I'LL JUST START THE THREAD FOR NOW
I'll let someone else begin the comparisons (or discussions)
feel free to just give a synopsis on individual formats

If I were a new customer, with no present device, which one should I buy ?
are there any differences in the quality of the films ?
why does HD-DVD have extra bonus features and Blu-Ray does not ?
why did Blockbuster decide to back BLuRay and not HD-DVD ?
why are there 5 times as many BluRay than HD-DVD @ BestBuy ?
do you think HD-DVD is on it's deathbed?
will it become extinct or will the 2 somehow merge ?
why did Disney decide to support Blu-Ray ?
(simple, sample topics for discussion)

Does anyone here have a HD-DVD player?

I have not known anyone to have one yet, but most Blu Ray player owners are PS3 owners, which is why it is outselling HD-DVD so much thus far (and probably why there are more for sale at this stage).
Plus Sony has a lot of stake in Hollywood/movies and naturally all they have a hold on will be Blu Ray exclusive.
I haven't seen a HD-DVD movie to make a comparison.

If the console wars have taught us anything, the first new generation item to come out is normally the winner. Perhaps Disney sees Blu Ray has an already established thing and is jumping on the bandwagon.
I know down here Blu Ray players are just hitting the stores and not one mention of HD-DVD at all.

Or maybe it is because Blu Ray just has a cool name.

I purchased a BR player only because I already had the PS3 for my son. I figured this way we can watch whatever we buy on either TV.

Blu-Ray's con is that it is currently more expensive to press Blu-Ray DVDs per copy than HD-DVD, however I am not sure that will prevent BR from being successful. Will be interesting to see how the combo players affect sales.

interesting enough that HD-DVD is more expensive to 'purchase'

interesting enough that HD-DVD is more expensive to 'purchase'

HD-DVD player or movies?

HD-DVD titles are more expensive than Blu-Ray
the HD-DVD players, on the other hand, are less expensive
if you consider you can get the HD-DVD Xbox360 unit for $179

the title "300" (the newest title released on both formats) is:
$23.95 for Blu-Ray
$27.95 for HD-DVD
and you can get some tiltes ,like the newly re-mastered version of "The Fifth Element" for $19.95
so the notion that it's more expensive to "press" Blu-Ray, it isn't equating to a more expensive product for consumers to purchase

HD-DVD titles are more expensive than Blu-Ray
the HD-DVD players, on the other hand, are less expensive
if you consider you can get the HD-DVD Xbox360 unit for $179

the title "300" (the newest title released on both formats) is:
$23.95 for Blu-Ray
$27.95 for HD-DVD
and you can get some tiltes ,like the newly re-mastered version of "The Fifth Element" for $19.95
so the notion that it's more expensive to "press" Blu-Ray, it isn't equating to a more expensive product for consumers to purchase

Such low prices. Lowest I got was Goodfellas on Blu Ray for $28.

Ebay is my lifeline to PS3 and Blu-Ray movies. So much cheaper.

WalMart is selling an HD-DVD player for $200. Just in case anyone out there is looking to move to HD-DVD.
http://bigtech.blogs.fortune.cnn.com/2007/10/25/hd-dvd-vs-blu-ray-wal-mart-offers-toshiba-player-for-under-200/

Personally, I'm still not jumping on either side of the format war yet...

I'm with you SK. Waiting this one out. These prices will fall quick within a couple years, and the difference isn't great enough for me to rush out and buy either.

I'm waiting for the first HD-RW units
I'm betting whoever gets one of those to market first will crush

I'm really kinda pushing for BluRay on this one, simply for the capacity of the discs and the fact that they have Disney on board

Personally, I hope a better technology comes out and wipes them both out...

^ ya know, awhile back I had caught something on Engadget that alluded to China had developed a next-gen DVD device that was Super-HD - it was like 1440p
i haven't seen it in awhile - but rest assured that bigger and better is always around the corner

A poop load of HD DVD players sold last weekend when Wally World, Best Buy, Circuit City and maybe some others had big sales on Toshibas.

http://www.cepro.com/article/sony_blu_ray_hd_dvd_format_war_a_stalemate/

The waters are still murky, but these guys are going toe to toe. To me, if you can get a solid HD DVD player for $100 now, compared to $450 for a BR, it may be worth it to just try the HD DVD. If it doesn't win, you haven't blown a lot on a player....but there may not be a winner soon....or ever?

