HD-DVD versus Blu-Ray

[jpeyton]

J&R $9.99/$13.99 Blu-Ray Sale

Looks like Blu-Ray owners will have a lot of movies to unwrap this holiday season.

Fry's is also doing BOGO on Blu-Ray this weekend. Picked up 28 Days Later and 28 Weeks Later for $28 total.

 

[Shawn]

Amazon has the HD-A3 for $199 and comes with 12 free movies:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/featu...0701&pf_rd_i=193642011

 

[Ricochet]

Originally posted by: Muadib

Originally posted by: ricochet

Originally posted by: jpeyton
More great news for people looking for Blu-Ray movie deals:

Add this to your cart

Then add this to your cart

Buy one, get one free. Choose free saver shipping.

<<snip>>

Oh great. Thanks to you, I now bought more Blu-Ray titles and I don't even own a Blu-Ray player.

Why would you do this? Do you have a PS3 on your xmas list?

I like to collect movies. Eventually I'll either get a PS3 or a dual format player. I couldn't pass up on a good deal.

 

[cubby1223]

If anybody needs a new rumor to think about, here it comes straight from a high up at Lionsgate:
http://www.businessweek.com/ma..._51/b4063028294846.htm

 

[destrekor]

Originally posted by: cubby1223
If anybody needs a new rumor to think about, here it comes straight from a high up at Lionsgate:
http://www.businessweek.com/ma..._51/b4063028294846.htm

that would prove awesome, but even the Lionsgate exec says its a rumor. It would certainly have the ultimate impact, as Warner releases the most movies in HD it seems, and definitely seems to release the most HD DVD titles.

 

[jpeyton]

Looks like some of the predictions from that article are already coming true.

Samsung Blu-Ray Player $299 Shipped

Same price on Amazon too.

 

[Muadib]

Originally posted by: jpeyton
Looks like some of the predictions from that article are already coming true.

Samsung Blu-Ray Player $299 Shipped

Same price on Amazon too.

Very tempting, but there appears to be quite a few issues with this player. Here is the thread for it over on avs forums.

 

[Eug]

Also, the BD-P1400 is a Profile 1.0 player.

As of Halloween, all new Blu-ray players must support Profile 1.1. The BD-P1400 can't, but can still be sold because it came out before Oct. 31.

In other words, it's already obsolete, so for $299 it's a total ripoff. Maybe if it were $149, or if it were Profile 1.1...

 

[cubby1223]

Originally posted by: Eug
Also, the BD-P1400 is a Profile 1.0 player.

As of Halloween, all new Blu-ray players must support Profile 1.1. The BD-P1400 can't, but can still be sold because it came out before Oct. 31.

In other words, it's already obsolete, so for $299 it's a total ripoff. Maybe if it were $149, or if it were Profile 1.1...

They're not obsolete, how many times have we been over this in the various threads? :roll:

 

[cliftonite]

Originally posted by: Eug
Also, the BD-P1400 is a Profile 1.0 player.

As of Halloween, all new Blu-ray players must support Profile 1.1. The BD-P1400 can't, but can still be sold because it came out before Oct. 31.

In other words, it's already obsolete, so for $299 it's a total ripoff. Maybe if it were $149, or if it were Profile 1.1...

How is it obsolete? They will still play the movies but wont play the extras. There is still no confirmation that the TL-51 disks can be played by earlier generation HD-DVD players.

 

[Shawn]

That Samsung player is tempting but it's still too much. If it drops down to $200 I'll bite.

 

[cubby1223]

My God I watched Pirates 3 last night in 1080p... (although the case incorrectly lists it as 1080i for anyone who wants to counter my "facts") It's unbelievable how good the entire battle in the pouring rain looks. I hadn't seen the movie in theaters, but I remember reading reviews saying it wasn't any good - I actually thought it was the best of the 3.

Just a heads up, there's a bug with the PS3 firmware 2.01, both Pirates 3 & Pixar Shorts may lock up the PS3 if you let the previews run all the way through at normal speed, or use skip chapter. To get around it, set the fast forward up to 120x to skip through the previews and it'll take you to the menu - until there's a firmware update to correct these. Actually, Pirates 3 allows you go straight to the menu from the previews, Pixar Shorts does not.



