I'm sure the counts of those gaming console attachment to HiDef HT are important, but what's even more interesting is that on the HD-DVD side, the standalone hd-dvd players sales are still growing. However, the BD standalone players aren't becasue PS3 has totally taken over the BD player market and I wonder how long the vendors would keep supporting BD hardwares when all the opened/unopened boxes are just collecting dust on the store shelves. Even with Samsung's new player at $799, it still cost more than both PS3 models. Something interesting would come out of this eventually and I doubt it would be a good news for BD. Well, then it must be a great news for HD-DVD.
Earlier this week there were 6 of the XB HD add-ons sitting on the shelf at our local Fred Meyers, so based on this one store and using the voodoo like pronouncements from limited data appearing in this thread, they're in plentiful supply with very little demand for them.
Sony's PS3 price-point is going to force other B-R manufacturers to come out with lower price machines. The economics of scale should mean lower cost for the machine's components and allow this to happen. This will mean more choice for the more price conscious earlier adopter.
There's going to be minor "victories" for both formats causing their radical supporters to claim the other side's format is DOA. Hopefully, by November there'll be a clearer picture, or at least one not as murky, of how this will shake out.
On a pessimistic note, for the next 2 - 3 years I can't see sales figures for HD format players moving out of the niche category into the amount of units sold necessary to be considered, for lack of a better description, a WalMart consumer product. There just aren't enough HDTVs of sufficient size to benefit from a HD player out there now in Joe Consumers' homes to reach a critical mass.
This leads to a question. Sony in the past has shown its willingness to stick with a niche product even though sales haven't been stellar. Will the HD-DVD backers have the will or the deep pockets to do so?
On a pessimistic note, for the next 2 - 3 years I can't see sales figures for HD format players moving out of the niche category into the amount of units sold necessary to be considered, for lack of a better description, a WalMart consumer product. There just aren't enough HDTVs of sufficient size to benefit from a HD player out there now in Joe Consumers' homes to reach a critical mass.
Very true. When DVD came out, it was enough of an improvement over VHS -- not just in picture quality, but in terms of convenience and durability too -- that even people with pretty cheap TVs could appreciate the difference.
Laserdiscs existed before DVD, had many of DVDs advantages, but never got out of the niche category. The picture wasn't quite as good as DVD, but certainly it was noticeably better than VHS, and like DVDs, laserdiscs didn't wear out simply in the process of playing them. I'm not quite sure what kept Laserdisc down, unless it was the large size of the discs, or the aftereffects of the early format war with CED discs.
Even without a format war to contend with, I wouldn't expect any HD disc format to take off quite like DVDs did. Throw the HD DVD/Blu-Ray format war on top of the limited market of people who have HD displays, and things slow down even more.
Very true. When DVD came out, it was enough of an improvement over VHS -- not just in picture quality, but in terms of convenience and durability too -- that even people with pretty cheap TVs could appreciate the difference.
Laserdiscs existed before DVD, had many of DVDs advantages, but never got out of the niche category. The picture wasn't quite as good as DVD, but certainly it was noticeably better than VHS, and like DVDs, laserdiscs didn't wear out simply in the process of playing them. I'm not quite sure what kept Laserdisc down, unless it was the large size of the discs, or the aftereffects of the early format war with CED discs.
Even without a format war to contend with, I wouldn't expect any HD disc format to take off quite like DVDs did. Throw the HD DVD/Blu-Ray format war on top of the limited market of people who have HD displays, and things slow down even more.
The size of DVD's was definitely a factor in their adoption WRT Laserdiscs. DVD's were the same size as CD's for one, and we all know that vinyl was DOA at that time. Laserdiscs were seen the same as owning vinyl in the consumer's consiousness, IMHO old technology. Due to the same size of CD's/DVD's one player/burner could be used, and I'm sure lower cost of DVD versus Laserdisc was also a factor. And finally shelf space was an issue since the consumer could see more DVD's displayed versus Laserdisc's in a flat 2D space.
