News
‘UMD ain’t dead’ says Boulevard
Neil Long Aug 1 2008, 10:48am
Comments (10)
Success with its budget line sees DVD specialist speak of potential for Sony's portable disc format
Movies on PSP could undergo a major revival if retailers sell UMDs at the right price, says Boulevard Entertainment.
The DVD specialist dipped its toe into the gaming world by moving into UMD movies in recent months, and has found success with cut-price catalogue and new release titles.
“When we went out to retailers with the initial concept of selling this product at these prices their were eyebrows raised, particularly as the PSP market seems relatively stagnant,” said Boulevard’s sales director Marc Goldberg.
“But coming from a film perspective we saw the value in UMD over and above getting involved in Blu-Ray for the time being.
There are far more PSPs in the UK market than Blu-Ray capable machines, giving us a much bigger audience where we can offer them quality product at affordable pricing. Since the success of the product in the market we have been commended by certain retailers for revitalising the PSP market.”
The firm claims that the sales success is down to price, hailing its £5.99 range as a major success: “Major High Street game retailers, traditional entertainment retailers, online retailers have all enjoyed incremental success with the format and are delighted with the results,” added Goldberg.
Comments
“DEAD?”
Posted by: DM - Aug 1, 11:13am
UMD is not Dead?
It was never alive in the first place
“Re: DEAD?”
Posted by: Noob - Aug 1, 12:06pm
It's as dead as HD DVD
“Re: Re: DEAD?”
Posted by: DM - Aug 1, 12:36pm
@2
Agreed, but at least HD DVD put up a good challenge. UMD was just doomed from the start
“Re: Re: Re: DEAD?”
Posted by: sgh379 - Aug 1, 1:00pm
Elvis Aint dead.
Im afraid however UMD is.
“Re: Re: Re: Re: DEAD?”
Posted by: woodins - Aug 1, 8:44pm
Sorry, erm UMD?
I think i got tested for that at an STI clinic when i found out my ex-girlfriend was a real "hoe" lol.
“Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: DEAD?”
Posted by: Axe99 - Aug 1, 10:50pm
Lots of very intelligent comments there! Woodins, I hope that all your tests were negative :). I think UMD still has potential - it was a case of poor pricing and product selection - I've got a footy highlights UMD that set me back $10 and gets a regular run, but I wasn't that keen on paying $30 for movies I already had on DVD. If they can get the pricing right (and lets face it, the marginal cost of production shouldn't be that high - so there's the potential for good margins even with relatively low prices), then UMD could definitely have legs.
“Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: DEAD?”
Posted by: darkliahos - Aug 2, 12:41am
I have to admit I love the prices of the UMDs and the fact you can watch them on the go! The only thing I don't like about UMD movies, is that there isn't a wider enough range.
I hope the UMD can be resurrected!
“Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: DEAD?”
Posted by: hnbeanz - Aug 2, 12:27pm
If I remember correctly, retailers are still giving UMD the run HD-DVD doesn't have now. Our place are doing all UMD films at a fiver.
“Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: DEAD?”
Posted by: starwars - Aug 3, 3:23pm
We do some pre-owned but new UMD's are dead in the water.
“UMDs”
Posted by: darkdeity - Aug 5, 1:30pm
Noticed they'd gotten a lot cheaper lately. I own a few but they're kinda pointless, especially if you own the original PSP without the TV out option - I understand that was added for the Slim & Lite. Clever idea as it turns the PSP into a portable home cinema if you can play movies as well as games through the TV out - was that included in the specs?
If I'm traveling somewhere I'll generally rip a dvd onto the PSPs memory stick or my iPod Touch. UMDs kinda had their obsolescence inbuilt by being a single player format movie disc. If Sony had put UMD drives into BLU-Ray, DVD Players or the PS3, maybe they would've had a longer lifespan. Same goes for MiniDisc in a way...