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Is it silly to buy a HD-DVD?

GoCubsGo

GoCubsGo

macrumors Nehalem
Original poster
Feb 19, 2005
35,743
155
I'm curious because I got a taste of HD-DVD and now I just happen to really want one. My problem is that I believe both formats look the same. I do not have some trained eye that can really tell you why each format is different. I just know what I see and it looks good. Simple, but what else do you expect?

Now I want to buy an HD-DVD player or a Blu-Ray player. Which one? I don't know. The biggest issue is that Sony Pictures won't release their movies on HD-DVD and why would they? I don't blame them in the midst of a format war. That knocks out right off the top of my head Spiderman. I'm a fan, no lies. That also knocks out Resident Evil and many more I'm sure I'd love. But then what isn't on HD that is on Blu-Ray? I'm not sure so maybe that makes my mind up for me. If HD-DVD and Blu-Ray have the same titles with the exception of anything from Sony then Blu-Ray seems the way to go.

I'd like to be patient but it's really starting get annoying.

Thoughts?
 
Blu-ray is the format of choice for HD. Get a Blu-ray player, if that's what you want.

I had a PS3, which has a Blu-ray player. It was sold before Sony released the PS3 with the upgraded hard drive. I can't justify the price increase of HD movies over SD. Paying $20 or more for a movie that I might watch as few as one time is a big waste of money. I bought 10 Blu-ray movies. Although I could see some difference, it was not worth paying extra for it. I figured, why bother with a movie that costs $25 that I can get for $10 or even less, if I rent it?
 
MK2007 said:
Blu-ray is the format of choice for HD. Get a Blu-ray player, if that's what you want.

I had a PS3, which has a Blu-ray player. It was sold before Sony released the PS3 with the upgraded hard drive. I can't justify the price increase of HD movies over SD. Paying $20 or more for a movie that I might watch as few as one time is a big waste of money. I bought 10 Blu-ray movies. Although I could see some difference, it was not worth paying extra for it. I figured, why bother with a movie that costs $25 that I can get for $10 or even less, if I rent it?
Click to expand...

First of all, if you have an Xbox 360, get the HD-DVD attachment. If you don't, still get an HD-DVD player. But unless you have a 50"+ TV with 1080p, sitting extra close, you probably won't see the difference in HD. Also, HD has a format base that you have to follow when making HD players, meaning, they might have more features on one or the other, but they all have to have some of the same characteristics. Blueray has no such thing.

Finally, all titles on Blueray are NOT going to be the same as HD-DVD. Why?
http://www.engadget.com/2007/08/20/paramount-dreamworks-dropping-blu-ray-in-favor-of-hd-dvd-exclus/

So now movies like Transformers will only be in HD-DVD. More people are swaying the way of HD-DVD mainly because of its cost. I have the HD-DVD player for the 360 and I have a PS3. I really don't see much of a difference on my new Samsung LCD 40". But the difference I see all together is, buy action movies, or movies that are intended to be huge like the Planet Earth box set. And buy them new, most re-makes of other movies look good, but not worth the money, especially if you already own it (example: Casino). Hope this helps you out.
 
There is no standard choice for HD yet, Blu Ray nor HD DVDs have delivered what they should.

Anyone who says one is superior to another is missing the cons of each as well...

I say wait until every TV is HD, then buy HD things like movies.
 
As always, when purchasing a high definition disc format you need to look at exclusive studio support.

If you want Ratatouille (Pixar/Buena Vista), Spider-man (Sony), Pirates of the Caribbean (Disney/Buena Vista) or Fantastic Four (Fox), choose Blu-ray.

If you want Transformers (DreamWorks), Shrek (DreamWorks), Mission Impossible (Paramount) or Meet the Parents (Universal), choose HD DVD.

The cost of individual titles are roughly the same (around $20), at least at online retailers like Amazon. The cheapest Blu-ray player is the PS3 at $499. The cheapest HD DVD player is the Toshiba A2 at $249.

Good luck.
 
By a PS3. Even if Blu-Ray tanks you've still got a game console :)

Same logic in reverse for the XBox.
 
jaw04005 said:
As always, when purchasing a high definition disc format you need to look at exclusive studio support.

