Sony Cutting Back on UMD Sales

[wraggster]

An article in Variety claims that Sony is cutting back on UMD releases. While comedies are doing well, other genres simply aren't getting much traction." From the article: "Some have reasoned that sales may have slowed recently because of a shortage of new titles in the last month and because users may be illegally copying films from DVDs onto a memory chip the PSPs can read. Sony is hoping to combat online piracy starting in March when it begins selling movies online via its Connect digital media store. Users will be able to download a pic and watch it on PSP without a disc.

Via Slashdot

[Festizzio]

Omg, is Sony retarded? The reason people rip their DVDs to the memory stick is because it's ridiculous to buy both the dvd and the UMD version of the movie; this is the same thing, just because it doesn't need a disc, doesn't mean people are going to pay for it.
Okay, I just thought of a comparison between this and ordering at a restaurant:
Me: "Hi, can I have...UMD movies at an affordable price?"
Waiter aka Sony: "How about I just give you a watered down DVD for more money?"
Me: "No, I want my UMD movies at an affordable price."
Sony waiter: "I'll just give you downloads of movies that you still have to pay for, that'll satisfy you."
Me: "NO, I want what I ask for, are you deaf?"
Retard waiter: "..."

[slayer2psp]

lol sony is so dumb why would i buy a umd of something i already own plus all i really watch on my psp is tv shows which are free and i use the pmp player if you buy umds movies your either very rich or very stupied one or the other.

[uranidiot]

"users may be illegally copying films from DVDs onto a memory chip the PSPs can read"

DUH! UMD MOVIES SHOULD BE $5.00. THEN MORE PEOPLE WOULD BUY IT

[Pumped'Up]

I agree - Sony's f*kn up on this, freakn morons....

Like other companies that make portable media players, Sony should be the EXACT same and embrace other media formats i.e. avi, pmp, etc.

This kind of $#@! is why people detest Sony.

[Voltron]

Actually I was under the impression that under the fair use section of the U.S. copyright act, owners of a DVD are legally within their rights to make a "back up" for playback on the PSP, etc. as long as they own the original. This constitutes fair use in my eyes. Whoever made the comment about people illegally converting their legally owned DVD's to memory stick was just taking a cheap stab at people with some technical know-how.

About UMD's, I only own 2 and have never watched them all the way through. DVD's should be packaged WITH UMD's as an option for PSP owners at little or no extra cost.

[loony28]

Actually I was under the impression that under the fair use section of the U.S. copyright act, owners of a DVD are legally within their rights to make a "back up" for playback on the PSP, etc. as long as they own the original. This constitutes fair use in my eyes. Whoever made the comment about people illegally converting their legally owned DVD's to memory stick was just taking a cheap stab at people with some technical know-how.

About UMD's, I only own 2 and have never watched them all the way through. DVD's should be packaged WITH UMD's as an option for PSP owners at little or no extra cost.

I know I wouldn't buy a UMD of a movie I already own on DVD. Not at the prices I've seen. Sony made the PSP so you could play clips, tv shows, and movies from the memory stick. If you ask me, Sony must have had their collective brains scrambled if they actually thought people would buy UMDs of movies they already own. There have been DVD rippers out for a few years now and it doesn't cost any extra to rip movies you already own to watch on your PSP.

As for your second comment, I also have two UMDs and I have watched them all the way through. I can't remember where I read this but I read that Sony is considering or going to package UMDs in with DVDs for a few bucks more.

[Voltron]

I read this but I read that Sony is considering or going to package UMDs in with DVDs for a few bucks more.

Yes, I read that also. And for just a few bucks more that would make the most sense and increase market share. People with just DVD players can opt for the DVD version and people with both DVD players and a PSP can go for the bundle. Moreover, the bundles may entice more people to purchase a PSP. Its a WIN WIN for sony I would think.

[lilvietquoc]

Yes, I read that also. And for just a few bucks more that would make the most sense and increase market share. People with just DVD players can opt for the DVD version and people with both DVD players and a PSP can go for the bundle. Moreover, the bundles may entice more people to purchase a PSP. Its a WIN WIN for sony I would think.

do people at sony even read any of these posts?
some of these are actually good ideas and can really raise there profits...
but i guess they're just too retarded to do it

[Voltron]

do people at sony even read any of these posts?

Theres no doubt that Sony has most likely assigned a small team to regularly keep tabs on the PSP homebrew scene and forums. And since psp-news.dcemu.co.uk is one of the most popular sites, I'm sure it is monitored. It is indeed a valuable source of info and insight.

In all honesty I believe there are Sony employees who use their PSP's for homebrew just as well. Too bad the top execs. don't open their minds to the idea.