the regular quality? Just because "it used to be the same"? Where is the logic behind it? C'mon people, we're not talking about Jesus handing out bread and fish, we're talking about a business who's sole purpose is to make money. Stop being bent out of shape, you think you're being taken advantage of, switch to BB, or buy your own discs.

It still baffles me, how come people expect two absolutely distinct quality products to be sold for the same price! I would say, think of it as a free ride, that now is over, and get over it!Maybe I am the narrow minded one though!

Originally posted by r0b0t3ch:

---

Now now.........don't be gettin' all defensive and huffy and puffy just because I was right about ya'. I said nothing mean or beligerent and did not call you names so TAKE IT LIKE A MAN! You're a moderator amigo. This is daily for you. No biggie.

---

You are lucky another mod got to you before I did.

all i can say is WOW, so much for an unbias opinion.

at the end of the day they see this as a way to raise prices and with the lack of competition from another hd format customers will be extorted as usual, the same as the last ten years of the dvd pricing structure and regional price fixing using the DRM regional coding but at least the DVD anti-consumer DRM was easily bypassed, IMHO ppl stick to DVD until its actually worth the change and courporations are not ripping everyone off.

And to those who don't know how to mind their business or like to make "little jabs" after the fact should also be VERY careful as they can easily follow r0b0t3ch's lead/example as they are already on thin ice.

nobrainer, edit your sig to conform to forum specs ASAP. yours is 9 lines of text as yours is double spaced.
1. Text-only signatures should have at most 5 lines of text.

Originally posted by ddp:

---

nobrainer, edit your sig to conform to forum specs ASAP. yours is 9 lines of text as yours is double spaced.
1. Text-only signatures should have at most 5 lines of text.

---

NB bro,I probably could make that into a scrolling pic, PM me and I'll see what mew can slop together..

I noticed that only one person mentioned a huge factor in all this, gas prices. Lots of stuff gets shipped in trucks and with diesel at well over $4.00 per gallon a lot of stuff is going to go up in price. Start getting used to it now as diesel will probably go over $5.00 per gallon since it isn't even May yet.

Simple fact: SONY has a long history of DRM tactics that are very sleazy, sometimes illegal, pro-SONY making money, very anti-consumer rights. No need to even argue about it. Just pay attention.

Simple fact: You don't have to support higher prices or things that are blatantly against your interests. Don't buy, rent, lease whatever. If you think the product is worth the price, pay it. Otherwise do not. Simple.

Simple fact: You are free and you DO have a right to oppose, fight, complain about, and resist anything which Corporations do which impinge upon your freedoms -- including fair use.

Simple fact: If you do not defend your rights, you will lose them.

Thanks for reading and feel free to disagree.

Quote:

---

Simple fact: SONY has a long history of DRM tactics that are very sleazy, sometimes illegal, pro-SONY making money, very anti-consumer rights. No need to even argue about it. Just pay attention.

---

you do realize that without the digital rights the company wouldn't reap
a profit?

Originally posted by tripplite:

---

you do realize that without the digital rights the company wouldn't reap a profit?

---

Really? Maybe you should think about that a little more and look deeper.

First, no one is complaining about their "digital rights" -- just their infringement of *our* rights.

Second, there are millions of ways to make money without digital rights. Just deliver a good product or service at a fair price. There has never been any substantiated proof of any monetary loss of any significance to a large company like Sony from *consumer* theft of rights. I am not talking about China or other Asian countries where *commercial* thieves operate under govt sanction. I am talking about people like you and me.

I have the equipment and the know how to pirate just about any game or movie that I want. Yet I have hundreds of CD's, DVD's and video games all bought and paid for legitimately. Why? Because I don't mind paying a fair price for decent goods.

I also have a copy of a $70 SONY video game sitting unused on a shelf (it was a gift) because it wouldn't run on my system due to the onerous copy protection scheme (since abandoned after several lawsuits).

You may also be interested to know that the biggest thefts of "digital rights" are by companies like SONY - not consumers. They just use corporate lawyers to obsfuscate the theft.

I have owned and run several businesses, including book and software publishing companies, among others, so I know all about intellectual property rights. I am an author of a few small books and several commercial software packages. IP rights were originally designed to protect creators and promote the dissemination of ideas, now, like patents, they have been perverted to just the opposite use.