If you want Ratatouille (Pixar/Buena Vista), Spider-man (Sony), Pirates of the Caribbean (Disney/Buena Vista) or Fantastic Four (Fox), choose Blu-ray.

Good luck.
Click to expand...

Not all Blu-Ray exclusives are exclusives.

Some blu-ray exclusives in the US are released on HD-DVD elsewhere (due to complex licensing agreements), many of those movies include English as an option, and because HD-DVD is regionless they can be obtained from Europe (from a US centric point of view).

Page 2 of the article has Fantastic Four.

BTW, I choose neither, currently.:cool:
 
From what I recall reading recently Blu-Ray movies are greatly outselling HD-DVD movies.

Even though more HD-DVD players are sold than Blu-Ray players, if you factor in PS3's Blu-Ray player than HD-DVD does not come close. While you can get an HD-DVD add-on for the XBOX 360 the adoption rate still does not match the PS3.

As for which format is better I would just wait until a victor is clear. I for one could care less about extra features, such as trailers interviews and making of. All I want is the Movie I bought, preferably the directors cut/extended edition. Though I am sure some people use those features I doubt most people care at all. It is extremely rare for me to see anyone look at any of the extras on DVD's, unless waiting for someone to sit down to start the flick. I wish they would give you a choice to save money by getting a disc with just the movie and a simple text based menu, for short load times.
 
velocityg4 said:
From what I recall reading recently Blu-Ray movies are greatly outselling HD-DVD movies.
Click to expand...

I heard it wasn't that bad, Blu-Ray was selling more, but not a whole lot more (all hearsay on my part, of course).

But both are being utterly crushed by DVD sales.
 
Motley said:
I heard it wasn't that bad, Blu-Ray was selling more, but not a whole lot more (all hearsay on my part, of course).

But both are being utterly crushed by DVD sales.
Click to expand...


I've recently had this discussion with a friend. Blu-ray is going to hopefully win out, more companies have deals in the US, and Disney is just massive because disney makes more than just cartoons (Armageddon for instance was a disney movie). But I would hold out till the price drops.
 
Buy neither until there is either a clear winner or combo players that support both. but if you have to get one now then go with what the studios that you want movies from the most and get whichever one they are supporting.
 
Abstract said:
Give me 5 years, when every TV can show 1080p quality images, then we'll talk. Until then, I can't afford a "real" HDTV, so what's the point?
Click to expand...

No matter what, as consumers, we are all screwed.

In 5 years they will have a new technology or they will produce "remastered" versions of the movies you purchased last week.

Its the music industry BS all over again.

45 > LP > Cassette > CD > CD Hi-Fidelity > CD Remastered > DVD Music

Same damn thing done up seven or more different ways. That's how people like Little Richard haven't had to work in 50 years and you have to work overtime to pay for ringtones.
 
Blu-ray has outsold HD-DVD by 2 to 1 all through 2007. It is the clear winner in this new format war.

Whether or not a High Definition player of either sort is for you depends on your budget. The player itself is only a small portion of what you will spend on movies over the next few years.

I am holding on to my money and buying SD movies for the foreseeable future. HD movies are overhyped, in my opinion. When their price comes down to $5 per movie, then I will upgrade. Note that I said "HD" as in both Blu-ray and HD-DVD formats.
 
MK2007 said:
When their price comes down to $5 per movie, then I will upgrade. Note that I said "HD" as in both Blu-ray and HD-DVD formats.
Click to expand...

And just what are you smoking? :rolleyes:

Standard DVDs still sell at $15+ at Target. The movies that went straight to video are $10.

I can't see the day when they drop that low. It wouldn't be worth it to manufacture, distribute, stock and put them on the shelves at that price.
 
Buy Whatever Format Has The Movies You Want....

....Or wait until there are more combo players on the market. That way you can play both.

