Check this video out. All I have to say is, it looks like Blu-ray is going to be sweet. I think the BDA really needs to be promoting the Blu-ray disc's durablility as a marketing advantage quite heavily in future marketing materials...
Personally, I'd like to see a side by side durability comparison between Blu-ray and HD DVD. Cmon tech magazine editors, get on the ball!
For many using current DVDs hard coats are a solution looking for a problem. Sure you can give a DVD to a child and watch it get destroyed but reality is I think simply keeping the DVDs in the case when not playing them will increase their longevity.
Hyping Blu Ray hard coats merely uncovers the facts that the data is sitting a bit too close to the surface for comfort. It's one thing to have extra protection and quite another to require it.
Its a bit strange, there's lots of Blu-Ray players being announced these days, but no HD-DVD?
That's because Toshiba is the only one making them. Well, Thomson is making one under their RCA brand but it's just a clone of the entry-level Toshiba model. A couple manufacturers have stated they will support both formats though I doubt HD-DVD will be around long enough to get past the expensive first generation players.
A couple manufacturers have stated they will support both formats though I doubt HD-DVD will be around long enough to get past the expensive first generation players.
You can't be serious. Blu Ray has just been delayed as well (Samsung delayed until June) which means HD-DVD has a 3 month head start. They are also half the cost. Pray tell what is going to suddenly stall any momentum? Surely you can't still be buying into "the PS3 is going to take over the world"
1984 normally you're a level headed guy but that statement sounds like it was preceded by a bit too many bong hits.
Oh yeah Fujitsu, Acer and Toshiba have all announced HD-DVD laptops. That certainly sounds like a format that will only last a generation
You can't be serious. Blu Ray has just been delayed as well (Samsung delayed until June) which means HD-DVD has a 3 month head start. They are also half the cost. Pray tell what is going to suddenly stall any momentum? Surely you can't still be buying into "the PS3 is going to take over the world"
1984 normally you're a level headed guy but that statement sounds like it was preceded by a bit too many bong hits.
Oh yeah Fujitsu, Acer and Toshiba have all announced HD-DVD laptops. That certainly sounds like a format that will only last a generation
fwwwwwwwwwww,fwwwwwwwwwhhhht! Thanks, 1984, that some good sh--! wheeeeeeeeeehhhhhhhwwww.
What momentum for HD DVD? Toshiba, with its 10,000 units at $500 to $800 are going to garner momentum and penetrate what market with those numbers? Economies of scale my friend, like I've repeated many times like a broken record. The reason you see the slew of Blu-ray announcements is because it WILL penetrate the market with far more players and far more movies. Sony, Panasonic, Philips, Samsung, Fujitsu, and TDK have all made recent announcements regarding their Blu-ray releases, and a 3 month head start for HD DVD will still be eclipsed by the juggernaut the Blu-ray is.
Moreover the $500-$800 price point for Toshiba's HD DVD player is still to high (consumers looking for a playback only device tend to wait until the $100 to $200 range is a reality) to warrant mass adoption by consumers, especially at the petty number of units that plan to ship. Can someone say early adoption market!
However, a PS3 at $399 or $499, would warrant mass adoption as the PS3 is in the gaming console market (consumers expect a price around this much for such a device and LOOK oh it just so happens to play Blu-ray movies! And at better quality at 1080P output), and at that price point with MILLIONS to ship, consumers will flock to purchase one, making Blu-ray the de facto standard whether knowingly doing it or not. And, of those millions who purchase a PS3, you think they'll run out and go pick up a HD DVD player for and extra $500 to $800? Not going to happen.
Check this video out. All I have to say is, it looks like Blu-ray is going to be sweet. I think the BDA really needs to be promoting the Blu-ray disc's durablility as a marketing advantage quite heavily in future marketing materials...
You guys are precisely why I don't promote Blu Ray although I plan on owning one. Far too many Blu Ray fans have skewered perspective.
Momentum is actually shipping product. In the last week HD-DVD has launched in Japan and the UK. Universal has announced their first discs. Walmart is carrying the RCA player and movies and have them for pre-order on their website. Netflix has HD options now for your queue. If you don't consider that momentum then you are free to but others reading this thread may beg to differ.
Quote:
Moreover the $500-$800 price point for Toshiba's HD DVD player is still to high (consumers looking for a playback only device tend to wait until the $100 to $200 range is a reality) to warrant mass adoption by consumers, especially at the petty number of units that plan to ship. Can someone say early adoption market!
Don't go there Marzetta7. You cannot win a pricing battle here. $499 for HD-DVD is still twice as inexpensive as any BD player announced. If any format is going to hit $200 first it's going to be HD-DVD. China has yet to hit the market but they will. Economies of scale will be proportional here as there are already 3 laptops announced with HD DVD drive options including Fujitsu-Siemens.
Then you end your rebuttal by stating the PS3 myth. Wow...didn't see THAT one coming LOL. If the PS3 is going to be $499 why doesn't Sony just announce official pricing? They keep denying every story out there that puts the PS3 above $600 which is daft as all they have to do is commit to $499. But let us not forget..the PS3 is a gaming console. It will be running games primarily with movies as an adjunct feature. I wouldn't bank on it. How well are the UMD movies doing? Oops
Timelines
April 2006- HD-DVD ships
June 2006- Samsung BD player first to ship
Nov 2006- PS3 ships
Unknown 2006- LG announces/ships Universal Player.
HD-DVD isn't going anywhere and neither is Blu Ray. In fact the chances of a format dying has lessened because of the Amtel chips
This means all you have to do is add the lens assembly for BD-ROM and HD-DVD this magical chip handles everything else. It's really quite wonderful.
I contend that not only will HD-DVD survive beyond future generations but that we're likely to see the two formats co-exist much like what DVD+R and DVD-R have. Neither format has enough of an advantage to outright kill the other IMO.
You guys are precisely why I don't promote Blu Ray although I plan on owning one. Far too many Blu Ray fans have skewered perspective.
Momentum is actually shipping product. In the last week HD-DVD has launched in Japan and the UK. Universal has announced their first discs. Walmart is carrying the RCA player and movies and have them for pre-order on their website. Netflix has HD options now for your queue. If you don't consider that momentum then you are free to but others reading this thread may beg to differ.
Hmm, let's see and the other 7 studios announced their Blu-ray discs, and how many people who shop at Wal-mart do you know of will buy a player for $500 - $800 in mass? Moreover, Netflix is supporting both Blu-ray and HD DVD, so your examples of HD DVD momentum are looking more and more like Fat Bastard coming out of the blocks in a track race.
