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Blu-Ray vs. HD-DVD (2006) - Page 28

post #1081 of 2107
8/1/06 at 9:25pm
Quote:
Originally posted by e1618978
Male life expectancy in the US is 72, so middle aged is 36.

So I'm obviously not middle aged.
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post #1082 of 2107
8/2/06 at 12:39am
I was interested in what was happening earlier, and I got this from the wiki that I hate so much.

Quote:
from wikipedia
For video, all BD-ROM players must be able to decode three codecs: MPEG-2 (the standard also used for DVDs); MPEG-4's H.264/AVC; and VC-1, a codec based on Microsoft's Windows Media 9.

So there is no inferiority in the what the hardware can read it's just what they used in the disks.

"CONTINUED"
Quote:
from wikipedia
All Blu-ray movies released so far have chosen to use the ten year old MPEG-2 technology (that all standard DVDs use) rather than the much newer VC-1 compression technology that most HD-DVD movies use.

Now why they are not using the same codec for these movies is beyond me. But if this goes back, and fourth between these codecs on two players option 3 will be your best viewing option.

Buy the disk with the best MPEG, or AVC; and VC-1 format used, and then use this player.

New lasers from Ricoh read both HD DVD and Blu-ray

Competition is a good thing. If they both exist they will competing with better menus, better web links from disks for home media systems, and so on.

Universal player is the ultimate way to go.
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post #1083 of 2107
8/3/06 at 12:06pm
http://www.thedigitalbits.com/articl...freleases.html

The Weinsteins have announced their HD DVD movies.

12/5 - Clerks II, Derailed, Wolf Creek, Scary Movie 4

12/12 - DOA: Dead or Alive
12/26 - Pulse, The Matador

Glad to see Clerks II coming so fast. Rumor has it the Weinsteins own the rights to the Directors Cut of Kill Bill.
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post #1084 of 2107
8/4/06 at 6:55am
Quote:
Originally Posted by marzetta7

Looks like Blu-Ray backers at CES are gettin it on! Maybe we'll get Blu-Ray drives in Macintels after all? Who knows, but so far 2006 is shaping up to be very exciting...

http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/st...4241959&EDATE=

http://home.businesswire.com/portal/...75&newsLang=en

http://www.ccnmatthews.com/news/rele...tionFor=574032

I just posted this elsewhere, but I found the following on digg this morning, what to expect and what not to except at WWDC: there's a lot of talk about Blu-ray

http://www.dvdnewsroom.com/news/brea...xpect-at-wwdc/


the digg post is at:
http://digg.com/apple/Exclusive_inte..._iPods_at_WWDC
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post #1085 of 2107
8/4/06 at 8:47am
There's some errors in that link.

Q. Why Blu-ray?

A. Superior storage. Costs less.

What?? This guy is an Apple confidante? Superior storage yes costs less an emphatic "no".

Q. Why the delay?

A. Consumers are very nervous and confused about these formats. Why do they need it? What are the benefits? Originally, Blu-ray was a slam-dunk. But HD-DVD gained traction. After the launch of the PS3, the general consensus is Blu-ray will be named the winner. The brand name Blu-ray will be stronger. Better awareness for consumers. Currently, HD-DVD has the edge by name alone.

Named winner by who? The PS3 is a game console and I do believe that it will spark movie purchases I'm just not so sure on the amount. Microsoft will be marketing an HD DVD add on for the 4+ million Xbox360 out there that is strictly for movie watching so it'll be interesting to see how it plays out.


Q. Who will win, Blu-ray or HD-DVD?

A. (laughs) Blu-ray, of course. Reasons? Apple, Sony, Dell, HP, Disney, Fox. Better content and the PS3. If your computer and PS3 support Blu-ray, youre obviously going to buy Blu-ray movies.

ok I've had enough. I read some of the other points and clearly this guy isn't an Apple insider. He's mentioned nothing than we have speculated here on the boards. <sigh> I was hoping for so much more.
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post #1086 of 2107
8/4/06 at 9:32am
Quote:
Originally Posted by hmurchison

ok I've had enough. I read some of the other points and clearly this guy isn't an Apple insider. He's mentioned nothing than we have speculated here on the boards. <sigh> I was hoping for so much more.

