Toshiba HD-DVD player is $100 this Friday at Walmarts nationwide.

[SlickSnake]

My support for format wars will never be on the side of SONY. They are always forcing crap down consumer throats, like the CD copy protection scam/hack, without even properly reviewing the ramifications of it. They are like the captain of the Titanic, and only steer clear of the icebergs in the way, AFTER they have already hit it.

Just look at how they lost the large Trinitron market share they had for years, and they are now scrambling to make up lost time on the LCD one. Just way too little, too late. Now they want to charge way more to license their Blue Ray tech than Toshiba does, which will be the final nail in their greedy coffin. Just way too many pencil pushers there, and not enough pencils I guess.

Cheers HD-DVD :beer:

 

[Jadow]

I was there today, middle of the day, and there were about 20 of them sitting there. No rush on these at all. I chose not to get one. I'm not even going to spend $100 until this format war is over.

 

[Shawn]

Originally posted by: Pabster

Originally posted by: zinfamous

Originally posted by: Pabster
HD DVD has a triple layer 45GB disc already in the pipeline.

that's a 51 GB disc, supposedly...so 1 gig more than BD. problem is, they can't make these as blank media...which defeats the purpose of making one if you support the HDDVD argument that 30GB is more than enough for a quality HD flick. I tend to agree with this argument for the most part (it seems the lack of uncompressed audio on the vast majority of HDDVDs is not b/c of storage space); however, taking films such as the extended LOTR into consideration makes this argument laughable. Sure, it could fit on 2 HDDVDs, but it can easily fit on 1 BD.

That's one of the issues with BETA max that pissed off the consumer--2 tapes for one ~2 hour movie vs VHS's one tape.

Hmmm, I'll have to look in to this. Last I was aware, the triple-layer was 45GB, and indeed would be recordable blank media.

It is 17GB per layer instead of 15GB. Basically they are just winding the disc tighter to gain an extra 2GB. Kind of like they did to get 70min onto a CD-R instead of 64. The only problem with this is it could make the discs harder to read. I guess we'll have to wait until there are 51GB discs in the wild before we'll know for sure.

 

[fatpat268]

You know... I hate to say it, but I'm not exactly impressed with HD-DVD's (and probably blu-ray for that matter).

After watching a couple of movies, I cannot find a single reason that would compel me to pay $30 or $35 for a new release title. Sure, the quality is great, but I wouldn't say it's worth more than a $100 upgrade.

Personally, I can't see how either format will win a "format war," when movies are overpriced, not many people actually own hdtv's, and the fact is that there's no real "Wow" factor to hd-dvds. Well, I guess there is, but it wasn't the same when I watched my first dvd after vhs movies. Yes, one format will win out due to flooding the market with low cost players (hd-dvd is doing an excellent job), but I cannot honestly see HD-DVD or Blu Ray becoming mainstream.

Of course, I may be proven completely wrong a couple years down the road... but eh. I still like the player, and it's got some nice features... but I was expecting more for a technology that had such a high initial cost a couple of months ago.

 

[JackBurton]

Originally posted by: fatpat268
You know... I hate to say it, but I'm not exactly impressed with HD-DVD's (and probably blu-ray for that matter).

After watching a couple of movies, I cannot find a single reason that would compel me to pay $30 or $35 for a new release title. Sure, the quality is great, but I wouldn't say it's worth more than a $100 upgrade.

Personally, I can't see how either format will win a "format war," when movies are overpriced, not many people actually own hdtv's, and the fact is that there's no real "Wow" factor to hd-dvds. Well, I guess there is, but it wasn't the same when I watched my first dvd after vhs movies. Yes, one format will win out due to flooding the market with low cost players (hd-dvd is doing an excellent job), but I cannot honestly see HD-DVD or Blu Ray becoming mainstream.

Of course, I may be proven completely wrong a couple years down the road... but eh. I still like the player, and it's got some nice features... but I was expecting more for a technology that had such a high initial cost a couple of months ago.

Your problem is not the HD-DVD or Blu-Ray movie. You just need a better HDTV to view it on.

 

[Qacer]

I was going to pick one up, but I thought about it some more. I came to the conclusion that great image quality is not going to save a sucky movie. I compare it to video games. The TurboGrafix version of Bomberman can still entertain me more than XBOX version of Transformers. Then again, I don't make $1 million a year like many ATOTers, so I can't afford a high end, home entertainment system with all the bells and whistle. ;-)

 

[Fingolfin269]

Originally posted by: fatpat268
You know... I hate to say it, but I'm not exactly impressed with HD-DVD's (and probably blu-ray for that matter).

