Blu-ray vs. HD DVD (2007)

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  • Reply 1341 of 4650
    northgatenorthgate Posts: 4,461member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by OldCodger73 View Post


    Northgate, I have no experience with Denon, but from I've read they're a bitch to set up. You might want to read the receiver board on avsform, Yamaha is another brand to consider, as are the Pioneer Elites; however the Elites seem to be suffering from a firmware problem that requires them to be taken to a service center.



    The Denon's are a bit tricky to setup, but if you're technology adept and "into" this stuff then it's pretty straight forward (setting frequency rollovers between small and/or large monitors is a nice feature). Personally, I don't know how regular folks figure this stuff out, to be honest.



    I'm currently using the Onkyo SR804 in 7.1 mode. Wow! This unit sounds utterly amazing. I particularly like the HDMI switching. Mainly because my Panasonic plasma has only one HDMI input.



    My speakers are NHT. The Super One sets. Extraordinary. Best bang for the buck.
  • Reply 1342 of 4650
    sdw2001sdw2001 Posts: 18,015member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by OldCodger73 View Post


    I agree with bitemymac that the first three months of 2007 sales figures mean little as both format camps seem to be in this for the long haul and are willing to loose money in whatever amounts necessary to keep their format viable.



    SDW2001, you might be happier spending $1000?1500 on a receiver and the remainder of the $3000 on speakers. Are you going to go 5.1 or 7.1?



    Northgate, I have no experience with Denon, but from I've read they're a bitch to set up. You might want to read the receiver board on avsform, Yamaha is another brand to consider, as are the Pioneer Elites; however the Elites seem to be suffering from a firmware problem that requires them to be taken to a service center.



    The Denon is $1999 list. By the time I buy it will likely be a little cheaper. I actually disagree with you on this point though. $1000 was my minimum for a 5.1 system. But looking at AVRs, there's no way I would opt for less just to buy better speakers.
  • Reply 1343 of 4650
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by bitemymac View Post


    oops... I only looked at the top 5.... the banner lost me. Anyway, you're missing the point, where the reviews were done by the reputable expert AV reviewer who works for PCworld? No... Then, what does that informatioin worth?....... it's waste of time. Just go reference pcworld reviewer's recommendations to the reviews done by the real experts...... then reply back if you'd like.



    oh i agree... PC world is a waste of time.



    yeah and the banner made it hard... but always check your scroll button
  • Reply 1344 of 4650
    so whos gonna get one?



    how long till we see official BD drives in macs?
  • Reply 1345 of 4650
    sdw2001sdw2001 Posts: 18,015member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Trendannoyer View Post


    so whos gonna get one?



    how long till we see official BD drives in macs?



    Dude...that's not bad. Slot loading Blu-Ray recorder/player/DVD/CD for $799? Hmm. If only I wasn't broke right now!
  • Reply 1346 of 4650
    bitemymacbitemymac Posts: 1,147member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by SDW2001 View Post


    Dude...that's not bad. Slot loading Blu-Ray recorder/player/DVD/CD for $799? Hmm. If only I wasn't broke right now!



    Oh my...... I was expecting to pay $799 for BD drive equipped Mac mini, but I guess it won't include Mac mini with that drive. Maybe, I'm just too damn cheap.
  • Reply 1347 of 4650
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by bitemymac View Post


    Oh my...... I was expecting to pay $799 for BD drive equipped Mac mini, but I guess it won't include Mac mini with that drive. Maybe, I'm just too damn cheap.



    yep, i sure aint buyin one of those



    but are you still operating under the impression that ONLY HD-DUD prices can come down .. while only Blu-ray dives will stay the same price?
  • Reply 1348 of 4650
    guarthoguartho Posts: 1,208member
    Ok, I've got to say it. HD-DUD is about as clever as Blur-ray and it makes your posts immediately look less credible when included, unless you're a 14-year-old girl, then it's right on.
  • Reply 1349 of 4650
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Guartho View Post


    Ok, I've got to say it. HD-DUD is about as clever as Blur-ray and it makes your posts immediately look less credible when included, unless you're a 14-year-old girl, then it's right on.



    thanks for adding to the debate
  • Reply 1350 of 4650
    sdw2001sdw2001 Posts: 18,015member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by bitemymac View Post


    Oh my...... I was expecting to pay $799 for BD drive equipped Mac mini, but I guess it won't include Mac mini with that drive. Maybe, I'm just too damn cheap.



    You don't think that's a decent price? At least for now, it's not terrible. I would guess that within 12 months you'll see Blu-Ray drives in Macs for the current prices.
  • Reply 1351 of 4650
    sdw2001sdw2001 Posts: 18,015member
    On another note:



    I've said I've had limited experience using my PS3 as a Blu-Ray player. Last night I was coerced into watching (don't laugh) Happy Feet with a "friend" of mine. "Friends" can be very persuasive.



    Anywho...I wanted to post that I was floored by the video quality. Floored. It was the best my plasma display has ever looked. The contrast, sharpness of the image and color depth was amazing. My only other experience with the player was watching Talledega Nights, which I was not impressed with in terms of the video quality at all. I was totally blown away by this transfer though. It was almost like looking out a window.



    Anyone had similar experiences, Blu-Ray or HD-DVD?
  • Reply 1352 of 4650
    bitemymacbitemymac Posts: 1,147member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by SDW2001 View Post


    On another note:



    I've said I've had limited experience using my PS3 as a Blu-Ray player. Last night I was coerced into watching (don't laugh) Happy Feet with a "friend" of mine. "Friends" can be very persuasive.



    Anywho...I wanted to post that I was floored by the video quality. Floored. It was the best my plasma display has ever looked. The contrast, sharpness of the image and color depth was amazing. My only other experience with the player was watching Talledega Nights, which I was not impressed with in terms of the video quality at all. I was totally blown away by this transfer though. It was almost like looking out a window.



