BluRay or HD DVD?

[Benjamindaines]

What do you guys as movie production people think is better?

[zap2]

I'm expecting Blue-Ray in here...its a good format to, expensive, but top notch. HD DVD is good to, but Blue-Ray wins in specs.


That said, I imagine Beta-Max would be more liked in here over VHS, and we all know how that turned out

[Benjamindaines]

The specs are better on BluRay, but something about it being sony scares me off. Not to mention all the features Microsoft advertises for HD DVD are totally useless.

[Rod Rod]

What do you guys as movie production people think is better?

Whichever one I'm getting paid to make at whichever given moment is better.

It's important that both blue laser formats are available, at least for professionals. However it would be nice if iDVD could write to either one.

One neat thing about sticking with the Apple HDV codec is when you create an HD-DVDR in DVD Studio Pro 4, you don't need to transcode anything. This is great for short projects.

Whoever's out there with an Xbox 360, HD DVD player add-on, Final Cut Suite, a decent Mac and an HDV camcorder is living the life right now.

[hvfsl]

Well for short movies in HD. I think HD movies on standard DVDs are better. My holiday videos don't last more than about 30mins, which should easily fit on a 9GB DVD.

Of course those movies will only play in a HD-DVD or BluRay player. But it doesn't require buying an expensive HD-DVD or BluRay burner.

But as for which format will win the format war. Well that's the one which has the most studio support, which is BluRay.

[poppe]

I Picked HD DVD for two reasons:

One: I own an XBOX 360 so I want it to win.
Two: As said earlier, its backed behind Sony which is a scary thing. Also Disney scares me to... Neither company do I trust nor do I want them to win. HD-DVD to me feels more free and for the people (and this is just how it feels, not how it really is), while blue-ray feels very corporate and maximizing profits.

Sadly I keep hearing good things about blue ray...

In the film business I could careless which prevails. Sure blue ray has better specs, but all I really care about is that this war is over with asap so I can jump head first in to the format and invest in equipment and junk...

[dartzorichalcos]

Check this (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_high_definition_optical_disc_formats) comparison and I chose Blue-ray because it has more space and better bitrate.

[sam10685]

Blu-ray. bigger storage capacity. better name. Duh.

[JNB]

Plus, Apple's one of the Blu-Ray Committee (or Consortium, Cabal, whatever) members. You can bet that whatever ultimately gets built-in or made availavle from them will be Blu-Ray.

[zap2]

Blu-ray. bigger storage capacity. better name. Duh.

Better name? HD DVD is much cooler!

[dartzorichalcos]

Better name? HD DVD is much cooler!

HD DVD sounds old and boring and Blu-ray sounds new and fresh. Blue-ray is the future and will be standard soon, hopefully.

[sam10685]

Better name? HD DVD is much cooler!

HD DVD is awesome... i will say that. but remember how "DVD" was so advanced and futuristic-sounding 5-6 years ago? now it's used in everyday talk. it's old. adding 2 letters to it is a change but Blu-Ray is way different and it now sounds "advanced and futuristic-sounding."

[Rod Rod]

Plus, Apple's one of the Blu-Ray Committee (or Consortium, Cabal, whatever) members. You can bet that whatever ultimately gets built-in or made availavle from them will be Blu-Ray.

No. Apple is also a member of the DVD Forum, which is behind HD DVD.

Apple is on both "sides." Professionals need the ability to output to either format. HD DVD authoring (onto regular red-laser DVDRs) has been a feature of DVD Studio Pro for almost two years now.

Blu-ray video disc authoring in DVD Studio Pro 5 will likely be announced in 11 days. Burning to either blue-laser format (Blu-ray and HD DVD) is also very likely.

[bembol]

Specs and even Studio Support doesn't mean anything!

I USED to OWN BOTH (Sony PlayStation 3/60GB) but decided to sell it and stick with HD DVD (Toshiba HD-XA2, Highly Recommended, Amazing Reviews).

My issues with Blu-ray Disc were:

1. Inconsistent Picture Quality in New & Catalogs (especially) Releases. Take a look at Disney's recent release G.I. JANE, KING ARTHUR.

2. Lack of Special Features. Feels like '97 all over again when Studio like Disney thinks Instant Access and Seamless Menus are Features.

