KABLAMMO! Bill Hunt responds to Harry Knowles/AICN!

[GoldenRedux]

Originally Posted by JTK

It's easy to "love" someone when they tell you what you want to hear.

Ain't it the truth?

[BorrowedTime]

I'm sorry, but I'm still relatively new to some of the things discussed on these boards, and while I feel I'm pretty caught up on most things (thanks to the really informative posts on these forums) there are some terms that I'm lost on. In particular, when you refer to boiling HD-DVDs I'd like to know what that is all about?

Before someone says "Search is your friend." I did. I tried the keyword search for "Boiling HD-DVDs" and the engine spit out 4 threads 3 which I've read, but don't go into detail about what it means to boil HD-DVDs, and the 4th was the HD-DVD Rant thread, which has over 3000 posts, and I really didn't feel like scrolling through all of that. So, if someone can help me out, I'd appreciate it.

[onanie]

Originally Posted by JTK

I love it because it's continued mass self destruction on a large scale.

These crazy fanboys forget that there are a lot of big time, big players that browse AVS and even post there on occasions. Very important and influential people are seeing that garbage and they will respond to it.

They continue to be wretched ambassadors for their "beloved format."

Excellent. Keep it up!



It's amazing how low the bar gets set these days for HD-DVD to try and define "victory" for itself.

How about not having to try and boil a @#$%ing disc, for starters? That would be huge.

I missed the boiling funnys. Do you have a link to that on AVS?

[GoldenRedux]

Originally Posted by BorrowedTime

I'm sorry, but I'm still relatively new to some of the things discussed on these boards, and while I feel I'm pretty caught up on most things (thanks to the really informative posts on these forums) there are some terms that I'm lost on. In particular, when you refer to boiling HD-DVDs I'd like to know what that is all about?

Before someone says "Search is your friend." I did. I tried the keyword search for "Boiling HD-DVDs" and the engine spit out 4 threads 3 which I've read, but don't go into detail about what it means to boil HD-DVDs, and the 4th was the HD-DVD Rant thread, which has over 3000 posts, and I really didn't feel like scrolling through all of that. So, if someone can help me out, I'd appreciate it.

Many HD DVDs give problems playing, or won't play at all, the most recent example being The Matrix release. Thus far, the solution for many HD DVD owners has been to boil the discs in order to get them to play - we kid you not. If you do a Google search even, you will find this. It may sound like some sort of ridiculous FUD that we Blu-ray backers are making up, but it honestly is not.

[dialog_gvf]

Originally Posted by BorrowedTime

In particular, when you refer to boiling HD-DVDs I'd like to know what that is all about?

People have had trouble playing several key recent HD DVD disc releases, like The Good Shepherd, Children of Men and The Matrix.

Apparently people have discovered that sometimes boiling the disc solves the problem.

I believe it is a problem affecting only the combo discs. DVD-18 type discs have had a long checkered history of reliability, and I expect the tolerances of the HD DVD side make it that much harder.

Gary

[JTK]

Originally Posted by BorrowedTime

I'm sorry, but I'm still relatively new to some of the things discussed on these boards, and while I feel I'm pretty caught up on most things (thanks to the really informative posts on these forums) there are some terms that I'm lost on. In particular, when you refer to boiling HD-DVDs I'd like to know what that is all about?

Before someone says "Search is your friend." I did. I tried the keyword search for "Boiling HD-DVDs" and the engine spit out 4 threads 3 which I've read, but don't go into detail about what it means to boil HD-DVDs, and the 4th was the HD-DVD Rant thread, which has over 3000 posts, and I really didn't feel like scrolling through all of that. So, if someone can help me out, I'd appreciate it.

Originally Posted by onanie

I missed the boiling funnys. Do you have a link to that on AVS?

Use the search engine of your choice for the phrase: "boiling Matrix discs" without the quotes.

If your mind isn't blown away in short order after sifting through some of that rubbish and nonsense, then you truly are an unflappable person beyond words and I salute you.

Who the hell ever even came up with the idea of this boiling discs rubbish? I feel stupid even writing it out.

