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

[no. 5]

-so, my projector doesn't support deep color (panasonic 1000E)

That’s ok; there is no content in Deep Color anyway (and probably won‘t be for some time).

avaserfi, so what do I get with this 1080p/24? better picture I assume?

You should get smoother motion; since the video doesn’t have to go from 24fps to 30fps

will this be utilized with existing software?

What adviser said; I think everything film based on HD DVD (and Blu-ray) is stored on the disc at 1080p24.

 

[mike c]

What adviser said; I think everything film based on HD DVD (and Blu-ray) is stored on the disc at 1080p24.

so I guess the only question is if the A20 can play 1080p24 ... hmm. will try to research

 

[no. 5]

so I guess the only question is if the A20 can play 1080p24 ... hmm. will try to research

I’m not completely sure, but I think the only HD DVD player that will output 1080p24 is the XA2, I believe the A20 outputs 1080p60.

 

[avaserfi]

If thats true the XA2 should have noticeably better PQ.

 

[abefroeman]

I would go blu ray because blockbuster total access has blue ray. Stop laughing, thats where I get all my movies.

 

[j_garcia]

Blockbuster will also have Blu-ray in most of their stores, with only a few select stores carrying HD-DVD.

 

[Knight]

One of two things will likely happen, either Blu-ray will win out or there will be an emergence of dual format players. The big problem I see with HD-DVD is Toshiba. The people that tend to run right out and buy the A/V equipment are into a higher end component. This is where Toshiba is lost, at least in many peoples eyes. A great many people either love Sony or hate them and if you hate them you can still get Blu-ray else where such as Pioneer. For HD-DVD you can look basically no further than Toshiba. Another improtant point is Sony themselves. When Sony backs something they usually do it all the way and they have have the money to make the backers of HD-DVD play dearly for every person they sway their way. Don't over look the fact that HD-DVD can never have as much media as Blu-ray since Sony own a studio and I'm sure their in no hurry to print HD-DVD. The list of backers for Blu-ray is just too strong. There are more companies to pick a player from and more companies Like Sun Mircosystems working on the format itself to be overcome. And at the end of the day look at the numbers, its getting closer to the two to one sales ratio for Blu-ray to HD-DVD and thing are getting worse. HD-DVD is pushing a price point that will soon land it in Walmart. If you have to undercut Blu-ray to get into Walmart you know your ship is sinking. I personally would have liked to see the format war end one way or a another before being able to buy one in the most non-high end store in the world. Could I be wrong...sure, but this is just one mans opinion.

 

[corey]

I'd get HD DVD, just because I don't like Sony's root kits.

 

[Duffinator]

And at the end of the day look at the numbers, its getting closer to the two to one sales ratio for Blu-ray to HD-DVD and thing are getting worse. HD-DVD is pushing a price point that will soon land it in Walmart. If you have to undercut Blu-ray to get into Walmart you know your ship is sinking. I personally would have liked to see the format war end one way or a another before being able to buy one in the most non-high end store in the world. Could I be wrong...sure, but this is just one mans opinion.

Maybe that sales ratio is because BD is already available at Walmart and they beat HD to it. Read this thread.

 

[bobnegi]

The Sam's Clubs in OC have the D2 for $247, two bucks cheaper than Costco, if you are a member there. Both have the lifetime return policy.

FYI, In canada, Costco has changed it's return policy on consumer electronics to a 6 month return policy

 

[fmw]

Format war? What format war? I don't need no stinkin' format war? Which would I buy? The answer to that is yes.

 

[j_garcia]

FYI, In canada, Costco has changed it's return policy on consumer electronics to a 6 month return policy

It is only 90 days in the US now. The "unlimited" return policy ended last year.

I'd get HD DVD, just because I don't like Sony's root kits.

Great reasoning, since it has nothing to do with the price of cheese.

 

[solomr2]

With a $100 price drop on the PS3, they are just flying off the shelves. I was at Best Buy on Sunday night, and I saw dozens rolling out. I even had one in my shopping cart until my son talked me out of it. They had a pretty decent selection of movies too.

I have no idea which will win the format war, maybe neither one will, maybe players simply do both like the LG unit. Many dvd players today support multiple formats already, from DVD -R/RW to DIVX, so maybe the format just become irrelevant.

Either way, I can't wait for the darn burners to get cheap so I can burn my home videos to disc in an HD format.

 

[Knight]

I still think Blu-ray will win or there will be no winning. Interesting though, I was corrected by someone saying Blu-ray players were in Walmart. I may be wrong however they are not avaliable at the Walmart near me. If Walmart is selling them in certains stores it would help explain the sales difference. Ultimately I played it safe and did what FMW did and got both. Format war or not I'm covered.

 

[j_garcia]

Blu-ray DISCS are available at Walmart online, but not at most of their stores.

 

[Pwner_2130]

Blu ray is only option

If you consider how much storage space has ballooned in the last 10 years, blu ray is our only option. Digital media downloads will not be coming because consumers like to be able to share and mess with their media. HD DVDs are limited to 30 GB while Blu-rays are 50+ GB. Hi definition content will require much more room than most people realize. Also, if HD-DVDs are cheaper to produce, why are they more expensive in stores? Blu ray is the only way to go. Period.

 

[Duffinator]

It is only 90 days in the US now. The "unlimited" return policy ended last year.

Last I checked DVD players were not included in this policy. It mainy applies to TV's and computers along with trendy devices like iPods etc.

From their website:

"Merchandise: We guarantee your satisfaction on every product we sell with a full refund. Exceptions: Televisions, projectors, computers, cameras, camcorders, iPOD / MP3 players and cellular phones must be returned within 90 days of purchase for a refund."

Here's the link.

 

[Duffinator]

HD DVDs are limited to 30 GB while Blu-rays are 50+ GB. Hi definition content will require much more room than most people realize.

I've always thought this is a worthless argument. When watching the movie does it matter that one has a larger capacity than the other? You cannot tell the difference while watching the movie. Additionally, most people doing a proper backup of a PC don't use CD or DVD's but external HD's. Soon PC will come with TB HD's and a BD will be useless as a backup medium.

 

[j_garcia]

Hard disc space is cheap and I think that will replace media altogether. You won't download to media, you will simply have a networked drive from which a device in your livingroom streams whatever you want to watch.

Cool, the policy broadly said "electronics" when they first announced it and I figured that covered players as well.

 

[MACCA350]

If you consider how much storage space has ballooned in the last 10 years, blu ray is our only option. Digital media downloads will not be coming because consumers like to be able to share and mess with their media. HD DVDs are limited to 30 GB while Blu-rays are 50+ GB. Hi definition content will require much more room than most people realize. Also, if HD-DVDs are cheaper to produce, why are they more expensive in stores? Blu ray is the only way to go. Period.

Apparently the HD DVD Forum have accepted specs for a 17GB per layer HD DVD up to 3layers.

This means that HD DVD could come in at least 15,17,30,34,45,51GB. How this affects current players is unknown at the moment, but many believe that the HD DVD forum will not allow new discs on the market that wont work properly in all HD DVD players. But last I checked it's not set in stone.

cheers