HD DVD thread - Toshiba: HD DVD DISCONTINUED, REPAIR/SUPPORT CONTINUES, NO BLU PLANS

[guyver2077]

so everyone is just deciding for no reason to buy hd's on the 15th...

made sense if there was some sort of sale or something like the last br sale

[doubledown]

Ok, I thought it was a sale...it's like one of those "Don't buy gas on this day" emails I used to get.

[Duo_Maxwell]

Yeah, I don't think there are any special deals for it (though I suppose Amazon/somebody else could have something planned). Of course being the cheapasses we all are most of us are only gonna care if there is.

[KaneRobot]

Ok, I thought it was a sale...it's like one of those "Don't buy gas on this day" emails I used to get.
Pretty much. It's not going to really do anything, but it can't hurt to participate. The only deal I know of is if you are in on the "1 year of 10% off HD DVDs" thing.

[Sporadic]

so everyone is just deciding for no reason to buy hd's on the 15th...

made sense if there was some sort of sale or something like the last br sale

It's the one year anniversary of HD-DVD.

Still a retarded idea though.

[anomynous]

If that Samsung hybrid is $699, it's mine

[thrustbucket]

It's the one year anniversary of HD-DVD.

Still a retarded idea though.

Right. A bunch of people on avsforum got sick of hearing BD Fanboy's spew out their numbers, and they wanted to do something for HD DVD's one year anniversary so they are trying to get as many people as possible to all buy at least one HD DVD on the 15th to show HD DVD their support.

[Ruined]

http://www.samsung.com/PressCenter/PressRelease/PressRelease.asp?seq=20070413_0000338109

Official!


Seoul, Korea – April 13, 2007 : Samsung Electronics Co., LTD., a leader in consumer electronics and digital media technologies, and the first company to introduce a Blu-ray disc player will introduce a dual format High-Definition (HD) optical disc player in time for the holidays.

Samsung’s Duo HD player (BD-UP5000) will fully support both HD-DVD and Blu-ray Disc formats and their interactive technologies, HDi and BD-Java. With the Duo HD consumers can enjoy additional studio content such as trailers, director’s comments, more elaborate interactive menus and behind the scene footage. The new Duo HD joins Samsung’s next generation DVD line-up which includes Samsung’s second generation Blu-ray player available at retail this month. Together, these two models offer the consumer a strong line of High-Definition players to match Samsung’s award winning, and best selling, line of HDTVs.

"We welcome Samsung's Duo HD player as another solution in the marketplace that will help reduce consumer confusion and buyer hesitancy towards HD media," said Ron Sanders, President of Warner Home Video. "This is an innovative product that can move us closer to mainstream consumer adoption of HD technologies."

“We are very pleased to announce the upcoming release of our Duo HD player. Consumers are hungry for more HD content but are currently confused about competing formats. Samsung’s Duo HD player will allow consumers access to every HD movie title available regardless of the authoring format. Samsung is committed to making life simpler through technology and will market next generation DVD products which will satisfy the consumer and market requirement. This is a big win for the consumer.

And further....
As a member of the DVD Forum and contributor to the DVD Industry, we recognize that both HD-DVD and BD formats have merits. As such, we have decided to market a dual format player. Samsung is flexible to market a stand-alone HD-DVD player whenever consumers demand it. Our main concern is not technology but consumer choice” said Dongsoo Jun, Executive Vice President of the Digital AV Division at Samsung Electronics.

[anomynous]

For those of you that are interested:

Toshiba HDA2 HD DVD Player (http://www.amazon.com/Toshiba-HD-A2-HD-DVD-Player/dp/B000IJV4BC/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/104-2182204-0872729?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1176470085&sr=8-1)

it's on sale for $310 at amazon

[anomynous]

And the Samsung Combo player supports both HDi & BD-J? I just wonder how much its going to be

[KaneRobot]

Not a bad price on that standalone 2 posts up, although I bet by August it'll drop even more to sub-200 levels. Hopefully the 360 add-on will drop to the $100-$150 range by fall. With the HD DVD library growing at a healthy rate from now until likely Christmas, I think the add-on dropping to that level would generate a lot of interest from "on the fence" people.

Some info on the Heroes season set is up on the front page of highdefdigest (http://www.highdefdigest.com/news/show/Universal/TV_on_High-Def/Disc_Announcements/New_Heroes_HD_DVD_Details_Leaked/576). I don't watch the show but my friend has been trying to get me to start, and it sounds like something I'd probably like ok, so I have a feeling I'll be picking it up.

[doubledown]

I saw the Heroes news....GREAT show. I actually started watching it via some torrents at first...as I missed the first 6 episodes. I DVR them now...I LOVE it.
I may rent that to watch the Pilot again..

[Duo_Maxwell]

And the Samsung Combo player supports both HDi & BD-J? I just wonder how much its going to be

If it actaully does make it out by the holidays, my guess is around $999, perhaps more if LG's "combo" player stays at its current price through then they may competitively price ot the only other one on the market. This is just random speculation on my part though.

[LinkinPrime]

Sweet, definately getting Heroes on HD-DVD, that's a fucking awesome show!

[thrustbucket]

The LG combo didn't get very good reviews. I am hoping the Samsung does.

Heroes is entertaining, but nowhere near as good as Battlestar Galactica, which should hit HD DVD in September.

[ashram]

The LG combo didn't get very good reviews. I am hoping the Samsung does.

Heroes is entertaining, but nowhere near as good as Battlestar Galactica, which should hit HD DVD in September.

the lg player got crap reviews due to it's lack of full hd dvd support, since it only did movie playback, nothing much else worked.

if the samsung has full hd dvd playback, blu ray playback, and is cheaper than the lg unit, or even cheaper than most of the other blu ray players then samsung would have a winner on it's hands....


also, i can't wait for heroes and battlestar on hd dvd.....i saw my 1st battlestar episode in hd (1080i) last week and i can't believe the difference over sd....

[KaneRobot]

Updated releases again. This is the first time in quite a while that the HD DVD release list has dwarfed the Blu-Ray list. January-March suddenly seems like a long time ago.

[guyver2077]

$250 for the hd-a1 on ebay..

http://cgi.ebay.com/Toshiba-HD-A1-DVD-Player_W0QQitemZ160104661213QQihZ006QQcategoryZ150 77QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

hd-a2 at amazon 302.45

http://www.amazon.com/Toshiba-HD-A2-HD-DVD-Player/dp/B000IJV4BC/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/104-7394571-7203907?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1176597452&sr=1-1

hd-a20- 384.88

http://www.amazon.com/Toshiba-HD-A20-HD-DVD-Player/dp/B000MKC34E/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/104-7394571-7203907?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1176597859&sr=1-1


So is the a20 the cheapest 1080p standalone player?

[LinkinPrime]

Oh snap! That's some good pricing on those players. Luckily I'm currently happy with my HD DVD drive.

[Sarang01]

Oh snap! That's some good pricing on those players. Luckily I'm currently happy with my HD DVD drive.

I'm looking forward to "The Goonies" and others coming down the pipe like "The Matrix" being sold separately.
Linkin I've tried to PM you that I added you to my XBL friends list.

[LinkinPrime]

I'm looking forward to "The Goonies" and others coming down the pipe like "The Matrix" being sold separately.
Linkin I've tried to PM you that I added you to my XBL friends list.

Oh I saw PhatsDomino but I had no clue who it was so I hadn't accepted. Added to my list now. Sorry for ignoring it.

[Ruined]

So is the a20 the cheapest 1080p standalone player?

Yes.

[Duo_Maxwell]

Anyone know if Flags of Our Fathers will or won't be a Combo release? Amazon doesn't list it as one but lists Letters from Iwo Jima as one and they are the same price (with the same release date), still from the listing and pics it seems like it's just a special 2 disc edition.

[GizmoGC]

The HD-A20 is nice if you want 1080p. Since my TV is not 1080p and I don't plan on getting a new TV for the new 2-3 years the A2 is perfect for me.

[GizmoGC]

School for Scoundrels has been at my local Fry's for the past week. Had no idea it wasn't suppose to arrive until 4/17. I saw it for $19.99 but passed since the movie wasn't something id watch more then once.

If Feast and The Game are under $20 I might grab them.

[Ruined]

Anyone know if Flags of Our Fathers will or won't be a Combo release? Amazon doesn't list it as one but lists Letters from Iwo Jima as one and they are the same price (with the same release date), still from the listing and pics it seems like it's just a special 2 disc edition.

Flags of Our Fathers will be a Paramount 2-disc HD DVD Special Edition like MI:3 and World Trade Center. Not a combo release.

Letters from Imo Jima will be a Warner single-disc HD DVD/DVD combo disc.

[Ruined]

The HD-A20 is nice if you want 1080p. Since my TV is not 1080p and I don't plan on getting a new TV for the new 2-3 years the A2 is perfect for me.

Not to mention that most 1080p HDTVs will create a 1080p signal from a 1080i signal using inverse telecine without any picture loss, as all the info for a 1080p signal is inherently stored in a 1080i signal and can be culled with said process. In fact, this is exactly what the HD-A20 does and virtually every other "1080p" player.

[guyver2077]

yea i also noticed that hd-a1 (i think) at best buy for 399... and you fill out the rebate for 5 free movies.. its kinda sad though that this was the only hd player they had...

[Ruined]

yea i also noticed that hd-a1 (i think) at best buy for 399... and you fill out the rebate for 5 free movies.. its kinda sad though that this was the only hd player they had...

HD-A2, that is. :)

[propeller_head]

The HD-A20 is nice if you want 1080p. Since my TV is not 1080p and I don't plan on getting a new TV for the new 2-3 years the A2 is perfect for me. for movies, theres zero diff between 1080i and 1080p players.

you get a 1080p player, the player converts it before its sent

you get a 1080i player, the tv convets it after its sent.

the result is the exact same thing.

60hz TV
24fps
there will be 2:3 pulldown no matter what the output

in fact 1080i would be better. because the new 120Hz tvs coming out that will do full 5 pulldown will deinterlace it better than the player anyway.

[Ruined]

Today is April 15th, one year anniversary of HD DVD and Buy HD DVD at Amazon day! If you check the rankings on hdgamedb or eproductwars, you will see that HD DVD is outselling Blu-Ray across the board today. So get those shopping carts going and buy some stuff you've been waiting on! :)

[KaneRobot]

Bought one and preordered three. It does seem to have given a significant spike in sales, although the inevitable slump that will follow this will be somewhat depressing.

[guyver2077]

i thought it was on the 17th...

while browsing at amazon.. came up across titanic on hd\..

http://www.amazon.com/Titanic-HD-DVD/dp/B000NQRE1O/ref=sr_1_32/104-7394571-7203907?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1176653968&sr=1-32

http://www.amazon.com/Transformers-HD-DVD/dp/B000NU2NJ8/ref=sr_1_252/104-7394571-7203907?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1176655015&sr=1-252

[anomynous]

Today is April 15th, one year anniversary of HD DVD and Buy HD DVD at Amazon day! If you check the rankings on hdgamedb or eproductwars, you will see that HD DVD is outselling Blu-Ray across the board today. So get those shopping carts going and buy some stuff you've been waiting on! :)
:roll: :roll:

not to sound like an asshole, but I wonder why? Is it because everybody is buying HD DVD's today to stick it to Blu Ray, because of a few people on AVS organizing a stand against blu ray? Or is it something else?

[guyver2077]

man other than harsh times there really isnt anything else that i want.... gotta keep looking

it also doesnthelp that i have a local hookup that sells me hd titles much cheaper than amazon

[flybrione]

I placed an order for:

Big Lebowski
Road Warrior
Dog Day Afternoon

Supporting the cause :D

[RedvsBlue]

I preordered Smokin' Aces. I mean, I'm buying it anyway so I might as well save $2 over Best Buy's price and probably have to wait a couple extra days. Also, it'll help out the cause, even if its just a teensy bit.

[rodeojones903]

:roll: :roll:

not to sound like an asshole, but I wonder why? Is it because everybody is buying HD DVD's today to stick it to Blu Ray, because of a few people on AVS organizing a stand against blu ray? Or is it something else?

Seems to be. I find it to be pretty sad that people have to "rally" and make a "buy an HD-DVD day". I found this to be so ridiculous that I pre-ordered the Rescue Me season three Blu-ray set. I am a user of both formats, but find this attempt to bump HD-DVD sales to be pathetic.

[GizmoGC]

:roll: :roll:

not to sound like an asshole, but I wonder why? Is it because everybody is buying HD DVD's today to stick it to Blu Ray, because of a few people on AVS organizing a stand against blu ray? Or is it something else?

You must have missed the Blu-Ray "Buy Blu-Ray from April 15th-20th" that followed.
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=833108
There were more threads but I can't seem to find them. Must be merged in the 'sales' one.

