Blu-Ray Disc or HD-DVD - What will you buy?

[BMXTRIX]

So, there is a format war brewing and while a number of sites have put up questions on this, I don't think we have here yet.

I don't want to get into a debate on which is really better, but want to just get some responses for what people are buying and why.

I may respond later - thanks.

 

[Nomo]

I'll be sitting this one out for a while. No doubt the players will be over my budget, and I simply don't want to be stuck with a glorified BetaMax machine.

 

[Leprkon]

I'll be sitting this one out for a while. No doubt the players will be over my budget, and I simply don't want to be stuck with a glorified BetaMax machine.

just to add to Nomo's wisdom: whichever one is actually still being sold two years from now, for two reasons:

DVD upscaled to 720P or 1080i on a decent TV is incredible enough that we can afford to wait.

TV's still can't take a 1080P signal, so why bother ? It's like putting V-rated tires on a Yugo... Once they settle THAT format war AFTER they settle the disk format war, it might be worth looking into !

 

[ca_newbee]

I think there's also a format war possible if the cable and satellites companies get their act together and deliver true HD and a way of archiving my HD shows via a PVR... won't need any disks, blue or whatever if that comes to fruition...

Going to sit on my wallet for now

 

[Naves74]

After getting involved with the whole SACD - DVDA scene I will wait this one out untill atleast one HDDVD or Blueray disk comes out every tuesday.

 

[doomguardian]

The first Blue-Ray players are going to cost 1800$ US and up.

The PS3 is going to cost around 399$ US with a 2x Blu-Ray drive.

Along with Cinematic CGI quality graphical games, I'll get the PS3 for sure.

 

[MBauer]

On the fence

I don't see a need to buy either right away. I lean towards Blu-Ray, primarily because of its applicability for computers so I can leverage the investment in media and skill. I think the "winner" will wind up being very affordable as the media and electronics for a larger market make the productio a no brainer for teh large scale elctronic manufacturers,

I am also on the DVD player wait and see. I would not buy a DVD player right now until this issue is settled. Obviously if mine died I would replace one, but with the least expensive upconverting player I could find.

The issue will be dcided by availability of content and if absolutely necessary, I would buy both. However, as in SACD vs DVDA, I think univeral players will be the ticket. Then a Blu-Ray for the computers as 50BG storage sounds great to me as a backup and archival tool.

For me, I feel with a little patience ,we the consumer, will be the winner, not Blu-Ray or HD DVD

 

[gellor]

The first Blue-Ray players are going to cost 1800$ US and up.

The PS3 is going to cost around 399$ US with a 2x Blu-Ray drive.

Along with Cinematic CGI quality graphical games, I'll get the PS3 for sure.

Not that it makes much difference, but Samsung's will be one of the first ones out at $1000.

Clicky

It doesn't make much difference to me because I'm still trying to get my speakers upgraded. So yeah...hopefully by the time I can afford my speakers, one of them will have come down in price and will also have hopefully won the format war. I got burned on DVD-Audio as well. (although not as bad as some.) So I'm in no rush.

 

[Jedi2016]

Quite simple, really. Blu-Ray. Because I'll have a Blu-Ray player in my PS3 (which I'm buying regardless of any format war).

Seriously, that's a HUGE reason right there.. nothing extra to buy. No other player, no add-ons, nothing.

 

[Vancouver]

After getting involved with the whole SACD - DVDA scene I will wait this one out untill atleast one HDDVD or Blueray disk comes out every tuesday.

i have to agree with this.

I also want to wait until there are Good 1080p plasmas, projectors etc. For now my HDTV and external Iscan HD processor makes good enough quality to hang on until a true winner arises.

 

[Hi Ho]

You can preorder an HD-DVD player at Crutchfield for $499. I will be sitting it out, however. I don't like the fact that Sony has a lot of influence on Blu-Ray (they created it... rootkit comes to mind... or even worse) and I would rather have HD-DVD but I won't be buying until there is a clear winner.

 

[Sheep]

I will get blueray. And I will get a PS3. The PS3 will replace my computer. So I don't have to worry about upgrading it, and just use it as a media player.

SheepStar

 

[dburchet]

The first Blue-Ray players are going to cost 1800$ US and up.

The PS3 is going to cost around 399$ US with a 2x Blu-Ray drive.

Along with Cinematic CGI quality graphical games, I'll get the PS3 for sure.

But with that 2x player, load times on the games are going to be so high it'll be frustrating. I'll probably end up buy one on down the road, unless Rockstar keeps releasing the GTA series for 360

 

[The Dukester]

I'll be sitting this one out for a while. No doubt the players will be over my budget, and I simply don't want to be stuck with a glorified BetaMax machine.

