Holy crap. Tomorrow, I'm getting one of these:

http://www.engadget.com/2007/11/01/toshiba-hd-a2-hd-dvd-player-100-this-friday-wal-mart/

and when I do, I'll allegedly be qualified for 5 free movies to go with it:

http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/00/00/00/71/79/28/71792861._V25941811_.pdf

after christmas (and the gift card season), you will be able to find a lot of HD DVD players for cheaper, I am going to wait.

Cheaper than $98? I doubt it.

This HD-DVD player was already stupid cheap as-is ($200), and now it's half price tomorrow. I don't know how much cheaper you think they'll get.

I am not arguing that this is a good deal, but prices will eventually drop, and I don't even own any HD DVD's.

I wonder what the line will look like?

I am not arguing that this is a good deal, but prices will eventually drop, and I don't even own any HD DVD's.

Prices will always drop on technology, but there comes a point where it's just kind of impractical to keep on waiting for the price to drop.

Example: When DVDs first came out, the players were ~$500. Within 3 years, they were under ~$100. From there they fell as low as ~$40 (for a really basic one), and they continue to get cheaper by about $2 per year.

So while it was worth it to most people to wait the three years for it to come down to sub $100, it's kind of silly to wait an additional seven years for them to come down to ~$60 (price of a decent player, not a $40 barebones).

So those who waited all that extra time to invest in DVD saved a measly $10 per year holding out for a bargain, meanwhile settling for 20-year-old VHS technology.

My point? You won't see a quality HD-DVD player for significantly less than $98 for a long time. And if you do, it probably won't have the "5 free movie" promotion along with it.

For me, this is a no brainer.

I wonder what the line will look like?

Probably a lot like a NASCAR race.

ha, mullets and all!!!

BTW, what is the REAL difference between HD DVD and BLU-RAY?

after christmas (and the gift card season), you will be able to find a lot of HD DVD players for cheaper...
QFT!

ha, mullets and all!!!

BTW, what is the REAL difference between HD DVD and BLU-RAY?

I don't know.

I know that they're comparable, and I know that on paper a blu-ray disc can hold more raw data, but I don't know if there's any discernible difference in image and/or audio quality.

QFT!

Wanna put a wager on that?

ha, mullets and all!!!

BTW, what is the REAL difference between HD DVD and BLU-RAY?

Standard DVD can store up to 4.7GB of data.
HD DVD can store 20GB.
And BluRay...25GB.
The more capacity , the crisper the quality of the Video/Audio.

Standard DVD can store up to 4.7GB of data.
HD DVD can store 20GB.
And BluRay...25GB.

I think your numbers are a little off, but let's assume they are correct for argument's sake...

The more capacity , the crisper the quality of the Video/Audio.That's not necessarily true. That assumes that you're using the same codec and/or storage algorithms and it also assumes that you're using the entire disc (or close to it).

If a movie is only 17GB worth of data and they use the same codec, then it doesn't matter which format it's in...because you're not using the full capacity of even the smaller disc.

Furthermore, if, for instance, the HD-DVD codec was significantly more efficient (compression-wise) vs Blu-Ray, then it would make up for it's smaller disc size (and perhaps beyond).

For instance, ever download a divx movie that you can burn to a CD-R? Some of them look ALMOST as good as a DVD disc, and they're 1/10th the size (data wise). If you made a divx movie that was even half the size of a DVD, it would probably be a better quality.

Here's a perfect video to watch about the whole thing:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9oKkqpA2ZoI

OK OK. I took the NERD test. Im 'KINDA DORKY, but NON NERD'

yeah those number are guesstimates for single layers.

regardless of all of that information, you can't play one disc in the other player for either format, but both will play standard definition DVD's (I did some reading on this at lunch)

Yes, Blu-ray has more storage capacity faster data tranfer due to dual layers (which I agree not noticable to the average person)

If one was so much better than the other, then by this point, only one would be around... remember VHS and BETA (beta had better video quality but lost out because the pr0n industry went with VHS)

the question is... who will win the format war?

Taco Bell!!! (oh, I thought that you said franchise war)

http://forum.ecoustics.com/bbs/messages/34579/129058.html

regardless of all of that information, you can't play one disc in the other player for either format, but both will play standard definition DVD's (I did some reading on this at lunch)

Correct. However, there are players that can play both, but they're like $1000.

My plan is this: Get this $100 player, since it's a steal. If HD-DVD loses in the long run, then I'll wait until the dual format players are reasonable, and then pick up one to play both types of discs. That's worst case scenario.

