HDDVD and Blueray is not the jump HD Television is.I agree with you 100%. That's why I think that either of these HD disc formats are fighting an uphill battle right now. DVD was a big step up in quality from tape, but neither HD DVD nor BluRay offer that same big step from DVD, at least in the eyes of the general public.

I think that if the "general public" could be given a side-by-side comparison of a movie, say Batman Begins, on 2 of the same TV but one showing on normal DVD and one on HD DVD they would see a BIG DIFFERENCE... at least I did anyways.

Since the general public typically doesn't own a HDTV, you are correct.

For those of us with one, the difference is noticeable.

I agree there is a difference especially in gaming and of course if your tv is at the true digital resolution and settings are correct at 1080i or 1080p via HDMI, simply amazing in both formats. Cables good or cheap doesn't make a difference though.

Your average JOE does not know the difference between 1080 i and 480p if he did he would jump in too. Of course the tv market hd on tv will get more people into the ball. I still have friends that don't know about 16:9! Try explaining true digital picture quality along with audio codecs etc.. Some also by a tv based on price not what they really need, I too have made this mistake.

Im not joe Q public - i have a $30,000 TH System. All I'm saying is a high quality even non upconverting dvd player using good quality cables is great. HDDVD and Blueray is not the jump HD Television is.
What is a $500 A2 or a $650 PS3 to you if you have a $30K system? You're shortcharging yourself for thinking that SD DVD is OK. No, it isn't as many adopters can attest.

Once HD, never SD!

darklord, after having auditionned a Denon DVD-3930CI, I can also attest that a capable SD DVD Player can provide exceptional video quality. See this review of the Denon DVD-2930CI (next model down from the 3930):

http://www.hometheaterblog.com/hometheater/2006/08/denon_dvd2930ci.html

Personally, I chose to invest in this high quality DVD player as opposed to a new HD player. I'll happily wait out the war, and continue to build on my DVD collection in the meantime until a high quality combo player is released.

I understand your objective which is not to get caught with a loser.

I first got delivery of an HD-A1 on May 2, 2006. It worked fine but not being one to build an HD-DVD library and rentals for them not yet introduced, I returned the unit 3 weeks later.

In September, learning that the HD-A2 would not have 5.1 multichannel analogs, I quickly ordered and received an HD-A1.

I have purchased 9 HD-DVD's but I also rent them from Zip for the same price as a standard DVD.

My HD-A1 has a heavy chassis and I have some anti-vibration pads under each foot of the player to make that part as good as the HD-XA1.

If Toshiba would lose the war tomorrow (which I doubt will ever happen) I would still be very happy to have this player, because:

1. It is an extraordinary CD player equal to the specialized CD player worth $2,500 or more
2. For concerts in standard DVD's, the music is so much better in 5.1 multichannel analogs
3. I find colours in standard DVD movies/concerts better with the HD-A1.
4. The first generation player beats its equivalent second generation, in this case.

I still have my Sony 5 disk changer DVD player but am not using it.

darklord, after having auditionned a Denon DVD-3930CI, I can also attest that a capable SD DVD Player can provide exceptional video quality. See this review of the Denon DVD-2930CI (next model down from the 3930):

http://www.hometheaterblog.com/hometheater/2006/08/denon_dvd2930ci.html

Personally, I chose to invest in this high quality DVD player as opposed to a new HD player. I'll happily wait out the war, and continue to build on my DVD collection in the meantime until a high quality combo player is released.
WOW, that's quite a review for the Denon player. I still agree with darklord though, that "once HD never SD".

I would also be interested in a comparison of this unit with A2 and see which renders SD better. Anyone?

''and rentals for them not yet introduced, ''

Wrong Zip.ca as hddv for rent online and Superclub Videotron have HDDVD and betaray for rent for a month now

Jean Claude,

I meant back in May 2006.

I am Zip.ca customer and have been getting HD DVD's regularly.

It's really not the money. Im just not that impressed with it. I have a HDA2 and a PS3 and havent turned either on since 2 days after purchase.

I feel that both technologies are going to fail. 10 years from now, I bet we are still watching DVDs.

If anything is gonna defeat HD discs, it's VOD.

DVDs are going the way of the dodo.

If anything is gonna defeat HD discs, it's VOD.

DVDs are going the way of the dodo.
I wouldn't say that so much as with VOD you don't get all the features that you get on a DVD and the quality, at least on some providers, is not there yet. If VOD's had the same if not better quality as VOD's, all the extra's and the ability to be played over and over again like DVD's then maybe.

I wouldn't say that so much as with VOD you don't get all the features that you get on a DVD and the quality, at least on some providers, is not there yet. If VOD's had the same if not better quality as VOD's, all the extra's and the ability to be played over and over again like DVD's then maybe.


My experience with Roger's VOD is that they've been pretty good quality, close to DVD. And you can pause/rewind and watch as many times as you want in a 24 hour period. They also have limited HD VOD as well now (about a half dozen titles).

My only complaint about HD on cable is the occasional macroblocking. If not for that, I couldn't say I'd have much interest in HD discs. For less than the price of one HD disc, you can get a month-full of HD movies on TMN/etc.

"I decided to avoid the format war altogether, and instead I just purchased a Denon DVD-2930CI DVD Player. Absolutely stunning DVD quality for my existing collection. This player will be with me for many, many years to come, at which point I'll purchase a combo player or the eventual winner of this silly war."

This is exactly what I did, for the same reasons, though hi-rez music was also a factor, something the BD and HD-DVD can't do (yet?).
Was tempted by the 3930 but couldn't justify the extra bucks considering I only have about 120 hi-rez discs and am buying very few these days.

Hello everyone.

Here is an interesting artilce I found on the format war. (http://www.thedigitalbits.com/#mytwocents)

Would you tend to agree or disagree? What are your thoughts?

I'm a hardcore hddvd lover but yeah i think i'm starting to smell the coffee... all my fave movies are going to be BR only or available on both formats...

This is my honest opinion as a movie lover as opposed to a HDDVD lover...