When you see a movie for sale it seems that the DVD always costs more
than a VHS format.It would appear the VHS would cost more because of
moving parts.Is this a case of charging what the market will bear before
resistance or does the DVD actually cost more to make?

"Time Traveler" wrote in message
...
When you see a movie for sale it seems that the DVD always costs more
than a VHS format.It would appear the VHS would cost more because of
moving parts.Is this a case of charging what the market will bear before
resistance or does the DVD actually cost more to make?


Ummm DVD has always been more expensive because....

A. It is a newer technology
B. Better sound and video quality
C. Quality does not decrease the more you watch it like VHS does.

That is my opinion anyways

I agree with the advantages over VHS.But on a cost factor is the DVD
cheaper to make.I'm just saying it seems to be price gouging.When a
company raises its prices because the costs of raw materials go up you
will hear this side.But when their costs go down in producing (DVD
versus VHS) you will not hear this aspect.It seems to be the old saying
of heads I win tails you lose.

You are completely correct. DVDs cost virtually nothing to produce. A
tape needs to be recorded end to end which takes time even with the
fancy mechanisms to recording they use. Also tape is quite expensive to
make because of the complexity of the mechanisms in the cassette. DVDs
are much the same as CDs in their material needs (virtually nothing) and
are stamped so made instantly. The fact that you get given DVDs now with
breakfast cereals is a good indication of the cost of production. The
industry is charging more for quality and convenience to the customer
rather than cost of production.
Is it surprising that they are loosing millions to piracy? Personally I
think the money grabbing sods deserve to get ripped off but don't kid
yourself that they didn't know that there would be massive piracy with
DVDs. After all they have been dealing with CD piracy for a long time.
It has been factored in to the cost equation and the resulting charge to
the consumer still provides the maximum profit to them. They are in
business to make money after all so don't expect anything else.

One interesting trend I have noticed is that big movies are being
released at much lower prices (stuff like harry potter and shrek 2) are
under $(NZ)30 in the high street instead of the normal $(NZ)40+ for most
titles. Could it be that piracy is winning and that the industry is
lowering prices and going for high volume instead of taking low volume
at high cost? They would only do this if it made financial sense in the
form of more profit. After all if you where a pirate which films would
you choose to rip off? If real copies are available for twenty odd
dollars is it still as attractive?

As an aside I cannot believe that VHS will be a serious media for too
much longer anyway. In NZ DVDs are on sale in every music shop,
supermarket, dept store. VHS is available at much fewer places. DVD
players are available for $(NZ)70 or $(US)50. Also the all important
rental market seems to be moving to DVD.


Time Traveler wrote:
I agree with the advantages over VHS.But on a cost factor is the DVD
cheaper to make.I'm just saying it seems to be price gouging.When a
company raises its prices because the costs of raw materials go up you
will hear this side.But when their costs go down in producing (DVD
versus VHS) you will not hear this aspect.It seems to be the old saying
of heads I win tails you lose.

I am surprised the public seems to have a bad case of ennui on this
matter.They don't seem to care.Until there is resistance from the public
there is no reason to change.