I still have and use my Betamax, but for the question at hand, I will be waiting. First out units are too rich for me, especially when the content is so limited. Heck, I bought a third gen DVD player and still had to buy discs to use it as there were only two places that rented them in town...the opposite side from me. 45-50 mins plus gas to rent: NOT.

 

[Jedi2016]

But with that 2x player, load times on the games are going to be so high it'll be frustrating.

That's 2x Blu-Ray, which is significantly faster than 2x DVD. Load times will be pretty much the same between the two. And even if it's a touch slower, the games will probably be optimized in such a way as to reduce things like seek time.. the extra space on the BD disc will come in handy there.

Besides, not all PS3 games are going to be on BD discs.. only if they need to be (i.e. if they end up larger than what a DVD can hold).

The crux of the argument isn't about how it's going to play games, though. The fact is, millions of people are going to buy PS3's no matter what. And if you give them the choice... of buying movies they can already play, or buying movies that require a whole other $500 player... which do you think they'll choose? I know which one I'd choose.

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

The first Blue-Ray players are going to cost 1800$ US and up.

The PS3 is going to cost around 399$ US with a 2x Blu-Ray drive.

Along with Cinematic CGI quality graphical games, I'll get the PS3 for sure.

If the first HD DVD players are going to be $400 - $500, I highly doubt the Blu-ray players will be $1800. Possibly the flagship Denons and Elites, but not entry level. They'll lose the war before it even starts.

If a PS3 will play Blu-ray movies, and you can pick them up for $399, then I'm sure you'll see players hoovering around that price soon after the release. People won't rent these 1080i movies if they can't afford 1080i players.

I'm anxious to see what Netflix and Blockbuster do as far as rentals go. You'll have three formats to rent movies, and that will definitely affect how blockbuster pushes different formats. My guess is one will win out over the other sooner than you think. My vote is for Blu-ray, and I'll probably pick up a player by the end of the year if they drop down to the $300 range, and the rentals are $5.99 or less.

If they make the mistake of pricing these rentals and players much higher, people may choose to go pay per view in HD, as cable and satellite boxes have the technology right now to take a big bite out of the market. Speculation of course.

 

[Hipnotic4]

If the first HD DVD players are going to be $400 - $500, I highly doubt the Blu-ray players will be $1800. Possibly the flagship Denons and Elites, but not entry level. They'll lose the war before it even starts.

If a PS3 will play Blu-ray movies, and you can pick them up for $399, then I'm sure you'll see players hoovering around that price soon after the release. People won't rent these 1080i movies if they can't afford 1080i players.

I'm anxious to see what Netflix and Blockbuster do as far as rentals go. You'll have three formats to rent movies, and that will definitely affect how blockbuster pushes different formats. My guess is one will win out over the other sooner than you think. My vote is for Blu-ray, and I'll probably pick up a player by the end of the year if they drop down to the $300 range, and the rentals are $5.99 or less.

If they make the mistake of pricing these rentals and players much higher, people may choose to go pay per view in HD, as cable and satellite boxes have the technology right now to take a big bite out of the market. Speculation of course.

I agree. Theirs no way they are going to make entry level blu-ray players start at around 1800.00 Ps3 is going to be offering the technology and soo much more for 399..When it first comes out yes it will be alot but we all know the price is gonna dip dramaticly...and when ps3 comes out, forgettt it.

And im sure they are going to put games on BR format just to do it. Even if the game doesnt need to be on it I am sure they will take full advantage of this format..

 

[Duffinator]

I'm anxious to see what Netflix and Blockbuster do as far as rentals go. You'll have three formats to rent movies, and that will definitely affect how blockbuster pushes different formats. My guess is one will win out over the other sooner than you think. My vote is for Blu-ray, and I'll probably pick up a player by the end of the year if they drop down to the $300 range, and the rentals are $5.99 or less.

Netflix has already announced that they will carry HD when they are available this spring and there is no indication they will charge more. The CEO stated they expect their cost to be very close to DVD's.

I think that Sony and Toshiba will come to their senses by the end of the year and have a combined format so we won't have to choose. Until then I'll be sitting on the sidelines at least until the end of the year to see what happens. Although I'd prefer BD I really don't care much as long as they eventually output 1080P and are affordable. I can't wait for any HD format for movies. Then there will be almost no need to go to the movies.

 

[Hipnotic4]

if you go to Apple.com you can see quicktime trailers in 1080p

 

[Duffinator]

Wow, the Cars trailer in 1080P looks amazing. Too bad it didn't all fit on my PC monitor. Is there any way to save the quicktime files from the Apple website? You can save them from the Divx site.