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Why did you choose Blu-ray over HD-DVD?
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HDextreme
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24. August 2007 @ 11:00 |
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Hello everyone,
I?m a newbie at posting (been around afterdawn for years), so please let me know if I crossed any lines. I read the forum rules many times.
I?m in the market for one of the new High Definition players, either Blu-ray or HD-DVD.
My questions is for all those Blu-ray Owners out there...
Why did you choose Blu-ray over HD-DVD? Was there a deciding factor? If you have both players, please indicate if you prefer one over the other and why. This info will help many of us who can?t wait for the winning format.
Thank you!
This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 24. August 2007 @ 11:02
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24. August 2007 @ 12:03 |
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I choose Blu-Ray because i feel they have better studio support.BDA(Blu-ray Disc Association) Has lot of Backers & Support from major CE.
Apple Computer, Inc.
Dell Inc.
Hewlett Packard Company
Hitachi, Ltd.
LG Electronics Inc.
Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
Pioneer Corporation
Royal Philips Electronics
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
Sharp Corporation
Sony Corporation
Sun Microsystems, Inc.
TDK Corporation
Thomson Multimedia
Twentieth Century Fox
Walt Disney Pictures
Warner Bros. Entertainment
The only problem i have with HD-DVD is movie exclusives & Blu-Ray has the better or the two groups but you make the choice both have there good & bad side Blu-Ray high price,HD-DVD short on movie exclusives.
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HDextreme
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24. August 2007 @ 15:31 |
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Thanks NexGen76! There seems to be quite a bit of studio support for Blu-ray, even though some companies have recently moved to support HD (e.g. Paramount and DreamWorks).
One of my biggest gripes is the thought of one of my favorite movies being released in one format and not the other. So I?m basically SOL if I choose the wrong player. This along with the fact that one format will likely come out on top in the end.
I was looking at getting a PS3, but there were no direct audio cables to hook up to my receiver for the new audio formats (Dolby TrueHD, DTS HD). My receiver doesn?t have HDMI input, but it does have multi-channel direct input, so I?ll need to find a player with this type of connection. Does anyone else have this problem?
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delateur
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24. August 2007 @ 20:57 |
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Originally posted by HDextreme:
One of my biggest gripes is the thought of one of my favorite movies being released in one format and not the other. So I?m basically SOL if I choose the wrong player. This along with the fact that one format will likely come out on top in the end.
I was looking at getting a PS3, but there were no direct audio cables to hook up to my receiver for the new audio formats (Dolby TrueHD, DTS HD). My receiver doesn?t have HDMI input, but it does have multi-channel direct input, so I?ll need to find a player with this type of connection. Does anyone else have this problem?
My choice for Blu-ray was mainly due to which gaming system I prefer, which obviously is the PS3 over the XBox360. Honestly, if Microsoft had included more in their box than the PS3, and hadn't shipped out thousands of defective products that they KNEW were defective (it's happened far too much for them to not have been aware of it) just to try to grab market share, my choice might have been a bit more difficult. However, the PS3 is a standalone multimedia system (no add on needed to play movies like with the XBox360), and now with the recent dropping of the barebones model in favor of one with all of the internal features (specifically WiFi, for me, but the mem card interface is a plus, also) for a VERY respectable $499, to me it's a no-brainer which game system to choose. As for movies, they're both going to look the same, but Blu-ray is going to have more space for extras, so again, in that aspect Blu-ray again wins out. It's really almost even, at least to me, if I didn't still enjoy console gaming.
It's also worth mentioning that currently there's a promotion running that lets you pick 5 movies from a list if you buy any Blu-ray player, which works out to about a $125 savings right there (and yes, the movies you get to choose from are pretty decent).
As for the outputs, I'm not sure what you mean. Of course it has both HDMI and discrete digital audio outputs! It wouldn't really be a high end gaming system if it couldn't output digital audio in some form, would it? So, if your receiver is fairly current, you should be able to use an optical cable to connect to your PS3 and use an HDMI cable for your video, assuming your TV has at least one port in the back for HDMI input (which could be a problem if you watch a lot of high-def cable and it only has one, but I'm sure you'll figure something out, like maybe a 3rd party HDMI switcher box or something, right?). Also, if you get the PS3, it will be the most readily upgraded to future formats like TrueHD sound, if those features aren't available already. Oh, and if you're determined to route the video through your receiver, I believe they do make HDMI to composite cables that would hook directly to your receiver, but of course you then lose the audio that you wouldn't be able to access anyway unless you have a fairly new receiver (the Yamaha RX-V661 would be my choice if I were going to buy one while waiting for the price to come down on the TrueHD models that are going for around $1300 minimum currently).
