This Blu Notes For You!

At Shakey Pictures they have a motto that says: "Quality - whether you want it or not".

Well, we've had an interesting couple of days recently regarding the posting Is Blu-Ray Dead Already? Not So Fast Yet. The comments section has featured an extended question and answer session on Blu-Ray technology and the Neil Young Archives.

Providing some definitive information, a poster going by Test Pilot has very patiently tried to answer dozens of questions about the Blu-Ray version of the Archives. Here's how Test Pilot frames the issue:

I think a car analogy works well in discussing the Archives sets.

Our luxury, flagship model is the BD [Blu-Ray Disc] edition. It has the most powerful engine, custom trim and high end entertainment packages built in. While the BD is the most expensive model that we offer, it best represents our product and has premier performance and feel.

Consider BD-Live to be the equivalent of getting a lifetime subscription to XM radio, OnStar and mobile Netflix as part of your purchase.

The DVD edition is a base model that has a smaller motor and doesn't handle quite as smooth as the BD. Being a base model, the owner doesn't get the luxury packages that come included with the BD Edition. However, DVD is a finely built piece of work and has been made using the same craftsmen and tooling that the BD uses.
DVD may not be as high end, but it will certainly get you where ya want to go, in comfort and with reliability for years to come.

A number of you aren't interested in buying the Archives series and that's OK. Maybe you are holding out to see if the future will bring the vastly underpowered CD edition.

For years you have been told that the CD is a safe means of transportation, despite it's lack of quality parts and safety features.

A few more of the holdouts would like to strip down the CD edition removing much of the powertrain and suspension....leaving that bumpy, unreliable deathtrap known as the MP3 model. These MP3 chop shops often have untrained mechanics without certification and roll out noisy, thin sounding mods that are unsafe, yet from a distance look like the real deal.

Only you know which edition fits your needs, budget and lifestyle. Our mission isn't to sell on you on one edition vs the other, but to help you make informed choices.

You Do The Math.

To which Dan responded:

Just wanted to say thank you to you and Neil for answering all of our questions. Once again Neil has decided to take things to a revolutionary dimension and we as fans get to enjoy the priviledge of coming along if we so choose. The decades (no pun intended) of being Neil fans have taught us that Neil will almost always force us out of our comfort zones only to realize after the fact how fortunate we were to be open enough to come along for the ride. In this case, as we venture into the world of some hard core technology, thank you for your patience and hand holding as we get our bearings on this new project. As a long time fan, it is a thrill to watch Neil lead us into the unknown once again...

We've been running a poll here at Thrasher's Wheat on the question of what are your plans when The Archives are released? Thus far, with 624 votes cast, polls still open and precincts still reporting, our shakey polling system reveals:



34% - Looks like the DVD option for me (212 votes)
32% - I'm going all the way with Blu-Ray, baby! (200 votes)
26% - I'm not sure what I'm going to do (160 votes)
8% - No Archives for me, thank you. (52 votes)

So what are you thinking of doing when The Archives is released?



So just rock the vote!

And thanks Test Pilot!!! You Rock!!!