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[FCTE]

I just want one HD format with all the movies and I don't care which one. HD DVD no matter how many units they sell aren't going to go anywhere with only two studios backing them. When Universal and Paramount's contracts are up they are out of there.

 LOL @ all the conspiracy theorists. Like HD DVD doesn't have DRM and Toshiba hasn't been trying to buy studios off?

[Chancer]

QUOTE(HackMy360 @ Jan 26 2008, 12:36 AM)

Im sure blu ray fanboys will find something negative to say about this

 Where as you as the exact opposite have added nothing constructive  to support your chosen HD DVD,other than a vain attempt to shit stir.
 What was your point related to this topic??

[jesterrace777]

It's gonna be a tough call.  Sony on the side of mis-information and studio support.  HD-DVD on the side of cost-effectiveness and fast reaching the price of mass adoption (once the $100 mark is broken) AND the fact that they are better at up-converting standard DVDs than any of the Blu-Ray players (once the $100 mark is broken).  I snagged another A3 at best buy with 9 free movies (2 titles hand picked) and I pricematched it to amazon.com. ($135.67 with tax)  Furthermore BB now has the same deal with a rewards zone coupon for 20% off and the 9 free deal still going.  So $120+tax for 9 free HD movies, a solid standard DVD up-conversion player and fully interactive highdef player all rolled into one.  Even if the format tanks you will have gotten your money's worth at that price.

[FCTE]

QUOTE(jesterrace777 @ Jan 26 2008, 05:53 AM)

AND the fact that they are better at up-converting standard DVDs than any of the Blu-Ray players .

I find that hard to believe considering the majority of the HD DVD players are only 1080i.

Besides most HD DVD players being limited to 1080i it would depend on the upscaling chip and/or software and the movie itself. HD DVD or Blu-ray players as a whole aren't just better at upscaling because of the HD format they play.

I know the 360 is absolutely horrible at upscaling DVDs, with or without the HD DVD add-on. The PS3 doesn't even have an upscaler chip and it looks great upscaling DVDs through software.

[Elemino]

QUOTE(FCTE @ Jan 26 2008, 09:23 AM)

I find that hard to believe considering the majority of the HD DVD players are only 1080i.

Where in the world did you get that misinformation? There has always been AT LEAST two models of HD DVD players. One 1080i and one 1080p. The 1080i for those who own 720p tv's or the rare 1080i Hitachi or other older plasmas, and the 1080p model for those who own 1080p TV. Where did you get most players are 1080i? Not to mention they have more 1080p models that not every store carries.

[FCTE]

QUOTE(Elemino @ Jan 26 2008, 09:40 AM)

Where in the world did you get that misinformation? There has always been AT LEAST two models of HD DVD players. One 1080i and one 1080p. The 1080i for those who own 720p tv's or the rare 1080i Hitachi or other older plasmas, and the 1080p model for those who own 1080p TV. Where did you get most players are 1080i? Not to mention they have more 1080p models that not every store carries.

They're called specs, usually listed right next to the player. You're not getting 1080p until you get to the HD-A models. The A2s and A3s are 1080i.

[0794]

besides sales and prices, i would be more interested in what Toshiba is doing with the production lines of their HD DVD products right now.  sure anymore would want to push current inventory by dropping retail prices, but are they ramping up or dropping production of new models - that would more importantly indicate their interest in "holding the sky up" for longer to see if HD DVD can sustain the recent studio defections...

[bobz9]

so yesterday I'm at bestbuy in the 360 section picking up another gold subscription card, and I figure I will just look around at what they got here.  
They had a stack of the 360 HD-DVD drives about 6 boxes wide, 4 deep, and stacked to about my chest level.  Based on this I would say that they are not really a top seller.  I would defiantly call it for blu-ray.

[iwannadie]

QUOTE(kowrip @ Jan 26 2008, 08:36 AM)

I don't share the same optimism that HD-DVD is still a competitor.  I think it's possible that neither format will be successful if DVD manages to hold on long enough until a better format or means of watching high-def movies becomes available.  However, I just can't see HD-DVD coming back into the picture.  They haven't used their cost advantage to really push the format nor have they been doing any sort of advertising.  As a result, Blu-Ray players are coming down in price and PS3 sale are starting to pick up steam.

Standard dvd to me is just dead. I hate watching my older movies on dvd now, my hd dvd player makes them look Much better but still its nowhere near a high def experience. Im not about to wait a few years to watch movies at home. If Hd and blu die so what, I got at least 2-3 years of movie enjoyment out of them before the next craze.