Quote:
Don't go there Marzetta7. You cannot win a pricing battle here. $499 for HD-DVD is still twice as inexpensive as any BD player announced. If any format is going to hit $200 first it's going to be HD-DVD. China has yet to hit the market but they will. Economies of scale will be proportional here as there are already 3 laptops announced with HD DVD drive options including Fujitsu-Siemens.
I'm not trying to win a pricing battle, I'm just reminding you that we are in an early adoption market when it comes to HD, so the whole Blu-ray is more expensive mantra isn't what you try to paint it as. Blu-ray players are priced in the same exact manner that DVD was priced when it was first released. Also, as economic history has shown, with the more competitors/supporters of a particular format, in our case Blu-ray, the price of hardware is driven down with that type of backing quite dramatically. So, IMO, Blu-ray has a better chance of coming down to mainstream prices faster considering its broad support. And, please, with the "Economies of scale will be proportional..." statement, you know very well that it is anything but proportional. It is a landslide in favor of Blu-ray when it comes to economies of scale--Blu-ray has 7 out of 8 Hollywood studios, the majority of pornshare, the majority of consumer electronics companies, and the majority of information technology companies. Remind me again how this is proportional? Are you claiming the China factor to bring proportion to this format war? Please be more specific in terms of what China has to offer in terms of HD DVD that would rival the broad support of pretty much companies around the world for Blu-ray that would bring proportion in terms of economies of scale. Fact is, this proportion you claim doesn't exist. Looks like someone upgraded to crack or something, maybe mushrooms, with your halucinations of HD DVD grandeur.
Quote:
Then you end your rebuttal by stating the PS3 myth. Wow...didn't see THAT one coming LOL. If the PS3 is going to be $499 why doesn't Sony just announce official pricing? They keep denying every story out there that puts the PS3 above $600 which is daft as all they have to do is commit to $499. But let us not forget..the PS3 is a gaming console. It will be running games primarily with movies as an adjunct feature. I wouldn't bank on it. How well are the UMD movies doing? Oops
Why doesn't Apple just announce official pricing for their unreleased products? Why do other companies not disclose their pricing for unreleased products? I think the easy answer is strategy. Flexibility is another answer. Component costs would be another. There are probably a lot more too, but really it is Sony's choice, and just leave it at that. They don't have to announce official pricing until they are ready, so stop it with the Sony bashing as I don't see you bashing Apple when they do the same thing. Futhermore, I would BANK on it, cause the PS3 will be rollin in the coin, and if you consider that a myth, well then, I guess it will go down like the other myths you claimed like no 50 GB discs and other Blu-ray FUD.
By the way UMD=Sony only format. Blu-ray=Sony, Panasonic, Samsung, JVC, TDK, Philips, BenQ, Pioneer, Apple, HP, Dell, shall I go on again? This statement just reeks of FUD and serves as no indicator whatsoever of how Blu-ray will do in the marketplace. Again, just more Sony bashing.
Quote:
Timelines
April 2006- HD-DVD ships
June 2006- Samsung BD player first to ship
Nov 2006- PS3 ships
Unknown 2006- LG announces/ships Universal Player.
HD-DVD isn't going anywhere and neither is Blu Ray. In fact the chances of a format dying has lessened because of the Amtel chips
This means all you have to do is add the lens assembly for BD-ROM and HD-DVD this magical chip handles everything else. It's really quite wonderful.
I contend that not only will HD-DVD survive beyond future generations but that we're likely to see the two formats co-exist much like what DVD+R and DVD-R have. Neither format has enough of an advantage to outright kill the other IMO.
Thanks for the timelines, do you really want me to list ALL the timelines Blu-ray has in store, as it will certainly eclipse the number of HD DVD timeline announcements. Speaking of announcements, look at this, yet another Blu-ray announcement...
You keep holdin on to that hope of a coexistence alright there buddy. I for one just want one format for uniformity and ease of use, the better format, Blu-ray.
If you think Walmart isn't a factor check their annual earnings for 2005. It doesn't matter that many people won't buy into HD-DVD at today's pricing what matters is mindshare.
You're confusing proportionality. What I'm saying is that the price decreases for both formats will drop at a similar rate. Thus if HD-DVD is cheaper from the beginning and they have sales close enough to blu ray then they reap the reward of economy of scale. Blu Ray would have to sell ALOT more to close the gap. And yes a gap does exist.
LOL you just rattled off a bunch of Japanese companies with a American company (which supports HD-DVD) and a Korean company (That makes optical assemblies with Toshiba). Newsflash...China is the industrial giant of this century. Once they come into play the game changes whether the studios and Japan want to. Try this..walk into Target, Walmart etc and flip the products you buy over. Tell me how many you see from Japan versus China. Thank you.
Funny that BenQ is another device with no pricing. Why is it so hard for the BDA to give pricing on their drives. It's like everything is a prototype. To be fair though there is a dearth of HD-DVD choices so I give both platforms a mediocre grade in this regard.
[B]You guys are precisely why I don't promote Blu Ray although I plan on owning one. Far too many Blu Ray fans have skewered perspective.
ROFL. Which is just like saying you won't promote Macintosh because there are idiotic Mac zealots.
Quote:
Momentum is actually shipping product. In the last week HD-DVD has launched in Japan and the UK. Universal has announced their first discs.
They launched without titles right? Momentum is not shooting yourself in the foot by blowing the launch push by not shipping titles. Imagine if Microsoft shipped the 360 with zero titles.
Quote:
Walmart is carrying the RCA player and movies and have them for pre-order on their website. Netflix has HD options now for your queue. If you don't consider that momentum then you are free to but others reading this thread may beg to differ.
With net reviews like:
"This month's launch of the next-generation HD DVD format looks like it'll be hindered by a paucity of players and an utter lack of titles."
"HD-DVD launch wimper"
"Moreover, sources report that only 10,000 Toshiba players are being shipped to retailers initially, a number that indicates low sales expetations..."
"The studios expect to ship between 7,000 and 10,000 copies of the initial titles due on 4/18, and Toshiba hopes to ship between 10,000 and 15,000 players."
I wouldn't call this "momentum" except the negative kind. Only a zealot would think HD-DVD has momentum. Launching with 10K players and having 7-10K copies AFTER shipping players is a great way of announcing to the world that you really suck.
Sony may suck as well but they haven't proven that yet. If they screw up the PS3 the same way Toshiba screwed up HD-DVD then they have a good shot at completely borking the brand name.
I couldn't care less about either format until one is dead and I don't care which on it is. I DO know I'm not buying the next betamax which could be BOTH formats.
