HD-DVD versus Blu-Ray

[cubby1223]

Originally posted by: cmdrdredd
Because there is a little issue with HDCP and how it may be possible for people to use the PS3 to rip the audio stream right out as it's decoded. We will see.

It's not flawed either. Why do you think they sell decoders without amps in them at all? For thousands of dollars even...

Because there is a difference. I don't care if average jo blow from down on hickville road can hear the difference on his $500 receiver. There are people with more than that invested into a system. I am not one of them, but to say that a $1k decoder is the same as 10 year old Billy's $399 PS3 is rediculous. I can tell the difference I just cannot afford it which is why I went cheap and use my gaming PC with my HD videos.

What are you blabbing about? A 10-year old 300mhz computer can unzip compressed files just as accurately as a brand new quad-core intel. As such, I expect a $399 PS3 to decompress a digital audio codec to the full bit-stream with the same accuracy as a $1,000 decoder you speak of.

Why do they sell expensive decoders? Because people buy them. Why is Monster Cable still in business? This $1k decoder probably does digital to analog conversion. Otherwise, any cheap hardware can process digital information with exact precision.

 

[Schadenfroh]

This thread has been continued here

 

[zinfamous]

Well, since I'm guessing that several of us have now gone format neutral with the recent fire sale of A2s (and A3s--lucky bastards), I'm hoping we can contribute more relevant discussion here as to what format offers the best overall bang for your buck. Not to mention the controversial "PCM/True HD just doesn't provide that much difference over DD+. Like anyone needs 7.1 in this day and age."

 

[Genx87]

My 100 dollar A2 is simply ridiculously nice. Bought 300, Transformers, and the Bourne Supremacy over the weekend and cant wait to get more.

Thanks to a friend who works for BB corporate, ill get my 8 foot HDMI cable soon for 7 bucks.

Filling out my 5 free movie deal tonight and hopefully see them before Christmas.

I was debaitng getting Heroes first season in HD, but wife and I never watched the show and decided regular dvd is fine as it is half the price.

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: zinfamous
Well, since I'm guessing that several of us have now gone format neutral with the recent fire sale of A2s (and A3s--lucky bastards), I'm hoping we can contribute more relevant discussion here as to what format offers the best overall bang for your buck. Not to mention the controversial "PCM/True HD just doesn't provide that much difference over DD+. Like anyone needs 7.1 in this day and age."

I am interested to see the effect of this sale on the market. I for one, was going to wait out the format war for a while longer...but jumped in after getting the A2 for $105 shipped. I can see I am DEFINITELY not alone in this regard. I think this could definitely make the sales at least even out. I wish HDDVD could lure Disney over to its format...or at least go format neutral.

I disagree with those who think a dual format player is going to be the future. I doubt that manufacturers will put up with having to seperate processes needed just to produce different versions. Not to mention the possibility of having different features/encoding processes for each. If the consumer market doesn't decide what they want, the movie studios will.

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: Genx87
My 100 dollar A2 is simply ridiculously nice. Bought 300, Transformers, and the Bourne Supremacy over the weekend and cant wait to get more.

Thanks to a friend who works for BB corporate, ill get my 8 foot HDMI cable soon for 7 bucks.

Filling out my 5 free movie deal tonight and hopefully see them before Christmas.

I was debaitng getting Heroes first season in HD, but wife and I never watched the show and decided regular dvd is fine as it is half the price.

I'm just happy I can finally get PLANET EARTH in HD

 

[Genx87]

Originally posted by: PurdueRy

Originally posted by: Genx87
My 100 dollar A2 is simply ridiculously nice. Bought 300, Transformers, and the Bourne Supremacy over the weekend and cant wait to get more.

Thanks to a friend who works for BB corporate, ill get my 8 foot HDMI cable soon for 7 bucks.

Filling out my 5 free movie deal tonight and hopefully see them before Christmas.

I was debaitng getting Heroes first season in HD, but wife and I never watched the show and decided regular dvd is fine as it is half the price.

I'm just happy I can finally get PLANET EARTH in HD

I want to get it, but damn that price tag lol

 

[zinfamous]

Originally posted by: Genx87

Originally posted by: PurdueRy

Originally posted by: Genx87
My 100 dollar A2 is simply ridiculously nice. Bought 300, Transformers, and the Bourne Supremacy over the weekend and cant wait to get more.

