Blu Ray vs. HD-DVD; Role for Microsoft?

[Tony-S]

An interesting read...

http://www.electronista.com/articles/07/12/04/bay.on.microsoft.hd/

[BillsBayou]

Hey! This was an episode of Star Trek. I remember it. The Klingons and the Federation were supplying arms to opposing primative tribes.

Oh, wait. That was just a metaphor for Viet Nam. Same thing.

[Jon]

So which format is Sony backing? I'll automatically support the other.

[AirBrontosaurus]

So which format is Sony backing? I'll automatically support the other.

Then you'll support HD DVD. Sony is Blu-ray all the way with their PS3.

[Citizensmith]

I was going to hold off until it was more obvious which format would win. Then Amazon had the 3rd generation Toshiba A3-HD for $200 with 10 free HD movies. At that price I don't care if I just bought the Betamax. So now I'm in the HD DVD camp. I'm glad, because hatin' on the Sony is so much easier. :) And really, they do have a great history of making short lived formats.

Only just got the cables and crap together so we gave the system its first try out last night. The movie 300 on a 42" 1080p set (the A3 only kicks out 1080i but thats close enough for me). Holy crap this HD stuff looks nice. I'll never go to the cinema again. :) I was actually surprised as to how sharp everything was.

Oh yeah, and Bladerunner final cut is going to be available on HD. I think there is a god.

[cosworth]

I held off. Then I said screw it and bought HD-DVD recently. Half the price, it has the movies I want and well you know what, I bought BETA back in the day and I aint getting hosed again.

If you take out the PS3 sales and X-Box sales and just go by actual movies sold to DVD watchers, HD-DVD is slaying.

[BillsBayou]

The porn industry is backing the Blu-Ray technology.

[carianoff]

In 10 years we'll all be downloading everything, so I say just hold out all together, Not worth the investment.

[cosworth]

The porn industry is backing the Blu-Ray technology.

A common misconception.

http://www.darrenbarefoot.com/archives/2007/01/the-porn-industry-settles-hd-dvd-vs-blu-ray-battle.html

http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20070112-8602.html

Porn is behind HD-DVD for now.

[Tony-S]

In 10 years we'll all be downloading everything, so I say just hold out all together, Not worth the investment.

There will have to be a dramatic increase in bandwidth to get 1080 vid/surround sound through download. A 2 hour standard def video compressed with H.264 and 5.1 surround is about 2.5 gigs in size. 1080 video alone is 6x the number of pixels compared to DVD size.

[Citizensmith]

Porn is behind HD-DVD for now.

And the porn industry is what nailed it for VHS over Betamax.

I'm waiting for dual format players to get cheaper and more popular. If they make it to the mainstream the format war will cease to exist.

[PacAce]

The porn industry is backing the Blu-Ray technology.
Well, heck then. I'm going for Blu-Ray, too, then.

[PacAce]

A common misconception.

http://www.darrenbarefoot.com/archives/2007/01/the-porn-industry-settles-hd-dvd-vs-blu-ray-battle.html

http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20070112-8602.html

Porn is behind HD-DVD for now.
On second thought, maybe I'll just go HD-DVD.

Shoot! I'll just stick with the VHS format until they make up their minds. :mrgreen:

[cosworth]

I bought a HD-DVD player for $180 CDN and I got 7 GOOD movies for free. Seriously, Sony is in trouble at that price point.

[carianoff]

There will have to be a dramatic increase in bandwidth to get 1080 vid/surround sound through download. A 2 hour standard def video compressed with H.264 and 5.1 surround is about 2.5 gigs in size. 1080 video alone is 6x the number of pixels compared to DVD size.

Think about 10 years ago, think about now -- see me in 10 years.

Oh and with items prices like this, HD is going to tip the scales real soon.
http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2538552

For those that don't want to click its an HD-DVD player for XB360 for $130. I think entry level Bluerays are like at $300 now. Granted you need an Xbox, but i think a unit like this is going to help the market adapt to HD-DVD faster.

[crazyskillz07]

My 3 cents... HD TV.. And yes I do have more cents then the rest of you! lol

[nicksan]

Granted True HD content looks fantastic, however dare I say I am pretty happy with my sub-$100 upconverting DVD player and my $1 redbox rentals!

I view my movies on my projector. (Can only do 720p...ah well) They look great. I get HD signal from my cable box, and some of the movies look great. (Some movies aren't actually HD...) Football, baseball, basketball...all look great.

[StealthLude]

LG makes a dual format player... its pretty cool stuff. Paid $300

I can really care less who wins anymore lol.