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Why did you choose HD DVD over Blu-ray?
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dblbogey7
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5. September 2007 @ 18:43 |
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Originally posted by eatsushi:
I've had the A1 and the XA2 and they're both very reliable and have been trouble-free performers for the most part. Firmware updates through the internet have been pain-free. Just remember to remove any disc that's in the tray before performing updates.
The only thing I'm waiting for is 1080p/24fps playback from the XA2 particularly for my Sony Pearl projector.
I totally agree with my friend here. I also have the A1 (in the bedroom) and the XA2 (in my main A/V setup). They're excellent performers and a breeze to update.
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HDextreme
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7. September 2007 @ 11:52 |
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@eatsushi & dblbogey7
Quote:
I've had the A1 and the XA2 and they're both very reliable and have been trouble-free performers for the most part. Firmware updates through the internet have been pain-free. Just remember to remove any disc that's in the tray before performing updates.
The only thing I'm waiting for is 1080p/24fps playback from the XA2 particularly for my Sony Pearl projector.
I totally agree with my friend here. I also have the A1 (in the bedroom) and the XA2 (in my main A/V setup). They're excellent performers and a breeze to update.
How do you update the firmware on your players? Is it as simple as plugging in a cat5 cable from your home network and pushing a button or do you have to download the update and burn it to a disk? Also, do you have to keep your player connected to the network to watch movies? I heard that they were going to do that to some players/movies (as a copy protection) at one point in a time. Thanks for the feedback!
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eatsushi
Senior Member
3 product reviews
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7. September 2007 @ 12:34 |
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Originally posted by HDextreme:
@eatsushi & dblbogey7
How do you update the firmware on your players? Is it as simple as plugging in a cat5 cable from your home network and pushing a button or do you have to download the update and burn it to a disk?
You can do it either way. My home network and internet connection is pretty stable so I have no problems with directly connecting the player to my hub.
Detailed instructions here:
http://www.tacp.com/tacpassets-images/notices/hddvd2firmware.asp
Quote:
Also, do you have to keep your player connected to the network to watch movies?
There's no need to keep the player connected. Actually I disconnect from the network once I've updated my firmware. You can watch movies whteher you're connected or not. The only time you need to be connected while watching is if you want to access web-enabled extras like those on the 300 HD DVD.
Quote:
I heard that they were going to do that to some players/movies (as a copy protection) at one point in a time.
For copy protection? Maybe you're referring to BluRay's BD+ but I haven't heard of this happening for HD DVD.
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S2K
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7. September 2007 @ 14:51 |
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I think the below is a bit far fetched.
Firstly what does it matter why studios are choosing hd dvd?
Also the blu-ray exclusive at blockbuster is already being revisited. My store just put their hd dvd display back up. the manager told me they are getting just as many hd dvd online rentals as bluray so they knew the demand had been going up not down.
In terms of more storage, this is kind of pointless isn't it? all films at full hd resolutons easily fit on hd dvd.
If you look at amazon com sales numbers the hd dvd players seem to be outselling blu ray player by a huge margin.
Originally posted by BrendanL:
Paramount chose HD-DVD because they were paid to become an HD-DVD exclusive. They paid them $50 million for HD-DVD exclusive and paid $100 million to Dreamworks for HD-DVD exclusive. Blu-ray is the better format though. It has more storage, and it will win the format war. The reason for this is because you find more Blu-ray players installed in more machines (computers, PS3) then HD-DVD. Blu-ray is selling a lot more than HD-DVD and because of that, Blockbuster decided to wipe their HD-DVDs off the shelf and only support Blu-ray. To sum it all up, Blu-ray can hold much more information than HD-DVD (I think it's 50 GB on a double-layered Blu-ray disc) and it's winning and will win the format war.
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cellspawn
Newbie
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11. September 2007 @ 11:51 |
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My DVD player stoped working and because of the prices of the HD players, I thought I'd go for it.
I've always felt that Blu-ray would win this war but after Paramont/Dreamworks move to only HD DVD. I'm feeling much better about making the move to HD DVD.
