Slightly WAY WAY WAY OT - Blu-Ray or HD DVD ?

[cmhargrove]

Sorry,
After a disappointing loss, I have to think about other things. I was shopping for my Christmas present yesterday and need to make a decision. I thought I would ask those "in the know."

I am going to buy a high def DVD player annd am choosing between Blu-Ray and HD DVD. Comp USA has an incredible deal on Blu-Ray ($300 discount + free movie in box + five other free movies by mail). I am very tempted to buy it. I still have a few questions.

1. Does anyone own one or the other? How do you like it?

2. Is one of the two formats "winning?" I don't want a BetaMax.

3. Any other deals out there that you have seen that will beat this deal?


Thanks in advance...

[rugbythug]

wait, Or GET a PS3.

[COBronco 69]

Whatever format porn chooses will win, its the law of the tape. :)

[Beantown Bronco]

Disney is in bed with Blu-Ray. That tells me all I need to know.

[BroncoDoug]

Whatever format porn chooses will win, its the law of the tape. :)



Actually this is probably what is going to win it for one or the other, sadly.

[Peoples Champ]

if disney is with blu-ray, i agree with beantown bronco, also sony is with blue ray with the PS3, sony and disney are two large companies with large influence in this market, i would go with blue ray

[cmhargrove]

if disney is with blu-ray, i agree with beantown bronco, also sony is with blue ray with the PS3, sony and disney are two large companies with large influence in this market, i would go with blue ray

I just found out Blockbuster now has Blu-Ray (not HD DVD), that may have helped me make my decision.

[Crushaholic]

I hope neither of those formats win. I have too many DVD's that would need replacing in the future...:rofl:

[SoDak Bronco]

microsoft is with hd-dvd, I have a hd-dvd player. I like the menu options that you get with HD-dvd compared to the PS3-blue-ray. Watching them, I can't tell much of a difference between the two.

Microsoft is a huge financial giant, and I would think they have equal if not better footing in the market.

[cmhargrove]

microsoft is with hd-dvd, I have a hd-dvd player. I like the menu options that you get with HD-dvd compared to the PS3-blue-ray. Watching them, I can't tell much of a difference between the two.

Microsoft is a huge financial giant, and I would think they have equal if not better footing in the market.

I agree, the Microsoft thing has me concerned, but they always have a way of adopting what works, even if it is a competing technology. It wouldn't surprise me to see Microsoft be the "Blu-Ray champion" in five years. That is, if there isn't another format out by then...

[Beantown Bronco]

Another + for blu ray IMO =

Manufacturers of HD players: Toshiba, LG, Thomson/RCA, Onkyo, Samsung

Manufacturers of Blu Ray players: Hitachi, Mitsubishi, LG, Sharp, Sony, Panasonic, Samsung, Philips, Thomson/RCA

[55CrushEm]

microsoft is with hd-dvd, I have a hd-dvd player. I like the menu options that you get with HD-dvd compared to the PS3-blue-ray. Watching them, I can't tell much of a difference between the two.

Microsoft is a huge financial giant, and I would think they have equal if not better footing in the market.

True, Microsoft has supported HD DVD....but many of their large business partners....such as Dell....support Blu-Ray.....

My guess is that Microsoft may be swayed by this in time.....

From what I've read...Blu Ray is the better technology...but that is not always what decides what will "take off".....oftentimes it is the CHEAPER technology.

All that being said.....who knows which will come out on top?

[Peoples Champ]

I hope neither of those formats win. I have too many DVD's that would need replacing in the future...:rofl:




Im with you on that one brother

[Traveler]

Why not both in one? Maybe this will help...

http://www.highdefdigest.com/news/show/Hardware/LG/LGs_2nd-Gen_Dual_Format_HD_DVD,_Blu-ray_Player_Due_in_October/929
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2007/01/07/lg_unveils_multi-blue/
http://www.cdrinfo.com/Sections/News/Details.aspx?NewsId=16562

[Beantown Bronco]

Why not both in one? Maybe this will help...

http://www.highdefdigest.com/news/show/Hardware/LG/LGs_2nd-Gen_Dual_Format_HD_DVD,_Blu-ray_Player_Due_in_October/929
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2007/01/07/lg_unveils_multi-blue/
http://www.cdrinfo.com/Sections/News/Details.aspx?NewsId=16562

Good luck actually finding one under $1,000.

[Traveler]

Good luck actually finding one under $1,000.

True! That's why I'm gonna wait till this situation sorts itself out. Better to wait and more companies get into the game and the prices will start to drop or they'll finally decide on one format.