    Anyone had similar experiences, Blu-Ray or HD-DVD?



    I also have Happy Feet on HD-DVD. It's probably the best demo material you can get right now. HD-DVD version is released on a combo ($5 extra tax) and I did test the SD side and the HD side on my new HD-XA2. The transfer on the HD side is so awesome that SD side looks just horrible in comparison, even on a animation film. The HD transfer is near perfect for video as well as TrueHD(HD-DVD exclusive on HF) audio is worth it's own audition.
  • Reply 1353 of 4650
    hmurchisonhmurchison Posts: 12,419member
    SDW2001 I saw Open Season playing on Blu-ray in a Sony store and had a "wow" moment as well. Animation looks GREAT in HD when it has eye popping colors. I can't wait for HD "Over the Hedge" from Dreamworks.



    I saw HF in the Theatre and enjoyed it. It's certainly going to be in my collection soon.
  • Reply 1354 of 4650
    guarthoguartho Posts: 1,208member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Trendannoyer View Post


    thanks for adding to the debate



    Thanks for detracting from it.
  • Reply 1355 of 4650
    kolchakkolchak Posts: 1,398member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by bitemymac View Post


    I also have Happy Feet on HD-DVD. It's probably the best demo material you can get right now. HD-DVD version is released on a combo ($5 extra tax) and I did test the SD side and the HD side on my new HD-XA2. The transfer on the HD side is so awesome that SD side looks just horrible in comparison, even on a animation film. The HD transfer is near perfect for video as well as TrueHD(HD-DVD exclusive on HF) audio is worth it's own audition.



    I was in an Apple Store yesterday and took a look at AppleTV running on a mere 36 or 42" TV. Ugh. Wow, but that was awful, just like somebody wrote in another thread. I started up "The Incredibles" and it was incredible, all right. Blurry with pixelation absolutely everywhere. It looked like a 320x176 movie blown up to full screen. Apple's not doing themselves any favors. I sure as hell wouldn't buy AppleTV after seeing that. Maybe after they kill AppleTV with these awful demos, they'll bring out Blu-ray drives.
  • Reply 1356 of 4650
    bitemymacbitemymac Posts: 1,147member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Kolchak View Post


    I was in an Apple Store yesterday and took a look at AppleTV running on a mere 36 or 42" TV. Ugh. Wow, but that was awful, just like somebody wrote in another thread. I started up "The Incredibles" and it was incredible, all right. Blurry with pixelation absolutely everywhere. It looked like a 320x176 movie blown up to full screen. Apple's not doing themselves any favors. I sure as hell wouldn't buy AppleTV after seeing that. Maybe after they kill AppleTV with these awful demos, they'll bring out Blu-ray drives.



    Interesting, I was watching "The Incredibles" SD-DVD today from HD-XA2 upconverted at 1080p and it was just amazing. It wasn't quite the same level as Happy Feet, but I could've easily tricked someone that it was in HD. Anyway, I thought the downloads were 480p in MPEG4?.... Which is expected to have very good viewing experience when treated with a decent video processor. Can it be the Nvidia ruining the PQ when upconverted? Has anyone try the download with Macbook Pro? I'd think that Ati x1600 would perform better with proper drivers.



    Anyway, it's interesting to hear how bad AppleTV performs. I was expecting something better or comparable to upconverted DVD quality. For some reason I was expecting 480p MPEG4 downloads would produce better PQ than the most 480i SD-DVD's on the market. At least, it is true that when upcoverting a well transfered 480i SD-DVD using a good video processor, it does produce similar PQ as the mediocre trasfers on HiDef format. I was also watching "The fifth Element" superbit SD-DVD upconverted with HD-XA2 and it looked as good as current BD-DVD version on a standalone BD player.
  • Reply 1357 of 4650
    glossgloss Posts: 506member
    The Incredibles' DVD has absolutely phenomenal video quality. Some of the very best on the format.



    I'm still waiting for Pixar's films to come to Blu-ray, though. I'm psyched.
  • Reply 1358 of 4650
    kupan787kupan787 Posts: 586member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by bitemymac View Post


    Anyway, it's interesting to hear how bad AppleTV performs. I was expecting something better or comparable to upconverted DVD quality.



    It depends on what you are feeding it. I have "hacked" mine to accept XviD files, and they look great (hooked up to a 56" HDTV). HDTV rips (624x352) look as good as DVD. HR-HDTV rips (960x528) look really good (way better than SD-DVD, about as good as broadcast HD), and 720p rips are crystal clear (the Planet Earth series on DiscoveryHD ripped to 720p). I think Apple is hurting themselves with the "in store demos", believe me...this device can pack a punch. Once the tools for ripping HD-DVDs become easier, I will be loading up my AppleTV with my HD-DVD backups. Instant access to my HD content.
  • Reply 1359 of 4650
    mellomello Posts: 555member
    Does anyone have any info or timeline on managed copies?

    I'd love to be able to copy a lower-res version of Casino Royale

    from Blu-ray to the new iPhone instead of purchasing it

    again on iTunes. I'm assuming that there will be some programs

    that will help convert your DVD's into a format the the iPhone

    can accept.
  • Reply 1360 of 4650
    sdw2001sdw2001 Posts: 18,015member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by mello View Post


    Does anyone have any info or timeline on managed copies?

    I'd love to be able to copy a lower-res version of Casino Royale

    from Blu-ray to the new iPhone instead of purchasing it

    again on iTunes. I'm assuming that there will be some programs

    that will help convert your DVD's into a format the the iPhone

    can accept.



    You must mean Blu-Ray at the end there, not DVD.
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