Thanks to a friend who works for BB corporate, ill get my 8 foot HDMI cable soon for 7 bucks.

Filling out my 5 free movie deal tonight and hopefully see them before Christmas.

I was debaitng getting Heroes first season in HD, but wife and I never watched the show and decided regular dvd is fine as it is half the price.

I'm just happy I can finally get PLANET EARTH in HD

I want to get it, but damn that price tag lol

I got it for $60 on Buy.com a few months ago. Never trust the in-store prices on those sets. $60 is well-worth it.

What disappoints me though, is that the HD versions (Blu Ray, at least) are completely stripped--none of the filmmakers' documentaries that were aired alongside the Discovery Channel presentations. Not even a choice of soundtracks (even though Attenborough is certainly better and considering that this is released by BBC, it would still be nice that the superior formats offered us the choice that they are capable of.)

 

[BigJ]

I got in on the BestBuy deal for my parents. Toshiba A2 + Transformers + 300 + 5 Free for $108. I'll be taking my receipt back tonight to try to get in on the third movie for free they're offering. I doubt my parents will be buying a lot of movies, especially with my sister/brother getting them a Netflix subscription for Christmas.

I still couldn't give a damn who wins unless BR players continue to be in the $300+ price range over the next year.

 

[PurdueRy]

I wonder....I purchased through BB Business....could I take my Invoice into the store and get the 3 free movies instantly deal?

EDIT: "Returns or exchanges cannot be made and will not be accepted at Best Buy retail stores. "


Dang....Oh well at least I will still get the 5 free movies by mail.

 

[zinfamous]

Originally posted by: PurdueRy
I wonder....I purchased through BB Business....could I take my Invoice into the store and get the 3 free movies instantly deal?

EDIT: "Returns or exchanges cannot be made and will not be accepted at Best Buy retail stores. "


Dang....Oh well at least I will still get the 5 free movies by mail.

that's neither a return or an exchange. I say you give it a shot. I *think* some on AVS have had luck with this

 

[BigJ]

Originally posted by: zinfamous

Originally posted by: PurdueRy
I wonder....I purchased through BB Business....could I take my Invoice into the store and get the 3 free movies instantly deal?

EDIT: "Returns or exchanges cannot be made and will not be accepted at Best Buy retail stores. "


Dang....Oh well at least I will still get the 5 free movies by mail.

that's neither a return or an exchange. I say you give it a shot. I *think* some on AVS have had luck with this

To get the movies, they would need to do a refund (return) rering. He's more than likely not going to be able to get it at the store.

Your best bet is following the Slickdeals or AVS thread and calling the number their. People have had luck getting 2, but not the third.

 

[cmdrdredd]

Originally posted by: zinfamous
Well, since I'm guessing that several of us have now gone format neutral with the recent fire sale of A2s (and A3s--lucky bastards), I'm hoping we can contribute more relevant discussion here as to what format offers the best overall bang for your buck. Not to mention the controversial "PCM/True HD just doesn't provide that much difference over DD+. Like anyone needs 7.1 in this day and age."

Well, I am supporting both. I'm a movie fan first and foremost really...so I will just buy movies I like regardless of format.

When it comes to audio, I can tell the difference between DD+ and TrueHD depending on the movie presented.

 

[Shadowknight]

Originally posted by: Genx87
Thanks to a friend who works for BB corporate, ill get my 8 foot HDMI cable soon for 7 bucks.

You mean one of these?

 

[zinfamous]

Originally posted by: Shadowknight

Originally posted by: Genx87
Thanks to a friend who works for BB corporate, ill get my 8 foot HDMI cable soon for 7 bucks.

You mean one of these?

word. I've got 3 of those

 

[PurdueRy]

Looks like I will be getting the A3 from BB business instead of the A2(they are currently "Seeing how much stock they can get from Toshiba" according to the nice phone representative I talked to.)

Here's hoping it comes with 300 and Bourne in the box

 

[zinfamous]

Originally posted by: PurdueRy
Looks like I will be getting the A3 from BB business instead of the A2(they are currently "Seeing how much stock they can get from Toshiba" according to the nice phone representative I talked to.)