So, finally summary, PS3 for the player, definitely (oh, and invest in a Nyko remote for it ($20), so you can send IR signals instead of Bluetooth and make it compatible with universal remotes like the glorious Logitech Harmony line). Hold off on a new receiver unless you're willing to pony up $1300 for a good TrueHD receiver. If you're patient, though, I'm sure the prices will be down to $750 by this time next year.
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HDextreme
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25. August 2007 @ 04:32 |
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Thanks delateur. I?m not a huge gamer, but I feel the same way. Xbox should have built the HD DVD drive in their system, instead of making it an add on. Soon, you?ll be able to add DVR capabilities to the PS3, making it more of a complete multimedia system. PS3 is definitely a strong contender in my book.
I currently have a Harman Kardon CP15 Home Theater System. The AVR135 receiver offers component switching, but no HDMI. I bought this last year when HDMI switching was still starting to come out. It does have 4 digital inputs, 2 optical and 2 coaxial.
The new audio formats (Dolby HD, Dolby HD DTS, etc.) will be decoded directly on the new players that are coming out. Now, the only way to hear this new audio is to connect the player to the receiver through HDMI (which I don?t have) or through direct analog channels (which I do have). The current digital connections (optical and coaxial) will not support the new formats. Of course, you can still use the digital connections with the current audio formats (Dolby 5.1, DTS, etc.), which will likely stay on all movie titles.
I guess I may end up waiting after all to see how the new players and the PS3 will support the new audio formats. Hopefully, I won?t need to buy a whole new audio system.
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delateur
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25. August 2007 @ 14:40 |
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I can certainly respect a "wait and see" attitude with respect to HD components at this point. All the things you mentioned are great examples of how the technology is still in flux (not to mention the looming HD-DVD vs Blu-Ray that sparked this topic in the first place). Still, because of all the things the PS3 can do and your very respectable receiver (which hopefully you could free up an optical port to hook the PS3 audio to), if you really love movies, it can't hurt to cast your "vote" now for the format you prefer. If nothing else, it will keep that particular format viable a bit longer, as every consumer who is out renting and buying Blu-ray or HD-DVD is letting the industry know there is demand for it. While I don't consider $500 to be trivial, it does seem well worth the cost when you figure in the additional things you can do with it, not to mention you'll be getting first hand exposure as Sony continues to add to and improve on features of this amazing piece of hardware. Even if you hate console games, I imagine you would have a LOT of fun with everything else it's capable of doing.
Either way, I hope you enjoy exploring the high definition environment as much as I have been (I only recently went high def.)!
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camaro17
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3. September 2007 @ 14:44 |
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blu-ray hands down...you can scratch a blu- ray with steel wool and it will still play (dont try thats just an example) plus sony and samsung (along with many other companies) made blu-ray. they're like the inventors of hi-def.and ther reason that the blu-ray disc's are so big is because the video needs that much space....to sum it all up the more space the higher def video you can put on it. hope this helps...and i thinks no matter what format you decide you've made the right choice, just as long as its blu-ray :p
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3. September 2007 @ 17:54 |
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Quote:
.to sum it all up the more space the higher def video you can put on it
Very true but sony will never use the extra space for video. Lots of space for advanced drm and extras which you will probably have to buy a new player to use anyways. The extra space for blueray is needed since they use worse video codecs and have had some very bad speedy transfers. As stated many times in these threads it's more about the codec and transfer quality than space. Quote:
blu-ray hands down...you can scratch a blu- ray with steel wool and it will still play
You need to do some more research if you think blueray disks are more durable than HD-DVD. Im not even close to being a fanboy buy I hate to see those two arguments used over and over for blueray when one is not true and the other has yet to be seen. Go to the hi-def sites and look at reviews for movies that came out on both formats and see if the extra space has meant better picture.