After watching a couple of movies, I cannot find a single reason that would compel me to pay $30 or $35 for a new release title. Sure, the quality is great, but I wouldn't say it's worth more than a $100 upgrade.

Personally, I can't see how either format will win a "format war," when movies are overpriced, not many people actually own hdtv's, and the fact is that there's no real "Wow" factor to hd-dvds. Well, I guess there is, but it wasn't the same when I watched my first dvd after vhs movies. Yes, one format will win out due to flooding the market with low cost players (hd-dvd is doing an excellent job), but I cannot honestly see HD-DVD or Blu Ray becoming mainstream.

Of course, I may be proven completely wrong a couple years down the road... but eh. I still like the player, and it's got some nice features... but I was expecting more for a technology that had such a high initial cost a couple of months ago.

You're right to some extent. It is definitely not the same night/day factor I felt going from VHS to DVD (over component). However there is still a lot to be said for the image quality going from up-converted DVD to HD-DVD. Is it worth the $10-15 premium per disc? I guess that depends on the movie. I'll gladly pay it for a movie like Transformers but had Knocked Up not been combo I would have bought the DVD version.

 

[waggy]

Originally posted by: Fingolfin269

Originally posted by: fatpat268
You know... I hate to say it, but I'm not exactly impressed with HD-DVD's (and probably blu-ray for that matter).

After watching a couple of movies, I cannot find a single reason that would compel me to pay $30 or $35 for a new release title. Sure, the quality is great, but I wouldn't say it's worth more than a $100 upgrade.

Personally, I can't see how either format will win a "format war," when movies are overpriced, not many people actually own hdtv's, and the fact is that there's no real "Wow" factor to hd-dvds. Well, I guess there is, but it wasn't the same when I watched my first dvd after vhs movies. Yes, one format will win out due to flooding the market with low cost players (hd-dvd is doing an excellent job), but I cannot honestly see HD-DVD or Blu Ray becoming mainstream.

Of course, I may be proven completely wrong a couple years down the road... but eh. I still like the player, and it's got some nice features... but I was expecting more for a technology that had such a high initial cost a couple of months ago.

You're right to some extent. It is definitely not the same night/day factor I felt going from VHS to DVD (over component). However there is still a lot to be said for the image quality going from up-converted DVD to HD-DVD. Is it worth the $10-15 premium per disc? I guess that depends on the movie. I'll gladly pay it for a movie like Transformers but had Knocked Up not been combo I would have bought the DVD version.

you are right.

its also not worth it to re-buy all the DVD you own in either format. Though i did buy Cars when i already owned the dvd. i have to admit it was worth it. it looks amazing.

not many i have rented/watched are worth the extra $10-15 over regular DVD's though.

 

[Vette73]

Originally posted by: waggy

Originally posted by: Fingolfin269

Originally posted by: fatpat268
You know... I hate to say it, but I'm not exactly impressed with HD-DVD's (and probably blu-ray for that matter).

After watching a couple of movies, I cannot find a single reason that would compel me to pay $30 or $35 for a new release title. Sure, the quality is great, but I wouldn't say it's worth more than a $100 upgrade.

Personally, I can't see how either format will win a "format war," when movies are overpriced, not many people actually own hdtv's, and the fact is that there's no real "Wow" factor to hd-dvds. Well, I guess there is, but it wasn't the same when I watched my first dvd after vhs movies. Yes, one format will win out due to flooding the market with low cost players (hd-dvd is doing an excellent job), but I cannot honestly see HD-DVD or Blu Ray becoming mainstream.

Of course, I may be proven completely wrong a couple years down the road... but eh. I still like the player, and it's got some nice features... but I was expecting more for a technology that had such a high initial cost a couple of months ago.

You're right to some extent. It is definitely not the same night/day factor I felt going from VHS to DVD (over component). However there is still a lot to be said for the image quality going from up-converted DVD to HD-DVD. Is it worth the $10-15 premium per disc? I guess that depends on the movie. I'll gladly pay it for a movie like Transformers but had Knocked Up not been combo I would have bought the DVD version.

you are right.

its also not worth it to re-buy all the DVD you own in either format. Though i did buy Cars when i already owned the dvd. i have to admit it was worth it. it looks amazing.

not many i have rented/watched are worth the extra $10-15 over regular DVD's though.