I've been waiting on one to die also.
Are there any differences in the quality of the video?, or is it just features?

A poop load of HD DVD players sold last weekend when Wally World, Best Buy, Circuit City and maybe some others had big sales on Toshibas.


the problem with the Toshi HD-A2's are that output is capped at 1080i
:thumbsdown:

But some say you can't notice a difference. And other players don't have great 1080p performance. I looked into the 1080i thing a bit, and the general consensus is it's not that big a deal. With some tv's, it won't even make a difference 9according to Cnet).

The jump from SD to 1080i HD is a lot bigger than the jump from 1080i to 1080p...

Yep, and some say the 1080 I to P jump is hard to notice. I'd like to see them side by side myself.

well, Bobo - you have the perfect disply to test the theory
all you need is a 1080i source and a 1080p source
and while normal viewing may not reveal much, action scenes should be smoother

discussion now is focusing on the new AVCHD format for consumer camcorders

I'm demoing a camcorder right now that shoots 1920x1080 in AVCHD and can be instantly burned onto a bundled DVD burner onto standard DVD's in 1080i? and is instantly playable on BluRay players

I'm still trying to figure that out, but it does work

It probably records it as a quicktime-like file. You can certainly put a file on a dvd in HD dimensions, just not very big, depending on the compression. 30 Sec. of uncompressed HD is around 1.2 gb.

it actually records and AVCHD file at around 15mb/sec
the file is .mt2 and not .mov

I'd like them to get the format refined
the compression is much worse than HDV (25mb/sec)
but the resulting video image is still spectacular and 1080i
it's MPEG-4/H.264
it's a pain in the but to edit
and usually gets reformatted inbound to a PC

I am sure it is fine for consumer format for sure.

http://www.tech.co.uk/home-entertainment/video/dvd-hdd-players-and-receivers/blu-ray-and-hd-dvd/news/blu-ray-wins-first-battle-hd-dvd-to-win-war?articleid=1540011755

Interesting article.

I bought an HD-DVD player from Best Buy for my 360 the week "Heroes" season 1 was released on DVD. Player - $179. "Heroes" - free w/ purchase ($99 value). However, there was a glitch in the Best Buy POS system, and I only got charged for "Heroes" and got the player for free. So, I did spend $100 bucks, got a free player, season 1, King Kong included, and 5 free HD-DVD movies.

Blu-Ray and HD-DVD are upping the ante. I think one offers 7 free and the other 9 free movies during the holidays. I went HD-DVD because the cost of entry and the amount of stuff was too good to pass up, even if it doesn't make it. Also, that week, Transformers came out in HD. That was the clincher.

I'd almost buy a PS3 right now just to get the movies for free. Besides, my cost for my XBox HD-DVD player plus a PS3 would be less than a combo player. For me, that would be around $500, with about 14 free movies included, the value of which alone would be around $420 pre-tax.

And yes, the quality is well worth it, even at 1080i.

Heard a rumor that ye olde adult film industry would weigh-in and side with HD-DVD. Though, mainly because Disney is sided with Blu-Ray, that seems like a foregone conclusion.

Same thing was going on with VHS and Beta, war-wise. Adult video was a contributing factor in America as to which format won out.

The big difference btwn. today and the vhs/beta days in terms of the adult industry is that there wasn't the internet back then. I would say that is the biggest focus of that industry right now.

let HD-DVD have porn
let Blu-Ray handle legitimate video

I don't really think a hard (no pun intended) media will have any influence from the porn industry ... realy though ... hae you ever seen porn in HD? it's more frightening than erotic :scared:

I saw a headline, though didn't read the article, that Blu ray will allow porn.

I see porn going more the way of DivX
Internet porn downloads are the way of the future
(actually, it's been going on for years)

The format war may have just taken a significant lean to Blu-Ray with Warner announcing they are going soley over to Blu-Ray. They were one of Toshiba's main partners in the HD-DVD drive.

Warner Goes Blu-Ray...End of Format War? (http://www.thedigitalbits.com/#mytwocents)

Here is the discussion amongst users at AVS.

AVS Discussion of Warner Decision (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=969068)

Blu Ray is smashing HD DVD all over the world.

The sooner is ends the better for everyone, costs will come down and all movies will be available for the one format.

