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Massawyrm Has Chosen HD DVD...And Other BNAT Short Stories!!

first by PVIII	Dec 12th, 2007 10:07:52 AM
prob not.
oh hells yes by PVIII	Dec 12th, 2007 10:08:03 AM
eat that.
I've chosen first and here's why by PVIII	Dec 12th, 2007 10:08:53 AM
Region free baby!
BAY BLASTS HD! HE'S WITH BLURAY by THE KNIGHT	Dec 12th, 2007 10:12:17 AM
Check his website for his comments!
I can´t chose by CuervoJones	Dec 12th, 2007 10:13:27 AM
I have no cash.
Choose by CuervoJones	Dec 12th, 2007 10:14:04 AM
Jesus!
pv111 = COCK! by FILMFUNK	Dec 12th, 2007 10:16:15 AM
I will eventually start buying HD in whatever format starting i think with Bladerunner but i won't be buying anything i already own on DVD unless it's a complete must have classic like The Thing or Alien etc I was a complete Pixar lover til I thought Ratatoui was simply good not great! and still get really sad thinking about how that movie was just OK and not Incredibles Incredible!? and Rambo looks like so much of a great time I just can't wait!!!
WOW by johnyaztec	Dec 12th, 2007 10:18:18 AM
BNAT must of really stunk this year. For harry to have all of his cronies keep bringing up this years BNAT is sad. Most of us would of forgotten it by now but they keep throwing it in our faces. BNAT 9 is to AICN is what Montreal 97' is to WWE
Careful Boys by Mel Gibsteinberg	Dec 12th, 2007 10:19:54 AM
You guys think you are all doing these stories, as points of interest, or explaining great new advances in film. But the fact that HD has clearly been the talk of this site is going to make a lot of people start believing that this is all a corporate snowjob to win the war of formats. I know there is Moriarty who says he picked up both, which is the closest I have seen to an "opposing view." But all I am saying is, caution, you guys strain credibility as it is with a lot of the films and products you support, you don't want to kill any goodwill you have left by playing to the crowd that fully believes you are in the pocket of certain studios and corporations. I am just saying.
Now THAT'S a Good Reason to Choose HD...Here's Why... by Read and Shut Up	Dec 12th, 2007 10:22:46 AM
Region-free? Oh so nice.
HD DVD by Spastic Jedi	Dec 12th, 2007 10:24:25 AM
One reason I went HD DVD was the release of 300. It wasn't the movie itself, it was what the formats could do. The HD DVD version could do picture in pciture and the current versions of BluRay could not. To me that just seemed stupid. Part of a HD experience is not just the picture quality, it is also the expanded experience. So after doing research I found that it won't be for a while that BluRay can do full PIP. HD DVD is also standard with internet access, something BluRay doesn't have standard. I also found in my research that HD DVD was region free, which meant I could get the UK Release of Equillibrium in HD DVD? SWEET!!! Let's be honest here, if there was no PS3, HD DVD would be the clear winner in the format war. Evertime a PS3 is sold it gets added to the BluRay Player numbers.
Kudos for the Calvin and Hobbes themed signature Massa by SuperSneaky	Dec 12th, 2007 10:24:35 AM
Now if we could just get Brad Bird and Pixar to offer full creative control and executive veto powers to Bill Watterson.... sighs
Soooo... by Massawyrm's own calculations... by tailhook	Dec 12th, 2007 10:26:35 AM
only 15 of the 24 hours delivered. 62.5% of the time! But this is not in no way weak no... If this were school that would be considered a D- pal. The more people that throw themselves at trying to show that the lineup wasn't weak only proves just how weak it was.
That was the least contrite mea culpa I've ever seen.. by Rubiks Doob	Dec 12th, 2007 10:30:41 AM
Outside of Dick Cheney's office. BNAT was a boring fiasco with one of the worst mockumentaries ever foisted on an audience- "No it wasn't." You sold out for HD-DVD: "So what, shit was free." Etc. Now let's get a movie about the rotting, sold out soul that is/was AICN... Show me that at a BNAT and I'll be impressed.
Remember tailhook by Mel Gibsteinberg	Dec 12th, 2007 10:31:29 AM
%70 of the time, it works everytime!
So, what movies got bumped? by shitstorm23	Dec 12th, 2007 10:37:04 AM
I would guess Rambo and maybe Cloverfield? That seems a little too high profile for such a secretive movie though. Any one know? I have HD-DVD, and love it, other than the freaking powering up time. 2 minutes seems like nothing, but when you're sitting there it can drive you nuts. Great picture though. I honestly think this next decision by Warner will be a huge deciding factor in this little war. If they go BR, which most outlets assume is what they will do, then BR will have too many exclusive movies in their corner. Good call on a Brad Bird/Pixar Calvin and Hobbes, not to destroy anyone's childhood, but I think if done CORRECTLY that could be all kinds of kick ass. I'm going to have to put up one of the Calvin's snowman scenes as my background now.
Mel Gibsteinberg... by raw_bean	Dec 12th, 2007 10:50:13 AM
...actually, the last time Moriarty chimed in the article was titled 'Moriarty has chosen Blu-ray and here's why...'. Mori and Massa are both still claiming they don't believe any HD disc format will take off in any way other than as a niche product, so I don't think your fears are founded. I mean, some small number of people are becoming convinced that the site is just shilling, but there are always a few dickweeds shouting about that around here, so there's nothing new there.
BNAT articles are the new GOLDEN COMPASS reviews by IAmMrMonkey!	Dec 12th, 2007 10:52:53 AM
There's so many of 'em your eyes start to go all squiggly.
Reepacheep!!! by DKT	Dec 12th, 2007 10:57:30 AM
That little rat kicked ass in the novel, I hope he kicks ass in the movie too!
Probably right Raw_Bean by Mel Gibsteinberg	Dec 12th, 2007 11:00:00 AM
And I may need to reference the original article, but even when Mori said: "I have chosen Blu-Ray and here is why" didn't he follow that with "well sort of..." The fact is, it isn't much of a choice if you have both formats, because what does it matter, if 300 is better in HD than Blu-Ray because it has PIP, you didn't really make a choice. I digress, and I am getting off topic (Rod Holt is probabaly waiting in the wings to dick slap me.) My point is that right now there are a lot of geeks, myself included, wondering whether it is worth it to shell out another big chunk of change to upgrade my system with a new formatted player. For some of us, this is no small choice, it costs some serious cash. The corps no this, and they may also know that downloadable product is going to be coming soon, making an actual HD player or machine virtually worthless. SOooo, get the folks to buy now, and that is where this so called "format war" comes in. With a big importance on selling items, people start to wonder if HD is using this site as a huge promotional centerpiece. That was all I was pointing out, the questionable aspects. But I suppose it is all much ado about nothing.
Massawyrm has chosen HD DVD and here's why - It was free by Der-Rabe	Dec 12th, 2007 11:06:31 AM
That sentence doesnt make any sense. If you are given something its not choosing. You chose nothing but being a mindless puppet.
Those 3 Blu-ray movies will work on you HD DVD Player by AlwaysThere	Dec 12th, 2007 11:15:07 AM
Actually they wont, so you chose wrong.
Blu Ray - All the way by PlasmaOrb	Dec 12th, 2007 11:15:42 AM
With all the news coming from the Sony camp, with what they are adding to the PS3, its no wonder why its kicking HD-DVD's ass like a one armed gimp with down symdrome. The PS3 is going to be getting a DIVX update, plus all the new features that are being put on blu ray will be available on the PS3 also. The toshiba players are so slow to boot up and even start playing.. i can be a quarter into the movie watching a blu ray disc before HD-DVD even thinks about getting started. Paramount announced they are dumping HD-DVD and going strictly with Blu-Ray... im sure universal will cave in and start putting all their movies on BR also, which means a good copy of the transformers, i saw my friends copy and it had so many flaws in the copy... the reds were off, too many artifacts while being played, etc... Harry should take all of the cash he got from promoting HD-DVD on here and buy himself a PS3 and a nice Sony HDTV, just to stick it in Toshibas ass and then break it off. Toshiba's HDTV are crap also, they have problems with saying they are 1080P tvs, but they upconvert from 1080i, which is fake. I will stick with my Samsung and Sony TVs, atleast i know im getting what im supposed to get when i buy a TV, not lies and deception.
What PlasmaOrb? by Mel Gibsteinberg	Dec 12th, 2007 11:25:45 AM
Paramount has officially announced they are dumping HD??? Really? I had not heard this at all, can you provide a link? That is pretty huge as they have been the biggest studio backing HD by far!
4 DVD players by oogabooga	Dec 12th, 2007 11:31:18 AM
If you really have 4 DVD players to play DVDs, DVD-R,DVD-RW and CDs then you are a fucking tool
Hey Massawyrm, on the HDDVD thing... what about NTSC? by modlight	Dec 12th, 2007 11:31:45 AM
I am not saying this to be snarky, I'm still in the midst of the Blu vs. HD dilema and that no region coding thing sounds pretty great especially since my Dutch girlfriend is always pissed about not being able to play foreign dvd, but does the NTSC/PAL problem play into these DVDs?
HD, Pixar by jerseycajun	Dec 12th, 2007 11:37:48 AM
First, I agree that both HD formats are the equivalent of this generation's Laserdisk. With the invention of upconverting DVD players, the average film connoisseur isn't going to want to spend big bucks on both a new player and a new library when there's a cheaply available alternative that can make their existing library play at the same resolutions. I was at Best Buy a week ago, and the biggest stack of inventory they had on shelves, in terms of players, was upconverting DVD players. That is the future, in my opinion. Now as for Pixar's Wall-E, it sounds brilliant. Pixar is slowly maturing from making kids movies that parents will enjoy, to making films adults will enjoy that they won't have to worry about taking the kids to. Hopefully they'll be the ones to break down the expectation that animation is a one-trick pony to amuse the children.
Mel Gibsteinberg by the beef	Dec 12th, 2007 11:38:15 AM
I think Moriarty's original article just stated that he purchased the PS3 because of the Wal-Mart sale to have it come with 15 free titles. But he does plan on buying an HD DVD player down the road as he already owns a number HD discs. So far I think the only person that has actually chosen HD DVD over Blu-Ray based off of performance was Harry, who also wants a Blu ray player. Right now if anyone is to pick one it's gonna be mostly based off of price, and Toshiba's players are much cheaper than the cheapest blu-ray player. I picked up the Toshiba HD-A3 during the Thanksgiving week for $200 on Amazon because it came w/ 10 free HD titles, so I fall in the same category as Moriarty just for the opposing team's sale.
Modlight by the beef	Dec 12th, 2007 11:41:21 AM
I believe the HD player can play both NTSC and PAL, I have to check my manual though. I just noticed the other day that BROTHERHOOD OF THE WOLF is on HD in the UK. That is a MUST.
nitch by darkslab	Dec 12th, 2007 11:43:14 AM
The HD and BR is a niche market. Nothing more. And currently will be at the stalemate phase for a long time. The best way to support this, is to buy neither.
