Bluray or HDDVD Players ???

Prodigy71 · 07-08-2007, 10:11

Hello Folks!

I'm currently looking to purchase a HD DVD player and was wondering if anyone had any thoughts on the pros and cons of each format of which i'm sure theres equal amounts on both.

So, if you have and input on Bluray or HDDVD could you fill me in please. Many Thanks!

PS - I apologise in advance if this has been mentioned in the past!

chrisjm · 07-08-2007, 11:18

look at which format has the best support for movies you like. for me its Blu Ray although i prefer the technical side of hd-dvd (no region coding) it means nowt when there is not much for me to watch, but i'll be waiting until later this year when the Samsung multi format player is released

Chparmar · 07-08-2007, 15:05

Don't go for HD-DVD yet. It's getting killed in sales and maybe not around for much longer.

Wait and see. But Blu-ray at the moment seems the safest bet.

iDan · 07-08-2007, 15:17

HD-DVD for me, BluRay is only being held up by the PS3 sales.

Personally, i'd either go for a PS3 or the HD-DVD addon for the X360 though.

You could also buy the LG Super-Multi-Blue Player that's available now.

Chparmar · 07-08-2007, 17:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by Telly_Man

HD-DVD for me, BluRay is only being held up by the PS3 sales.

HD-DVD fans have being saying that all year!

ceejbee · 07-08-2007, 21:15

A major deciding factor for me choosing HD-DVD was lack of region coding, at least at the moment.

Being able to purchase US titles currently unavailable in the UK, without fear of them not playing is a big plus for me. Also the excellent upscaling and dramatically better sound reproduction from standard DVD's is a bonus.

To be honest, I'm not really bothered if either or both formats fail, I am enjoying the benefits of HD now. If Blu Ray does eventually 'triumph', then I shall buy a standalone player, which will likely be cheaper by then anyway.

ceejbee.

mickandtich · 07-08-2007, 21:31

While Bluray has the best selection of titles at the moment ,buoyed by the PS3 surge,there are really only a handful of big titles like Pirates/Carribean and Casino Royale.

No doubt the Spiderman 3 release will sell a few more PS3's because Joe Public sure wont be buying the BR standalones that cost a fortune (bar the budget samsung).

HDDVD has fewer titles but its lack of region coding is certainly good for early adopter collectors.

With The Matrix boxset already available and Harry Potter looking to be an HDDVD exclusive for a while aswell as the first season of Star Trek in its new CGI improved format on the way HDDVD is far from dead.

The first season of Heroes is also out on HDDVD in a couple of weeks in the US.

Unfortunately although the 3rd season of LOST will be out on Bluray at years end UK players cant play it because its a US title.

The fuss over the LG and Samsung dual format players is overhyped.

Both machines cost lots more than buying a good HDDVD player aswell as a PS3 together,so why pay more for less?

The format war has a long way to go so the only thing you can do is look at the titles available and see which has the stuff you want to see.

Remember with HDDVD you can scour the US list too but with Bluray its hit and miss which titles have region coding,although in the future all will be coded.

Worth noting too that the Blu-Ray Java spec that is to be finalised this year may result in an excellent feature not being able to be used on current Bluray hardware

graeme2020uk · 07-08-2007, 21:42

is there not one format that when you buy it you also get the standard disc too.so that you can watch that but when you decide to upgrade you also have the hd or blu ray version ie...you dont need to rebuy it?

mickandtich · 07-08-2007, 22:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by graeme2020uk

is there not one format that when you buy it you also get the standard disc too.so that you can watch that but when you decide to upgrade you also have the hd or blu ray version ie...you dont need to rebuy it?

Some labels are offering double sided discs with one side offering the dvd version and the other side the HDDVD version.

These "combo" discs seem a good idea if you want to get your HD discs now without a player but from what I've heard and read they are not popular with HD buyers as they do needlessly increase the retail price.

The first season of Star Trek out in the US later this year is a combo set with a RRP in excess of $210

Strangely ,while the HD version is region free,the dvd version is still coded to either R1 or R2

Chparmar · 08-08-2007, 13:35

Blu-ray is 80% region-free anyway!
Certainly from Warner Bros and Paramount (who support HD-DVD as well and make up the BULK for that format) And a fair amount of catalog titles from the Blu-ray only studios are Region-Free as well.

stvn758 · 08-08-2007, 16:53

Saw a PC Blu Ray rewriter for £270, home recorders seem quite expensive by comparison.