[KaneRobot]

Seems to be. I find it to be pretty sad that people have to "rally" and make a "buy an HD-DVD day". I found this to be so ridiculous that I pre-ordered the Rescue Me season three Blu-ray set. I am a user of both formats, but find this attempt to bump HD-DVD sales to be pathetic.

Thanks, I was waiting for a topic-shitter to show up eventually. I'd say it's more pathetic that some Blu-Ray supporters are actually scared of this and trying to counteract it. There's nothing "pathetic" about it. The HD DVD community is more dedicated to their format, that much seems to be obvious. I'm not getting all wrapped up in it, but if it makes the community happy, it can't hurt anything. Don't mistake dedication for desperation.

*EDIT* - Planet Earth is apparently in the top 10 at Amazon right now, which is pretty f'ing amazing for a set that expensive. I do admit I hadn't heard of it until yesterday, and after looking at a long trailer for it I'm thinking about going in on it.

[anomynous]

Meh, I dont care which format is doing the best right now, since there nearly even, I just want to get a standalone player for <$300

[guyver2077]

http://www.amazon.com/Adventures-Indiana-Jones-Complete-Collection/dp/B000NQREA0/ref=sr_1_18/104-7394571-7203907?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1176662460&sr=1-18



i want to preorder 2 hd movies but i dont know about the whole group shipping at amazon

[SteveMcQ]

So what sites do you guys buy HD-DVDs from? I'm trying to bookmark them so I can look up which ones have the best prices. So far I have:

Amazon.com
Buy.com
CDuniverse.com
HDDVDworld.com

I know I'm missing a couple more that have some good deals from time to time. Also, anyone care to link me to the thread that has the GCO participants?

Was the CDuniverse participation separate from the Google limit of uses the coupon can have per purchaser?

[guyver2077]

Dvdplanet.com
Bestprices.com

[GizmoGC]

Meh, I dont care which format is doing the best right now, since there nearly even, I just want to get a standalone player for <$300

The A2 has been hovering around $300 for a few months now. A1 can be found even lower online.

[geko29]

Meh, I dont care which format is doing the best right now, since there nearly even, I just want to get a standalone player for <$300

You can get the HD-A2 from Amazon for $309 with free shipping, or from several other vendors for less than 3 bills, but you'll have to pay shipping. Either case, 5 free movies (that apparently take FOREVER to show up).

BB and CC both have deals running for $399 with 9 free movies (4 at POS, 5 by mail), and allegedly there's a "pricing error" and a possible rebate at CC that can reduce the purchase price by another $50.

[guyver2077]

WOW HD IS WOOPIN ASS TODAY....good to see things back to the way they always were even if it just one day.

anyone else thats been preordering at amazon..you dont worry that they will ship it all in one package once all movies are out?

[anomynous]

You can get the HD-A2 from Amazon for $309 with free shipping, or from several other vendors for less than 3 bills, but you'll have to pay shipping. Either case, 5 free movies (that apparently take FOREVER to show up).

BB and CC both have deals running for $399 with 9 free movies (4 at POS, 5 by mail), and allegedly there's a "pricing error" and a possible rebate at CC that can reduce the purchase price by another $50.
yeah I know, Im just waiting until the summer to get a High Def format player, whether it ends up being Blu Ray or HD DVD, for a good price. Im also sitting back, watching the sales numbers and all the news & upcoming movies for both formats to help make my decision. I would perferably like to get both a Blu Ray & HD DVD player, but that's not going to happen.

[SteveMcQ]

anyone else thats been preordering at amazon..you dont worry that they will ship it all in one package once all movies are out?Nah, I always get the option to ship packages together or to ship them separately even with free shipping available.

BTW, thanks for the links.

[Mechafenris]

Thanks, I was waiting for a topic-shitter to show up eventually. I'd say it's more pathetic that some Blu-Ray supporters are actually scared of this and trying to counteract it. There's nothing "pathetic" about it. The HD DVD community is more dedicated to their format, that much seems to be obvious. I'm not getting all wrapped up in it, but if it makes the community happy, it can't hurt anything. Don't mistake dedication for desperation..


It's all about the movies. Whichever format has the better selection, that's the format people buy... dedication to a format, community, or group of nutjobs aside, it's the movies. It should always _be_ about the movies... not the format. Because neither one is very customer friendly....

[LinkinPrime]

I finally saw my copy of Happy Feet on HD DVD and my jaw dropped. It looks funfuckingtastic. I'd swear those penguins were real, the detail on the feathers, wheather effects and everything else was phenomenal. Way better than when I saw it in theaters.

[Ruined]

Planet Earth HD DVD Storms Amazon Top 10!

Planet Earth on HD DVD currently #6 on Amazon DVD charts!

http://www.amazon.com/Planet-Earth-Complete-BBC-DVD/dp/B000MRAAJW/

Folks, after a 3 month drought of releases it appears we're back :)

[GizmoGC]

Nice!

[Zoglog]

so this is what desperation sounds like? lol

I'd just like for one side to finally win so we can have a single format. Doesn't matter who it is.

[anomynous]

so this is what desperation sounds like? lol

I'd just like for one side to finally win so we can have a single format. Doesn't matter who it is.
me too

[gunm]

I guess I wasn't the only one who jumped on planet earth HD. I haven't seen any of the episodes yet, so I'm pretty jazzed to see this compilation.

I've found amazon to be the best place to get HD-DVDs so far. Even ddd is little more expensive, although they'll still ship free even if it's under $25...

[thrustbucket]

Planet Earth hit #5. OMG.

BD's record was #7 with Casino Royale. And a $70 mini-series on HD DVD (http://www.amazon.com/gp/bestsellers/dvd/ref=sv_d_2/102-7801681-1677764) just beat it by 2 places. What does that say?

[anomynous]

Planet Earth hit #5. OMG.

BD's record was #7 with Casino Royale. And a $70 mini-series on HD DVD (http://www.amazon.com/gp/bestsellers/dvd/ref=sv_d_2/102-7801681-1677764) just beat it by 2 places. What does that say?
are you thrustbucket on high def digest's forums?

[gunm]

Went ahead and pre-ordered Ultimate Matrix Trilogy. The amazon extra 10% promo was a little too tempting, and I should try to take advantage of it more before it runs out.

[Sporadic]

I bought One Six Right and The World's Fastest Indian from Amazon.

[SteveMcQ]

I've found amazon to be the best place to get HD-DVDs so far. Even ddd is little more expensive, although they'll still ship free even if it's under $25...What's DDD?

[Sporadic]

What's DDD?

DeepDiscountDVD

[RedvsBlue]

Planet Earth hit #5. OMG.

BD's record was #7 with Casino Royale. And a $70 mini-series on HD DVD (http://www.amazon.com/gp/bestsellers/dvd/ref=sv_d_2/102-7801681-1677764) just beat it by 2 places. What does that say?

Its even more impressive if you point out that the Blu Ray version of Planet Earth is only as high as the number 21.

To all the people that are coming in to shit on us and this buy HD-DVD day all I have to say is that at least it shows that the community is solidly behind their selected format. If you really want to flame us about it, take it to the VS. forum thread, that's what its for.

[guyver2077]

maybe damn amazon will give us a hd dvd sale soon.

preordered harsh times and big lebowski..

[JDMxB]

Did my part and grabbed Planet Earth from Amazon. Long live HD-DVD!

[GizmoGC]

Its even more impressive if you point out that the Blu Ray version of Planet Earth is only as high as the number 21.

To all the people that are coming in to shit on us and this buy HD-DVD day all I have to say is that at least it shows that the community is solidly behind their selected format. If you really want to flame us about it, take it to the VS. forum thread, that's what its for.

Yeah, pretty damn impressive. Even before the 15th the HD version has been atleast 5-20 spots ahead of it since they both debuted on Amazon...now even MORE people are buying it? That's gotta say something (Blu-Ray owners only watch action crap and not something that will actually teach them something. I like to call them 'PS3 Owers').

[geko29]

anyone else thats been preordering at amazon..you dont worry that they will ship it all in one package once all movies are out?

If you're a prime member, they ship as they're released, no matter how big your order. If you're not, you have to make multiple orders grouped by release date to keep some from being held. If you do make one big order, it'll probably wind up as a few seperate shipments anyway, as they usually don't hold in-stock orders for more than a month.

[lurknomore]

Yeah, I got that Amazon Planet Earth coupon too in the email, but I've decided to pass. Though I've got a sinking feeling about HD-DVD, I have noticed that my Blu-Ray collection is many times larger than the number of HD-DVDs that I have. I'm going to be ebaying my player soon....take care fellas, wish you all well. Not jumping ship per se, it is just that the movies I prefer fall on the other side. (regardless of my sinking feeling as I stated previous)

[guyver2077]

dont be consumed by the dark side!

lol

[ryosnk]

Is amazon having a sale? If so how and where can I get the code?

Thanks.

[GizmoGC]

Yeah, I got that Amazon Planet Earth coupon too in the email, but I've decided to pass. Though I've got a sinking feeling about HD-DVD, I have noticed that my Blu-Ray collection is many times larger than the number of HD-DVDs that I have. I'm going to be ebaying my player soon....take care fellas, wish you all well. Not jumping ship per se, it is just that the movies I prefer fall on the other side. (regardless of my sinking feeling as I stated previous)

Sucks, Enjoy all the canceled delayed titles Fox promised you.

[GizmoGC]

For those with an HD-A2 the new firmware has been release...1.5. Fixes a few issues, nothing major, but worth an update.

[Sporadic]

Yeah, I got that Amazon Planet Earth coupon too in the email, but I've decided to pass. Though I've got a sinking feeling about HD-DVD, I have noticed that my Blu-Ray collection is many times larger than the number of HD-DVDs that I have. I'm going to be ebaying my player soon....take care fellas, wish you all well. Not jumping ship per se, it is just that the movies I prefer fall on the other side. (regardless of my sinking feeling as I stated previous)

What's the point?

If you have both why not keep the player in case something you really want comes out.

I don't get the reasoning behind picking a side if you don't have too.

Even if one of them die, all of your movies will still work.

[RedvsBlue]

Yeah, pretty damn impressive. Even before the 15th the HD version has been atleast 5-20 spots ahead of it since they both debuted on Amazon...now even MORE people are buying it? That's gotta say something (Blu-Ray owners only watch action crap and not something that will actually teach them something. I like to call them 'PS3 Owers').

Not only that but EVERYWHERE I go that sells used DVDs (including Gamestop/EB) almost always has at least a few blu ray discs whereas I rarely see used HD DVD movies. Methinks many people bought a PS3 and didn't realize that in order to actually notice a difference on their blu ray discs that they'd have to have their PS3 hooked up to a high definition TV. Of course I have no way of proving my hypothesis but it would seem to fit the indications.

[Ruined]

Sucks, Enjoy all the canceled delayed titles Fox promised you.

And the 1984-esque BD+ copy protection that will be on them when they do come out. :)

[Sporadic]

Jesus, the people at my local Sam's Club are fucking retarded.

I called to see if that had any HD-DVD attachments in stock.

After explaining many times that it was the HD-DVD attachment for Xbox 360 (it's the drive that plugs into the Xbox, no not the original Xbox the Xbox 360) I get this in response.

"Ohhhhh, you're talking about Blu-Ray right?"

#-o "No, it's the HD-DVD attachment"

"(condescending voice) Sir, Blu-Ray is HD"

:bomb: "No, they are two different formats, there's HD-DVD and then there's Blu-Ray"

.....

"fuck it do you have any in stock or what?"

Idiots.

[guyver2077]

Jesus, the people at my local Sam's Club are fucking retarded.

I called to see if that had any HD-DVD attachments in stock.

After explaining many times that it was the HD-DVD attachment for Xbox 360 (it's the drive that plugs into the Xbox, no not the original Xbox the Xbox 360) I get this in response.

"Ohhhhh, you're talking about Blu-Ray right?"

#-o "No, it's the HD-DVD attachment"

"(condescending voice) Sir, Blu-Ray is HD"

:bomb: "No, they are two different formats, there's HD-DVD and then there's Blu-Ray"

.....

"fuck it do you have any in stock or what?"

Idiots.

lol... exactly... these are the type of things i hate.... idiots!

[JDMxB]

I can't friggin wait for Planet Earth to ship!!!!!!

[SteveMcQ]

What's everyone's targeted delivery for their Planet Earth through Amazon? This is the first "big" pre-order I've had from them and having just ordered the other night, I'm a bit unsure if I'll be able to get it the week of release. Mine's scheduled for delivery first week of May. Ugh.

[millrat1030]

That is one of the things BR has done right, marketing. It seems now when you ask about HD DVD, they think you're talking about BR. All these commercials with the also available on BR seems to be working. It also doesn't help that most of the big box office movies are coming to BR. HD DVD needs more Action and Sci Fi, and less Drama.