And rumor has it that Apple is going to announce that they will sell Macs with BluRay drives in under 2 weeks.

I bet they "sneak peek" them as CES....if not just outright show them off.

If it happens, it would be at MacWorld on Jan 15

Ahh..yeah..forgot about that show with CES coming up.

Can you tell I am not an Apple head anymore? I do have my original Apple IIe still in the closet. It even has the 128k memory upgrade that was available back then!

The impact of Warner Bros. on the format war

http://www.ripten.com/2008/01/05/pie-charts-show-true-impact-of-warners-move/

http://www.ripten.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/01/chart_one-copy.jpg

And rumor has it that Apple is going to announce that they will sell Macs with BluRay drives in under 2 weeks.

I'm hoping they're planning on Blu-SuperDrives

the iMac ,PowerMac (Mac Pro's) and MacBook Pro are nearing the end of their upgrade cycles http://buyersguide.macrumors.com/

Macworld would be a good time to announce upgrades to all 3 with nre Blu-Ray RW drives

The format war may have just taken a significant lean to Blu-Ray with Warner announcing they are going soley over to Blu-Ray. They were one of Toshiba's main partners in the HD-DVD drive.


and now it appears that Paramount is planning on doing the same

not quite the nail in the coffin yet...but they've put on the lid

One format to rule them all
New Line has also decided to follow big brother Warner to BluRay
which means we should see the LotR trilogy in 1080p goodness

Now when will Sony lower the cost of the PS3 so I can get a fancy shmancy blu ray player? :brow:

give this a look Bobo

http://your-ps3-for-free.blogspot.com/

Now when will Sony lower the cost of the PS3 so I can get a fancy shmancy blu ray player? :brow:

Should have gotten with the winning team instead of band wagoning.

give this a look Bobo

http://your-ps3-for-free.blogspot.com/

Did you do that?

Should have gotten with the winning team instead of band wagoning.

Huh?

Did you do that?
something similar
iirc , we did the ps34free action...however, it now is a referral program and we did not use referrals

Huh?

he means you should deprive yourself of excellence like Bioshock, Halo3, Forza, Gears,etc... just you could watch a movie you probably already own

ie. Play your FPS because you have nothing else that can touch the quality of what is coming.

Well if I'm a band wagoner, I'm a band wagoner for just about any system. Back in the Nintendo days, I got a Nintendo and Sega. When Playstation took over I had it and a Saturn. Then had a PS2, then Xbox and GC. Now 360 followed by PS3. I may even get a Wii at some point. I want what I like, there's no reason for brand loyalty :yes:

that's it Bobo
there's plenty to like on all systems
I'm sure you got some mileage out of the GC along with the X and Ps2, the gamer that confines himself to just one system is shortchanging themselves

the gamer that confines himself to just one system is shortchanging themselves

sorry not all of us crap out money every time we visit the toilet.

:rolleyes:

Silly Gunny... in America money grows on trees...

Apparently HD-DVD Player manufacturers have slashed their prices again in attempt to get things going, but with only 2 studios now supporting the format, it may just be desperation. Can't blame them for the move though.

Gunny is fanboy defined. lol I'm thinking of getting a ps3 if my 360 messes up again. Maybe even if it doesn't. 360 for games, and the ps3 for 1 or 2 games and the extras.

Apparently HD-DVD Player manufacturers have slashed their prices again in attempt to get things going, but with only 2 studios now supporting the format, it may just be desperation. Can't blame them for the move though.

there were reports that alot of the HD-DVD players that were sold on Black Friday were beginning to be returned after the Warner announcement

Gunny is fanboy defined. lol I'm thinking of getting a ps3 if my 360 messes up again. Maybe even if it doesn't. 360 for games, and the ps3 for 1 or 2 games and the extras.

Gunny is correct defined.

I haven't been wrong about anything.

Blu Ray won which I said it would.
PS3 is beating the 360 everywhere but NA and has sold more than the 360 did at the same stage, even without it's major exclusive coming out.

there were reports that alot of the HD-DVD players that were sold on Black Friday were beginning to be returned after the Warner announcement

What is Black Friday?

The day after Thanksgiving in the US. Traditionally the busiest sales day of the year.