The size of DVD's was definitely a factor in their adoption WRT Laserdiscs. DVD's were the same size as CD's for one, and we all know that vinyl was DOA at that time. Laserdiscs were seen the same as owning vinyl in the consumer's consiousness, IMHO old technology. Due to the same size of CD's/DVD's one player/burner could be used, and I'm sure lower cost of DVD versus Laserdisc was also a factor. And finally shelf space was an issue since the consumer could see more DVD's displayed versus Laserdisc's in a flat 2D space.
So yes, in the case of DVD's, size matters.
That's true. I had laserdiscs. The size was ridiculous, but there was more. While picture quality was great, they had to be flipped. Later they had two head players, but still. I remember flipping the damn discs. That sucked. They also got dirty easily. Last, there was never a full content selection.
I still have and watch the LDs in my movie collection.
At the time, LDs were clearly superior to VHS in picture and sound quality, also they were the only format to offer films in the letterbox format. As has been pointed out, the size was awkward, as was disc flipping and disc changing-- depending on the format each side was either 1/2 or 1 hour in length. The machines were also fairly expensive, especially for the full featured dual head ones. But the killer was the studios were able to do something that they were't able to do with DVDS, they were able to keep the prices of the discs high, $39 and up, with no discounting. But they were definitely the best way to watch movies in-home at the time.
Back to the HD-DVD formats. If there wasn't a format war going on I'd willing buy a player knowing full well that this might never be more than a niche product. But alas, I'm on the sidelines and not regretting it.
I still have some, as well as one of the better players made at the time, a Panasonic Prism LX-1000 with autoreverse. Part of what kept laserdiscs down was the cost of the players. At their cheapest, they were still several times the cost of a contemporary VCR. When VCRs were down to $150, LD players were still around $500. That's why DVD players didn't achieve wide adoption until they came close to VCR prices. With autoreverse, flipping on CLV disks wasn't too bad, although there was a definite side break of 15 seconds or so, but CAV disks were the real pain. They only held 30 minutes per side, so a movie might take four sides over two disks to watch. And most people had smaller TVs back then and were more ignorant. If you think the few hold-outs against letterboxed movies today is bad, you should have seen how many people didn't want to lose screen area to the "black bars" they so detested.
I still have and watch the LDs in my movie collection.
At the time, LDs were clearly superior to VHS in picture and sound quality, also they were the only format to offer films in the letterbox format. As has been pointed out, the size was awkward, as was disc flipping and disc changing-- depending on the format each side was either 1/2 or 1 hour in length. The machines were also fairly expensive, especially for the full featured dual head ones. But the killer was the studios were able to do something that they were't able to do with DVDS, they were able to keep the prices of the discs high, $39 and up, with no discounting. But they were definitely the best way to watch movies in-home at the time.
Back to the HD-DVD formats. If there wasn't a format war going on I'd willing buy a player knowing full well that this might never be more than a niche product. But alas, I'm on the sidelines and not regretting it.
Exactly!
If there is a definite loser in this format war, i. e. one format becomes "the" standard, with only pricey and limited combo HD media as an option, or with only pricey combo players left to play your dinosaur format as an option, that limits your options going forward with your large legacy "loser" library (LLLL or L^4 (you heard it here first)).
And what was different in the previous format wars, the different physical dimensions of the media, isn't there this time!
So what are currently the best Blu-Ray and HD-DVD players on the market right now? I've been reading this thread from the beginning, But it seems to me that the 2 formats have been argued over so much, yet we're not really comparing the players themselves.
So what are currently the best Blu-Ray and HD-DVD players on the market right now? I've been reading this thread from the beginning, But it seems to me that the 2 formats have been argued over so much, yet we're not really comparing the players themselves.
For Blu-ray you have the...
Playstation 3
Sony BDP-S1
Panasonic DMPBD10
Pioneer BDP-HD1
Philips BDP9000
Samsung BD-P1000
For HD DVD you have the...
Toshiba HD-A1
Toshiba HD-A2
Toshiba HD-XA1
Toshiba HD-XA2
Xbox360 add-on (developed by Toshiba)
RCA HDV5000
Notice the lack of support of HD DVD. You can't really miss it with basically one hardware (besides RCA) manufaturer spewing out players in an act of desperation because they know that the industry is not on their side.