[asianxcore]

anyone picking up Smokin' Aces tomorrow?

[JDMxB]

What's everyone's targeted delivery for their Planet Earth through Amazon? This is the first "big" pre-order I've had from them and having just ordered the other night, I'm a bit unsure if I'll be able to get it the week of release. Mine's scheduled for delivery first week of May. Ugh.

Items not yet shipped:
Delivery estimate: April 26, 2007

* 1 of: Planet Earth - The Complete BBC Series [HD DVD]
Sold by: Amazon.com

[SteveMcQ]

Items not yet shipped:
Delivery estimate: April 26, 2007

* 1 of: Planet Earth - The Complete BBC Series [HD DVD]
Sold by: Amazon.comYou suck. Hopefully Amazon is able to deliver on time. I'd hate to wait a couple weeks to finally watch it.

[TheRock88]

anyone picking up Smokin' Aces tomorrow?

Yep, tomorrow first thing in the morning at Fry's.

[gunm]

I'm curious about Smokin'. I hear the movie itself sucked eggs, but who knows--if it's half decent content-wise and has crackin' transfer, I might bite.

Still, combo discs are the bane of my HD-DVD existence. I'm so glad they are moving away from that--I mean shit, if I wanted an SD disc, I would've bought a damn SD disc!

[propeller_head]

i thought it was a good idea.

but charging more for them was a dumb dumb idea.

[Deadpool]

Yep, tomorrow first thing in the morning at Fry's.
*raises hand*

[geko29]

What's everyone's targeted delivery for their Planet Earth through Amazon? This is the first "big" pre-order I've had from them and having just ordered the other night, I'm a bit unsure if I'll be able to get it the week of release. Mine's scheduled for delivery first week of May. Ugh.
Items not yet shipped:
https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/G/01/x-locale/common/icons/arrow_subordinate._V47081670_.gif Delivery estimate: April 26, 2007
1 of: Planet Earth - The Complete BBC Series [HD DVD]
Sold by: Amazon.com
It'll probably come on the 25th though, because they generally ship the day before release, as long as its in stock. Feast is coming out today, but they shipped mine yesterday and it'll show up tomorrow.

[doubledown]

Blockbuster.com actually shipped Smokin Aces HD for me already....the first time they actually shipped a HD movie early....will check out this weekend probably.

[rsigley]

Blockbuster.com actually shipped Smokin Aces HD for me already....the first time they actually shipped a HD movie early....will check out this weekend probably.

are you sure it's HD? I can't find the HD for Smokin' Aces on their site, only the regular DVD

when I put it in the search engine or browse all HD DVD it doesn't show up :(

[LinkinPrime]

are you sure it's HD? I can't find the HD for Smokin' Aces on their site, only the regular DVD

when I put it in the search engine or browse all HD DVD it doesn't show up :(

When you bring up the DVD edition, click on the all editions link and it will show it to you.

http://www.blockbuster.com/catalog/movieDetails/270955

Not sure if link will work...should take you directly to the DVD version.

[flizmo007]

Yeah, I got that Amazon Planet Earth coupon too in the email, but I've decided to pass. Though I've got a sinking feeling about HD-DVD, I have noticed that my Blu-Ray collection is many times larger than the number of HD-DVDs that I have. I'm going to be ebaying my player soon....take care fellas, wish you all well. Not jumping ship per se, it is just that the movies I prefer fall on the other side. (regardless of my sinking feeling as I stated previous)


Let me know if you want to sell/trade your HDDVD drive. Looking to pick one up soon.

[rsigley]

When you bring up the DVD edition, click on the all editions link and it will show it to you.

http://www.blockbuster.com/catalog/movieDetails/270955

Not sure if link will work...should take you directly to the DVD version.


oh shoot thanks so much

i'm an idiot haha

thanks again

[Sporadic]

I'm curious about Smokin'. I hear the movie itself sucked eggs, but who knows--if it's half decent content-wise and has crackin' transfer, I might bite.

It's decent.

If you are going in looking for what the commercial is advertising (cheesy violence romp between a few assassins) you'll be so disappointed.

It's over-the-top in everything, including melodrama.

[Sarang01]

It's decent.

If you are going in looking for what the commercial is advertising (cheesy violence romp between a few assassins) you'll be so disappointed.

It's over-the-top in everything, including melodrama.

The commercial didn't impress me frankly.

[Ruined]

HD DVD First to Reach 100K CE Players Sold in the U.S.

http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/070417/sftu090.html?.v=96

snippet:

New $399 price for Toshiba players spark increased sales of dedicated high definition players[/b]

LOS ANGELES, April 17 /PRNewswire/ -- Marking the first anniversary of HD DVD hardware and movies sold to consumers, the North American HD DVD Promotional Group announced today that sales of dedicated HD DVD consumer electronics players reached more than 100K units sold in the United States, ahead of any other high definition format. This figure does not include sales of HD DVD PC drives or the Xbox 360 HD DVD player, which are also selling strongly.

As consumers see lower prices for high definition players, the manufacturing efficiencies of HD DVD are keeping the format one step ahead. As the first to bring CE player prices down below the $400 mark, Toshiba is hearing encouraging news from retailers.

"Toshiba remains committed to drive sales with strategic pricing and marketing to complement the rapid market adoption of HDTVs," said Jodi Sally, vice president of marketing, Toshiba America Consumer Products. "Retailers are showing a significant increase in sales volume this month so far. On Amazon.com, our HD DVD players continue to rank among the top ten best sellers of all DVD players, which says a lot about how consumers relate to price."

Quality, price and great viewing and listening experiences are recognized benefits of the HD DVD format. With mandatory features such as a network connection, picture-in-picture, persistent storage, and decode support for Dolby True HD, every player can take advantage of new interactive and audio features as they are introduced. That means a quantum leap for the consumer experience with minimal investment in new audio equipment and the ability to update any player on the market as needed. Consumers can also enjoy combo discs that include a DVD version as well as an HD version on a single disc for playback on a variety of machines. These are all exclusive features of the HD DVD format.

With titles like The Complete Matrix Trilogy coming in May from Warner Home Video, and more than 70 new titles expected to be released before the end of July, HD DVD owners will have more than 300 titles worldwide to choose from this summer, with more to come in the fall and holiday seasons.

:D

[RedvsBlue]

Wait, 300 by this summer, with 70 between now and then means there's currently around 200 hd-dvd titles out there... :oops: I own over 10% of the HD-DVD titles that are available.

[LinkinPrime]

Thats great!

I wonder how much more it would be if it included the PC and X360 add-ons?

[thrustbucket]

A few people on other forums have claimed that Smokin Aces is $20 at walmart, if you can find it.

[LinkinPrime]

That's not a bad price. Might have to check it out.

[Santurio]

A few people on other forums have claimed that Smokin Aces is $20 at walmart, if you can find it.
Bah, I got it for $25.99 at BB with a Frys PM. I have never seen HD DVD's at any Walmart near me.

[thrustbucket]

Just an update: I went to my local walmart and it scanned at $29.99. I believe some walmarts have it mislabeled, or in the DVD section where it says $19.99 so people are forcing them to price adjust.

Walmart is pretty easy to get to adjust prices if you just tell the cashier "Oh the sticker said $19.99". If you want to be shady. That might be what people are doing.

[asianxcore]

Go HD-DVD!! Awesome news on the 100K players sold. When overall Blu-Ray player sales are reported, are PS3 sales thrown in there as well?

I had the hardest time trying to find Smokin' Aces today.

First Best Buy I went to only got in copies of the SD release. At Circuit City, an associate told me that they usually get DVD releases 2-3 days after the initial release date. He then tried to go online to do "in-store pickup" with the HD release of Smokin' Aces. When he couldn't, his conclusion was that they didn't have it. I worked retail for about 2 1/2 years, I didn't feel like arguing.

The last Best Buy I went to had a big display of the SD and HD Smokin' Aces as I walked in the door. Awesome :)

[rsigley]

first time i was happy about combo disks

hollywoodland froze for me at 7 mins left in the movie then the 360 drive wouldn't read the disk at all, so luckily the regular dvd side worked

did anyone see Feast HD for sale out there? I tried CC and Best Buy but nothing, guess I'll have to get it from Amazon

[RedvsBlue]

first time i was happy about combo disks

hollywoodland froze for me at 7 mins left in the movie then the 360 drive wouldn't read the disk at all, so luckily the regular dvd side worked

did anyone see Feast HD for sale out there? I tried CC and Best Buy but nothing, guess I'll have to get it from Amazon

I checked Best Buy and they had Smokin' Aces but no Feast so I'll probably have to order it online as well. What ticks me off is that I ordered Smokin' Aces for the HD-DVD day thing and figured I'd just buy Feast in the store but it seems as if I should have done it the other way around...

[Ruined]

When overall Blu-Ray player sales are reported, are PS3 sales thrown in there as well?

You can't lump PS3 sales in there with any accurate measurement because there is no way to tell what percentage of the buyers are actually using it for BD, and which are using it for games - or both. On the other hand, the only function of an HD DVD player is to play HD DVDs. For the record, XBOX 360 HD DVD addon sales were also not included.

Also, building on my original news item (I should get paid for my story! ;)):

Disc Sales: 'Planet Earth' Breaks New Amazon Record; HD DVD Staging a Comeback
http://www.highdefdigest.com/news/show/Amazon/Disc_Sales/Disc_Sales:_Planet_Earth_Breaks_New_Amazon_Record_ HD_DVD_Staging_a_Comeback/580

[Ruined]

first time i was happy about combo disks

hollywoodland froze for me at 7 mins left in the movie then the 360 drive wouldn't read the disk at all, so luckily the regular dvd side worked

did anyone see Feast HD for sale out there? I tried CC and Best Buy but nothing, guess I'll have to get it from Amazon

Universal is offering replacements for Hollywoodland & a couple of other titles which may have suffered from a bad pressing run (COM, TGS). I can get the CS# for you if you can't find it yourself.

[TheRock88]

did anyone see Feast HD for sale out there? I tried CC and Best Buy but nothing, guess I'll have to get it from Amazon

What's weird is that I tried looking for Smokin Aces at CC and they didnt have it yet they had a couple of copies of Feast there.

[rsigley]

Universal is offering replacements for Hollywoodland & a couple of other titles which may have suffered from a bad pressing run (COM, TGS). I can get the CS# for you if you can't find it yourself.

ah i just rented it online so i'm good, thank you tho :)

[gunm]

Wait, 300 by this summer...

Speaking of 300, I would like to see that on HD-DVD by this summer. :)

It's a Warner title, so maybe it will be one of those dual format ones they've been promising...

[guyver2077]

cool.. just noticed 300 is warner.. we should def get an hd version

[Sporadic]

And even better, Grindhouse is going to be an HD-DVD exclusive thanks to Weinstein.

[guyver2077]

And even better, Grindhouse is going to be an HD-DVD exclusive thanks to Weinstein.

lol no thanks...

but i will take tmnt!!!!

[RedvsBlue]

What's weird is that I tried looking for Smokin Aces at CC and they didnt have it yet they had a couple of copies of Feast there.

Thanks for the heads up, I'm gonna check circuit city tomorrow now.

[Ph8te]

Hey yall for orders OVER $50 YOU CAN STACK RNDIS on WBWEL for the old 28% again http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/images/smilies/smile.gif.....Looks like you have to do RNDIS 1st then enter WBWEL.......Happy shopping. Thanks to sumdeus over at DVD talk for posting this....This is especially for people who misssed it the 1st time around...

[LinkinPrime]

lol no thanks...

but i will take tmnt!!!!

Can't wait till TMNT on HD DVD, although i hasn't been announced, I'm sure its a no brainer considering the strong support from Weinstein.

[thrustbucket]

300 is rumored for August. Can't wait for Grindhouse, saw it recently, loved it. Too bad it's not doing so hot at the box office. Great reviews, but I guess everyone is too lazy to sit through a 3 hour movie unless it has hobits.

[KaneRobot]

Nice to see them hit that 100k mark without the benefit of the 360 add-on numbers. The general upward trend in HD DVD title sales over the past 3 weeks or should easily shut down that "HD DVD is already dead" nonsense.

I really wish they had included a $50 or $100 off coupon or rebate with Elite for the HD DVD add-on. Would probably nudge sales a bit.

Something to keep in mind for theatrical releases that should/should not be exclusive - the studio that puts out a film in the theater isn't always the one that puts it on video. So while theoretically Grindhouse and TMNT should be HD DVD exclusive, we don't know for sure until they are announced.

[LinkinPrime]

Something to keep in mind for theatrical releases that should/should not be exclusive - the studio that puts out a film in the theater isn't always the one that puts it on video. So while theoretically Grindhouse and TMNT should be HD DVD exclusive, we don't know for sure until they are announced.

What? I know this is true for other countries but I've never heard of that here. Do you have any examples of movies that released on theaters from one studio and DVD on another?