Well thats the thing about HD-DVD. It made from the same equipment that reg DVDs are made from. So once they go into high production teh price will drop.

Bluray needs new equipment and disc type so even in high production it will have a cosy higher then HD-DVD/DVD

 

[waggy]

Originally posted by: Marlin1975

Originally posted by: waggy

Originally posted by: Fingolfin269

Originally posted by: fatpat268
You know... I hate to say it, but I'm not exactly impressed with HD-DVD's (and probably blu-ray for that matter).

After watching a couple of movies, I cannot find a single reason that would compel me to pay $30 or $35 for a new release title. Sure, the quality is great, but I wouldn't say it's worth more than a $100 upgrade.

Personally, I can't see how either format will win a "format war," when movies are overpriced, not many people actually own hdtv's, and the fact is that there's no real "Wow" factor to hd-dvds. Well, I guess there is, but it wasn't the same when I watched my first dvd after vhs movies. Yes, one format will win out due to flooding the market with low cost players (hd-dvd is doing an excellent job), but I cannot honestly see HD-DVD or Blu Ray becoming mainstream.

Of course, I may be proven completely wrong a couple years down the road... but eh. I still like the player, and it's got some nice features... but I was expecting more for a technology that had such a high initial cost a couple of months ago.

You're right to some extent. It is definitely not the same night/day factor I felt going from VHS to DVD (over component). However there is still a lot to be said for the image quality going from up-converted DVD to HD-DVD. Is it worth the $10-15 premium per disc? I guess that depends on the movie. I'll gladly pay it for a movie like Transformers but had Knocked Up not been combo I would have bought the DVD version.

you are right.

its also not worth it to re-buy all the DVD you own in either format. Though i did buy Cars when i already owned the dvd. i have to admit it was worth it. it looks amazing.

not many i have rented/watched are worth the extra $10-15 over regular DVD's though.

Well thats the thing about HD-DVD. It made from the same equipment that reg DVDs are made from. So once they go into high production teh price will drop.

Bluray needs new equipment and disc type so even in high production it will have a cosy higher then HD-DVD/DVD

I am confidant and willing to place money on the fact that if HD-DVD drops the price of movies blu-ray will fallow.

 

[fatpat268]

Originally posted by: JackBurton


Your problem is not the HD-DVD or Blu-Ray movie. You just need a better HDTV to view it on.

Nah, it's not really that, even on a 50in 1080p set that my buddy has, it looks good but it doesn't blow me away. I do notice the difference, but my main issue is that I really don't think that there's such an appreciable difference to warrant such a price on movies. That's all.

 

[Vette73]

Originally posted by: waggy

Originally posted by: Marlin1975

Originally posted by: waggy

Originally posted by: Fingolfin269

Originally posted by: fatpat268
You know... I hate to say it, but I'm not exactly impressed with HD-DVD's (and probably blu-ray for that matter).

After watching a couple of movies, I cannot find a single reason that would compel me to pay $30 or $35 for a new release title. Sure, the quality is great, but I wouldn't say it's worth more than a $100 upgrade.

Personally, I can't see how either format will win a "format war," when movies are overpriced, not many people actually own hdtv's, and the fact is that there's no real "Wow" factor to hd-dvds. Well, I guess there is, but it wasn't the same when I watched my first dvd after vhs movies. Yes, one format will win out due to flooding the market with low cost players (hd-dvd is doing an excellent job), but I cannot honestly see HD-DVD or Blu Ray becoming mainstream.

Of course, I may be proven completely wrong a couple years down the road... but eh. I still like the player, and it's got some nice features... but I was expecting more for a technology that had such a high initial cost a couple of months ago.

You're right to some extent. It is definitely not the same night/day factor I felt going from VHS to DVD (over component). However there is still a lot to be said for the image quality going from up-converted DVD to HD-DVD. Is it worth the $10-15 premium per disc? I guess that depends on the movie. I'll gladly pay it for a movie like Transformers but had Knocked Up not been combo I would have bought the DVD version.

you are right.

its also not worth it to re-buy all the DVD you own in either format. Though i did buy Cars when i already owned the dvd. i have to admit it was worth it. it looks amazing.

not many i have rented/watched are worth the extra $10-15 over regular DVD's though.

Well thats the thing about HD-DVD. It made from the same equipment that reg DVDs are made from. So once they go into high production teh price will drop.