[jesterrace777]

QUOTE(FCTE @ Jan 26 2008, 04:23 PM)

I find that hard to believe considering the majority of the HD DVD players are only 1080i.

Besides most HD DVD players being limited to 1080i it would depend on the upscaling chip and/or software and the movie itself. HD DVD or Blu-ray players as a whole aren't just better at upscaling because of the HD format they play.

I know the 360 is absolutely horrible at upscaling DVDs, with or without the HD DVD add-on. The PS3 doesn't even have an upscaler chip and it looks great upscaling DVDs through software.

Tell you what, you compare an A3 side by side with your PS3 and tell me which one looks better.  A number of dual format folks have compared the two side by side and noticed the difference.  As for 1080i/1080p that is all marketing BS.  1080p/24p is only valid if you have a very large set that supports HDMI V1.3.  Furthermore only one model of HD-DVD player from toshiba is actually 1080i (the A3) the A30 and the A35 are both 1080p.

[mc_365]

QUOTE(jesterrace777 @ Jan 27 2008, 12:02 AM)

Tell you what, you compare an A3 side by side with your PS3 and tell me which one looks better.  A number of dual format folks have compared the two side by side and noticed the difference.  As for 1080i/1080p that is all marketing BS.  1080p/24p is only valid if you have a very large set that supports HDMI V1.3.  Furthermore only one model of HD-DVD player from toshiba is actually 1080i (the A3) the A30 and the A35 are both 1080p.

Thanks for educating these folks about 1080P vs 1080i.

Its like the Megahertz war between Intel and AMD where AMD.

[Elemino]

QUOTE(FCTE @ Jan 26 2008, 09:51 AM)

They're called specs, usually listed right next to the player. You're not getting 1080p until you get to the HD-A models. The A2s and A3s are 1080i.

The A2 and A20 line is dead. But along with those A3's each store also sales the A30. So I still don't see your point.

[trey85stang]

well if I want to be locked into universal only HD content.. I will get an hd dvd player....  Luckily bourne identity looks fine on DVD.

[jesterrace777]

QUOTE(trey85stang @ Jan 28 2008, 06:53 AM)

well if I want to be locked into universal only HD content.. I will get an hd dvd player....  Luckily bourne identity looks fine on DVD.

It's not that simple.  People keep looking at sites like Blu-Ray.com which lists not only the major supporters but their affiliates as well for Blu-Ray and doesn't bother listing anything but the two parent companies for the remaining two major studios that support HD-DVD exclusively.  Here is the total scope of the HD-DVD support which is broader than most people might think.  I'm not trying to say it's larger than Blu-Ray but it's not like it's just two little studios with almost nothing being released.  


NBC Universal includes:

Universal Studios
Rogue Pictures
Focus Pictures
The Sci-Fi Channel
NBC
USA Films


Paramount includes:

Paramount
Dreamworks/Dreamworks Animation
MTV Films
Nickelodeon Films
Comedy Central DVD
Spike TV DVD
CBS
PBS

There is also a smaller movie studio but it is quickly rising through the ranks that supports HD-DVD exclusively at this point: The Wienstien Company (including Dimension Films).

Furthermore it should be noted that at least for the first quarter the HD-DVD exclusive studios have the strongest release titles (ie Beowulf, Bee Movie, American Gangster) so it's not like HD-DVD doesn't have anything left going for it at this time.

[Chancer]

QUOTE

Furthermore it should be noted that at least for the first quarter the HD-DVD exclusive studios have the strongest release titles (ie Beowulf, Bee Movie, American Gangster)

Says who? Peoples ideas on  good film is subjective. It's not possible to second guess accurately what will prove very popular worldwide.

The Sci -Fi channel etc? Listing all the subsidiary companies unfortunately does not mean these subsidiaries all release blockbuster stuff regularly. Perhaps a list should be made of all the non mentioned subsidiaries owned by everyone on the Blu Ray camp. It's pointless
The majority of film titles will be Blu ray from May, so you can sing the praises of HD DVD, mention the cost of cheap players in every thread, but at the end of the day there has to be new films in big numbers to play on a player in most peoples eyes.

I am about to snag a bargain HD DVD player but am not convincing myself that it is a good long term bet . It will do fine for the price and the movies I can get now. More people need to accept that fact instead of attempting to justify why HD DVD is the greatest thing, just because they bought a player and feel aggrieved that support  from the Movie Studios seems to be drifting away.