if available on both formats, which one?

suppose I was interested in the film Payback (Mel Gibson) and it was available in both BD and HD-DVD.

which do I get?

is this even a good movie?

It's an OK movie. Which format does your player support?

MDS said:

It's an OK movie. Which format does your player support?

Click to expand...

i have a PS3, but I'm definitely getting an HD-DVD player in a few weeks.

mike c said:

suppose I was interested in the film Payback (Mel Gibson) and it was available in both BD and HD-DVD.

which do I get?

is this even a good movie?

Click to expand...

I vote for the BD version.
I only get HDDVD if they don't have it in BD format.

mike c said:

i have a PS3, but I'm definitely getting an HD-DVD player in a few weeks.

Click to expand...

Whichever audio format your system can support and is available on the disc, and which costs less, unless cost is not a factor
I would also check for the video compression used.

I too would go with whichever was cheaper, except in the case of movies like Transformers, which HD-DVD didn't have room for an uncompressed audio soundtrack. But you can't get that one on Blu-ray anyway. So if you find a movie that's on both formats, but the HD-DVD version doesn't have uncompressed audio, I'd say go Blu-ray.

I just compared audio/video reviews of both versions on highdefdigest they both got the exact same scores in every category. Although the HD DVD version has the higher resolution audio track with Dolby Digital Plus 5.1 while the BD has regular Dolby Digital and the HD DVD has mpeg-4 VC1 encoding while the BD uses mpeg-2.

Now that the tech specs are out of the way the author of both reviews said he felt the BD had a sharper image until a side by side was done and then he couldn't tell the difference.

As far as audio goes he said he couldn't hear a difference there too.

So if you want the technically "better" unit go HD DVD, but if it were me I would get whichever I could find cheaper.

The reviews:

http://bluray.highdefdigest.com/579/payback_dc.html
http://hddvd.highdefdigest.com/580/payback_dc.html

avaserfi said:

...Now that the tech specs are out of the way the author of both reviews said he felt the BD had a sharper image until a side by side was done and then he couldn't tell the difference. ...

Click to expand...

Another example of how human bias works, even if the reviewer is trying not to be BD was sharper until side by side, and perhaps the input hidden

While I have a preference for BD, I'd also say whichever one is ON SALE and costs less I've watched films on both and both look identical in quality to me.

price of the discs is exactly the same. but you guys are right, I had assumed the sound formats included were the same on both discs.

thanks avaserfi for checking. I guess HD-DVD it is ...

looks like i'm putting in my order in a week, hopefully, it arrives within a month.

mike c said:

price of the discs is exactly the same. but you guys are right, I had assumed the sound formats included were the same on both discs.

thanks avaserfi for checking. I guess HD-DVD it is ...

looks like i'm putting in my order in a week, hopefully, it arrives within a month.

Click to expand...

What are you getting?

toshiba a35, transformers, frighteners, U-571, dragonheart, terminator 3, maybe payback ... and some philips photo lcd I need asap (which pushed forward my purchase)

i'll order ratatouille and the spiderman trilogy on nov. 6 when they become available.

I've got the HD DVD version. (although I have not previewed this disc, yet)
Even though the HD DVD version has the better sound, (which is usually not the case, and it is still shown to be imperceptible), I would not buy the movie for that reason.

It would be more of a what is cheaper. (or what features I like better)
And in my case, I have found NO BD disc that has a better menu sytem than any of the HD DVD same disc.
So I prefer the menu system of HD DVDs.....

It does make me laugh though, at all the BD only fans.
When it works in their favor to have the technically superior audio, they gloat over something they can not hear (golden ears).

I will probably go ahead and get the BD version anyways, for a side by side.

trying to decide between poop and crap free 5 hd dvd movies with the player:

Hulk or Pitch Black

Pitch Black is the better movie but the Hulk should have good PQ on HD

Troy or Black Rain

I already have Troy on SD but Black Rain isn't really that "nice"

more polls

I already have spiderman 1 and 2 on superbit SD

you think I should buy the BD spiderman trilogy or just part three?

I have the matrix trilogy on sd

is it worth it to double dip the matrix? (I just watched the sd versions, which is why i'm not that hot to buy them)

I will not help you on the choice of which HD movies to choose (Troy, Black Rain, etc...)
That is 100% a personal choice, and is something YOU must decide.

But I will help with this question.
"I have the matrix trilogy on sd

is it worth it to double dip the matrix? (I just watched the sd versions, which is why i'm not that hot to buy them)"
The answer is a simple, YES.
Although, I am not fond of the 2 sequels...
I will tell you, I have all of them on SD. And the difference is night and day, the HD versions are a must have.

The Spiderman(s), I do not have on SB, only have the SD versions.
Will I be getting the trilogy on HD (BD), absolutely.

You could always buy Spiderman 3 in HD, see if you think it's that much better than the other two in SD. If not, you have not wasted any money. If you think it's that much better, then you could always sell "3" and buy the trilogy in HD.
Just a thought.

The Dukester said:

You could always buy Spiderman 3 in HD, see if you think it's that much better than the other two in SD. If not, you have not wasted any money. If you think it's that much better, then you could always sell "3" and buy the trilogy in HD.
Just a thought.

Click to expand...

While I understand the logic you are saying, Duke.
I don't really agree with it.
Considering he will be paying top dollar for the SD version, and will not be able to sell it for the same.
Then WILL buy the HD version.
However, I am sure there is a family member that would enjoy a new SD Spiderman 3.

That being the case, I would just wait for the reviewers score.

Anyhow, (off-topic) long time since we talked Duke.
Have you picked up a HD DVD or BD player?

Mike, when you get that A35, let me know your impressions (granted, you do not have another player for comparison).
I will more than likely be picking the A35 up, as well a BD-P1400

Gasman said:

Mike, when you get that A35, let me know your impressions (granted, you do not have another player for comparison).
I will more than likely be picking the A35 up, as well a BD-P1400

Click to expand...

will do. but you're gonna have to wait a month or so.

That's cool.
I was thinking of picking it up about a month and a half.
The 1400, I may be picking up within the next 3 weeks (maybe sooner).

But the A35, since I already have 2 players, I can hold off for longer (waiting for a sale)