Blu Ray is winning, but it's still nothing. That's sort of like saying mini-disc outsold it's competitor. May have, but when there are only 20 people in the market, eh.
PS3 is outselling the 360? Due to Japan, I guess? Nobody I know has one. Well, i know one kid. But he bought a wii first, so that should tell you all you need to know about him.
That's one of the main reason's I'm holding out on buying one. I know at least 20 personal friends with a 360. I know 1 guy with a ps3. And he never plays it.

Each platform will have its die-hards, however I do believe Blu-Ray will win out ultimately and I believe Sony's incorporation of the Blu-Ray drive as a core component of the PS3 has played well in that effort. I know a lot of people love their HD-DVD players but ultimately only one format will survive.

Toshiba's recent further price cuts on their players is a sign of the desperation they are beginning to feel. It was quite the shock for them to have to cancel their press conference at CES.

To really win, enough people have to be willing to spend that kind of money on Blu-Ray players and discs when DVDs already look good on HDTVs and they are cheap.

PS3 is outselling the 360? Due to Japan, I guess?

No, the whole world. 360s only strong point is North America. It is being outsold everywhere else.

And Blu Ray has won in terms of the next format war. No one is going to stick with HD-DVD. Even rumours that Microsoft will fit the 360 with a Blu Ray add on and can the HD-DVD add on (yet more money they waste)

To really win, enough people have to be willing to spend that kind of money on Blu-Ray players and discs when DVDs already look good on HDTVs and they are cheap.

Won't make a difference when DVDs are no longer manufactured.

That won't happen for many years. Do you know how long it took for VHS tapes to become 2nd fiddle, much less for them to basically stop releasing them?

And now in a recession in America people are going to buy all new movie players that are completely incompatible?

Most people will stick with standard DVD for a long time. They already have their movie collections and BR players don't play standard DVDs (though someone could create a hybrid player).

Costs of making a blu ray movie will push it up.

No it won't. The cost of making DVDs didn't.

Most people will stick with standard DVD for a long time. They already have their movie collections and BR players don't play standard DVDs (though someone could create a hybrid player).

not sure who told you this, but this is incorrect
BluRay players (at least the Ps3) are DVD backwards compatible
and it does a tremendous job upconverting

the Ps3 now also plays DivX and Xvid fwiw

I thought I also read something about Blu Ray not playing dvd's, or maybe it was just certain dvd's.

Pirates of the Caribbean
Fifth Element
LotR
Star Wars
Apocolypto

all DVD versions ... all played back flawlessly on the Ps3

No, the whole world. 360s only strong point is North America. It is being outsold everywhere else.

And Blu Ray has won in terms of the next format war. No one is going to stick with HD-DVD. Even rumours that Microsoft will fit the 360 with a Blu Ray add on and can the HD-DVD add on (yet more money they waste)
Blu Ray might kill HD DVD, but that doesn't really matter. Their competition is DVD, and they'll never be good enough to take over the market.
It's just not enough difference for people to scrap their dvd players for blu ray. Unless you're really, really, really, some type of detail nut, Blu Ray just doesn't offer enough for it's price while DVD is out there.
Only people that will buy blu ray discs are PS3 owners, but after the first or 2nd, they'll probably go right back to DVDs.

for as good as the upscaling is in the Ps3, I'm not sure there's enough incentive to replace the DVD's with BR

we've purchased very few BR titles to this point
we do have Planet Earth on BR whch felt like a must own
but there really aren't any movies I feel like plopping $30 for

sre I plan on adding LotR, Blade Runner, SW (Iv,V,Vi) etc... as soon as the prices drop .. the trick is that more adopters will have to join the clan before prices start to fall

There may be no incentive, but in the end, you won't have a choice. The movie industry is moving on to High Def (it's the new fad). TVs, TV Shows, Blu Ray, Video Games are all doing it

You think they will waste money manufacturing high def movies and have it optional? Not happening.

it's not going to happen anytime soon

the simple switch to DTV (digital television) aka the NTSC to ATSC conversion ,has taken twice as long as it should have. What is now a mandate for early 2009 (2/17/2009), was originally set for various points for the last 5 years or so
and this is a standardized conversion that's been in the works since the early 90's and will not be fully implemented until almost 20 years after the fact
which (when 'activated') will force (supposedly) everyone in the US to :
A- get a new HDTV
B- get a Digital set-top box that will convert D-A for analog sets

sure to be a 'culture shock'


now, you're gonna force them (at nearly the same time) to get new DVD players ? you're joking right ?
there will still be choice.
Any movie released on BluRay will still be released in DVD format

we are not about to see an absolute abandonment of the DVD format
(if that's what you're suggesting)