The janitor at Apple could have told as much. That interview didn't shed much light on what to expect at wwdc IMO.
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post #1087 of 2107
8/4/06 at 3:34pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by hmurchison

There's some errors in that link.

Q. Why Blu-ray?

A. Superior storage. Costs less.

What?? This guy is an Apple confidante? Superior storage yes costs less an emphatic "no".

Q. Why the delay?

A. Consumers are very nervous and confused about these formats. Why do they need it? What are the benefits? Originally, Blu-ray was a slam-dunk. But HD-DVD gained traction. After the launch of the PS3, the general consensus is Blu-ray will be named the winner. The brand name Blu-ray will be stronger. Better awareness for consumers. Currently, HD-DVD has the edge by name alone.

Named winner by who? The PS3 is a game console and I do believe that it will spark movie purchases I'm just not so sure on the amount. Microsoft will be marketing an HD DVD add on for the 4+ million Xbox360 out there that is strictly for movie watching so it'll be interesting to see how it plays out.


Q. Who will win, Blu-ray or HD-DVD?

A. (laughs) Blu-ray, of course. Reasons? Apple, Sony, Dell, HP, Disney, Fox. Better content and the PS3. If your computer and PS3 support Blu-ray, youre obviously going to buy Blu-ray movies.

ok I've had enough. I read some of the other points and clearly this guy isn't an Apple insider. He's mentioned nothing than we have speculated here on the boards. <sigh> I was hoping for so much more.

So do you have any idea why they are encoding in MPEG2 still instead of any of the better/newer formats? Because it seems obvious these first few releases are going to tank because of it. People read, and I'm not buying anything on blu ray until they offer something better. If underworld, and Underworld evolution are using the lesser quality sound because the size of the MPEG2 encoding isn't leaving enough room for better quality sound Why would I buy it? I would like to start a collection of favorites again like I have on DVD, but this seems like shit.

New collection:

Start with:

Le Pacte des loups, Brotherhood of the Wolf - 3 disc version.
Sin City - Extended
V for Vendetta
Kill Bill 1, and 2
Pulp Fiction

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post #1088 of 2107
8/4/06 at 10:50pm
Onlooker

I've heard from multiple sources that Sony didn't have their VC-1 tools ready months ago for the encodes. Warner should be moving to VC-1 for future Blu-Ray releases as well.
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post #1089 of 2107
8/6/06 at 3:18pm
i was just fishing through my cd's today and started to realize.....

"if i bought hd-dvd or bluray, that means i'd have to replace all these dvd's if i want true hd, i'm' going to need a new player, and if i want storage for all these cd's and files, i'll need a new player in my car, a new drive in my MBP"


NO THANKS.


i dont see either format taking over for another 2-3 years tops.
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post #1090 of 2107
8/6/06 at 6:30pm
BRay is no great shakes dude(tte)s, the medium might be high in storage - good backup media - but the movie world seems to talk otherwise on movie quality.

http://www.engadget.com/2006/08/05/w...ay-comparison/

What says y'all ?
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post #1091 of 2107
8/6/06 at 7:54pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by luvosx

BRay is no great shakes dude(tte)s, the medium might be high in storage - good backup media - but the movie world seems to talk otherwise on movie quality.

http://www.engadget.com/2006/08/05/w...ay-comparison/

What says y'all ?

I says that this article is hardly "the movie world" and that it is incredibly too early to be coming to the conclusion that Blu-ray is "no great shakes dude(tte)s."

