HD DVD format dead?

[nfpgasmask]

No offense, Bart!
I was just hoping some wanted to continue the discussion....
Best,
James
snowtrooper1966

Oh none taken!!

And actually, to get things back on topic, I was thinking of just getting a nice HD DVD player that can upscale all my old DVDs, and then just get a PS3 to playback Blu-Ray. That said, I have heard some mention that the PS3 does not really play back Blu-ray movies as well as an actual Blu-Ray DVD player. Does anyone have any info on this?

Bart

[snowtrooper1966]

Hey,
If you are looking for a stand alone HD DVD player, I would suggest a Toshiba XA2. That is the model I used to own, and has the same upconverting software as the unit I now own. The Renon is widely regarded as the best upconverter @ it's price point.
As far as the PS3, I actually have heard that that seems to be one of the best Blu players out there.
I personally would not get one for that.
Reasons being:
It is a game console that happens to play Blu.

It tends to run very hot (shortens life expectency).

The internal cooling fan is very loud.

No remote to access disk playback options, you have to use the PS3's controller!

There is a remote available, but reports do not favor it's usefulness.

And last, if one's intent is to use this as a gaming console, I hear there are not too many good games out yet...

You can buy two seperate standalone units (HD DV & BluRay) for close to the same price as the Samsung 5K hybrid player, but most folks have limited space considerations, as well as HDMI inputs. The other bonus for the hybrid player is that you do not have to explain to the wife or kids which movie goes into which player...

Food for thought

Best,
James
snowtrooper1966

[JHarris1385]

Second the fact that the PS3's Blu-Ray is top notch. I have never heard complaints of the remote nor the fan noise either.

[nfpgasmask]

Well, all I am saying, is that I am getting a PS3 for games, so I should (could) just use that for Blu-ray and get a nice HD player for HD and regular DVDs.

That would eat up 2 HDMI ports only.

Bart

[snowtrooper1966]

10-4, sounds like a plan!
Just remember that not all HD DV players will upconvert, and none do as well as the Tosh XA2...
James
snowtrooper1966

[nfpgasmask]

10-4, sounds like a plan!
Just remember that not all HD DV players will upconvert, and none do as well as the Tosh XA2...
James
snowtrooper1966

Cool, I will look into that player...

Thanks - Bart

[psychos2]

HD players are not the only ones that upconvert regular dvds. My sony Blu-ray player does also.

DVD Upscaling to 1080p2 via HDMI™

Get the most out of your existing DVD collection by having them upscaled to 1080p quality. Your DVD's will look and sound better than ever when you play them back on your new Sony Blu-ray Disc Player.



shawn

[UtahVXer]

Hey,
If you are looking for a stand alone HD DVD player, I would suggest a Toshiba XA2.

I believe the A35 is superior to the A2. It has a more powerful microprocessor. Movies load faster and play better. It upconverts to 1080p and is HDMI 1.3 compliant. If you buy mine, you'll have a great upconverter, plus you will soon be able to buy HD DVD's at liquidation prices!

[psychos2]

Looks like the final blow for HD format. shawn

http://www.videobusiness.com/article....html?nid=2705

[snowtrooper1966]

HD players are not the only ones that upconvert regular dvds. My sony Blu-ray player does also.

DVD Upscaling to 1080p2 via HDMI™

Get the most out of your existing DVD collection by having them upscaled to 1080p quality. Your DVD's will look and sound better than ever when you play them back on your new Sony Blu-ray Disc Player.



shawn

...or a HD DVD player with a quality upconverter....

[snowtrooper1966]

I believe the A35 is superior to the A2. It has a more powerful microprocessor. Movies load faster and play better. It upconverts to 1080p and is HDMI 1.3 compliant. If you buy mine, you'll have a great upconverter, plus you will soon be able to buy HD DVD's at liquidation prices!

My post made reference to the Toshiba XA2. That is the big brother of the A2 (and A35).
Of the three, ONLY the XA2 has the RENON upconverting chip, widely regarded as the best upconverter cureently available on any Blu or HD DVD player.
As a bonus, the XA2 also sports 5.1 analog outs, to process advanced audio, as well as "legacy"(Dolby & DTS), in case your AVR (audio/video receiver) does not support HDMI.
Best,
James
snowtrooper1966

[Ldub]

From Shawns link...“With the customers best interest in all we do, we wanted to share our decision and timeline with them as soon as possible, knowing it will help simplify their purchase decision, increase selection and increase adoption long term.”(Wal-Mart)

Isn't that the same thing the porn industry said when it killed Beta ?

[Bulldoggie]

As far as disk capacity goes, niether format has come close to filling up a disk....
With so much capacity available on Blu, that may be part of the formats downside. The disks are bieng filled up with so much unneeded crap, that you need a firmware upgard just to play this weeks newest release.
Would you rather have a VX that had a V12? It would be unique, but a bit of overkill and unneccasary, IMHO.
Best,
James
snowtrooper1966

I understand that they still sell "Box Sets" for more $$$, even though they should be able to fit on one disc????? WTF?????
I want mine on one disc please.
I already have a drawer full of "Extra Features" discs, that go in, but not out.

[snowtrooper1966]

Most of the "box sets" are TV series seasons collected into one set (Star Trek: Original Series, Heroes, Samllville, Sopranos, etc.) or film runs (Matrix collection, Die Hard(s), Mission Impossible(s) & collected Harry Potters). They tend to include extra bonus feature disks, but from my experience, are a good buy.
I agrre that all I really want is the best version of the film, without all the extra crap. That is why I have such a problem with Blu. They, more than the HD DVD's, seem to want to put all these "gee wiz" features that only serve to make the newest releases impossible to play without a new firmware upgrade.....
Best,
James
snowtrooper1966

[Bulldoggie]

Most of the "box sets" are TV series seasons collected into one set (Star Trek: Original Series, Heroes, Samllville, Sopranos, etc.) or film runs (Matrix collection, Die Hard(s), Mission Impossible(s) & collected Harry Potters. They tend to include extra bonus feature disks, but from my experience, are a good buy.
I agrre that all I really want is the best version of the film, without all the extra crap. That is why I have such a problem with Blu. They, more than the HD DVD's, seem to want to put all these "gee wiz" features that only serve to make the newest releases impossible to play without a new firmware upgrade.....
Best,
James
snowtrooper1966

That's my point. Why not have all the Die Hard or Matrix, on one disc.
Why pay for 3-4 discs that could fit on one
Other than they can't find suckers to pay more than $25. for a single disc, so they "package" a bigger "Box" for a bigger price.
What does it matter, what the capacity is, if they only put one feature on a disc.
I love watching my progressive scanned DVD's / HDMI / LCD TV.
They look awesome! And I can rip all the movies I want to my external HD and have a movie fest without having to change a single disc