[cmhargrove]

Why not both in one? Maybe this will help...

http://www.highdefdigest.com/news/show/Hardware/LG/LGs_2nd-Gen_Dual_Format_HD_DVD,_Blu-ray_Player_Due_in_October/929
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2007/01/07/lg_unveils_multi-blue/
http://www.cdrinfo.com/Sections/News/Details.aspx?NewsId=16562

Great thought, but maybe a year or two from affordability (at the $1,000 price tag). As I said, I can get the really good Sony Blu-Ray player that upsamples (the best it can) current DVDs, and includes 6 Blu-Ray DVD's (average cost $24.99 each - about $150.00 extra) for $399.00. That's a net cost of around $250.00 for the player. I'll save the other $600 for some playoff tickets next year...

[Los Broncos]

I just bought a HD-DVD home theater system for two hundred.

Its looks and sounds great, Magnovox is an ok brand.

[Beantown Bronco]

I just bought a HD-DVD home theater system for two hundred..

Where is the truck parked that you bought that from? :wiggle:

[sonsofkraftybob]

My PS3 is Blu-Ray. The only movie I watched on it so far is "300". it was absolutely AWESOME. The 47 inch Vizio 1080 LCD didn't hurt either

[Los Broncos]

Where is the truck parked that you bought that from? :wiggle:

Down near the hood, they come in a big brown paper bag.

You have to do all the wiring yourself Hilarious!

[cmhargrove]

My PS3 is Blu-Ray. The only movie I watched on it so far is "300". it was absolutely AWESOME. The 47 inch Vizio 1080 LCD didn't hurt either

Is that the same Vizio that LT uses?

[manchambo]

I've been thinking about this recently. Looked at a number of reviews. LG's universal player is available for $600 at this point at Circuit City. Samsung is coming out with a universal for $1000.

My conclusions--you could get a pretty good player in either format for around $400. You could get one that plays both for $600-$1000 (though the LG apparently has some problems) and I imagine by next Christmas you'll be able to get a good universal player around $500. However, by far the best deal has to be the PS3, which is a good blu-ray player, and a cutting-edge game machine, for only $399. Even if blu-ray loses out, you'll still have a good game machine (though apparently a lot of people prefer X-Box and Wii) and by that time, if HD-DVD is victorious, those players will be cheap cheap.

[Hotrod]

My PS3 is Blu-Ray. The only movie I watched on it so far is "300". it was absolutely AWESOME. The 47 inch Vizio 1080 LCD didn't hurt either

So your pretty happy with the Vizio? Im in the market myself

[Beantown Bronco]

My PS3 is Blu-Ray. The only movie I watched on it so far is "300". it was absolutely AWESOME. The 47 inch Vizio 1080 LCD didn't hurt either

Vizio's are nice, but that friggin commercial with LT2 is killing me. He is just an awful actor. There had to be someone else they could sign, and probably for less money. I'm boycotting all their TVs until they stop running that POS every commercial break during the games.

It almost makes me wish they forked over the dough for Manning.

[sonsofkraftybob]

Is that the same Vizio that LT uses?

I thought that was the Plasma??? Could be worng.

[Beantown Bronco]

I've been thinking about this recently. Looked at a number of reviews. LG's universal player is available for $600 at this point at Circuit City. Samsung is coming out with a universal for $1000.

My conclusions--you could get a pretty good player in either format for around $400. You could get one that plays both for $600-$1000 (though the LG apparently has some problems)

I don't know where you are coming up with $600. It's still $1,000 according to circuit city's website.

http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/LG-Blu-Ray-HD-DVD-Player-LG-BH200/sem/rpsm/oid/194971/catOid/-16221/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do

I don't think there's any way you are going to find a new universal player for $600 right now. Definitely not from any major US chains.

[sonsofkraftybob]

So your pretty happy with the Vizio? Im in the market myself

Quite happy. Planet Earth is incredible as a 1080 format but there aren't that many 1080 broacasts yet. But the tv is progressive so it will scan and switch on it's own to 1080 or 720 or the other one.

I gutted and redid my basement last year and wired everything up before we put the blueboard up and the plasterer came. So I wired for 2 tv's thinking you wouldn't see the big one at an angle. You can see the picture on the tv from anywhere and at any angle in the room. I still put the other tv up anyways though...why have 1 when you can have 2!

My buddy got the 32 inch Vizio for his kitchen and that is nice as well.

Heck, I paid 1900 for mine and I think they are going for 1400 now. Throw in 100 for the wall mount.

[Hotrod]

Quite happy. Planet Earth is incredible as a 1080 format but there aren't that many 1080 broacasts yet. But the tv is progressive so it will scan and switch on it's own to 1080 or 720 or the other one.

