Seems like the HD-DVD experience is better than the blue ray experience so far.

Either way, the battle is getting interesting...

http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/the-state-of-hd-dvd/the-state-of-hd-dvd-330684.php

I prefer blu-ray.... but as far as who is going to win? more than likely it will be HD-DVD... blu ray prices arent falling as fast.

Again... you have to think about who owns all the movie houses.

Hd-dvd Ftw !!!!!

I prefer blu-ray.... but as far as who is going to win? more than likely it will be HD-DVD... blu ray prices arent falling as fast.

What do you like better about blu ray?

I read somewhere that the predominantly the porn industry first then the gaming industry second heavily infuences which formats take off.. that has been the trend for the last 20-30 years. Its way to early to tell whos going to win.

The only Blu Ray supporters i EVER talk to are stupid PS3 owners. Are they the only people that like Blu Ray, LOL. Yes the PS3 is a cheap blu ray player, but who cares. HD-DVD will most likely win the battle.

I read somewhere that the predominantly the porn industry first then the gaming industry second heavily infuences which formats take off.. that has been the trend for the last 20-30 years. Its way to early to tell whos going to win.

I think porn went HD-DVD, but apparently they may not have as strong of an influence as they did in the past. Something about the video being "too clear" and showing too many flaws (herpes sores, etc).

I think porn went HD-DVD, but apparently they may not have as strong of an influence as they did in the past. Something about the video being "too clear" and showing too many flaws (herpes sores, etc).




HAHAHAHA

Article seemed a little biased for one. Also Blu-ray has a 70% market share in Europe.

I think porn went HD-DVD, but apparently they may not have as strong of an influence as they did in the past. Something about the video being "too clear" and showing too many flaws (herpes sores, etc).

hahahahahaha.lmao thats just sick

What do you like better about blu ray?


well, it may just be my perception but...

I like you am a techno geek. I am also a bit of an audiophile. Ive found that picture clarity and sound quality was amazing on blu ray... HD-DVD was good, just thought blu ray was better.

that said, the fact that blu ray is still priced like gold, I dont see very much chance of them staying competitive.

I'd have to see the same movie playing in each format on two identical tvs to tell you what looks best.

From what I've read, you can't tell the difference. But, I've never looked myself.

I'd have to see the same movie playing in each format on two identical tvs to tell you what looks best.

From what I've read, you can't tell the difference. But, I've never looked myself.


yeah unfortunately when I worked at circuit city, I had enough time to burn to do shit like sidebyside comparisons...

EDIT: the only downside is that I could never compare an identical movie.

Yeah, that's kind of an important variable. lol.

Until I can buy either one as a pre-owned movie from Blockbuster I'll stick with DVDs. That is, until they come out with a Spiderman special edition boxed set, or a NEW extended re-cut LOTR boxed set with 4 additional hours of never before seen footage, plus commentary tracks for all of the actors, including one where the orcs comment on the whole movie, including end credits, while in character. Until then I will stick with my PS3 blu-ray machine and my blu-ray Taledaga Nights disc.
:jk:

Again... you have to think about who owns all the movie houses.

...

Sony Pictures Entertainment (owned by Sony)

* Columbia TriStar Motion Picture Group
o Columbia Pictures
o TriStar Pictures
o Sony Pictures Classics
o Screen Gems
o Triumph Films
o Destination Films
o Jim Henson Pictures (co-owned with The Jim Henson Company)
o Sony Pictures Animation
* MGM Holdings, Inc. (20%, in partnership with Comcast (20%), Providence Equity Partners (29%), DLJ Merchant Banking Partners (7%), TPG Capital, L.P. (21%) and Quadrangle Group (3%))
o Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios, Inc.
+ Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures, Inc. (excluding the pre-1986 library, which are now owned by Turner Entertainment)
o Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Animation
o United Artists (excluding the pre-1952 library, which are now owned by Turner Entertainment)
o The Samuel Goldwyn Company
o Orion Pictures Corporation (defunct, an in-name-only unit)

Sony also has partnerships with the following companies:

Disney, Lions Gate and Fox... which all have a problem with the lack of piracy protection for HD-DVD. They're not trying to create a monopoly, there is just a legitmate concern for intellectual rights. :rolleyes:

Sony has this one covered.