3. Lack of Interactivity. Issues with BD-Java is the reason why Blu-ray doesn't have WB's titles (all available on HD DVD) with In-Movie Experience (IME) like BATMAN BEGINS, HARRY POTTER: THE GOBLET of FIRE (UK release), POSEIDON or the Upcoming MATRIX ULTIMATE/TRILOGY!!!

4. 20th Century Fox's over-priced $35-40 CAN CATALOGS/BAREBONE titles. I have no problem with New Releases, hell I'm paying that for Universal's PACKED, HD DVD/DVD Combo releases.

Now I read that they have completely pulled their previously announced BD's like ME, MYSELF & IRENE and MR. & MRS. SMITH...again whether it's Production or Security issues, BD continues to have problems!

*News/Reviews can be found @ High-Def Digest.

[nateDEEZY]

To the poster above I believe they are working on BD-Java with the new specs and such.

The inconsistent picture quality I would see happening on both sides of the fence.

The lack of "user interactive" features, commentaries etc... aren't a huge deal to me, I watch movies for the main feature. :)

But if and when blu-ray does get all of that, that will be a huge blow too hd-dvd format.

Seems to me HD-DVD has all their features and special stuff already out there, doesn't look they can throw many more blows to blu-ray.

Blu-ray has yet to offer everything they are capable of. Once they get the bugs worked on on BD-Java and all if not most of the blu-ray players updated and add a special features section that'll be a major blow to hd-dvd, if not a knock out punch.

[johnee]

not sure which spec is better (sounds like bluray has some votes here), but it's all moot anyway, the porn industry will pick the winner. It played a large role in the betamax/vhs battle, and will do so with hd-dvd and bluray

[Benjamindaines]

not sure which spec is better (sounds like bluray has some votes here), but it's all moot anyway, the porn industry will pick the winner. It played a large role in the betamax/vhs battle, and will do so with hd-dvd and bluray

Well the porn industry has said that they are only backing HD DVD but the battle goes on.

[bigbossbmb]

not sure which spec is better (sounds like bluray has some votes here), but it's all moot anyway, the porn industry will pick the winner. It played a large role in the betamax/vhs battle, and will do so with hd-dvd and bluray

No... the porn industry won't have anything to do with who wins (if there ever is a clear winner) this batte. It has been said before on these forums, and I'll repeat it:

The porn industry had influence back then because VHS became a better means of distribution for adult films than shady adult movie theaters. The HD DVD vs Blu-Ray battel has no influence on introducing a new way of distributing porn.


The adult film industry has already started moving over to online distribution. They don't care about this battle much...regular DVD's are cheap and the profit margins they get are unbeatable compared to everything except online distribution.

[poppe]

To the poster above I believe they are working on BD-Java with the new specs and such.

The inconsistent picture quality I would see happening on both sides of the fence.

The lack of "user interactive" features, commentaries etc... aren't a huge deal to me, I watch movies for the main feature. :)

But if and when blu-ray does get all of that, that will be a huge blow too hd-dvd format.

Seems to me HD-DVD has all their features and special stuff already out there, doesn't look they can throw many more blows to blu-ray.

Blu-ray has yet to offer everything they are capable of. Once they get the bugs worked on on BD-Java and all if not most of the blu-ray players updated and add a special features section that'll be a major blow to hd-dvd, if not a knock out punch.

While I understand your feelings about the user interactive features, since this is not just a Blue Ray vs. HD-DVD forum, but a forum of video/film professionals this is very important to us.

So I have to agree with the original poster on interactive features and that they are important. For me, for example, I am a film student and watch the behind the scenes so I know exactly how they do certain shots (like children of men car scene, just crazy).

[LethalWolfe]

I hope both formats crash and burn as punishment to the companies for starting another format war. Viva la holographic (http://www.inphase-technologies.com/technology/index.html) storage!! :D


Lethal

[poppe]

I hope both formats crash and burn as punishment to the companies for starting another format war. Viva la holographic (http://www.inphase-technologies.com/technology/index.html) storage!! :D


Lethal

Heck yeah. I mentioned that disc format about 8 months ago in the HD-DVD vs Blue Ray thread in another forum (this thread had, at the time a couple hundred responses) and boy did I get creamed for such blasphemy. I posted about 20 reports of the holographic disc but no one was impressed...

The problem as of right now for holographic is that they are not pushing to be in our living rooms. No, there goal is strictly for video market, i.e. replace the Betamax. This is a sad day since there are many great things to this format. It still has some big downsides as well though...