People will be buying DVDs well into the next decade. And I wouldn't be surprised if, by then, there is already a new format that has surpassed Blu-Ray

the consumer market tends to always be a format behind the leading technology anyway, so even though early adopters will get some satisfaction from an eventual winner of the HD format war, it probably won't have that large of an impact on the mass consumer markets

if anything, it might drive DVD popularity up do to price drops of an aging and departing format, but it's not going anywhere .... as long as people are buying DVD PLAYERS (which are now less than $50 with Recorders in the $100-$200 range) and DVD movies (dipping into the single digits) the DVD format will continue to live on

in order to truely replace it with Blu-Ray, players will need to dip into the $200 range, titles into the $19.99 range, and recorders with affordable media will need to surface

The problem is that there isn't really a big enough leap between DVD and blu-ray to drive a rapid push to upgrade. Yes, it's visible, but not big enough for most people.

On the other hand, there was a huge leap in quality and simplicity going from VHS to DVD. And Laserdisc got leapfrogged.

Yeah...I was in the laserdisc crowd. Still have one of the top Pioneer players in my closet and a big collection of laserdiscs, including the original Star Wars collection. Cannot seem to get myself to dump them, though I have been encouraged to do so.

As much a fan of BR as I am, because I do see the difference in upconverted standard DVD and BR titles, which may be due to having a 73" set to view them on, I also wonder if this is not an interim format.

With flash memory coming down and with online delivery of media growing I wonder if the DVD "killer" in the future might not be simply either be a memory card type of media or a VOD type of service. I have read some reviews of a couple of the ones displayed at CES that are dedicated to only providing HD movies via satellite, but I definitely don't want another dish on my house at this point.

The bandwidth needed for downloadable movies won't be available for a very very long time.

And it will be too easily pirated. And it really isn't on demand, you will have to wait for it.

The bandwidth needed for downloadable movies won't be available for a very very long time.

And it will be too easily pirated. And it really isn't on demand, you will have to wait for it.
People are already downloading them. Apple seems to have the right plan, though we'll have to see how it works out for them. They aren't in 1080i, but it's still HD.

As for piracy, downloadable movies aren't realyy going to change anything there. People can just pirate the ones on DVD. It's like adding DRM to music to keep people from pirating it. How does that help when regular CDs have no DRM at all and people can just create mp3s from them and share them?

Yeah...I was in the laserdisc crowd. Still have one of the top Pioneer players in my closet and a big collection of laserdiscs, including the original Star Wars collection. Cannot seem to get myself to dump them, though I have been encouraged to do so.
I can understand the desire to keep it. My brother bought one and got a bunch of discs. It just sits in a corner collecting dust, but it's also the last original version of the Star Wars trilogy before Lucas did special editions, so they aren't going to get tossed.

People are already downloading them. Apple seems to have the right plan, though we'll have to see how it works out for them. They aren't in 1080i, but it's still HD.

There's a difference when it is a couple of people vs the main way to get movies.

Then there is the issue of waiting to get it, space to keep it, if you want a collection getting more space to keep it etc etc.

True, bandwidth may be an issue that that point.

The wait doesn't seem to be long. Apple says you can start watching in 30 seconds. Space could be an issue, but you can get massive hard drives nowadays. And for rentals, you can just delete them afterwards.

True, bandwidth may be an issue that that point.

The wait doesn't seem to be long. Apple says you can start watching in 30 seconds. Space could be an issue, but you can get massive hard drives nowadays. And for rentals, you can just delete them afterwards.

I don't know what broadband is like in the States but it is beyond dreadful down here.

It's not nearly as good here as it is in other places around the world. But I don't know how US broadband compares to AUS broadband. High end DSL is 6Mbps and cable is higher, in theory if not reality.

They won't open up the broadband channels down here so we are restricted.

Just in case there needed to be more nails in the coffin .....

Netflix has announced it's going with BluRay exclusively

BR ftw

Wal Mart has joined the "kicking out HD-DVD and embracing Blu Ray" phenomenon.

I wonder how HD DVD will survive all of this.

They won't.