As far as the picture quality you get from both, you'll get a pretty decent picture of either format, but you get greater variety in the brands you get to choose from in Blu-ray, along with a greater variety of movies you get to choose from, along with greater durability, and greater throughput.
So what are currently the best Blu-Ray and HD-DVD players on the market right now? I've been reading this thread from the beginning, But it seems to me that the 2 formats have been argued over so much, yet we're not really comparing the players themselves.
I'll try to help, but this is off the top of my head, others who have ACTUALLY bought one (or have done more research) would provide better assistance;
PS3 BR console ($500/$600)
Xbox HD-DVD addon (~$180 street, hookup to PC and use Cyberlink's PowerDVD SW (~$100)).
Sony BR player (~$800 (?))
Panasonic BR drive (~$400 (?), not yet released)
Toshiba 2G HD-DVD player (~$300 (?), name brand player, not yet released (?))
It's still pretty early in the ball game IMHO, not much to choose from in terms of HW/pricepoints.
EDIT - Thanks marzetta7, I knew one of you "regulars" would respond!
So what are currently the best Blu-Ray and HD-DVD players on the market right now? I've been reading this thread from the beginning, But it seems to me that the 2 formats have been argued over so much, yet we're not really comparing the players themselves.
Well... the best HiDef format player with the best known spec is the toshiba HD-XA2 HD-DVD player equipped with Realta REON HQV processor on HDMI 1.3 circuitry. Which not only does great job with HD-DVD playback, but is one of the best SD-DVD upconverter on the market as well.
The best BD player currently on the market is PS3 or Sony BD player probably because it was the latest to the market, which is equipped with HDMI 1.3 circuitry but not sure about the video processor involved. The PS3 however does not upconvert games or SD-DVD. So, Sony player probably has the best spec as the complete BD player which also upconverts SD-DVD, but not sure how it perform.
Both are priced at $999 MSRP.
Edited: Oops... made a mistake on Sony player spec. It does not support HDMI 1.3. Only PS3 is equipped with HDMI 1.3. So, cross Sony player off the best BD player list, it's not better in spec than PS3. No wonder no one buys standalone BD players.
Less expensive disks, less burn time from an app like iDVD. What else...
Incorrect, Blu-ray's discs are the same price and at times lower than HD DVD, nice try to spread the FUD though.
Blu-ray has a higher transfer speed (up to 17.15 MB/Sec) than does HD DVD so again you are stating something that is untrue in terms of less burn time...
What else? We'll it depends on "what else" you'd like me to refute so easily there Mr. Misinformed or is it Mr. Misinformer?
In any case, how are you going to burn something with HD DVD inside an app like iDVD when they have yet to provide HD DVD burners? Sound like a hardware issue there big guy. Blu-ray has he burners though, just FYI.
Well... the best HiDef format player with the best known spec is the toshiba HD-XA2 HD-DVD player equipped with Realta REON HQV processor on HDMI 1.3 circuitry. Which not only does great job with HD-DVD playback, but is one of the best SD-DVD upconverter on the market as well.
The best BD player currently on the market is PS3 or Sony BD player probably because it was the latest to the market, which is equipped with HDMI 1.3 circuitry but not sure about the video processor involved. The PS3 however does not upconvert games or SD-DVD. So, Sony player probably has the best spec as the complete BD player which also upconverts SD-DVD, but not sure how it perform.
Both are priced at $999 MSRP.
The complete list borrowed and updated.
For Blu-ray you have the...
Playstation 3 (best seller/only seller)
Sony BDP-S1
Panasonic DMPBD10
Pioneer BDP-HD1
Philips BDP9000
Samsung BD-P1000
For HD DVD you have the...
Toshiba HD-A1
Toshiba HD-A2
Toshiba HD-XA1
Toshiba HD-XA2
Xbox360 add-on (developed by Toshiba)
RCA HDV5000
Did ya miss the part about "on the market right now" part. Updated.
Wow, thanks for the quick responses everyone. I'll check these players out.