Seriously, it all comes down to the movies you like:

Support Blu-ray Only:
Sony/Columbia Tristar (and subsidiaries)
Fox
MGM
Walt Disney (incl. Buena Vista, Tochstone, Miramax, Dimension [Older Releases] & Pixar)
Lionsgate
Starz (Anchor Bay)

Support HD DVD Only:
Universal (incl. Focus & Rogue)
Paramount Pictures (incl. DreamWorks, DreamWorks SKG., MTV Films, Nickelodeon & Paramount Vantage)
Wienstien (incl. Demension [New Releases] & selected Miramax titles)
First Look Studios

Are Smart and Support Both Formats:
Warner Bros.
New Line Cinema
Magnolia Pictures
HBO
StudioCanal
Image Entertainment
BBC Home Video

I would also suggest that you do not buy a Blu-ray player other than the PS3 at the moment. Current players (with the exeception of the PS3) will never support advanced features like PiP commentaries. Players manufactured after the end of Oct. are required to meet Profile 1.1 specs and will be able to play the PiP features.

If you want all the movies now you could also buy one of each player. A PS3 and a Toshiba HD-A2 would cost you a little over $700. It's what I did. :D

FYI, LG and Samsung have Profile 1.1 compliant HD DVD/Blu-ray "combo" players coming out this christmas. They are fully featured and look to be top quality. The downside... A $999 pricetag :eek:

At that price I'd still recommend the PS3/A2 combo. Sure it's two players instead of one but it's also not a grand!

Edit: Also, woo hoo for me. I'm finally no longer a newbie!
 
Well from what I read Toshiba is opening the flood-gate on HD DVD players for Christmas. I am not sure how the market will respond to a $199 HD DVD player, but it will be interesting.

Funny as it sounds the porn industry is going in the HD DVD direction because Sony does not want porn on Blu-ray, although some independent distributers are doing it anyhow.

The advantage of Blu-ray is that a disk can hold more data. The advantage of HD DVD is that the disks can be made on the same equipment standard DVD's are made on. In theory the HD DVD should be cheaper to produce giving similar results.

Blu-ray titles are selling better right now and I think a lot of that has to do with people buying them for PS3's. Personally I don't care which one wins so I am going to hold out, however Sony loves "total control" of every format they come up with. I am not sure that will be an advantage in the future.

Sony shot themselves in the foot with Betamax even though it was suppose to be better then VHS. That was the last large scale fight on a video format war. Some people say that porn is the reason that VHS won, others say recording length. This time I think it will be more difficult to figure out. Apple has kind of jumped on the Blu-ray wagon, however they are also using HD DVD technology so I think they are kind of waiting out the war as well.

If you have an xBox 360 and an HDTV then I would recommend getting the HD DVD player that goes with it. If you don't and you do not have a PS3, then you might want to wait closer to the holidays because it sounds like HD DVD is going to go cut throat on player prices.

With all of that said I think the standard DVD will continue to be the most popular format at least for the next few years. As more and more people get HDTV's then a clear winner will emerge. A standard DVD played on an HDTV with an upscaling player looks pretty good. Nothing like HD DVD or Blu-ray, but more then acceptable.
 
A cheap HD DVD player ($199 retail) is hitting stores this Christmas. It's made by the Chinese company Venture.

Also, Toshiba is packaging 2 free movies in the box with all 3rd gen players (A3, A30 and A35) this October. The movies are Warner's 300 and Universals Bourne Identity. Both pretty good movies IMO - I already own both.

And Toshiba is extending the 5 free offer. One can get a 3rd gen player for $299 with 7 free movies.

Oh, and The HDDVD/DVD Forum has just approved a new triple layer 51GB disc. Will studios use the TL-51? Maybe but it's pretty expensive. Not as expensive as the BD50, but still....
 
Well it is clear that what I'd want is a hybrid player. Then the format wars can go on forever and I'll be covered. Of course since I generally refrain from buying personal gifts around Christmas I would wait until the end of the 1st quarter 08 to buy. That may be when we see a price drop on the hybrids.
 
If you can afford both and want to enjoy watching your favorites in High-Def, why stress yourself out?

I started out with HD DVD (had Toshiba's HD-A1, upgraded to HD-XA2) and went with BD when Sony released PlayStation 3/60GB.


BTW, avoid that LG. It's not supported by the DVD Forum and doesn't support HD DVD's HDi. Samsung's BDP-U5000 on the other hand is fully supported, it's coming out this October.
 
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