This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 3. September 2007 @ 18:04
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kaoss
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3. September 2007 @ 18:01 |
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I have a ps3 thats why and I didnt like my 360. It also seems bluray is getting a little more support and I am seeing alot more BR players than hd
hahahaha
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3. September 2007 @ 18:08 |
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Quote:
I have a ps3 thats why and I didnt like my 360. It also seems bluray is getting a little more support and I am seeing alot more BR players than hd
You are right about that. It will be interesting to see what does win the war for either side. Sony has done a way better job marketing blueray.
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delateur
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3. September 2007 @ 19:09 |
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@club42: Excellent point about extras/codecs, and really that's the key to how well the media will work with any given player. A player that has very flexible and upgradeable firmware will be able to support whatever new and better codecs are bound to turn up down the road. The only reason more space MIGHT make a difference down the road is if a newer codec ends up creating a larger video file (which should of course reflect better quality in all respects - bigger doesn't always mean better). As others have mentioned here at AD, I too am more a supporter of the PS3 over the XB360 than Blu-ray over HD DVD. I have no problem with there being two formats for high definition movies, as long as the consumer doesn't end up suffering for it. This is, however, normally what does happen with two formats, as everyone who produces any products in this arena, be it blank media, pre-recorded media, hardware to play the media, or software developers who tweak the firmware that commands the hardware, now have to do this twice, with different specifications for each. Ultimately, it ends up being an inefficient use of resources that the consumer pays for. I, too, am interested in seeing how things turn out.
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camaro17
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4. September 2007 @ 12:29 |
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good points but i am still a firm believer in blu-ray.
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Obike
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4. September 2007 @ 12:53 |
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I have both a ps3 and a xbox 360 with the hddvd add on. at the moment i prefer hddvd as the movies released have been of a higher quality than blu-ray and some contain more extras (300 with the PIP blue screen) but sony are starting to get their act together and releasing films using the better codec.If your desperate for a player now its best to look at what your favorite movies are and which ever has the most you go for but if you can wait samsung are releasing a hddvd/blu-ray combi player that supports both formats fully (LG are releasing a combi player but it doesnt support HDDVD fully only movie playback)
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camaro17
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4. September 2007 @ 13:04 |
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i am still going to get the hd dvd addon for 360...i dont hate it in fact i like the format i just beleive blu-ray will win
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HDextreme
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5. September 2007 @ 10:14 |
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With so much support from the major studios out there, it seems like Blu-ray will win the format war. I've been checking out the Panasonic DMP-BD10AK. It has the direct channel connections which will help those who have the older receivers. They have a deal right now that you get 5 free movies in the box. This along with the 5 free movies by mail makes it a pretty good deal.
I would buy a PS3 if I can find one cheaper. Does anyone know where I can pick up a cheap 20 or 60 gig PS3? How I see it, you can always swap out the hard drive for a bigger one.
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delateur
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5. September 2007 @ 11:48 |
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You'd be pretty lucky to find a 20GB out there, since it's been discontinued. However, you don't want that model anyway, since it's missing some of the "standard equipment" that they have in the 60 and 80GB models, such as WiFi, and I think the memory card reader is missing also. However, with the new pricing strategy, the 60GB model is a very good deal at $500.
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menz83
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5. September 2007 @ 12:59 |
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I chose blu-ray simply because of the PS3. I intended buying the hd-dvd add on for the 360, but with the lack of hdmi and only optical output for sound from the premium model I have, theres no way I could make those little sacrifices and there was no way i'm being conned into buying an elite!
Im a little concerned with Paramount dropping blu-ray as i've invested heavily into blu-ray movies since getting my PS3. However I still feel confident blu-ray will come out on top. Right now, im snapping up all the Paramount dvd's before they disappear with trading places and coming to america in the post now!!
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camaro17
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5. September 2007 @ 13:07 |
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i if blu-ray starts to sell alot and its almost won the format war then parmount will certainly switch to blu-ray, no one would stay with a dead format(which im hoping will be hd dvd in a couple of years)
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HDextreme
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5. September 2007 @ 15:44 |
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Quote:
You'd be pretty lucky to find a 20GB out there, since it's been discontinued. However, you don't want that model anyway, since it's missing some of the "standard equipment" that they have in the 60 and 80GB models, such as WiFi, and I think the memory card reader is missing also.