This has also been a good week for the HD DVD camp.
"Monday"
China High Definition DVD Industry Association announced CH-DVD (China High Definition DVD), and is based on HD DVD. This means that a Chinese-produced disc will not play in an HD DVD player from the US. However, a Chinese player will play their HD format as well as regular US and EU HD DVD releases.
The 51GB HD DVD disc is apparently one step closer to becoming a reality. It has been approved a 51 GB single-sided triple-layer HD DVD disc for production.
1) Improved studio support
2) (HD DVD was launched in a very stable way) HD-DVD used advanced codecs like VC-1 and True-HD (blu-ray still uses MPEG2,That?s not an HD codec is it?)
3) Better price point (cheeper)
4) An approved 51 GB single-sided triple-layer HD DVD disc for production.
I've even heard of talks of Toshiba working on a 90GB HD DVD (but will it work with the first 2 gen players is the question?)
It's dumb to say that Blu-ray will win hands down at this point in the game. I had 100% believed that Blu-ray would win this war 6 months ago. But now I'm happy with there being two on the market driving the prices down.
I just picked up a blu-ray player and so far I'm going to keep picking up HD DVD...when there is a movie I want to see that is released on both formats...I will buy the HD DVD version hands down. The only time I'll buy a BluRay disc is if the movie is not available on HD DVD. So many bad reviews on a lot of older MPEG-2 Blu-ray release, I'm worried that by picking "the Blu-ray version". That I'm picking the format that will not look as good as the HD DVD will!
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diabolos
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11. September 2007 @ 14:41 |
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@ cellspawn, you made a lot of good points but I will clean up one error in your post...
Quote:
2) (HD DVD was launched in a very stable way) HD-DVD used advanced codecs like VC-1 and True-HD (blu-ray still uses MPEG2,That?s not an HD codec is it?)
Bluy-Ray and HD DVD support the same video codecs (albeit at different transfer rates). The problem is that most of the first gen BD titles were done with MPEG-2, which is capable of quality high-def, with horrible results (but not all where horrible). MPEG-2 is about half as efficient as the average (supported) MPEG-4 codec (AVC/H.264, VC-1, ect...).
The audio codecs are both supported as well. HD DVD makes it mandatory to support Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD (2.1 channel) and DTS-HDMA as an option while in the BD spec all three are optional. That is why BD titles use uncompressed audio tracks so much.
The only glaring difference is the BD camps lack of any advanced content. Sony marked October 31st (2007) as the date when all Blu-Ray players made after that dare (MM/DD/YY : 10/31/07) will need to support the first version of BD-J. Currently the only player that supports BD-J is the $2000 Denon player. There is no advanced interactive movie content yet but a hand full of movies are planned from Disney and Fox this holiday season. HD DVD players have has advanced interactive content support since the first player hit the shelf. There are a lot of movies for HD DVD that use advanced (some of which are not available for BD (i.e. The Matrix and Batman Begins) because of this lack of BD-J support issue).
Oh, you forgot to mention that HD DVDs are not region coded and that imports from other countries will play in our players. This is helpful as there are U.S. Blu-Ray exclusive titles (i.e. Underworld and T2 Judgment Day) available in other countries for HD DVD!
Ced
This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 11. September 2007 @ 14:55
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cellspawn
Newbie
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12. September 2007 @ 14:34 |
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Diabolos thanks for the info and the HD DVDs not being region coded, I did hear about that a long time ago but forgot all about it. Nice, very nice!
Question about:
Quote:
The audio codecs are both supported as well. HD DVD makes it mandatory to support Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD (2.1 channel) and DTS-HDMA as an option while in the BD spec all three are optional. That is why BD titles use uncompressed audio tracks so much.
Now you say "HD DVD makes it mandatory to support Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD" and "DTS-HDMA as an option". But Blu-ray; they have the option to put all 3 of them on the BD or Not to put them?
Also...now does that also mean that HD DVD compresses the audio files on the disc?
How about this then, as it stands now...
