[ferrignofan]

Alright I just getting interested in the Blu Ray and Hddvd players. I live in a small town that doesnt have a big electronics store so I havent been able to compare the 2 side by side or even to the standard dvd players.

Blu Ray is more expensive but is it that big of a difference from the hd players and is there a huge difference between these and regular dvd players? Also, most hd players say that they upscale regular dvd's to hd quality. If that is true than what is the plus in buying an hd dvd for more if it will look the same.

I havent been researching this long but I was hoping there were some people that already have these players that could give me some advice. Thanks.

[thethirddiaz]

All newer players will upscale dvds. Regardless, the high def versions (Bluray or HD DVD) will be better looking and sounding. Honestly, one format is not much better than the other at this point and if you want to get one you should look online at which movies are available on which format. For example, Transformers is only available on HD DVD.

Also, look into which studios are aligned with each format. For example, Disney is with Bluray and Universal is with HD DVD.

Also, the difference is more pronounced between standard definition and High def on larger screens.

Honestly, the only reason I have a Bluray player is because it came in my PS3. But watching 300 on Bluray is phenomenal so if you like to appreciate the visuals in movies such as that, I would recommend a move to one of the high def formats.

If you don't care for action titles (or some other genre where the scenery is important), or don't have a decent home set up (tv and sound) it may not be worth it yet.

Finally, if you want to get on board for cheap, Best Buy and Walmart are offering an HD DVD player for $98. It is a Toshiba.

[ferrignofan]

Originally Posted by thethirddiaz

All newer players will upscale dvds. Regardless, the high def versions (Bluray or HD DVD) will be better looking and sounding. Honestly, one format is not much better than the other at this point and if you want to get one you should look online at which movies are available on which format. For example, Transformers is only available on HD DVD.

Also, look into which studios are aligned with each format. For example, Disney is with Bluray and Universal is with HD DVD.

Also, the difference is more pronounced between standard definition and High def on larger screens.

Honestly, the only reason I have a Bluray player is because it came in my PS3. But watching 300 on Bluray is phenomenal so if you like to appreciate the visuals in movies such as that, I would recommend a move to one of the high def formats.

If you don't care for action titles (or some other genre where the scenery is important), or don't have a decent home set up (tv and sound) it may not be worth it yet.

Finally, if you want to get on board for cheap, Best Buy and Walmart are offering an HD DVD player for $98. It is a Toshiba.

Thanks for the post. I think Hd would be a better choice for me since you say disney is with blu ray and universal is aligned with hd. I could care less about Disney movies. The only thing that makes me a little weary of buying either is the fact that different titles do come out exclusively. That makes me think one of the two wont be around in the long run.

[thethirddiaz]

That is what each side is hoping, and bluray was looking much better until recently when HD DVD got a few exclusives like Transformers and Kmart decided to stock only HD DVD. Sadly, this means the format war might continue for a few years.

If you are worried about the exclusives and have particular movies in mind, check which company made them. For example, scarface is one of my favorites, but it was made by Universal, so I would have to get HD DVD.

[YellowHare]

Personally, I'm not interested in the next-gen DVDs yet, but I will post these irrefutable facts to give you an idea.

• Blu Ray has 8 movie studios backing them.
• HD DVD has 12 movie studios backing them.

• The cheapest Blu Ray player that you can get (that I know of) is through buying a PS3 for $399.
• The cheapest HD DVD player that you can get is coming this holiday season for under $100, or for $170 as an Xbox 360 add-on.

• Currently, Blu Ray is selling more software (movies) than HD DVD, but people are buying more HD DVD hardware (players) than Blu Ray.

• Blu Ray can hold far more disc space (allowing for more content) than HD DVD.

[thethirddiaz]

Originally Posted by YellowHare

Personally, I'm not interested in the next-gen DVDs yet, but I will post these irrefutable facts to give you an idea.

• Blu Ray has 8 movie studios backing them.
• HD DVD has 12 movie studios backing them.

• The cheapest Blu Ray player that you can get (that I know of) is through buying a PS3 for $399.
• The cheapest HD DVD player that you can get is coming this holiday season for under $100, or for $170 as an Xbox 360 add-on.

• Currently, Blu Ray is selling more software (movies) than HD DVD, but people are buying more HD DVD hardware (players) than Blu Ray. EDIT: This is not including the PS3.

• Blu Ray can hold far more disc space (allowing for more content) than HD DVD.

See above edit.

Also, the jury is still out on interactive features. It seems as though HD DVD is in the lead, but Bluray is supposedly coming out with a firmware upgrade soon.

[Sax MMA]

great info on this subject

[Sambo234]

giving the number of movie studios is deceptive in the fact that many parent companies own more than one movie studio.

[Zvengeance]

Originally Posted by thethirddiaz

See above edit.

Also, the jury is still out on interactive features. It seems as though HD DVD is in the lead, but Bluray is supposedly coming out with a firmware upgrade soon.

in number sales blue ray is beating HDVD by a lot, specially in Europe.

[sylaxRKO]

Most Important things now is Transformers is on HD-DVD and Spiderman 3 is on Blu-Ray