I gutted and redid my basement last year and wired everything up before we put the blueboard up and the plasterer came. So I wired for 2 tv's thinking you wouldn't see the big one at an angle. You can see the picture on the tv from anywhere and at any angle in the room. I still put the other tv up anyways though...why have 1 when you can have 2!

My buddy got the 32 inch Vizio for his kitchen and that is nice as well.

Heck, I paid 1900 for mine and I think they are going for 1400 now. Throw in 100 for the wall mount.

Thats what I'm looking at for the $ I just cant seem to beat the Vizio product.

[manchambo]

I don't know where you are coming up with $600. It's still $1,000 according to circuit city's website.

http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/LG-Blu-Ray-HD-DVD-Player-LG-BH200/sem/rpsm/oid/194971/catOid/-16221/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do

I don't think there's any way you are going to find a new universal player for $600 right now. Definitely not from any major US chains.


I think that's the new and improved version (note that it is not even in stock yet. Their first universal one, which will play HD DVD but doesn't have full menu capabilities, is indeed listed at $599: http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/LG-Super-Blu-HD-Player-BH100/sem/rpsm/oid/171323/catOid/-17262/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do

[Drek]

microsoft is with hd-dvd, I have a hd-dvd player. I like the menu options that you get with HD-dvd compared to the PS3-blue-ray. Watching them, I can't tell much of a difference between the two.

Microsoft is a huge financial giant, and I would think they have equal if not better footing in the market.

Microsoft has almost zero financial commitment to HD-DVD, less so than the movie studios or Blockbuster who've all been jumping ship. I doubt they'll be a player in any way, shape or form really.

Whatever format porn chooses will win, its the law of the tape. :)

The porn industry has gone online pretty heavy, it isn't nearly the player it was in the days of beta-max v. VHS.

Sorry,
After a disappointing loss, I have to think about other things. I was shopping for my Christmas present yesterday and need to make a decision. I thought I would ask those "in the know."

I am going to buy a high def DVD player annd am choosing between Blu-Ray and HD DVD. Comp USA has an incredible deal on Blu-Ray ($300 discount + free movie in box + five other free movies by mail). I am very tempted to buy it. I still have a few questions.

1. Does anyone own one or the other? How do you like it?
Blu-Ray and HD-DVD are both great if you have a 1080p set and you set it up with HDMI or DVI. You'll notice a nice bump up in clarity and the sound options are phenomenal. Early on HD-DVD had more high quality releases as some Blu-Ray publishers used inferior video codecs, but both have improved the disc mastering process significantly since then and look exceptional.

2. Is one of the two formats "winning?" I don't want a BetaMax.
Ironically enough (Sony made Beta-Max and is now a major Blu-Ray champion) it looks to be Blu-Ray with a decisive lead. It has had less retail time and has already surpassed HD-DVD in total units (movies) sold. Also the PS3 is the biggest trojan horse in the history of retail. Even if its a monumental flop and only sells a quarter of what the PS2 sold (120M, so 40M) the install base would greatly eclipse HD-DVD. Most major studios are beginning to or already have jumped to the Blu-Ray side, as has blockbuster.

the HD-DVD group has been fighting back, for example they recently reached a $150M agreement to Paramount directly before Transformers came out to get it exclusive. They aren't going to roll over and die easily just because Blu-Ray is currently looking to be ahead.

The big thing to look at right now is that both have a lot of exclusive movies and TV show box sets. Determine what you want to watch and if its worth picking one over the other because of that.

HD-DVD is a more static format, first and second generation players probably won't have issues playing any new HD-DVD releases down the road. This comes at a trade off because its older tech and it doesn't have the future potential of blu-ray.

Blu-Ray is more dynamic and early stand alones likely will have issues with the newer advanced features (things HD-DVD won't offer as well) that will be rolled out over the next few years. It also has a higher actual and theoretical capacity, so it should, if it becomes the standard, have a longer shelf life. It also has some pretty cutting edge disc protection coatings that make the movies and games pretty hard to scratch up (great if you have kids).

Personally I'd say just get a PS3. You can get a bluetooth remote to control it pretty cheap and it is super chic tech. It has HDMI 1.3, which most TVs and receivers aren't even on yet, you can play cutting edge video games on it, play MPEG-4 movies and MP3's off its hard-drive, web browse, even run linux if you want, and it has hardware far surpassing anything we'll see in an HD-DVD or Blu-Ray standalone for the next 10 years. Sony periodically updates the firmware for the system, which includes blu-ray playback upgrades, and so as the format matures so will your player. You can also still take advantage of the 5 free movies via the mail in coupon, so you're really only losing out on one (boxed in) movie while getting a terrifically versatile device that can really power a home theater.