First off, one title is offered in VC-1 while the other is offered in MPEG2. Second, we are talking about one disc that has dual layers and has 30 GB (the HD DVD disc) while using the more efficient codec in VC-1 and the other that only is a single layer disc and has 25 GB (the Blu-ray disc) while using the less efficient MPEG2 codec. Hardly an Apples to Apples comparison.

I'll be more interested to see what happens when Blu-ray will be using

1) H.264 to go up against titles in VC-1
and
2) 50 GB dual layer discs this fall

Then, I think you will have a more even comparison,...or a more lopsided one in favor of Blu-ray. Still too early to claim a victor or for one of the formats to snatch the victory.
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post #1092 of 2107
8/6/06 at 9:19pm
Here's why they're still using MPEG2 - they don't need to use anything else. A BR disk is 30 GB, and an HD-DVD is 25 GB. Even in HD, that's still a lot of space relative to a DVD, so they can fit all the extended features/etc on there. Thus, no reason to bother with compression.
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post #1093 of 2107
8/7/06 at 1:52am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Elixir

i dont see either format taking over for another 2-3 years tops.

A senior exec at Pioneer stated he believe it'd be 2009 before it was all decided and the next generation DVD format had reasonable acceptance.
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post #1094 of 2107
8/7/06 at 2:32am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Telomar

A senior exec at Pioneer stated he believe it'd be 2009 before it was all decided and the next generation DVD format had reasonable acceptance.

i'm still all for HD-DVD. i dont like sony, i dont like what they do with security and privacy, and i dont like the price.

people have this notion that because blu-ray can offer more storage that people will automatically want that. yet what are we supposed to fill exactly? personally a majority of it will be wasted space.

some people assume because the space will be there, that everyone will use it, or take advantage of it. bull fing sh8t they will. i'm personally tired of the argument.

you think every studio is going to fill worthless movies with extra features? and where would that cost go? straight to the consumer? probably, and i say ha!

same for the gaming industry. i'll be damned to see ps3 games come out for 70-80 dollars.

i cant wait to see how all this pans out.
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post #1095 of 2107
8/7/06 at 4:24am
Sure - I am all for BRay - I am also aware of the useless mpeg2 codec usage - one would wonder - first impression - should be stunning - so that people are awed ... don't know why a lackluster player or a codec or a combination would be put out - almost like they are bored ... finishing touch - the last mile ...
Thinking aloud ...

Quote:
Originally Posted by marzetta7

I says that this article is hardly "the movie world" and that it is incredibly too early to be coming to the conclusion that Blu-ray is "no great shakes dude(tte)s."

First off, one title is offered in VC-1 while the other is offered in MPEG2. Second, we are talking about one disc that has dual layers and has 30 GB (the HD DVD disc) while using the more efficient codec in VC-1 and the other that only is a single layer disc and has 25 GB (the Blu-ray disc) while using the less efficient MPEG2 codec. Hardly an Apples to Apples comparison.

I'll be more interested to see what happens when Blu-ray will be using

1) H.264 to go up against titles in VC-1
and
2) 50 GB dual layer discs this fall

Then, I think you will have a more even comparison,...or a more lopsided one in favor of Blu-ray. Still too early to claim a victor or for one of the formats to snatch the victory.
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post #1096 of 2107
8/7/06 at 6:39am
Quote:
Originally Posted by luvosx

Sure - I am all for BRay - I am also aware of the useless mpeg2 codec usage - one would wonder - first impression - should be stunning - so that people are awed ... don't know why a lackluster player or a codec or a combination would be put out - almost like they are bored ... finishing touch - the last mile ...
Thinking aloud ...


Mpeg2 is a good codec! It just makes things a bit large. And, according to that smart guy in this thread who explained this to me earlier, it's not much different than Mpeg4 at these bitrates.