Bluray needs new equipment and disc type so even in high production it will have a cosy higher then HD-DVD/DVD

I am confidant and willing to place money on the fact that if HD-DVD drops the price of movies blu-ray will fallow.

Agreed but that just means Sony/Blu disc makers will take a hit or have a large cut in profits. HD-DVD has more room for cuts, hardware and disc.

 

[Aikouka]

I have no qualms with buying a movie in HD if I already own the DVD. I simply sell the DVD an enjoy the better picture 🙂. Although I do hate paying $30-35 for a new movie simply because they think they can rip you off. I can sometimes swallow $25, but that's usually as high as you'll get me to go. Last purchases I made were Amazon's BOGO deal on Blu-Ray movies. Four movies for $50 (Pirates 1, Pirates 2, Deja Vu (I will prove my theory!*) and Jay and Silent Bob)... no complaints here!

*Note: as in the mention of theory, see the old Deja Vu thread that I posted awhile back.

EDIT: Looks like me had a brain fart when changing $35 to $30-35 😛.

 

[waggy]

Originally posted by: Aikouka
I have no qualms with buying a movie in HD if I already own the DVD. I simply sell the DVD an enjoy the better picture 🙂. Although I do hate paying $3035 for a new movie simply because they think they can rip you off. I can sometimes swallow $25, but that's usually as high as you'll get me to go. Last purchases I made were Amazon's BOGO deal on Blu-Ray movies. Four movies for $50 (Pirates 1, Pirates 2, Deja Vu (I will prove my theory!*) and Jay and Silent Bob)... no complaints here!

*Note: as in the mention of theory, see the old Deja Vu thread that I posted awhile back.

yeah bif you are paying $3035 for a movie they are really ripping you off!

 

[Aikouka]

Originally posted by: waggy
yeah bif you are paying $3035 for a movie they are really ripping you off!

Too early... meant $30-35. Originally wrote $35 but only a few movies come out at that price, it seems the usual is $30, so I went to put in the range and mussed it up 🙁.

It's still too much though. I mean the difference is taking the source and encoding it with different settings and then in a different disc. Since a DVD of the same movie costs about $15 new, does an HD-DVD disc cost them around $10?

 

[waggy]

Originally posted by: Aikouka

Originally posted by: waggy
yeah bif you are paying $3035 for a movie they are really ripping you off!

Too early... meant $30-35. Originally wrote $35 but only a few movies come out at that price, it seems the usual is $30, so I went to put in the range and mussed it up 🙁.

It's still too much though. I mean the difference is taking the source and encoding it with different settings and then in a different disc. Since a DVD of the same movie costs about $15 new, does an HD-DVD disc cost them around $10?

thats what i wondered.

i figure they cost the same. they just figure we will pay a premium for HD/bluray.

i don't. unless its a movie i really want.

 

[torpid]

Having now watched 4 episodes of Planet Earth, I can safely say that $150 for the A2 and planet earth is worth it even if I never watch another HD-DVD movie.

 

[Mermaidman]

I was crushed when I missed out on this Hot Deal. :\

What did you lucky ones do with all the HD-DVDs?



If you want to discuss HD-DVDs then create a thread in the Home Theatre forum. Don't necro a 7-year old Hot Deal. Thanks.

Anandtech Adminsitrator
Keithtalent

 

[Tweak155]

I was crushed when I missed out on this Hot Deal. :\

What did you lucky ones do with all the HD-DVDs?

I still have my player and a bunch of HD DVD's. It worked out as you could get them for $5 while Blu Rays were $30.

 

[Kaido]

I was crushed when I missed out on this Hot Deal. :\

What did you lucky ones do with all the HD-DVDs?

Wow, how did you even find this thread? I had to do a double-take at "HD-DVD" in the thread title, haha.

I think I eventually threw my Xbox HD-DVD player away, along with the movies, because I couldn't even find a buyer 😀

 

[Mermaidman]

Wow, how did you even find this thread? I had to do a double-take at "HD-DVD" in the thread title, haha.

I think I eventually threw my Xbox HD-DVD player away, along with the movies, because I couldn't even find a buyer 😀

Today's posts on Blu Rays and dolphins in hi-def brought back painful memories. 😀

I can't believe this deal was 6 years ago - I remember it like it were yesterday.

 

[skimple]

Still have my Toshiba - going strong! I dumped my HD-DVD Disks when I sold my Samsung 5000 player.