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    Invelos Forums->General: General Discussion Page: 1 2 3 4  Previous   Next
Blue Ray or HD DVD???
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DVD Profiler Unlimited RegistrantStar ContributorNexus the Sixth
Contributor since 2002
Registered: March 13, 2007
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I favour HD DVD at the moment (for it's software), but I picked up a BD player just in case...

Technically BD can't do anything HD can't, and HD DVD has had the advantage for the last year of better implemented and standardized firmware (PiP, networking and such). But BD is finally starting to catch up and then we'll hopefully see some improved content from the Blu-ray camp.

I think the so-called format war has been good for consumers in a way, as it has rapidly driven prices and technological development to the point that makes both systems attractive and affordable. And it's still early days...

The only thing that's clear and important to me right now is that both systems offer quality on a level that is miles above standard DVD. So pick one (or both), the fate of the world won't depend on your choice.
First registered: February 15, 2002
 Last edited: by Nexus the Sixth
DVD Profiler Unlimited RegistrantMark Harrison
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Registered: March 13, 2007
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Personally, I went with HD-DVD for a number of reasons.  I'd love to see them win this, but I don't think it will happen.  I think neither will win and we'll be dual format until the next big thing.

As for this poll, I voted They're Both the Same.  Because in all honesty, both side have thier advantages and disadvantages as of today.  Neither really blows the other out of the water.
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DVD Profiler Unlimited RegistrantStar ContributorWinston Smith
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Registered: March 13, 2007
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I think I will pick up a Combo deck this fall.

Skip
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Registered: March 17, 2007
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I've been with HD DVD since July '06.  I agree with Pastsa's comments on HD DVD having better implementing their standards.  I did pick up a PS3 last December and do use that for Blu-Ray watching, but my overall preference is with HD DVD.
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DVD Profiler Desktop and Mobile Registrantpauls42
Reg: 31/01/2003
Registered: March 13, 2007
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I was happy to wait..

and then Blade Runner appeared on the horizon.. 

I have the order for the standard in.. but I would love to get it on HD.. but of course there is no clear standard and combo players are expensive..

So do I get one at random.. or get both.. 

Not a happy bunny
Paul
DVD Profiler Unlimited RegistrantStar ContributorErik
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Registered: March 13, 2007
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Quoting Patsa:
Quote:
I favour HD DVD at the moment (for it's software), but I picked up a BD player just in case...

Technically BD can't do anything HD can't, and HD DVD has had the advantage for the last year of better implemented and standardized firmware (PiP, networking and such). But BD is finally starting to catch up and then we'll hopefully see some improved content from the Blu-ray camp.

Both formats here as well, with a preference for HD DVD.

The region coding for Blu-ray is a pain in the... behind, along with some other things, but we already have an infamous thread for that.
Erik

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DVD Profiler Unlimited Registrantxradman
Registered: June 17, 2002
Registered: March 14, 2007
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I also have both formats.  The PQ and AQ for the best titles are essentially equivalent for both formats.  HD DVD has an advantage of more mature standards whereas Blu-ray standards have yet to be finalized.  Blu-ray does have advantage of higher bandwidth and disc size, but I have yet to see that as a practical limitation for HD DVD.  Blu-ray has more support of major US studios, but Disney and Fox have been basically MIA recently.  So it's been Sony/Columbia (Blu-ray) vs. Universal (HD DVD) for the battle of the exclusives recently.  Universal wins on output and content, but have had some poorly mastered discs.  WB and Paramount releases movies for both formats, but output, particularly Paramount have been less than stellar. 

If you do buy into HD DVD, you can pick up HD-A2 for little over $200 with 5 free discs, or wait until October 1, 2007 when next generation players are expected to be released.

If you buy Blu-ray, the only player that I can recommend is the PS3.  Everything else sold currently is obsolete once the BD profile 1.1 becomes active October 1, 2007.  There is no guarantee that PS3 will be compliant, but it has the necessary hardware and has the potential to become compliant through a firmware upgrade.

As you may have gathered, I prefer HD DVD and currently own ~170 HD DVDs and ~90 Blu-ray discs.  I no longer buy SD DVDs.  It's tough to go back once you've experienced high-def in Blu-ray or HD DVD.
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DVD Profiler Unlimited RegistrantAstrakan
Registered: Feb 12, 2000
Registered: March 28, 2007
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My primary reason for preferring HD DVD over Blu-Ray is that HD DVD is region free by default. I buy quite a number of non-R1 DVDs, and I don't foresee that changing in the future. It would be nice to not have to worry about getting a hacked player just to be able to import movies from abroad.

KM
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DVD Profiler Desktop and Mobile RegistrantStar ContributorRander
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Registered: March 13, 2007
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Personally, I think Blu-Ray wins it - and it seems I'm not alone... Axel Music (danish DVD-retailer) has this interesting little stat on their website, based on their sales-figures:

                BLU-RAY    HD-DVD
Weekly        79%          21%
Total            64%          36%
Titles            169            95

Unfortunately, they do not have a similar statistic on their international site, but you can pre-order Blade Runner (Ultimate Collectors Edition) for 78,50 USD. Looks sweet! 