What's even better is companies not tied to sony or microsoft are releasing on both platforms. Which only strengthens the case for blu-ray.

^ I'm no movie studio expert, but there a lot of companies missing from that list. I do not think this is anywhere near the slam dunk for Sony that you let on.

* Fox Entertainment Group (owned by News Corporation)
o 20th Century Fox
o 20th Century Fox Animation
o Fox Searchlight Pictures
+ Fox Atomic
o Blue Sky Studios
Just switched to HD-DVD only, all previous titles still available.
* Paramount Motion Pictures Group(owned by Viacom)
o Paramount Pictures (excluding the pre-1950 library, which are now owned by Universal Studios)
+ Paramount Vantage (originally known as Paramount Classics)
o DreamWorks SKG
+ DreamWorks Animation SKG (a separate company, distributes animated films, spun off by DreamWorks in 2004) (formerly part of DreamWorks, films currently distributed by Paramount Pictures)
+ Go Fish Pictures
o United International Pictures (joint venture with Universal Studios, distributes Paramount and Universal films worldwide)
o MTV Networks branded labels
+ MTV Films
+ Nickelodeon Movies
+ Comedy Central Films
o Republic Pictures (mainly a film library company, formerly a leading B movie studio)

* Sony Pictures Entertainment (owned by Sony)
o Columbia TriStar Motion Picture Group
+ Columbia Pictures
+ TriStar Pictures
+ Sony Pictures Classics
+ Screen Gems
+ Triumph Films
+ Destination Films
+ Jim Henson Pictures (co-owned with The Jim Henson Company)
+ Sony Pictures Animation
o MGM Holdings, Inc. (20%, in partnership with Comcast (20%), Providence Equity Partners (29%), DLJ Merchant Banking Partners (7%), TPG Capital, L.P. (21%) and Quadrangle Group (3%))
+ Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios, Inc.
# Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures, Inc. (excluding the pre-1986 library, which are now owned by Turner Entertainment)
+ Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Animation
+ United Artists (excluding the pre-1952 library, which are now owned by Turner Entertainment)
+ The Samuel Goldwyn Company
+ Orion Pictures Corporation (defunct, an in-name-only unit)
# American International Pictures (defunct)
# Filmways (defunct)
(HD-DVD)
* NBC Universal (owned by General Electric and Vivendi)
o Universal Studios
+ Focus Features
# Rogue Pictures
+ Working Title Films (based in London)
o United International Pictures (joint venture with Paramount Pictures, distributes Paramount and Universal films worldwide)

* Time Warner (owned by Time Warner Inc.)
o Warner Bros. Entertainment
+ Warner Bros. Pictures (excluding the pre-1948 library, which are now owned by Turner Entertainment, which is also owned by Time Warner)
+ Warner Independent Pictures
+ Castle Rock Entertainment (excluding the pre-1994 library, which are now owned by MGM)
+ Warner Bros. Animation
+ Cartoon Network Films
o New Line Cinema
+ Picturehouse (co-owned by HBO Films)
o HBO
+ HBO Films

* Buena Vista Motion Pictures Group (owned by The Walt Disney Company)
o Walt Disney Pictures
+ Walt Disney Feature Animation
+ DisneyToon Studios
+ Pixar Animation Studios
o Touchstone Pictures
o Miramax Films
o Hollywood Pictures

The only two HD-DVD only are highlighted. Warner is neutral but show strong support for blu-ray. Again the major argument is that Blu-ray is more secure. Making it more difficult for piracy is a huge priority over anything else and the quality is equal to if not superior.

I think porn went HD-DVD, but apparently they may not have as strong of an influence as they did in the past. Something about the video being "too clear" and showing too many flaws (herpes sores, etc).

I'd say they lost their influence as the internet became more powerful... people would rather not go to a store to rent porn when they can subscribe to full length HD quality from their home computer.

I still am just going to wait and see what happens with the format war, I am in no hurry to switch to HD movies.