Here's hoping it comes with 300 and Bourne in the box

I ended up going with the later-day deal for CC for $130. got a receipt, but no confirmation of shipping. crossing my fingers that they have the same Back-order problem...and are going the BB route....

 

[cubby1223]

Amazon's got a $10 off sale when buying both Ratatouille & Cars Blu-ray ($37 total). It shows at the very last step of the checkout process before you submit your order.

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: cubby1223
Amazon's got a $10 off sale when buying both Ratatouille & Cars Blu-ray ($37 total). It shows at the very last step of the checkout process before you submit your order.

<- Wishes Disney went format Neutral


Oh well....someday

 

[dainthomas]

Originally posted by: zinfamous

Originally posted by: PurdueRy
Looks like I will be getting the A3 from BB business instead of the A2(they are currently "Seeing how much stock they can get from Toshiba" according to the nice phone representative I talked to.)

Here's hoping it comes with 300 and Bourne in the box

I ended up going with the later-day deal for CC for $130. got a receipt, but no confirmation of shipping. crossing my fingers that they have the same Back-order problem...and are going the BB route....

Same here. My original delivery date was the 9th. Now it says 19th.

 

[JC86]

There was an entry on Gizmodo saying that Toshiba is losing around $400 dollars per $100 unit sold. Plus, judging by the lack of inventory at Wal-Marts and BB, it seems like this was just Toshiba's way of clearing inventory and generating buzz around HD-DVD. There will probably be a spike in HDDVD sales for the week but Ratatouille and Cars are coming to BD today, i'm sure it'll even it out and maintain the status quo of the format war to this point.

 

[zinfamous]

Originally posted by: dainthomas

Originally posted by: zinfamous

Originally posted by: PurdueRy
Looks like I will be getting the A3 from BB business instead of the A2(they are currently "Seeing how much stock they can get from Toshiba" according to the nice phone representative I talked to.)

Here's hoping it comes with 300 and Bourne in the box

I ended up going with the later-day deal for CC for $130. got a receipt, but no confirmation of shipping. crossing my fingers that they have the same Back-order problem...and are going the BB route....

Same here. My original delivery date was the 9th. Now it says 19th.

yes that is what mine says...keeping fingers crossed...

 

[zinfamous]

Originally posted by: cubby1223
Amazon's got a $10 off sale when buying both Ratatouille & Cars Blu-ray ($37 total). It shows at the very last step of the checkout process before you submit your order.

damn it! I'm trying to quit already...will you please stop posting these deals?

 

[zinfamous]

Originally posted by: JC86
There was an entry on Gizmodo saying that Toshiba is losing around $400 dollars per $100 unit sold. Plus, judging by the lack of inventory at Wal-Marts and BB, it seems like this was just Toshiba's way of clearing inventory and generating buzz around HD-DVD. There will probably be a spike in HDDVD sales for the week but Ratatouille and Cars are coming to BD today, i'm sure it'll even it out and maintain the status quo of the format war to this point.

that article was BS. the blogger was speculating Toshiba's cost on the A2 based on supposed costs of the A1....we know that's pretty ridiculous.

 

[JC86]

Originally posted by: zinfamous

Originally posted by: JC86
There was an entry on Gizmodo saying that Toshiba is losing around $400 dollars per $100 unit sold. Plus, judging by the lack of inventory at Wal-Marts and BB, it seems like this was just Toshiba's way of clearing inventory and generating buzz around HD-DVD. There will probably be a spike in HDDVD sales for the week but Ratatouille and Cars are coming to BD today, i'm sure it'll even it out and maintain the status quo of the format war to this point.

that article was BS. the blogger was speculating Toshiba's cost on the A2 based on supposed costs of the A1....we know that's pretty ridiculous.

I don't think it's ridiculous to speculate on how much money Toshiba is losing on this deal. Let's face it, Toshiba may have been the first to break the price point but it was a flash in the pan sale. There is no way Toshiba can maintain a player below $100 this year. There is also no way in hell that Toshiba is making a profit off of these players at this point. I tend to agree that this sounds like a move of desperation from the HDDVD camp, which were hoping that Transformers would shift the format war in favor of HDDVD only to have Spider Man maintain the status quo.