[MrBogey]

When light hits a transparant surface it refracts. Now all materials have their own degree of refraction. When you have a layer of residue on the surface it adds it's own refractive properties. With DVD's the laser is wide enough that refraction isn't a major issue for almost all DVDs. But with HD DVD the different laser type makes it more sensitive. Blu-ray has a thinner surface layer so the refractive angle off is way smaller than that of HD DVD so any surface residue doesn't impact blu-ray as much.

Boiling the disc removes any residue and allows for clean playback.

Or at least that's how I understand it.

[ussrelativity]

^You could also factor in the scratch resistance of Blu-Ray.

[BTBuck1]

Originally Posted by JTK

Use the search engine of your choice for the phrase: "boiling Matrix discs" without the quotes.

If your mind isn't blown away in short order after sifting through some of that rubbish and nonsense, then you truly are an unflappable person beyond words and I salute you.

Who the hell ever even came up with the idea of this boiling discs rubbish? I feel stupid even writing it out.

So I felt (and still feel) as dumb talking about this as it sounds. But it works.
I know, My gaurd is up ready to be pelted with rocks for the stupidity it implies. But I had a disc playback error in the same spot on 40 year old virgin HDDVD on my HD-A1. Take into consideration since firmware 2.2 I haven't had a single issues (in over 20 playbacks) I was shocked that my brand new copy of 40YOV was skipping/playing in slo mo. I tryed it over and over and it kept doing it in the same spot. I took the disc out and angled it to the light, nothing, not a finger print, peice of lint...nada. I threw it back in, still skipping same spot. I said to myself "you have gotten be shittin me, oh well...what do I got to lose" so I turned on the hot water in the kitchen til it was damn near boiling hot. I ran the disc under the water and I could see what would apear to be like a clear film washing away...as i spun the disc it got shinnier and the water began to bead. I dried it off with my monster fiber towel, put it in and sure enough the motherfugger worked flawless. I coudn't believe it...so I played it over and over and it played fine. I have put it on about 3 seperate times since, no problems.

I know it sounds gay...but it actually friggin works

There is some sort of transparent film on these discs from the factory is all I can figure that is causing this problem.

[Scorxpion]

Very Nice but dont tell HD-DVD fans about it

[Wondermaker]

Thing is, a home video format shouldn't have "special needs" in the first place. If they can't manufacture it correctly, they should be held responsible for the consequences.

What annoys me the most about the boiling issue is how unquestionably forgiving the HD DUD zealots are with such an outrageous flaw. Those same fanatics would be beside themselves with glee, were it Blu-ray having these problems.

[JTK]

Originally Posted by Wondermaker

Thing is, a home video format shouldn't have "special needs" in the first place. If they can't manufacture it correctly, they should be held responsible for the consequences.

What annoys me the most about the boiling issue is how unquestionably forgiving the HD DUD zealots are with such an outrageous flaw. Those same fanatics would be beside themselves with glee, were it Blu-ray having these problems.

Bingo!

[whippersnapper]

Originally Posted by GoldenRedux

Many HD DVDs give problems playing, or won't play at all, the most recent example being The Matrix release. Thus far, the solution for many HD DVD owners has been to boil the discs in order to get them to play - we kid you not. If you do a Google search even, you will find this. It may sound like some sort of ridiculous FUD that we Blu-ray backers are making up, but it honestly is not.

Would taking a blow torch to the HD-DVD discs be an appropriate thing to do?

[Knight-Errant]

Originally Posted by whippersnapper

Would taking a blow torch to the HD-DVD discs be an appropriate thing to do?

Knock yourself out

[bone crusher]

Bill Hunt clearly knows what he is talking about and isn't be fooled by all the smoke and mirrors that Microsoft and Toshiba are trying to show off as a format that is actually capable of beating Blu-ray.

I loved the way everything was worded, it was to the point and BRUTALLY honest. After reading that article I feel even more content that I made the right decision...even though I already knew I made the right one.

What is comical is the backlash he is getting from the HD DVD guys. This is ridiculous. All this guy does is state the FACTS and try to help out the consumer from getting screwed over and he nearly gets crucified for it.

