$1800.00 for a BDPlayer

[Sony1]

I think this price is way to high. If an HD DVD player only costs $400.00 than Blue-ray might be in trouble.

http://www.macworld.com/news/2006/01...sung/index.php

[Shadowself]

Originally Posted by Sony1

I think this price is way to high. If an HD DVD player only costs $400.00 than Blue-ray might be in trouble.

http://www.macworld.com/news/2006/01...sung/index.php

The link you provide mentions neither a $1800 BD player (though one high end, "elite" one has been announced with all the bells and whistles) nor a $400 HD-DVD player (and I know of none that have been announced -- though it's still possible).

As I've said elsewhere in this forum, IF the HD-DVD group actually ships players at half (or less) of the price of any and all BDA players then HD-DVD may have enough of an advantage to survive. However, I don't see the BDA will really allow this.

[Sony1]

http://www.redherring.com/Article.as...y+War+Still+On

[zombie]

The $1800 BD player is a Pioneer Elite. Their Elite line is of course top of the line. Certainly standard BD players will be less expensive.

[Sony1]

This is where I come out on this fromat war, hear me out on this. If these Blue-ray manufactures are in this thing together, and the list price for these players are going to start at $1000. than why would Sony release the PS3( with a blue-ray player) for half that price. It's just going to alienate, and undercut the other manufatures that are in this thing with you. Remember even a rich man wants a good deal, so the fact that HDDVD is offering a player at $400.00 this March and Blue-ray set to be over twice that in April, keep in mind both players will only output 720P at first, than I cant see Blue-ray winning this thing anytime soon. Sony1

[zombie]

Now it's $400? All I've read is that Toshiba would be releasing a $500 and an $800 HD DVD deck. Regardless, I agree with you wholeheartedly. Sony and other BD supporting manufacturers will have to match Toshiba's price or they'll likely be dead in the water come summer. If the PS3 is priced at $499, the other BD hardware will have to be priced even less since it won't include a game system. Crazy as it seems, consumers may actually be helped out by the launch of HD DVD because if Blu-ray is to succeed as a format their hardware will have no choice but to price competitively. Might this mean a standalone BD player for $299 by year's end?

[James Morrow]

Originally Posted by Sony1

both players will only output 720P at first

By both players I assume you mean the Toshiba HD-A1 HD DVD player and the Samsung BDP1000 BD player? Forgive me if I'm wrong, but US$499.99 looks rather more like US$500 than US$400, and most buyers these days expect a remote control at least ...

Just because Samsung have stated that they might rush (perhaps not their choice of words) a 720p/1080i (i for inferior, of course) machine to market and then release an upgraded 1080p-capable version later, you shouldn't ignore the fact that the vast majority of BD machines will be 1080p-capable from the start. Further, when saying that both machines will only output 720p at first it's worth bearing in mind that the HD DVD specification does not include 1080p.

Finally, downscaling 1080p material to 720p is all very well, but the best quality is achieved by using a one to one pixel mapping between the source material, the disc content and the display device. You might have noticed that BDs are 1080p - so showing them at any other resolution (apart from 2160p, 4320p, etc.) is inevitably a compromise - and BD isn't about compromise. Do you want to buy a system that will be the standard for some time to come or do you want to buy one which unnecessarily includes major compromises which are a throwback to 1930s technology, only to have to buy a new player/recorder and display two or three years later or accept living with state of the ark technology?

... and talking of image quality, the fact that each BD layer has 66% more capacity than an HD DVD layer can be used to add value in terms of extra content, even higher quality, or a bit of both ...

[Jodi]

Originally Posted by James Morrow

By both players I assume you mean the Toshiba HD-A1 HD DVD player and the Samsung BDP1000 BD player? Forgive me if I'm wrong, but US$499.99 looks rather more like US$500 than US$400, and most buyers these days expect a remote control at least ...

Just because Samsung have stated that they might rush (perhaps not their choice of words) a 720p/1080i (i for inferior, of course) machine to market and then release an upgraded 1080p-capable version later, you shouldn't ignore the fact that the vast majority of BD machines will be 1080p-capable from the start. Further, when saying that both machines will only output 720p at first it's worth bearing in mind that the HD DVD specification does not include 1080p.

