right here right now, which would you buy: BLU-RAY or HD-DVD player?

[mike c]

supposing you can't wait for a winner, and you were asked to pick which you would buy right here right now ... which of these would you pick? why?

PS3 Blu Ray player

or

Toshiba HD-DVD player

 

[avaserfi]

Considering I own the ps3. But to get something more representative you might want to make it blu-ray or HD dvd not specific brands of each format.

 

[superstar]

HD-DVD.

1. Prices are cheaper.
2. Encryption has already been cracked, now the wait for cheap blank HD-DVDs so I can backup my legally purchased movies.

 

[avaserfi]

Pretty sure Blu-Ray encryption has been cracked as well. Look into the program called Any DVD. The problem with both formats is the expensive blanks, but compared to DVDs even dual layer blanks are expensive, so it might be a while.

 

[mr-ben]

PS3 - it's the only player that I can buy today, and is pretty much guaranteed to support the future revisions to the Blu-Ray spec through firmware updates. There are movies I want that I can only get on Blu-Ray, so no HD DVD.

That said, I don't plan on getting anything for a long time.

 

[no. 5]

HD DVD

Reasons being, I have a bit of preference for HD DVD, and I’d like a Blu-ray player too, but I’m not a gamer, and see no need to buy a gaming system just to watch Blu-ray movies when standalone Blu-ray players are available for the same, or less, money.

 

[avaserfi]

The ps3 is a great blu-ray player and with its new ability to stream media from computers its worth it for people who dont game anyways. The thing has some pretty nice features and sony if sony keeps pimping it out people will still be buying it instead of stand alones.

 

[superstar]

Pretty sure Blu-Ray encryption has been cracked as well. Look into the program called Any DVD. The problem with both formats is the expensive blanks, but compared to DVDs even dual layer blanks are expensive, so it might be a while.

Correct me if I'm wrong but Blu-Ray hasn't been cracked yet, I am pretty sure it will be in the future but based on Doom9 guys, they are first doing HD-DVD. AnyDVD you have to purchase it, why do so when you can get the same result with DVDShrink and DVDDecrypter and they are free? Anyhow, what I'm really waiting for to go cheap is the dual HD-DVD and Blu-Ray player, once it hits the $500 I'll get it, but for now I'm going to sit until one of them wins or whichever drops the movie to $20.

 

[jonnythan]

HD DVD. No question about it.

Sony has basically spent the last two years shitting all over consumers. I'm not going to give another dollar to them, especially not to support Blu-Ray.

BTW, it's "HD DVD" not "HD-DVD"

 

[avaserfi]

Correct me if I'm wrong but Blu-Ray hasn't been cracked yet, I am pretty sure it will be in the future but based on Doom9 guys, they are first doing HD-DVD. AnyDVD you have to purchase it, why do so when you can get the same result with DVDShrink and DVDDecrypter and they are free? Anyhow, what I'm really waiting for to go cheap is the dual HD-DVD and Blu-Ray player, once it hits the $500 I'll get it, but for now I'm going to sit until one of them wins or whichever drops the movie to $20.

http://www.slysoft.com/en/anydvdhd.html

First paragraph "AnyDVD HD comes with same functionality as AnyDVD, but with additional features for full HD-DVD (High Definition DVD) and Blu-Ray support, including decryption of HD-DVD & Blu-Ray movie discs."

 

[j_garcia]

Yup, I use AnyDVD. They have had support for BD and HD DVD for a few months now. Blu Ray was cracked at the same time as HD DVD since they both used the same type of protection. I posted the article here on AH last year.

HD DVD = no SACD, no DVD-A, you have to download firmware, fewer titles.

PS3 = SACD at least. Automatic firmware updates when connected to a network. FREE stuff on the Sony Playstation Store...(online access is free too). And now that it does upscaling of DVDs the cheaper HD DVD players don't have any advantage.

Note too that the two least expensive HD DVD players only support 1080i, not 1080p; you have to step up $100 more to get the first 1080p model (though it is still less than a PS3).

 

[avaserfi]

Yeah AnyDVD is pretty good stuff. I am surprised by the results of the poll, so far, I thought it wouldn't be so close. Interesting to see how it turns out.

I was definitely expecting blu-ray to walk off with it.

 

[jake5717]

I had to vote HD DVD because I've already taken the plunge and committed to HD DVD. I don’t play games much when I do they’re silly kid games so the Wii is better suited for me and at a better price. My TV and Receiver can only handle 1080i so the HD-D2 fits right in.

 

[obscbyclouds]

I voted for the PS3, for two reasons, SACD support and I would enjoy gaming on it.

 

[mike c]

does the ps3 have 5.1 rca outputs?
if not, then wouldn't your receiver need HDMI 1.2 for SACD?

 

[mtrycrafts]

supposing you can't wait for a winner, and you were asked to pick which you would buy right here right now ... which of these would you pick? why?

PS3 Blu Ray player

or

Toshiba HD-DVD player

There are a couple of places that lists the hi def DVDs in each formats. See which format has what you like or the most that you like. Certainly all will not be available on one format right now. Go for that and may need to get a second one later. I don't see one taking over as they could well coexist, unlike beta and vhs.

 

[mike c]

mtry, thanks, I'll search for movies that are exclusively available to that one format.

 

[mikeyj92]

For me, as I am soon to choose one myself, it will be a PS3.

I think, sooner rather than later, all movie studios discs will be available on Blu-Ray, I don't feel the same way for HD-DVD.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[Duffinator]

Hd Dvd

Mainly price of the HD-A2 for $249 at Costco. Might pick it up this weekend. I've always leaned more towards HD vs. BD simply because I've thought the hardware and software would be less expensive and that seems to be the case so far. Let's face it, when watching a movie you will not be able to tell the difference in PQ between the two so therefore I want the one that costs less. Plus I'm not a gamer so I'm not interested in the PS3.

 

[mtrycrafts]

mtry, thanks, I'll search for movies that are exclusively available to that one format.

Some studios do both and some only does one or the other.
You may want to check out the bluray only that you would be missing for a while. Disney is only in Bluray for sure.

Here is one site:

http://www.highdefdigest.com/