[mrmacphisto]

I'm waiting for HD VMD to make a serious entry into the HD media wars. I think it has a serious shot at winning out. The discs cost only a little more to make as regular DVDs (about $1 each) and the players are comparably inexpensive too.

[adam42381]

I'm waiting for HD VMD to make a serious entry into the HD media wars. I think it has a serious shot at winning out. The discs cost only a little more to make as regular DVDs (about $1 each) and the players are comparably inexpensive too.

I think that HD VMD is probably the best option for the consumer but I just don't see the major studios jumping on board. It's a shame that it's going to take a while for this thing to get sorted out. Everybody loses. I just can't see myself buying a HD DVD player at this point even if they are only $100-$200 when it may be obsolete in the not-so-distant future.

[El Scorcho]

I'm honestly starting to think there's not going to be a winner. I think it might just be possible that the studios stay split with the formats they have right now. Hybrid players like LG's could help to enable that.

[mrmacphisto]

I'm honestly starting to think there's not going to be a winner. I think it might just be possible that the studios stay split with the formats they have right now. Hybrid players like LG's could help to enable that.

Yeah, but until the hybrid players are reasonable in price (right now a lot of them still cost as much as an HD-DVD and Blu-Ray player combined), the majority of consumers will be happy to stick with their standard DVD players or upconversion. The price of the media is also ridiculous, especially when we have the technology to produce an HD format at a price that's roughly 1/3 of what it costs to make the big two competitors. The studios have to see the opportunity for a higher profit margin there. If they ran with HD VMD, they could sell their movies at a lower price and still rake in more money per disc.

I should also add that, like the other HD formats, HD VMD players also play regular DVDs with upconversion.

[phoenix]

I've been doing some reading today (look out!) and I have a couple of things to add...

First, K-Mart is dropping Blu-Ray (except for PS3's): http://hardware.slashdot.org/article.pl ... 01/2247259

I know it's just K-Mart, but with them dropping and Wal-Mart aggressively pushing HD-DVD, I think it's significant. It'll be interesting to see where things sit come January.

That's weird, because Kmart just started carrying more Blu-Ray titles. I just did resets on three Kmarts to add a Blu-Ray section, and I know it's happening nation-wide. Why carry the software when you're not carrying the hardware?

And I'm hoping Blu-Ray wins out, just because of the computer applications. Blu-ray has a lot more flexibility than HD when it comes to software, including more storage capacity.

[El Scorcho]

Toshiba HD-A2 model sells 90,000 over weekend

By Susanne Ault -- Video Business, 11/6/2007

NOV. 6 | The HD DVD format significantly pumped its installed base over the weekend, as dueling store clearances sold an estimated 90,000 Toshiba players, according to sources close to retailers.

Details here: http://www.videobusiness.com/article/CA ... l?nid=3511

[belcherboy]

I'm honestly starting to think there's not going to be a winner. I think it might just be possible that the studios stay split with the formats they have right now. Hybrid players like LG's could help to enable that.

Yeah, but until the hybrid players are reasonable in price (right now a lot of them still cost as much as an HD-DVD and Blu-Ray player combined), the majority of consumers will be happy to stick with their standard DVD players or upconversion. The price of the media is also ridiculous, especially when we have the technology to produce an HD format at a price that's roughly 1/3 of what it costs to make the big two competitors. The studios have to see the opportunity for a higher profit margin there. If they ran with HD VMD, they could sell their movies at a lower price and still rake in more money per disc.

I should also add that, like the other HD formats, HD VMD players also play regular DVDs with upconversion.

The HD DVD is basically an upconverting DVD player. It will play regular DVD's as well as the HD DVD's. I am lovin' this thing because it makes regular DVD's look better, and allows me to watch HD movies as well. For $99, you just can't beat it. Even if HD DVD doesn't become the format, you can still watch the old DVD's in it.

[jimflamesfan]

Hi. I currently have a 1080i HDTV.

I'm thinking about getting an XBOX 360. I was just going to get the Core version, and use a component cable adapter.

I've heard that the elite has an HDMI cable...is there any advantage in using the HDMI over component, should I go with the better XBOX 360 for the HDMI cable?

(BTW, right now, the only HDTV station I get is channel 13. I don't pay extra for the HDTV channels, so I'm using an SVIDEO switcher for my XBOX, VCR, DVD player, DVD recorder, etc).

Any suggestions?

[adam42381]

Hi. I currently have a 1080i HDTV.