At point, people are going to realize that codecs can only make things so small.
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post #1097 of 2107
8/7/06 at 7:38am
What I don't understand is why does the BluRay version of Training Game uses mpeg2 instead of
VC-1 like the HD-DVD version. It's made by the same company. BluRay can accept the VC-1
codec. You think Sony would go to someone that has a firm grasp of using H.264 like Apple. They
make great looking trailers on Apple.com. I remembered reading somewhere that Microsoft was
sending tech people to help make VC-1 movies so they would look awesome.
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post #1098 of 2107
8/7/06 at 8:02am
Quote:
Originally Posted by onlooker

Blah blah blah


The bigger your font, the more valid your opinion, right?
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post #1099 of 2107
8/7/06 at 8:20am
Quote:
Originally Posted by onlooker

So do you have any idea why they are encoding in MPEG2 still instead of any of the better/newer formats?


MPEG2 isn't really worse that the other formats in terms of image quality. It just doesn't compress as much. To tell you the truth, I'd make a wager that MPEG2 delivers a higher SNR than do the newer formats.

It's also proven. There's hardware MPEG2 decoders that work great, and also totally-proven software that won't product artifacts or crash. . . ever. I think it's a plus that Blu-ray can use MPEG2, because it will help cut costs for early hardware and media production.
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post #1100 of 2107
8/7/06 at 8:50am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Splinemodel

MPEG2 isn't really worse that the other formats in terms of image quality. It just doesn't compress as much. To tell you the truth, I'd make a wager that MPEG2 delivers a higher SNR than do the newer formats.

It's also proven. There's hardware MPEG2 decoders that work great, and also totally-proven software that won't product artifacts or crash. . . ever. I think it's a plus that Blu-ray can use MPEG2, because it will help cut costs for early hardware and media production.

I don't think that Sony is using the mpeg2 decoders that you mentioned because all of the BluRay
reviews compared to HD-DVDs have been consistently negative & they all can't be blamed
on Samsung's faulty BluRay player.
Brock Samson: You didn't tell me Sasquatch was a... a dude.
Steve Summers: What, you couldn't tell?
Brock Samson: Not until I had to...[shudders] shave him.
Steve Summers: What are you, shy?...


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Brock Samson: You didn't tell me Sasquatch was a... a dude.
Steve Summers: What, you couldn't tell?
Brock Samson: Not until I had to...[shudders] shave him.
Steve Summers: What are you, shy?...


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post #1101 of 2107
8/7/06 at 8:59am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by luvosx

Sure - I am all for BRay - I am also aware of the useless mpeg2 codec usage - one would wonder - first impression - should be stunning - so that people are awed ... don't know why a lackluster player or a codec or a combination would be put out - almost like they are bored ... finishing touch - the last mile ...
Thinking aloud ...

I wondered the same thing. As Murch had mentioned earlier, it is possible that the tools for H.264 or VC-1 weren't ready yet, but should be in future releases. Another possiblility is that the BDA wanted to get the Blu-ray format out there so that the public knew there was a competing HD format before HD DVD could gain any traction. Who knows? I too, would think the BDA would leverage H.264 since it looks so fantastic on Apple's website. Maybe when we get the "cool" interactive features and extras that have been promised or when we receive 50 GB dual layered discs from Blu-ray. Heck, at 50GB, I think the use of MPEG2 at a higher bit rate will look quite pristine, it's just that you don't have that luxury on a single layer 25 GB disc.
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post #1102 of 2107
8/10/06 at 8:43am
I was at Best Buy last night & I saw an HD-DVD Demo on a 42" Toshiba Regza 1080p LCD. Some
of the trailers looked good but some scenes seemed over-saturated (not sure if that was because of
of the tv) but then the trailer for Tim Burton's Corpse Bride started playing. Holy S%@T! The video
was friggin' unbelievable! I'm guessing it's because the movie was shot with Canon DSLR cameras.

I was holding out for Samsung's LED Dlp but now I'm seriously considering an LCD due to the size
of my living room. Also, do they normally release new television models in January? If yes, I may
wait because I heard that the Toshiba doesn't accept a 1080p source. It upconverts 1080i.