Finally, downscaling 1080p material to 720p is all very well, but the best quality is achieved by using a one to one pixel mapping between the source material, the disc content and the display device. You might have noticed that BDs are 1080p - so showing them at any other resolution (apart from 2160p, 4320p, etc.) is inevitably a compromise - and BD isn't about compromise. Do you want to buy a system that will be the standard for some time to come or do you want to buy one which unnecessarily includes major compromises which are a throwback to 1930s technology, only to have to buy a new player/recorder and display two or three years later or accept living with state of the ark technology?

... and talking of image quality, the fact that each BD layer has 66% more capacity than an HD DVD layer can be used to add value in terms of extra content, even higher quality, or a bit of both ...

Well, here's my own personal answer to that enigma.
First I will be perfectly honest with you all. The only Blu-Ray machine I intend to purchase later this year will be in the form of the upcoming Sony PlayStation 3. I will hook it up to my trusty Loewe Aventos 30" CRT and see how the baby flies. It will be an interesting first experiment, if not an adventure, in Blu-Ray technology.
Otherwise, I am willing to wait about 2, 3 or possibly even 4 years if need be for this -- the first HD video player from my friends at Ayre Acoustics.
Yes, I am a proud and happy owner of Ayre's DX-7e DVD transport (it is currently hooked up to my Loewe). The detail, resolution, black level...EVERYTHING...is absolutely STUNNING!!!! And here's the kicker: this player runs on a 480p signal!!!!! This player has consistently been ranked as THE best DVD player or transport at ANY price. Period. Yes, at $5950, the DX-7e is very expensive. But there are other players and transports that cost more than twice of the Ayre (Ex: SimAudio's Orbiter at 12 - 13 grand). They are good players, yet they cannot touch the overall impressive Ayre.
My bottom line: I will wait for Charles Hansen (President and lead engineer at Ayre Acoustics) to give me the very best HD video player, even if I have to wait years for it. And you know what? I have a feeling that Charlie will gravitate toward Blu-Ray. And I agree. Blu-Ray is the best technology, and a company like Ayre (with so many accolades, awards, and explosive success) only comes out with the best gear.

Jodi

[James Morrow]

Apparently it's the Ayre then ...

The point with high definition is that once you've experienced it it raises your expectations; what you might currently view as being stunning at standard definition will suddenly look a lot less impressive when compared to well produced 720p material displayed on a good 720p display, which in turn looks much less impressive when compared to good 1080p material on a good 1080p display. The PS3 sounds like a great first step - but I fear that you will find that your current television only provides Loewe quality (by the standards of 1080p). You might want to spend a few thousand on a good quality true 1080p display later in the year - to give the Ayre BD machine you buy something to breathe life into ...

[Jodi]

Good point!
But, like I said, I don't see Charles Hansen pulling an Ayre HD player out of his magic hat for another 2 or 3 years from now. By then, I WILL have a much larger display (a theater screen and front projector, most likely) that WILL be fully up-to-date definition-wise and sampling signal-wise.

Jodi

[James Morrow]

... of course, if your Loewe Aventos is the high definition capable model (with 480i and 1080i inputs) then you might be in for quite a pleasant surprise (I hope so). However, although 1080i can be pretty good, 1080p is significantly better - both in terms of image quality and lack of artefacts, as discussed in another thread ...

Talking of the PS3, as well as supporting two channels of 1080p it's good to see that it also supports SACDs and dual discs.

[Blue]

There will be other players rerleased sooner that will be cheaper. Some with not all the features of this player. As long as they get one out within the same price range shortly after HD all will be well.

[Sony1]

I wish I could agree with you Blue, however their's another element in this hole war that will be vital in the overall scheme of things and that is the price of the disc's themselves. Of course the Blue-ray disc's are going to more expensive because of the manufacturing costs. This is the xfactor here because if you choose to buy the losing format than I don't see the film companies reimbursing your investment.

