Blu-ray Vs. HD DVD not as close as expected... (Official- HD-DVD Dead)

[Lanny_MacDonald]

Originally Posted by greerb

How is Blu-Ray a better product? I have both and visually there is no difference. Audio, well not much difference either though I do like the uncompressed PCM track on BD. Fox who is BD exclusive only has a DTS-MA track on it, the PS3 can't decode that audio track. As far a special feature go. HD DVD could do the online special features from day one. BD is just coming out with Profile 2.0 witch can do the online special features, btw there aren't many players out that meet the 2.0 spec, other than the PS3.

I personally felt the picture quality was better, and the sound was in a different class. Maybe its just one format's ability to reproduce colors, but I think blu-ray provides more definition, especially in the shadows.

For those of you that have blu-ray, do yourself a favor and try watching POTC3 with polarized sunglasses on. If you've got the right type of TV you're in for a surprise. Coolest damn thng I've seen in consumer video.

[Regorium]

So really what is the lesson to be learned here. At the beginning, I would've thought that HD-DVD had everything going for it. It had the easily understandable name, backwards compatability, easy manufacturing methods, decent studio support, internet features. The physical disk was also superior in terms of durability. There were 3 layer disks that could match the dual layer BD's capacity, and both were on the same level of difficulty to produce.

It just seemed the PS3 advantage was just too much? How does this bode for future formats?

I'm also wondering whether or not newer formats will only be released by Microsoft and Sony, as they have the video game backup. I don't see a new format being able to pick up something like 5 million players in the first year without it having mass appeal to non-videophiles.

[TurnedTheCorner]

Oh well. I can still enjoy the HD-DVDs I have. Until the content I'm interested in is on Blu-ray, looks like it's back to DVD for me. No regrets.

[Bobblehead]

Originally Posted by Regorium

So really what is the lesson to be learned here. At the beginning, I would've thought that HD-DVD had everything going for it. It had the easily understandable name, backwards compatability, easy manufacturing methods, decent studio support, internet features. The physical disk was also superior in terms of durability. There were 3 layer disks that could match the dual layer BD's capacity, and both were on the same level of difficulty to produce.

It just seemed the PS3 advantage was just too much? How does this bode for future formats?

I'm also wondering whether or not newer formats will only be released by Microsoft and Sony, as they have the video game backup. I don't see a new format being able to pick up something like 5 million players in the first year without it having mass appeal to non-videophiles.

From what I have read, there was also a lot of money being thrown around behind the scenes.

When Paramount when HD-DVD exclusive there were complaints that HD-DVD had bought their support. I'm not sure why that made news since there was lots of money being thrown around on both sides.

Sony also lured studios by promising their format would be more safe for copyright holders since they included additional digital rights management, and if there is anything a media producer loves, it is more DRM.

Interestingly, on Saturday I was at Best Buy in Sunridge. I saw the PS3 display and gave it a try. I wanted to try the NHL '08 demo. But when I selected it I got the message, "The copyright for this program could not be confirmed. Press O to go back."

Wonderful. DRM is even preventing a demo in a store display from running.

[Bertuzzied]

Originally Posted by Regorium

So really what is the lesson to be learned here. At the beginning, I would've thought that HD-DVD had everything going for it. It had the easily understandable name, backwards compatability, easy manufacturing methods, decent studio support, internet features. The physical disk was also superior in terms of durability. There were 3 layer disks that could match the dual layer BD's capacity, and both were on the same level of difficulty to produce.

It just seemed the PS3 advantage was just too much? How does this bode for future formats?

I'm also wondering whether or not newer formats will only be released by Microsoft and Sony, as they have the video game backup. I don't see a new format being able to pick up something like 5 million players in the first year without it having mass appeal to non-videophiles.

The Xbox 360 really killed them though. If the 360 held back their release date a 6-8 months they could have had a hd dvd drive built in, instead of asking their users to pay $250 for an add on.

Also if they delayed it,they wouldn't have released such a defective product with 30% failure rates.

[mrdeeds]

Originally Posted by Kobatuzzied

The Xbox 360 really killed them though. If the 360 held back their release date a 6-8 months they could have had a hd dvd drive built in, instead of asking their users to pay $250 for an add on.

I was "lucky" to get the add on for $149 on Boxing Day to go with my 360 Elite, but I only agree with 1/2 your statement. IMO, Microsoft purposely did not put it's full weight behind HDDVD because they believe the true eventual victor of the HDM wars will be Digital Downloads. Making the player an add on also give it an out if the BR eventually won the battle with HDDVD. I do agree with you about the defects of the 360 though. I waited a full year before I took the plunge with the Elite this X-Mas and I am glad for it.

I really do think this war could have gone differently, but the BRA really had a better plan than HDDVD PG. After the Warner defection, the HDDVD PG was largely silent which essentially alienated it's own supporters (and make no mistake, there are many) and gave the general consumer as well as retailers more fodder to ignore HDDVD and go Blu.

I personally will not go Blu for at least another year and will enjoy the discounts that will follow in the coming weeks.