Warner's going Blu in January by polyh3dron	Dec 12th, 2007 11:46:22 AM
Blu-ray will win the war.
Massawyrm by mr.brownstone	Dec 12th, 2007 11:48:21 AM
I think you mean the naked picture on the back of the Gyro Captains copter in Road Warrior/MAD MAX 2. I hadn't noticed it before HD either... and MAD MAX 1 isn't even available on HD yet. So yeah...
farewell uncle tom? by Halfbreedqueen	Dec 12th, 2007 11:49:06 AM
what like the mondo film? why were you guys watching that at butt numb-a-thon? it's not exactly light entertainment just because it exploits many, many things... grindhouse it ain't
I think you are right Beef by Mel Gibsteinberg	Dec 12th, 2007 11:50:34 AM
That makes the most sense, price is the reason I thought for sure that HD would be the clear winner. Though I understand that with many of WB's dual DVD/HD DVD disks being $10 more, while Blu Ray is virtually the same, so that makes people with PS3's much more willing to pick up a Blu Ray disk if its the same cost as the regular DVD.
PlasmaOrb by mr.brownstone	Dec 12th, 2007 11:51:02 AM
why don't you post some links that verify all the claims you made in your post.
My above post sucks by Mel Gibsteinberg	Dec 12th, 2007 11:55:08 AM
I shouldn't be drinking this early in the morning...'hicup!
Fuck HD-DVD and BLU RAY and BNAT. by Nate Champion	Dec 12th, 2007 11:59:29 AM
This sounds like a pathetic BNAT this year... sorry, but that lineup of films... just not happening.
Fiasco by jrbarker	Dec 12th, 2007 12:04:57 PM
What would qualify then? The Alamo burning down?
In addition... by jerseycajun	Dec 12th, 2007 12:05:23 PM
I don't think download-able movies are going to wipe out physical formats, though it will take a chunk of the market, just as the era of high-quality download-able music and ipods haven't wiped out CDs and download-able novels haven't made bookstores irrelevant. There's even a growing collector's market for vynil of all things. Some people like physical formats. Must be ingrained in the human psyche somehow. I have to admit that I don't entirely feel comfortable with having an entire movie library stored on a hard drive.
HD DVD is already dead by CreatureCantina	Dec 12th, 2007 12:13:40 PM
Warner Bros. is switching to Blu-ray exclusive in early January. Universal will follow. The only thing you'll be able to buy on HD DVD after that are Paramount movies (with no Spielberg titles), and they're only contracted through 2008. BTW, catalog titles on Blu-ray are not region coded. Only new release titles are, and only for their initial pressing. So T2 in the UK on Blu-ray will play anywhere in the world as well.
Hey jerseycajun by Mel Gibsteinberg	Dec 12th, 2007 12:24:49 PM
I agree a lot with what you are saying. I think buying something physical will stay around for a long time, it just feels like you have something, versus paying for downloadable product. But one question about the upconverting DVD players, do you know if HD DVD players have this ability as well? It seems like they should, but I suppose they aren't built to perform in that way.
The fact is.... by lb	Dec 12th, 2007 12:26:51 PM
NO ONE GIVES A FLYING FUCK ABOUT EIITHER ONE! There is no neccessity to buy either as they don't deliver anything new to the untrained eye. This is a format war which just won't take off...at all.
Answer me this, Blu-Boys. by MaxTheSilent	Dec 12th, 2007 12:30:52 PM
How has Sony handled the fact that the PS3 has sold only a quarter of what was expected in the US in the full year since launch? And is Ken Kutaragi's sudden 'retirement' in any way related. If there is a 7:1 ratio of Blu-Ray players (PS3 mainly) to HD-DVD players in homes, how come Blu-Ray discs only have a 2:1 lead on HD-DVD discs? And is this lead only due to the fact that the PS3 has so few decent games and people need something to play on their $1000 paper-weight? Will there be any Profile 1.1 players in stores for Christmas? And how far into Q1 2008 will there be any actual titles that utilise that feature? And along those lines will there, at some later date, be a ruling to standardise ethernet connections in Blu-Ray players for firmware updates? Although Samsung's much-awaited 'dual-format' player will have ethernet based on the standardised HD-DVD spec. We've all heard on about the 50G Blu-Ray disc capacity. Please tell us what exactly that capacity has been used for, since Blu-Ray has virtually no interactive abilities, even on monumental releases such as the HARRY POTTER box-set. Is it true that of the Japanese BD manufacturing plants, they only have a 40% yield of workable discs manufactured? As opposed to HD-DVD's 95% average yield. Would you care to respond to insistent rumours that one prominent BD-exclusive studio is "very angry with Blu-Ray"?
Which HDDVD Model did they give out? by Lord Maul	Dec 12th, 2007 12:33:08 PM
Which one? The A2, A3... ?
Mel by jerseycajun	Dec 12th, 2007 12:34:57 PM
As far as I know, HD DVD (as well as Blu Ray) players don't need to upconvert because the discs they play are already formatted for HD output. I don't know everything about the technology, but I don't think HD DVD has an output resolution less than 1080 that would need upconverting. I know that if you have a 1080i device and a 1080p TV, the visuals will be governed by the "i", but there's no upconversion to handle that difference, to my knowledge.
High-def downloads aren't feasible by Mattyboy122	Dec 12th, 2007 12:38:59 PM
Not yet, and not for the next few years. Think about it. A film in high-def, if it fills up a double-layered HD-DVD disc (like, say, King Kong, which couldn't have lossless audio because the film is so long), that means it is taking up 30 GB of space. For just one movie. Can you imagine having a whole library on a hard drive? The thing would have to be fucking huge. There's no way downloads will take off for a while, nevermind the fact that people want to be able to hold in their hands the thing they are buying. Now, as for the format war, unless HD-DVD kicks it into gear this holiday season, my guess is that they're as good as done. Warner Bros. is closely watching sales, and with a sales lead of 2-1 in favor of Blu-Ray (and even higher than 2-1 on, say, Black Friday), it could be possible that in the new year, WB will change their stance to Blu-Ray only. The sad truth is that the only way either side will win is if Warners goes Blu-Ray exclusive (thus giving BR 70% of the market). If Warners goes HD-DVD, then we're pretty much doomed to a quagmire (as the studios will be split roughly 50-50). So I guess it's a no-lose situation for Massa as he didn't pay anything for his player, so if (when?) the format goes under, his losses won't be too great. It's kind of funny, however, that Massa talks about Wall-E and Prince Caspian in the same article as espousing his 'choice' of HD-DVD, as neither of those films will be released on said format. Oh well.
Jersey by Mel Gibsteinberg	Dec 12th, 2007 12:40:26 PM
Thanks, but what I meant was whether the HD DVD player would act as an upconverter for standard DVDs. For that matter, how would you compare the difference in visual quality between a standard DVD played on a High Def TV vs. an HD DVD played on a High Def TV? Is it as dramatic a difference as VHS to DVD?
Okay, thanks noiret by Mel Gibsteinberg	Dec 12th, 2007 12:45:34 PM
That makes sense. Also I was just reading somewhere else, that most of what an upconverting DVD player does is scaling and interpolating, which is what an HDTV is going to do anyway to the native signal. The net result is much smaller than at that point.
CreatureCantina by MaxTheSilent	Dec 12th, 2007 12:47:55 PM
Apparenrtly Blu-Ray players come with a crystal ball that allows Sony fanboys to see into the future and make claims that are in no way true. But then, the Blu-Brigade has never been known for rational thinking, or accepting things like... I don't know... FACTS. They just shovel in every piece of damage-control mis-information Sony puts out without questioning the logic or truth of any of it. Sony has lost $4 billion on the PS3, and do you honestly thing Blu-Ray has a chance of surviving after the PS3 is dead?
Rats in the Kitchen! by Zardoz	Dec 12th, 2007 12:56:39 PM
Yeah, I didn't like the Pixar animated rat movie much, either. I just couldn't suspend my disbelief when it came to the fact that IT WAS A BUNCH OF FILTY FUCKING RATS COOKING FOOD! Sorry. (That and the fact that the little kid behind me kept kicking my seat and crying during the movie!) As to the HD Wars, it's now been 2 weeks since I got my own HD-DVD player and it's been wonderful! The movies look awesome, there's cool extra features and I love it! The downside? Yes, the player does take a LONG time to turn on; what's up with that? There's no "resume-play" function. Meaning, if you stop the disc it won't pick up where you left off later. (or maybe there is such a function and I'm just a moron!) And while the picture looks great for S-DVD, I frequently get a message on start-up that "Upconverting for this disc is prohibited. Switching to 480p." What's up with that? Are some S-DVD's prohibited from upconverting to 1080? Or do I have to change my settings some place? Anyone? And I'd heard the WB rumor about dropping HD-DVD, which would REALLY suck, but is it true? Or not?
Disney by Mel Gibsteinberg	Dec 12th, 2007 12:56:46 PM
I was wondering why Disney had so early jumped on the Blu-Ray bandwagon, and then I thought about it, I bet that they really don't care. In fact I would bet they are hoping that Blu-Ray dies. With Disney, they have ready made fans who will buy their system no matter what. So in their minds, they look at Blu-Ray as the boutique option to HD DVD's mass market version. Hence, they will join up with the Blu-Ray option, because should it lose, they will have made all those useless Blu-Ray sales that they can now double dip on with HD DVD, and they know the fans will buy it all. For them it is a win win.
Thanks Masa! by The Brain Machine	Dec 12th, 2007 01:02:22 PM
As usual, you put a lot into perspective. I picked up an A3 player a few weeks before Thanksgiving because I needed a new player anyway, and BB had it on sale for $200 plus got 10 free movies (5 of which still haven't arrived). It is pretty damn sweet - even on regular DVDs I notice a difference. The HD-DVD / Blu-Ray war is good for one thing - the war forces the manufacturers to lower the price for the consumer - that is the only way people will buy them right now. In time BR will come down low enough I'll probably get one of those too. The shitty thing is the exclusivity of titles. I wish we could get the Disney / Columbia / Sony titles on HD. But that's life... Loved the LaserDisc refference, Masa.. I actually had to remove my LD player from the system to add the HD-DVD player. It was a SAD day indeed. But since there is only one title that I have on LD that is no (yet) available on DVD (Amazing Stories - Family Dog epidode, BTW), it was time. It was a good player, too - played both sides and all... sniff...
Mel Gibsteinberg by The Brain Machine	Dec 12th, 2007 01:04:06 PM
Doesn't Sony own CBS and Disney? I think that's why they are exclusive Blu Ray.