As for the porn thing, I don't need high def porn, (herpes sores ftl)

I wouldn't go picking one over the other based on seeing a side by side comparison in a store either. Variances between TV models (and even the same model for that matter because none of the TVs on the shelves have been calibrated) and different movie titles can lead to a premature decision. Besides, what if you pick the loser? Then you can stick your high resolution optical player in the closet with your BETAMAX player. On top of it all, higher quality won't necessarily make one format the winner. Look how 8-track tapes replaced albums. Look at how MP3 players are replacing CDs. It's gonna be a popularity contest, so just sit back and let them make a decision. If you need the extra lines of resolution now, go for the LG BH-100 and play whichever format you want.

I wouldn't go picking one over the other based on seeing a side by side comparison in a store either. Variances between TV models (and even the same model for that matter because none of the TVs on the shelves have been calibrated)

Do you need to calibrate the LCDs? What if you just leave them both in their default settings?

and different movie titles can lead to a premature decision. Besides, what if you pick the loser? Then you can stick your high resolution optical player in the closet with your BETAMAX player. On top of it all, higher quality won't necessarily make one format the winner. Look how 8-track tapes replaced albums. Look at how MP3 players are replacing CDs. It's gonna be a popularity contest, so just sit back and let them make a decision. If you need the extra lines of resolution now, go for the LG BH-100 and play whichever format you want.

Dual format players = $$

Do you need to calibrate the LCDs? What if you just leave them both in their default settings?



Dual format players = $$
I know dual format players are big money - I wasn't recommending one, I actually recommend you wait for the market to pick a winner before buying a next-gen player. I was just telling those who need to waste their money that they don't need to choose. Sure, a single format player is cheaper, but picking the wrong one is a bigger waste of money than buying a dual player.


When I say calibration, I don't mean convergence. I'm talking about adjusting color temperature and other advanced setting not found in the user's setup menu. It's either done by a service menu or through a PC interface, depending on the make and model of a TV. If I recall correctly, you have an LG, and it's got a port on the back that's labeled "Service."

The default setting on a TV is not calibrated to any standard; it's whatever the manufacturer thinks the consumers will like the most when they're comparing TVs in the store. For instance, when you turn on a Sony, you're blasted with red. The easiest thing you can do is hit the picture mode button and turn off the 'vivid' mode. There's a big improvement right there.

When most people watch TV, they're not looking for realism. They're looking for a bright, colorful, crisp picture. When you watch a baseball game live, is the field glowing green? No, it's a darker green, like the grass outside your window. But, when they turn on their TV and the grass is a few shades lighter than it really is, they love it because it's a big, bright, shiny object in their face. I've had people pay for ISF calibration and not like it when it's done because they fail to realize that television is supposed to look like real life.

This has little to do with the format war, but I'm just pointing out that comparing two TVs side by side to see which has the better picture is very subjective. Besides, as I mentioned before, it's going to be more about marketing than anything, so any speculation on who is going to win is exactly that - speculation. Based on the past with electronics, the decision will probably have less to do with quality and more with the quantity and ease of use and packaging.

I know dual format players are big money - I wasn't recommending one, I actually recommend you wait for the market to pick a winner before buying a next-gen player. I was just telling those who need to waste their money that they don't need to choose. Sure, a single format player is cheaper, but picking the wrong one is a bigger waste of money than buying a dual player.

I dunno about that. You can buy an HD and a Blu Ray player for less than the cost of a dual format player, last I checked.

Besides that, if you only buy one, you have a 50% chance of only having to buy that one.

When I say calibration, I don't mean convergence. I'm talking about adjusting color temperature and other advanced setting not found in the user's setup menu. It's either done by a service menu or through a PC interface, depending on the make and model of a TV. If I recall correctly, you have an LG, and it's got a port on the back that's labeled "Service."

That it does.

The default setting on a TV is not calibrated to any standard; it's whatever the manufacturer thinks the consumers will like the most when they're comparing TVs in the store. For instance, when you turn on a Sony, you're blasted with red. The easiest thing you can do is hit the picture mode button and turn off the 'vivid' mode. There's a big improvement right there.

