HD DVD format dead?

[snowtrooper1966]

Thread hijack alert!

[nfpgasmask]

Yeah, sorry Utah, I got carried away.

Bart

[snowtrooper1966]

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

[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

[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]

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