MaxThe -should be- Silent by CreatureCantina	Dec 12th, 2007 01:05:32 PM
Max, I've rarely come across someone so ill-informed or willfully ignorant as yourself. 40% yield rates? Please. How about the fact that Blu-ray has outsold HD DVD by a 2-to-1 margin for all of 2007, and hasn't lost a single week in software sales? That's the real info you need to know. As for Warner, you must have blinders on if you haven't seen the news all over the Internet. Nothing official yet, but two different Warner execs have made public statements that they're on the verge of switching to Blu-ray. And analysts all over the place are now predicting it. http://www.tvpredictions.com/s wannisix121207.htm HD DVD cannot survive without Warner. The format war is over. Dump your HD DVD players on eBay while you can still get a few bucks for them.
Free HD DVD Players... by Sledge Hammer	Dec 12th, 2007 01:05:47 PM
...offering those to the regular audience attending a BNAT is very cool. Or at least it would have been if the audience wasn't largely made up of Harry's friends (who all knew they were about to score a free player by being there) and staff members (who shouldn't be given such industry freebies in the first place). How to turn something that was potentially cool into something that just reeks of graft and corruption in one easy step. Nice.
Brain Machine by Mattyboy122	Dec 12th, 2007 01:06:54 PM
No, Sony doesn't. Disney and CBS are their own companies. Sony owns Columbia and MGM (but they don't own all of MGM's catalogue of films before they were bought by Sony).
Oop... looks like my URL split. by CreatureCantina	Dec 12th, 2007 01:07:21 PM
http://www.tvpredictions.com/s wannisix121207.htm
...aaah. Thanks Mattyboy. by The Brain Machine	Dec 12th, 2007 01:11:13 PM
Temporary brain fart on my part.
noiretblanc by mr.brownstone	Dec 12th, 2007 01:15:40 PM
can you post a link to the article those images came from. I'd like to know the size and resolution of that TV. HD looks noticeably great especially on a big TV.
Creature Cantina by Mel Gibsteinberg	Dec 12th, 2007 01:19:01 PM
That Swanni guy still doesn't make it a lock. The fact is that the HD market is still fairly small, so comparing sales back and forth at this point is only an indicator, not a nail in the coffin. Plus as much as people say that Blu-Ray is technically superior, that only matters if the disk producers use its full potential, if they don't what is the point? Finally, would an average Joe like me really be able to tell the difference in quality between HD DVD and Blu Ray? I am guessing not, so if HD DVD has the sweeter extras, like PIP for example, that is going to be a selling point. I don't care if Blu Ray is "going to have them soon" the fact is they don't know, and it doesn't help to advertise that your technology is "going to be better". Nobody wants to know that they Blu Ray machine they just bought, is "going" to need a $100 upgrade in 6 months just to satisfy some funky add on, that doesn't sell well except to die hards.
No Region Coding, huh? by Ravenwood In L.A.	Dec 12th, 2007 01:25:32 PM
I too have the Toshiba HD-A3, and when I tried to throw in a Region 2 disc, I got an onscreen message telling me that the disc I had loaded would not play as it was a different region... what gives, man? You sure they didn't just hook you up?
Can Warner Bros next move be the deciding factor? by LoneGun	Dec 12th, 2007 01:26:19 PM
Interesting article here on how both HD camps are trying to woo Warner Bros to go exclusive and how it could be the deciding factor in this format war: http://www.businessweek.com/ma gazine/content/07_51/b40630282 94846.htm
I've chosen toilet paper, and here's why: by seagrass	Dec 12th, 2007 01:29:25 PM
because I'm tired of my hand smelling like shit.
BLast Bay all you want... by joevfx	Dec 12th, 2007 01:33:23 PM
but his style of movies are the reason why there are HD discs in the first place. Now be honest with yourself, do we really need to see Godfather or Raging bull in HD..... no. do we need to see transformers, star wars, lord of the rings, spiderman ..etc on HD, YES. So bash him all you want but Directors like Bay can make a big difference when promoting one camp or the other. So him pushing blu ray is a big deal, especially when he is all buddy buddy with speilberg, who is all buddy buddy with Lucas, who is all buddy buddy with Coppala, who happen to be the 3 most powerful peopel in Movies. so yes i would say Bay backign blu ray is a pretty good thing for BLu ray.
Zardoz by gboybama	Dec 12th, 2007 01:36:32 PM
If nobody's answered you, here's what I found out. The player will only upconvert standard DVD's via digital video (HDMI/DVI). If you are hooked up by component cables (RGB), you'll get 420p maximum on regular discs. I had the same problem. But, I switched my HD cable box to component and my DVD to HDMI and I was good to go for both. (my TV has only one digital input) The Toshiba upconvert is really nice. It's great because I don't feel any urgency to re-buy titles in a HD format that I already own on standard DVD.
In all seriousness by seagrass	Dec 12th, 2007 01:37:25 PM
the Digital Bits has been following the format wars for quite some time, and they recommend not choosing either HD format...for now.
Seagrass by Mel Gibsteinberg	Dec 12th, 2007 01:46:03 PM
I just checked Digital Bits, they seem to have landed on Blu Ray. I don't know, at the beginning I would have swallowed some of the HD DVD points whole, but more and more I am being convinced that Blu Ray may be the winner here. I think I am still going to withold my allegiance, however, for some time.
No Region Coding by Harry Weinstein	Dec 12th, 2007 01:46:17 PM
... for HD-DVDs. Regular DVDs are still afflicted with it when you play them in a HD player. So, for the record, when there's a player that plays both HD disc formats, is hackable for region free Blu-Ray and SD-DVD playback and to disable any eventual forced downconversion to SD resolution over component outputs, and is $500 or less - then I'm in. No sooner. I don't know about the hackability of LG's combo player, but it's still too damn expensive at the moment. But the first thing I'll do when I get one is see what it looks like when you upconvert a factory-pressed legit VCD to 1080P. Ought to be good for a chuckle.
Thanks, gboybama by Zardoz	Dec 12th, 2007 01:49:13 PM
I was wondering if that was a problem. (yes, I'm using RGB instead of HDMI) I ordered an HDMI cable from Amazon for $5, and hopefully that'll fix the problem. (Why Toshiba doesn't include an HDMI cable with the player is a mystery to me!) And I agree about the upconvert tech: even if I am on the losing side of the HD wars, I'll still have a good player for the hundreds of other S-DVD's I own. Side note: I played an S-DVD that I recorded myself from TV and the player upconverted that to 720p with no problem!
Mel. by jerseycajun	Dec 12th, 2007 01:51:41 PM
No, you can't use a HD DVD player to upconvert a DVD library. I've only ever watched movies in Hi Def on my cousin's TV and he's only ever used an upconverter so I don't know how playback would look with an ordinary DVD player on his HiDef screen. That said, there is a big difference watching a DVD on a CRT screen and watching the same DVD upconverted on a Hi-Def screen. It's not exactly the answer you wanted, but it's what my experience allows me to say. Is it as big a leap from VHS to DVD? Not quite, (just watch some old VHS tapes to remind yourself of how big a leap that was) but it's still a visibly significant jump, and one that makes viewing movies a more enjoyable experience, simply by picking up more nuance. Hope that helps clarify some stuff.
Mel-e-mel by seagrass	Dec 12th, 2007 01:53:25 PM
Yeah, they seem to be leaning towards Blu-ray, don't they? However, they are definitely telling us to err on the side of caution, and hold off for a bit. As for me, I'll choose formats as soon as the Abyss, Alien and Aliens are released in HD...hopefully by then there will be a clear winner.
Okay, Digital Bits has a pretty strong argument by Mel Gibsteinberg	Dec 12th, 2007 01:55:03 PM
Take a look at this article http://www.thedigitalbits.com/ articles/soapbox/soap060107.ht ml Not only do the make a convincing case, but they explain all the reasons why Harry, and his claims, aren't exactly accurate. Wow, I have to say I am changing my thinking quite a bit.
Does anyone know what format Criterion by seagrass	Dec 12th, 2007 01:55:46 PM
is planning on going with? I haven't really seen any info (although I haven't bothered to delve deep, either).
What Have You Done, Headgeek?! by seagrass	Dec 12th, 2007 01:58:08 PM
HAHAHA! I just read that Mel...fucking awesome. I think we have a new caaaaaaaatchphrase!
I'm choosing toilet paper, and here's why: by seagrass	Dec 12th, 2007 01:59:51 PM
because I ran out of HD-DVDs to wipe my ass with.
Actually makes sense..... by staticneuron	Dec 12th, 2007 02:02:15 PM

Kinda by staticneuron	Dec 12th, 2007 02:05:08 PM
I would understand that makes the HD0DVD line up seem more atractive because of the limited studio support that you see on the format in the states. Considering that I would want importing to be the exception instead of the rule, I am fine with blu rays region coding. Japan and the US are in region 1 and that sold the format for me. I don't have any issues with any other country but I just do not import european films.
I'm choosing PAN & SCAN, and here's why: by seagrass	Dec 12th, 2007 02:06:24 PM
because it's what choosy MILFs choose.
I take it back. by jerseycajun	Dec 12th, 2007 02:07:12 PM
Apparently HD-DVD players are backwards compatible. You'll have to ask someone with one as to how well it reproduces DVD images when compared to an upconverting DVD player, however.
Mel Gibsteinberg by zacdilone	Dec 12th, 2007 02:08:39 PM
Just hold off another year or so and physical media will be sooooo outdated.
DO we need The Godfather in HD? by Zardoz	Dec 12th, 2007 02:10:01 PM
Fuck yeah! And Raging Bull, too! Joevfx, do you think only modern, SFX-laden popcorn flicks are the ONLY films worthy of HD? You are SO wrong, my friend! ALL movies look superior in HD, and it's not just about how clearly you can see the robot-carnage and the flames on Optimus in Transformers. It's all in the details...
jerseycajun by the beef	Dec 12th, 2007 02:14:54 PM
I was going to correct you, then you did it yourself. It does upconvert standard discs, but depending on your connections to your television (and the capability of your TV) of whether you're going HDMI or lower will determine the quality of your picture. But, I've watched many a standard discs on my HD player, and the quality is excellent, but I can't judge of how much better it is than if I was to just watch it on a standard dvd player.
It's going to take more than a year zacdilone by Mel Gibsteinberg	Dec 12th, 2007 02:16:30 PM
So I am going to be watching closely what occurs. Besides, even if physical media seems to be dying, I think I will still stick with some of my old standby's. I still have a ton of CD's, even though you can download everything. Why??? Because sometimes you go places, or get stuck in situations that aren't totaly compatible to jack your MP3 player into, because CD's come with cool jewel cases and liner notes, because sometimes I like to hold something in my hand instead of spending yet another 2-3 hours staring at the glow of the monitor after having been at work all day. I'm not trying to romanticize freaking CD's, I'm just sayin'.