When most people watch TV, they're not looking for realism. They're looking for a bright, colorful, crisp picture. When you watch a baseball game live, is the field glowing green? No, it's a darker green, like the grass outside your window. But, when they turn on their TV and the grass is a few shades lighter than it really is, they love it because it's a big, bright, shiny object in their face. I've had people pay for ISF calibration and not like it when it's done because they fail to realize that television is supposed to look like real life.

Haha, I see your point there.

This has little to do with the format war, but I'm just pointing out that comparing two TVs side by side to see which has the better picture is very subjective. Besides, as I mentioned before, it's going to be more about marketing than anything, so any speculation on who is going to win is exactly that - speculation. Based on the past with electronics, the decision will probably have less to do with quality and more with the quantity and ease of use and packaging.

Well, there's also the possibility that they will both exsist...

I dunno about that. You can buy an HD and a Blu Ray player for less than the cost of a dual format player, last I checked.

Besides that, if you only buy one, you have a 50% chance of only having to buy that one.


Well, there's also the possibility that they will both exsist...

Buying just one will limit your selection of titles, so you might as well buy both.

There was also the possibility that VHS and BETA would coexist.

Buying just one will limit your selection of titles, so you might as well buy both.

But like I said, buying both is still cheaper than a single dual format (at the moment).

There was also the possibility that VHS and BETA would coexist.


That's not really as analogous. Why? Look at a BETA tape and a VHS tape. Different size and shape.

Both Blu Ray and HD-DVD discs are the same size and shape. IIRC, they even use the same laser with the same wavelength. They're not all that different from a hardware level.

So it's possible that the dual format players come down in price, and both will formats continue to exist happily.

In the BETA vs VHS battle, that wasn't as easy to do.

That's not really as analogous. Why? Look at a BETA tape and a VHS tape. Different size and shape.

Both Blu Ray and HD-DVD discs are the same size and shape. IIRC, they even use the same laser with the same wavelength. They're not all that different from a hardware level.

So it's possible that the dual format players come down in price, and both will formats continue to exist happily.

In the BETA vs VHS battle, that wasn't as easy to do.Well played.

Warner Bros. Picks Blu-Ray Over HD-DVD

(soopah: another nail in the HD-DVD coffin?)

http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2008/01/04/ap4496575.html


By ALEX VEIGA 01.04.08, 4:24 PM ET

LOS ANGELES - Warner Bros. Entertainment said Friday it will release high-definition DVDs only in the Blu-ray disc format, becoming the latest studio to reject the rival HD DVD technology and further complicating the high-definition landscape for consumers.

Warner Bros., owned by Time Warner (nyse: TWX - news - people ) Inc., had been releasing high-definition DVDs in both formats. Hollywood studios have been split on which of the two formats to back.

Both formats deliver crisp, clear pictures and sound. But they are incompatible with each other, and neither plays on older DVD players, which means consumers seeking top-quality playback face a dilemma when selecting a new DVD player.

Warner said it decided to go with Blu-ray because consumers have shown a stronger preference for that format than HD DVD.

"The window of opportunity for high-definition DVD could be missed if format confusion continues to linger," Barry Meyer, Warner Bros.' chairman and chief executive, said in a statement.

"We believe that exclusively distributing in Blu-ray will further the potential for mass market success and ultimately benefit retailers, producers and, most importantly, consumers," the statement said.

The studio said it would make the change this year, though Warner Home Video will continue to release new titles in HD DVD until the end of May.

Other studios that have decided to go with Blu-ray include The Walt Disney Co. (nyse: DIS - news - people ), Sony Corp. (nyse: SNE - news - people )'s Sony Pictures, News Corp. (nyse: NWS - news - people )'s Twentieth Century Fox and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.

Viacom (nyse: VIA - news - people )'s Paramount Pictures, which also owns DreamWorks SKG, dropped its support for Blu-ray and said it would start distributing films exclusively in the HD DVD format.

Universal Pictures, a unit of General Electric (nyse: GE - news - people ), also releases films only in HD DVD.