Yeah, I see your point. You gotta have the standard equipment. I've been checking out the PS3 site and it doesn't look like they'll offer direct channel connections anytime soon. Likely never to keep the clean look on the PS3. My search continues for the ideal player.
Ok, in summary, this is what I've gathered from this thread so far:
Blu-ray owners chose Blu-ray because:
1)Better studio support
2)PS3 / Gaming
3)Disk capacity / scratch resistance.
Feel free to add to this if I missed anything.
Thanks!
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delateur
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5. September 2007 @ 19:08 |
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Well, there were other factors that I considered. The whole XB360 fiasco really irked me. So, it actually pushed me toward the PS3/Blu-ray when before I was probably more enthusiastic about the titles coming out for the XB360. Also, I was pretty disappointed that they would release a next gen player with last gen media, even if one day they might start offering bigger games utilizing the HD-DVD expansion. I also started thinking a bit and realized a lot can be gleaned from being second. Blu-ray does need to catch up to the quality of HD DVD when it comes to movie playback, but that's pretty much already happened with the latest codec. So, now you've got Blu-ray positioned to implement all the things that have worked in HD DVD, in addition to making use of a larger amount of physical disc space, which may or may not remain, depending on if the third layer gets certified for video playback on HD DVD. It's entirely possible that Blu-ray could catapult ahead just by learning from HD DVDs mistakes and devoting that extra time to creating better features utilizing the extra space (comparing dual layer in both formats).
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tddk
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28. November 2007 @ 17:49 |
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Originally posted by HDextreme:
Quote:
You'd be pretty lucky to find a 20GB out there, since it's been discontinued. However, you don't want that model anyway, since it's missing some of the "standard equipment" that they have in the 60 and 80GB models, such as WiFi, and I think the memory card reader is missing also.
Yeah, I see your point. You gotta have the standard equipment. I've been checking out the PS3 site and it doesn't look like they'll offer direct channel connections anytime soon. Likely never to keep the clean look on the PS3. My search continues for the ideal player.
Ok, in summary, this is what I've gathered from this thread so far:
Blu-ray owners chose Blu-ray because:
1)Better studio support
2)PS3 / Gaming
3)Disk capacity / scratch resistance.
Feel free to add to this if I missed anything.
Thanks!
I am just new to the forum, however, there seems to be too many rumors going around regarding bluray and hd dvd. So, from the research I have gathered, I am presenting the TRUTH. Not rumors, but actual facts to point out which format is superior as of today. With that said, bluray, like every other sony product, has the potential for being the best, but just isnt there yet...
1. Better studio Support. I have included both segments of the hd dvd and bluray wikipedia articles about their studio support.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HD_DVD
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blu-ray_Disc
HD DVD
HD DVD Promotion Group Member List contains the main promoters of HD DVD, namely Toshiba, NEC, Sanyo, Microsoft, RCA, Kenwood, Intel, Venturer Electronics and Memory-Tech Corporation. The HD DVD format is also non-exclusively supported by Acer, Asus, HP, Hitachi Maxell, LG, Lite On, Onkyo, Meridian, Samsung,[67] and Alpine.
In terms of major studios in North America, HD DVD is currently exclusively backed by Universal Studios (including subsidiaries Focus Features and Rogue Pictures), Paramount Pictures (including Paramount Vantage, Nickelodeon Movies, MTV Films, DreamWorks Pictures and DreamWorks Animation), The Weinstein Company (including Dimension Films), and First Look Studios.
The format is non-exclusively backed by Warner Bros. Pictures (it should be noted that a number of Warner's titles?Batman Begins, Constantine, Troy (excluding Troy: Director's Cut), V for Vendetta, The Perfect Storm, Poseidon, Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines, The Matrix Trilogy?are HD DVD exclusive at the present), New Line Cinema (it should be noted that some of New Line Cinema titles, the first being Hairspray, are announced as Blu-ray exclusive for limited time due to lack of region coding in HD DVD[68][69] [70]. All catalog titles will be released simultaneously in both formats), HBO, and Image Entertainment (including the Discovery Channel),[71] Magnolia Pictures,[72] Brentwood Home Video, Ryko, Koch/Goldhil Entertainment.[73]
Bluray
Blu-ray Disc has gained a large amount of support in the corporate world,[77] with companies such as Apple, Dell, and Panasonic backing it. Blu-ray Disc was started by Hitachi, LG, Panasonic, Pioneer, Philips, Samsung, Sharp, Sony, and Thomson in February 19, 2002, with Panasonic, Sony, Pioneer, and Philips as the back-bone of the foundation.[78] Several members of the Blu-ray organization's Board of Directors who had originally pledged to support Blu-ray Disc later also supported HD DVD, such as Hewlett-Packard, Samsung, and LG.