Quote:
Don't go there Marzetta7. You cannot win a pricing battle here. $499 for HD-DVD is still twice as inexpensive as any BD player announced. If any format is going to hit $200 first it's going to be HD-DVD. China has yet to hit the market but they will. Economies of scale will be proportional here as there are already 3 laptops announced with HD DVD drive options including Fujitsu-Siemens.
Then you end your rebuttal by stating the PS3 myth. Wow...didn't see THAT one coming LOL. If the PS3 is going to be $499 why doesn't Sony just announce official pricing? They keep denying every story out there that puts the PS3 above $600 which is daft as all they have to do is commit to $499. But let us not forget..the PS3 is a gaming console. It will be running games primarily with movies as an adjunct feature. I wouldn't bank on it. How well are the UMD movies doing? Oops
A $700+ PS3 is a non-starter. They don't commit to $499 simply because it reduces the screaming when it's $599 or even $699.
The only way HD-DVD hits $200 first by a large margin is if HD-DVD slashed royalties for the Chinese. They're probably better off just making peace with Sony.
Quote:
HD-DVD isn't going anywhere and neither is Blu Ray. In fact the chances of a format dying has lessened because of the Amtel chips
...
Neither format has enough of an advantage to outright kill the other IMO.
If both formats continue the more likely they both end up like SACD and DVDA with the majority of the public thinking "Who Cares?".
The odds are leaning that way anyway as most folks probably wont care about the difference between 480p and 720p for any TV around 40" and 10' viewing distance. The difference between 1080p and 720p for a set that small is going to be very very subtle. At 8' its noticable...for videophiles anyway. Add upconverting and for anything under 60" @ 10' most folks wont care the difference between DVD and HD-DVD. Not for $30 a disk and a $500 player.
The only possible factor is the PS3 that you blow off. Yes, its a game machine but if it is successful THEN someone has momentum and it won't be HD-DVD.
You know, perhaps the best thing is for both formats to fail and Japan to lose control of the disk formats.
ROFL. Which is just like saying you won't promote Macintosh because there are idiotic Mac zealots.
Which is precisely what some people are likely to do. Many people are ambivalent about the Macintosh. They love the design but hate the smug superiority complex of Mac users and thus reject the notion of owning one. Not necessarily the norm but it does happen.
Quote:
They launched without titles right? Momentum is not shooting yourself in the foot by blowing the launch push by not shipping titles. Imagine if Microsoft shipped the 360 with zero titles.
Launch is this week. Hopefully titles will be available. Sloppy launch indeed I'm not impressed but the fact that they are indeed ready to launch "something" is momentum unto itself.
Yawn. If your rebuttal consists of quotes snatched from websites then I'm already bored. The thing about the media is that today things have to be sensationalistic to get reader attention. Thus the highlighting of negative aspects replete with cutesy titles.
The reality is, HD DVD, the little format that many predicted would die before it shipped is launching not only in the US this month but in Japan and the UK.
Blu Ray isn't even close to shipping and they're already delaying players (Samsung) and titles (Lion's Gate). LOL...I thought the BDA was the consortium that had things together. Guess not.
Quote:
A $700+ PS3 is a non-starter. They don't commit to $499 simply because it reduces the screaming when it's $599 or even $699.
True, very few people would pay that in large quantitites. I do personally believe the PS3 will debute at 500-600 dollars. However I doubt that it will cause the death knell of HD DVD simply because there's an HD DVD player at the same price dedicated towards video playback. Thus a $499 purchase there means you don't have to fight with anyone over "game time" versus "movie time"
Quote:
The only way HD-DVD hits $200 first by a large margin is if HD-DVD slashed royalties for the Chinese. They're probably better off just making peace with Sony.
Toshiba doesn't have to make peace with Sony. They developed AOD on their own, CODECS are handled by Sigmatel or other vendor chips. Toshiba, like many companies, no longer need to kowtow to Sony for anything. HD DVD IMO will hit $200 by christmas 2007. This first generation stuff is simply recouping money. 2nd generation stuff will be cheaper because there will be more chip consolidation (Amtel etc) and more lens assemblies from more manufacturers. Both HD DVD and Blu Ray will drop in price. Hopefully sales of the players are brisk enough to make that sooner rather than later.
Quote:
f both formats continue the more likely they both end up like SACD and DVDA with the majority of the public thinking "Who Cares?".
These will be the people without HDTVs. If you have an HDTV you're going to want one of these players. I'm telling you King Kong in HD DVD was GORGEOUS. Even on a 30in HDTV you will see the clarity difference, on larger screens the difference becomes even more apparent.
I'm hoping that the PS3 comes in cheaply. Because it means in the first year of both formats they have debuted cheaper than DVD did back in the 90s. People talk all that crap about expense but the average cable bill is over 40.00 a month. That's $500 for standard def you want high def add %50.
Plus I'm pretty damn impressed with the prices that Amazon plans to offer. I expect Blu Ray pricing to be identical.
There's some nice demo movies in this list. Plus Netflix will be renting both formats as soon as they start shipping in quantity. I'm almost ready..just need a HDTV set.
Hey Everybody!!! My wife and I just finished watching The Last Samurai and let my tell you it looked so good. I was watching it on a 46" Samsung DLP which has 720p native resolution. I did my calibration of the display using the THX optimizer on the SD DVD - SW EPIII. It was connected to the TV via HDMI and I sent the audio to my receiver using the Toslink out to the receiver. Tomorrow I'm going to unhook my DVD-A player and hook up the analog outs so I can experience DD+.
PQ
I have to say that this is the best HD footage I have ever watched. Both my wife and I commented over and over again about how there was no visible pixelation (macro blocking?). When I watch shows like LOST it looks great but there is always some level of blocking during the night and/or dark shots. I saw none of that on this DVD. Also there were no jagged edges - It simply looked superb. We kept saying how clean and finely detailed everything looked. The picture was just stunning.
Ultimately I felt like this is what I had been looking for - namely HD without all of the artifacts and problems that I constantly see when watching HD over cable. Unfortunately I don't have D-theater or OTA HD-DVD but it looks a lot better than the HD that I get from Time Warner.
Couldn't have said it better myself. Cable HD gets you into the extra rez but there is always an artifact or two.
I found this thread about a hour ago, so I drove to my Best Buy® and they had 2 players and all three movie out on display (about 10 of each) I just picked up Last Samurai and Serenity.
I expect that many people won't be able to resist and will plunk down the $500 to be able to watch HD-DVD right now. It sounds like an easy choice to wait but when you see HD in all it's glory things just seem to change.