Didn't netflix also join the Blu Ray bandwagon?

Yeah, HD-DVD is basically done. They'll probably move to sell off what they have and then throw in the towel.

That said, I'm still not buying a blu-ray

Well, it is supposedly official...Toshiba dumping HD-DVD.

Toshiba to Dump HD-DVD? (http://www.reuters.com/article/technologyNews/idUSL1643184420080216?feedType=RSS&feedName=technologyNews)

Yeah, HD-DVD is basically done. They'll probably move to sell off what they have and then throw in the towel.

That said, I'm still not buying a blu-ray


That is probably a good move.

I hope many do that and quickly force down the price of their players. The only Blu Ray player worth buying is the PS3 because of its value as something more than a player. It is a quality product.

The HD DVD stand alone players were better than the Blu Ray players and substantially cheaper on top of that. The media was usually cheaper as well.

Blu does offer more storage and that is great, but the storage space on HD DVD was more than enough for the media type being delivered.

Wal Mart put the final nail in the coffin by stating that they are dropping HD DVD in favor of Blu. This comes after they were exclusive with HD DVD citing the claims of it being just as good and cheaper than Blu Ray, which it was.

I happily own both formats and they are essentially equal (slight edge to HD DVD as it was more evolved). Why shouldn't consumers have an option to get something cheaper?

Sony and the corporations decided the next media format for us all. HD DVD really never had a chance. Now, neither do consumers.

Don't worry, we are only a few years away until the need of disc formatted media goes away anyway. Digital *On Demand* downloads are the future and will be here before we know it. Being able to access almost every movie ever made at any given moment without having to possess a *hard copy* sounds wonderful to me.

Later

Sony and the corporations decided the next media format for us all. HD DVD really never had a chance. Now, neither do consumers.


How?

Blu Ray was outselling HD-DVD by a huge number even before some of the companies switched sides.

the only problem with digital downloads is bandwidth
you realize downloading a 20gb file would take awhile right ?

We probably won't go to widespread digital downloading for a while. iTunes HD movies will work and they are far smaller than 20GB, but they are also not top HD resolution and if too many people used it they'd bog down the internet backbone.

my 20gb concept refers to an uncompressed 1080p project
in reality, i just tossed out a number, but that should be close to the actual size of a quality BR pressing

fwiw, I am very glad that BluRay won the war
HD-DVD had some things better implemented, but from what they say BR will be able to do the same things and more

Who exactly will back digital downloads?

Many people can't afford it (heck many don't have the internet). Sony and all the big companies have a lot invested in HD technology at the moment.
I sure as hell don't want to wait for a movie to download, or have it corrupted due to bad data downloading issues, or having my whole internet slowed while waiting.

Yeah, HD-DVD is basically done. They'll probably move to sell off what they have and then throw in the towel.

That said, I'm still not buying a blu-ray

http://www.psxextreme.com/ps3-news/2598.html

Another report of Toshiba throwing in the towel.

my 20gb concept refers to an uncompressed 1080p project
in reality, i just tossed out a number, but that should be close to the actual size of a quality BR pressing


Its really closer than we think. While, it will not be available to the mainstream for a while......check this out.

http://tech.blorge.com/Structure:%20/2008/01/13/comcast-introduces-super-fast-internet-concept-at-ces/

Bandwidth that we only dream about is coming!

How?

Blu Ray was outselling HD-DVD by a huge number even before some of the companies switched sides.

In the rest of the world, Blu dominated, but it was a close race here in the US. The trojan horse PS3 worked out for Sony and I guess it was only a matter of time before they finally won a format war that they created.

I am pretty sure that sand alone HD DVD players out sold Blu stand alones.

Blu has just now implemented its 1.1 profile and have finalized the spec for the 2.0 profile. Most people only have the 1.0 profile player. The PS3 will be able to be updated to the 2.0 profile. But the one thing that the PS3 is lacking is the full audio support. It still will not pass True HD via bitstream and cannot internally decode or pass bitstream of DTS Master HD audio. No one really knows why the PS3 has not had this supported yet, or if it will ever be. This is no knock on the PS3 as I think it is great, but it seems odd that feature remains the only missing part of it being the perfect Blu Ray player.



Later

The resolution with the iTunes HD is pretty good, but heavily compressed. The problem with digital downloads is they would have to be heavily compressed. An uncompressed HD file you wouldn't be able to play on a normal computer.