Among the movie studios, Blu-ray Disc is currently exclusively supported in the United States by Sony Pictures Entertainment and MGM (20% of MGM's stake is owned by Sony) as well as Disney, 20th Century Fox, and Lionsgate. Outside of the United States, movies from these studios are often distributed by different companies, such as StudioCanal in Europe. Thus many of these Blu-ray exclusive titles are available outside the U.S. on HD DVD.[79] Likewise, movies that are exclusive to HD DVD in the United States have Blu-ray releases in other regions. An example of this is the Universal Studios film Bruce Almighty, which has been released exclusively on HD DVD in the U.S., but has been released as a Blu-ray exclusive in Europe due to the distribution rights held by Buena Vista.[citation needed] Many Blu-ray discs are multi-region, making import of these titles easier.[80]
It is non-exclusively supported by Warner Bros., and New Line Cinema. Warner Bros. has several HD DVD exclusive titles at the moment that are scheduled for release on Blu-ray in the near future. It should be noted that some of New Line Cinema's titles, the first being Hairspray, were originally announced as limited time Blu-ray exclusives due to lack of region coding with HD DVD.[81][82] All future catalog titles will be released simultaneously in both formats.
What it comes down to
By reading both of those articles it is clear that both companies essentially have the same amount of studios backing them, and for the most part outside of the 2 major studios backing each side, the rest of the major studios publish for both formats. So clearly, neither side has more support, please do research before just posting what you heard from some random person.
2. PS3's gaming
Again, a true sign of fan boy is someone who attempts to spread information about their said product without supporting it with fact.
Here are two links from a LEAD GAME DESIGNER who described the PS3 compared to the XBOX 360 last year, and then again this year.
Last year:
http://www.hardcoreware.net/reviews/review-348-1.htm
This Year:
http://www.hardcoreware.net/playstation-...one-year-later/
Again, as far as gaming is considered, the playstation 3 has been the biggest let down. I know first hand as I waited in line at launch to get one, but it sits in my cabinet solely used for bluray movies, as my xbox 360 with hdmi is used far more often for gaming. The titles just arent there for PS3.
Check out sales too, the XBOX 360 has almost 3 times the total sales as a PS3 does. The wii doesnt count as next gen because those graphics are worse then a gameboy.
Being a game designer myself for THQ, I can say hands down, that the XBOX 360 is 1 million times easier to develop for then PS3, hence by being easier to work with, studios are attracted to developing for it, hence why it has better titles.
3)Disk capacity / scratch resistance.
Space means nothing if you use poor codecs to encode the data. No disc is scratch resistant, if you think that, then go grab your $35 copy of 300 and drag it on the sidewalk for a good minute. I will promise you, that the disc wont play.
Technically HD DVD has more space right now then bluray does, every bluray movie I know of is 25gb disc, every HD DVD I have is 30gb. So until sony starts shipping movies on 50gb discs, then flat out, HDDVD movies are on larger discs.
What it comes down to is simple, do research instead of just following what someone else says.
Flat out truth is:
HD-DVD is simply delivering higher bit-rates and overall better image quality, than Blu-ray is capable of with the combination of MPEG2 and 25GB Blu-ray discs.
With that being said, IF...big IF....sony decides to actually start caring about the quality of their movies, they will increase the transfer rate and codecs to increase the quality of their movies and start using the full potential of Bluray, then they will become superior.
BUT AS OF TODAY, HD DVD delivers higher quality images for all movies.
Tmrw is yet to come...
Proud owner of both HD DVD and Bluray.
Also for newbies to the tech, DONT BUY HD DVD or BLURAY if you have a TV less then 1080P, it just is a waste! Get an up converting player instead!
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