[SaprykinPWNSjoo]

looks like hd is throwing in the towel. Sony is going to win for once

[mrdeeds]

It's official at 1 am MDT. RIP HD DVD.

http://www.businesswire.com/portal/s...51&newsLang=en

[transplant99]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080219/.../japan_toshiba

[Cowperson]

Originally Posted by transplant99

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080219/.../japan_toshiba

Are there DVD recorders in a Blue Ray format? Just asking.

Cowperson

[Lanny_MacDonald]

Yes, you can DVD Burners in Blu-ray, and they are currently available for your PC. IIRC, there are more of those available than there are in the HD-DVD format. Consumer boxes should be along shortly.

[Cowperson]

Originally Posted by Lanny_MacDonald

Yes, you can DVD Burners in Blu-ray, and they are currently available for your PC. IIRC, there are more of those available than there are in the HD-DVD format. Consumer boxes should be along shortly.

I would be interested in a Blue Ray DVD recorder/player for my TV. Not necessary, in my case, for a PC.

Same thing or different?

Cowperson

[ken0042]

They are similar, Cow. However the difference lies in that the one for the computer is just a component for an existing PC; whereas a stand alone until to go with the rest of your A/V equipment would consist of the following:
Blu Ray drive
Video card
Motherboard and CPU
Operating System

So it makes sense that the stand alone units are more expensive than one to put into your PC as your PC already has the rest of those components.

I think just like the DVD drives we will see the following progression in Blu Ray:

Blu Ray player- check
Blu Ray burner for PC- check
Blu Ray recorder (stand alone)- stay tuned.

[Cowperson]

Originally Posted by ken0042

They are similar, Cow. However the difference lies in that the one for the computer is just a component for an existing PC; whereas a stand alone until to go with the rest of your A/V equipment would consist of the following:
Blu Ray drive
Video card
Motherboard and CPU
Operating System

So it makes sense that the stand alone units are more expensive than one to put into your PC as your PC already has the rest of those components.

I think just like the DVD drives we will see the following progression in Blu Ray:

Blu Ray player- check
Blu Ray burner for PC- check
Blu Ray recorder (stand alone)- stay tuned.

So, long story made short . . . . . stay tuned.

That's what I thought. Didn't see them around anywhere.

Cowperson

[worth]

BD burners for computers have been out for a while. I remember seeing one in a laptop over a year ago.

Is sony still having problems with utilizing all the disk space on a BD? I recall when things were heating up sony was having trouble getting certain players to read the whole disc or something of that nature.

[Lanny_MacDonald]

Based on what I have read, the problems with the BR-DVD-R consumer boxes is supposed to be in the anti-piracy hardware/software. Once they get that squared away, you'll be able to get one and record a full season of House on one disk.

[JohnnyFlame]

Originally Posted by Lanny_MacDonald

Man, did we get lucky on this one. I bought HD DVD just before Christmas and got a bunch of HD DVDs to go with it. Shortly after Christmas all the annoucements came out about the format alliances. We took our player back to Best Buy and hey let me trade it in for the top of the line PS3 and gave me straight exchanges for the movies. We dodged a huge bullet there and are really happy we made the change. Blue-ray is indeed a better format than HD DVD (although a lot of that is production) and we got a great gaming console out of the mix too.

I have what I think has proved to be a great advantage technologically wise. I am always behind the wave and don't ever have new tech. By the time I get around to purchasing it the battles are over, the price is way down and the bugs are ironed out. I heartily recommend this way of buying tech. It never fails to be the best way to go!!!!

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by Lanny_MacDonald

Based on what I have read, the problems with the BR-DVD-R consumer boxes is supposed to be in the anti-piracy hardware/software. Once they get that squared away, you'll be able to get one and record a full season of House on one disk.

I don't know if they'll ever get the anti-piracy hardware/software squared away. They've haven't allowed computers to record from HDMI connections yet and until they figure out how to get their cut from home HDTV recordings, I don't see it happening unless pirates keep on passing their HDCP safeguards, making their safeguards redundant.

So far the only viable and or legal way to record a TV show in HD is with an OTA tuner/recorder. This disqualifies anybody without OTA HD. Hauppage is coming out with a component input tuner but that can be stopped or the resolution downgraded for recording because it isn't HDCP.

I should add that of course you can record HD with a PVR but as far as I know you can't transfer this to any other device. Another exception is that some HD set top boxes can be rigged to record HD with firewire.

[HotHotHeat]

Universal/Paramount jump to BD. I guess that means the May 31 cut off date has been moved to now.

"While Universal values the close partnership we have shared with Toshiba, it is time to turn our focus to releasing new and catalog titles on Blu-ray," said Craig Kornblau, president of Universal Studios Home Entertainment.

"The path for widespread adoption of the next-generation platform has finally become clear. Universal will continue its aggressive efforts to broaden awareness for hi-def’s unparalleled offerings in interactivity and connectivity, at an increasingly affordable price. The emergence of a single, high-definition format is cause for consumers, as well as the entire entertainment industry, to celebrate."

http://www.homemediamagazine.com/new...ticle_ID=12118

[The Yen Man]

Originally Posted by SaprykinPWNSjoo

looks like hd is throwing in the towel. Sony is going to win for once

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I've always thought Sony was part of the consortium that created CD and DVD, so they've been making money with formats since then. It was only their proprietary stuff like MD and Beta that failed.