[KaneRobot]

Not off the top of my head. I haven't seen it happen that often (at least for the films I'm interested in), I'm just mentioning it as a possiblity.

There is a thread at AVS here (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=795496) that lists recent/upcoming releases and what format they are likely to show up in, by the way.

[LinkinPrime]

Not off the top of my head. I haven't seen it happen that often (at least for the films I'm interested in), I'm just mentioning it as a possiblity.

There is a thread at AVS here (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=795496) that lists recent/upcoming releases and what format they are likely to show up in, by the way.
Thanks for the link, even though its speculative, It would be cool if you add it to the OP ;)

EDIT: I see that they have TMNT as WB and not Weinstein so that really does prove your point...

[guyver2077]

300 is rumored for August. Can't wait for Grindhouse, saw it recently, loved it. Too bad it's not doing so hot at the box office. Great reviews, but I guess everyone is too lazy to sit through a 3 hour movie unless it has hobits.

im too lazy to see any 3 hr movie at the theatres..heck i struggle watching them at home

wtf.. why is turtles in on warner? i was hoping for the exclusive..

heck atleast i dont have to worry about a combo disk sicne warner doesnt use them i think

[Sporadic]

Something to keep in mind for theatrical releases that should/should not be exclusive - the studio that puts out a film in the theater isn't always the one that puts it on video. So while theoretically Grindhouse and TMNT should be HD DVD exclusive, we don't know for sure until they are announced.

I heard from a pretty good source that Grindhouse is going to have a day & date release with the DVD version some time in September or October.

[thrustbucket]

I heard from a pretty good source that Grindhouse is going to have a day & date release with the DVD version some time in September or October.

I have also heard that the movies will be split up, added to, and sold separately.

[LinkinPrime]

im too lazy to see any 3 hr movie at the theatres..heck i struggle watching them at home

wtf.. why is turtles in on warner? i was hoping for the exclusive..

heck atleast i dont have to worry about a combo disk sicne warner doesnt use them i think

They got THD (Total HD [BD/HD]) coming up...

[Duo_Maxwell]

im too lazy to see any 3 hr movie at the theatres..heck i struggle watching them at home

wtf.. why is turtles in on warner? i was hoping for the exclusive..

heck atleast i dont have to worry about a combo disk sicne warner doesnt use them i think

Warner makes several combo discs, in fact many of their recent releases were combos, and as mentioned they have the Total HD format coming out in a few months (supposedly) so either way you are pretty much looking at a combo disc.

[rodeojones903]

Hey yall for orders OVER $50 YOU CAN STACK RNDIS on WBWEL for the old 28% again http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/images/smilies/smile.gif.....Looks like you have to do RNDIS 1st then enter WBWEL.......Happy shopping. Thanks to sumdeus over at DVD talk for posting this....This is especially for people who misssed it the 1st time around...

Thanks. :D

[Sporadic]

I have also heard that the movies will be split up, added to, and sold separately.

I was hearing a boxset but it's wouldn't surprise me if they did that.

[KaneRobot]

Thanks for the link, even though its speculative, It would be cool if you add it to the OP ;)

Done.

If any of you guys pick up Planet Earth let us know what you think. I'm almost certainly going to pick it up, but I'm trying to hold off for a bit because my wallet is hurting between the "buy HD DVDs day" thing and Guitar Hero 2.

[Sporadic]

Done.

If any of you guys pick up Planet Earth let us know what you think. I'm almost certainly going to pick it up, but I'm trying to hold off for a bit because my wallet is hurting between the "buy HD DVDs day" thing and Guitar Hero 2.

I have it on preorder and should get it and Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind in on the 23rd.

I'll be sure to type up a little something on it when it comes in.

[Sarang01]

I'm going to try to get Weinstein to release the "Infernal Affairs" trilogy on HD DVD here as well as "The Protector". Am I the only one here interested in seeing both on HD DVD?

[guyver2077]

strange.. im looking around on the wb site.. i added a few 19.99 hd dvd;'s and noticed that they were showing up in cart for 16.96..

then i added both codes and now each movie is showing up for 14.36 in my cart + free ship 4 $ tax sucks though

https://cart.warnerbros.com/store_assets/eoc/cart/TW/clear.gif1 Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines (HD) HD-DVD $14.36 https://cart.warnerbros.com/store_assets/eoc/cart/TW/WHV/hr_dots.gif1 Training Day (HD) HD-DVD $14.36 https://cart.warnerbros.com/store_assets/eoc/cart/TW/WHV/hr_dots.gif1 Troy (HD) HD-DVD $14.36 https://cart.warnerbros.com/store_assets/eoc/cart/TW/WHV/hr_dots.gif1 Swordfish (HD) HD-DVD $14.37 https://cart.warnerbros.com/store_assets/eoc/cart/TW/WHV/hr_dots.gif https://cart.warnerbros.com/store_assets/eoc/cart/TW/clear.gif Product Subtotal: $57.45 Tax: $4.02 Select Shipping & Handling Method: Standard - FREE
7
https://cart.warnerbros.com/store_assets/eoc/cart/TW/clear.gifOrder Total: $61.47

$60 just seems a lot to spend on old movies

[thrustbucket]

I'm going to try to get Weinstein to release the "Infernal Affairs" trilogy on HD DVD here as well as "The Protector". Am I the only one here interested in seeing both on HD DVD?

No, I would totally buy both Infernal Affairs and Tom Yum Goong.

Problem is, I'm not sure that the masters of either would look or sound that great to begin with.

[GizmoGC]

strange.. im looking around on the wb site.. i added a few 19.99 hd dvd;'s and noticed that they were showing up in cart for 16.96..

then i added both codes and now each movie is showing up for 14.36 in my cart + free ship 4 $ tax sucks though

https://cart.warnerbros.com/store_assets/eoc/cart/TW/clear.gif1 Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines (HD) HD-DVD $14.36 https://cart.warnerbros.com/store_assets/eoc/cart/TW/WHV/hr_dots.gif1 Training Day (HD) HD-DVD $14.36 https://cart.warnerbros.com/store_assets/eoc/cart/TW/WHV/hr_dots.gif1 Troy (HD) HD-DVD $14.36 https://cart.warnerbros.com/store_assets/eoc/cart/TW/WHV/hr_dots.gif1 Swordfish (HD) HD-DVD $14.37 https://cart.warnerbros.com/store_assets/eoc/cart/TW/WHV/hr_dots.gif https://cart.warnerbros.com/store_assets/eoc/cart/TW/clear.gif Product Subtotal: $57.45 Tax: $4.02 Select Shipping & Handling Method: Standard - FREE
7
https://cart.warnerbros.com/store_assets/eoc/cart/TW/clear.gifOrder Total: $61.47

$60 just seems a lot to spend on old movies

Just imagine if those were Fox Catalog Blu-Ray titles..that would be $160 MSRP!

[Ruined]

Blood Diamond HD DVD to dwarf Blu-Ray version in features for the same price!

http://www.highdefdigest.com/news/show/Warner/Disc_Announcements/Warner_Brings_Blood_Diamond_to_Blu-ray,_HD_DVD/583

Unlike the studio's usual policy of releasing identical Blu-ray and HD DVD releases of a title on the same date, Warner will instead debut 'Blood Diamond' about a month apart, with the Blu-ray hitting stores first on June 5, followed by the HD DVD on July 2.

What's more, while both versions will share identical tech specs, including matching 1080p transfers, supplemental content will be far from identical. The basic suite of extras are the same, including a filmmaker's commentary, four featurettes and a music video; however, the HD DVD will include a raft of exclusive cutting-edge features not included on the Blu-ray release.

The HD DVD of 'Blood Diamond' is the first announced next-gen title to include web-enabled extras, including allowing viewers to use their players to offer opinions in Warner's online polls, as well as view other special features such as maps of conflict pertaining to war-torn areas in Africa.

Furthermore, the HD DVD boasts an In-Movie Experience (IME) video commentary with additional behind-the-scenes and interview footage. And for the first time on 'Blood Diamond,' Warner will include the new Focus Points feature that takes the viewer to exciting in-depth featurettes and production diaries.

Despite the considerable differences between the Blu-ray and HD DVD, Warner has set an identical list price of $28.99 for each.

While the impetus for this decision almost certainly stems from the delayed release of Blu-ray's BD-Java authoring environment, which makes advanced features such as IME impossible on current Blu-ray releases, in the past (with such IME-enhanced titles as 'The Matrix Trilogy' and "Batman Begins') Warner has chosen to simply withhold their release releasing a Blu-ray version until a future date. Their decision to downgrade the Blu-ray for 'Blood Diamond' instead is sure to generate controversy.

HD DVD exclusive features - same price as BD version - $28.95
- Internet/web features - online polls, related maps & resources, clip sharing, more
- In Movie Experience PIP video commentary, behind the scenes, additional footage
- Focus Points - in-depth featurettes & production diaries

[KaneRobot]

Yeah, I saw that. I'll gladly wait the extra month for a more robust disc. Excited to see what people do with online features in the future.

I've got to wonder if some people at Warner are just flat-out getting pissed at the Blu-Ray side for dragging their heels on stuff and holding up their Total HD initiative.

[RedvsBlue]

Yeah, I saw that. I'll gladly wait the extra month for a more robust disc. Excited to see what people do with online features in the future.

I've got to wonder if some people at Warner are just flat-out getting pissed at the Blu-Ray side for dragging their heels on stuff and holding up their Total HD initiative.

Agreed, the Matrix announcement and the fact that there are still certain WB titles missing on blu ray seem to be good evidence to further this idea.

[thrustbucket]

Yeah, I saw that. I'll gladly wait the extra month for a more robust disc. Excited to see what people do with online features in the future.

I've got to wonder if some people at Warner are just flat-out getting pissed at the Blu-Ray side for dragging their heels on stuff and holding up their Total HD initiative.

I think that pretty much is the case. But instead of screw BD fans yet again like with Matrix, they are going ahead and giving them the movie a month earlier, which they should be happy about. I think this is a sign that Warner is definitely not on board with thinking BD-J is worth waiting for, especially when many players can't use it anyway.

[TheRock88]

Was watching Smokin Aces last night and it was working great until the last part of the movie. It froze so I restarted the 360 and it wouldnt even load up the HD side of the disc. Had to boil it this morning several times and it now looks like it works again. I hate combo discs for this reason.

[grendel19]

Disappointing review for The Game.

http://hddvd.highdefdigest.com/game.html

I had considered pre-ordering this. Gonna look around for other reviews, see if they're the same across the board.

EDIT: Almost a polar opposite review:

http://www.upcomingdiscs.com/dvd_review.php?id=6794&rtype=disc_type

"Mark this one in another of Universal’s great effort columns." Quoting the reviewer...

[Ruined]

Walmart orders 2 million $299 HD DVD players, in stores soon!

http://www.engadget.com/2007/04/20/the-wal-mart-299-hd-dvd-player-on-the-way/

$299 Walmart HD DVD player, 2 million ordered for sale in WalMart stores. By XMAS, I wouldn't be suprised to see $199 players!

[doubledown]

They updated the story....it could be BLU-RAY, the chinese translation is the same for both.

This is just like the off-brand LCD market....it will always be cheaper, but quality might just suck.

[grendel19]

Walmart orders 2 million $299 HD DVD players, in stores soon!

http://www.engadget.com/2007/04/20/the-wal-mart-299-hd-dvd-player-on-the-way/

$299 Walmart HD DVD player, 2 million ordered for sale in WalMart stores. By XMAS, I wouldn't be suprised to see $199 players!Might want to tack on the update, it's actually 2 million Blu-ray players.

I can read Chinese, that word actually means "blue light" or obviously blue laser, which in this case, could be either HD-DVD or Blu-ray. Those articles need to get their facts straight before posting.

[KaneRobot]

http://www.engadget.com/2007/04/20/the-wal-mart-299-hd-dvd-player-on-the-way/#comments
Er....better go back and read the update.

By XMAS, I wouldn't be suprised to see $199 players!

Despite the revision to the article, I still think that may happen. Prices seem to be dropping fast on both formats.

[Duo_Maxwell]

"Blue laser" player eh? Wouldn't that be a kick in the junk if it was a super secret $300 combo player...

[geko29]

Might want to tack on the update, it's actually 2 million Blu-ray players.

I can read Chinese, that word actually means "blue light" or obviously blue laser, which in this case, could be either HD-DVD or Blu-ray. Those articles need to get their facts straight before posting.

However, the press release (if other people's chinese is any good) also talks about being able to press the discs on the same equipment as regular DVD, which is not possible with Blu-Ray. Combine that with the "blue light HD DVD" makes it pretty clear IMO.