I'll be frank and say that as a college student, I can't realistically afford the best HD equipment. Heck, I don't even have an HDTV. The closest I can get at the moment is using my 1680x1050 widescreen monitor with my Xbox 360.
So even though I'm personally on the Blu-Ray side myself, I'll probably end up geting the 360 add-on... Either that or wait for Blu-Ray drives to be standard on the MacBooks. But Since I just invested in a Core 2 Duo MBP, that won't be any time soon.
Wow, thanks for the quick responses everyone. I'll check these players out.
I'll be frank and say that as a college student, I can't realistically afford the best HD equipment. Heck, I don't even have an HDTV. The closest I can get at the moment is using my 1680x1050 widescreen monitor with my Xbox 360.
So even though I'm personally on the Blu-Ray side myself, I'll probably end up geting the 360 add-on... Either that or wait for Blu-Ray drives to be standard on the MacBooks. But Since I just invested in a Core 2 Duo MBP, that won't be any time soon.
Well... if that's the case, your screen probably isn't HDCP compliant, and the best source of connection would be VGA to view HD contents. Hence, xbox 360 addon would be the best solution for now for your display.
Well... if that's the case, your screen probably isn't HDCP compliant, and the best source of connection would be VGA to view HD contents. Hence, xbox 360 addon would be the best solution for now for your display.
Totally clueless here, but what are the options (right now on the street) for HDCP compatibility on the desktop space (Mac or PC)?
I'd like to think about playing HD media on the desktop at 1080p. I'm seriously interested in a 23"/24" 1080p LCD display that has HDMI and is HDCP compliant.
I've looked at the BenQ 24" LCD, but I am waiting for the 1.1 firmware version to hit the streets.
Do I need any other HW (Mac or PC) to play HD media content on the desktop?
-Replicators are making it difficult, but it can be done (Vivid found a way)
-90% of Vivid's sales used to be from DVD. Now it's dropped to 40%.
Well as an admitted pr0n fanboi, when I hear the word Vivid, why I, why I, ROTFLMAO!
But seriously, and I could be very wrong here, but IMHO HD pr0n isn't enough of a delta in PQ (and I've seen some 1080i and alot of 720p ) to the point it will drive significant pr0n sales in the short/medium term.
Totally clueless here, but what are the options (right now on the street) for HDCP compatibility on the desktop space (Mac or PC)?
I'd like to think about playing HD media on the desktop at 1080p. I'm seriously interested in a 23"/24" 1080p LCD display that has HDMI and is HDCP compliant.
I've looked at the BenQ 24" LCD, but I am waiting for the 1.1 firmware version to hit the streets.
Do I need any other HW (Mac or PC) to play HD media content on the desktop?
Thanks!
There isn't much HDCP options on the displays right now. I'm using 1080p Westinghouse 37" LCD with my HTPC in my bedroom which covers HDCP. However, HDCP compliance also requires your video card to be compliant when playing HD optical media contents. The most cost effective would be just using VGA which is almost as good as any digital connection. At least, via VGA, you can enjoy all HD content playback w/out HDCP compliance. I have two LCD's connected to my HTPC, both DVI and VGA, and I don't see much difference.
So, if you do get a xbox 360 add on for your PC/macintel..... you would need:
1) set up bootcamp or boot off WinXP/Vista.
2) buy HD-DVD player software (powerDVD 6.5 with HD playback kit and above).
3) when use DVI/HDMI, then you'd also need a HDCP compliant Video card ($120 minimum).
4) when using VGA, no HDCP compliance required.
5) Use THX optimizer to get to adjust "brightness" and "contrast" at least.
6) need King Kong HD-DVD movie (promo pack had it included with xbox 360 add on) to kick off your HD experience.
Anyway, prices on the LCD TV front has gone down enough that you don't have to pay much more for a 1080p 37" LCD TV vs. the 24 wide screen LCD. Just be wise and wait for a coupon or a special deal.
Comments
Earlier this week there were 6 of the XB HD add-ons sitting on the shelf at our local Fred Meyers, so based on this one store and using the voodoo like pronouncements from limited data appearing in this thread, they're in plentiful supply with very little demand for them.