[Fearless Leader]

Well technically speaking the two are quite similar. The video on both are nearly the same. I think HD-DVD will win because it integrates into existing optical disk production lines as where blue-ray will need special hardware. But blue-ray will be the back-up standard and might be more integrated into home production.

[hvfsl]

Well the porn industry has said that they are only backing HD DVD but the battle goes on.
Well as others have said, the porn industry isn't as important to this war. But even so, porn is on both HD-DVD and BluRay.

The original story about there not being porn on BluRay (to which I assume you are referring to), was actually started by someone with a pro-HD DVD agenda. It was based on Sony at the time not producing porn BluRay disks at their plants. But Sony are not the only company manufacturing BluRay disks and it has been possible to get porn in HD on both formats for some time now.

[Lycrarob]

Well Sony has just repeated the past with there Blu-ray. Just like Beta max.
I am meaning, Sony has put a ban on Blu-ray being used for the adult film industy.
I am betting thousands to one that HD DVD is your answer to everything.
Blu-Ray will stay in the professional world only due to there specs.
When was the last time any one sat down for 8 hrs to watch any movie, like never!
Blu-ray will strictly remain as an archive procedure for television stations that have HDTV camera edit bay's for archiving. The television stations no longer as of the next two yrs have tape recordings, Its all going to blu-ray. Sony already has pro camcorders that are recording on blu-ray.
So once again, Sony is after the profesional market in there media.
Good on Sony!
Ill buy a blu-ray recorder system for my mac. I sure need to back up all my footage.
HD DVD players are less than half the price of blu-ray players now.

Cheers,

Rob

[gkarris]

This has been polled and discussed before... please search...

I didn't vote - do you mean what will win or what we use?

I have the XB360 HD DVD drive. VC-1 encoded movies are stunning.

I've seen Blu-ray at the stores, most have MPEG-2 and I get annoyed by the mosquito noise.

I can tell the difference on my front projection system.

An article I read stated that "Disney will decide this format war..." - Disney has chosen Blu-ray.

I don't know how this can be - Blu-ray players are $600 the cheapest. MPEG-2 Blu-ray titles look inferior... and movies are more expensive.

I can see that the public would think it's better because of capacity (like VHS, it has more) and is backed by Sony (PS3) and it costs more - if it costs more, it's better!

[Lycrarob]

But, Who knows.
I am under the impression that this comming fall there is a new system that is going to play both versions, HD DVD and Blu-ray. Its starting price is arround the $1400 US$ margine.
I cant wait untill next weeks NAB for what we are all waiting for.
This time next month do a search on NAB 2007, you might learn alot.

[mustard]

But, Who knows.
I am under the impression that this comming fall there is a new system that is going to play both versions, HD DVD and Blu-ray. Its starting price is arround the $1400 US$ margine.
I cant wait untill next weeks NAB for what we are all waiting for.
This time next month do a search on NAB 2007, you might learn alot.

I actually think that LG makes one that is available on store shelves today for aprox $1000 (I swear I saw it at Best Buy). As well as Samsung having announced one.

EDIT - I stand corrected $1,199 (http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8203311&type=product&productCategoryId=pcmcat113700050010&id=1165610378688)

[Will_reed]

These days HD-DVD has gotten itself in such a ruckus that I would be reluctant to adopt the format at any level.

People can spin blu-ray in any way they like but the cold hard facts are cementing the format for a swift victory.

HD-DVD fans are in a state of denial.

[mustard]

These days HD-DVD has gotten itself in such a ruckus that I would be reluctant to adopt the format at any level.

People can spin blu-ray in any way they like but the cold hard facts are cementing the format for a swift victory.

HD-DVD fans are in a state of denial.

I think that:

the Blu-Ray camp is focused on a technology driven goal - AKA higher capacity

the HD-DVD camps is focused on profitability driven goal - AKA cheaper

I personally have decided that I would rather have two cheaper discs with more capacity - keeping in mind that backing-up is the true benefit since movies are getting shorter and shorter (most average 90min other than Grindhouse - so what is the point)

[poppe]

These days HD-DVD has gotten itself in such a ruckus that I would be reluctant to adopt the format at any level.

People can spin blu-ray in any way they like but the cold hard facts are cementing the format for a swift victory.

HD-DVD fans are in a state of denial.

What problems are you talking about? I really only hear Blue-ray so I'm curious to what the HD-DVD problems were.