[KaneRobot]

Looks like we'd better call in a detective on this one.

http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p74/KaneRobot/sh.jpg

[Ruined]

However, the press release (if other people's chinese is any good) also talks about being able to press the discs on the same equipment as regular DVD, which is not possible with Blu-Ray. Combine that with the "blue light HD DVD" makes it pretty clear IMO.

The translation was actually blue laser HD DVD. This was specified because in China they have red laser high definition disc as a format, too. Nothing to do with "Blu-Ray" which would simply read as "Blu-Ray."

[gunm]

I wouldn't be surprised if it was indeed the blue laser HD-DVD players--Walmart is about as cost-conscious as a retailer can get, so them backing the "cheaper" player makes some sense.

On the other hand, Pioneer announced a $300 Blu-Ray player for the Chinese market, so who knows what all this means in the long run. IMO, I'm still hoping the industry just stops with the Tolkien "one player to rule them all" shit and just kiss and make up. There's room for both formats if companies are willing to do like Warner is with the Total HD system...

[millrat1030]

Am I the only one that noticed TDK being mentioned? Isn't TDK one of the original developers of BR? I think this is going to be very bad news for HD if its found to be accurate.

[geko29]

Am I the only one that noticed TDK being mentioned? Isn't TDK one of the original developers of BR? I think this is going to be very bad news for HD if its found to be accurate.
They are, in fact, one of the original developers of Blu-Ray, the exclusive patent-holder on the spincoat hard coating and a founding member of the BDA.

But they're also the inventor of the 17, 34, and 51GB HD DVDs.

TDK is all about making money in the optical disc business, they don't give a shit how it comes in.

Furthermore, TDK media (the part of the company that manufactures discs) was just sold to Imation. As TDK media was rather tightly focused on Blu-Ray and Imation dealt quite a bit with HD DVD, TDK-Imation will probably continue production on both formats. However, the R&D, manufacturing, and OEM company (which develops lasers, along with other things such as power supplies and hdd read heats) will likely continue to develop for whatever format will pay the bills (HD DVD in this specific case).

And in this case, TDK is making the laser, Fuh Yuan is making the loader, and Broadcom is providing the chipset. And multiple native chinese speakers on AVS (I believe we're up to 5 or 6 now) all confirm that this is DEFINITELY referring to HD DVD. The article repeatedly refers to the technology as "lan guang HD DVD", whereas Blu-Ray is referred to (even in other articles on the same site) as "lan guang Blu-Ray Disc". Furthermore, Wal-Mart has been modestly supporting HD DVD since the beginning. Toshiba has made two SKUs specifically for them (the HD-D1 and HD-D2), and the were one of the few retailers that sold the RCA HD DVD player (a rebadged HD-A1).

[propeller_head]

Might want to tack on the update, it's actually 2 million Blu-ray players.

I can read Chinese, that word actually means "blue light" or obviously blue laser, which in this case, could be either HD-DVD or Blu-ray. Those articles need to get their facts straight before posting. i have a feeling there will be a second update sayint they were right the 1st time, it was HD-DVD and akihabara's translation update was wrong.

i mean just look at the article. see how the only thing not in chinese is HD DVD WALMART and TDK?

http://www.eugbanana.com/files/Pix/Wal-Mart_HD_DVD.jpg



edit:

check out this translation

http://babelfish.altavista.com/babelfish/trurl_pagecontent?lp=zh_en&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ettoday.com%2F2007%2F04%2F16% 2F320-2082635.htm


□□lucky □leaves the advantage multi- news to point out that, at present □□light H D D V D □core □□Japan T D the K cooperation, □□lives by the big □□city □, therefore after □□lives immediately □beautiful □WALMART 200 □□□, □expects the end of this year, □the value may □to a □Yuan Dollar, if again will add on the next year □估值, □the value □on will look at three □Yuan Dollar, □Yu Tai? 101 □Yuan. Also therefore lucky □stock □in this July 12 □line, in next year March □.

□□lucky also mentioned, □light H D D V D □core □high capacity, Gao??, high analysis new □wild, may □the image □be more lifelike, □the surface □□. Its □□is easier □□line of D V D disc to maintain the compatibility, also may □□the use □have D V D disc to live □□□, is advantageous for □the big disc and the thing □distance □, does not need the disc card chest and so on, largely reduces □□has D V D □to cross the cost which needs to H D D V D, causes the small dish piece lives □□business by D V D □□to H D D V D □to have to become the instinct □to fall to is lowest. In addition, H D D V D small dish piece □□capacity □□small, but guards against blows, the antifouling ability good, does not need the card chest, therefore lives □□the regulation □to be easy also the cost □is low.
...HD DVD high capcity - so upscaled DVD player is ruled out

...image more lifelike - so HD format ruled in

...easier for DVD to maintain compatibility - HD-DVD players can play DVDs easier, blu-ray players need an extra laser to.

...reduces DVD moving to HD-DVD cost - DVD plants can be changed to HD-DVD plants easier because it requires only some equipment to change as opposed to blu-ray requiring entirely new lines

only thing im not sure of is where it says "small, but guards against blows". blu-ray has that hardened layer which makes it more scratch resistant than HD-DVD. but everything else in the article points straight to it being a HD-DVD player.

[Deadpool]

veerrrrrrryyyyyyyyy interesting

[GizmoGC]

Looks like Robert at AVS (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=10357472&&#post10357472) (very good connections with Toshiba and the entire HD DVD Camp) has confirmed it will be HD DVD and will be available for $299.99 with frequent sales of $199.99 Pre-Xmas at Wal-Mart. He speaks of getting some for his store and his own branding so this MAY not be a Wal-Mart 'exclusive'.

This is HUGE HUGE HUGE news for the HD DVD Camp. Wal-Mart looked at both options and chose HD DVD as the one they most likely see as winning, not Blu-Ray.

[GizmoGC]

I should also add this as well:

(April 19th)

Seeking to expedite product development in the trendy consumer electronics market, South Korean Samsung Electronics and Microsoft Corp. April 19 announced they have entered into a license agreement. ....Last week, Samsung, ardent supporter of Blu-ray Disc, announced plans for a dual format player with HD DVD, whose backers include Microsoft.

http://www.homemediaretailing.com/

Another blow to Blu-Ray.

[anomynous]

Looks like Robert at AVS (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=10357472&&#post10357472) (very good connections with Toshiba and the entire HD DVD Camp) has confirmed it will be HD DVD and will be available for $299.99 with frequent sales of $199.99 Pre-Xmas at Wal-Mart. He speaks of getting some for his store and his own branding so this MAY not be a Wal-Mart 'exclusive'.

This is HUGE HUGE HUGE news for the HD DVD Camp. Wal-Mart looked at both options and chose HD DVD as the one they most likely see as winning, not Blu-Ray.
Let's just hope the player isn't a piece of shit.

[Mechafenris]

Let's just hope the player isn't a piece of shit.

At $200 to $300 per player, they can't afford this one to be disposable like their other chinese players.

Wonder how this is going to affect the DRM plans for HD-DVD in the future? The Chinese players are notorious for ignoring these "mandates" for the technology "safeguards".

Here's to hoping they don't use some of the "quality" parts Cyberhome used to use in their little players. Easy to make region free, but pretty craptacular quality. :)

[anomynous]

At $200 to $300 per player, they can't afford this one to be disposable like their other chinese players.

Wonder how this is going to affect the DRM plans for HD-DVD in the future? The Chinese players are notorious for ignoring these "mandates" for the technology "safeguards".

Here's to hoping they don't use some of the "quality" parts Cyberhome used to use in their little players. Easy to make region free, but pretty craptacular quality. :)
:-& :-&

At $300, I'd still get the Toshiba HD A2

[GizmoGC]

:-& :-&

At $300, I'd still get the Toshiba HD A2

Yet they are readily available right now online for $300 and you don't have one.

[SteveMcQ]

Anyone know what Target does with their HD-DVD titles? They're already pretty behind stocking newer releases compared to Blu-Ray, but it seems the limited space has them moving older titles (Phantom, Swordfish, Last Samurai, etc.) somewhere else. They don't clearance them do they, 'cause I haven't seen them moved somewhere else. It's mostly the smaller Targets (non-Super Targets) that seem to be pruning their HD-DVD titles, but even on some occasions, I have a hard time spotting the older titles at their larger stores.

Yes, I know better deals can be had somewhere else than Target. It's just disappointing to see the limited space HD titles in general are given their stores and even more so seeing the same movie titles displayed week in and week out.

[anomynous]

Yet they are readily available right now online for $300 and you don't have one.
:roll: Im saving up for a car right now, if I get some extra money I will probably end up buying the A2

[thrustbucket]

This is HUGE HUGE HUGE news for the HD DVD Camp. Wal-Mart looked at both options and chose HD DVD as the one they most likely see as winning, not Blu-Ray.


Now, while I am an ardent HD DVD supporter, I have to say I don't agree with your assessment of this event.

Knowing wal-mart, they likely chose the least expensive way to get HD hardware in their stores, and that was obviously HD DVD. I don't think wal-mart is betting on any format, so much as doing what they always do, flood the market with cheap cheap stuff when they can.

On the other hand, however, HD DVD group was very smart, positioning themselves as the cheaper format, knowing this would happen.

[GizmoGC]

:roll: Im saving up for a car right now, if I get some extra money I will probably end up buying the A2

Oh, SO SORRY. Didn't realize you were saving up for a car since you stated you would buy one if they were $300, which they are.

[GizmoGC]

Now, while I am an ardent HD DVD supporter, I have to say I don't agree with your assessment of this event.

Knowing wal-mart, they likely chose the least expensive way to get HD hardware in their stores, and that was obviously HD DVD. I don't think wal-mart is betting on any format, so much as doing what they always do, flood the market with cheap cheap stuff when they can.

On the other hand, however, HD DVD group was very smart, positioning themselves as the cheaper format, knowing this would happen.

Wal-Mart just agreed to order 2 Million players. So far there have been only 200l HD Players sold, and a little bit less for the stand-alone Blu-Ray players. 2 Million is a HUGE amount, especially if they sell them throughout the end of 2008. That means more players = more sales = more studio support

[anomynous]

Wal-Mart just agreed to order 2 Million players. So far there have been only 200l HD Players sold, and a little bit less for the stand-alone Blu-Ray players. 2 Million is a HUGE amount, especially if they sell them throughout the end of 2008. That means more players = more sales = more studio support
=more win for HD DVD

I just hope that most of people that buy these players at Wal Mart realize that they need HDTV's to get any improvement over DVD.


The sad thing is they won't.

[RedvsBlue]

Yet they are readily available right now online for $300 and you don't have one.

I love when I'm out with my friends and they say something like "I'd buy it if..." but then when their qualification is met, they still don't buy it. I think the last thing it happened with was a Wii a little bit ago. My friend tells me he wants to get one but he just can't find them so one day when I see them at Target I give him a call, "oh, I dunno, maybe later" :roll:

[GizmoGC]

=more win for HD DVD

I just hope that most of people that buy these players at Wal Mart realize that they need HDTV's to get any improvement over DVD.


The sad thing is they won't.

Not true. You will notice SOME difference...but it won't be as nice unless its hooked up to an HDTV with ATLEAST Component cables

Take a look at the PS3 forums at GameFaqs. Blu-Ray ar da bestest!!!! over there.

[anomynous]

Not true. You will notice SOME difference...but it won't be as nice unless its hooked up to an HDTV with ATLEAST Component cables

Take a look at the PS3 forums at GameFaqs. Blu-Ray ar da bestest!!!! over there.
I think my guinea pigs are smarter than all of GameFAQs combined. I hate gamefaqs with a passion, but I occasionally read their message boards for laughs.

I'm even considering selling my Wii and using the money for a HD DVD player. I have an extra Wiimote & Nunchuck, VC Controller, Zelda, Wii Play, & Wii Sports. I was checking ebay and I think I can get around $320- $350 for all of that. Or I could put it up on CraigsList. I haven't turned my Wii on in 2 months, and the only games I'm looking forward to are RE4 Wii & Super Smash Bros. Brawl. I think I'm just getting tired of gaming, and getting into movies a lot more. Im still keeping my 360 though, even though I don't play it as often anymore.

[GizmoGC]

I think my guinea pigs are smarter than all of GameFAQs combined. I hate gamefaqs with a passion, but I occasionally read their message boards for laughs.

I'm even considering selling my Wii and using the money for a HD DVD player. I have an extra Wiimote & Nunchuck, VC Controller, Zelda, Wii Play, & Wii Sports. I was checking ebay and I think I can get around $320- $350 for all of that. Or I could put it up on CraigsList. I haven't turned my Wii on in 2 months, and the only games I'm looking forward to are RE4 Wii & Super Smash Bros. Brawl. I think I'm just getting tired of gaming, and getting into movies a lot more. Im still keeping my 360 though, even though I don't play it as often anymore.