I'm thinking about getting an XBOX 360. I was just going to get the Core version, and use a component cable adapter.

I've heard that the elite has an HDMI cable...is there any advantage in using the HDMI over component, should I go with the better XBOX 360 for the HDMI cable?

(BTW, right now, the only HDTV station I get is channel 13. I don't pay extra for the HDTV channels, so I'm using an SVIDEO switcher for my XBOX, VCR, DVD player, DVD recorder, etc).

Any suggestions?

The core version doesn't come with a hard drive which is essential if you plan on saving any games. There's really not a noticeable difference between the HDMI and component cables in my experience. Both look great. You might as well pay the extra and get the Premium. The Core system comes with standard A/V cables and a wired controller. The Premium comes with 20gb hard drive, component cables, ethernet cable and wireless controller. The Elite comes with everything the Premium has but a 120gb hard drive and HDMI cables instead and different color combinations. The Elite isn't really worth the difference for me so Premium is a happy medium. Hope that helps.

[mrmacphisto]

I'm honestly starting to think there's not going to be a winner. I think it might just be possible that the studios stay split with the formats they have right now. Hybrid players like LG's could help to enable that.

Yeah, but until the hybrid players are reasonable in price (right now a lot of them still cost as much as an HD-DVD and Blu-Ray player combined), the majority of consumers will be happy to stick with their standard DVD players or upconversion. The price of the media is also ridiculous, especially when we have the technology to produce an HD format at a price that's roughly 1/3 of what it costs to make the big two competitors. The studios have to see the opportunity for a higher profit margin there. If they ran with HD VMD, they could sell their movies at a lower price and still rake in more money per disc.

I should also add that, like the other HD formats, HD VMD players also play regular DVDs with upconversion.

The HD DVD is basically an upconverting DVD player. It will play regular DVD's as well as the HD DVD's. I am lovin' this thing because it makes regular DVD's look better, and allows me to watch HD movies as well. For $99, you just can't beat it. Even if HD DVD doesn't become the format, you can still watch the old DVD's in it.

That's a great deal, but I can watch old DVDs in my $50.00 Philips DVD player too. I can also watch AVI/DIVX and MPEG files I've burned to a CD or DVD. If there was a player out that could upconvert all those, I might be on board.

[belcherboy]

Yeah, but until the hybrid players are reasonable in price (right now a lot of them still cost as much as an HD-DVD and Blu-Ray player combined), the majority of consumers will be happy to stick with their standard DVD players or upconversion. The price of the media is also ridiculous, especially when we have the technology to produce an HD format at a price that's roughly 1/3 of what it costs to make the big two competitors. The studios have to see the opportunity for a higher profit margin there. If they ran with HD VMD, they could sell their movies at a lower price and still rake in more money per disc.

I should also add that, like the other HD formats, HD VMD players also play regular DVDs with upconversion.

The HD DVD is basically an upconverting DVD player. It will play regular DVD's as well as the HD DVD's. I am lovin' this thing because it makes regular DVD's look better, and allows me to watch HD movies as well. For $99, you just can't beat it. Even if HD DVD doesn't become the format, you can still watch the old DVD's in it.

That's a great deal, but I can watch old DVDs in my $50.00 Philips DVD player too. I can also watch AVI/DIVX and MPEG files I've burned to a CD or DVD. If there was a player out that could upconvert all those, I might be on board.

I was under the impression, (correct me if I am wrong), I cannot watch regular DVD's on a blu ray player. The one thing I do know is that if I buy an HD DVD movie, I can use that same HD DVD movie in regular DVD players. (i.e. if I want to take the HD DVD in the car with me or send the kids to watch the movie in an regular DVD player). With Blu Ray, you can only watch the Blu Ray movie in a Blu Ray player. That is the one thing I think that makes HD DVD more appealing. Plus the HD DVD player makes a regular movie look better.

Do you know for sure that you cannot watch burned DVD's on an HD DVD player? I'll have to try it out and let you know.

[mrmacphisto]

I was under the impression, (correct me if I am wrong), I cannot watch regular DVD's on a blu ray player. The one thing I do know is that if I buy an HD DVD movie, I can use that same HD DVD movie in regular DVD players. (i.e. if I want to take the HD DVD in the car with me or send the kids to watch the movie in an regular DVD player). With Blu Ray, you can only watch the Blu Ray movie in a Blu Ray player. That is the one thing I think that makes HD DVD more appealing. Plus the HD DVD player makes a regular movie look better.

