PDC DVDs are Out

“Didn't have time to be in all six tracks at the same time? Not able to attend the PDC this year? Then take the PDC home with you! Take advantage of the opportunity to purchase the official Microsoft PDC 2003 Conference DVD available for $499.00 (USD). PDC attendees will receive a discounted attendee price of $199.00 (USD). This DVD set will contain streaming media files and presentation slides from the breakout presentations, lunch sessions and both the Security and Architecture Symposiums. Note that Pre-conference sessions, Hands-on Labs and Keynote/General Session presentations are not included.”

http://msdn.microsoft.com/events/pdc/after/default.aspx

5 Comments

  • What's your opinion of the price they are charging?



    Even at a dozen DVDs (my MSDN Universal - including an Index DVD and 2 Library DVDs - number 15 disks) can't cost more than $70 to mass produce. And that's a generous estimate too.



    Now, the PDC disks include no software AFAIK. No bits. No labs either. Just presentations. I don't know, but to me this is quite expensive. Scoble commented repeatedly that MS expected to lose money or at best break even for the PDC. Is this some sort of sucker-ploy to make up some quick revenue?



    What's your take Jesse?

  • I agree that it is pretty expensive for a couple DVDs. At the same time, I think the content is definately worth that much (though the absence of keynotes is very lame and sucky).



    Either way, I think MS would make more money if they offered them for $99 bucks or something, because a lot more people would by them. But then, if you sell them for $99, everyone that paid $3000 for the same thing is going to get a little miffed and decide that they will just get the DVDs the next time PDC comes around. So, I assume that probably has something to do with the pricing.

  • Are they out or just available for purchase? I read somewhere that it would be 4-6 weeks before they ship.



    As for the cost. It's more than just the presentations, it's the actual video with sound and all right? There has to be some pretty hefty production costs to get those even close to right. Getting the sound lined up with the presentation and demos alone could take a while.



    But you're right $99 and a lot more people would come knocking.

  • My biggest problem with this is that they don't include the keynotes, BOF sessions or hands on labs. I missed all of Monday due to my flight being cancelled and deliberately skipped the repeat of the Monday keynotes because I assumed they would be on the DVD.

  • Thanks for the reply Jesse. As for Kelly's points/questions, the PDC alpha bits are promised in 4-6 weeks but I see nothing about these disks. ALso, good point about it containing actual video/sound.



    IMHO I didn't think the PDC was timed very well, coming so long before anything is ready for Beta 1. It seems to me these disks contain little value for me, but I'll consider both comments. I value Jesse's thoughts, and Kelly's at least helps explains the high price.

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