Copyright 2007 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed


(soopah: I only have a PS3 with blu-ray, so for now I prefer blu-ray, however, we may be putting a home theatre in our basement and a high def disc player may be on the shopping list, safest bet is to opt for a dual device)

Perhaps another nail... its funny to me how we hang onto technology. In other countries they let it go at the drop of a hat. Soopah, in your case I'd plug the PS3 and HD-DVD into the theater system and then you are dual compatible. However, I don't agree with a dual format player. I say we go with the one that offers the better picture, more storage, and added security features. Then integrate this into my PC next.

http://gizmodo.com/346783/the-truth-about-the-format-war-and-hd-dvds-demise

Yeah, heard that stuff a few weeks back. Sucks, because HD had their shit together and the price was right. Now it looks like we'll have to overpay and wait for BRD, as well as deal with the different BR specs and whatnot.

Where HD failed was the lack of increase in security... I also think onces a format is selected that prices will come way down bc they won't let Sony monopolize the market.

Let's hope not. And let's hope that Sony works out the glitches with BR.

http://www.crunchgear.com/2008/02/16/its-official-blu-ray-wins/

good info i was close to buying an hd guess i'll just wait a bit to get BR.

40gb PS3....best purchase EVER! Kick ass game system and the winning HD format!:rock:

good info i was close to buying an hd guess i'll just wait a bit to get BR.

They're blowing out the movies now, so you might be able to pick one up cheap and then later pick up a dual format player.

Update on demise of HD DVD:
http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20080218-hd-dvd-death-still-not-official-what-theyre-mulling.html

This two way technology format war reminds of two candidate political primaries, you haven't lost, but your not ahead, so you may as well bail out, even though your product still sells near as well as the other one.

Was this the same way with beta, or did beta hang around for a longer period of time?

Good thing I have a PS3 with Blu-Ray, now I need the local video stores to start renting them en masse and I will buy the pre-viewed copies! I recently checked out a local store called A&B Sound and they had a HUGE selection of Blu-Ray movies, but at $30-$40 for recent releases I ain't buying.

They're blowing out the movies now, so you might be able to pick one up cheap and then later pick up a dual format player.

i thought about that too i may just go and do that.

I love old formats that have died. When I was in university I spent a summer work term in Ontario cottage country (between Deep River and Chalk River along the Ottawa River) and the cottage I shared had these old movie players that took electronic disc, like a laser disc, but it looked more like a record (and the size of a record) with visible grooves (they were in plastic cartridge boxes to protect the discs, but I managed to sneak a peak at one), and the surface was shimery black that reflected colours like an oil slick. The owners of the cottage had bought a couple of the players and the complete movie collection from the local public library. The image quality was worse than VHS and they were deteriorating at that time (1994). They must be close to dust by now. I watched Raging Bull, West Side Story, and other classics. It was great! Anyone know exactly what those discs were called and who developed that technology? It must have come out in the early 80's.

http://www.cedmagic.com/selectavision.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capacitance_Electronic_Disc

Answered my own question! Ain't the internet a wunerful thing?

Blu-ray!!! biatches

This two way technology format war reminds of two candidate political primaries, you haven't lost, but your not ahead, so you may as well bail out, even though your product still sells near as well as the other one.

Was this the same way with beta, or did beta hang around for a longer period of time?

Good thing I have a PS3 with Blu-Ray, now I need the local video stores to start renting them en masse and I will buy the pre-viewed copies! I recently checked out a local store called A&B Sound and they had a HUGE selection of Blu-Ray movies, but at $30-$40 for recent releases I ain't buying.

That's one thing I really liked about HD-DVD...the prices were apparently better. A $30 movie is a scam.

http://www.cedmagic.com/selectavision.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capacitance_Electronic_Disc

Answered my own question! Ain't the internet a wunerful thing?

Wow, never heard of that. Cool idea for the early 70s, but it's a shame that it didn't come out until the 80s, at which point it was the suck.

That's one thing I really liked about HD-DVD...the prices were apparently better. A $30 movie is a scam.

The prices will come down just as quickly as they did when DVD first came out. We just needed to pick a format.

+1

DVD's used to be 30 bucks a pop too. I remember when the players were $600 too. Blu-ray will go down in price and eventually wal-mart will have crappy $30 players.

DVD has been out for a good 8-9 years...of course it's going to be cheap by now.

Also, here is a link to the update from Toshiba
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080219/ap_on_bi_ge/japan_toshiba