Does anyone have this set? Is there any gaming lag when playing video games?
Brock Samson: You didn't tell me Sasquatch was a... a dude.
Steve Summers: What, you couldn't tell?
Brock Samson: Not until I had to...[shudders] shave him.
Steve Summers: What are you, shy?...


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Brock Samson: You didn't tell me Sasquatch was a... a dude.
Steve Summers: What, you couldn't tell?
Brock Samson: Not until I had to...[shudders] shave him.
Steve Summers: What are you, shy?...


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post #1103 of 2107
8/10/06 at 10:11am
Usually they announce new sets right before CES in january and you can get good deals on the previous years sets. I'm hoping that my current fav the Samsung HLS5087 1080p is cheaper by then so I can pick it up or the 56"

The Corpse Bride looks great. King Kong is going to look great. Aeon Flux is said to be the highest quality HD disc you can buy right now bar none.

I don't know about gaming lag I would tend to think that it's not a problem with today's newer sets.
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post #1104 of 2107
8/10/06 at 11:13am
PS3 is a great buy. A standard blu-ray player cost about 1000, and PS3 cost 500. It is also a great gaming machine. Sony still rules the gaming world. EAT THAT XBOX AND MICROSOFT!!!!! The only thing ill personally use of yours again is hotmail.
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post #1105 of 2107
8/10/06 at 7:53pm
My bet is that they would cripple the damned BRay in PS3 somehow that you don't get to quite use it in its full glory - knowing their $1000+ players wouldn't stand a chance. may be it will play them at 1080i or 720p or 320x or some such crap. Or they would provide a full blown BRay option for the cost of their dvd player that everyone sees it as a major value in getting a gaming console free for the price of a dvd player. Yuk.
Sony have a tradition of killing good things by either overpricing it (Beta / DAT) or shortlicensing it (MD, by putting in a stupid proprietary compression nonsense called ATRAC that nobody wants to understand - the audacity - they go on to produce ATRAC2 and 3) that a handful buy it and the rest of the world buys something else and the damned thing becomes a hit.
I was shocked to see that they have not done that to the PSP and stuck to a nominal greed / arrogance factor.
While I am also drooling for the PS3 as my hex24s are running low after the mac pro purchase, I seriously have a feeling that sony would not let it go that easily.
Sorry to bust your bubble but I am mighty pissed with them man.

Quote:
Originally Posted by MacsRbetterthanPC

PS3 is a great buy. A standard blu-ray player cost about 1000, and PS3 cost 500. It is also a great gaming machine. Sony still rules the gaming world. EAT THAT XBOX AND MICROSOFT!!!!! The only thing ill personally use of yours again is hotmail.
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post #1106 of 2107
8/10/06 at 7:59pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by luvosx

My bet is that they would cripple the damned BRay in PS3 somehow that you don't get to quite use it in its full glory - knowing their $1000+ players wouldn't stand a chance. may be it will play them at 1080i or 720p or 320x or some such crap. Or they would provide a full blown BRay option for the cost of their dvd player that everyone sees it as a major value in getting a gaming console free for the price of a dvd player. Yuk.
Sony have a tradition of killing good things by either overpricing it (Beta / DAT) or shortlicensing it (MD, by putting in a stupid proprietary compression nonsense called ATRAC that nobody wants to understand - the audacity - they go on to produce ATRAC2 and 3) that a handful buy it and the rest of the world buys something else and the damned thing becomes a hit.
I was shocked to see that they have not done that to the PSP and stuck to a nominal greed / arrogance factor.
While I am also drooling for the PS3 as my hex24s are running low after the mac pro purchase, I seriously have a feeling that sony would not let it go that easily.
Sorry to bust your bubble but I am mighty pissed with them man.