Also, if you don't have a 1080p (you should if you're considering a player) set already you can pretty easily find a nice discount on buying a Bravia (great TVs) + PS3 bundle from Best Buy or Circuit City and still get the 5 free movies deal.

If you aren't into the advanced features of the PS3 though you might be better served to just invest in a nice upscaling DVD player and wait it out another two or three years, by then the format war will be much clearer.

[Beantown Bronco]

I think that's the new and improved version (note that it is not even in stock yet. Their first universal one, which will play HD DVD but doesn't have full menu capabilities, is indeed listed at $599: http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/LG-Super-Blu-HD-Player-BH100/sem/rpsm/oid/171323/catOid/-17262/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do

As you allude to, that $600 model is not a true HD-DVD player. It does not support HDi and LG was forced to remove the official HD DVD logo as the player does not meet HD DVD specs. If you just want to play the movies, it would work; but if you want the extras that make HD-DVD what HD-DVD really is, then you are out of luck.

[tsiguy96]

best buy was selling the toshiba A-3 for 200 bucks, including 300 and bourne identity plus 5 mail in movies...

HD-DVD has the cheaper players, and in holiday time, thats all that matters, so look for HD-DVD to make a comeback.

[Hotrod]

All you HDTV experts should take a peak at my thread in the "off topics" forum. I have a thread asking questions but not many people go down there so I'm getting zero help ;D

Thanks in advance

[MileHighMagic]

I rent with Blockbuster online and they have a large selection of HD-Dvd's to choose from.

[manchambo]

I rent with Blockbuster online and they have a large selection of HD-Dvd's to choose from.


Last time I looked, Netfklix showed about 400 of one type and 250 of the other (can't remember which is which).

[broncsyanks]

just an fyi bockbuster will no longer get any movie in hd dvd format. i honestly believe that blue ray will win it based on there lead at this time. there is a reason that hd dvd is dropping there prices. and if paramount wants to sell there movies to hd dvd its a major rish IMHO. go with blue ray. or just wait it out. whats the rush>? i would concentrate on getting the nicest tv in the market as opposed to paying for a potential obsolete player. you get a nice tv pay it off, then just wait and see who wins and then buy it safely. or hey do what i did and buy a ps3. its practically a computer anyway. oh yeah and buy the stand it glows blue. chicks dig it. LOL

[Broncomutt]

Whatever format porn chooses will win, its the law of the tape. :)

LOL!:~ohyah!:

Actually I read somewhere that porn was staying away from HD technology. There are certain things you just don't wanna see in high definition, if you know what I mean.

[55CrushEm]

LOL!:~ohyah!:

Actually I read somewhere that porn was staying away from HD technology. There are certain things you just don't wanna see in high definition, if you know what I mean.

Yeah.....can you imagine Ron Jeremy in high-def.....Yikes!

[cmhargrove]

just an fyi bockbuster will no longer get any movie in hd dvd format. i honestly believe that blue ray will win it based on there lead at this time. there is a reason that hd dvd is dropping there prices. and if paramount wants to sell there movies to hd dvd its a major rish IMHO. go with blue ray. or just wait it out. whats the rush>? i would concentrate on getting the nicest tv in the market as opposed to paying for a potential obsolete player. you get a nice tv pay it off, then just wait and see who wins and then buy it safely. or hey do what i did and buy a ps3. its practically a computer anyway. oh yeah and buy the stand it glows blue. chicks dig it. LOL

I have a 2200 lumen high def projector shooting on a 92" high contrast screen. My DVD player is 5 years old. It is a great Denon player, but is starting to show its age (outputs at 480i resolution). I have High Def satellite which looks incredible, that's why I would like to upgrade to a High Def DVD source.

[Beantown Bronco]

This might be the final nail in the coffin for hd dvds.

Netflix Goes the Blu-ray Way

Mon Feb 11, 2008 10:22AM EST

The movies-by-mail giant says that from now on, it will only buy Blu-ray discs, and that it expects to "phase out" its inventory of HD DVD movies by the end of the year. Talk about a nail in the coffin.

In a press release, Netflix says that it will keep renting out HD DVD movies "until the discs' natural life cycle takes them out of circulation in the coming months." The statement goes on to say that the industry has "picked a winner" in the format war, and that "focusing on one format will enable us to create the best experience for subscribers" who want HD movies.

The news is the harshest blow for HD DVD since Warner Brothers announced it was jumping ship and going exclusively with Blu-ray.

[Hotrod]

Woohoo I won when I put my $ on blu-ray