Quote :

"Until the 7.1 surround sound starts taking off, this whole HD format is pretty worthless IMO. "

sadly most Americans care less about sound. They only care about a big ass screen. So is it worthless for the masses or for the a/v enthusiast? I don't think they will unlock the potential of the audio streams until more people own the players FIRST.

Remember DVD-audio and SACD? sample 20 people off the street, ONE might know what the heck you are talking about.

1/31/2008 9:53:09 AM

To be fair, both came out slightly before iTunes took off. There really wasn't any chance for them.

What I would like to see now is the option of downloading music in a lossless format fully mastered. I don't care if its 40 megs a download.

1/31/2008 10:53:44 AM

^Thats a good point. I have begun ripping CDs @ higher quality than the old mp3s I had for the same songs and its really noticable from some of my shitty napster days.

I don't know what it'll take, but I'm a firm believer that neither of these formats will be around in 5 years anyways. Digital distribution is going to hit its stride as soon as apple/netflix/ms realize how important it is to actually KEEP movies.

I actually hope that valve and apple make a console next generation. Steam+iTunes+the i____ brand power= yumyum.

1/31/2008 11:57:19 AM

Its freaky though to hear the difference between the compressed and uncompressed sound, my Mom, the farthers from an A/V enthusiast you could get, said, "Wow, I'd pay for this difference"

I've got an Onyko system from Circuit City, its the lowest end model that supports HDMI 1.3 and all the DTS new stuff. Wasn't more than $600 when I bought it, still does everything I need, just not stupid loud.

I've yet to compare a HD-DVD to Blu-Ray though, must admit, I'm loving Blu-Ray.

Now, if somebody smart would make a bluetooth / IR universal remote to control the PS3, I'd be set!

1/31/2008 12:24:40 PM

http://www.amazon.com/PlayStation-3-Blu-Wave-Remote/dp/B000R5H7KE/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2?ie=UTF8&s=videogames&qid=1201801154&sr=8-2

I use it, it works fine. It allows for the ps3 to be controlled with any RF-capable universal remote. The only problem is that there is no power button. If you're folding like you're supposed to, this isn't really a problem.

1/31/2008 12:40:40 PM

Quote :

"I use it, it works fine. It allows for the ps3 to be controlled with any RF-capable universal remote. "

I think he means IR, not RF. I've got one of those too and it works perfectly with my Harmony 880.

and the power button shouldn't be much of an issue... you gotta get up off the couch to put the blu-ray in anway, right?

Quote :

"Its freaky though to hear the difference between the compressed and uncompressed sound, my Mom, the farthers from an A/V enthusiast you could get, said, "Wow, I'd pay for this difference""

I said the same thing in this thread a while back and got clowned on. Apparently, it's impossible to tell the difference.


[Edited on January 31, 2008 at 12:50 PM. Reason : d]

1/31/2008 12:48:13 PM

There is also this thing if you absolutely need power on/power off functionality.

http://www.schmartz.com/main.sc

I don't own one nor do I know anyone that does, but if it does what says it does then it should be pretty cool.

[Edited on January 31, 2008 at 1:33 PM. Reason : :]

1/31/2008 1:25:08 PM

Quote :

"Microsoft Drops Price for Xbox 360 HD DVD Add-On Wed Feb 06, 2008 at 01:18 PM ET Tags: Microsoft, Xbox 360, High-Def Retailing, Amazon (all tags) Playing catch-up with a series of price drops on HD DVD players from Toshiba, Microsoft has shaved another $50 off the MSRP for its Xbox 350 HD DVD add-on. That brings the new suggested retail price on the Xbox 360 HD DVD player in the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand to $129.99. ADVERTISEMENT Today's price drop from Microsoft (which is already reflected on the official Xbox site) comes on the same day that Amazon briefly offered the add-on for a mere $79.99. The web retailer promptly sold out of units at that price, and is currently selling the add-on via one of its partners for $155.67. Purchases of the Xbox 360 add-on include a free HD DVD copy of of 'King Kong' inside the box, and qualify for an additional five free discs by mail as part of the HD DVD camp's "Perfect Offer" program."

2/6/2008 2:24:00 PM

GIVE ME BLU RAY DRIVE M$!

2/6/2008 2:39:30 PM

I dont get it.