You burst my bubble.
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post #1107 of 2107
8/10/06 at 8:00pm
But putting out a perfunctory pantomime only enhances the glory of the competition ...
I thought H264 was all there - why didn't they use it - I wonder.
And Apple is on the BRay board - surely they must have done something to influence it since Apple would never put out a product that is half baked - regardless of how the industry received it in the past (I remember the painful cube episode - man, that was one hell of a box).
Then again, BRay standards vs the BRay player - different ownerships I guess.
I would hate to see BRay go the way of Betamax.
Ah, well, wait and see is all we can do, I guess

Quote:
Originally Posted by marzetta7

I wondered the same thing. As Murch had mentioned earlier, it is possible that the tools for H.264 or VC-1 weren't ready yet, but should be in future releases. Another possiblility is that the BDA wanted to get the Blu-ray format out there so that the public knew there was a competing HD format before HD DVD could gain any traction. Who knows? I too, would think the BDA would leverage H.264 since it looks so fantastic on Apple's website. Maybe when we get the "cool" interactive features and extras that have been promised or when we receive 50 GB dual layered discs from Blu-ray. Heck, at 50GB, I think the use of MPEG2 at a higher bit rate will look quite pristine, it's just that you don't have that luxury on a single layer 25 GB disc.
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post #1108 of 2107
8/10/06 at 8:08pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by luvosx

My bet is that they would cripple the damned BRay in PS3 somehow that you don't get to quite use it in its full glory - knowing their $1000+ players wouldn't stand a chance. may be it will play them at 1080i or 720p or 320x or some such crap. Or they would provide a full blown BRay option for the cost of their dvd player that everyone sees it as a major value in getting a gaming console free for the price of a dvd player.

They're counting on the standalones dropping in price to below the PS3 soon. They're hoping the price of the BR reader drops dramatically in the next twelve months, because they need that and the Cell 65nm jump to go off flawless to have a good shot at profitting on the PS3.
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post #1109 of 2107
8/10/06 at 8:16pm
Before the holidays this year ? If the BRay players drop to $300 I would rather pick that one up and a PSP
May be their profiting would be more on carrying the online avatars in the ps2 games over
Sorry to hijack this thread into a gaming discussion. I shall cease and desist this topic

Quote:
Originally Posted by ZachPruckowski

They're counting on the standalones dropping in price to below the PS3 soon. They're hoping the price of the BR reader drops dramatically in the next twelve months, because they need that and the Cell 65nm jump to go off flawless to have a good shot at profitting on the PS3.
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post #1110 of 2107
8/10/06 at 8:25pm
Blu-Ray is very much tied to the PS3's success. Any gaming "hijacking" on the thread isn't your fault.

And it won't be $300 by Xmas. More like that around Xmas 2007.

The issue with making HD stuff catch on is that you need the whole package: TV + HD cable + HD DVR to make it worth it. If any one of those components isn't HD, you get no benefit. So it's sort of a big jump for Joe Consumer, since HD TVs aren't cheap, and TVs tend to last a while.
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post #1111 of 2107
8/10/06 at 8:37pm
And who, more than Sony, is poised to provide the total experience !!
I see your point. They will probably expect people to buy the rest of the nine yards and jack up the prices on those to make an indirect windfall. Agreed.
I just hope to god they provide unmessedup 1080p on their HDMI.
And of course, they would charge $100 more for the remote to operate the DVD

Quote:
Originally Posted by ZachPruckowski

Blu-Ray is very much tied to the PS3's success. Any gaming "hijacking" on the thread isn't your fault.

And it won't be $300 by Xmas. More like that around Xmas 2007.

The issue with making HD stuff catch on is that you need the whole package: TV + HD cable + HD DVR to make it worth it. If any one of those components isn't HD, you get no benefit. So it's sort of a big jump for Joe Consumer, since HD TVs aren't cheap, and TVs tend to last a while.
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post #1112 of 2107
8/10/06 at 8:51pm
Sony's risk, however, is that if HD doesn't catch on as fast as they hope it does, they take a hit in Blu-Ray, the PS3 (both major hits), and in their HDTV department and if they sell DVRs (I don't think they do). They also have their movie studio producing lots of Blu-Ray movies for which a market doesn't yet exist.

