At A CrossRoads - What To Do?

[DrinkMore]

Here is my problem -

I love watching movies. I am a movie wh0r3! My problem is, I can't buy any new HD movies because well - there are two formats. Unsure of who will "win" makes it even harder. Then there is all this talk about how both may be around for the forseeable future until a newer singular technology comes out like DVD.

My mind says buy Blu Ray. Nothing tells me to buy HD-DVD anymore. Never have. I don't even own a Blu Ray movie however I want to start buying them.

The next problem - I don't have a Blu Ray player. Does that make me an idiot for starting to buy now?

What would you do? What happens if it comes out (hypothetical) that Blu Ray fails and HD-DVD is the winner? What does one do with all those BD?

Its really fustrating. Then to throw on top of all this - not knowing if your favorite show is coming to BD or if they are going to re-release an entire series to BD. This whole thing is hampering me from purchasing movies like I used to.

I used to purchase at least 3-4 a week. Now I am lucky to buy 1 or 2 a month.

Ugh. Very lost here.

[Blu_Ray_UK2007]

Well.. the format war is something we all have to sit back and watch.. whilst trying to help by buying our fav movies on our fav format.

I dont think your stupid at all for buying before having a player.. I did for about 4 months.

At the end of the day in the unlikely event that BR does fail.. I will always have my PS3 to watch my discs on.. that wont go away.

As for not being able to buy all the titles you want.. I feel ya!
I only own 20 of over 80 films I want.

It would be cheaper and easier to buy DVD and not get involved in the new formats, but I feel fine paying £5 or so more for a BR that is the best possible quality copy of a film I can get my hands on.

Still.. I beleive in each to their own.. I dont hold anything against HD-DVD
supporters.. I think they are wasting money.. but that's their choice!

For now I'm happy enjoying my films on BD.. and looking forward to steadily building up my collection in the years to come.

I spent 5+ years on my dvd collection.. and plan on doing the same with BR.

[cdblu]

i also bought three movies before ever having the bd player. but once i bought my ps3 it s been awesome. pristine image with clarity beyond what anything else out there offers. plus i think many here will agree that the ps3 is almost entirely future proof. in the end im sure bd will succeed and if not (which is very improbable) at least i enjoyed my movies and will continue to do so.

[clyon]

HD dvd's (bd & hddvd) are a very small market share, dvd still have like 95%+ of the sales. In the US only about 28% of house holds have HD tv's & some even think once they get a HD tv everything magically turns HD & they have never seen real HD on their tv.

http://www.tgdaily.com/content/view/31530/113/

It is not a big deal that you don't have a HD player at this time, in 5 years yes all players will be HD but still beable to play std DVD's.

I have cut back big time a dvd buying, I normaly would spend $600+ a year on dvds, this year I have spent $100. There are dvd's that I would like but I know that they will be coming or are already out on BD, sometime 'soon'.

Don't buy HD dvd's if you don't have a player, prices will be coming down (slowly) & hopely in 2 years they will be the same price as std dvd's. What is the point of buying BD's now & having no player? It like getting a computer but not having a mouse & keyboard.

For those that say HD download movies are the thing, well there lots of problems with that. Time to download, errors in downloads, HDD space, it is stuck on you computer, can't loan out the movie to friends, computers crash & don't last ever (backing up 200+ HD movies on a exteral drive would be very costly) + not everywhere in the US & the world has highspeed internet access.

BluRay will end-up being the winner because of onething, space that the BD can store. Other then that hddvd & bluray are tied, 1080p is 1080p & there is going to be software problems & hardware problems on ANY NEW Technology.
Good content & good transfers will also help win the war. Since Bluray has more of the large movie studios supporting that helps out greatly & hddvd has just Universal & some small movies studios supporting doesn't help that much.

Buy the end of this year we will see $300 bluray players & the war should start to whine down & then it will be down to who can putout the most & best content the fastest. That is Bluray. Sony is at this time, dumping millions of dollars into building BluRay disc production fesilty.

http://www.sony.net/SonyInfo/News/Pr...57E/index.html

[dakota81]

Retailers know the sales will not come until there is one format remaining, because the majority of people are playing the waiting game. Retailers also are turning towards the blu. I'd be genuinely surprised if Wal*Mart goes through and introduces the rumored cheap hd-dvd players.

In little over a week, Pirates of the Caribbean will be released, and word from those with early copies are saying this is simply the most amazing picture quality of any movie on either format - it really shows what hd content can do with the extra space blu-ray offers.

If I were a betting man, I'd put the odds at 80:20 that blu-ray wins out entirely this holiday season.