Best case, HD-DVD wins, and I bought into the next gen technology relatively early for a fraction of the price.

Yes, Blu-ray has more storage capacity faster data tranfer due to dual layers (which I agree not noticable to the average person)

If one was so much better than the other, then by this point, only one would be around... remember VHS and BETA (beta had better video quality but lost out because the pr0n industry went with VHS)

It wasn't only pr0n that made VHS win, but it didn't hurt. There were a number of things that all contributed to VHS winning, and price/convenience was one of them. However, the difference there was that back then Betamax had a noticeable quality advantage over VHS, where that's not the case with HD-DVD vs BR.

the question is... who will win the format war?

That's the question of the hour. However, in the long run I kind of have a feeling that it won't matter. Dual-format players will be cheaper in a few years, So until then, buy whichever format floats your boat.

http://forum.ecoustics.com/bbs/messages/34579/129058.html


That article is over 2 years old, but at least it's correct as far as I read.

Cliff notes:
On paper, blu-ray has more potential.
However, HD-DVD is cheaper and easier or everyone from consumers to production houses.

The end.

the question is... who will win the format war?
I'm waiting for BETA to make a comeback.

as far as the deal, it's a good deal if you also consider the 5 free movies... HD-DVDs are what, $15-20?so that's another $75-100 savings...

How good do the HD-DVDs play regular DVDs? it shouldn't be a decline in quality from progressive scan, should it?

That article is over 2 years old, but at least it's correct as far as I read.

Cliff notes:
On paper, blu-ray has more potential.
However, HD-DVD is cheaper and easier or everyone from consumers to production houses.

The end.

I think that I will wait for the franchise war end.

(Dana is a hard-core HD-DVD supporter)

as far as the deal, it's a good deal if you also consider the 5 free movies... HD-DVDs are what, $15-20?so that's another $75-100 savings...

How good do the HD-DVDs play regular DVDs? it shouldn't be a decline in quality from progressive scan, should it?

It will play a regular DVD just as well as an ordinary DVD player.

Also, progressive wouldn't hurt.

I think that I will wait for the franchise war end.

It'll take a few years, if it ever ends at all. If dual format players become cheap enough, both formats will still exsist.

(Dana is a hard-core HD-DVD supporter)

Nah. But I *do* hate sony.

It'll take a few years, if it ever ends at all. If dual format players become cheap enough, both formats will still exsist.

I agree, the market is to big for one of the formats to totally dissappear.

Holy crap. Tomorrow, I'm getting one of these:

http://www.engadget.com/2007/11/01/toshiba-hd-a2-hd-dvd-player-100-this-friday-wal-mart/

and when I do, I'll allegedly be qualified for 5 free movies to go with it:

http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/00/00/00/71/79/28/71792861._V25941811_.pdf

I don't know.

I know that they're comparable, and I know that on paper a blu-ray disc can hold more raw data, but I don't know if there's any discernible difference in image and/or audio quality.

That 5 free movies thing is legit. ANY HD-DVD drive gets you 5 free movies, including the xbox 360 one which seemed like an OK deal but now.. wow.. 98$ is a great price. If they can keep that price and keep that 5 free movie deal going through the end of this year, kiss blu-ray goodbye

which is sad, because blu-ray is technologically superior (blue laser, hence very increased data density). Picture/video wise they're all the same though. They can use the same codecs, output the same resolutions, and have all the same gross DRM.

This same basic tactic is how VHS won over betamax, so I wouldn't be shocked if it worked again.

p.s. .. that toshiba player can't do 1080p, but I doubt any hd-dvd movies currently or in the near future will really be 1080p anyway.. so just stick to 720p or if you like bigger numbers but not really amazing quality, 1080i.

That 5 free movies thing is legit. ANY HD-DVD drive gets you 5 free movies, including the xbox 360 one which seemed like an OK deal but now.. wow.. 98$ is a great price. If they can keep that price and keep that 5 free movie deal going through the end of this year, kiss blu-ray goodbye

Indeed.

which is sad, because blu-ray is technologically superior (blue laser, hence very increased data density).

They both use the same blue laser with the same exact wavelength.

Picture/video wise they're all the same though. They can use the same codecs, output the same resolutions, and have all the same gross DRM.

Fucking DRM.

as far as the deal, it's a good deal if you also consider the 5 free movies... HD-DVDs are what, $15-20?so that's another $75-100 savings...

How good do the HD-DVDs play regular DVDs? it shouldn't be a decline in quality from progressive scan, should it?

HD-DVD players upconvert DVD, so as good as any progressive scan upconverting DVD player would.