You are mistaken, zacdilone by seagrass	Dec 12th, 2007 02:21:18 PM
As many others have put it - people still like to have a physical product in their hands. In addition, think about this: iPods/hard drives crash all the time, resulting in the loss of gigs of MP3s. However, MP3s are easily and cheaply replaced, although it is timeconsuming. How would you like to replace a modest library of 200 HD titles, each one totalling several gigs in size, and each costing an average of $10 to $15 a title (using that number as a reasonable price point for HD movie downloads). Doesn't seem too appealing, does it? Besides, massive storage space isn't that cheap yet, nor readily available. Plus, you can't exactly unhook your 500 gigabyte drive and bring it over to Grandma's for Thanksgiving, can you? Physical media will be around for at least another 10 years.
Lastly by the beef	Dec 12th, 2007 02:21:58 PM
Warner Bros is supposed to make a decision in January which format they will be exclusive to, and to the best of my knowledge the determining factor is which format's software sales will outsell the other, and Blu Ray holds the lead currently (as another talkbacker noted) with a 2:1 edge over HD. But considering how many more blu-ray players are in homes over the number of HD players that ratio should be MUCH higher, and the PS3 is the reason for that skewing. Regardless, though, the number of good exclusive titles on Blu-Ray far outmatch those on HD DVD. The exclusion of CLOSE ENCOUNTERS on HD makes me cry, but I've got CHILDREN OF MEN though...
This discussion by jerseycajun	Dec 12th, 2007 02:22:07 PM
...makes me think of someone I met when I was at Best Buy last week. He said he spent less time deciding on the last new car he bought than the HD tv he was currently trying to shop for. All the technology, new terminology and considerations have actually made it more difficult to decide on buying a new TV and player than it is to buy a car. How sick is that?
Thank you for your illuminating words, Jett by seagrass	Dec 12th, 2007 02:25:21 PM
By the way, it's "their", not "there" and "support", as opposed to "suport"...champ.
Exactly jersey by Mel Gibsteinberg	Dec 12th, 2007 02:29:52 PM
That's a really good point. I desperately need to upgrade my tv, and I feel completely overwhelmed. I want to get something good, but I don't want to overpay for features I will never use. I bought a new Acura last year, and it was far easier a decision than a freaking TV that will cost less than a 1/10th of what I paid for my car. What is up with that?
In the closet much, Jett? by Zardoz	Dec 12th, 2007 02:32:58 PM
You do know that those homo-phobes who label others as "fags" are more likely to actually be closeted homos themselves, right? (And "jerk off onto there [sic} cat"? WTF does that mean, anyway, you bestiality-loving, closeted troll?)
If WB opts BluRay by the beef	Dec 12th, 2007 02:33:11 PM
Then HD will probably die, and that would make it much easier on the consumer. The only thing I hate about going Blu Ray is that the cheapest (I think) Blu Ray player is Sony's PS3, and I have strong reservations about buying a Sony system because of how many times I had to buy a new PS2, especially since I was using it as my primary DVD player. Once Samsung or another company releases a $200 Blu Ray player I'll have no problem moving over to Blu Ray, unless the studios choose to start backing HD by that time instead of Blu Ray.
ricarleite by the beef	Dec 12th, 2007 02:36:54 PM
Another talkbacker made the point that only HD releases are region-free. All the Standard discs with region codings will not work on HD players not from that Region. That being said, there are a good number of excellent world films released on HD in other countries, such as OLDBOY, DOWNFALL, ARMY OF SHADOWS, and BROTHERHOOD OF THE WOLF.
Yeah Mel. by jerseycajun	Dec 12th, 2007 02:38:59 PM
I feel like an old-timer now. "When I was a kid, you could walk into an electronics store and walk out with a TV without giving it more thought than 1+1=2!" I was thinking of buying one myself, until the clerk started talking about needing to get a $120.00 digital surge protector, special HDMI cable (sold separately), and because you can't get the damn things repaired if they go on the blink, you practically have to take an insurance policy out on it. One has to wonder if it's worth it all (at least for the larger ones - the smaller ones are more reasonably priced).
as a slight side note, by freydis	Dec 12th, 2007 02:43:52 PM
reepicheep is a mouse. I hope that was him and I hope he kicks ass. as a poor geek, I'll have to get back to the format war in 20 years when the winner is on the discount shelf.
I own all 3 systems, by Nemesis Enforcer	Dec 12th, 2007 02:55:21 PM
So i am no fanboy, but Blue Ray is just better. Sorry. Some of you you really need to read that link Mel Gibsteinberg posted above. Also jerseycajun, look into DLPs, they CAN be repaired, just need a new lamp every few years instead of a new TV every few years. AND THEY ARE HUGE FOR THE SAME PRICE!!!
Your readers don't give a shit about what format you've chosen a by GabrielsChains	Dec 12th, 2007 02:58:25 PM
Because we come here to read about NEW MOVIE NEWS, not poorly written attempts at pushing one format over a-fucking-nother. Seriously. STOP IT. ALL OF YOU. You're pissing off your readers. The format war nonsense has pretty much already ruined the small window high-def discs had to take off, which is a shame for us hi-def TV owners, and YOU GUYS ARE MAKING IT WORSE. Shame on the lot of you.
The debate ends in January 08 by Paradox99999	Dec 12th, 2007 03:00:57 PM
This whole, "which one do I choose?" debate will become a moot point on January 15th. On this date Samsung is releasing the Samsung BD-UP5000 1080p HD-DVD Blu-Ray Disc Combo Player. True HD (with all the perks) and a third generation Blu-Ray. No more multiple players (and it upconverts your current library of non-HD Dvds). An all in one with one HDMI connection. You can pre-order them now on Amazon for $799.99. So, Ive given all my family members a list of Hi-Def movies I want for X-mas with none of the worries about formats.....wooohoooo!!
freydis by jerseycajun	Dec 12th, 2007 03:08:53 PM
I saw some DLP's at Best Buy too, but the image they projected didn't seem as clear as the plasmas and LCD displays. It's a trade-off, I suppose, but there are just so many trade-offs between all the different options, it makes it quite difficult coming to a decision. Even as I'm gradually getting more informed on the technical aspects of all this stuff, it never seems to help me narrow down on a decision.
Doubtful, skywalkerfamily by seagrass	Dec 12th, 2007 03:14:21 PM
Luca$$ will probably release Star Wars in every single HD format available, and probably a few that don't exist yet. Why miss out on potential sales over a silly little format war?
Massawyrm chooses HD-DVD because it was FREE by Razorback	Dec 12th, 2007 03:15:07 PM
How full of shit can one person get?
Amen, GabrielsChains by seagrass	Dec 12th, 2007 03:16:51 PM
Although I must say that I like reading about other people's uninformed opinions. It makes me feel better about my own uninformed opinions.
Good article regarding HDDVD vs BluRay by Spastic Jedi	Dec 12th, 2007 03:17:46 PM
http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/the -state-of-hd-dvd/the-state-of- hd-dvd-330684.php
"Yeah we're gonna go with Cheryl" by Orionsangels	Dec 12th, 2007 03:27:25 PM
This whole going with a format reminds me of that "Curb Your Enthusiasm" episode from this season.
I thought Sir Reepicheep does not appear until Dawn Treader... by DarthCorleone	Dec 12th, 2007 03:28:41 PM
They must be trying to get the jump on what is by far the best character in the Narnia series.
Star Wars and cheap BR players by CreatureCantina	Dec 12th, 2007 03:31:00 PM
The least expensive Blu-ray player on the market right now is the Samsung BD-P1400. You can find it on Amazon for around $270. They had been available for $245 from one retailer, but those sold out. And Star Wars can never be released on HD DVD as long as Fox is a Blu-ray exclusive studio. And they won't switch because of HD DVD's joke of a copy protection scheme. So if you want to watch Star Wars in HD, buy a Blu-ray player.
HD DVD sounds a lot better than Blu Ray by kirttrik	Dec 12th, 2007 03:31:13 PM

RE: you can already buy a blu ray player and an hddvd player by Paradox99999	Dec 12th, 2007 03:42:14 PM
"for under 800 bucks combined, man"....Yup, I agree...but...when you factor in that you will need 2 more HDMI cables and a HDMI switch box...and the extra space 2 players takes up, welllll, it more than evens out. Also an update: Just spoke with Tweeter, Etc. and it will be released on December 26th instead of 1/15/08
As someone who owns both HD and BR by TheAllSeeingEye	Dec 12th, 2007 03:44:58 PM
I fucking hate hearing people say that Blu Ray is a superior product based solely on the fact that it can hold more data. Reality check; in terms of quality, you won't notice any discernable difference because your eyes and brain cannot interpret all the information you see on screen. That's why you can only look at one small area of a picture to see, oh i dunno, the blackheads on someones face, rather than see the whole thing in perfect clarity. Yes overall it's impressive but the fact is you will NEVER be able to see the benefit of a larger encode because your feeble brain just can't cope with it. At the minute, movies that are dual format have EXACTLY the same encode on them; regardless of format so imbeciles who claim to spot differences need hanging As Bill Hunt at Digital Bits, he's as much a sony shill as Harry is a shill for Toshiba. They both have opinions on the matter but given Bill Hunt has been lambasted on many an occasion for being OPENLY in bed with Sony, (go google the CES expo where he sat at the stand sucking Sony cock for the entire event), so having him criticise Harry is rather like the pot calling the kettle black.
HD DVD is already dead by Lance2769	Dec 12th, 2007 03:49:41 PM
As of last month, during Black Friday, Blu-ray was outselling HD-DVD, by a 3 to 1 ration. Check out the article: http://www.thedigitalbits.com/ mytwocentsa146.html#bf Also, Samsung just dropped their price on a Blu-ray player to sub $300.00. There are also rumors that Sony will soon be dropping the price of their $500.00 S300 player to under $300. Either of these players are much better than that piece of shit intro level Toshiba HD player that Massawyrm. It doesnt even play at a full 1080i or p. Many insiders are saying that Warner Bros'. decision on who to go with will determine the winner, NOT the porn industry as was earlier speculated. Rumors are that Warner Bros. is holding out on who to go with exclusively (they currently carry movies on both formats) until after the holidays, when they can get the figures on the number of player units sold for each format. These price drops in players may finally keep Blu-ray at the top for good. Massawyrm, get informed and do your research before you decide to post which format you have decided to go with. It's not helping matters for those that look at these postings for guidance or info.
Creature Cantina by TheAllSeeingEye	Dec 12th, 2007 03:50:25 PM
You mean HD-DVD's joke of a copy protection system that is EXACTLY the same as Blu Rays? AACS? For your information both HD-DVD and Blu-Ray are both easily ripped and images from both formats are readily available to download now. Now, what was your argument again?
Lance by TheAllSeeingEye	Dec 12th, 2007 03:52:22 PM
Highlighting a source of information re BluRay from Digital Bits is like quoting a study by McDonalds as to why the BigMac is better than the Whopper. Digital Bits is more pro-Bluray than Sony.
