I am no longer neutral

[Elder]

Even though I'm new to these boards, I can see where you're coming from. I was very close to buying into HD-DVD earlier in the year, but I decided to make a stand. I sided with Blu-ray for a few reasons. For one, the fact that more companies supported Blu-ray over HD-DVD was enough to convince me this is where my money should be spent. On top of that, it was the ease of use. I run a videogame website and as such I have to purchase all the consoles out there in order to write reviews for all the games I receive. When I bought my PS3, I figured I'd try out the free Talladega Nights to see what the fuss was about with 1080p and all that jazz. I can't begin to tell you how happy I am I did that. It truly changed my life. Without it I never would have bothered with HD at all, even though I own a beautiful 1080p Sony Bravia.

I've never been a big movie buying fan but since I've had my PS3, a full year now, I own 72 Blu-ray movies. That's almost as many DVDs as I own. All of these factors have shaped my reasoning for sticking with Blu-ray over HD-DVD. I just can't see myself spending money on an HD-DVD player that has such limited support. To me that'd be a step in the wrong direction.

I can't tell the future and neither can anyone else but purely based on the support, I know where my money's going to go and that's not going to change anytime soon.

[Jonalan34]

Originally Posted by Elder

Even though I'm new to these boards, I can see where you're coming from. I was very close to buying into HD-DVD earlier in the year, but I decided to make a stand. I sided with Blu-ray for a few reasons. For one, the fact that more companies supported Blu-ray over HD-DVD was enough to convince me this is where my money should be spent. On top of that, it was the ease of use. I run a videogame website and as such I have to purchase all the consoles out there in order to write reviews for all the games I receive. When I bought my PS3, I figured I'd try out the free Talladega Nights to see what the fuss was about with 1080p and all that jazz. I can't begin to tell you how happy I am I did that. It truly changed my life. Without it I never would have bothered with HD at all, even though I own a beautiful 1080p Sony Bravia.

I've never been a big movie buying fan but since I've had my PS3, a full year now, I own 72 Blu-ray movies. That's almost as many DVDs as I own. All of these factors have shaped my reasoning for sticking with Blu-ray over HD-DVD. I just can't see myself spending money on an HD-DVD player that has such limited support. To me that'd be a step in the wrong direction.

I can't tell the future and neither can anyone else but purely based on the support, I know where my money's going to go and that's not going to change anytime soon.

First of all, Welcome to Blu-ray Forum. And you sure will enjoy Blu-ray movies since you are a big movie buying fan.

[raggarichie]

I could understand why someone is Blu ray only these days, but for the life of me i can't figure out why some are HDDVD only. If we all can agree that without out software, hardware is useless, why is there even a format war going on?

HDDVD can't release spielberg movies, can't come up with any Blockbuster releases(unless they payoff a campany) so other than cheap hardware what else do they have to offer.

Let me guess, i can watch all these movies that get release on Blu ray on DVD and upscale it.

[bkbluray]

Great post. We need more people like you that logically evaluate which format is better.

[Slackr89]

wow, great post. now if only Warner could follow your lead into the Blu-only zone...

[saljr]

Nice story Jon. Make sure you tell your HD-DVD brothers that you are Blu now. Welcome Blu-Brother.

[Dave]

Proud of you!

[MOONPHASE]

Originally Posted by Studio Support

Coming in 2008 their are going to be a lot more Blockbuster releases from Paramount Pictures, DreamWorks & Universal Studios.

Both HD DVD & Blu-Ray are almost 100% identical in PQ & AQ, so DVD up-scaling won't compare at all.

As for HD DVD paying off Paramount/DreamWorks? That is just a rumour. And it hasn’t been proven nor will it ever get proven because it’s false.
What about Sony subsidizing FOX & Disney for their exclusive support.

Take Care,

then how come Toshiba and Paramount admitted it? and Disney chose Blu-Ray on their own. plus Fox loves selling movies on Blu-Ray and they dont want to support Hd-Dvd at all

[w_tanoto]

you made the right choice..... I am never neutral, though I have 1 HD DVD drive.

[Pyrate69]

Nice post bud...

[Rob71]

Originally Posted by Studio Support

Coming in 2008 their are going to be a lot more Blockbuster releases from Paramount Pictures, DreamWorks & Universal Studios.

Along with Sony, Disney, Buena Vista, Fox, MGM, and Lionsgate. Funny you forgot to mention them.

Both HD DVD & Blu-Ray are almost 100% identical in PQ & AQ, so DVD up-scaling won't compare at all.

"Indeed, I had the opportunity to attend a special 'Transformers' media event with Paramount late last week, and the question was asked almost immediately -- why no Dolby TrueHD or uncompressed PCM? The studio's answer was that due to space limitations on the disc, the decision was made to limit the audio to Dolby Digital-Plus 5.1 Surround only (here at 1.5mbps). Unfortunately, this confirms the long-held theory that the 30Gb capacity of an HD-30 dual-layer HD DVD disc has forced studios to choose between offering a robust supplements package (as they've done here) and the very best in audio quality."