Which is precisely what some people are likely to do. Many people are ambivalent about the Macintosh. They love the design but hate the smug superiority complex of Mac users and thus reject the notion of owning one. Not necessarily the norm but it does happen.
And do you believe this to be a useful stance when it comes to technology selection or evaluation?
Quote:
Launch is this week. Hopefully titles will be available. Sloppy launch indeed I'm not impressed but the fact that they are indeed ready to launch "something" is momentum unto itself.
I guess it is non-zero momentum but its not off by much.
While you denigrate the PSP and UMD that was positive momentum that carried a poor product into 8 million odd disc sales. That a product with poorer resolution at higher price than the DVD alternative you can simply rip to a stick sold at all is tribute to what momentum can do.
Quote:
Yawn. If your rebuttal consists of quotes snatched from websites then I'm already bored. The thing about the media is that today things have to be sensationalistic to get reader attention. Thus the highlighting of negative aspects replete with cutesy titles.
Gee...do you think Toshiba is bored? You generate momentum (like the PSP, iPod, etc) by getting sensationalistic headlines to promote your product...not scare folks away.
Quote:
The reality is, HD DVD, the little format that many predicted would die before it shipped is launching not only in the US this month but in Japan and the UK.
Blu Ray isn't even close to shipping and they're already delaying players (Samsung) and titles (Lion's Gate). LOL...I thought the BDA was the consortium that had things together. Guess not.
Better to delay a launch and have a massive one than to waste launch momentum by having a bad one.
Quote:
True, very few people would pay that in large quantitites. I do personally believe the PS3 will debute at 500-600 dollars. However I doubt that it will cause the death knell of HD DVD simply because there's an HD DVD player at the same price dedicated towards video playback. Thus a $499 purchase there means you don't have to fight with anyone over "game time" versus "movie time"
Because the PS3 (unless it sucks) will have massive momentum like the PSP. Given that BR will not likely suck as badly as UMD it should be able the capitalize on the same kind of hype to make sales and perhaps reach critical mass first.
Quote:
Toshiba doesn't have to make peace with Sony. They developed AOD on their own, CODECS are handled by Sigmatel or other vendor chips. Toshiba, like many companies, no longer need to kowtow to Sony for anything. HD DVD IMO will hit $200 by christmas 2007.
I meant it would be better to work with Sony than surrender to the chinese on the issue of royalties from Toshiba's perspective.
Quote:
These will be the people without HDTVs. If you have an HDTV you're going to want one of these players. I'm telling you King Kong in HD DVD was GORGEOUS. Even on a 30in HDTV you will see the clarity difference, on larger screens the difference becomes even more apparent.
At a certain distance you've exceeded the ability to see most differences in detail given the screen size. For smaller HDTVs at average living room viewing distances (say 10' but could be more, could be less) most folks will be hard pressed to see the difference between a good DVD (say a superbit) upconverted via an oppo DVD player to 720p or 1080i.
Excepts from the AVS postings:
Most of the folks in that thread have front projectors (and also consider a $500 HD-DVD player throwaway) and not 46" HDTV users. Hence the excitement. On a 100"+ (dia) screen you WILL see a difference.
For example:
"Well , unless I'm missing something, I'm not impressed. I sure hope for HDDVD sake these movies aren't a example of things to come.
Yes, it's better than most SD-DVD, but for example ,The Fifth Element is better, to me, than both of these movies pq.
My display has shown better pq on number of different HD programing, including, believe it or not Directv.
Maybe you folks with your Rubys will get better results than me.
Like I said, it is better than most SD, but it isen't as big a jump in pq than it was going from VHS to DVD, at least not on a large display.
Mine is going back, unless there are other facts that come about, or better pq movies are released soon. "
"hearing alot of "not knock your socks off" here in this thread. I will wait until we hear from some REAL 1080P displays owners before I pass judgement. My guess is that if you own a 720p display device, you might not get the full effects from HD-DVD or blu-ray (YES, REAL 1080p displays DO MAKE A DIFFERENCE)"
"I'm watching Last Samurai and my Sony 30XS955. I compared the PQ to the standard DVD, and the HD-DVD is clearer. I'd say about 25-50% better than the DVD. The problem is this particular film has a consistent fine film grain on it, which reduces its overall clarity.
I have seen clearer PQ via my digital cable with some sporting events.
I'm anxious to hear from people who are watching these first releases on large 1080p displays. "
"Clearly - what display they were being played on had everything to do with how well they looked. While in the past DVD players has some dependence on display etc for PQ. My opionion is that this player is going to end up with very different reviews predicated upon the display. Saw it a few more times on both the Westy (the fav BB seems to use) and the Sammy, as well as on the new Panny 50incher.
What it did answer in my mind - would it be worth it if you had 720/768 p panel - or is 1080p mandatory....For a very good panel - yes - I believe it would be worth it - for some of the others - nope. And interestingly enough the true 1080p panel was the weakest of all that I saw today."
Not to be snooty but LordofDoubleD doesn't carry as much weight with me as say Darin and some of the others. Gotta love it though...someone has already taken his apart.
Dissapointed that someone reported that Serenity had no trailers.
For reference I have FP and while I look forward to HD movies to be honest I have a decent DVD library (that includes the last samurai and serenity) so I doubt I'll get on board even though I can see a qualitiative difference between upconverted DVD (I have the momitsu) and HD (OTA and cable).
I suspect though that most HDTV owners in the lower range will not get a WOW moment. I suspect I would have a "that's nice" moment but not the same kind of WOW the first time I fired up a 100" FP movie.
When you watch a HD sporting event your are watching HD at its best. No color correction done in post no processing. It also runs at 30fps or better. HD sports is where it's at.
Serenity seems to be the poorest title in quality compared to TLS and The Phantom. I'm severely disappointed and I'm not sure I'm going to purchase this movie in its current form. I may as well buy the DVD and upconvert.
Well on this Easter I say I'm pretty jazzed. The units are shipping and now we just need Blu Ray to hit. It's a win for movie lovers at any rate.
Comments
Originally posted by OldCodger73
HD-DVD player debuts for UK press
http://www.macworld.com/news/2006/04/12/hddvd/index.php
Just in time!
The Matrix has you!
I know it sounds paranoid, but when it comes to Sony and DRM...
Corey
TDK BEGINS SHIPPING ITS HIGHLY ANTICIPATED BLU-RAY DISC 25GB RECORDABLE AND REWRITABLE MEDIA
http://www.tdk.com/procommon/press/a...=con&recid=115
Apr 12, 2006
Fujitsu to Launch Blu-Ray, HD-DVD Equipped PCs in June
http://www.cio.com/blog_view.html?CID=20166
http://www.tdk.com/consumer/marketin...header=Blu-Ray
Also, further information is available here...
http://www.tdk.com/consumer/marketing/brd1.html
Personally, I'd like to see a side by side durability comparison between Blu-ray and HD DVD. Cmon tech magazine editors, get on the ball!