I agree with the whole 'gaming' aspect. SPM is the only game Ive really 'played' in the past few months.

Why not get the HD Add-on for the 360 instead of an A2?

[RedvsBlue]

I think my guinea pigs are smarter than all of GameFAQs combined. I hate gamefaqs with a passion, but I occasionally read their message boards for laughs.

I'm even considering selling my Wii and using the money for a HD DVD player. I have an extra Wiimote & Nunchuck, VC Controller, Zelda, Wii Play, & Wii Sports. I was checking ebay and I think I can get around $320- $350 for all of that. Or I could put it up on CraigsList. I haven't turned my Wii on in 2 months, and the only games I'm looking forward to are RE4 Wii & Super Smash Bros. Brawl. I think I'm just getting tired of gaming, and getting into movies a lot more. Im still keeping my 360 though, even though I don't play it as often anymore.

I had a Wii but I got rid of it after a couple months because I was short on money and it had literally started collecting dust. I haven't looked back since...

[anomynous]

I had a Wii but I got rid of it after a couple months because I was short on money and it had literally started collecting dust. I haven't looked back since...
I'm seriously considering selling it, I don't even like it, it was a BIG impulse buy, the only reason I got it is because my friend told me he was going to go get one the night before Launch Day, so I went with him. I had every intention of selling it on Ebay, but the pull to play Zelda was too much.


Back on topic, is the transfer of Four Brothers any good on HD DVD?

[Jedi1979]

I agree with the whole 'gaming' aspect. SPM is the only game Ive really 'played' in the past few months.

Why not get the HD Add-on for the 360 instead of an A2?

agrees...oh and btw i have one for sale;)

[RedvsBlue]

I'm seriously considering selling it, I don't even like it, it was a BIG impulse buy, the only reason I got it is because my friend told me he was going to go get one the night before Launch Day, so I went with him. I had every intention of selling it on Ebay, but the pull to play Zelda was too much.


Back on topic, is the transfer of Four Brothers any good on HD DVD?

That's pretty much the same thing that happened with me. I totally bought it on impulse because of Zelda and pretty much ended up hating that I had spent my money on it.

[thrustbucket]

I love when I'm out with my friends and they say something like "I'd buy it if..." but then when their qualification is met, they still don't buy it. I think the last thing it happened with was a Wii a little bit ago. My friend tells me he wants to get one but he just can't find them so one day when I see them at Target I give him a call, "oh, I dunno, maybe later" :roll:

There was this guy on AVS forum that said if any HD DVD got in the top 10 on April 15th he would film himself burning his PS3 and put it on youtube. I don't think he's logged in since then.

[GizmoGC]

There was this guy on AVS forum that said if any HD DVD got in the top 10 on April 15th he would film himself burning his PS3 and put it on youtube. I don't think he's logged in since then.

Yeah, and Planet Earth, a $70 boxset, hit #5 beating Casino Royale on the rankings. Nice.

[millrat1030]

I'm wondering if a cheap HD-DVD player is enough for HD. I think we all can agree that the average joe consumer doesn't know to much between Blu-ray and HD-DVD. Now what's going to happen when they decide to get this HD-DVD player and pick up BR titles to play on them? You know the sales person in walmart won't explain the difference. HD needs to work on getting some blockbuster titles, not cheaper players. Pirates and Spiderman, two of the biggest movies of all time, are exclusive to BR. These are family favorites. I look at releases through the end of the year, as it stands now, and there just aren't any huge hits coming to HD. WHY??? They need to do something with their movie studio support and marketing and forget about being the cheapest. I keep hearing people say if they sell enough units the studios will come, but who the hell is going to by HD when all the blockbuster movies are on BR? Are they going to buy it to look at it sit on a shelf? To play normal DVD's? This has to change. HD needs to kiss a little butt, grease a few palms, or whatever they need to do to get the big hit movies. If they can't do this, than go back to the table with the BR group and work out something. I want this war to be over sooner than later. Yes I own a PS3 and have a collection of BR movies, but at this point I don't care who wins. I just want a single format.

[GizmoGC]

A Wal-Mart customer goes and buys a HDTV to hook up to his new HD Digital Cable box. He then sees a HD DVD Player and buys that. He wanders over and sees HD DVD Movies and buys those. They will ask 'What about the blue cases", but I think the average Wal-Mart customer will buy anything with the HD in it, not something that says Blu-Ray. Just an opinion of course.

[millrat1030]

I understand where you're coming from, but I don't they see the blue or red cases. I think they see the movies. And right now the big movies are on BR. That was my point.

[GizmoGC]

I understand where you're coming from, but I don't they see the blue or red cases. I think they see the movies. And right now the big movies are on BR. That was my point.

And thats YOUR opinion. I'm not too sure what you mean by 'big' movies and neither format really has any 'killer' ones. The Matrix should be arriving shortly for HD and both Pirates for Blu-Ray. If you want to debate this please check out the thread in the General Gaming forum. This is for HD Software/Hardware discussion only.

[propeller_head]

=more win for HD DVD

I just hope that most of people that buy these players at Wal Mart realize that they need HDTV's to get any improvement over DVD.


The sad thing is they won't.

i think people will realize that the HD DVD player is for their HDTV

and i dont think HDTVs are out of reach anymore. you can get a 32" for around $500 at walmart. and they're supposed to 1/2 in costs by the end of the year so itll probably be around $300-350 in dec.

[geko29]

Yeah, and Planet Earth, a $70 boxset, hit #5 beating Casino Royale on the rankings. Nice.
Actually it hit #4 last weekend. It's 5 currently, after a "lull" where it dropped as low as 8. But for a $70 boxset to be in the top ten for NINE days (and counting) is nothing short of astonishing, especially when CR was only there for 4 or 5 days, with a peak at #6.

I don't think ANYBODY expected PE to sell as well as it has. And FWIW, the BR version has been in the top ten for a little over a day now as well.

[dpatel]

i think people will realize that the HD DVD player is for their HDTV

and i dont think HDTVs are out of reach anymore. you can get a 32" for around $500 at walmart. and they're supposed to 1/2 in costs by the end of the year so itll probably be around $300-350 in dec.

Yea. This xmas should be huge for Hi def sales in general. I can see a lot of nice sales going on.

[anomynous]

I agree with the whole 'gaming' aspect. SPM is the only game Ive really 'played' in the past few months.

Why not get the HD Add-on for the 360 instead of an A2?
Because of 2 real, but 1 is kind up stupid, reasons:

1) I will need upscaling of DVDs, and the 360 VGA cable looks like shit on my TV. I also have an open HDMI port.

2) I saw the add on drive on display at Circuit City, and it's gigantic. At the size it is I said to myself "I should just get the A2."

[anomynous]

i think people will realize that the HD DVD player is for their HDTV



oh, you would be suprised. Maybe at your Wal Mart they would know that, but at mine :-&

I live out in O Fallon, which is ~30 minutes outside of St. Louis, and it is hick city for the most part out here. And they all go to Wal Mart. (No offence to any hicks on CAG) I don't think some of them know what the difference is between SDTV & HDTV.

Keep in mind that one of the highest selling games at that Wal Mart on 360 in the World Series Poker Game :cold:

[propeller_head]

HEY! i like poker :lol:

but i play pokerstars free.

i might consider a 360 game if it incorporated voice w/ online play & had a good interface though.

what i really want for the 360 is a new version of CHESSMASTER:-P

[anomynous]

HEY! i like poker :lol:

but i play pokerstars free.

i might consider a 360 game if it incorporated voice w/ online play & had a good interface though.

what i really want for the 360 is a new version of CHESSMASTER:-P
I don't have anything against poker, but why are people buying the poker game?

[ashram]

1) I will need upscaling of DVDs, and the 360 VGA cable looks like shit on my TV. I also have an open HDMI port.



a fix to the washed out colors via vga should be included with the spring update...
it's mentioned somewhere in this thread (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=774635) at AVS forum...

[propeller_head]

I don't have anything against poker, but why are people buying the poker game?
probably because they're old

though im still a whippersnapper, so either im the exception to the rule. or ppl really like poker where u live.

[GizmoGC]

Because of 2 real, but 1 is kind up stupid, reasons:

1) I will need upscaling of DVDs, and the 360 VGA cable looks like shit on my TV. I also have an open HDMI port.

2) I saw the add on drive on display at Circuit City, and it's gigantic. At the size it is I said to myself "I should just get the A2."

Trade in your 360 and get the elite one (However after doing that, paying the difference, and then buying the HD add-on it would be around the same price anyway)

[KaneRobot]

That's pretty much the same thing that happened with me. I totally bought it on impulse because of Zelda and pretty much ended up hating that I had spent my money on it.
Add me to the growing list. I bought a Wii in January. Didn't buy Zelda because I bought the system to play games that used the control, not games that shoehorned the control in there. Did pick up Wario Ware. In the end, outside of the occasional weekend at a friend's house for inebriated 4-player Wii Sports matches (where he has his own so mine isn't even necessary), honestly...I think the Wii is probably the most disappointing console I've ever owned - and I owned a Sega CD.

I'm considering selling it, but I'd feel dumb since I dropped about 30 bucks on VC games that I'd essentially be flushing down the toilet.


Planet Earth and Eternal Sunshine this week. 'Tis a good week indeed.

[doubledown]

Why is everyone so excited for Planet Earth? It's documentaries basically, correct? I was watching it for FREE on my INHD channels via Comcast. Although, it seemed interesting, nothing I would watch for an extended period of time.

I finally watched Smokin' Aces in HD....movie was not that good, looked ok though in HD :)

[thrustbucket]

Why is everyone so excited for Planet Earth? It's documentaries basically, correct? I was watching it for FREE on my INHD channels via Comcast. Although, it seemed interesting, nothing I would watch for an extended period of time.

I finally watched Smokin' Aces in HD....movie was not that good, looked ok though in HD :)

Entertainment is entertainment. Some of us like nature shows. Some of us don't have HD cable. Some of us don't have DVR so we don't miss every episode. Some of us would prefer having it on disc for the higher quality.

Not all of us are apart of the MTV generation's attention deficit program that is only entertained by jiggly tits and big explosions.

I rarely turn on the TV, and when I do, I only watch the history channel or Discovery channel.

[Sporadic]

Why is everyone so excited for Planet Earth? It's documentaries basically, correct? I was watching it for FREE on my INHD channels via Comcast. Although, it seemed interesting, nothing I would watch for an extended period of time.

I finally watched Smokin' Aces in HD....movie was not that good, looked ok though in HD :)

Mindblowing visuals without the blockyness of HD cable.

It's basically going to be the ultimate title to show off your HD set with.

Plus this is the BBC version not the Discovery re-dubbed version and I rather watch it during one sit down without being interrupted by commercials.

[flybrione]

Does anyone know when the next firmware update for the 360 drive is going to happen? I heard in mid May (I hope) but I wanted to know if anyone had an update.

[GizmoGC]

Does anyone know when the next firmware update for the 360 drive is going to happen? I heard in mid May (I hope) but I wanted to know if anyone had an update.

I'd assume May along with the 'Spring' Update.

[ryanbph]

ok, maybe this had been answered when these movies came out...but this past weekend I finally put the good shepherd, and The children of men in my xbox 360 hd dvd drive...neither one of the hd sides of these combo discs worked...other hd movies i have worked fine....does my 360 drive need a firmware update?, is it the movies themselves? What do I do with the movies? Return then, as I still have the receipts.

[ashram]

ok, maybe this had been answered when these movies came out...but this past weekend I finally put the good shepherd, and The children of men in my xbox 360 hd dvd drive...neither one of the hd sides of these combo discs worked...other hd movies i have worked fine....does my 360 drive need a firmware update?, is it the movies themselves? What do I do with the movies? Return then, as I still have the receipts.

many theories have been thought up of....some just work (mine did) where as some people washed there discs with warm/hot water and soap... others have contacted universal for an exchange.....

some thing it's poor manufacturing, to some layer of something still on the disc after being pressed.... check the hd dvd software board on avsforum.com

[ryanbph]

were hd dvd players, besides the 360 add on, having the same issues?

[SteveMcQ]

I think there were known problems with those two movies working with the 360 add-on and a few other players. Someone here went through three returns trying to get a working CoM disc, but I don't think was successful.

Question: Blood Diamond is scheduled to be an HD only disc right? Not the dual format (since it's a Warner release)? And is this the one scheduled to have more content than the BR disc or is that a different movie I'm confusing it with?

[doubledown]

ok, maybe this had been answered when these movies came out...but this past weekend I finally put the good shepherd, and The children of men in my xbox 360 hd dvd drive...neither one of the hd sides of these combo discs worked...other hd movies i have worked fine....does my 360 drive need a firmware update?, is it the movies themselves? What do I do with the movies? Return then, as I still have the receipts.

This is a KNOWN PROBLEM with these two discs. Some report just getting a new disc has fixed the problems.