Sony's PS3 price-point is going to force other B-R manufacturers to come out with lower price machines. The economics of scale should mean lower cost for the machine's components and allow this to happen. This will mean more choice for the more price conscious earlier adopter.
There's going to be minor "victories" for both formats causing their radical supporters to claim the other side's format is DOA. Hopefully, by November there'll be a clearer picture, or at least one not as murky, of how this will shake out.
On a pessimistic note, for the next 2 - 3 years I can't see sales figures for HD format players moving out of the niche category into the amount of units sold necessary to be considered, for lack of a better description, a WalMart consumer product. There just aren't enough HDTVs of sufficient size to benefit from a HD player out there now in Joe Consumers' homes to reach a critical mass.
This leads to a question. Sony in the past has shown its willingness to stick with a niche product even though sales haven't been stellar. Will the HD-DVD backers have the will or the deep pockets to do so?
On a pessimistic note, for the next 2 - 3 years I can't see sales figures for HD format players moving out of the niche category into the amount of units sold necessary to be considered, for lack of a better description, a WalMart consumer product. There just aren't enough HDTVs of sufficient size to benefit from a HD player out there now in Joe Consumers' homes to reach a critical mass.
Very true. When DVD came out, it was enough of an improvement over VHS -- not just in picture quality, but in terms of convenience and durability too -- that even people with pretty cheap TVs could appreciate the difference.
Laserdiscs existed before DVD, had many of DVDs advantages, but never got out of the niche category. The picture wasn't quite as good as DVD, but certainly it was noticeably better than VHS, and like DVDs, laserdiscs didn't wear out simply in the process of playing them. I'm not quite sure what kept Laserdisc down, unless it was the large size of the discs, or the aftereffects of the early format war with CED discs.
Even without a format war to contend with, I wouldn't expect any HD disc format to take off quite like DVDs did. Throw the HD DVD/Blu-Ray format war on top of the limited market of people who have HD displays, and things slow down even more.
Very true. When DVD came out, it was enough of an improvement over VHS -- not just in picture quality, but in terms of convenience and durability too -- that even people with pretty cheap TVs could appreciate the difference.
Laserdiscs existed before DVD, had many of DVDs advantages, but never got out of the niche category. The picture wasn't quite as good as DVD, but certainly it was noticeably better than VHS, and like DVDs, laserdiscs didn't wear out simply in the process of playing them. I'm not quite sure what kept Laserdisc down, unless it was the large size of the discs, or the aftereffects of the early format war with CED discs.
Even without a format war to contend with, I wouldn't expect any HD disc format to take off quite like DVDs did. Throw the HD DVD/Blu-Ray format war on top of the limited market of people who have HD displays, and things slow down even more.
The size of DVD's was definitely a factor in their adoption WRT Laserdiscs. DVD's were the same size as CD's for one, and we all know that vinyl was DOA at that time. Laserdiscs were seen the same as owning vinyl in the consumer's consiousness, IMHO old technology. Due to the same size of CD's/DVD's one player/burner could be used, and I'm sure lower cost of DVD versus Laserdisc was also a factor. And finally shelf space was an issue since the consumer could see more DVD's displayed versus Laserdisc's in a flat 2D space.
So yes, in the case of DVD's, size matters.
The size of DVD's was definitely a factor in their adoption WRT Laserdiscs. DVD's were the same size as CD's for one, and we all know that vinyl was DOA at that time. Laserdiscs were seen the same as owning vinyl in the consumer's consiousness, IMHO old technology. Due to the same size of CD's/DVD's one player/burner could be used, and I'm sure lower cost of DVD versus Laserdisc was also a factor. And finally shelf space was an issue since the consumer could see more DVD's displayed versus Laserdisc's in a flat 2D space.
So yes, in the case of DVD's, size matters.
That's true. I had laserdiscs. The size was ridiculous, but there was more. While picture quality was great, they had to be flipped. Later they had two head players, but still. I remember flipping the damn discs. That sucked. They also got dirty easily. Last, there was never a full content selection.