Does anyone think the reason Blue Ray will succeed is because it just sounds cooler?

Kojack · 08-08-2007, 18:00

Hmmm for lot of people who are prepared to wait out the format war, who wins isn't important.
What really matters is the cost to the consumer, I prob would not look at a dedicate Hidef player until they are well under £200 even then if the war is still going then I would wait for a dual player to get to that price.
In the mean time Sky HD will just have to do.

Bugger what do I do with my current 3 DVD players & DVD recorder

okuda · 08-08-2007, 20:01

I think Sony have made a very smart move buy designing a digital Tv reciever add-on for the PS3 and if it comes out at the right price, yu would then end up with a Blu-ray player/Games machine/digital Tv recorder/multimedia streaming center!! for less than most stand alone players currently cost.. Frankly it's a no brainer..!!

mickandtich · 08-08-2007, 21:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chparmar

Blu-ray is 80% region-free anyway!
Certainly from Warner Bros and Paramount (who support HD-DVD as well and make up the BULK for that format) And a fair amount of catalog titles from the Blu-ray only studios are Region-Free as well.

80% region free?

How do you work that out?

Sony,Columbia,Fox ,Disney titles are all coded.

Only the formats that are also currently supporting HDDVD seem to be uncoded.

Should BR eventually win then I have no doubt that there will be full implementation of region coding.

Chparmar · 08-08-2007, 21:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by mickandtich

80% region free?

How do you work that out?

Sony,Columbia,Fox ,Disney titles are all coded.

Only the new releases. Titles like Black Hawk Down and are listed as Region Free on the packaging.

Anyway I don't care no more about this crappy war and advise anyone just to wait it out until it's all sorted out. until then it's just not worth it and the titles selection is still weak.

WorldFamous · 08-08-2007, 21:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by mickandtich

80% region free?

How do you work that out?

Sony,Columbia,Fox ,Disney titles are all coded.

Only the formats that are also currently supporting HDDVD seem to be uncoded.

Should BR eventually win then I have no doubt that there will be full implementation of region coding.

Sony and Columbia aren't all region coded. Infact, one of Columbia's newest releases - The Fifth Element Remastered - is Region ABC. It's the same for a lot of Sony releases too and even their Region A titles still play as region free most of the time.

Fox are region locked but they aren't releasing any HD stuff at the moment.

Disney are said to be going region free for their newer titles but we'll have to wait and see.

Warner Bros and Paramount are completely region free on BR too.

HD-DVD haven't promised to stay region free and I suspect it's currently only a ploy to get early adopters on board, should it be successful I fully expect them to start region locking.

mickandtich · 08-08-2007, 21:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chparmar

Only the new releases. Titles like Black Hawk Down and are listed as Region Free on the packaging.

Anyway I don't care no more about this crappy war and advise anyone just to wait it out until it's all sorted out. until then it's just not worth it and the titles selection is still weak.

I suspect the war will not end unless either format can get permission to release a killer title.

For BR it would be Star Wars .

HDDVD announced the release of ET,Jurassic Park and Jaws rather prematurely last year.

I wonder even if those titles are strong enough to make a difference.

I can see both co-existing long term while the mass market continues to be dvd which is more than adequate for most people,and that would be if they did not need an HD tv to watch BR and HDDVD

Jarrak · 09-08-2007, 06:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by okuda

I think Sony have made a very smart move buy designing a digital Tv reciever add-on for the PS3 and if it comes out at the right price, yu would then end up with a Blu-ray player/Games machine/digital Tv recorder/multimedia streaming center!! for less than most stand alone players currently cost.. Frankly it's a no brainer..!!

There must come a point when all singing all dancing single integrated unit simply can not multi-task to the extent that it can act a DVR, a digital source for live viewing and let the kids play their games all at the same time

Still who said the future will be what the consumer wants and not what the manufacturers and studios dictate

It's only me · 10-08-2007, 20:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chparmar

HD-DVD fans have being saying that all year!

True!
but at the end of the day, PS3 is getting blu ray out in peoples homes
It's a reall shame M$ didn't fit an internal HD DVD drive to there new elite 360
might of evened things up a bit!

07-08-2007, 10:11	#1
Prodigy71 Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Barnehurst, Kent Posts: 538	Bluray or HDDVD Players ??? Hello Folks! I'm currently looking to purchase a HD DVD player and was wondering if anyone had any thoughts on the pros and cons of each format of which i'm sure theres equal amounts on both. So, if you have and input on Bluray or HDDVD could you fill me in please. Many Thanks! PS - I apologise in advance if this has been mentioned in the past!