DarthCorleone by freydis	Dec 12th, 2007 03:54:22 PM
Reep's introduced in Caspian as the leader of the Talking Mice, and the book pays specific attention to how the Mice are among the more deadly killers Caspian's side has. He's not as big a character as he is in Treader, but he's there.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought it was a prequal? by Reel American Hero	Dec 12th, 2007 03:55:46 PM
I'm like 99% certain that Prince Caspian takes place before the first book/movie whatever. Did they decide to change the story to make it more "appealing" to film audiences?
Warner Bros... by TheAllSeeingEye	Dec 12th, 2007 03:56:33 PM
Can someone please cite a reliable source of information re: WB moving exclusively to BR? Since WB have made more HD-DVD's than BR's it seems ludicrous to believe that they'd stop producing discs for a format they've supported from the beginning for a format they've hardly supported.
Reel American Hero by TheAllSeeingEye	Dec 12th, 2007 03:57:52 PM
I've not read the narnia books for a long time but the only book set, as i recall, was set before TLTWATW was The Magicians Nephew.
TheAllSeeingEye by the beef	Dec 12th, 2007 04:01:32 PM
There's no support, only speculation on WB exclusively supporting BluRay. They have made the decision that they will go exclusive, and make the announcement in January which they choose, and I think the deciding factor is not hardware sales, but the software sales. I'm not sure where you can link to the info though.
One more thing Lance.. by TheAllSeeingEye	Dec 12th, 2007 04:01:42 PM
That i disregarded first time round out of blind rage at your ignorance; the HDA3 DOES play movies at 1080P so please, get those facts straigh huh?
Yeah, I was misinformed on the whole prequal thing by Reel American Hero	Dec 12th, 2007 04:05:17 PM
I just checked wikipedia. It was some of the later books that took place in various places before or during the first book.
Reel American Hero by Mel Gibsteinberg	Dec 12th, 2007 04:06:06 PM
Prince Caspian is not a prequel, the Magician's Nephew and Horse and His Boy could be considered "prequels" as they take place in time differently. Well technically, Horse and His Boy takes place during TLTWATW. All Seeing Eye, can you provide a link for Digital Bits being in bed with Sony? That is surprising.
The Beef by TheAllSeeingEye	Dec 12th, 2007 04:06:45 PM
As i recall Batman and Matrix Trilogy and Blade Runner have all been top sellers in what is the small HD movie market. I can't really see them ditching a format they've done well on because Columbia or whoever is doing well on BR. As for software sales, don't believe a word that comes out of either camp since both over-inflate their sales with numbers from things like disc bundles and boxsets. Crap.
Mel Gibsteinberg.. by TheAllSeeingEye	Dec 12th, 2007 04:11:04 PM
Just read any article to do with BluRay or HD-DVD and see what stance they take. Jesus, i used to love their forums until it turned into a place where ANYONE who uttered a semblance of major support for HD-DVD was chased outta town by the cronies. I'll find some links but in the meantime google how Sony sponsored the 10 years of Digital Bits party and tell me he's impartial.
Here's something you can check out by TheAllSeeingEye	Dec 12th, 2007 04:15:29 PM
http://tinyurl.com/38xohp The Asshole in those videos who makes the weak arguments about HD=DVD and repeatedly drops the word "Playstation" is Bill Hunt. There was also a funny link, i can't find it yet, where Bill Hunt went to ComicCon to harras the Paramount panel over their Star Trek decision....laughable
TheAllSeeingEye by the beef	Dec 12th, 2007 04:19:58 PM
My interpretation isn't software sales as a whole, just which format sells more WB titles over the other. I don't believe the sales numbers of either camp, but I recall the WB titles sales of Blu Ray compared to HD DVD being one of the major deciding factors. I'm sure they're going to look into more than just that, especially considering that the number of Blu Ray players in households far outweigh the number of HD DVD players.
noiretblanc by the beef	Dec 12th, 2007 04:22:49 PM
Not to mention that the Samsung player is not going to play the PS3 games, nor the 360 games (as in someone using the 360 HD DVD attachment). So, you might as well sacrifice the space and get the extra feature of playing next-gen games for the same price.
Ah but Beef by TheAllSeeingEye	Dec 12th, 2007 04:24:47 PM
You're buying into the Sony rhetoric that 4.3 million PS3's = 4.3 million Blu Ray players. Yes they might play BR movies, but the number of people who own those consoles AND have the kit to enjoy HD movies are two different numbers. At least everyone who bought the HD-A3, a stand alone player, is pretty much saying "I'm buying an HD player to play HD". I have, and always will, pick fault in any argument that uses PS3 numbers to inflate their sales. It's strange because Sony themselves actually don't like Toshiba to include sales of the 360 HD-DVD addon. Hypocrites much? There are many impartial sites on DVD/HD/BR that can clear up some of the confusion over sales that both camps like to employ to fog the facts.
TheAllSeeingEye by the beef	Dec 12th, 2007 04:34:10 PM
I'm not buying into the rhetoric, that's why I included the part about WB's probably taking the amount of blu ray players in home into account. It was meant as an extension on comparing WB title sales on Blu Ray over HD. If the ratio of BluRay (including PS3) owners vastly outweighs the number of HD owners, yet the software sales of WB titles don't (and won't because of what you stated) run somewhat parallel to those numbers, then I'm sure WB will strongly consider HD as the exclusive carrier of their library BECAUSE the HD owners are predominately people that want to watch movies first and play games second.
Beef, thanks for the NTSC answer. by modlight	Dec 12th, 2007 04:36:46 PM
This may be the first talkback on this subject that isn't totally based around opinion and speculation. I'm learning a lot here and I'm kind of discovering that the PS3 I'll buy soon is gonna probably do the trick, and that I'll get the blu-ray big brief case of Blade Runner. Can't wait.
skywalkerfamily by the beef	Dec 12th, 2007 04:36:46 PM
I have HD, but like most of this sites writers only because the cheap price and number of titles offered for free was too hard to pass up. I essentially just paid for the DVDs and got the player for free. That being said, the lack of Region coding on the titles is a big plus considering what other countries are offering in HD.
Region Free? by Blood T Cat	Dec 12th, 2007 04:50:05 PM
I don't know, I got "format error" messages on my Toshiba A3 when I tried to play a British of "SHE"region 2 and a German import of "Mutant". According to the manual it plays reg 1 or "all".
freydis... by DarthCorleone	Dec 12th, 2007 04:55:36 PM
Thanks - that does seem vaguely familiar now that you mention it. It's been a very long time since I read them.
Blood T Cat by the beef	Dec 12th, 2007 04:57:38 PM
The Region Free bonus is strictly to HD DVD titles. It won't play Region coded standard dvds (like what you have), essentially the kicker is that there are no Region codings on HD DVDs. It's not an all-region player, the HD DVD format is all-region. Does that make more sense?
TO: noiretblanc by Paradox99999	Dec 12th, 2007 05:07:23 PM
I have to agree with you again...but (lol...theres ALWAYS a but), my DLP does have 2 HDMI inputs. One is for the DVD player and the other is for my Hi-Def Comcast box...so Im back to needing an HDMI switchbox and extra cables if I buy both formats seperately. In all reality I will have to buy a switchbox regardless if my wife buys me the PS3 I have been asking for since July.
Theallseeingeye & the beef by staticneuron	Dec 12th, 2007 05:26:46 PM
What exactly are you arguing about? Without any stories the truth is Blu ray (stand alone and PS3 combined) have a larger presence in homes across the world than hd dvd(stand alone and add on combined). What is really telling is how many PS3 owners are supposed to watch blu rays (13%?) seems to be untrue because of the sales in each country. People tend to forget there is more than america right. How much is blu ray outselling hd-dvd in the rest of the world? How long has it ben doing so since the PS3's respective launches? It isn't a fad and looking at the global scene it isn't even a question about which one outsells the other. And allseeingeye you are right about the same encodes across formats but here is where the distinction is made..... maximum bitrate. Thats why many sites proclaim blu rays sound over HD DVD's. So we have maximum bitrate, pretty much the same quality video and a bigger space on blu ray. Why exactly would HD-DVD be a format of choice? Lower price is understandable but time always solves that issue for technology. Region free makes another but I highly doubt that those who import european movies do so more than the volume of japanese imports. I would have cared if japan and the US were in different regions but they made that slight change, which should satisfy some of the most of the media hogs out there. So after all that I still see no logical reason that the HD DVD has such a strong and defiant camp. Actually I take that back.... universal..... and they make some dam good movies.
HD DVD is the far better choice by JoeSixPack	Dec 12th, 2007 05:31:09 PM
No region coding, finalized specs, identical video and audio to Blu Ray, cheaper. The only people supporting Blu Ray are PS3 owners.
Warner and HD DVD? by a_guy	Dec 12th, 2007 05:51:35 PM
If you think that Warner is going Blu-ray I have some beach front property in Nevada to sell you, REAL CHEAP... Warner has FULLY supported HD DVD from day one; that is not an opinion THAT IS FACT! To say otherwise is foolish pride giving you hope for your blu--ray player. You are mental... Batman Begins, Matrix Trilogy, V for Vendetta and MANY others can only be purchased on HD DVD "NOT" Blu-ray, so you presume that Warner will be swayed by some TERRIBLE 2:1 software ratio numbers when hardware for blurry is 15:1 from most estimates leading HD DVD!??? ARE YOU KIDDING ME!?!? 2:1 and you think you have victory, you need to put down the Digital Bits Bullshit and take a reality pill bothers and sisters!! Fuckin' nuts if you think 2:1 is a win!!!! That means as a movie formate Blurry is TERRIBLY undersold for software... SINCE all Warner cares about is software (they hold no stake in either format) I would put my money on them going to the format that SELLS more software per player (300 was nearly 1:1 ratio of sales and I assume that HP will also be near 1:1)... WARNER GOES HD DVD EXLUSIVE IN 2008, PERIOD!!! Keep dreaming blu boys, First HD DVD will get Warner exclusive in 2008, BET ON IT, because if you bet against it you will cry yourself to sleep at night. Disney "WILL" go HD DVD neutral (they voted on the DVD Forum for the first time in 3 years to pass the 51GB HD DVD Disc a month ago, what does that tell you, they went against the wishes of the blu-ray group!!! OUCH!!!! Perhaps Disney is tired of the broken promises of Blu-ray!?? Me thinks!) P.S. 51 GB discs are 1 GB more than Blurry! Fox will the also go neutral in LATE 2008-Early 2009... BET ON THAT AS WELL... If you are holding out for the smallest of hope that Blu-ray will be the next movie format of choice you are simply wrong. NOW I can believe and truly say that Blu-ray will not go anywhere for years to come as the PS3 uses blu-ray discs for their games, but as a movie format NEVER, HD DVD will prevail; unquestionably. Their hardware has been approved by the DVD forum and thusly HAS to work with all movies FUTURE and CURRENT. Whereas Blu-ray keeps messing with their beta format 1.0; 1.1; 2?? When will it stop and will discs still play in future players... Don't hold your breathe. besides of you have anything OTHER than the PS3 you do not have the capabilities that HD DVD has, and THAT is sad (no dual video or audio decoding!?) HOW CAN THAT BE BLU-RAY is BEYOND HIGH DEFINITION.... Load of bullshit and you morons are eating it and asking for seconds (which is exactly what you will have to get because your beta player will not play your movies in a years time!!)