At the time, LDs were clearly superior to VHS in picture and sound quality, also they were the only format to offer films in the letterbox format. As has been pointed out, the size was awkward, as was disc flipping and disc changing-- depending on the format each side was either 1/2 or 1 hour in length. The machines were also fairly expensive, especially for the full featured dual head ones. But the killer was the studios were able to do something that they were't able to do with DVDS, they were able to keep the prices of the discs high, $39 and up, with no discounting. But they were definitely the best way to watch movies in-home at the time.
Back to the HD-DVD formats. If there wasn't a format war going on I'd willing buy a player knowing full well that this might never be more than a niche product. But alas, I'm on the sidelines and not regretting it.
edit: OldCodger beat me to it by a few minutes.
I still have and watch the LDs in my movie collection.
At the time, LDs were clearly superior to VHS in picture and sound quality, also they were the only format to offer films in the letterbox format. As has been pointed out, the size was awkward, as was disc flipping and disc changing-- depending on the format each side was either 1/2 or 1 hour in length. The machines were also fairly expensive, especially for the full featured dual head ones. But the killer was the studios were able to do something that they were't able to do with DVDS, they were able to keep the prices of the discs high, $39 and up, with no discounting. But they were definitely the best way to watch movies in-home at the time.
Back to the HD-DVD formats. If there wasn't a format war going on I'd willing buy a player knowing full well that this might never be more than a niche product. But alas, I'm on the sidelines and not regretting it.
Exactly!
If there is a definite loser in this format war, i. e. one format becomes "the" standard, with only pricey and limited combo HD media as an option, or with only pricey combo players left to play your dinosaur format as an option, that limits your options going forward with your large legacy "loser" library (LLLL or L^4 (you heard it here first)).
And what was different in the previous format wars, the different physical dimensions of the media, isn't there this time!
So what are currently the best Blu-Ray and HD-DVD players on the market right now? I've been reading this thread from the beginning, But it seems to me that the 2 formats have been argued over so much, yet we're not really comparing the players themselves.
For Blu-ray you have the...
Playstation 3
Sony BDP-S1
Panasonic DMPBD10
Pioneer BDP-HD1
Philips BDP9000
Samsung BD-P1000
For HD DVD you have the...
Toshiba HD-A1
Toshiba HD-A2
Toshiba HD-XA1
Toshiba HD-XA2
Xbox360 add-on (developed by Toshiba)
RCA HDV5000
Notice the lack of support of HD DVD. You can't really miss it with basically one hardware (besides RCA) manufaturer spewing out players in an act of desperation because they know that the industry is not on their side.
As far as the picture quality you get from both, you'll get a pretty decent picture of either format, but you get greater variety in the brands you get to choose from in Blu-ray, along with a greater variety of movies you get to choose from, along with greater durability, and greater throughput.
So what are currently the best Blu-Ray and HD-DVD players on the market right now? I've been reading this thread from the beginning, But it seems to me that the 2 formats have been argued over so much, yet we're not really comparing the players themselves.
I'll try to help, but this is off the top of my head, others who have ACTUALLY bought one (or have done more research) would provide better assistance;
PS3 BR console ($500/$600)
Xbox HD-DVD addon (~$180 street, hookup to PC and use Cyberlink's PowerDVD SW (~$100)).
Sony BR player (~$800 (?))
Panasonic BR drive (~$400 (?), not yet released)
Toshiba 2G HD-DVD player (~$300 (?), name brand player, not yet released (?))
It's still pretty early in the ball game IMHO, not much to choose from in terms of HW/pricepoints.
EDIT - Thanks marzetta7, I knew one of you "regulars" would respond!
So what are currently the best Blu-Ray and HD-DVD players on the market right now? I've been reading this thread from the beginning, But it seems to me that the 2 formats have been argued over so much, yet we're not really comparing the players themselves.
Well... the best HiDef format player with the best known spec is the toshiba HD-XA2 HD-DVD player equipped with Realta REON HQV processor on HDMI 1.3 circuitry. Which not only does great job with HD-DVD playback, but is one of the best SD-DVD upconverter on the market as well.