07-08-2007, 11:18	#2
chrisjm Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Outer london Posts: 1,189	look at which format has the best support for movies you like. for me its Blu Ray although i prefer the technical side of hd-dvd (no region coding) it means nowt when there is not much for me to watch, but i'll be waiting until later this year when the Samsung multi format player is released

07-08-2007, 15:05	#3
Chparmar Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Posts: 6,307	Don't go for HD-DVD yet. It's getting killed in sales and maybe not around for much longer. Wait and see. But Blu-ray at the moment seems the safest bet.

07-08-2007, 15:17	#4
iDan Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 8,812	HD-DVD for me, BluRay is only being held up by the PS3 sales. Personally, i'd either go for a PS3 or the HD-DVD addon for the X360 though. You could also buy the LG Super-Multi-Blue Player that's available now.

07-08-2007, 17:01	#5
Chparmar Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Posts: 6,307	Quote: Originally Posted by Telly_Man HD-DVD for me, BluRay is only being held up by the PS3 sales. HD-DVD fans have being saying that all year!

07-08-2007, 21:15	#6
ceejbee Forum Member Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 215	A major deciding factor for me choosing HD-DVD was lack of region coding, at least at the moment. Being able to purchase US titles currently unavailable in the UK, without fear of them not playing is a big plus for me. Also the excellent upscaling and dramatically better sound reproduction from standard DVD's is a bonus. To be honest, I'm not really bothered if either or both formats fail, I am enjoying the benefits of HD now. If Blu Ray does eventually 'triumph', then I shall buy a standalone player, which will likely be cheaper by then anyway. ceejbee.

07-08-2007, 21:31	#7
mickandtich Banned User Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 803	While Bluray has the best selection of titles at the moment ,buoyed by the PS3 surge,there are really only a handful of big titles like Pirates/Carribean and Casino Royale. No doubt the Spiderman 3 release will sell a few more PS3's because Joe Public sure wont be buying the BR standalones that cost a fortune (bar the budget samsung). HDDVD has fewer titles but its lack of region coding is certainly good for early adopter collectors. With The Matrix boxset already available and Harry Potter looking to be an HDDVD exclusive for a while aswell as the first season of Star Trek in its new CGI improved format on the way HDDVD is far from dead. The first season of Heroes is also out on HDDVD in a couple of weeks in the US. Unfortunately although the 3rd season of LOST will be out on Bluray at years end UK players cant play it because its a US title. The fuss over the LG and Samsung dual format players is overhyped. Both machines cost lots more than buying a good HDDVD player aswell as a PS3 together,so why pay more for less? The format war has a long way to go so the only thing you can do is look at the titles available and see which has the stuff you want to see. Remember with HDDVD you can scour the US list too but with Bluray its hit and miss which titles have region coding,although in the future all will be coded. Worth noting too that the Blu-Ray Java spec that is to be finalised this year may result in an excellent feature not being able to be used on current Bluray hardware

07-08-2007, 21:42	#8
graeme2020uk Banned User Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: UK, Glasgow Posts: 2,310	is there not one format that when you buy it you also get the standard disc too.so that you can watch that but when you decide to upgrade you also have the hd or blu ray version ie...you dont need to rebuy it?

07-08-2007, 22:10	#9
mickandtich Banned User Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 803	Quote: Originally Posted by graeme2020uk is there not one format that when you buy it you also get the standard disc too.so that you can watch that but when you decide to upgrade you also have the hd or blu ray version ie...you dont need to rebuy it? Some labels are offering double sided discs with one side offering the dvd version and the other side the HDDVD version. These "combo" discs seem a good idea if you want to get your HD discs now without a player but from what I've heard and read they are not popular with HD buyers as they do needlessly increase the retail price. The first season of Star Trek out in the US later this year is a combo set with a RRP in excess of $210 Strangely ,while the HD version is region free,the dvd version is still coded to either R1 or R2

08-08-2007, 13:35	#10
Chparmar Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Posts: 6,307	Blu-ray is 80% region-free anyway! Certainly from Warner Bros and Paramount (who support HD-DVD as well and make up the BULK for that format) And a fair amount of catalog titles from the Blu-ray only studios are Region-Free as well.

08-08-2007, 16:53	#11
stvn758 Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 17,338	Saw a PC Blu Ray rewriter for £270, home recorders seem quite expensive by comparison. Does anyone think the reason Blue Ray will succeed is because it just sounds cooler?