You need shed no tears over SONY, believe me. I cannot educate you on a forum like this, but I urge you to do some more research, reading, and follow a few court cases in detail. You might particularly enjoy those where the artists are suing companies like SONY for depriving them of their just rights and revenues, or the cases where corps like SONY suppress the dissemination of ideas and works via draconian legal harassment of creators who cannot afford to fight them in court.

Then come back and talk to me about their profits, which are quite substantial, by the way.

Originally posted by tripplite:

---

Quote:

---

Simple fact: SONY has a long history of DRM tactics that are very sleazy, sometimes illegal, pro-SONY making money, very anti-consumer rights. No need to even argue about it. Just pay attention.

---

you do realize that without the digital rights the company wouldn't reap
a profit?

---

i hear you there as they wouldn't be able to sell you the same media again and again and continue to rip off customers by selling them licences that state you are NOT allowed to sell, lend or even give away the media because of piracy you do NOT own it anymore!

licensing via the Blu-Ray phone home ability is possibly the worst anti-consumer move that the studios are toying with, imagine in 10 years when Blu-Ray is being replaced and when your entire Blu-Ray collection refuses to play because they have shut the phone home for authorisation servers?

of course they would never think of doing anything like this because ppl have legitimately purchased their media!


Sony confirms closure of 'Connect' music store - paying customers get stung by DRM

Originally posted by above hyper:

---

Not only is the store closing, but if you upgrade your computer in the future, you can kiss goodbye to any tracks you previously bought. This tidbit is taken from the Sony FAQs:
That's right, through the joys of DRM -- if you change your computer, your Connect-purchased music will no longer play. Though it's been said routinely before, we'll state it again. DRM does not prevent piracy. DRM merely shafts loyal, paying customers who choose to legitimately obtain their media online. More often than not, those customers are not so tech-savvy, and end up being stung by stores such as Google Video and Connect shutting up shop.

---

EFF to Ballmer: You owe MSN Music customers an apology, a refund and more

Originally posted by above hyper:

---

EFF has published an open letter to Steve Ballmer upbraiding him for switching off the MSN Music DRM server and nuking the music collections of every customer trusting enough to buy music, laying out a suite of things that Microsoft needs to do to make amends:

---

then lets not forget the global region price fixing tools DRM "region coding" if this is disabled on a Blu-Ray player you player shuts down and reports home the hack, i'm sure this stops piracy doesn't it, or does it just help to exploit richer nations by charging higher prices?

NeoGeoz

The problem with IP/CP rights mainly CP rights it gives the consumer/public lil protection to greed and abuse by corporate and even corporate has layers of protection as so they can rape each other’s CP/IP.

I really think it’s time to go back to a simple CP/IP setup personal private use trumps the deals they inbreed with themselves the when they break their own deals and schemes the government should levy heavy fines(so up to 20% the worth of that what’s in questions), company's only care about money if you enforce hard rules to limit abuses they will try to play fair more often with each other.

As for CP/IP crimes against individuals that’s a joke how can 1 private individual do so much damage to a company they can't even if there are thousands of them the amount of money most corporations bring in is unfathomable by the common man.

Let business whine and fight over the monetary aspect of the rights and distribution, let the people who have the knowledge build their libraries of data, the corporations make a profit one way or another and through dealings with themselves make even more profit.

Nobrainer -- excellent post!
Re: Blu-RAY, that's why I bought 2 HD-DVD players (cheap) and am buying all the now cheap HD-DVD's I can. I do not own and will not purchase a Blu-Ray player nor any Blu-Ray media of any kind. Economic boycott is the best weapon against this kind of thing. I think Blu-Ray will ultimately be a loser for SONY, but then I also thought HD-DVD would be the consumers choice. Well, I may have been right about that. SONY basically "bought" the market rather than consumers making a choice.

I have a secret hope that the Toshiba will release HD-DVD technology for free (or very low cost) use somehow, but probably will not happen.

ZippyDSM -- I do not worry one whit about the big corporations. I do care, however, about the authors/creators and do wish to see them get the fair compensation they deserve. My hope is that over time, most artists will be able to distribute their works directly without any middle-men and so solve that problem. Happening already to some extent.