The best BD player currently on the market is PS3 or Sony BD player probably because it was the latest to the market, which is equipped with HDMI 1.3 circuitry but not sure about the video processor involved. The PS3 however does not upconvert games or SD-DVD. So, Sony player probably has the best spec as the complete BD player which also upconverts SD-DVD, but not sure how it perform.
Both are priced at $999 MSRP.
Edited: Oops... made a mistake on Sony player spec. It does not support HDMI 1.3. Only PS3 is equipped with HDMI 1.3. So, cross Sony player off the best BD player list, it's not better in spec than PS3. No wonder no one buys standalone BD players.
The complete list borrowed and updated.
For Blu-ray you have the...
Playstation 3 (best seller/only seller)
Sony BDP-S1
Panasonic DMPBD10
Pioneer BDP-HD1
Philips BDP9000
Samsung BD-P1000
For HD DVD you have the...
Toshiba HD-A1
Toshiba HD-A2
Toshiba HD-XA1
Toshiba HD-XA2
Xbox360 add-on (developed by Toshiba)
RCA HDV5000
Onkyo (announced at CES)
Meridian (announced at CES)
China/Taiwanese OEM (announced at CES)
Less expensive disks, less burn time from an app like iDVD. What else...
Incorrect, Blu-ray's discs are the same price and at times lower than HD DVD, nice try to spread the FUD though.
Blu-ray has a higher transfer speed (up to 17.15 MB/Sec) than does HD DVD so again you are stating something that is untrue in terms of less burn time...
http://www.emedialive.com/articles/r...rticleid=11404
What else? We'll it depends on "what else" you'd like me to refute so easily there Mr. Misinformed or is it Mr. Misinformer?
In any case, how are you going to burn something with HD DVD inside an app like iDVD when they have yet to provide HD DVD burners? Sound like a hardware issue there big guy.
Well... the best HiDef format player with the best known spec is the toshiba HD-XA2 HD-DVD player equipped with Realta REON HQV processor on HDMI 1.3 circuitry. Which not only does great job with HD-DVD playback, but is one of the best SD-DVD upconverter on the market as well.
The best BD player currently on the market is PS3 or Sony BD player probably because it was the latest to the market, which is equipped with HDMI 1.3 circuitry but not sure about the video processor involved. The PS3 however does not upconvert games or SD-DVD. So, Sony player probably has the best spec as the complete BD player which also upconverts SD-DVD, but not sure how it perform.
Both are priced at $999 MSRP.
The complete list borrowed and updated.
For Blu-ray you have the...
Playstation 3 (best seller/only seller)
Sony BDP-S1
Panasonic DMPBD10
Pioneer BDP-HD1
Philips BDP9000
Samsung BD-P1000
For HD DVD you have the...
Toshiba HD-A1
Toshiba HD-A2
Toshiba HD-XA1
Toshiba HD-XA2
Xbox360 add-on (developed by Toshiba)
RCA HDV5000
Did ya miss the part about "on the market right now" part. Updated.
I'll be frank and say that as a college student, I can't realistically afford the best HD equipment. Heck, I don't even have an HDTV. The closest I can get at the moment is using my 1680x1050 widescreen monitor with my Xbox 360.
So even though I'm personally on the Blu-Ray side myself, I'll probably end up geting the 360 add-on... Either that or wait for Blu-Ray drives to be standard on the MacBooks. But Since I just invested in a Core 2 Duo MBP, that won't be any time soon.
Wow, thanks for the quick responses everyone. I'll check these players out.
I'll be frank and say that as a college student, I can't realistically afford the best HD equipment. Heck, I don't even have an HDTV. The closest I can get at the moment is using my 1680x1050 widescreen monitor with my Xbox 360.
So even though I'm personally on the Blu-Ray side myself, I'll probably end up geting the 360 add-on... Either that or wait for Blu-Ray drives to be standard on the MacBooks. But Since I just invested in a Core 2 Duo MBP, that won't be any time soon.