2/6/2008 4:34:28 PM

they are dumping their inventory

2/7/2008 2:31:10 PM

Quote :

"Barnes & Noble offers 50% off many of their HD DVDs, starting at $15 for Non-Members or $13.49 for Members. Use code Y4R4K7D for an additional 25% off, making some of the HD DVDs only $11.25. Shipping is Free if you spend $25 or more. Thanks dood56, Slick Eazy, & Reikon. Save an additional 5% plus get Free Shipping if you use your VISA Card via this Link."

http://slickdeals.net/

[Edited on February 8, 2008 at 12:16 PM. Reason : B]

2/8/2008 12:16:16 PM

Netflix dropping HD-DVD:

http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/02/11/netflix-picks-blu-ray-good-luck-renting-an-hd-dvd-soon/

2/11/2008 9:38:18 AM

not surprised, why rent when you can buy it so cheap right now

2/11/2008 1:19:23 PM

Quote :

"We're Going Blu-ray Dear Mark, You're receiving this email because you have asked to receive high-definition movies in the HD DVD format. As you may have heard, most of the major movie studios have recently decided to release their high-definition movies exclusively in the Blu-ray format. In order to provide the best selection of high-definition titles for our members, we have decided to go exclusively with Blu-ray as well. While we will continue to make our current selection of HD DVD titles available to you for the next several months, we will not be adding additional HD DVD titles or reordering replacements. Toward the end of February, HD DVDs in your Saved Queue will automatically be changed to standard definition DVDs. Then toward the end of this year, all HD DVDs in your Queue will be changed to standard definition DVDs. Don't worry, we will contact you before this happens. You can click here to change your format preferences. We're sorry for any inconvenience. If you have any questions or need further assistance, please call us at 1 (888) 638-3549. -The Netflix Team"

2/11/2008 3:16:58 PM

Well that sucks. I wonder if they are going to try and sell their library out when they completely drop them out of queues.

I wonder if they will sell them near the end of the year? We would have to be talking some big discounts to get me to bite though.

2/11/2008 3:30:44 PM

after the abuse those discs have been through, they'd have to be close to free to get me to bite.

[Edited on February 11, 2008 at 3:39 PM. Reason : d]

2/11/2008 3:38:53 PM

I was just about to post the netflix thing.... shit.

2/11/2008 3:40:31 PM

http://www.streetinsider.com/Press+Releases/Best+Buy+to+Recommend+Blu-ray+as+the+Customers+Digital+Format+Choice/3345206.html

Quote :

" Best Buy Co., Inc. (NYSE: BBY) is taking a step forward in addressing consumer confusion about high-definition formats. Beginning in early March, the leading consumer electronics retailer will prominently showcase Blu-ray hardware and software products in its Best Buy retail and online channels in the United States. "Consumers have told us that they want us to help lead the way. We've listened to our customers, and we are responding. Best Buy will recommend Blu-ray as the preferred format," said Brian Dunn, Best Buy's president and chief operating officer. "Our decision to shine a spotlight on Blu-ray Disc players and other Blu-ray products is a strong signal to our customers that we believe Blu-ray is the right format choice for them.""

Looks like we're finally witnessing HD DVDs death throes. Universal and Paramount, come on down.....

2/11/2008 3:53:59 PM

Meanwhile, all of this is doing wonders for netting consumers a reasonably priced Blu Ray player.

2/11/2008 3:57:44 PM

you mean to say that you think the widespread adoption of a format should LOWER prices on players? are you daft? you do realize SONY is pulling the blu-ray strings, right? i'm waiting for the prices to go UP, since they'll finally have a stranglehold on the HD market

2/11/2008 5:06:25 PM

Yes

Sony manages to break the laws of economics.

2/11/2008 5:39:18 PM

^^Because other companies can't make cheaper Blu-Ray players or something?

Next thing you'll tell me is that DVD players still cost hundreds of dollars....

2/11/2008 8:19:01 PM

Quote :

"Yes Sony manages to break the laws of economics."

http://blog.pricescan.com/archives/2007/12/bluray_hddvd_pr.html

max, average, min

prices for a Samsung BD-P1400 blue ray player through 12/07



prices for a Toshiba HD-A3 HD-DVD player through 12/07



[Edited on February 11, 2008 at 8:36 PM. Reason : .]

2/11/2008 8:28:18 PM

weird I saw an A3 at bestbuy this weekend in DC for 150 bucks.

2/11/2008 9:32:10 PM

Because those charts are two months old and the HD DVD group has been slashing prices on players since those charts were created.

2/11/2008 9:36:18 PM

^ So have retailers as they've been trying to clear them out and reduce the shelf space allotted to them. Kind of like how those $10 tobler chocolate oranges go for 99 cents on clearance at target after easter when the novelty's worn off.

2/11/2008 9:43:38 PM

What exactly am I looking at here?

2/11/2008 10:05:43 PM

RGB wavelengths.

[Edited on February 11, 2008 at 10:35 PM. Reason : asdf]

2/11/2008 10:35:42 PM

heres to the free bluray player that came with my new tv last week!!!

i just watched invincible and it was killer!

i just wish i could get transformers on bluray...

2/11/2008 11:55:29 PM

Any recommendations on Blu-Ray players? I'm going to buy one later today or tomorrow.

I'm also guessing that there are no current specials on getting free movies right now.

2/12/2008 9:31:57 AM

Quote :

"Any recommendations on Blu-Ray players? I'm going to buy one later today or tomorrow."

playstation 3?

