HD DVD Combo Format

[Eclipse6211]

The HD DVD Combo Format is one of the worst ways to get people to buy an HD DVD player. This is a format war of new technology so why are they offering a two-sided disc with "old" technology. I hate to buy a new DVD and open it to find out there's no cover art on the DVD. This is one of the many reasons I chose Blu-ray over HD DVD and I sold all my HD DVD titles I could now get on Blu-ray.

How do you feel about the Combo Format HD DVD's? Waste of time or a great idea.

[Blu-dock Saint]

Originally Posted by Eclipse6211

The HD DVD Combo Format is one of the worst ways to get people to buy an HD DVD player. This is a format war of new technology so why are they offering a two-sided disc with "old" technology. I hate to buy a new DVD and open it to find out there's no cover art on the DVD. This is one of the many reasons I chose Blu-ray over HD DVD and I sold all my HD DVD titles I could now get on Blu-ray.

How do you feel about the Combo Format HD DVD's? Waste of time or a great idea.

I think its a huge waist of time, not only do you pay more for the movie, but on top of that you have to worry about not scratching either side of the disc, wtf were they thinking when they made these?

[Eclipse6211]

The era of Blu-ray/HD DVD should be the end of dual-sided discs. I can't even tell you how many times I put a full screen on one side/ widescreen on the other in the wrong way.

Everyone needs to understand, it's all about widescreen.

Also, I guess that HD DVD's plan with the combo format was that someone who didn't have a player yet could buy the dual sided DVD with the intention of getting a HD DVD player through time but still be able to watch their movie in the meantime.

[Blu_J]

Feels as if they are counting on confusing people not in the know, or attempting to lure folks in by saying "well if the format fails you still have the DVD version." They'd do better to put Blu on the other side.

[dialog_gvf]

Originally Posted by Blu_J

They'd do better to put Blu on the other side.

That's Warner's goal with Total HD.

It's an admission that HD DVD has failed, and Warner is looking to keep Warner IP in the mix, no matter what.

And what happens when HD DVD fails, you ask? Simple, replace that side with DVD (BD/DVD).

Gary

[Eclipse6211]

Originally Posted by dialog_gvf

That's Warner's goal with Total HD.

It's an admission that HD DVD has failed, and Warner is looking to keep Warner IP in the mix, no matter what.

And what happens when HD DVD fails, you ask? Simple, replace that side with DVD (BD/DVD).

Gary

I better not start to find DVD on one side of my Blu-ray.

[takezo]

Originally Posted by Eclipse6211

The HD DVD Combo Format is one of the worst ways to get people to buy an HD DVD player. This is a format war of new technology so why are they offering a two-sided disc with "old" technology. I hate to buy a new DVD and open it to find out there's no cover art on the DVD. This is one of the many reasons I chose Blu-ray over HD DVD and I sold all my HD DVD titles I could now get on Blu-ray.

How do you feel about the Combo Format HD DVD's? Waste of time or a great idea.

It's simple. Walmart is at the core of this "quck fix" ahem Innovation.

Basicaly when HD-DVD first came out, Walmart jumped on it's hype and started selling it at some of their Stores in North America. Well apparently many unsuspecting customers bought HD-DVDs to play on their existing DVD players. They had a wave of people retuning them because they don't work! This I beleive was the main reason why Hd-DVDs have the DVD version on the flip side. This is so that people don't look like idiots for buying the new format.

DVD is still the primary format. If some one was intrested in next gen they would already know about the diffrent formats and that they need to be played on a new player that supports it. Don't you think you would want to have a player that plays the format before getting movies in that format? Because if you just wanted DVD, you already have a DVD player and DVDs are a lot cheaper than next gen.

[WriteSimply]

Originally Posted by Eclipse6211

I better not start to find DVD on one side of my Blu-ray.

You won't. With BD, the DVD inclusion will be on the same side. So one side is the read side with BD and DVD layers, and the other side is the disc art. So far, no studios are making those discs.


fuad

[gand41f]

Originally Posted by WriteSimply

You won't. With BD, the DVD inclusion will be on the same side. So one side is the read side with BD and DVD layers, and the other side is the disc art. So far, no studios are making those discs.

I've been wondering about that one. Given than the DVD and Blu-ray data layers are at different depths, it sounds actually easier to do than DVD and HD DVD combo on the same side (which I believe they actually have, although quite limited).

Is this something that can be done, or is the Blu-ray layer going to interfere with the existing DVD players' ability to read them (since they are deeper)?

thanks
gandalf

[mshulman]

Combo's are great. Here's why.

1) DVD player's are everywhere.
2) If there was never a format war and HD DVD was the format, retailers would only need 1 place on the shelves - for HD DVD Combo's.
3) Rent a movie at Netflix. Take it with you on your trip, watch it on your card DVD player, vacation house DVD player or back at home on HD DVD.
4) Buy a movie and watch it anywhere.

Pricing is the only problem with HD DVD Combo's right now. IF they reduced the price to match HD DVD only prices, then they'd be great.

Seriously - Aside from price, I have not seen a single good reason from a blu-ray supporter as to why these aren't good. For the typicaly consumer, they are great. It allows them to watch the HD Version at their primary TV And the SD version anywhere else they want. How can someone enjoy both the HD and SD version of a blu-ray title today?

[gandley]

Originally Posted by mshulman

Combo's are great. Here's why.

1) DVD player's are everywhere.
2) If there was never a format war and HD DVD was the format, retailers would only need 1 place on the shelves - for HD DVD Combo's.
3) Rent a movie at Netflix. Take it with you on your trip, watch it on your card DVD player, vacation house DVD player or back at home on HD DVD.
4) Buy a movie and watch it anywhere.

Pricing is the only problem with HD DVD Combo's right now. IF they reduced the price to match HD DVD only prices, then they'd be great.

Seriously - Aside from price, I have not seen a single good reason from a blu-ray supporter as to why these aren't good. For the typicaly consumer, they are great. It allows them to watch the HD Version at their primary TV And the SD version anywhere else they want. How can someone enjoy both the HD and SD version of a blu-ray title today?

you mean other than the reliabilty issues, many just wont flippin play. i have HD-DVD, and refuse to buy combos. its a crapshoot if they will make it thru the movie. sure some are ok, bit ive had a fair few i need to swap out a few times to get one that plays.

Combi's in theory are a good idea, they should not cost more though, and they should have less issues. i see even the 300 combi is causing issues to many users. its too hit and miss for some reason.

[dialog_gvf]

Originally Posted by mshulman

2) If there was never a format war and HD DVD was the format, retailers would only need 1 place on the shelves - for HD DVD Combo's.

Phone up Cinram and get a quote on 20 million HD DVD/DVD combo discs.

That's about 15x the number of HD DVD discs made, and the base number of DVD copies needed for for something like 300.

To have only a combo disc requires you do be able to MAKE DVD quantities of a combo disc. It's the starting point of the concept. Not wishing. Not thinking it is a good idea. But, practical capability.

But, assume it is possible, even then it's impossible for them not to be more costly than plain DVD. So, why should the studio eat a new cost for 99% of its sales?

Gary