Massawyrm has Chosen HD DVD... by WONKABAR	Dec 12th, 2007 06:04:38 PM
Big surprise there. All you guys are doing is ensuring that neither side wins. Anyone who has done any research can see that BD had the upper hand and was/is the superior product. I mean, other than Mori's "for now" bullshit AICN has done everything in it's power to PIMP the living hell out of HD-DVD. What else would you call it? Yes, AICN does have some weight. HD-DVD was on it's last legs until Harry & Paramount decided to go "ah-ah-ah-ah" on us right around the same time. Hey, I used to support HD-DVD cuz of the 360 (and the name/price/it came out first) but mainly cuz I just wanted my fellow consumers to choose a format and choose one quickly. I only switched because BD pulled out ahead, and had/has more studio and hardware support, and yes, cuz it stores more data...oh, and Microsoft can eat a dick. There just needs to be a single format, like...NOW. Look, the whole industry is suffering... people are now holding off on buying regular DVDs cuz of this format war. I know I am. Sorry, but the fact is HD-DVD is not going to win. Not when Toshiba is the ONLY company making the players (for little/no profit). And even if Warner's went HD-excusive it would only spit the studios straight down the middle. Do you guys get it yet? All HD-DVD can do is play spoiler and create a wash at this point. Game Over...Bill Gates wins. I'm tired of people saying "this war is so silly" then turning around and publicly promoting the format that is least likely to put an end to it. And I'm not hurling any ridiculous accusations about people being "paid off" either, but don't bullshit me with "gut-feelings" or "I just like it better" "region-codes" etc. or any other "here's why..." crap. You sound dis-ingenuous/ignorant with that stuff at the very least IMO. No, what I'm getting is a strong 'need to be right'-vibe at work here. There's almost a "na-na-na na-na" feel to the HD posts. Like, I could almost see Harry gloating when Paramount made the switch. Now he's giving out free players and... SHOCK...some of his crew have "chosen" HD too! "Seee...I told you" Yeah, whatever. Save that shit for ball games and Box-Office predictions boys. Seriously. I hate to be a dick here, but I gotta call it like I see it.
I remember being told by HornOrSilk	Dec 12th, 2007 06:12:34 PM
HD DVD is passe and people are throwing them out, there is now Blu-Ray. That was over a year ago. Hah hah.
a_guy... I'll stick with the digital bits argument by modlight	Dec 12th, 2007 06:20:31 PM
because they didn't write in all caps and try and insult anyone who didn't agree with them. "YO BRAH! HD IS THE SHIT. YOU BLURAYERS ARE FAAAAGGS. HALO RULEZ!!" seems to be the general rhetoric of those supporting HDDVD.
Audio Follow up by a_guy	Dec 12th, 2007 06:35:48 PM
To say that Lossless is not Lossless is assanine, PERIOD lossless is lossless.
modlight by a_guy	Dec 12th, 2007 06:37:34 PM
I never type in all caps, and actually have a very good vocabulary.
VWantsRevenge by a_guy	Dec 12th, 2007 06:41:44 PM
Just because you write FUCK doesn't mean you know shit about shit. Lets be honest here ANYONE who says that Blu-ray is better quality than HD DVD is a jag-rocket... PERIOD. And fuck HOLLYWOOD Heavyhitters when they start paying my fucking bills I will give a rats fart what they say, Till then HD DVD is it... Warner will NOT go blu-ray exclusive no matter what bluray.com tells you.
To Clarify by a_guy	Dec 12th, 2007 06:44:26 PM
I am not saying that Blu-ray OR HD DVD is better in all reality the are I-FUCKING-DENTICAL!! Period... Check out this good article on sound: http://hddvd.highdefdigest.com /news/show/Joshua_Zyber/High-D ef_FAQ:_Uncompressed_vs._Lossl ess_Audio/1233
alrighty then, thats more like it... by modlight	Dec 12th, 2007 06:47:16 PM
Then please help me with this... I am getting a PS3, that much I know. I have 2 generations of games that I'll still play on the PS3, and i also would love to have network play capabilities and not have to pay extra for it. So knowing that I'll have BluRay capabilites with that, which is a big bonus, should I bother getting a moderately priced HD-DVD player so I can watch it's exclusive titles as well, or just wait it out. Talk amongst yourselves because I feel I'm not the only person with this plan.
PS3 by a_guy	Dec 12th, 2007 06:52:06 PM
If you are getting a PS3 go for the 80GB model it has all the bells and whistles you are seeking. As for the HD DVD get one with free movies from Best Buy or Amazon.com it is basically a free player (roughly) and you will also get a great upconverter to boot.
Gotcha... Thanks by modlight	Dec 12th, 2007 06:58:14 PM
Yeah, I was gonna go with the 80 gig anyways, cause Motorstorm looks more interesting than that POS Spidey3, so there is 60 bucks I'd be dropping anyways. So why not go for twice as much Gigs for just a bit more money. I'll look for the free movie thing too. Blu Ray is doing afree movie deal also for anyone who cares. There are some shitty movies to choose from, but there are some nuggets as well. I forgot to mention 2 major factors for my interest in HD vs. Blu... Transformers (yeah I said it, WHAT?!) And Battlestar. Thanks for the advice.
Caspian footage by fatdrunkandstupid	Dec 12th, 2007 07:04:50 PM
I was actually quite surprised about the amount of footage they showed. We got a lot of glimpses of the new Narnia. The footage followed the story with the Pevensies entrance into an older and now foreign Narnia (the opening New Zealand vistas looked so gorgeous that they looked beyond real). I’m not a die hard devotee of the book, but from what I remember this does look to deviate from the source a bit (as any adaptation that’s not a carbon copy of the text should be). One noted change – it looks like there’s an extended “assassination” attempt as Prince Caspian flees the castle. I always liked that moment in the book when Caspian discovered that his Uncle actually meant to kill him (the true heir to the throne) and that it was necessary to flee – a harsh reality crashing in on the innocence of youth. The movie looks to really amp this scene up and it looks intense. It leads into an LOTR-like horse chase through the woods (a la the Ringwraiths chasing Arwen in Fellowship) that looks awesome. The way the camera moves and sweeps with the horses darting through the trees looked really freakin’ cool. Lastly, the cage-match style brawl between Miraz and Peter caught my eye. With the addition of some tough, cutthroat adult characters, it really feels like there’s mortal danger for the Pevensies this time (something I felt was a bit lacking in the first film). Overall, this preview moved the needle from casually interested to anticipating.
HD DVD users are cheap LOL by Mace Tofu	Dec 12th, 2007 07:14:38 PM
I did not buy the new HARRY POTER in HD because the SD DVD was on sale for $14. The HD would of set me back $27 and I spent about $180 on DVDs tuesday so I went with more titles Vs HD. Stores are having crazy sales and $80 Boxsets are going for $15 so I loaded up on SD titles and not HD versions ( Blade Runner will be a HD purchase : ). Now if the HD Potter was $20 or less on HD I would of bought it but $27 was too much. The HD player upconverts regular DVDs so well that I think most owners just buy the SD versions because those are about $10 cheaper than the HD versions and ten bucks is ten bucks and if your getting 10 movies , $100! 10 Free HD DVDs is good. Even if the HD format fails I end up with a good DVD player at a fair price.
No, modlight by WONKABAR	Dec 12th, 2007 07:23:13 PM
I'm getting a PS3 too. I've had 360 for the last year...it's been fun. But, most of the old XBOX (I had one of those too) games suck. I love Gears of War, I'm frankly over Halo at this point, and my year-long XBL Gold membership is almost up. Most of the big games (GTA etc.) will be on PS3 too. Sony looks like it's getting some nice exclusives too btw. I can also get two generations of PS-games now for dirt-cheap. Hell, they're still putting out new stuff for PS2. I don't have to pay an extra $99 for a wireless online adapter like I did with the 360, nor do I have to dish out another $150 or $200 for an HD add-on...along with another $50 for "Gold" service. No. all those goodies come included with same price-tag that 360 had last year. And yes, I'm going to start buying BD-discs too. I'm not holding out any longer for Kubrick & Blade Runner. And yes, I noticed the BD supporters/posters seem to actually know what they're talking about or actually own an HD-display. Which I'm about to to get also and I'll be damned if I shell out two grand for a TV... and then have to wait another 6-8 years for crappy Microsoft downloads to come together, whilst the fucking local news looks better than the SW/LOTR trilogies cuz I'm stuck with the DVD versions and HD-discs altogether went the way of HDCD, DVD-A, and SACD etc. All because of echo-chambers filled with people who can't make up their minds cuz they're apparently...I don't know, blind...def?
COLOR ME SOLD by WISEBLOOD	Dec 12th, 2007 07:33:41 PM
Region free is the money, thats true. HD DVD here I come. Thankee Massa.
Btw by WONKABAR	Dec 12th, 2007 07:35:32 PM
if we all went Blu there's WAY more of chance that Universal and Paramount will at least go format-neutral soon than there is of ALL the other studios bailing out on BD. I mean, that's just logic/common sense. Don't support BD AND HD-DVD...force the studios to pick something.
I Have Chosen To Shit Myself Laughing, and Here's Why.... by El_Duderino	Dec 12th, 2007 07:37:54 PM
No Region Coding??? Well, in that case, I guess we know where the studios are going. I'm sure it's what WE all would love, but do you really think that's gonna sit well with Paramount and Universal? If this is true, Blu-Ray will win the day. I'm still gonna wait it out and continue watch my hundreds of DVD's upconverted until all the HD-DVD leg humpers are using their players as glorified paperweights.
Reepicheep! I love that little mousy bastard... by AuntieMeat	Dec 12th, 2007 08:33:05 PM
Dude... I totally can't wait for the third movie. Voyage of the Dawn Treader is tied for my favorite in the entire series (along with Last Battle), and there's such fantastic imagery in that book that my mind swims with the possibilities of the CG visuals. Caspian will be a great step forward. Though I always pictured Caspian as a blond. I think that may be what the illustrations in the book had him as though...
a_guy is a liar by dobyblue	Dec 12th, 2007 09:05:33 PM
Hey a_guy, sales of "300" are not close to 1:1 - in fact the Blu-ray has sold over 100,000 copies more than the HD DVD so please stop lying.