08-08-2007, 18:00	#12
Kojack Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Pomgolia Posts: 1,162	Hmmm for lot of people who are prepared to wait out the format war, who wins isn't important. What really matters is the cost to the consumer, I prob would not look at a dedicate Hidef player until they are well under £200 even then if the war is still going then I would wait for a dual player to get to that price. In the mean time Sky HD will just have to do. Bugger what do I do with my current 3 DVD players & DVD recorder

08-08-2007, 20:01	#13
okuda Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Essex Posts: 307	I think Sony have made a very smart move buy designing a digital Tv reciever add-on for the PS3 and if it comes out at the right price, yu would then end up with a Blu-ray player/Games machine/digital Tv recorder/multimedia streaming center!! for less than most stand alone players currently cost.. Frankly it's a no brainer..!!

08-08-2007, 21:09	#14
mickandtich Banned User Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 803	Quote: Originally Posted by Chparmar Blu-ray is 80% region-free anyway! Certainly from Warner Bros and Paramount (who support HD-DVD as well and make up the BULK for that format) And a fair amount of catalog titles from the Blu-ray only studios are Region-Free as well. 80% region free? How do you work that out? Sony,Columbia,Fox ,Disney titles are all coded. Only the formats that are also currently supporting HDDVD seem to be uncoded. Should BR eventually win then I have no doubt that there will be full implementation of region coding.

08-08-2007, 21:16	#15
Chparmar Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Posts: 6,307	Quote: Originally Posted by mickandtich 80% region free? How do you work that out? Sony,Columbia,Fox ,Disney titles are all coded. Only the new releases. Titles like Black Hawk Down and are listed as Region Free on the packaging. Anyway I don't care no more about this crappy war and advise anyone just to wait it out until it's all sorted out. until then it's just not worth it and the titles selection is still weak.

08-08-2007, 21:20	#16
WorldFamous Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: UK Posts: 489	Quote: Originally Posted by mickandtich 80% region free? How do you work that out? Sony,Columbia,Fox ,Disney titles are all coded. Only the formats that are also currently supporting HDDVD seem to be uncoded. Should BR eventually win then I have no doubt that there will be full implementation of region coding. Sony and Columbia aren't all region coded. Infact, one of Columbia's newest releases - The Fifth Element Remastered - is Region ABC. It's the same for a lot of Sony releases too and even their Region A titles still play as region free most of the time. Fox are region locked but they aren't releasing any HD stuff at the moment. Disney are said to be going region free for their newer titles but we'll have to wait and see. Warner Bros and Paramount are completely region free on BR too. HD-DVD haven't promised to stay region free and I suspect it's currently only a ploy to get early adopters on board, should it be successful I fully expect them to start region locking.

08-08-2007, 21:24	#17
mickandtich Banned User Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 803	Quote: Originally Posted by Chparmar Only the new releases. Titles like Black Hawk Down and are listed as Region Free on the packaging. Anyway I don't care no more about this crappy war and advise anyone just to wait it out until it's all sorted out. until then it's just not worth it and the titles selection is still weak. I suspect the war will not end unless either format can get permission to release a killer title. For BR it would be Star Wars . HDDVD announced the release of ET,Jurassic Park and Jaws rather prematurely last year. I wonder even if those titles are strong enough to make a difference. I can see both co-existing long term while the mass market continues to be dvd which is more than adequate for most people,and that would be if they did not need an HD tv to watch BR and HDDVD

09-08-2007, 06:57	#18
Jarrak Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Ilkeston Posts: 18,075	Quote: Originally Posted by okuda I think Sony have made a very smart move buy designing a digital Tv reciever add-on for the PS3 and if it comes out at the right price, yu would then end up with a Blu-ray player/Games machine/digital Tv recorder/multimedia streaming center!! for less than most stand alone players currently cost.. Frankly it's a no brainer..!! There must come a point when all singing all dancing single integrated unit simply can not multi-task to the extent that it can act a DVR, a digital source for live viewing and let the kids play their games all at the same time Still who said the future will be what the consumer wants and not what the manufacturers and studios dictate

10-08-2007, 20:59	#19
It's only me Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Norfolk Posts: 687	Quote: Originally Posted by Chparmar HD-DVD fans have being saying that all year! True! but at the end of the day, PS3 is getting blu ray out in peoples homes It's a reall shame M$ didn't fit an internal HD DVD drive to there new elite 360 might of evened things up a bit!

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Bluray or HDDVD Players ???