Do you know for sure that you cannot watch burned DVD's on an HD DVD player? I'll have to try it out and let you know.

As I understand it, neither of the HD formats will play in an old player. The technology is completely different. Standard DVDs, however, will play in HD DVD and Blu Ray players. These machines were designed with backward-compatibility in mind, just not cross-platform compatibility (unless you count the hybrid players).

Most DVD players will play discs burned in DVD Video format, but I'm talking about just a disc of files I've downloaded in various formats that only computers can normally play. For instance, I can put almost an entire season of Lost on a Dual-Layer DVD in DivX AVI format. Most DVD players will not recognize this format, but mine does.

[El Scorcho]

Most DVD players will play discs burned in DVD Video format, but I'm talking about just a disc of files I've downloaded in various formats that only computers can normally play. For instance, I can put almost an entire season of Lost on a Dual-Layer DVD in DivX AVI format. Most DVD players will not recognize this format, but mine does.

Another great reason to build a media PC.

[belcherboy]

I was under the impression, (correct me if I am wrong), I cannot watch regular DVD's on a blu ray player. The one thing I do know is that if I buy an HD DVD movie, I can use that same HD DVD movie in regular DVD players. (i.e. if I want to take the HD DVD in the car with me or send the kids to watch the movie in an regular DVD player). With Blu Ray, you can only watch the Blu Ray movie in a Blu Ray player. That is the one thing I think that makes HD DVD more appealing. Plus the HD DVD player makes a regular movie look better.

Do you know for sure that you cannot watch burned DVD's on an HD DVD player? I'll have to try it out and let you know.

As I understand it, neither of the HD formats will play in an old player. The technology is completely different. Standard DVDs, however, will play in HD DVD and Blu Ray players. These machines were designed with backward-compatibility in mind, just not cross-platform compatibility (unless you count the hybrid players).

Most DVD players will play discs burned in DVD Video format, but I'm talking about just a disc of files I've downloaded in various formats that only computers can normally play. For instance, I can put almost an entire season of Lost on a Dual-Layer DVD in DivX AVI format. Most DVD players will not recognize this format, but mine does.

The HD DVD movie I've used so far (Transformers) in my HD DVD player can be played in normal DVD players. I'm pretty sure that Blu Ray does not have that ability. Also, I had to download firmware upgrades for the HD DVD player. They are constantly upgrading it. You can attach the player directly to the internet.

[mrmacphisto]

The HD DVD movie I've used so far (Transformers) in my HD DVD player can be played in normal DVD players. I'm pretty sure that Blu Ray does not have that ability. Also, I had to download firmware upgrades for the HD DVD player. They are constantly upgrading it. You can attach the player directly to the internet.

This is news to me. Did they include two versions of the movie on the disc (like the two-sided DVDs that contain widescreen and P&S versions)? Are all HD DVDs like this?

[belcherboy]

The HD DVD movie I've used so far (Transformers) in my HD DVD player can be played in normal DVD players. I'm pretty sure that Blu Ray does not have that ability. Also, I had to download firmware upgrades for the HD DVD player. They are constantly upgrading it. You can attach the player directly to the internet.

This is news to me. Did they include two versions of the movie on the disc (like the two-sided DVDs that contain widescreen and P&S versions)? Are all HD DVDs like this?

I think the answer is yes and yes. I will have to find out as my bro-in-law has recently purchased/rented some movies. I also have 5 free movies coming in the mail (although they probably won't be here till after Christmas). The Transformers movie had an HD version on one side and standard version the other.

[mrmacphisto]

I think the answer is yes and yes. I will have to find out as my bro-in-law has recently purchased/rented some movies. I also have 5 free movies coming in the mail (although they probably won't be here till after Christmas). The Transformers movie had an HD version on one side and standard version the other.

Okay, that makes sense. So most likely other discs that are just HD DVD will not play in standard players. It's nice that they included a standard version on that disc.

[belcherboy]

I think the answer is yes and yes. I will have to find out as my bro-in-law has recently purchased/rented some movies. I also have 5 free movies coming in the mail (although they probably won't be here till after Christmas). The Transformers movie had an HD version on one side and standard version the other.

Okay, that makes sense. So most likely other discs that are just HD DVD will not play in standard players. It's nice that they included a standard version on that disc.

From what I understand, they are going to make it a standard of putting both versions on the disc. It is suppose to be what separates them from Blu Ray. At least that is what they seem to claim until standard DVD's become like VHS.