He chose... poorly. by Det. John Kimble	Dec 12th, 2007 09:08:07 PM
OH SNAP!
Massawyrm has chosen not to like No Country For Old Men. Here's by Lashlarue	Dec 12th, 2007 10:27:37 PM
He's a retard.
Face facts by TVguy4566	Dec 12th, 2007 10:30:53 PM
Odds are the high def DVD market is going to be a niche market for a while, maybe forever. Studios know that. That's why the studios are putting out many discs in either format. PS3 gives Blu Ray a big advantage because of this. PS3 dropped to $400 for the Christmas season and it includes a free Spiderman 3 Blu Ray. That means the adoption of PS3 is going to outpace HD DVD and Blu Ray players along with the HD DVD player for Xbox 360 combined. That means studios are going to see a brighter future with Blu Ray for the forseable future. I expect Warner to go Blu Ray exclusive and others to follow suit over the next few years. I really don't think it matters though. Combo HD DVD/Blu Ray players will be affordable in the next two years and it is only a matter of time before you will be downloading HD quality movies to your DVR or other storage device connected to your TV. This market could very well be the laserdisc of this decade. A very popular market with a certain market, but never becoming mainstream. And becoming obsolete before it really takes on with the masses. I still think the non-videophile are more than satisfied with their regular DVD quality on an HD set.
WONKABAR is a wise man by CreatureCantina	Dec 12th, 2007 10:35:41 PM
The PS3 is the best deal in high definition. I own a 60-Gig, and it's flat-out awesome. The Blu-ray player is one of the best on the market, and will soon be upgraded to 1.1. AND it just happens to play video games! All for less than $400. It's funny all the HD DUDders here whining "finalized specs" not realizing that they're gonna need brand new hardware to play the upcoming 51-Gig discs. That's if those discs ever get out of development. HD DVD might be dead long before that comes to pass. As for Warner, read it and weep: http://tinyurl.com/2rjaed http://tinyurl.com/28rnuj http://tinyurl.com/2bg8zm http://tinyurl.com/26s2ep http://tinyurl.com/2cp6n9 http://tinyurl.com/2e2wxr http://tinyurl.com/25xtgp So Warner's not going Blu-ray exclusive, huh? Maybe if you keep your head in the sand long enough it won't really happen. Those BNAT guys were really lucky... they didn't pay a cent for the HD DVD players which will be obsolete in a few weeks. I pity all the suckers who actually paid money for them.
I have chosen a DVD HDMI 1080i converter. Here's why.... by Lashlarue	Dec 12th, 2007 10:48:42 PM
It was $40 bucks at Walmart, and I know neither Blu-ray or HD DVD is going to win. And yes, I know it's not as good as true High Definition movies. It still looks pretty damn good.
2.7 mil blu-ray players vs 750k hd-dvd players. hmmm.... by captain_sulu	Dec 12th, 2007 10:52:17 PM
in north america. and everyone knows blu-ray is kicking hd-dvd's ass in europe. i wonder who will win?
Can this just end? by the beef	Dec 12th, 2007 11:06:09 PM
Nobody gives a shit one way or the other about the technological superiority of one format over the other. I don't care if blu-ray (or HD) offers a little more features so that I can see a man's individual nose hairs on one format and not on the other, or hear one of the actors fart where I may not have heard it before. I don't care about any of that. I, along with the majority of people I assume, only care about whether or not I can afford to watch something in Hi-Def, and what I can watch in Hi-Def. If Warners goes Blu-Ray then by golly I guess we're going Blu-Ray, yay. If they go HD, then yippee as I don't have to worry about buying a new player unless I want to see The Terminator films, CLOSE ENCOUNTERS, or Copolla's DRACULA (which I do on all accounts) in HD.
CratureCantina speaks truth.. by WONKABAR	Dec 12th, 2007 11:38:32 PM
LOL! From the first paragraph of the first link "...which new DVD format will prevail: Blu-ray, which is backed by Sony and a consortium of [!!!170 other companies!!!], or HD DVD, which is being championed by Toshiba, Microsoft (and others)" That says it all right there. Apple Computer, Inc. Dell Inc. Hewlett Packard Company Hitachi, Ltd. LG Electronics Inc. Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. Mitsubishi Electric Corporation Pioneer Corporation Royal Philips Electronics Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Sharp Corporation Sony Corporation Sun Microsystems, Inc. TDK Corporation Thomson Multimedia Twentieth Century Fox Walt Disney Pictures Warner Bros. Entertainment. To name a few, ALL support BD. Along with Lucas, Spielberg, Bay etc. etc. Biggest HD-DVD supporters besides Harry & Co...Microsoft (for no good/nefarious reasons). That's about it. Number of companies that actually manufacture HD-DVD players...one - Toshiba. Samsung, Panasonic, Sony, Philips and Pioneer etc. all make BD players and will never compete with $199/$99 players...ever. Also, BD is dominating the the rest of the world including OZ..http://tinyurl.com/yw584r Warner's is almost ready to announce, Paramount probably can't wait for this next year to go by/loophole their way out of their contract. And Universal? WTF do they know? (Closing B2TF-TR & all) The studios know folks are holding out on all formats, including DVD (more people are buying HD-TV sets) and they know they're losing money/missing the boat here and they will put a stop to this war, and it won't be by siding with HD-DVD...maybe a year ago, not now. Don't listen to Harry and teh minions under his evil spell...you simply can't trust the judgment of somebody who doesn't like BSG. Search your feelings (need I go on?)
51 gig HD DVD disks... by Spastic Jedi	Dec 12th, 2007 11:39:48 PM
will use the same players. It is a triple layered disk, there is no need for a new player, possibly a firmware update but that is all. Then there is also CH DVD, which is a HD DVD derivative which will have a huge impact too.
PS3 sales ARE up, but they're still selling more X360's by Zardoz	Dec 12th, 2007 11:56:04 PM
And PS3 sales are counted as BD players. But X360 sells more game consoles than PS3. So there are more X360 owners who will either buy the 360 HD-DVD add-on, or the Toshiba player. (like me!) Or they'll download their movies from the XBox Live Marketplace. (which is new and improved, btw!) There are SO many better games on the X360 than PS3! Bioshock is incredible, (and just won GOTY on SpikeTV!) Mass Effect is equally awesome, and Halo 3 is, well, Halo. (Okay, it was fun, but WAY too short and I don't play online multi-player 'cause I don't like getting fragged a hundred times in a second!) And GTA IV will be out in March, (I hope!) with two (2!) exclusive downloads to the 360. For the record, I still own a PS2, and I love it. But I feel that Sony really dropped the ball with the PS3. They assumed that because they had the last biggest-selling console that they would automatically have the biggest-selling next-gen console. Well, it hasn't exactly been so. I thought I would buy a PS3 for sure, but then it was late on arrival and it didn't live up to the hype and IT DIDN'T HAVE ANY GAMES THAT I WANTED TOO PLAY! (okay, I'm curious about Resistance and Drake's Fortune) But those games aren't even CLOSE to being as good as Bioshock or Mass Effect, or even HALO 3. (Don't believe me? Check out the critical response on Metacritic.com) Maybe when all the dust settles, and the price drops even more, I'll buy a PS3. But for now, I'm VERY happy with my X360 and my Toshiba HD-DVD player. (And my 10 free movies from Amazon for $159. Total! Yes, I am a cheap bastard!) And even if, somehow, Sony sells more PS3's than X360's and BD beats HD, I'll STILL have the best gaming system (NOT the quietest, though, that's for DAMN sure!) and a damn good HD player that will upconvert my S-DVD's to near HD quality. So, ultimately, I don't really care which HD format wins. But if you want the best GAME console this X-Mas it's the X360, NOT the PS3...
Holy Fuck... by Tourist	Dec 13th, 2007 12:35:26 AM
...This "war" between HD players is the single most boring topic I have ever encountered. I don't give a fuck. Neither does anyone I know. They either rent DVD's or download movies anyway. Like I can fucking tell the difference between DVD and HD without outlaying a small fortune anyway. This shit will die and be gone to the land occupied by Laser Discs and Video Discs. Maybe I'll by a dusty old one from my local pawn shop in ten years time and pick up a shitload of retro titles off of Ebay2 then.
Lashlarue by AlwaysThere	Dec 13th, 2007 12:51:44 AM
That's the truth.
X-Box 360 does kick much ass! I Love it! by Lashlarue	Dec 13th, 2007 01:03:25 AM
I'm sure PS3 does too, but, man, did they fuck up or what! They really shot themselves in the foot with that launch. Wii is the top selling game system. Everywhere you go they're sold out! I enjoy the irony of that. Oh, and I've downloaded a couple HD movies on my X-Box 360. They're pretty damn cool to look at. It just sucks that you can't keep them. What a rip! Oh, well.
TheAllseeingeye by Lance2769	Dec 13th, 2007 01:41:46 AM
Contrary to your stupid username on this site, you must either own one of those cheap Toshiba HDA3 players or your eyes are failing you. Saying that the HDA3 first generation (third model) HD player plays 1080p is like saying that one of those $15.00 Colby dvd players that you see at Walmart plays progressive scan. It just ain't the same as a quality player buddy!!! My referencing of the holiday high-definition sales stats are also backed up on the dvdreview.com website, which has taken a neutral stance on the HD war. Check YOUR FACTS blind man!
T2 European HD-DVD next month? by shady73	Dec 13th, 2007 07:18:06 AM
Was he speaking hypothetically? Was he referring to the 2-Disc French HD-DVD or the 1 Disc UK Extended HD-DVD? I just got the French version - but the theatrical cut has forced French subs.
Hey all you Xbox Three Hundred and Sixty playin' guys by Spandau Belly	Dec 13th, 2007 07:24:17 AM
I'm getting one of these things for Christmas and I can't wait to start playing video games again. The last console I bought was the SuperNintendo back when I was a young teenager. Does the Xbox Three Hundred and Sixty play all regions of DVDs, or just region 1 (where I live)? And I understand you can customize the soundtracks to lots of games. That sounds great. I love car racing games and would love to hear my own music as I drive. Is the custom soundtrack building done in-game through the game's menus or do I have to plug my Xbox Three Hundred and Sixty to my Home Computer Machine everytime I want to fiddle with the soundtracks?
More XBox sales doesn't mean more HD DVD sales by TVguy4566	Dec 13th, 2007 07:57:20 AM
Yes, the XBox is outselling the PS3 primarily because of price points, but that doesn't mean Xbox owners are going to buy either format or the HD DVD add on. Also, you cannot count on 100% of these users who do buy an HD format to buy an HD DVD player. As I said, a very big reason XBox outsells PS3 is the price point. The price difference is primarily because the PS3 includes the Blu Ray disc drive and the XBox sells the HD DVD drive separately. Why would XBox owners go out and buy the HD DVD drive in large numbers. I still think PS3 is a huge advantage for Sony in this war of formats. The adoption rate for this format is pretty low. PS3 allows people who wouldn't be early adopters of this format to adopt the Blu Ray format. They got their game console and a next generation Hig Def DVD player to boot. I think studios realize this. HD DVD backers dismiss PS3 users, but it is that segment that is primarily driving the market. The average person just can't justify $300-$500 for another DVD player when they are satisfied with the quality of the player they have now. Therefore, for at least the next two years or so, PS3 will represent a very large portion of this market.