And can we finally put an end to the profile bashing? There is a specific reason why there are Blu-ray profiles, and why no other manufacturer than Toshiba makes HD DVD players. The Toshibas are up to what, firmware 2.7 now? The launch Samsung BD-P1000 is at firmware 1.2. Say whatever you want about interactivity, it would have been a financial disaster to expect that level of support from any manufacturing company who sells far less numbers and receives little to no format royalties. I'm sure that's also the reason the only non-Toshiba HD DVD player did not support HDi. Only now, over a year & a half from launch, are we soon to see non-Toshiba HD DVD players with HDi support, the dual players from LG & Samsung.

 

[mlm]

Originally posted by: jpeyton
Fry's is also doing BOGO on Blu-Ray this weekend. Picked up 28 Days Later and 28 Weeks Later for $28 total.

This sale is good at my local Fry's until Christmas.

 

[superbooga]

The Samsung isn't worth buying just because it's a buggy POS. There are only two BD players worth buying: PS3 and BD30. Working out of the box with minimal problems and responsiveness of the machine are probably more important than anything else. That's not to say HD DVD players haven't had their share of problems; they are way too sensitive to scratched discs. I have a BD30 and an HD-A35, btw.

 

[jpeyton]

Originally posted by: Eug
Also, the BD-P1400 is a Profile 1.0 player.

As of Halloween, all new Blu-ray players must support Profile 1.1. The BD-P1400 can't, but can still be sold because it came out before Oct. 31.

In other words, it's already obsolete, so for $299 it's a total ripoff. Maybe if it were $149, or if it were Profile 1.1...

Just FYI, 99% of the salespeople at consumer electronics stores know nothing about BD profiles, and even fewer consumers are aware of them. I always shoot the shit with employees at Best Buy and Circuit City when I'm hustling them, and not one person has mentioned profiles, firmware upgrades, etc.

Samsung will sell a ton of these players if they drop to $299 at B&M locations.

EDIT: Spoke too soon.

Available for $299.99 at Circuit City and Best Buy.

Search SD or FW for a 10% coupon for either store, to knock the price down to $269.99. Best Buy also gives you 2 free Blu-Ray movies instantly in-store, on top of the 5 free movies by mail.

 

[ranmaniac]

I'm interested in the Samsung player to go with my Samsung 32" LCD, however, I've read that the PS3 is more reliable, upgradeable to 1.1, and it loads the movies faster.

 

[superbooga]

Originally posted by: jpeyton
Samsung will sell a ton of these players if they drop to $299 at B&M locations.

They will sell more, but not a whole lot more. A standalone player at $299 is still too expensive. Plus, sa BD players don't sell well period. There are at least 20 PS3s sold for every sa, and even if only a fraction intend to be used as BD players with regularity, it's clear that the majority of people who buy BD media will play it on a PS3.

 

[Eug]

Originally posted by: jpeyton

Originally posted by: Eug
Also, the BD-P1400 is a Profile 1.0 player.

As of Halloween, all new Blu-ray players must support Profile 1.1. The BD-P1400 can't, but can still be sold because it came out before Oct. 31.

In other words, it's already obsolete, so for $299 it's a total ripoff. Maybe if it were $149, or if it were Profile 1.1...

Just FYI, 99% of the salespeople at consumer electronics stores know nothing about BD profiles, and even fewer consumers are aware of them. I always shoot the shit with employees at Best Buy and Circuit City when I'm hustling them, and not one person has mentioned profiles, firmware upgrades, etc.

Yeah, and that's the problem. When they get those discs in January, they'll be pissed when the extras don't work on their brand new player. I know I'd be.

I certainly wouldn't want a family member spending $300 only to get this, esp. when this player doesn't have the greatest reputation anyway. If it were $150 it may be justified, but definitely not at $300.

Originally posted by: cliftonite

Originally posted by: Eug
Also, the BD-P1400 is a Profile 1.0 player.

As of Halloween, all new Blu-ray players must support Profile 1.1. The BD-P1400 can't, but can still be sold because it came out before Oct. 31.

In other words, it's already obsolete, so for $299 it's a total ripoff. Maybe if it were $149, or if it were Profile 1.1...

How is it obsolete? They will still play the movies but wont play the extras.

Bingo. It's obsolete because it won't play the extras. I don't know about you, but some of us actually like watching the extras.

There is still no confirmation that the TL-51 disks can be played by earlier generation HD-DVD players.

Of course, this has nothing to do with the BD-P1400. But since you brought it up: If HD DVD releases TL51 and current players can't play it, then that would be totally lame... just like a $300 Profile 1.0 player in December 2007.

