Replacing old DVDs with HD-DVD or blu-ray. Need help

Stryffe2004

Stryffe2004

CAGiversary!
I am looking for opinions from people with blu ray and / or HD-DVD players that collect movies. Specifically, are there movies that you owned on DVD that you replaced with one of the new formats? Are there some mvoies that are so much better on the new formats that they warrant a second purchase?

I am seriously thinking about Batman Begins because it is one of my favorite movies and I hear it is one of the best HD-DVDs out there. I will likely replace the Spider-Man movies when they hit blu-ray as well. If Star Wars ever hits, I will get those as well because they look amazinbg on HD cable. I am on the fence about the Matrix movies. I already have the Ultimate set (complete w/ Neo bust) on DVD, so I am not sure if it is worth getting the same set in either HD-DVD or waiting for blu-ray.

So what do you all think? Any recommendations?
 
I doubled up on Batman Begins. It's not life or death, but it does look very nice in HD and is a good showpiece disc, so I'd recommend it.

Ditto for Clerks II, but that is definitely not a film that requires HD. I just bought the DVD because I was too impatient for the HD DVD to be released. Once the HD version was out I dumped off the DVD. I'd recommend it from the perspective of it's the better of the two, but it's not a mandatory HD purchase.

The older Superman movies (I & II) were probably most disappointing to me. They looked good, but watching the DVD editions alongside them, the difference wasn't knock-you-on-your-ass amazing, especially in the case of the HD DVD Donner cut of Superman II vs. the theatrical DVD of Superman II.

I preordered the Matrix Trilogy HD DVD, and I own the DVD version of the ultimate box. The ultimate box on HD DVD isn't worth it to me since most of the extra stuff is in standard definition, however, having HD DVD versions of the original three films is more than worth it, as far as I'm concerned.
 
I wouldn't go too gung ho with the format war still raging. I'd replace your bare bones dvds first but even then with caution cuz once the war is over you know better HD editions are soon to follow.
 
Here's basically what I did when faced with the same decision.

1) Choose a set number of movies you really like to replace and stick to that maximum (for me it's 10 max, I won't rebuy more than that).

2) Join a free trial of something like Netflix (I was already a member but free trial is best if you aren't cuz it doesn't cost anything) and rent the same movies in HD to see if the transfer is really that much better or if it has some cool features like the in-movie experience, if it does then pickup said movies in an HD format if you choose.

That was the somewhat crazy yet strategic way I faced the same dilemma and I hope this bit of advice helps.
 
I have severly curtailed my DVD purchases lately. Right now I'm waiting for who wins the format war. To be honest though, I rather see movies in the theater.
 
Now is a pretty bad time to do this. Wait until one format is the out-and-out "winner" and then jump ship. The movies will be cheaper and you won't end up with the "wrong" format.
 
Dual format players are starting to come out so it is a possibility that it may not matter. But I wouldn't bet the farm on any of the 3 outcomes yet.
 
There is no reason to wait, barring cost reasons. Both formats are competitive enough to survive for at least another few years, and dual format players are on the way - within a year or two should be reasonably affordable. We'll see reasonably priced single-format standalone players by the end of the year.

Most importantly (and for the millionth time, it seems, on these boards): even in the unlikely event that one format suddenly shrivels up and dies, it doesn't mean that your discs are suddenly unplayable. They'll still play just fine as dual format players drop in price over the years.

The OP can correct me if I'm wrong, but it sounds to me like he already HAS (or is going to have) both players and is just asking about specific titles, which is why I responded the way I did above.
 
I do have the 360 HD-Drive and a PS3 as well as the LG dual format player. I am less concerned about who wins as to whether there are good movies that are superior to their original DVD releases. The only one I have upgraded is Kingdom of Heaven since I had the original release and not the director's cut, which is supposed to be vastly superior, even though I have yet to watch it.

Good point about the Matrix movies Kanerobot. That gives me something to think about. I also agree w/ you about Superman I and II. They looked good, but not great. I did not have them on DVD so I needed them for my collection anyway. Ditto w/ your take on Clerks II. I got the standard version used from Blockbuster for cheap. It was a great movie, but I am not sure if HD would have really helped it a lot. I like HD for action adventure and sci fi movies. It helps for standard dramas and comedies, but is not absolutely essential in my book. I passed on the HD version of Beerfest for the same reason and grabbed the standard version.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
bread's done
Back
Top