The future is here. It's just not widely distributed yet. (William Gibson)
DVD Profiler Desktop and Mobile Registrantpauls42
Reg: 31/01/2003
Registered: March 13, 2007
United Kingdom Posts: 2,692
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Quoting Rander:
Quote:


Unfortunately, they do not have a similar statistic on their international site, but you can pre-order Blade Runner (Ultimate Collectors Edition) for 78,50 USD. Looks sweet! 



why would you want to pay more for this from axelmusic instead of buying it from Amazon?

See here for more details

and here at Amazon
Paul
 Last edited: by pauls42
DVD Profiler Desktop and Mobile RegistrantStar ContributorRander
I hate mondays...
Registered: March 13, 2007
Denmark Posts: 671
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Quoting pauls42:
Quote:
Quoting Rander:
Quote:

Unfortunately, they do not have a similar statistic on their international site, but you can pre-order Blade Runner (Ultimate Collectors Edition) for 78,50 USD. Looks sweet! 

why would you want to pay more for this from axelmusic instead of buying it from Amazon?

See here for more details

Well - you wouldn't! I just hadn't followed that thread for that long, and it was the first place I saw it available for pre-order... 
The future is here. It's just not widely distributed yet. (William Gibson)
DVD Profiler Unlimited RegistrantStar ContributorNexus the Sixth
Contributor since 2002
Registered: March 13, 2007
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Quoting Rander:
Quote:
Personally, I think Blu-Ray wins it - and it seems I'm not alone... Axel Music (danish DVD-retailer) has this interesting little stat on their website, based on their sales-figures:

                BLU-RAY    HD-DVD
Weekly        79%          21%
Total            64%          36%
Titles            169            95

Unfortunately, they do not have a similar statistic on their international site


Unfortunately? You don't think more people shop from their international site than the Danish site? 
First registered: February 15, 2002
DVD Profiler Unlimited RegistrantStar ContributorNexus the Sixth
Contributor since 2002
Registered: March 13, 2007
Reputation: High Rating
Sweden Posts: 3,197
Posted:
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Quoting pauls42:
Quote:
why would you want to pay more for this from axelmusic instead of buying it from Amazon?


Taxes and custom fees, for one thing. Ordering large items from Amazon in the US often ends up being more expensive than ordering "locally", that is within the European Union. You're also likely to get faster delivery from Axel.
First registered: February 15, 2002
 Last edited: by Nexus the Sixth
DVD Profiler Desktop and Mobile RegistrantStar ContributorRander
I hate mondays...
Registered: March 13, 2007
Denmark Posts: 671
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Quoting Patsa:
Quote:
Quoting Rander:
Quote:
Personally, I think Blu-Ray wins it - and it seems I'm not alone... Axel Music (danish DVD-retailer) has this interesting little stat on their website, based on their sales-figures:

                BLU-RAY    HD-DVD
Weekly        79%          21%
Total            64%          36%
Titles            169            95

Unfortunately, they do not have a similar statistic on their international site


Unfortunately? You don't think more people shop from their international site than the Danish site? 

I do - that's why it would be interesting to have a similar statistic for the international sales numbers... 
The future is here. It's just not widely distributed yet. (William Gibson)
DVD Profiler Unlimited RegistrantStar ContributorThe Movieman
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Registered: March 18, 2007
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I haven't made the switch yet but if I did, I'd probably go with HD DVD for the titles. Yeah, I'd miss out on Sony and Buena Vista(?) but there aren't many titles with those studios I absolutely need in hi-def (Spider-Man 1 and 2 are the exceptions that I can think of right now).
DVD Profiler Desktop and Mobile RegistrantStar ContributorPanic
Registered: March 17, 2007
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Quoting TheMovieman:
Quote:
I haven't made the switch yet but if I did, I'd probably go with HD DVD for the titles. Yeah, I'd miss out on Sony and Buena Vista(?) but there aren't many titles with those studios I absolutely need in hi-def (Spider-Man 1 and 2 are the exceptions that I can think of right now).


Wouldn't actually say more titles, as so far Buena Vista, Sony, Disney, Fox, Lionsgate, MGM are blu-ray exclusive, Paramount, Warner are Format Neutral, and Universal is HD only.  As for titles in the states look at something like DVD Empire -

% Sold by Format
Format:    Blu-Ray    HD-DVD
Week:    55.47%    44.53%
Month:    62.65%    37.35%
Year:      61.78%    38.22%

Titles:      291          284
Studios:  26            29

Back to the orignal question however;

Depends on what you want - If you like movies from Universal (like Fast and the Furious etc, Bourne Trilogy, or tv shows like Heros) go HD-DVD, if you like movies from anyone else (Spiderman Trilogy, Pirates of the Caribean Trilogy, and TV shows like Weeds / Lost) go Blu-ray.

As far as hardware, I think the only exclusive format for HDDVD is Toshiba / Onkyo, and for Blu-Ray you can go  Sony, Pioneer, Denon, Phillips.  Samsung and LG are both doing Combo Players.

There are some tech specs that favour the blu-ray format (eg larger capacity, higher bit-rates avaiable) but if you cant find the movie / tv show then it is pointless.

Panic
 Last edited: by Panic
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