Sony's new HDV HD camcorder with HDMI
$1499 MSRP and should be selling for as low as $12xx
Personally, I'd like to see a side by side durability comparison between Blu-ray and HD DVD. Cmon tech magazine editors, get on the ball!
For many using current DVDs hard coats are a solution looking for a problem. Sure you can give a DVD to a child and watch it get destroyed but reality is I think simply keeping the DVDs in the case when not playing them will increase their longevity.
Hyping Blu Ray hard coats merely uncovers the facts that the data is sitting a bit too close to the surface for comfort. It's one thing to have extra protection and quite another to require it.
Originally posted by T'hain Esh Kelch
Its a bit strange, there's lots of Blu-Ray players being announced these days, but no HD-DVD?
That's because Toshiba is the only one making them. Well, Thomson is making one under their RCA brand but it's just a clone of the entry-level Toshiba model. A couple manufacturers have stated they will support both formats though I doubt HD-DVD will be around long enough to get past the expensive first generation players.
A couple manufacturers have stated they will support both formats though I doubt HD-DVD will be around long enough to get past the expensive first generation players.
You can't be serious. Blu Ray has just been delayed as well (Samsung delayed until June) which means HD-DVD has a 3 month head start. They are also half the cost. Pray tell what is going to suddenly stall any momentum? Surely you can't still be buying into "the PS3 is going to take over the world"
1984 normally you're a level headed guy but that statement sounds like it was preceded by a bit too many bong hits.
Oh yeah Fujitsu, Acer and Toshiba have all announced HD-DVD laptops. That certainly sounds like a format that will only last a generation
Originally posted by hmurchison
You can't be serious. Blu Ray has just been delayed as well (Samsung delayed until June) which means HD-DVD has a 3 month head start. They are also half the cost. Pray tell what is going to suddenly stall any momentum? Surely you can't still be buying into "the PS3 is going to take over the world"
1984 normally you're a level headed guy but that statement sounds like it was preceded by a bit too many bong hits.
Oh yeah Fujitsu, Acer and Toshiba have all announced HD-DVD laptops. That certainly sounds like a format that will only last a generation
What momentum for HD DVD? Toshiba, with its 10,000 units at $500 to $800 are going to garner momentum and penetrate what market with those numbers? Economies of scale my friend, like I've repeated many times like a broken record. The reason you see the slew of Blu-ray announcements is because it WILL penetrate the market with far more players and far more movies. Sony, Panasonic, Philips, Samsung, Fujitsu, and TDK have all made recent announcements regarding their Blu-ray releases, and a 3 month head start for HD DVD will still be eclipsed by the juggernaut the Blu-ray is.
Moreover the $500-$800 price point for Toshiba's HD DVD player is still to high (consumers looking for a playback only device tend to wait until the $100 to $200 range is a reality) to warrant mass adoption by consumers, especially at the petty number of units that plan to ship. Can someone say early adoption market!
However, a PS3 at $399 or $499, would warrant mass adoption as the PS3 is in the gaming console market (consumers expect a price around this much for such a device and LOOK oh it just so happens to play Blu-ray movies! And at better quality at 1080P output), and at that price point with MILLIONS to ship, consumers will flock to purchase one, making Blu-ray the de facto standard whether knowingly doing it or not. And, of those millions who purchase a PS3, you think they'll run out and go pick up a HD DVD player for and extra $500 to $800? Not going to happen.
Originally posted by marzetta7
Check this video out. All I have to say is, it looks like Blu-ray is going to be sweet. I think the BDA really needs to be promoting the Blu-ray disc's durablility as a marketing advantage quite heavily in future marketing materials...
http://www.tdk.com/consumer/marketin...header=Blu-Ray
Also, further information is available here...
http://www.tdk.com/consumer/marketing/brd1.html
Personally, I'd like to see a side by side durability comparison between Blu-ray and HD DVD. Cmon tech magazine editors, get on the ball!
Cool movie! The scratch coating was cool but the 200GB capacity disk was hard core druel material for me!
As for a comparison to HDDVD, I think they just got spanked!
Corey
Momentum is actually shipping product. In the last week HD-DVD has launched in Japan and the UK. Universal has announced their first discs. Walmart is carrying the RCA player and movies and have them for pre-order on their website. Netflix has HD options now for your queue. If you don't consider that momentum then you are free to but others reading this thread may beg to differ.
Moreover the $500-$800 price point for Toshiba's HD DVD player is still to high (consumers looking for a playback only device tend to wait until the $100 to $200 range is a reality) to warrant mass adoption by consumers, especially at the petty number of units that plan to ship. Can someone say early adoption market!
Don't go there Marzetta7. You cannot win a pricing battle here. $499 for HD-DVD is still twice as inexpensive as any BD player announced. If any format is going to hit $200 first it's going to be HD-DVD. China has yet to hit the market but they will. Economies of scale will be proportional here as there are already 3 laptops announced with HD DVD drive options including Fujitsu-Siemens.
Then you end your rebuttal by stating the PS3 myth. Wow...didn't see THAT one coming LOL. If the PS3 is going to be $499 why doesn't Sony just announce official pricing? They keep denying every story out there that puts the PS3 above $600 which is daft as all they have to do is commit to $499. But let us not forget..the PS3 is a gaming console. It will be running games primarily with movies as an adjunct feature. I wouldn't bank on it. How well are the UMD movies doing? Oops
Timelines
April 2006- HD-DVD ships
June 2006- Samsung BD player first to ship
Nov 2006- PS3 ships
Unknown 2006- LG announces/ships Universal Player.
HD-DVD isn't going anywhere and neither is Blu Ray. In fact the chances of a format dying has lessened because of the Amtel chips
Amtel System on a Chip supports damn near everything
This means all you have to do is add the lens assembly for BD-ROM and HD-DVD this magical chip handles everything else. It's really quite wonderful.
I contend that not only will HD-DVD survive beyond future generations but that we're likely to see the two formats co-exist much like what DVD+R and DVD-R have. Neither format has enough of an advantage to outright kill the other IMO.
Originally posted by hmurchison
You guys are precisely why I don't promote Blu Ray although I plan on owning one. Far too many Blu Ray fans have skewered perspective.