If HD adoption is a lot slower than Sony wants, most of it's major divisions will see heavy losses. The goal of a major company like Sony is to diversify so that not every department has a bad year at once. But if the TV department, Blu-Ray group, PS3, and movie studio see losses because of slow HD adoption, Sony's in bad financial shape. Not bankrupt by any means, but major loss of profits translating to major share price loss.
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post #1113 of 2107
8/11/06 at 8:45am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by luvosx

And who, more than Sony, is poised to provide the total experience !!
I see your point. They will probably expect people to buy the rest of the nine yards and jack up the prices on those to make an indirect windfall. Agreed.
I just hope to god they provide unmessedup 1080p on their HDMI.
And of course, they would charge $100 more for the remote to operate the DVD

I wouldn't worry to much about this as the $599 PS3 equipped with an HDMI port has been confirmed by Sony to do full 1080P. The $499 PS3 however, does not come equipped with an HDMI port, thus will be outputting over component which I understand maxes out at 1080i.

Also, I've read over at IGN that the PSP will be able to function as a remote for the PS3 as well.
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post #1114 of 2107
8/11/06 at 1:42pm
You might want to hold off on the Blu-Ray computer drive purchase as the first Blu-ray (BD) disc drive for desktop PCs won't play commercial BD movies.

Note that their laptops CAN play Blu-Ray movies:

Quote:
Today, the only HDCP-supporting BD playback application is the OEM version of Intervideo WinDVD BD that's bundled with Sony's VAIO VGN-AR18GP notebook. The AR18GP also offers an HDCP-compliant HDMI connector, which makes it capable of playing commercial movies without issue.

So the aftermarket option is less than exciting at this point.
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post #1115 of 2107
8/11/06 at 2:16pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by kupan787

You might want to hold off on the Blu-Ray computer drive purchase as the first Blu-ray (BD) disc drive for desktop PCs won't play commercial BD movies.

Note that their laptops CAN play Blu-Ray movies:

So the aftermarket option is less than exciting at this point.

From what I understand this is a Blu-ray computer drive from Sony only. Also, from what I understand this is due to no current graphics cards supporting HDCP, but will most likely be corrected with a firmware update.

True, the most prudent action in this regard is to just hold off.
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post #1116 of 2107
8/11/06 at 9:31pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by marzetta7

Also, from what I understand this is due to no current graphics cards supporting HDCP, but will most likely be corrected with a firmware update.

I thought the issue was not firmware, but the lack of encryption on the channel on the video card, or missing a crypto-ROM. Anyways, I heard that it's an encryption related hardware issue, not a firmware issue.
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post #1117 of 2107
8/13/06 at 2:43pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by mello

I don't think that Sony is using the mpeg2 decoders that you mentioned because all of the BluRay reviews compared to HD-DVDs have been consistently negative & they all can't be blamed
on Samsung's faulty BluRay player.

Well, until Sony, LG, Panasonic, Pioneer, etc. release their Blu-Ray players we won't know either way. Blu-Ray supports both MPEG2 and MPEG4 so it's up to the studios how they wish to encode them. They could be using MPEG4 together with the larger storage capacity of Blu-Ray to really blow HD-DVD away but they aren't.

     197619842013  

     Where were you when the hammer flew?  

 

MacBook Pro Retina, 13", 2.5 GHz, 8 GB RAM, 256 GB SSD

iPhone 5 • iPad 4 • CR48 Chromebook • ThinkPad X220

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     197619842013  

     Where were you when the hammer flew?  