1) Improved studio support
2) Better price point (cheeper)
3) An approved 51 GB single-sided triple-layer HD DVD disc for production.
4) Are not region coded (Imports from other countries will play in our players with exception like China's CH DVD; it will, how ever be able to play our HD DVD's)
5) Possible future 90GB HD DVD disc?
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hendrix04
Junior Member
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12. September 2007 @ 15:59 |
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Originally posted by cellspawn:
I've even heard of talks of Toshiba working on a 90GB HD DVD (but will it work with the first 2 gen players is the question?)
The way that I understand it is, before anyone can release something like that it must be approved and work with all players... (granted a firmware update would probably be needed)
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diabolos
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13. September 2007 @ 07:35 |
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That isn't always technically possible. Especially if the new technique has nothing to do with the old one. It will be interesting to see how the new 51 GB disc will fair. This is actually a larger issue for the Blu-Ray format...
Ced
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Rusty257
Newbie
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13. September 2007 @ 07:50 |
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Its cheaper. Xbox 360. Sony is the devil.
XPS 410 - 6600 2.4 GHz Core 2 Duo, 3GB 667MHz, 1GB Nvidia 7950 GX2, SB X-Fi, Dual 10K 160GB HDD (RAID 0), 74GB 10K, SATA DVD/CDRW, SATA DVD+/-RW, Xbox 360 HD DVD
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HDextreme
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13. September 2007 @ 22:22 |
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Quote:
You can do it either way. My home network and internet connection is pretty stable so I have no problems with directly connecting the player to my hub.
Detailed instructions here:
http://www.tacp.com/tacpassets-images/notices/hddvd2firmware.asp
@eatsushi, good info. and thanks for link. The instructions seem simple enough. The option of either connecting the player to your home network or downloading the update and burning it to a disk was a good move.
Quote:
How about this then, as it stands now...
1) Improved studio support
2) Better price point (cheeper)
3) An approved 51 GB single-sided triple-layer HD DVD disc for production.
4) Are not region coded (Imports from other countries will play in our players with exception like China's CH DVD; it will, how ever be able to play our HD DVD's)
5) Possible future 90GB HD DVD disc?
@cellspawn - Good list! Now, I'm not sure if the triple-layer disc is actually a good thing. If they released it earlier, current players could have been pre-configured hardware/software wise to support this disc type. Now, the question is, if the disc will work on current HD-DVD Players. Even with a firmware update, there's a good chance that some players will not be able to read triple-layer discs. It will be interesting to see how this turns out.
@diabolos - All good posts... keep it coming. Us newbs need the help.
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HDextreme
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13. September 2007 @ 22:37 |
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Quote:
Sony is the devil.
This is a little extreme, even for me... pardon the pun.
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cellspawn
Newbie
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14. September 2007 @ 12:49 |
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Wouldn't bitrate be increased with the additional storage space of the 51 GB single-sided triple-layer HD DVD?
Also update:
Can't really use the 51 BG disc as a reason any more, but it's still looks good for the HD DVD camp. It's still in the works.
Quote:
A Toshiba spokesperson said that only a preliminary version of Toshiba's 51 GB three-layer, single-sided HD DVD format had been approved by the DVD Forum, caretaker of HD DVD.
As it turned out, and as Toshiba's spokespersons may have only just now realized, the DVD Forum signed off on a preliminary specification, which may have been confused for the final specification because its version number is 1.9.
"We understand that the preliminary version (1.9) of the physical specifications for the triple-layer 51 GB HD DVD-ROM disc has been approved," said Toshiba's spokesperson today.
The spokesperson then added that it has not yet been determined whether current HD DVD players or recorders will be able to use the new format. "Toshiba will study the performance of current HD DVD player/recorders with the disc after the standard receives final approval by the DVD Forum."
The formal Toshiba statement reads as follows: "We welcome the DVD Forum Steering Committee's decision to approve the preliminary version (Version 1.9) of the physical specifications for the triple-layer 51 GB HD DVD-ROM disc. This decision reinforces the fact that HD DVD is capable of offering a range of capacities due to the flexible nature of the format and provides studios with even greater options for creating high definition content. With extended capacities, studios can meet their future needs for releases that may require more storage."