[Jodi]

Originally Posted by James Morrow

... of course, if your Loewe Aventos is the high definition capable model (with 480i and 1080i inputs) then you might be in for quite a pleasant surprise (I hope so). However, although 1080i can be pretty good, 1080p is significantly better - both in terms of image quality and lack of artefacts, as discussed in another thread ...

Talking of the PS3, as well as supporting two channels of 1080p it's good to see that it also supports SACDs and dual discs.

Loewe's are among THE finest HD television sets in the world...literally. These German-made and German-engineered sets were designed with HD in mind. My Loewe Aventos can support up to a 1080i signal, and, believe it or not, I have yet to experience HD television on this very set (i.e. ESPN HD, CBS HD, etc.). I do look forward to getting hooked up to HD via cable for the first time later this year after I have moved up into upstate New York for graduate school.
As far as conventional DVD goes, the Ayre DX-7e is all I need for now. It is a player that MUST be auditioned to be believed, even with a 480p signal! You can read lots more about it in mags like The Perfect Vision and Stereophile Ultimate AV. Better yet, go to ayre.com.
As for the PS3, again, it will be a good starting experience with BD. I do like the fact that it can play SACD's -- which will do nicely until I get.....(drum roll)......the Ayre C5-Xe. It is a universal stereo player (CD, SACD, and DVD-Audio). I auditioned it at an Ayre demo with the new Martin-Logan Summit speakers (personally I am a huge fan of Thiel speakers). The C5-Xe is simply the most stunning audio player I have heard!
My upcoming home theater system/stereo system will be virtually all Ayre components, with all speakers being Thiels.

Jodi

[Damnationdoormat]

$1,800 isn't too bad at all. Considering the Denon 3910 retails for $1,500 and that's not even their highest end DVD player.

[thunderhawk]

Originally Posted by Jodi

By then, I WILL have a much larger display (a theater screen and front projector, most likely) that WILL be fully up-to-date definition-wise and sampling signal-wise.

That's what I'm looking for too... Any digital projectors for home use processing 1080p?

[killermmn]

not yet!!

[AV_Integrated]

There are several that process 1080p, but of the very few 1080p projectors out there, most notably the Sony Ruby, it does not accept 1080p.

The Optoma projectors mostly accept 1080/24p. I believe the new Faroudja projectors also accept 1080p - but expensive. There may be a new Optoma that accepts 1080p and displays at 1080p coming around May - Around $10K.

I know the Sanyo 1080p projector accepts 1080p - not sure what frame rate.

The Sony Qualia - but it's not exactly a bargain item.

I imagine that next year around this time we may be seeing a whole slew of 1080p DLP, LCD, and LCoS projectors that all display and accept 1080p. But, it is definitely a good year away. There are people who DEFINITELY want it.

I personally want a projector that is 1080p native and accepts 1080p/24/30/60 as this will really give me a teeny bit of future proof capability.

[Knight-Errant]

Originally Posted by AV_Integrated

There are several that process 1080p, but of the very few 1080p projectors out there, most notably the Sony Ruby, it does not accept 1080p.

The Optoma projectors mostly accept 1080/24p. I believe the new Faroudja projectors also accept 1080p - but expensive. There may be a new Optoma that accepts 1080p and displays at 1080p coming around May - Around $10K.

I know the Sanyo 1080p projector accepts 1080p - not sure what frame rate.

The Sony Qualia - but it's not exactly a bargain item.

I imagine that next year around this time we may be seeing a whole slew of 1080p DLP, LCD, and LCoS projectors that all display and accept 1080p. But, it is definitely a good year away. There are people who DEFINITELY want it.

I personally want a projector that is 1080p native and accepts 1080p/24/30/60 as this will really give me a teeny bit of future proof capability.

That's interesting AV_Integrated.

Thanks for that info. I'm also eagerly awaiting 1080p projectors to become more prominent (and cheaper!)

[Blue]

An interesting site for projectors 1080p and the rest is http://www.projectorcentral.com/home.cfm