Well... if that's the case, your screen probably isn't HDCP compliant, and the best source of connection would be VGA to view HD contents. Hence, xbox 360 addon would be the best solution for now for your display.
Okay, now it's all over for Blu-Ray
Adult Film Industry Chooses HD-DVD
And yet the FUD continues. No suprise here. People need to remember this...
Vivid to Bring First Adult Title to Blu-ray
http://www.highdefdigest.com/news/sh...ay,_HD_DVD/329
Also, let's be informed here guys, Blu-ray IS INDEED going to have your porn for those who are adament about it...
http://video.msn.com/v/us/fv/fv.htm?...=06/64&fg=copy
Bottom line...
-Blu-Ray has the momentum
-Vivid is putting out porn on Blu-Ray
-Replicators are making it difficult, but it can be done (Vivid found a way)
-90% of Vivid's sales used to be from DVD. Now it's dropped to 40%.
Well... if that's the case, your screen probably isn't HDCP compliant, and the best source of connection would be VGA to view HD contents. Hence, xbox 360 addon would be the best solution for now for your display.
Totally clueless here, but what are the options (right now on the street) for HDCP compatibility on the desktop space (Mac or PC)?
I'd like to think about playing HD media on the desktop at 1080p. I'm seriously interested in a 23"/24" 1080p LCD display that has HDMI and is HDCP compliant.
I've looked at the BenQ 24" LCD, but I am waiting for the 1.1 firmware version to hit the streets.
Do I need any other HW (Mac or PC) to play HD media content on the desktop?
Thanks!
And yet the FUD continues. No suprise here. People need to remember this...
Vivid to Bring First Adult Title to Blu-ray
http://www.highdefdigest.com/news/sh...ay,_HD_DVD/329
Also, let's be informed here guys, Blu-ray IS INDEED going to have your porn for those who are adament about it...
http://video.msn.com/v/us/fv/fv.htm?...=06/64&fg=copy
Bottom line...
-Blu-Ray has the momentum
-Vivid is putting out porn on Blu-Ray
-Replicators are making it difficult, but it can be done (Vivid found a way)
-90% of Vivid's sales used to be from DVD. Now it's dropped to 40%.
Well as an admitted pr0n fanboi, when I hear the word Vivid, why I, why I, ROTFLMAO!
But seriously, and I could be very wrong here, but IMHO HD pr0n isn't enough of a delta in PQ (and I've seen some 1080i and alot of 720p
Totally clueless here, but what are the options (right now on the street) for HDCP compatibility on the desktop space (Mac or PC)?
I'd like to think about playing HD media on the desktop at 1080p. I'm seriously interested in a 23"/24" 1080p LCD display that has HDMI and is HDCP compliant.
I've looked at the BenQ 24" LCD, but I am waiting for the 1.1 firmware version to hit the streets.
Do I need any other HW (Mac or PC) to play HD media content on the desktop?
Thanks!
There isn't much HDCP options on the displays right now. I'm using 1080p Westinghouse 37" LCD with my HTPC in my bedroom which covers HDCP. However, HDCP compliance also requires your video card to be compliant when playing HD optical media contents. The most cost effective would be just using VGA which is almost as good as any digital connection. At least, via VGA, you can enjoy all HD content playback w/out HDCP compliance. I have two LCD's connected to my HTPC, both DVI and VGA, and I don't see much difference.
So, if you do get a xbox 360 add on for your PC/macintel..... you would need:
1) set up bootcamp or boot off WinXP/Vista.
2) buy HD-DVD player software (powerDVD 6.5 with HD playback kit and above).
3) when use DVI/HDMI, then you'd also need a HDCP compliant Video card ($120 minimum).
4) when using VGA, no HDCP compliance required.
5) Use THX optimizer to get to adjust "brightness" and "contrast" at least.
6) need King Kong HD-DVD movie (promo pack had it included with xbox 360 add on) to kick off your HD experience.
Anyway, prices on the LCD TV front has gone down enough that you don't have to pay much more for a 1080p 37" LCD TV vs. the 24 wide screen LCD. Just be wise and wait for a coupon or a special deal.
Edited: here's a good place to start:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=775177