Had all these HD DVD backing people not already bought into HD DVD and spent hundreds and possibly thousands of dollars on movies for it already they would be viewing Bill Hunt's article in a TOTALLY new light. They would be SO happy that someone in the home entertainment industry with at least a fair bit of knowledge went out and put their reputation on the line and laid the whole mess out exactly the way he sees it and how he sees it going in the future. I commend the man. I appreciate it as BD backer right now and I would have really appreciated it if I had been sitting from the sidelines not knowing what format to back to get into.

I do think the HD DVD guys need to ease up on Bill because come a ways down the road and HD DVD is a dead format we can all say hey Bill told ya what ws gonna happen and look what it did. The are just being ignorant and pissed off that they spent all their money on the HD DVD format.

Hell, I started out into hi-def movies with HD DVD myself! I bought the 360 add-on and now have 16 HD DVDs but I swear to never buy another one. I purcahsed a PS3 only about one month after getting my HD DVD player. yeah I'm a bit pissed that I spent about $800 to get all the stuff, but I knew what I was getting into when I decided to get into a format war. I have to suck it up and keep going with the right format now...Blu-ray.

I suggest that's what all these HD DVD fanboys that cannot accept FACT and keep coming up with lame BS reasons why HD DVD is better and will win. Otherwise they are just spending more money on a format that is going NOWHERE.

[WriteSimply]

Originally Posted by BTBuck1

I know it sounds gay...but it actually friggin works

I have a few funny retorts to this statement. But nothing that's at PG-13.


fuad

[dialog_gvf]

Originally Posted by BTBuck1

So I felt (and still feel) as dumb talking about this as it sounds. But it works.
I know, My gaurd is up ready to be pelted with rocks for the stupidity it implies.

Actually, I am not surprised it works. People wouldn't be so stupid to suggest it if it didn't (although, we are somewhat wondering about the sanity of that crowd these days )

The stupidity is the necessity of such a ludicrous action when the format is supposed to be easier to manufacture and more suitable for mass adoption.

If a thin coating is enough to throw HD DVD off, how would a whole new layer work with TL?

Gary

[shadowmoon]

Originally Posted by BTBuck1

So I felt (and still feel) as dumb talking about this as it sounds. But it works.
I know, My gaurd is up ready to be pelted with rocks for the stupidity it implies. But I had a disc playback error in the same spot on 40 year old virgin HDDVD on my HD-A1. Take into consideration since firmware 2.2 I haven't had a single issues (in over 20 playbacks) I was shocked that my brand new copy of 40YOV was skipping/playing in slo mo. I tryed it over and over and it kept doing it in the same spot. I took the disc out and angled it to the light, nothing, not a finger print, peice of lint...nada. I threw it back in, still skipping same spot. I said to myself "you have gotten be shittin me, oh well...what do I got to lose" so I turned on the hot water in the kitchen til it was damn near boiling hot. I ran the disc under the water and I could see what would apear to be like a clear film washing away...as i spun the disc it got shinnier and the water began to bead. I dried it off with my monster fiber towel, put it in and sure enough the motherfugger worked flawless. I coudn't believe it...so I played it over and over and it played fine. I have put it on about 3 seperate times since, no problems.

I know it sounds gay...but it actually friggin works

There is some sort of transparent film on these discs from the factory is all I can figure that is causing this problem.

Wait so you had to actually put a DVD in boiling water?!? I was readin through the posts and thought you guys might have been joking... OMG that is so lame... Glad I never had to do that to my BDs (so far... but I wonder if it would work the same if it starts to skip....)

[The Big Blue]

Great article by Mr. Hunt.

Best Monday I've had in a while.

[JTK]

Originally Posted by dialog_gvf

Actually, I am not surprised it works. People wouldn't be so stupid to suggest it if it didn't (although, we are somewhat wondering about the sanity of that crowd these days )

The stupidity is the necessity of such a ludicrous action when the format is supposed to be easier to manufacture and more suitable for mass adoption.

If a thin coating is enough to throw HD DVD off, how would a whole new layer work with TL?

Gary

I don't think it can be done.

Furthermore, it's rather interesting how quiet that talk has been in recent weeks.