[CmdrLaForge]

I'm expecting Blue-Ray in here...its a good format to, expensive, but top notch. HD DVD is good to, but Blue-Ray wins in specs.


What is so good about BR ? Is it just that it can hold more data ? I would expect the quality to be completly independant from the amount of data a disk can hold but that it just depends on the CODEC used.

[G5Unit]

I want HD DVD to win, but Blu-ray will win. Just because all the FUD they're spreading.

[psychofreak]

What is so good about BR ? Is it just that it can hold more data ? I would expect the quality to be completly independant from the amount of data a disk can hold but that it just depends on the CODEC used.

Also, it is apparently (I never used it) much more resilient than HD-DVD disks, so it is the sole HD format that will run after a small scratch...

[LethalWolfe]

Also, it is apparently (I never used it) much more resilient than HD-DVD disks, so it is the sole HD format that will run after a small scratch...

IIRC HD-DVD should be more resilient to scratches because the data layer(s) is further away from the surface of the disc.


Lethal

[hvfsl]

IIRC HD-DVD should be more resilient to scratches because the data layer(s) is further away from the surface of the disc.


Lethal
The reason BluRay is more resilient is because of the coating the disks use. There is a good video on youtube here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o5jEbZt6AIQ

[psychofreak]

The reason BluRay is more resilient is because of the coating the disks use. There is a good video on youtube here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o5jEbZt6AIQ

Wow!

[mactree]

I will tell you why HD-DVD is a great thing for me right now. Because you can encode and author an HD-DVD with DVD Studio Pro and burn that info on regular 4.7 GB DVD media, then go play it back on your HD-DVD player. Some of you may have not tried to do this yet thinking that you need an HD-DVD burner for this to work.. it's pretty cool. It's nice to provide this service for clients without having made the investment for a HD-DVD burner yet.

Maybe this was just common knowledge, but I thought it was cool.

[grapes911]

No. Apple is also a member of the DVD Forum, which is behind HD DVD.

Apple is on both "sides."
Apple is a member of the DVD Forum, but not because they support HD DVD (because they don't). Apple is a member because they support DVD. Apple only (at least offically anyway) supports Blu-ray.




Well Sony has just repeated the past with there Blu-ray. Just like Beta max.Sony will repeat this past? You mean like Betamax? Or do you mean like the Walkman, the Discman, the CD, the 3 1/2 inch floppy, the PS, the PS2, IEEE1394 (Firewire/iLink), the Hi8? Which past are we talking about?

[Benjamindaines]

Well Sony has just repeated the past with there Blu-ray. Just like Beta max.

Beta max was not a failure, it just wasn't as widely used as VHS. Beta max is used a lot for video archiving purposes. Sony made money from it so it wasn't a failure.

[failsafe1]

I would like BR simply because of more storage space for archiving. From a marketing stand point I think of HD more because of more commercials and advertising. I still think it is too early to tell which will be the clear winner. It would be nice to have a standard but time will tell.

[beingme]

Blu ray basically for specs

[Cult Follower]

bluray sounds the coolest and I like it, so hopefully it will win.

[G5Unit]

HD DVD isn't Sony though! I vote for HD DVD because of the consumer friendliness.

[SMM]

I read about the technology a couple years back. However, (mainly) because of the price, I was not impressed by either. As an archive media, there are other options available. It would be nice to have either/or available, but at current DVD prices - hardware/software/media. Until that happens, I will have limited interest. IIRC, the price of tape players and tapes were initially inflated because there was no standard. Tapes only became affordable for 'the masses' when VHS became the de facto standard. It would appear, a similar situation has once again shown itself.

I have read a few times, Betamax was a superior technology to VHS. But, it was not the winner (someone posted that Betamax was also successful at a smaller level - I cannot comment on that). Anyway, it may once again prove true, the better technology may not emerge as the 'standard'. That happens a lot. I just with one of them would get adopted so we can move on with this technology.

[poppe]

Lets just get Flashdrives/memory sticks (when technology allows us) instead of some scratch able disc...

[mrkramer]

I think that it will end up with both formats, when more players are available that work with both formats. Personally I would like to see optical media die out and be replaced by digital distribution.

[cgratti]

MY QUESTION IS VHS or BETAMAX?!

[SWC]

HD DVD isn't Sony though! I vote for HD DVD because of the consumer friendliness.

Consumer friendly, their attempts (which didnt work) to block consumer burners from the market was in the best interest of the consumer