Momentum is actually shipping product. In the last week HD-DVD has launched in Japan and the UK. Universal has announced their first discs. Walmart is carrying the RCA player and movies and have them for pre-order on their website. Netflix has HD options now for your queue. If you don't consider that momentum then you are free to but others reading this thread may beg to differ.
Hmm, let's see and the other 7 studios announced their Blu-ray discs, and how many people who shop at Wal-mart do you know of will buy a player for $500 - $800 in mass? Moreover, Netflix is supporting both Blu-ray and HD DVD, so your examples of HD DVD momentum are looking more and more like Fat Bastard coming out of the blocks in a track race.
Don't go there Marzetta7. You cannot win a pricing battle here. $499 for HD-DVD is still twice as inexpensive as any BD player announced. If any format is going to hit $200 first it's going to be HD-DVD. China has yet to hit the market but they will. Economies of scale will be proportional here as there are already 3 laptops announced with HD DVD drive options including Fujitsu-Siemens.
I'm not trying to win a pricing battle, I'm just reminding you that we are in an early adoption market when it comes to HD, so the whole Blu-ray is more expensive mantra isn't what you try to paint it as. Blu-ray players are priced in the same exact manner that DVD was priced when it was first released. Also, as economic history has shown, with the more competitors/supporters of a particular format, in our case Blu-ray, the price of hardware is driven down with that type of backing quite dramatically. So, IMO, Blu-ray has a better chance of coming down to mainstream prices faster considering its broad support. And, please, with the "Economies of scale will be proportional..." statement, you know very well that it is anything but proportional. It is a landslide in favor of Blu-ray when it comes to economies of scale--Blu-ray has 7 out of 8 Hollywood studios, the majority of pornshare, the majority of consumer electronics companies, and the majority of information technology companies. Remind me again how this is proportional? Are you claiming the China factor to bring proportion to this format war? Please be more specific in terms of what China has to offer in terms of HD DVD that would rival the broad support of pretty much companies around the world for Blu-ray that would bring proportion in terms of economies of scale. Fact is, this proportion you claim doesn't exist. Looks like someone upgraded to crack or something, maybe mushrooms, with your halucinations of HD DVD grandeur.
Then you end your rebuttal by stating the PS3 myth. Wow...didn't see THAT one coming LOL. If the PS3 is going to be $499 why doesn't Sony just announce official pricing? They keep denying every story out there that puts the PS3 above $600 which is daft as all they have to do is commit to $499. But let us not forget..the PS3 is a gaming console. It will be running games primarily with movies as an adjunct feature. I wouldn't bank on it. How well are the UMD movies doing? Oops
Why doesn't Apple just announce official pricing for their unreleased products? Why do other companies not disclose their pricing for unreleased products? I think the easy answer is strategy. Flexibility is another answer. Component costs would be another. There are probably a lot more too, but really it is Sony's choice, and just leave it at that. They don't have to announce official pricing until they are ready, so stop it with the Sony bashing as I don't see you bashing Apple when they do the same thing. Futhermore, I would BANK on it, cause the PS3 will be rollin in the coin, and if you consider that a myth, well then, I guess it will go down like the other myths you claimed like no 50 GB discs and other Blu-ray FUD.
By the way UMD=Sony only format. Blu-ray=Sony, Panasonic, Samsung, JVC, TDK, Philips, BenQ, Pioneer, Apple, HP, Dell, shall I go on again? This statement just reeks of FUD and serves as no indicator whatsoever of how Blu-ray will do in the marketplace. Again, just more Sony bashing.
Timelines
April 2006- HD-DVD ships
June 2006- Samsung BD player first to ship
Nov 2006- PS3 ships
Unknown 2006- LG announces/ships Universal Player.
HD-DVD isn't going anywhere and neither is Blu Ray. In fact the chances of a format dying has lessened because of the Amtel chips
Amtel System on a Chip supports damn near everything
This means all you have to do is add the lens assembly for BD-ROM and HD-DVD this magical chip handles everything else. It's really quite wonderful.
I contend that not only will HD-DVD survive beyond future generations but that we're likely to see the two formats co-exist much like what DVD+R and DVD-R have. Neither format has enough of an advantage to outright kill the other IMO.
Thanks for the timelines, do you really want me to list ALL the timelines Blu-ray has in store, as it will certainly eclipse the number of HD DVD timeline announcements. Speaking of announcements, look at this, yet another Blu-ray announcement...
http://www.engadget.com/2006/04/14/p...lu-ray-burner/
You keep holdin on to that hope of a coexistence alright there buddy. I for one just want one format for uniformity and ease of use, the better format, Blu-ray.
You're confusing proportionality. What I'm saying is that the price decreases for both formats will drop at a similar rate. Thus if HD-DVD is cheaper from the beginning and they have sales close enough to blu ray then they reap the reward of economy of scale. Blu Ray would have to sell ALOT more to close the gap. And yes a gap does exist.
LOL you just rattled off a bunch of Japanese companies with a American company (which supports HD-DVD) and a Korean company (That makes optical assemblies with Toshiba). Newsflash...China is the industrial giant of this century. Once they come into play the game changes whether the studios and Japan want to. Try this..walk into Target, Walmart etc and flip the products you buy over. Tell me how many you see from Japan versus China. Thank you.
Funny that BenQ is another device with no pricing. Why is it so hard for the BDA to give pricing on their drives. It's like everything is a prototype. To be fair though there is a dearth of HD-DVD choices so I give both platforms a mediocre grade in this regard.
Originally posted by hmurchison
[B]You guys are precisely why I don't promote Blu Ray although I plan on owning one. Far too many Blu Ray fans have skewered perspective.
ROFL. Which is just like saying you won't promote Macintosh because there are idiotic Mac zealots.
Momentum is actually shipping product. In the last week HD-DVD has launched in Japan and the UK. Universal has announced their first discs.
They launched without titles right? Momentum is not shooting yourself in the foot by blowing the launch push by not shipping titles. Imagine if Microsoft shipped the 360 with zero titles.
Walmart is carrying the RCA player and movies and have them for pre-order on their website. Netflix has HD options now for your queue. If you don't consider that momentum then you are free to but others reading this thread may beg to differ.
With net reviews like:
"This month's launch of the next-generation HD DVD format looks like it'll be hindered by a paucity of players and an utter lack of titles."
"HD-DVD launch wimper"
"Moreover, sources report that only 10,000 Toshiba players are being shipped to retailers initially, a number that indicates low sales expetations..."
"The studios expect to ship between 7,000 and 10,000 copies of the initial titles due on 4/18, and Toshiba hopes to ship between 10,000 and 15,000 players."