I've said it before... by DocPazuzu	Dec 13th, 2007 08:06:06 AM
...and I'll say it again: Neither HD DVD or Blu-Ray will "win". Why, you say? For several reasons, but here's one you'll all get behind: they need to break the U.S. in order to succeed. This would be the same U.S. market that routinely issues regular DVD movies in seperate widescreen and 4:3 editions. If Joe Sixpack hasn't evolved to the point of exclusively wanting regular widescreen DVDs, why the fuck would he care about any HD format? You champions of either side are severly delusional.
"severely" by DocPazuzu	Dec 13th, 2007 08:06:25 AM

I HAVE CHOSEN DVDS THAT SUPPORT ODORAMA HERES WHY..., by BringingSexyBack	Dec 13th, 2007 08:34:05 AM
I want to smell the pussy juices!!!!
Ah, all the baseless rhetoric being thrown around. by jae683	Dec 13th, 2007 08:48:16 AM
I love the smell of shit in the morning. It smells of ... whiny loosers bitching about who's stick is better. In a nutshell, both formats produce the same damned picture and lossless sound. I don't care what some nutjob fanboy says. As far as studios switching sides, until it's officially announced, it's not true. All this 'one day' wishfull thinking crap people are spewing is giving me a headache.
Lance by TheAllSeeingEye	Dec 13th, 2007 09:37:49 AM
Go google HD-A3 check the fucking spec sheet for that player you fucking clown. It's a 1080p player moron and whining like a bitch that it isn't won't change that fact. We're not taling about the A2 or earlier, we're talking about the A3 player...dumbass.
Discussions about hard drive space by ArcadianDS	Dec 13th, 2007 10:18:19 AM
are for the stupid and sightless. I say this because once upon a time, I sat in on a high-level Department of Defense tech meeting where a 4 star general declared, "We will not be upgrading any infrastructure within the next 15 years due to the fact that the modern storage capacity far exceeds what anyone could ever need to archive." He was talking about the new server platforms that had been recently installed - with 500 MEG HARD DRIVES. So yeah, any argument about tech whose focus is, "zomg theres no way you can store that much data" is fool's logic.
I've taken a huge shit on HD-DEAD, and here's why... by 69DUDE	Dec 13th, 2007 11:12:45 AM
On software, it's being outsold by Blu-Ray in the following ratios: US 2:1 Europe 3:1 Australia 5.6:1 Japan 9:1 It also has no Spider-Man, James Bond, POTC, Disney or Pixar movies. When (not IF) Warners go BR exclusive, it's all over for Toshiba. Blu-Ray FTW.
Hey flip63 by Mel Gibsteinberg	Dec 13th, 2007 11:13:24 AM
I don't know what your beef with Acura's are, my MDX is a great ride, and comes standard with a hell of a lot more features than many Mazdas. But why the hell do you want to argue cars on a movie website? Also I see a_guy has completely dissapeared after his ass was handed to him by several more knowledgeable posters here.
I took a walk around HMV here in the UK yesterday by metaluna	Dec 13th, 2007 12:42:01 PM
and couldn't help but notice how much bluray gear was being pushed and given lots of shelf space, but HDDVD was barely there. As far as I am concerned, the writing is on the wall for HDDVD. It lost months ago. I don't care what lame ass reasons to buy HDDVD some of you come out with (it sounds better to say than bluray? Really... is THAT an argument? That is desperate). All the extras are in HD on a bluray system as opposed to not on a HD DVD, it has better audio capabilities and is pretty much future proof instead of old tech in terms of capacity. True, fast HD downloads are still years away. Around the world, BR sells more discs. What more proof do you need? Wake up and smell the coffee people. It's over. End game. Stop deluding yourselves.
IT'S OVER JOHNNY! by WONKABAR	Dec 13th, 2007 01:01:52 PM
OVER!
SK229 - DID YOU REALLY WRITE THAT ESSAY IN THIS TINY BOX? by BringingSexyBack	Dec 13th, 2007 01:41:31 PM
Holy shit dude.
Yeah dude, by WONKABAR	Dec 13th, 2007 02:02:12 PM
you lost me at "no discernible difference" between 1080I & 1080P
Wonkabar by jae683	Dec 13th, 2007 02:15:40 PM
There is no difference between 1080I and 1080P on an LCD or Plasma tv, as long as the source is 1080P. The tv reconstitutes the image in its memory buffer. That's a fact. Look it up.
There IS a difference between 1080i & 1080p by Mr Pumblechook	Dec 13th, 2007 03:13:38 PM
Wonkabar. WTF are you smoking? there IS a difference between 1080i and 1080p! 1080p shows all the visual lines at once. 1080i alternates the even number lines, and then the odd number lines. Its very fast, a visual illusion, so your eyes register all the lines at the same time, but the downside is that the picture looks a little less sharp, and more blury when moving. Wonkabar. There is nothing wrong with being wrong. But there is something very wrong with being wrong and claiming you are right. That's a fact!
Yeah, whatever.. by WONKABAR	Dec 13th, 2007 03:30:03 PM
If the source is 1080p then the image WILL look better on a progressive scan TV. Especially if it's a bigger screen. One can argue about how much actually registers to the naked eye... if 1080p TVs are really worth it, what sources are available - upconverting, downconverting etc. etc. The point is interlaced & progressive are not the same thing. Going back to SK229 above and some of his other statements "anyone who thinks that the PS3 sales are going to drive BD to a win are seriously delusional." Hey dude, there are 2.5 PS3s out there right now. That's over a million more BD players than HD-DVD. You'd have to be delusional to think that most of those people aren't going to be buying any movies. You can probably bet that early adopters of PS3 probably have /have the money for HD-TVs too. Btw it appears that the Warner's switch might be wishful thinking http://tinyurl.com/36esqw I'm not even gonna try to spin some bullshit like most HD-DVD fanatics seem to these days, other than to say that if Warner's or Universal continue to just sit shit out, it's a big mistake. Go ahead and gloat Toshiba-bitches. I'm sure most of us can live live with our current DVD collection. It's Blu or bust at this point.
Mr Pumblechook by WONKABAR	Dec 13th, 2007 03:31:55 PM
I believe you're speaking to jae683
The only time you'll see the difference between 1080i and 1080p by TheAllSeeingEye	Dec 13th, 2007 04:16:49 PM
Is in a videogame, movies are alot harder to spot. To be honest, i find it quite hard to pick fault with 1080i movies on my old LCD tv, it looks just as crisp and detailed as the 1080p on my new TV. Infact, if i wasn't so enamoured with videogames I'd have probably stuck with my old LCD a little while longer. Which also leads me to another point. 1080P is only taken up by a small percentage of what is already a niche market. Most people with flat panel tv's, LCD or Plasma, are quite happy to stick with 720P/1080I.
WONKA by TheAllSeeingEye	Dec 13th, 2007 04:24:28 PM
Dude, i can tell you now that the majority of PS3 buyers DON'T have HDTV. I'll see if i can find a link to the sales figures for Sony's HDMI and component cables. Nowhere near the number of units sold. Granted, any HDMI will do but to be honest, if you look at the number of PS3's sold, you'd expect ALOT more BluRay sales if the majority were buying HD movies. Infact, the format war would have been decided last year if that were the case. HDTV, despite being around for sometime now, is only affordable a select number of people. The people driving sales of PS3 are the hardcore fans who are buying out of brand loyalty; exactly what Sony want them to do. Not many, especially here in Europe, have the finances to purchase a $1600 set since most of them are at college or in school. Sure SDTV's are getting harder and harder to find but most people are happy to sit on their sets until they break rather than upgrade for a flat panel
TheAllSeeingEye by TVguy4566	Dec 13th, 2007 04:38:57 PM
What does Sony HDMI cables have to do with it? I have PS3 and I have a Monster cable HDMI cable connecting it to my stereo and another Monster cable HDMI connected from my stereo to my TV. I have two HDMI cables for my PS3 and neither are Sony brand. The Sony brand HDMI suck compared to other ones out there. How can you say that the majority of the PS3 buyers don't have HDTV? Just because the Sony HDMI cable sucks? Up until recently the price point was $500 for the PS3. Are you really going to tell me that a large number of the people who would spend half a grand on a gaming unit wouldn't also have a HDTV too. I bet most of the people who have bought the PS3 are either serious gamers or people or people who have quite a bit of money invested in their home entertainment.
By the way by TVguy4566	Dec 13th, 2007 04:42:45 PM
72.6% of the high def discs sold since Black Friday were Blu Ray discs. If PS3 users ain't buying any or many, the war is over and Blu Ray has won. If Blu Ray can basically own the high def market without a large number of PS3 users supporting it, there isn't any way possible that HD DVD can win over studios and overtake them.
Er.yes TVGuy by TheAllSeeingEye	Dec 13th, 2007 04:54:01 PM
Because they aimed the product at their legions of avid gamefans. Look, this might be a tough concept for you to grasp but people will pay ANYTHING, for a games console should they want it. Just look at the prices fetched by 360's and Wii's when they were short of stock. Look at the money spent on import games, I bought a PS1 from Japan for £600 - that's $1200. Big time gamers pay silly money, it's part of enjoying games. However i can tell you now that not all of them have at least $1600 spare for a tv. Not when their current one does the trick and the majority of your marketbase is still in school Anyway it doesnt matter about the cables, it's a passing comment but a valid one, you might have an HDMI port on your tv but people with older sets won't and believe me, there are more sets out there without HDMI than with. They need component cables, and those things just haven't moved in the numbers that would indicate a large uptake of HD. Also, while they may have a 72.6% stake of Black Fridays market, what Toshiba and Sony fail to mention is that those sales numbers INCLUDE the discs they give away with machines in bundles. Both companies are so caught up in trying to outdo the other they are constantly inflating their sales in any way possibl. In the UK there's a chain of second hand stores called CEX, my local store have absolutely masses of BR discs sold to them by people buying PS3's who simply have no need for them. If BluRay was selling in the numbers to match sales of PS3 to date you'd be seeing millions of discs sold; not thousands. Top it off, while a good deal many home cinema enthusiast DID buy PS3 at first as a cheap BR player, it's guaranteed they'll be buying a stand alone one now they're cheaper. Home theater fans have always chosen stand alone hardware over things like game machines; i don't know any movie buff who used his PS2 or XBOX for movies.

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