Who exactly will back digital downloads?Apple, Google, Microsoft, Cisco, etc... the internet companies who stand to gain from it...

The resolution with the iTunes HD is pretty good, but heavily compressed. The problem with digital downloads is they would have to be heavily compressed. An uncompressed HD file you wouldn't be able to play on a normal computer.
The compression wouldn't bother people who want to watch a movie on an iPod/Zune/other portable. And even on a computer, the screen is small enough where the compression isn't a major issue. Also, I read that the compression isn't a major issue on AppleTV either.

Frankly, when you watch HD television, the signal is generally compressed there as well. Uncompressed video on a disc will inherently look better than compressed video, but not enough to prevent people from using internet downloads.

Apple, Google, Microsoft, Cisco, etc... the internet companies who stand to gain from it...

None of which are Sony, Paramount, Warner et al.

I am pretty sure that sand alone HD DVD players out sold Blu stand alones.


The reason for that is probably because the PS3 is a cheaper Blu Ray player and doubles as a video game console.

None of which are Sony, Paramount, Warner et al.
Right, and they don't care. As long as they get their money from the distributors they don't really care about the method, be it internet, DVD, blu-ray, or popup book.

No one can legally distribute a movie, regardless of medium, without the studio signing a contract. Apple has that with the major studios for iTunes. Microsoft distributes movies online as well. Google has contracts to show copyrighted video on YouTube.

Right, and they don't care. As long as they get their money from the distributors they don't really care about the method, be it internet, DVD, blu-ray, or popup book.

Sony will care considering the amount they have invested in Blu-ray (and PS3) and they run half of hollywood anyway.

Well......

Toshiba Quits HD-DVD Officially (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23204819/)

Sony will care considering the amount they have invested in Blu-ray (and PS3) and they run half of hollywood anyway.
Sony may care, but Sony also doesn't want to be the only one left out of the online business if it becomes successful.

Online movies aren't going to hurt blu ray. Most people will still get their movies on a disc. The biggest hurdle for blu ray is still standard DVDs.

Universal turns Blu (http://gizmodo.com/358319/universal-turns-blu)

Basically, Blu Ray is it right now, so no more HD DVD.....

Good, now I can get Bourne on Blu-Ray.

Good, now I can get Bourne on Blu-Ray.
yeah, i've been holding out on that too. looks like i'll have to do the same with american gangster.

Just realized why blu-ray isn't worth it. I didn't think about it, and tried to bring a blu-ray disc in my bedroom to watch on the computer. That sucks.
DVD is still where its at, and I still can't tell any difference at all when watching a dvd and blu-ray. Maybe if they were side-by-side, but otherwise, the jump isn't a big one. So unless you get a blu ray player with your ps3, I wouldn't waste the money.

Unless you have a big screen TV, there isn't much difference in picture quality.

a big HD TV screen.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=frZTf3mX97c

People will be buying DVDs well into the next decade. And I wouldn't be surprised if, by then, there is already a new format that has surpassed Blu-Ray
http://thetechdon.com/tiny-huge-1-terrabyte-optical-disk/

Man, you gearheads are really funny.


http://www.cracked.com/article_15773_p4.html

Do they have region free blu ray players yet? I didn't know movies were region encoded.

Do they have region free blu ray players yet? I didn't know movies were region encoded.

Not that I am aware of.

That was another advantage to HDDVD.

Later

i thought BR was region free

i thought BR was region free

Check it out on Wiki....

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blu-ray_Disc#Region_codes

There are regions, but about 2/3 of early discs produced were region free.

On the contrary, also taken from wiki.....

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HD_DVD

There is no Region Coding in the existing HD DVD specification, which means that titles from any country can be played in players in any other country.

Later

Doesn't matter now. HD DVD is done.

i thought BR was region free

That's what I thought too.

PS3 games are region free, the movies are not.

Doesn't matter now. HD DVD is done.

all depends on how you look at it
yes, production is winding down
but you can get a great player for $150 and movies for $10-$20
the player will also serve as a nifty upconverting player for awhile

thrifty geeks are diggin' it

thrifty geeks are diggin' it

Not quite adept at long term investments are they.

People still aren't buying Blu-ray players
http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/04/30/blu-ray-the-future-has-been-delayed/