I didn't mean to bash about the Planet Earth thing, I just was curious what people thought of this. People seem to be buying because it looks nice on HD, which is an expensive demo disc. But I do understand others enjoy it. I probably would too, if I had the time to sit and watch it all.

[cleaver]

This is a KNOWN PROBLEM with these two discs. Some report just getting a new disc has fixed the problems.

I didn't mean to bash about the Planet Earth thing, I just was curious what people thought of this. People seem to be buying because it looks nice on HD, which is an expensive demo disc. But I do understand others enjoy it. I probably would too, if I had the time to sit and watch it all.
Planet Earth is rated 9.9 at imdb :shock: The Godfather is rated 9.1

[geko29]

Question: Blood Diamond is scheduled to be an HD only disc right? Not the dual format (since it's a Warner release)? And is this the one scheduled to have more content than the BR disc or is that a different movie I'm confusing it with?

Correct, it's an HD disc (not a combo), and it will have quite a bit of additional content compared to the BR release, at the same price. It will, however, come out a month later than the "stripped" BR version. Warner says this is an olive branch to compensate BR owners for not getting the extras (because their players don't support them), but I think they're really doing it to find out the relative "value" of the extras and determine how much/how often they'll develop them.

[rsigley]

Why is everyone so excited for Planet Earth? It's documentaries basically, correct? I was watching it for FREE on my INHD channels via Comcast. Although, it seemed interesting, nothing I would watch for an extended period of time.

I finally watched Smokin' Aces in HD....movie was not that good, looked ok though in HD :)

isn't over the air cable only 1080i too (i dunno i don't have cable or satellite), pretty sure the hd dvd is in 1080p

[Sarang01]

isn't over the air cable only 1080i too (i dunno i don't have cable or satellite), pretty sure the hd dvd is in 1080p

Keep in mind you may also be getting it downrezzed or the data compressed or both. Even Discovery HD has lowered their bitrate on C-Band which causes concern.

[GizmoGC]

Correct, it's an HD disc (not a combo), and it will have quite a bit of additional content compared to the BR release, at the same price. It will, however, come out a month later than the "stripped" BR version. Warner says this is an olive branch to compensate BR owners for not getting the extras (because their players don't support them), but I think they're really doing it to find out the relative "value" of the extras and determine how much/how often they'll develop them.

I'll gladly wait an extra month for extra features. Its good that Warner is giving BR owner's a chance to atleast get it early...unlike The Matrix.

[thrustbucket]

I'd assume May along with the 'Spring' Update.

The HD DVD update and the regular Xbox spring update scheduled for May 7th have been decoupled.

Amir gets asked when the HD DVD update is coming multiple times a day on the insider thread. He rarely answers, because the answer is always the same. And the last time he mentioned it, he said the same thing. He said it is NOT coming out May 7th with the dashboard update. It is coming out sometime in spring. That's as narrowed down as we have for it. So that basically means any time between now and end of June.

[thrustbucket]

Correct, it's an HD disc (not a combo), and it will have quite a bit of additional content compared to the BR release, at the same price. It will, however, come out a month later than the "stripped" BR version. Warner says this is an olive branch to compensate BR owners for not getting the extras (because their players don't support them), but I think they're really doing it to find out the relative "value" of the extras and determine how much/how often they'll develop them.

I believe other insiders have said that BR's earlier release on this title is not actually an olive branch, it's just that it will take an extra month to get everything they want to do done on HD DVD.

[KaneRobot]

The HD DVD update and the regular Xbox spring update scheduled for May 7th have been decoupled.

Amir gets asked when the HD DVD update is coming multiple times a day on the insider thread. He rarely answers, because the answer is always the same. And the last time he mentioned it, he said the same thing. He said it is NOT coming out May 7th with the dashboard update. It is coming out sometime in spring. That's as narrowed down as we have for it. So that basically means any time between now and end of June.

I believe he also said it would be out BEFORE the dashboard update, but we're getting pretty close to 5/7 and still have not heard anything about it. Sounds like Microsoft to me.

I ordered Planet Earth from the Warner store....I don't really havea hard-on for documentaries/educational programming, but this stuff is not just information, it's eye candy and a well-done film as well.

[LinkinPrime]

I believe he also said it would be out BEFORE the dashboard update, but we're getting pretty close to 5/7 and still have not heard anything about it. Sounds like Microsoft to me.

I ordered Planet Earth from the Warner store....I don't really havea hard-on for documentaries/educational programming, but this stuff is not just information, it's eye candy and a well-done film as well.

Ditto, I always wondered why people buy those types of DVD's but I happened to catch a little on Discovery and It was pretty damn good. The quality from my cable box wasn't as good as I hoped, but I'm sure HD DVD will be better.

[ryanbph]

where is the best place to pick up the planet earth hd dvd

[thrustbucket]

where is the best place to pick up the planet earth hd dvd

Right now probably amazon

[LinkinPrime]

where is the best place to pick up the planet earth hd dvd
Warnerbros Store (http://whv.warnerbros.com/WHVPORTAL/Portal/browsesearchtitles.jsp?functionmode=11&formatType=hd-dvd)

Coupons = 28% off: Enter RNDIS first then WBWEL
Free Shipping on orders $60 or more. Preorders count towards $60.

Planet Earth HD DVD (http://whv.warnerbros.com/WHVPORTAL/Portal/product.jsp?OID=18907) 57.XX after discount


edit:
OR

Amazon.com (http://amazon.com/o/ASIN/B000MRAAJW/ref=s9_asin_image_1/104-4373773-0652702?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=0NHZ4NN8WKAZHDXZYJH8&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=278240301&pf_rd_i=507846) $66.99 Shipped

[Transformah]

I think there were known problems with those two movies working with the 360 add-on and a few other players. Someone here went through three returns trying to get a working CoM disc, but I don't think was successful.

My order for CoM from buy.com was cancelled, and nobody online seems to have it in stock. I'm under the impression that a new pressing is happening on this disk, and there will be functional stock available soon. At least I hope so.

[KaneRobot]

I was just thinking today - I don't think I've seen Hollywoodland in stores, ever. Anyone see it out in the wild?


Also, good call on the sig, Link.

[LinkinPrime]

I was just thinking today - I don't think I've seen Hollywoodland in stores, ever. Anyone see it out in the wild?


Also, good call on the sig, Link.

Saw it at Best Buy when it first came out, haven't really looked for it recently so I'm not sure. I'll keep an eye out next time im in a store.

Thanks :D

[Duo_Maxwell]

I was just thinking today - I don't think I've seen Hollywoodland in stores, ever. Anyone see it out in the wild?


Also, good call on the sig, Link.

We have a couple copies in my store, which is odd as we typically don't carry all that many Universal titles very much.

[M1C13]

I was just thinking today - I don't think I've seen Hollywoodland in stores, ever. Anyone see it out in the wild?


Also, good call on the sig, Link.
saw it best buy today only one copy but that goes for most of the hd-dvds at my store.

[Ph8te]

My order for CoM from buy.com was cancelled, and nobody online seems to have it in stock. I'm under the impression that a new pressing is happening on this disk, and there will be functional stock available soon. At least I hope so.

Well I can tell you that the place I ordered fro told me that Universal was shipping out a new pressing to its distributors.......The same thing may be happening for The Good Shepherd as I got an email from Amazon that they couldnt replace my bad copy as they have found that the problem is mroe wide spread then they thought and hopefully it will be rectified within "2 weeks"......

[Ph8te]

Warnerbros Store (http://whv.warnerbros.com/WHVPORTAL/Portal/browsesearchtitles.jsp?functionmode=11&formatType=hd-dvd)

Coupons = 28% off: Enter RNDIS first then WBWEL
Free Shipping on orders $60 or more. Preorders count towards $60.

Planet Earth HD DVD (http://whv.warnerbros.com/WHVPORTAL/Portal/product.jsp?OID=18907) 57.XX after discount


edit:
OR

Amazon.com (http://amazon.com/o/ASIN/B000MRAAJW/ref=s9_asin_image_1/104-4373773-0652702?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=0NHZ4NN8WKAZHDXZYJH8&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=278240301&pf_rd_i=507846) $66.99 Shipped


Warner codes are n longer stackable....I will get the new codes as soon as I find out what they are.......WB is offering 15% with no coupns though and there is still free shipping with orders over 60$....You may still use the WBWEL and RNDIS codes, but they must be used seperately....

[propeller_head]

Warner codes are n longer stackable....I will get the new codes as soon as I find out what they are.......WB is offering 15% with no coupns though and there is still free shipping with orders over 60$....You may still use the WBWEL and RNDIS codes, but they must be used seperately....
so is it the same effect? if they're offering 15% off w/ no coupons. to add 1 coupon and have the 28% off?

or is it 15% off max? because then amazon would be cheaper.

[Sporadic]

The first Planet Earth review has been posted.

http://hddvd.highdefdigest.com/planetearth.html

[KaneRobot]

Yep, mine shipped from Warner on 4/20 apparently, so I should have it soon. Too bad there are zero extras, but I'm willing to sacrifice the extras of the DVD for picture quality of HD DVD on something like this.

[LinkinPrime]

The first Planet Earth review has been posted.

http://hddvd.highdefdigest.com/planetearth.html

Hm...3 stars for sound just because it doesn't have TrueHD...Oh well I'm happy with Dobly Digital 5.1 good thing the picture quality got 5 stars.

On another note, has anyone been able to cancel an order from HDDVDWorld.com ? I have emailed them 3 times now asking for them to cancel my Matrix Trilogy preorder and they have yet to respond and/or give me a refund. I paid through PayPal so the funds were gone the day I placed the order.

[ryanbph]

I was able to return good shepherd, and the replacement I got worked fine...

Children of men wasn't in stock, so they wouldn't take the return

as for hollywoodland, there were a couple in stock at my local best buy and cirucuit city last night

[Ruined]

Wal-Mart Names HD DVD the Winner

http://news.digitaltrends.com/talkback184.html

Snippet:


There is one retailer that has the power to call the winner of the protracted Blu-Ray vs. HD DVD fight and that vendor is Wal-Mart. Over the weekend they apparently leaked plans to bring in a massive number of low cost (possibly sub $200) HD DVD players for Christmas.

...

For Wal-Mart the only real metric is cost. Wal-mart doesn’t really make money off of the movies and do not sell high-end home theater equipment. They are known for aggressive prices and, as mentioned above, they subsidize their DVD sales. They needed something that could sell for under $200 soon and they needed the lowest cost of the new formats. This is where HD DVD shines, not only had Toshiba agreed to license to low cost manufacturers early on, but HD DVDs are pressed on the same lines that regular DVDs are, they require no major equipment change out and the blanks, when compared to Blu-Ray are less expensive as well.

This made the decision simple, Blu-Ray was just too expensive to make this work and any technical advantages were insignificant against Wal-Mart’s need for the lowest cost offering. For them it is about price and that is where HD DVD clearly has the sustainable advantage.

...

It means that any studio wanting Wal-Mart’s support after year end had better be selling HD DVD movies. Wal-Mart won’t be promoting Blu-Ray and, after year end, will increasingly focus their marketing on getting people to buy into HD DVD players and the related HD DVD movie from them.

In short, the Blu-Ray aligned studios will now have to either support both formats or risk losing much of Wal-Mart's business and given how material this business is to them, you have to think that an anti-Wall-Mart decision would have a material impact on their bonuses and career longevity. It certainly puts Columbia Pictures, which is owned by Sony, in a particularly uncomfortable position.


:)

[LinkinPrime]

Holly fucking hell...I'd never thought I'd see the day where I'd see Wal-Mart as a fucking hero. That's badass. Hope this is true and that previously exclusive to BR studios jump ship.

[ryanbph]

Good for walmart, the thing that I never understood was that it is allegedly cheaper to make a hd dvd dics over blue ray. With the combo drives out now, why would any studio want to pay extra to produce the same content, that would be going to a customer that could play either. I thought as soon as the combo drives came out, some of the studio's would at least stop supporting blue ray only, and support both.

[thrustbucket]

Now let's not be too hasty here. I am a HD DVD fanboy. But that article is severe conjecture.

Wal-mart has not made any such announcement. This article is complete guess work based on that Chinese press release.

A more neutral take on it is here: http://www.engadgethd.com/2007/04/24/hd-dvd-camp-unable-to-confirm-wal-mart-hd-dvd-player/

[anomynous]

Wal-Mart Names HD DVD the Winner

http://news.digitaltrends.com/talkback184.html

Snippet:



:)
That whole article is made up, Wal Mart never said they'd stop supporting BLu Ray

[RedvsBlue]

Walmart's the largest discount retailer in the world, them showing their support for one format over another is pretty big. It doesn't mean the war is over but it is important for HD-DVD to be given Walmart's support.

