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The Format War is very stressful.......

4K views 36 replies 25 participants last post by  hc666 
#1 ·
It's amazing on how hard it is to decide both are very powerful, I want to futureproof myself and don't know where and how. I just purchased a Ps3 and keep thinking about universal movies like scarface being exclusive to HD DVD also the prices are better and the name has a better ring for people that don't look at the details and just buy anything. Unless you have a PS3 its hard not to go HD dvd. In my situation I'd like an upconverter as well but the thought of a bigger disk and more data seems like the smart choice.

Anyone else want to vent about this format war.....
 
#3 ·
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.
 
#5 ·
I hear you guys,
Lucky for me, my HD DVD (A2) cost me absolutely $0.00 , in fact I made $ 120.00 after all was said and done! That is the only reason I decided to go with a Hi Def format.
If it eventually goes the way of BD than I will just keep this player, put it in the master bedroom as a great up-converter. I will probaby buy really good dual format in a couple of years if both formats are still around!

Cheers

paul
 
#6 ·
THe way I see it, you don't have to make a decision, but at the same time, there is no reason to not buy HD content that is compatible with the player you have. Assuming you are keeping the PS3 for its potential gaming, no reason you cannot enjoy blu-ray movies right now. Even should you decide on an HD DVD player at some other junction, that doesn't require you to reget your blu-ray content in HD DVD. Go out and enjoy some HiDef movies since you already have a player in your home.

Calvin
 
#7 ·
Well, I look at it this way:

For $200 I was able to purchase the 360 HD DVD addon. If that hadn't come out, I wouldn't be jumping into HD disks at all. Should HD DVD go the way of Beta, it's not like my drive will cease up and the disks expload. AND by that time BD player should be much more affordable.

So no stress here, just the enjoyment of HD content on my Panny plasma. :)
 
#11 ·
I agree. I bought the Samsung DVD recorder/upconverter and the picture is great. Even on my FP 100" screen.

I'm sure it could look better with HiDef, but considering rentals, cost of players, cost of hidef DVDs etc... I'll stick with SD format for awhile. I have NO doubt in a couple of years you'll pick up a player for $100.
 
#12 ·
I went HD DVD cuz my 360 could play it for only 200 bucks. Real combo players will go mainstream it's only a matter of time. When true machines and not a half assed one like LG tried to pawn off as a combo player come out then I'll buy BD exclusive titles to play on a new combo player.
 
#16 ·
Use common sense.Universal is the only major studio which releases in HD DVD only. I bet that by 2008 if not earlyer they will start releasing in Blu-Ray also. HD DVD may survive in the market for some time ( it may remain a viable niche or it may be a slow death...) , but the biggest market share will be (it already is) on the Blu ray side. So it's not a question anymore that if you chose Blu-Ray you may be on the looser side, it's only that you can get cheaper now an HD DVD player, but if you want any of the Sony exclusive movies you still need a Blu-Ray palyer. In my opinion chances that Sony and the other Blu-Ray only studios will release in HD DVD in the future are extremely small, but chances that Universal will release in Blu-Ray also are almost 100 %, but you may have to wait a year for their titles.
 
#18 · (Edited)
You all have good points, I may just settle with PS3 though as I am impressed and I'll have a blu ray player to use in the mean time, if HD dvd does win or lose I can always jump in as prices can only get better, if they lose they will be very cheap and may be worth picking up alot of movies for a cheaper price at that time after all it is the same quality so thats what counts on my screen and budget.

Added, the fact that universal can jump in with blu ray is a prediction but a good one, if they jump now hd may be over besides porn, the company in the end will have to think for themselves and start selling on the more powerful demanding format, so they would have no choice. If for bragging rights they don't then they are as bad as the arrogant attitude sony has. They are all out there for our money, although I know sony is like this, I don't disagree with them, it's a buisness attitude that may work and with studio support they have more power hence those notes ON THEY WON THE WAR are being released of coursse its not true but its how they feel.

Microsoft is the same way against MAC computer, and guess what the mass public is with them.

Just my 2 cents!
 
#20 ·
For comparison purposes as an example it works the difference may be 5 years instead of ongoing years for this war or they can both survive, it can happen. Just like the formats the computers is still a war when there is 2 major companies involved, sure a format war is nothing compared to those corporations, that I agree.
 
#24 ·
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.
 
#26 ·
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.
 
#27 ·
To those who are "waiting"...

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.
 
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