But that's just my opinion.

[jubaiweaponx]

I made my choice and it was bd but now i want to build my home theater system around it i`m learning that there is just more steps after that to truely see what this new format is capable of ,now there are tv`s and bd players w/24 frames movie mode and hdmi 1.3 and different codecs ,this is the place to do your research the people here are honest ,educated and sincere anything you need to ask ,ask them .I have learned so much from being here and plan on expanding my system further ...and this is the sorce for info,honestly they tell it how it is and back it up with facts ..knowledge is power....

[CJS234]

Originally Posted by DrinkMore

Here is my problem -

I love watching movies. I am a movie wh0r3! My problem is, I can't buy any new HD movies because well - there are two formats. Unsure of who will "win" makes it even harder. Then there is all this talk about how both may be around for the forseeable future until a newer singular technology comes out like DVD.

My mind says buy Blu Ray. Nothing tells me to buy HD-DVD anymore. Never have. I don't even own a Blu Ray movie however I want to start buying them.

The next problem - I don't have a Blu Ray player. Does that make me an idiot for starting to buy now?

What would you do? What happens if it comes out (hypothetical) that Blu Ray fails and HD-DVD is the winner? What does one do with all those BD?

Its really fustrating. Then to throw on top of all this - not knowing if your favorite show is coming to BD or if they are going to re-release an entire series to BD. This whole thing is hampering me from purchasing movies like I used to.

I used to purchase at least 3-4 a week. Now I am lucky to buy 1 or 2 a month.

Ugh. Very lost here.

I think that the best choice for you would be to get a player that plays both formats. The LG model is supposed to be pretty good (even though it doesn't accept the major feature of the HD-DVDs). Once a winner is procalimed you can just continue to buy movies of that kind. For now though if you can afford itg o with a dual-format player and buy both types of movies (the ones you really want).

Personally I'm a BD guy, but I am sad that BD is gettin screwed over by Warner and Universal. Those 2 studios make most of the movies I want

[nhaase]

Originally Posted by dakota81

Retailers know the sales will not come until there is one format remaining, because the majority of people are playing the waiting game. Retailers also are turning towards the blu. I'd be genuinely surprised if Wal*Mart goes through and introduces the rumored cheap hd-dvd players.

In little over a week, Pirates of the Caribbean will be released, and word from those with early copies are saying this is simply the most amazing picture quality of any movie on either format - it really shows what hd content can do with the extra space blu-ray offers.

If I were a betting man, I'd put the odds at 80:20 that blu-ray wins out entirely this holiday season.

But that's just my opinion.

Just to let you know, a few weeks ago both WM and Fuh-Yuan (the purported maker of the cheap players) said that the rumor was false. If I remember correctly, WM's spokesman said it was, "completely false." Search the forums here and you'll find the proper news links. WM has said that they'll put in stores the new $600 Sony standalone when it's out.

Also, Clyon, I agree completely with your words on HD downloading. It already takes enough time for a movie, even if you live in a city. HD on average has something like 6x the information (not dead sure on that number), so the only way it would be viable is to buy the fastest, and therefore most expensive, broadband service you can get, and most people won't do that. The only way HD downloading could be hinted to be viable is if DSL did not exist in cities, as I've not seen any DSL speeds that can match the fastest cable modem speeds. If anyone's seen matching speeds (and not just any speed, I mean the fastest DSL matches the fastest cable speed) let me know. I say that because most people I know who do not do online gaming tend to get DSL because it's cheaper. This even applies to friends I've got who share one line between five people, so you can imagine the bottlenecks there. I'll stop here, but I could go on forever about this; I used to live in the country, and we just got broadband about a year ago, DSL.

[Greenmatiz2]

Originally Posted by nhaase

HD on average has something like 6x the information (not dead sure on that number), so the only way it would be viable is to buy the fastest, and therefore most expensive, broadband service you can get, and most people won't do that. The only way HD downloading could be hinted to be viable is if DSL did not exist in cities, as I've not seen any DSL speeds that can match the fastest cable modem speeds. If anyone's seen matching speeds (and not just any speed, I mean the fastest DSL matches the fastest cable speed) let me know. I say that because most people I know who do not do online gaming tend to get DSL because it's cheaper. This even applies to friends I've got who share one line between five people, so you can imagine the bottlenecks there. I'll stop here, but I could go on forever about this; I used to live in the country, and we just got broadband about a year ago, DSL.