[millrat1030]

Could Walmart change their mind after sales figures show BR holds 70% of the high def market so far this year? Of course that's also if BR keeps these figures up.

[Ruined]

Could Walmart change their mind after sales figures show BR holds 70% of the high def market so far this year? Of course that's also if BR keeps these figures up.

Not when 70% of the high-def market is equal to around 1% of DVD sales and when the competitor had 1/3 as many title releases in the same period of time and BD's biggest hardware launch just recently occured (PS3).

No, Walmart was well aware of all of these things and was also well aware that both highdef formats were and still are in the minor league in terms of sales. Bottom line, they wanted the best value players and they got it with HD DVD. With the ability to sell players and discs cheaply, its just a matter of marketing HD DVD to the masses which shouldn't be so tough for Walmart consumers. HDTV + HD DVD. :)

[geko29]

Could Walmart change their mind after sales figures show BR holds 70% of the high def market so far this year? Of course that's also if BR keeps these figures up.
Not likely. The reason this buy is even possible, let alone at these prices is because there's a reference design. Microsoft and Broadcom put a lot of time and money into designing a "standard" HD DVD player that could be easily assembled by anyone who had the required parts (just like video cards). As of yet, there is no reference design for Blu-Ray, so all players have to be a ground-up build. This is why the "low cost" BR player for this year is the $599 Sony due to launch in June.

So Wal-Mart could change their mind and decide to push Blu-Ray, but they wouldn't have anything to sell besides the Sony, which they've already committed to carry. And a $588 player (my guess on the price) won't sell ANYWHERE NEAR as well as a $199 one.

[GizmoGC]

Not likely. The reason this buy is even possible, let alone at these prices is because there's a reference design. Microsoft and Broadcom put a lot of time and money into designing a "standard" HD DVD player that could be easily assembled by anyone who had the required parts (just like video cards). As of yet, there is no reference design for Blu-Ray, so all players have to be a ground-up build. This is why the "low cost" BR player for this year is the $599 Sony due to launch in June.

So Wal-Mart could change their mind and decide to push Blu-Ray, but they wouldn't have anything to sell besides the Sony, which they've already committed to carry. And a $588 player (my guess on the price) won't sell ANYWHERE NEAR as well as a $199 one.

I don't even think a $599 BR player will sell better then the $599 PS3 BR Player.
Hell, even the 20GB is a better value for Wal-Mart to sell.

[Ph8te]

Hm...3 stars for sound just because it doesn't have TrueHD...Oh well I'm happy with Dobly Digital 5.1 good thing the picture quality got 5 stars.

On another note, has anyone been able to cancel an order from HDDVDWorld.com ? I have emailed them 3 times now asking for them to cancel my Matrix Trilogy preorder and they have yet to respond and/or give me a refund. I paid through PayPal so the funds were gone the day I placed the order.
Contact MovieMinded on either AVS or HiDefDigest forums via PM with your order number and he should be able to take care of it for you.

[LinkinPrime]

Thanks, HDDVDWorld.com actually replied today, they asked me to provide them with a link to where I found it cheaper so that they could PM. I told them I got 28% off from the WB online store and I'd just rather cancel it now.

[Ruined]

Panasonic/BDA tempers flare over HD "combo" players
Declares LG is in breach of Blu-Ray Disc Association contracts!

Straight from a longtime AVSFORUM member:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=838904

Apparently Panasonic's outburst happened in public at the most recent official DVD forum meeting (prior to official Samsung announcement of a similar but fuller featured HD DVD/BD combo player) and is reflected in the meeting transcripts... I wonder what exactly the BDA contract contains, and whether it would be considered "anti-competitive?" My guess is signs point to YES. A job for the FTC/EU maybe?

Glad to see that companies like LG and Samsung are stepping up to the plate for consumers despite anti-competitive BDA contracts apparently being in place! Also, its now more clear why combo players may not have happened sooner.

[propeller_head]

Panasonic/BDA tempers flare over HD "combo" players
Declares LG is in breach of Blu-Ray Disc Association contracts!

Straight from a longtime AVSFORUM member:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=838904

Apparently Panasonic's outburst happened in public at the most recent official DVD forum meeting (prior to official Samsung announcement of a similar but fuller featured HD DVD/BD combo player) and is reflected in the meeting transcripts... I wonder what exactly the BDA contract contains, and whether it would be considered "anti-competitive?" My guess is signs point to YES. A job for the FTC/EU maybe?

Glad to see that companies like LG and Samsung are stepping up to the plate for consumers despite anti-competitive BDA contracts apparently being in place! Also, its now more clear why combo players may not have happened sooner.
In what seemed an exchange of spite, LG split ranks with its Blu-ray compatriots by voting in favor of all HD DVD measures before the SC -- rather than abstaining, as the pragmatic Korean companies usually had.
:rofl:

LG's got balls. congrats LG, youve made a new friend in me :applause:

[geko29]

Hell, even the 20GB is a better value for Wal-Mart to sell.

It would be, if it existed. Sony quitely discontinued it a few weeks ago.

[KaneRobot]

I don't even think a $599 BR player will sell better then the $599 PS3 BR Player.
Hell, even the 20GB is a better value for Wal-Mart to sell.
I'd buy a standalone player at the same price before I bought a PS3. I don't trust that PS3 Blu-Ray player, especially after the problems that have popped up.

I'm definitely waiting until BD-J is finalized and Blu-Ray adopts some sort of standard before I go in on it. Even then I may just wait, Blu-Ray doesn't have much that screams for me to buy it that won't also/only be on HD DVD. I like Spider-Man and Rocky, but I don't need to pay 600 bucks to watch them in slightly higher resolution.

[Setzer]

I'd buy a standalone player at the same price before I bought a PS3. I don't trust that PS3 Blu-Ray player, especially after the problems that have popped up.
What problems are you referring to? I've owned my PS3 since launch and it's played BRD's flawlessly....and I use my PS3 to watch movies a majority of the time. I also have friends who bought theirs soley to watch HD movies and they haven't had any issues with it. I would say the PS3 is the best, inexpensive BRD player on the market right now.

I have the 360 HD-DVD player and I think I'm going to sell it. The upcoming releases are less than impressive and there aren't that many. My player has been collecting dust the past month....pretty sad.

[GizmoGC]

What problems are you referring to? I've owned my PS3 since launch and it's played BRD's flawlessly....and I use my PS3 to watch movies a majority of the time. I also have friends who bought theirs soley to watch HD movies and they haven't had any issues with it. I would say the PS3 is the best, inexpensive BRD player on the market right now.

I have the 360 HD-DVD player and I think I'm going to sell it. The upcoming releases are less than impressive and there aren't that many. My player has been collecting dust the past month....pretty sad.

As much as I will state I dislike Sony, the PS3 is a pretty good Blu-Ray problem. I have had not a single issue with it (besides the HDMI 'popping' that occured early on before a Firmware fix, well, fixed it.)

LG, you rule!

[GizmoGC]

From IGN...

April 25, 2007 - The recent pres-release-bickering between the HD-DVD and Blu-ray camps isn't terribly new, though most previous spats have gone down in the midst of large trade shows. The most recent squabbling began when HD-DVD celebrated the format's birthday by announcing that 100,000 dedicated players had been sold, preserving the format's hardware lead, not counting the PlayStation 3 (story). Blu-ray fired back, announcing that Blu-ray movie sales had reached the 1,000,000-sold milestone, and added a little salt to the wound with the data that 70-percent of Q1 HD-movie sales were thanks to Blu-ray (story).

Today, HD-DVD's representatives from Webersh & Wick public relations wrote to IGN Gear directly with updated HD-DVD news. According to their figures, HD-DVD movie sales lag only 2,000 units behind Blu-ray with 998,059 units sold. The firm points out that pre-orders of Planet Earth and The Matrix Trilogy will propel HD-DVD over the million-mark quite shortly. Representatives also stated that hardware sales have continued with strength in April, maintaining a 4 to 1 margin over Blu-ray.

Though consumers would likely benefit to a resolution to this format war sooner rather than later, it's looking like the struggle may continue for quite some time. The upshot of it all, however, will be a long and amusing PR battle. Honestly, it's rare in technology to get this much back-and-forth in claims, counter claims, dueling sales statistics, and one sided announcements of victory, so kick back and enjoy it, maybe while rocking some undeniably pretty 1080p movies on the format of your choice.

[propeller_head]

i disagree. i think the format war is beneficial to consumers. its making them drop the prices much faster than happened w/ DVD.

[thrustbucket]

What problems are you referring to? I've owned my PS3 since launch and it's played BRD's flawlessly....and I use my PS3 to watch movies a majority of the time. I also have friends who bought theirs soley to watch HD movies and they haven't had any issues with it. I would say the PS3 is the best, inexpensive BRD player on the market right now.

I have the 360 HD-DVD player and I think I'm going to sell it. The upcoming releases are less than impressive and there aren't that many. My player has been collecting dust the past month....pretty sad.

Well I'm glad to hear the PS3 is good for something besides looking for cancer cures.

It is the cheapest BD player. And I feel sorry for all the other standalone blu-ray player manufacturers that were undercut by Sony.

Of course, after October 31st, the PS3, and all present BD players will be obsolete in some way. And that's kind of sad too.

Yay for paying $600 to be a beta tester! :bouncy:

[KaneRobot]

As much as I will state I dislike Sony, the PS3 is a pretty good Blu-Ray

I probably made it sound worse than it is....I was mostly referring the the handshaking issue. I am aware that a firmware update was issued, but there are still people who reported issues with it even after applying it.

More importantly though, I'd just prefer a dedicated player anyway once the Blu-Ray standards are finalized. Buying something that expensive before everything is "finished" just seems like asking for trouble to me...not to mention equal-ground standalone players generally being higher quality than what you usually get on "also plays videos!" devices like game consoles.

The HD DVD 360 add-on is a different story since it's so cheap. If they were trying to charge like $300, they could shove it. I got it for just over half that (with a free movie that is actually show-off worthy and a remote), and it's probably the best value I've gotten in anything console related in a long time.

And I'm going to have to call bullshit on HD DVD not having any good releases coming up. Those sound like the words of someone who has bought into Sony's nonsense from around CES time in January. Blu-Ray has "more studios," but the often-overlooked fact is that a lot of the big name content that people tout on Blu-Ray is also going to be released on HD DVD...sometimes with more features, if recent history has shown us anything. People just compare the exclusive studios and say "well, obviously Blu-Ray blows it away" without realizing a shitton of high-interest films are/will be dual format.

[propeller_head]

I probably made it sound worse than it is....I was mostly referring the the handshaking issue. I am aware that a firmware update was issued, but there are still people who reported issues with it even after applying it.

More importantly though, I'd just prefer a dedicated player anyway once the Blu-Ray standards are finalized. Buying something that expensive before everything is "finished" just seems like asking for trouble to me...not to mention equal-ground standalone players generally being higher quality than what you usually get on "also plays videos!" devices like game consoles.

The HD DVD 360 add-on is a different story since it's so cheap. If they were trying to charge like $300, they could shove it. I got it for just over half that (with a free movie that is actually show-off worthy and a remote), and it's probably the best value I've gotten in anything console related in a long time.

And I'm going to have to call bullshit on HD DVD not having any good releases coming up. Those sound like the words of someone who has bought into Sony's nonsense from around CES time in January. Blu-Ray has "more studios," but the often-overlooked fact is that a lot of the big name content that people tout on Blu-Ray is also going to be released on HD DVD...sometimes with more features, if recent history has shown us anything. People just compare the exclusive studios and say "well, obviously Blu-Ray blows it away" without realizing a shitton of high-interest films are/will be dual format.

well the PS3 really is a pretty good BR player. it just loads discs very slowly.

& i agree. im sick of people saying all HD DVD has is universal. it has universal, rogue & focus pictures, weinstein, & studio canal as exclusives. it also has paramount, warner, dreamworks, new line, & every network, cable, & premium station barring those owned by fox.

but w/ WM supporting HD DVD and WM accounting for 40% of DVD sales, i would be severely surprised if the other studios dont go neutral by mid 2k8.

[thrustbucket]

well the PS3 really is a pretty good BR player. it just loads discs very slowly.

& i agree. im sick of people saying all HD DVD has is universal. it has universal, rogue & focus pictures, weinstein, & studio canal as exclusives. it also has paramount, warner, dreamworks, new line, & every network, cable, & premium station barring those owned by fox.

but w/ WM supporting HD DVD and WM accounting for 40% of DVD sales, i would be severely surprised if the other studios dont go neutral by mid 2k8.


Good point. Not to mention that just about every Warner title on both formats, is always better on HD DVD.

[psychobrawler]

Started watching Planet Earth last night. Holy crow that's some beautiful stuff...

[LinkinPrime]

Started watching Planet Earth last night. Holy crow that's some beautiful stuff...

Is the picture quality better than HD cable?