As for HD DVD paying off Paramount/DreamWorks? That is just a rumour. And it hasn’t been proven nor will it ever get proven because it’s false.
What about Sony subsidizing FOX & Disney for their exclusive support.

It's amusing that you don't believe the Paramount rumor, which was reported in major news outlets. But you have no problem believing a rumor posted on online forums by a few fanboys.

Take Care,

Have a nice day.

[cajun1975]

Welcome to Blu Nation full time." I since the Blu side is strong with this one."

[Rageanitus]

Its nice to hear that your blu exclusive, I am also ( I was tempted to buy those cheap priced hd-a2's) but declined.

But my opinion is this If i were in your shoes I would still buy hd-dvd's but just buy the REALLY good ones that are exclusive to hd-dvd. This is my opinion and I movies.

Other than that continue to supporthe blu-side.

[Blu-Style]

Another lost sheep found it´s way home.

Welcome to the third place!
( I loved these PS2 commercials )

[Musashi]

Jon: Great choice. As many of us are, sounds like you're doing your part to expedite the format war and help bring high definition into the mainstream.

I do admit there are titles I want from Universal and post-August Paramount, but I've enough titles on my shelves and coming soon to hold me over until they come to blu. I refuse to do business with the HPG as it just prolongs the war and votes for a future where home theater is controlled by Microsoft and all the movies are overcompressed, have no lossless audio or extras, and require an account maintainence.

[sj001]

Welcome to the Blu side! It's nice to see someone post something real life and positive for Blu-ray, instead of the usual, "I WENT neutral", picked up a Hd-DVD at Walmart for $98 post.

Anyways, you won't be disappointed!

[SpikesBluBlooded]

Wow. From start to finish (with one exception: Studio Support), this has been a very positive thread, and nothing but civility and kindness throughout. This is why many of us here believe in supporting those that chose to be neutral from the beginning, or those that became neutral after being HD DVD exclusive: eventually the better format becomes apparent, and the decision will be made to be Blu exclusive. Jon is a shining example of a well educated consumer who takes both formats on their own merits and then makes his/her own decisions. Fantastic news Jon! Your conversion from Purple to Blu is complete, welcome to the Blu-bloods!

[Imakida]

Great post!

You are probably not the only (ex-)purple to think that way, so I take it as a really good news

[bkbluray]

Originally Posted by Studio Support

Coming in 2008 their are going to be a lot more Blockbuster releases from Paramount Pictures, DreamWorks & Universal Studios.

Both HD DVD & Blu-Ray are almost 100% identical in PQ & AQ, so DVD up-scaling won't compare at all.

As for HD DVD paying off Paramount/DreamWorks? That is just a rumour. And it hasn’t been proven nor will it ever get proven because it’s false.
What about Sony subsidizing FOX & Disney for their exclusive support.

Take Care,

So because HD-DVD has less studio support, they are going to somehow put out more hit movies next year?

Hmm... "Almost 100% identical in PQ and AQ." Did you know that there are over 3 times as many Blu-ray movies with lossless audio than there are HD-DVDs with lossless? The picture might be similar, but the audio is nowhere near the same quality.

[Joe Cain]

Originally Posted by Studio Support

As for HD DVD paying off Paramount/DreamWorks? That is just a rumour. And it hasn’t been proven nor will it ever get proven because it’s false.
What about Sony subsidizing FOX & Disney for their exclusive support.

Take Care,

The high-def homevid battle heated up again Tuesday when Rupert Murdoch and Robert Iger gave surprisingly strong endorsements to Sony's Blu-ray format before a crowd of Wall Streeters. News Corp. chief Murdoch leveled the charge that Paramount/DreamWorks Animation received a payout to make the switch to Toshiba's HD DVD format.
Murdoch, speaking at the Goldman Sachs confab in Gotham, became the first top exec to publicly make the accusation that HD DVD backer Toshiba had essentially bought Par's support.

"Paramount switched out the other day. God knows why," Murdoch said.

But then he said, essentially, that he did know why -- a $100 million payout to DreamWorks Animation and a $50 million check to Par.

In August, Par abruptly decided to support only HD DVD for the next wave of Par and DWA tentpoles it is releasing, including "Shrek the Third," "Blades of Glory" and "Transformers." Reports at the time said a payout of $150 million, nominally for marketing support, accounted for the move.

Asked about a payout at a later session, Viacom CEO Philippe Dauman didn't deny the allegation. "I won't comment on that number," he said.

"We haven't taken any money (to choose Blu-ray) because we think it's far and away the best business," Iger said.

From Variety.

2 CEOs of publicly traded corporations making public financial statements with legal consequences: one offers a categorical denial, the other refuses to say hom much money they took.

Got a single link of evidence Sony is paying Fox or Disney? As if Sony=the BDA.

I dunno much about Fox, but Disney has been offering consumers BOGO deals out of its own pocket; they've also sponsored the BD-awareness mall tour (with hardware by Panasonic, not Sony).