Respectfully, the download sizes don't even approach the massive size of HD files on HD-DVD or BR. They're about 960x640, but made to fill your screen. Still, they look much better than upscaled DVD on large screen TVs. They aren't BR size, and they aren't quite as clear, but they're better than DVD (I've got a Japanese sample file here that's about 700 meg for 30 mins). The average consumer will be more than satisfied with this level of quality. Heck, I'm picky, and I was amazed at the quality given the file-size.

With a dedicated site, you'd be surprised how fast you can receive a file like this -- not to mention that you can watch the movie as it streams to you.

Here in Korea, you can join a paid download service, pay just $1 per movie (can't see how it's legal) and get 700 megs in around 10 minutes.

Movies on Demand can be handy, but if you want to argue against them, you're better off talking about how people want a tangible product in their hands that they can own.

[Ascended_Saiyan]

^^But, you guys get download speeds of around 50Mbps. That's almost 10 times faster than some of the fastest connection speeds for customers in the US.

[Deciazulado]

Originally Posted by DrinkMore

Here is my problem -

I love watching movies. I am a movie wh0r3!

I love movies and film tech

Originally Posted by DrinkMore

My problem is, I can't buy any new HD movies because well - there are two formats. Unsure of who will "win" makes it even harder. Then there is all this talk about how both may be around for the forseeable future until a newer singular technology comes out like DVD.

Well not buying is like abstaining in a vote, so if the results are not to your liking, you contributed to that by doing nothing

I think, Blu-ray will win. It's the best format of the two for watching movies. Let's put it this way: If HD DVD 30GB with 10-15 Mb/s bitrate and DD+ is "good enough" for watching films (most films are 35mm), then BD 50GB with 20-30 Mb/s and lossless is good enough for 70mm film. On the other hand, if people think that BD 50GB is NOT as good as 35mm film, then, there's no way HD DVD is as good enough neither and in fact it would be less, maybe... Super 16mm.

What is it gonna be, movie wh0r3?

Originally Posted by DrinkMore

My mind says buy Blu Ray. Nothing tells me to buy HD-DVD anymore. Never have. I don't even own a Blu Ray movie however I want to start buying them.

Trust your feelings, Luke.

I had like at least 50 before I got a player
When I did, I had my own "35mm in a disc" vineyard to explore and taste

Originally Posted by DrinkMore

The next problem - I don't have a Blu Ray player. Does that make me an idiot for starting to buy now?

Well if that makes you an idiot I'm general Zod

Originally Posted by DrinkMore

What would you do? What happens if it comes out (hypothetical) that Blu Ray fails and HD-DVD is the winner? What does one do with all those BD?

I'd start buying BD titles I want that had great reviews and content that completely satisfies me. (For example, if you want T2 extended, don't buy that one, but if you want The Searchers, go ahead make your day or something like that.) Then when you can buy a BD player that fills your needs (cheapness? features? 24p?) (I bought a PS3, serves me well for the time being, but there are other players with different features and more coming in the future) If a better player comes along you can always, sell, pass on, have a player in the kitchen while cooking or the kids room etc ) (remember, I think subjecting Cinema in low resolution to children is a cardinal crime , being taken to other lands as a kid is one of civilization's heavenly pleasures) then, (if you don't have one yet) buy a 1080p display. A big one. That does 1:1.

What happens if HD DVD becomes a winner? Well when and if that happens you'll have been watching 35mm films at home for a couple of years, and they'll still be safely in your 35mm wine cellar to watch again. The HD DVD versions won't look any better. Maybe the Violet-ray ones will look a little better. But hey that's when the Circle of Life starts all over again. no?

I don't think HD DVD will win. At best it will coexist.

Originally Posted by DrinkMore

Its really fustrating. Then to throw on top of all this - not knowing if your favorite show is coming to BD or if they are going to re-release an entire series to BD. This whole thing is hampering me from purchasing movies like I used to.

Well it won't come if you don't buy BDs. Every time there's a format change, some old things will make the new format, some won't. And the reverse is true. DVD-A is not a thriving format, but you can't listen to the LOR soundtrack in 24bit multichannel on CD. Is that important to you, movie wh0r3? I'm very happy to be able to watch Magneto play with the Tonkas or the toy bridge in high def in my BD now. tonight. not in 10 years from a DL. Nor in 330i (the def it has on DVD)

Originally Posted by DrinkMore

I used to purchase at least 3-4 a week. Now I am lucky to buy 1 or 2 a month.

I stopped buying DVDs for a long while thinking, why buy this movie in 16mm when I can buy it in 35mm? It's illogical! So I have X-Men 3, Casino Royale, Blazing Saddles, Chicken Little etc etc and etc looking good man. What more do you want? Music?