2/12/2008 9:39:10 AM

yeah, they look like they are the same price. any reason not to get a ps3?

2/12/2008 9:47:36 AM

I'd wait until some of the newer players announced at CES start dropping around April/May. Short of that, can't really recommend anything other than the PS3. If you really need to get a stand-alone today, get the cheapest Samsung BD-P1400 you can find.

^Unless you have some moral aversion to using a game console as your main movie player, no, not really. You do have to jump through some hoops to get it working with an IR universal remote, but it's not that big of a deal.

[Edited on February 12, 2008 at 9:52 AM. Reason : :]

2/12/2008 9:49:51 AM

i wouldn't play the PS3, I already have a wii and only play guitar hero on it when I have friends over.

It seems like I could always wait for prices to drop on Blu-ray players. I was waiting to get a blu-ray player to make sure it had the 1.1 features.

I need a new DVD player and figured I should get a Blu-Ray player instead of traditional DVD player. I watch several netflix movies a week and thought it would be cool to see them in HD.

2/12/2008 10:00:41 AM

Quote :

"i wouldn't play the PS3"

but at least you'd have the option to if you wanted to Does netflix not do games too?

plus you can run Folding@Home on a Playstation 3. Help cancer research while your PS3 sits there bored. message_topic.aspx?topic=118820

2/12/2008 10:12:41 AM

Sounds like you'd be best off just waiting for the players announced at CES.

http://www.blu-ray.com/news/?id=845

Keep in mind, most these are still going to cost between $300 and $500, so you're not going to be saving any money, just getting a better product. I wouldn't expect final profile Blu-ray players to drop below $200 until the 08' holiday season at the earliest.

2/12/2008 10:17:56 AM

Yeah, I guess waiting may be a good idea. I may just pick up a cheap dvd player in the mean time.

I found the Samsung BD-P1400 on NewEgg for $299, but wasn't impressed with the reviews http://tinyurl.com/3d3tgr

Quote :

"Does netflix not do games too?"

no games on netflix

[Edited on February 12, 2008 at 10:22 AM. Reason : ]

2/12/2008 10:21:24 AM

Blu-Ray Buy 2 Get 1 Free at Amazon (tons of titles, you gotta click the category links at the top of the page to see them all):

http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html/ref=amb_link_6333342_3?ie=UTF8&docId=1000196201&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=hero-quick-promo&pf_rd_r=1KM9QR28YQF1167H8P2S&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_p=363253701&pf_rd_i=B000Q6ZG6G

2/12/2008 1:03:54 PM

http://www.engadget.com/2008/02/11/netflix-coming-to-xbox-360-and-ps3/

2/12/2008 4:04:59 PM

That would compete with microsoft's own service.

I dont buy it.

2/12/2008 4:07:13 PM

I could see netflix buying microsoft out though.

or anything to make microsoft go to a flat rate download fee.

2/12/2008 4:36:12 PM

Isn't Netflix's CEO a pretty big MS shareholder? I think I read this somewhere.....

2/12/2008 4:37:55 PM

Quote :

"I could see netflix buying microsoft out though."

last time i checked its M$ that usually does the buying out

2/12/2008 8:01:08 PM

^^^^^^

I also suggest the PS3 as a player... $400, 40 gig HD, you can stream content from your computer to it, you can download free demos for games, if you do get a game you can play online for free, the updates to the PS3 have made it a GREAT purchase for me... I use it for showing videos, pictures when friends are over, playing my MP3s on my surrond sound stereo vs. my computer, it up-converts regular DVDs where they look great.... I dont buy movies, I just rent blu ray from netflix.

I had a buddy stay the weekend at my house while I was out of town.. he has a 360 at his place and he was amazed at the picture quality from blu ray, but also just normal DVDs...

2/13/2008 8:39:30 AM

i may just buy an upconvert dvd player right now. I am thinking about the PS3 though.

2/13/2008 12:23:31 PM

ok well m$ may buy out netflix then but i bet they use the netflix name cause m$ & movies just doesn't go together... might as well buy a name that does go with movies.

2/13/2008 12:27:56 PM

O, I just read that link about the PS3 viewing netflix... I had heard on WSJ that netflix was working on getting their movies to play on the PS3, but this is the first I had heard about paying $3 for a disc to enable the PS3 to play them. Very interesting... I could easily see them doing this. Soooo many people rely on their PS3 and want to be able to stream movies.

2/13/2008 1:08:07 PM

Quote :

"I had a buddy stay the weekend at my house while I was out of town.. he has a 360 at his place and he was amazed at the picture quality from blu ray, but also just normal DVDs..."

he would have probably been equally amazed if he had the PS3 and he came over to check out your HDDVD. Tell your friend to tune his TV or buy a better one.

2/13/2008 3:34:01 PM

yeah there really is no picture quality difference just data/disk

2/13/2008 3:37:21 PM