Sony's Universial Media Disc facing last rites

niceguyrichy · Mar 30, 2006, 08:24 PM

Exactly a year after it was launched in the United States, the Sony PlayStation Portable's days as a hand-held movie-viewing device might be numbered.

Disappointing sales have slowed the flow of movies on the proprietary Universal Media Disc to a mere trickle. At least two major studios have completely stopped releasing movies on UMD, while others are either toying with the idea or drastically cutting back.

And retailers also are cutting the amount of shelf space they've been devoting to UMD movies, amid talk that Wal-Mart is about to dump the category entirely.

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Read more / source: Yahoo

Sandok · Mar 30, 2006, 10:26 PM

With large memory cards, you don't need UMDs ever... Well for movies

Games yes!

calidan · Mar 30, 2006, 10:55 PM

It's stupid to buy a movie twice. Why buy it for the PSP when I can watch it on my big screen.

**dj_stick** · Mar 30, 2006, 11:31 PM

that's waht you get when you stick with a proprietory format… and try to call it universal

scobywhru · Mar 31, 2006, 12:06 AM

I wonder if this affects the adult UMDs

I beleive they called it Universal because anyone could make a UMD without cost, except the equipment to make it, and Sony didn't control who would make them or what they would be of. Although Sony was the only company I know that had a Device to play them.

The movies on the PSP off the memory card arent at full resolution they have those locked for just the UMDs, atleast last I herd

nForcer · Mar 31, 2006, 06:27 AM

if they designed it with mini-dvds (which they're ALREADY USING in their camcorders) you'd have a greater support base.

but you'd also have more chances for people to pirate them. so its a two-way street.

pr0digal jenius · Mar 31, 2006, 07:09 AM

DVD price......1/5 DVD resolution......1/10 the average TV size.......yea.......

Tipstaff · Mar 31, 2006, 09:42 AM

I've said it before, and I'll say it again: the whole issue with UMD movies is their cost. They cost too damn much. They are almost the same price, or more than a regular DVD. If you want to sell UMD movies cut the cost of them in half. I would more than gladly pay $10 for a UMD movie, but I won't buy a UMD movie for $20+ when I can get a regular DVD for the same money, and spend 30 minutes compressing it onto a memory stick in a picture quality I can live with.

Mar 30, 2006, 10:55 PM	#3
calidan Frozen in Carbonite Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 1,409 Rep Power: 57 System Specs	It's stupid to buy a movie twice. Why buy it for the PSP when I can watch it on my big screen. __________________ Steam Community :: ID :: calidan "Don't try to be like Jackie. There is only one Jackie.... Study computers instead." - Jackie Chan

Mar 31, 2006, 12:06 AM	#5
scobywhru DriverHeaven Senile Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Penthouse Basement Posts: 619 Rep Power: 0	I wonder if this affects the adult UMDs I beleive they called it Universal because anyone could make a UMD without cost, except the equipment to make it, and Sony didn't control who would make them or what they would be of. Although Sony was the only company I know that had a Device to play them. The movies on the PSP off the memory card arent at full resolution they have those locked for just the UMDs, atleast last I herd __________________

Mar 31, 2006, 09:42 AM	#8
Tipstaff HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Real capital of Canada: Torauna Posts: 6,660 Rep Power: 187 System Specs	I've said it before, and I'll say it again: the whole issue with UMD movies is their cost. They cost too damn much. They are almost the same price, or more than a regular DVD. If you want to sell UMD movies cut the cost of them in half. I would more than gladly pay $10 for a UMD movie, but I won't buy a UMD movie for $20+ when I can get a regular DVD for the same money, and spend 30 minutes compressing it onto a memory stick in a picture quality I can live with. __________________ Portal: The Flash Version _________________________________ Brain: So, you sacked the cocky khaki Kicky Sack sock plucker? Mr. Sackett: The second cocky khaki Kicky Sack sock plucker I've sacked since the sixth sitting sheet slitter got sick.

Mar 30, 2006, 10:26 PM	#2
Sandok DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 9,472 Rep Power: 66	With large memory cards, you don't need UMDs ever... Well for movies Games yes!

Mar 31, 2006, 06:27 AM	#6
nForcer Twice the fun! Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 1,404 Rep Power: 0	if they designed it with mini-dvds (which they're ALREADY USING in their camcorders) you'd have a greater support base. but you'd also have more chances for people to pirate them. so its a two-way street.

Mar 31, 2006, 07:09 AM	#7
pr0digal jenius Delete Me Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 14,648 Rep Power: 0	DVD price......1/5 DVD resolution......1/10 the average TV size.......yea.......