I wouldn't call this "momentum" except the negative kind. Only a zealot would think HD-DVD has momentum. Launching with 10K players and having 7-10K copies AFTER shipping players is a great way of announcing to the world that you really suck.
Sony may suck as well but they haven't proven that yet. If they screw up the PS3 the same way Toshiba screwed up HD-DVD then they have a good shot at completely borking the brand name.
I couldn't care less about either format until one is dead and I don't care which on it is. I DO know I'm not buying the next betamax which could be BOTH formats.
Don't go there Marzetta7. You cannot win a pricing battle here. $499 for HD-DVD is still twice as inexpensive as any BD player announced. If any format is going to hit $200 first it's going to be HD-DVD. China has yet to hit the market but they will. Economies of scale will be proportional here as there are already 3 laptops announced with HD DVD drive options including Fujitsu-Siemens.
Then you end your rebuttal by stating the PS3 myth. Wow...didn't see THAT one coming LOL. If the PS3 is going to be $499 why doesn't Sony just announce official pricing? They keep denying every story out there that puts the PS3 above $600 which is daft as all they have to do is commit to $499. But let us not forget..the PS3 is a gaming console. It will be running games primarily with movies as an adjunct feature. I wouldn't bank on it. How well are the UMD movies doing? Oops
A $700+ PS3 is a non-starter. They don't commit to $499 simply because it reduces the screaming when it's $599 or even $699.
The only way HD-DVD hits $200 first by a large margin is if HD-DVD slashed royalties for the Chinese. They're probably better off just making peace with Sony.
HD-DVD isn't going anywhere and neither is Blu Ray. In fact the chances of a format dying has lessened because of the Amtel chips
...
Neither format has enough of an advantage to outright kill the other IMO.
If both formats continue the more likely they both end up like SACD and DVDA with the majority of the public thinking "Who Cares?".
The odds are leaning that way anyway as most folks probably wont care about the difference between 480p and 720p for any TV around 40" and 10' viewing distance. The difference between 1080p and 720p for a set that small is going to be very very subtle. At 8' its noticable...for videophiles anyway. Add upconverting and for anything under 60" @ 10' most folks wont care the difference between DVD and HD-DVD. Not for $30 a disk and a $500 player.
The only possible factor is the PS3 that you blow off. Yes, its a game machine but if it is successful THEN someone has momentum and it won't be HD-DVD.
You know, perhaps the best thing is for both formats to fail and Japan to lose control of the disk formats.
Vinea
ROFL. Which is just like saying you won't promote Macintosh because there are idiotic Mac zealots.
Which is precisely what some people are likely to do. Many people are ambivalent about the Macintosh. They love the design but hate the smug superiority complex of Mac users and thus reject the notion of owning one. Not necessarily the norm but it does happen.
They launched without titles right? Momentum is not shooting yourself in the foot by blowing the launch push by not shipping titles. Imagine if Microsoft shipped the 360 with zero titles.
Launch is this week. Hopefully titles will be available. Sloppy launch indeed I'm not impressed but the fact that they are indeed ready to launch "something" is momentum unto itself.
Yawn. If your rebuttal consists of quotes snatched from websites then I'm already bored. The thing about the media is that today things have to be sensationalistic to get reader attention. Thus the highlighting of negative aspects replete with cutesy titles.
The reality is, HD DVD, the little format that many predicted would die before it shipped is launching not only in the US this month but in Japan and the UK.
Blu Ray isn't even close to shipping and they're already delaying players (Samsung) and titles (Lion's Gate). LOL...I thought the BDA was the consortium that had things together. Guess not.
A $700+ PS3 is a non-starter. They don't commit to $499 simply because it reduces the screaming when it's $599 or even $699.
True, very few people would pay that in large quantitites. I do personally believe the PS3 will debute at 500-600 dollars. However I doubt that it will cause the death knell of HD DVD simply because there's an HD DVD player at the same price dedicated towards video playback. Thus a $499 purchase there means you don't have to fight with anyone over "game time" versus "movie time"
The only way HD-DVD hits $200 first by a large margin is if HD-DVD slashed royalties for the Chinese. They're probably better off just making peace with Sony.
Toshiba doesn't have to make peace with Sony. They developed AOD on their own, CODECS are handled by Sigmatel or other vendor chips. Toshiba, like many companies, no longer need to kowtow to Sony for anything. HD DVD IMO will hit $200 by christmas 2007. This first generation stuff is simply recouping money. 2nd generation stuff will be cheaper because there will be more chip consolidation (Amtel etc) and more lens assemblies from more manufacturers. Both HD DVD and Blu Ray will drop in price. Hopefully sales of the players are brisk enough to make that sooner rather than later.
f both formats continue the more likely they both end up like SACD and DVDA with the majority of the public thinking "Who Cares?".
These will be the people without HDTVs. If you have an HDTV you're going to want one of these players. I'm telling you King Kong in HD DVD was GORGEOUS. Even on a 30in HDTV you will see the clarity difference, on larger screens the difference becomes even more apparent.
I'm hoping that the PS3 comes in cheaply. Because it means in the first year of both formats they have debuted cheaper than DVD did back in the 90s. People talk all that crap about expense but the average cable bill is over 40.00 a month. That's $500 for standard def you want high def add %50.
Plus I'm pretty damn impressed with the prices that Amazon plans to offer. I expect Blu Ray pricing to be identical.
Many movies under $25..I'm sooooooo in
Serenity
24.98
The Last Samurai
$19.98
Million Dollar Baby
$19.98
Apollo 13
$24.98
Jarhead
$23.98
Chronos
$16.98
U-571
$23.98
Chonicles of Riddick
23.98
Cindella Man
$23.98
The Bourne Supremacy
23.98
There's some nice demo movies in this list. Plus Netflix will be renting both formats as soon as they start shipping in quantity. I'm almost ready..just need a HDTV set.
first The Last Samurai review
First HD-DVD report. The Last Samurai review
Hey Everybody!!! My wife and I just finished watching The Last Samurai and let my tell you it looked so good. I was watching it on a 46" Samsung DLP which has 720p native resolution. I did my calibration of the display using the THX optimizer on the SD DVD - SW EPIII. It was connected to the TV via HDMI and I sent the audio to my receiver using the Toslink out to the receiver. Tomorrow I'm going to unhook my DVD-A player and hook up the analog outs so I can experience DD+.
PQ
I have to say that this is the best HD footage I have ever watched. Both my wife and I commented over and over again about how there was no visible pixelation (macro blocking?). When I watch shows like LOST it looks great but there is always some level of blocking during the night and/or dark shots. I saw none of that on this DVD. Also there were no jagged edges - It simply looked superb. We kept saying how clean and finely detailed everything looked. The picture was just stunning.