HD-DVDs are pricey though.. I see them for 30-35 dollars a piece!

p.s. .. that toshiba player can't do 1080p, but I doubt any hd-dvd movies currently or in the near future will really be 1080p anyway.. so just stick to 720p or if you like bigger numbers but not really amazing quality, 1080i.


As for 1080i vs 1080p...apparently it doesn't matter for video, because it's 1080p either way after the display deinterlaces the signal.

http://blog.hometheatermag.com/geoffreymorrison/0807061080iv1080p/


review on the unit itself:
http://www.hometheaterblog.com/hometheater/2007/01/toshiba_hda2_re.html

Indeed.



They both use the same blue laser with the same exact wavelength.



Fucking DRM.

I'm pretty sure I remember reading that you can have an HD-DVD that is red laser.. yeah both players have a red laser, but blu-ray uses it only for DVD playback or something along those lines. The blue laser for blu-ray is still 'better' though.. the track on a blu-ray disc is smaller, hence more data (50GB vs 30 for dual layer). I still hate sony though

I hate the format war as well .. and I'm quite comfortable with my upconverting DVD player. Hell, my home theatre setup has a 36" CRT television :P

but in my bedroom I watch HD stuff on a 24" LCD display that can do 1080p resolution. it's just a computer monitor though, so I have to buy a DVI KVM sometime in the near future to make it more convenient.

HD-DVD players upconvert DVD, so as good as any progressive scan upconverting DVD player would.

HD-DVDs are pricey though.. I see them for 30-35 dollars a piece!

Really? I thought I saw them for 15-30 or so.

Really? I thought I saw them for 15-30 or so.

15-30 or so... "or so" meaning like 80% confidence, which means with error bars it reaches right into the 30-35 range.

15.. would be a total crap olsen twins go to the mall flick most likely. Either way, player for $98 and 5 free movies = profit

Anybody have the HD DVD player for the XBOX 360? Im thinking of getting one when I get back. Just wanna know what you think of it.

I hope my kids havent fried my 360.

I've heard it's good, but the xbox makes a fair bit of noise so I dunno how great it would be for a home theatre setup.

It also gets the 5 free movies deal.

I've heard it's good, but the xbox makes a fair bit of noise so ...
Yeah, it does sound like a blow dryer at times.

Yeah, it does sound like a blow dryer at times.

That's almost all the DVD drive though.. I've heard the HD-DVD drive is a lot quieter. I just don't know if for almost twice the price if it's really a better drive. It already loses in terms of ease of use and flexibility because you have to have the xbox with it at all times.

so, did anyone pick this up yet?

(I saw a commercial for it last night)

saw that commercial as well, it aired during The Office

"The Finer Things Club"

"Besides sleeping with men, this is the gayest thing that I do"

HD-DVD is really struggling... their major problem is SONY owns so many movie houses I think they will prevail.

HD-DVD is really struggling... their major problem is SONY owns so many movie houses I think they will prevail.

you think Blu-ray will win?

I do, I think that a lot of people worry about only being able to get half of the movies they want until one format is decided on.

Buy HD-DVD player, download blu-ray rips of the other movies. I watched The Fountain (Darren Aronofsky --guy that made Pi, Requiem for a Dream, etc) from a blu-ray rip and it was stunning. Download size was like 9GB if I recall correctly.

I am in no hurry to jump into the technology at this point, so i will wait and see what happens.

"The Finer Things Club"

"Besides sleeping with men, this is the gayest thing that I do"

ROFL.

I missed out on the deal. I slept until like 1, and I called my local wal*mart. Went something like this:

Me: Hey, do you guys have those $98 HD-DVD players in stock
Wally: No, they sold out by 8:30
Me: How many did you have?
Wally: About 40
Me: omghi2u

I slept until like 1

...wow...

...wow...

+1

I didn't even have anything to wake up for today besides studying and I was up and about by 8:30 haha.

I'll just continue to download HD-DVD and blu-ray rips and bask in the amazing quality without buying into either technology. If the MPAA wants to complain about piracy they gotta do something about competing incompatible standards.

Blu-Ray and HD-DVD discs are very expensive in Vancouver right now, typically over $30 a disc. We have a PS3 and one Blu-Ray movie, Taladega Nights. I will wait on any other type of hi-def disc player until things settle down. I haven't bought a hi-def disc yet, but I am thinking about future purchases, such as Spiderman 3, and it pisses me off when some movies are only offered in format I do not have. Dual player hi-def players sound like the best bet to me, and I'm sure they will not be that much more expensive than the single format players in a couple years.