I buy DVDs of things filmed/edited on videotape or Universal/obscure films that cost 5 bucks on the store. If they ever come out in BD, they can be $5 gifts to friends and lovers that don't have HD yet.

Originally Posted by DrinkMore

Ugh. Very lost here.

As Brian said come in the water's fine.
If you like movies, this is As Good As It Gets unless you buy your own $50k 35mm projector with 60" by 1.5" 50 pound $2000 custom print. Each

Now you think it over man. And drinkmore

[Dave]

Originally Posted by DrinkMore

What would you do? What happens if it comes out (hypothetical) that Blu Ray fails and HD-DVD is the winner? What does one do with all those BD?

This is impossible to happen. And with every day it gets more impossible...

[Blue]

I had purchased Disc's before I had a player.
The expensive outlay for a movie collection are the disc's. Although a disc is cheap compared to a player / projector etc, once there are a few 100 the tables quickly turn and the disc's are the expensive asset, so that is the first thing you don't want to get wrong. Only one format can remain. I think that answer is very obvious and has been done to death in many threads here. I think the results of who is going to win are in the sales figures announced by Warner

Without a HD display Blu-ray (or HD-DVD) is of no benefit (you have not mentioned anything about displays), so that is the logical place to start if you don't already have one. Once that is sorted move on to the playing device.

Players are getting cheaper and better all the time and will continue to do so for quite some time. I don't know if it will be the same but DVD went through a number of generations of players before they could do everything. I expect Blu-ray to be similar although much fewer generations. The Ps3 on the other hand should be pretty much future proof for most changes.

As far as being and idiot - well I'm doing quite a good job by myself - I don't need any help from Blu-ray.

[Ascended_Saiyan]

I, too, bought Blu-ray titles before I bought my PS3 on launch day (and that was when Blu-ray was on the losing end...lol). I think I had between 20 and 40 titles by launch day (and I still didn't have a HDTV when I had the PS3). I didn't get the HDTV and new HDMI capable receiver 'til about mid-December. How about that?!

Once everything was set-up, I had a decent collection of BDs to watch instantly. I think it's more fun that way. Try it! It'll be like your birthday and Christmas all on one day!

[Greenmatiz2]

Originally Posted by Ascended_Saiyan

^^But, you guys get download speeds of around 50Mbps. That's almost 10 times faster than some of the fastest connection speeds for customers in the US.

You can pay more and get really fast speeds, but the average is still about the same as a good cable modem connection in the USA.

The speeds I was quoting was from a basic cablemodem connection.

[Ascended_Saiyan]

Originally Posted by Greenmatiz2

You can pay more and get really fast speeds, but the average is still about the same as a good cable modem connection in the USA.

The speeds I was quoting was from a basic cablemodem connection.

Ok. 4 to 6Mbps speeds, right?

[Filterlab]

Originally Posted by Ascended_Saiyan

^^But, you guys get download speeds of around 50Mbps. That's almost 10 times faster than some of the fastest connection speeds for customers in the US.

The maximum connection speed in the UK is still only 20meg. No way quick enough.

On the choosing format thing, I watched very carefully before deciding. I read everything I could find on the web, in magazines and by asking around (although the asking bit didn't yield much result - Blu what? HD what?).

I went for Blu-ray for a few reasons:

1. The technical specs are far better than the alternative.
2. Studio support is huge.
3. Sony's inventions tend to become the standard. (reel-to-reel, transistor radio, 3.5" floppy disc, CD, DAT, MD, S/PDIF and Playstation).

Also, if Blu-ray fails, which frankly is highly unlikely now, I'll still have the most powerful games console on the market.

Go for a PS3 and you can't lose.

[DrinkMore]

Hmm.. I beleive you all have great points. They are just reaffirming what I feel to be correct. Like I said - I was an HD-DVD supporter just because I hated Sony. Then I started reading and my support slowly changed. BD is just the all around better format hands down. Each has a few quirks, but for the most part BD is the true winner. I hope it stays that way honestly.

I do have an HDTV - Samsun 42" Plasma - Love it. Also have an Onkyo 7.1 system. So I have the Home Theatre part covered, just not the movies or the player yet.

I have seen some titles I like that I will purchase. Then I can get a player during Christmas - seems logical to me. Then like somone here said - I will have TONS of movies for my eye candy pleasure.

[whippersnapper]

DrinkMore, and don't be afraid to scarf some additional ones up when you see a really good sale (such as the 50% off sale that Amazon had on Blu-ray discs earlier this year).