 

[superbooga]

Originally posted by: Eug
Bingo. It's obsolete because it won't play the extras. I don't know about you, but some of us actually like watching the extras.

Eug, even if your player can play the extras, you can't watch them unless they actually exist on the disc =).

As far as I know, there are no BD releases that use Profile 1.1 features. That doesn't mean extras don't exist. Disney releases have tons of extras (all three releases of Pirates are 2-disc editions). And these features work on all BD players, because all players support Java.

That being said, PIP and other interactive features on HD DVD work really well and are seamless. Most of the interactive features on BD releases at this moment are clumsy and unintuitive, nothing more than over-glorified menus. PIP would definitely help.

 

[cubby1223]

Originally posted by: Eug

Originally posted by: cliftonite
How is it obsolete? They will still play the movies but wont play the extras.

Bingo. It's obsolete because it won't play the extras. I don't know about you, but some of us actually like watching the extras.

Then don't buy it. But that doesn't make something obsolete. I don't want to buy an HD-A1, but I don't parade around calling it obsolete, because it is not.

Pick up a dictionary sometime, you might learn something.

 

[Shawn]

Originally posted by: cubby1223

Originally posted by: Eug

Originally posted by: cliftonite
How is it obsolete? They will still play the movies but wont play the extras.

Bingo. It's obsolete because it won't play the extras. I don't know about you, but some of us actually like watching the extras.

Then don't buy it. But that doesn't make something obsolete. I don't want to buy an HD-A1, but I don't parade around calling it obsolete, because it is not.

Pick up a dictionary sometime, you might learn something.

The A1 can play every HD DVD out there, including all of the special features. So no, it isn't obsolete, but the Samsung player is. That said, I'd still buy the Samsung if it was about $100 cheaper.

 

[zinfamous]

Originally posted by: cliftonite

Originally posted by: Eug
Also, the BD-P1400 is a Profile 1.0 player.

As of Halloween, all new Blu-ray players must support Profile 1.1. The BD-P1400 can't, but can still be sold because it came out before Oct. 31.

In other words, it's already obsolete, so for $299 it's a total ripoff. Maybe if it were $149, or if it were Profile 1.1...

How is it obsolete? They will still play the movies but wont play the extras. There is still no confirmation that the TL-51 disks can be played by earlier generation HD-DVD players.

several model players have issues playing the actual movie, loading the disc b/c of the Java-enabled special features.

yeah...I consider that an issue.


as to the Lions gate rumors....does this mean my my $100 HD DVD player will be useless in another 4 months? Holy Shit! it's like I just bought a top-of-the-line CPU!!

oh wait...

 

[jpeyton]

Originally posted by: zinfamous
as to the Lions gate rumors....does this mean my my $100 HD DVD player will be useless in another 4 months?

It won't ever be useless as long as you own HD-DVD movies. It will have significantly less useful value when the Paramount exclusivity agreement dissolves after the 18-month term ends.

I think the $80 I paid for my HD-A2 (and 5 free movies) is well worth the price of admission to watch Transformers in high-definition, even though I own more Blu-Ray movies.

 

[zinfamous]

Originally posted by: superbooga

Originally posted by: Eug
Bingo. It's obsolete because it won't play the extras. I don't know about you, but some of us actually like watching the extras.

Eug, even if your player can play the extras, you can't watch them unless they actually exist on the disc =).

As far as I know, there are no BD releases that use Profile 1.1 features. That doesn't mean extras don't exist. Disney releases have tons of extras (all three releases of Pirates are 2-disc editions). And these features work on all BD players, because all players support Java.

That being said, PIP and other interactive features on HD DVD work really well and are seamless. Most of the interactive features on BD releases at this moment are clumsy and unintuitive, nothing more than over-glorified menus. PIP would definitely help.

uhhh..the Liar's Dice disc has notoriously locked up a few BD players. I would hardly call that universal adoption.

for the record (Again) I have 11:1 BD to HD DVD discs. so no bias here...

 

[cubby1223]

Originally posted by: Shawn
The A1 can play every HD DVD out there, including all of the special features. So no, it isn't obsolete, but the Samsung player is. That said, I'd still buy the Samsung if it was about $100 cheaper.

:roll:

Get over yourself, because you know exactly what the term obsolete means, and you know exactly why it does not apply to the Samsung players.