Toshiba's admission today is the first genuine admission from the company that work on engineering the final "Trip-Layer" format has actually not been completed, as was previously believed.
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sherbbird
Newbie
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27. September 2007 @ 08:07 |
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Originally posted by sk8flawzz:
Im still on the fence...
So everyone's comments and experiences will help me out alot in deciding as well.
Currently i am using a DVI to HDMI cable from my PC to HDTV to enjoy HD content.
Will i notice an increase in video quality if i switch to a X360 with a HD DVD add-on or a PS3?
Man i just got the 3rd gen toshiba HDA30 it is sweet. Its about half the size of the smallest blueray player. It cost 399.00 and it came with 300 and the bourne identity plus they still are doing the 5 free movies deal also. Its a no brainer. It is full hd1080p 24 frames it has so many features i cant rememeber half of them. Why spend 500 on the entry level bd player which is huge. When u can get the best HD-DVD player. Go HD-DVD man it is the best choice. Trust me man!
slim
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S2K
Member
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8. October 2007 @ 15:59 |
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Originally posted by HDextreme:
Thanks error5! I?ve heard picture quality on the HD DVD is a little better then Blu-ray. I?m guessing you have all this connected to a receiver, can you tell me what kind of connection you?re using? Also, where can you rent HD DVDs? I use Blockbuster and they only have BDs.
Really? my blockbuster online and local blockbuster both have full HD DVD selections. They made an announcement of BD only and then reversed it a few days later.
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1 product review
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8. October 2007 @ 22:18 |
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Originally posted by S2K:
Originally posted by HDextreme:
Thanks error5! I?ve heard picture quality on the HD DVD is a little better then Blu-ray. I?m guessing you have all this connected to a receiver, can you tell me what kind of connection you?re using? Also, where can you rent HD DVDs? I use Blockbuster and they only have BDs.
Really? my blockbuster online and local blockbuster both have full HD DVD selections. They made an announcement of BD only and then reversed it a few days later.
Any reference to this announcement? I'm contemplating on the HD-A30.
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Grampaw
Member
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29. October 2007 @ 17:38 |
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I didn't choose betweeb HD DVD and Blu-ray. Eight months ago I got both a Toshiba A20 and a Sony PS3 to watch Hi Def DVDs in either format on the 1080p TV. Since I got a Vizio TV instead of a Sony, the money I "saved" went to buy the players. Then I ran an ethernet cable from the cable modem router to entertainment center in another room. With 5 port switch, both players have wired internet connections to update firmware, which it seems like I do about every other week.
This isn't a Beta-max vs VHS format war - both HD DVD and Blu-ray formats will be coexisting for the foreseeable future. So I decided to just opt out of the whole "waiting" game. Besides, both players upscale SD DVDs really nicely to 1080p.
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AfterDawn Addict
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29. October 2007 @ 18:37 |
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Well a friend has both, although the Blu-Ray is a PS3. Navigating to the movie is much easier and more intuitive on his Toshiba HD. Being pretty much anti-Sony anyway I'll opt for HD DVD.
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Grampaw
Member
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30. October 2007 @ 18:19 |
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I found the optional Bluetooth PS3 DVD Blu-ray player remote much more intuitive and easier to use than the the Toshiba A20 HD-DVD player remote. Toshiba needs to go to Ergonomics school.
For example, the Toshiba remote "pause" button is small, located mixed in with other buttons, and worse, directly above the "back-one-chapter" button. I frequently go back one chapter instead of pausing. The PS3 remote, however, has a large "pause" button isolated on the bottom - real hard to hit the wrong button.
Sounds stupid, but the ergonomics of the remote is a big selling point issue with me for any electronic device.
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stk_006
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30. October 2007 @ 18:28 |
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i didn't i swear im innocent
i dont really know the diffrence
y. khan
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