Ultimately I felt like this is what I had been looking for - namely HD without all of the artifacts and problems that I constantly see when watching HD over cable. Unfortunately I don't have D-theater or OTA HD-DVD but it looks a lot better than the HD that I get from Time Warner.
Couldn't have said it better myself. Cable HD gets you into the extra rez but there is always an artifact or two.
He couldn't resist
I found this thread about a hour ago, so I drove to my Best Buy® and they had 2 players and all three movie out on display (about 10 of each) I just picked up Last Samurai and Serenity.
I expect that many people won't be able to resist and will plunk down the $500 to be able to watch HD-DVD right now. It sounds like an easy choice to wait but when you see HD in all it's glory things just seem to change.
Originally posted by hmurchison
Which is precisely what some people are likely to do. Many people are ambivalent about the Macintosh. They love the design but hate the smug superiority complex of Mac users and thus reject the notion of owning one. Not necessarily the norm but it does happen.
And do you believe this to be a useful stance when it comes to technology selection or evaluation?
Launch is this week. Hopefully titles will be available. Sloppy launch indeed I'm not impressed but the fact that they are indeed ready to launch "something" is momentum unto itself.
I guess it is non-zero momentum but its not off by much.
While you denigrate the PSP and UMD that was positive momentum that carried a poor product into 8 million odd disc sales. That a product with poorer resolution at higher price than the DVD alternative you can simply rip to a stick sold at all is tribute to what momentum can do.
Yawn. If your rebuttal consists of quotes snatched from websites then I'm already bored. The thing about the media is that today things have to be sensationalistic to get reader attention. Thus the highlighting of negative aspects replete with cutesy titles.
Gee...do you think Toshiba is bored? You generate momentum (like the PSP, iPod, etc) by getting sensationalistic headlines to promote your product...not scare folks away.
The reality is, HD DVD, the little format that many predicted would die before it shipped is launching not only in the US this month but in Japan and the UK.
Blu Ray isn't even close to shipping and they're already delaying players (Samsung) and titles (Lion's Gate). LOL...I thought the BDA was the consortium that had things together. Guess not.
Better to delay a launch and have a massive one than to waste launch momentum by having a bad one.
True, very few people would pay that in large quantitites. I do personally believe the PS3 will debute at 500-600 dollars. However I doubt that it will cause the death knell of HD DVD simply because there's an HD DVD player at the same price dedicated towards video playback. Thus a $499 purchase there means you don't have to fight with anyone over "game time" versus "movie time"
Because the PS3 (unless it sucks) will have massive momentum like the PSP. Given that BR will not likely suck as badly as UMD it should be able the capitalize on the same kind of hype to make sales and perhaps reach critical mass first.
Toshiba doesn't have to make peace with Sony. They developed AOD on their own, CODECS are handled by Sigmatel or other vendor chips. Toshiba, like many companies, no longer need to kowtow to Sony for anything. HD DVD IMO will hit $200 by christmas 2007.
I meant it would be better to work with Sony than surrender to the chinese on the issue of royalties from Toshiba's perspective.
These will be the people without HDTVs. If you have an HDTV you're going to want one of these players. I'm telling you King Kong in HD DVD was GORGEOUS. Even on a 30in HDTV you will see the clarity difference, on larger screens the difference becomes even more apparent.
At a certain distance you've exceeded the ability to see most differences in detail given the screen size. For smaller HDTVs at average living room viewing distances (say 10' but could be more, could be less) most folks will be hard pressed to see the difference between a good DVD (say a superbit) upconverted via an oppo DVD player to 720p or 1080i.
Excepts from the AVS postings:
Most of the folks in that thread have front projectors (and also consider a $500 HD-DVD player throwaway) and not 46" HDTV users. Hence the excitement. On a 100"+ (dia) screen you WILL see a difference.
For example:
"Well , unless I'm missing something, I'm not impressed. I sure hope for HDDVD sake these movies aren't a example of things to come.
Yes, it's better than most SD-DVD, but for example ,The Fifth Element is better, to me, than both of these movies pq.
My display has shown better pq on number of different HD programing, including, believe it or not Directv.
Maybe you folks with your Rubys will get better results than me.
Like I said, it is better than most SD, but it isen't as big a jump in pq than it was going from VHS to DVD, at least not on a large display.
Mine is going back, unless there are other facts that come about, or better pq movies are released soon. "
"hearing alot of "not knock your socks off" here in this thread. I will wait until we hear from some REAL 1080P displays owners before I pass judgement. My guess is that if you own a 720p display device, you might not get the full effects from HD-DVD or blu-ray (YES, REAL 1080p displays DO MAKE A DIFFERENCE)"
"I'm watching Last Samurai and my Sony 30XS955. I compared the PQ to the standard DVD, and the HD-DVD is clearer. I'd say about 25-50% better than the DVD. The problem is this particular film has a consistent fine film grain on it, which reduces its overall clarity.
I have seen clearer PQ via my digital cable with some sporting events.
I'm anxious to hear from people who are watching these first releases on large 1080p displays. "
"Clearly - what display they were being played on had everything to do with how well they looked. While in the past DVD players has some dependence on display etc for PQ. My opionion is that this player is going to end up with very different reviews predicated upon the display. Saw it a few more times on both the Westy (the fav BB seems to use) and the Sammy, as well as on the new Panny 50incher.
What it did answer in my mind - would it be worth it if you had 720/768 p panel - or is 1080p mandatory....For a very good panel - yes - I believe it would be worth it - for some of the others - nope. And interestingly enough the true 1080p panel was the weakest of all that I saw today."
Not to be snooty but LordofDoubleD doesn't carry as much weight with me as say Darin and some of the others. Gotta love it though...someone has already taken his apart.
Dissapointed that someone reported that Serenity had no trailers.
For reference I have FP and while I look forward to HD movies to be honest I have a decent DVD library (that includes the last samurai and serenity) so I doubt I'll get on board even though I can see a qualitiative difference between upconverted DVD (I have the momitsu) and HD (OTA and cable).
I suspect though that most HDTV owners in the lower range will not get a WOW moment. I suspect I would have a "that's nice" moment but not the same kind of WOW the first time I fired up a 100" FP movie.
Vinea
Serenity seems to be the poorest title in quality compared to TLS and The Phantom. I'm severely disappointed and I'm not sure I'm going to purchase this movie in its current form. I may as well buy the DVD and upconvert.
Well on this Easter I say I'm pretty jazzed. The units are shipping and now we just need Blu Ray to hit. It's a win for movie lovers at any rate.