 

MacBook Pro Retina, 13", 2.5 GHz, 8 GB RAM, 256 GB SSD

iPhone 5 • iPad 4 • CR48 Chromebook • ThinkPad X220

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post #1118 of 2107
8/24/06 at 8:38am
Thread Starter 
Wow, why doesn't this suprise me seeing all of the other things cut from Vista...

http://media.engadget.com/2006/08/24...ut-of-the-box/

Quote:
Vista will not support Blu-ray or HD DVD playback out-of-the-box or on 32-bit processors
Posted Aug 24th 2006 9:21AM by Thomas Ricker
Filed under: Home Entertainment, Media PCs

For all the noise Microsoft made about Vista supporting HD DVD you'd think we'd be able to play those studio-released, HD DVD titles right out of the box right? Not so childrens, at least not in Australia according to c|net. See, Mark O'Shea, a Microsoft OEM systems engineer (not exactly an executive level position, mind you) sez that version 11 of the Windows Media Player shipping with Vista will not support playback for commercial Blu-ray or HD DVD films. By this, we assume he means that WMP11 won't include the ability to decrypt AACS encoded titles. For that you'll have to use third party software like PowerDVD from Cyberlink or Intervideo's WinDVD BD, neither of which is currently available for retail but may (or may not) ship with your BD or HD DVD drive. Then it'll all work, right? Maybe, but if your media rig is pumping video over DVI or HDMI then you'd better be sure your graphics card, driver, and display all support HDCP (not just HDCP ready) if you expect to decrypt that High Definition digital signal. All assuming your CPU or GPU has the muscle to decode the HD compression codecs to begin with. Heads' spinning yet? Sure, so go ahead, lie down for a bit, we'll understand why you put off your next-gen optical PC drive purchase while the DRM gets a bit, say, more consumer friendly.

Update: Oh my. Microsoft just announced that they won't support high definition playback on 32-bit versions of Vista, at all! In other words, unless you've recently upgraded to a Core 2 Duo or similar 64-bit processor, you won't be using that new Blu-ray or HD DVD drive to playback studio films when you upgrade to Vista. If that's your gig then you'd best get saving for a whole new rig, son, cause your old digs won't cut it.

This certainly doesn't help HD DVD's cause...but I'm OK with that!
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post #1119 of 2107
8/24/06 at 9:48am
Quote:
Originally Posted by marzetta7

. . . Update: Oh my. Microsoft just announced that they won't support high definition playback on 32-bit versions of Vista, at all! In other words, unless you've recently upgraded to a Core 2 Duo or similar 64-bit processor, you won't be using that new Blu-ray or HD DVD drive to playback studio films when you upgrade to Vista. If that's your gig then you'd best get saving for a whole new rig, son, cause your old digs won't cut it. . .


Sounds like Microsoft's old tricks. To preserve the loyalty of Intel and hardware vendors, Microsoft obsoletes everyone's computer. Intel sells more chips, Dell sells more hardware, and Microsoft sell more OS licenses.
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post #1120 of 2107
8/24/06 at 2:18pm
Thread Starter 
This ought to be sweet...

http://www.highdefdigest.com/news/sh...on_Blu-ray/193

Quote:
Sony Scares Up 'Monster House' on Blu-ray
Thu Aug 24, 2006 at 02:36 PM ET
Tags: Disc Announcements, Sony (all tags)
Blu-ray fans can expect a scary treat in their candy bags come Halloween, when Sony Pictures Home Entertainment will unleash the $75 million-grossing hit 'Monster House.'

Though no technical specs or supplemental details are yet available, Sony will issue a full announcement in the coming days for the title, which will hit stores day-and-date with the standard DVD release on October 24.

The release of 'Monster House' on Blu-ray is also exciting as it will mark the first time a full-length, wholly computer-generated feature film will make its way to a next-gen format. Needless to say, we're certainly looking forward to seeing how an all-CGI feature looks in high-def.

Stay tuned for full specs next week, and in the meantime, we've added a listing for 'Monster House' to our complete Blu-ray Release Schedule.

The movie was real good. Took my 3 boys and they loved it.
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