The biased "Sound Advice" blogger... now with egg on his face!

[BBlue]

PURE GARBAGE...

Sound Advice: HD DVD is clear choice

By Don Lindich, Special to the Star Tribune

Q Do you have a preference between HD DVD and Blu-ray?

RHETT ELTON, SEATTLE

A I enthusiastically recommend HD DVD. Signs are showing it is going to trounce Blu-ray -- and soon.

HD DVD is a better thought-out, more solid product than Blu-ray; it is half the price, and picture and sound quality are identical. At under $200, including seven or more movies, HD DVD players are a stunning value. Why pay twice the money when Blu-ray has serious issues and the movies look and sound the same?

I smile when I see people buying HD DVD players based on bargain pricing, because they are unknowingly getting the Ferrari as well. Despite its purported superiority and much higher cost, Blu-ray is the emperor with no clothes.

HD DVD has delivered as promised from the start, receiving critical acclaim for its spectacular picture and stunning sound. Hundreds of great movies are available, with more added every week. Check out Amazon.com to see the wide, varied selection.

On the other hand, at launch, Blu-ray's picture quality was horrible. Although they have since closed the picture-quality gap, almost all Blu-ray players announced or existing are already obsolete. They conform to an early player profile that does not support upcoming disc features. Profiles should have been finalized before product launch. Blu-ray's record has been spotty, at best.

It's easy to debunk Blu-ray's purported advantages:

"More studios support Blu-ray, including Disney -- no 'Cars' or 'Pirates' on HD DVD." Well, HD DVD has plenty of exclusive support, too, and has never lost a studio. Conversely, Paramount and DreamWorks recently abandoned Blu-ray for HD DVD, calling it "the affordable, high-quality choice." So, no "Star Trek" or "Shrek" for Blu-ray. The answer for either camp is to get the regular DVD if you can't get the high-def version.

"Blu-ray Discs have higher capacity." This is a nonissue, because HD DVD has enough to do the job.

"More Blu-ray players have been sold, and more companies make them." Almost all of the Blu-ray players sold so far are PlayStation 3 game consoles that happen to have a Blu-ray drive in them. Many are used solely as game machines. HD DVD has the lead in stand-alone players. As for more manufacturers, what's the difference if there is one or 10 obsolete, expensive Blu-ray models on the market?

"Blu-ray will win because it has sold more movies to date." Even combined, Blu-ray and HD DVD disc sales are an infinitesimal piece of the DVD pie, a few grains of sand in a sandbox. Blu-ray's tiny numerical lead will be obliterated soon anyway, because kingmaker Wal-Mart has embraced HD DVD. In early November, Wal-Mart placed HD DVD ads on primetime TV and ran a promotion estimated to have sold well over 50,000 players in a single day. Other retailers showed increased HD DVD player sales, with the events making national news.

HD DVD's growing momentum is showing signs of turning into a tidal wave this holiday season. Consumers are smart enough to see which way to go. Nice to get the best for half the price, isn't it?

Submit questions and read past columns at www.soundadviceblog.com.

http://www.startribune.com/459/story/1556416.html

[Hawknelson05]

Originally Posted by BBlue

PURE GARBAGE...

Sound Advice: HD DVD is clear choice

By Don Lindich, Special to the Star Tribune

Q Do you have a preference between HD DVD and Blu-ray?

RHETT ELTON, SEATTLE

A I enthusiastically recommend HD DVD. Signs are showing it is going to trounce Blu-ray -- and soon.

HD DVD is a better thought-out, more solid product than Blu-ray; it is half the price, and picture and sound quality are identical. At under $200, including seven or more movies, HD DVD players are a stunning value. Why pay twice the money when Blu-ray has serious issues and the movies look and sound the same?

I smile when I see people buying HD DVD players based on bargain pricing, because they are unknowingly getting the Ferrari as well. Despite its purported superiority and much higher cost, Blu-ray is the emperor with no clothes.

HD DVD has delivered as promised from the start, receiving critical acclaim for its spectacular picture and stunning sound. Hundreds of great movies are available, with more added every week. Check out Amazon.com to see the wide, varied selection.

On the other hand, at launch, Blu-ray's picture quality was horrible. Although they have since closed the picture-quality gap, almost all Blu-ray players announced or existing are already obsolete. They conform to an early player profile that does not support upcoming disc features. Profiles should have been finalized before product launch. Blu-ray's record has been spotty, at best.

It's easy to debunk Blu-ray's purported advantages:

"More studios support Blu-ray, including Disney -- no 'Cars' or 'Pirates' on HD DVD." Well, HD DVD has plenty of exclusive support, too, and has never lost a studio. Conversely, Paramount and DreamWorks recently abandoned Blu-ray for HD DVD, calling it "the affordable, high-quality choice." So, no "Star Trek" or "Shrek" for Blu-ray. The answer for either camp is to get the regular DVD if you can't get the high-def version.

"Blu-ray Discs have higher capacity." This is a nonissue, because HD DVD has enough to do the job.

"More Blu-ray players have been sold, and more companies make them." Almost all of the Blu-ray players sold so far are PlayStation 3 game consoles that happen to have a Blu-ray drive in them. Many are used solely as game machines. HD DVD has the lead in stand-alone players. As for more manufacturers, what's the difference if there is one or 10 obsolete, expensive Blu-ray models on the market?

"Blu-ray will win because it has sold more movies to date." Even combined, Blu-ray and HD DVD disc sales are an infinitesimal piece of the DVD pie, a few grains of sand in a sandbox. Blu-ray's tiny numerical lead will be obliterated soon anyway, because kingmaker Wal-Mart has embraced HD DVD. In early November, Wal-Mart placed HD DVD ads on primetime TV and ran a promotion estimated to have sold well over 50,000 players in a single day. Other retailers showed increased HD DVD player sales, with the events making national news.

HD DVD's growing momentum is showing signs of turning into a tidal wave this holiday season. Consumers are smart enough to see which way to go. Nice to get the best for half the price, isn't it?

Submit questions and read past columns at www.soundadviceblog.com.

http://www.startribune.com/459/story/1556416.html

who is that man and where can I punch him in the face?

[sardaukar1977]

Originally Posted by BBlue

PURE GARBAGE...

Sound Advice: HD DVD is clear choice

By Don Lindich, Special to the Star Tribune

Q Do you have a preference between HD DVD and Blu-ray?

RHETT ELTON, SEATTLE

A I enthusiastically recommend HD DVD. Signs are showing it is going to trounce Blu-ray -- and soon.

HD DVD is a better thought-out, more solid product than Blu-ray; it is half the price, and picture and sound quality are identical. At under $200, including seven or more movies, HD DVD players are a stunning value. Why pay twice the money when Blu-ray has serious issues and the movies look and sound the same?

I smile when I see people buying HD DVD players based on bargain pricing, because they are unknowingly getting the Ferrari as well. Despite its purported superiority and much higher cost, Blu-ray is the emperor with no clothes.

HD DVD has delivered as promised from the start, receiving critical acclaim for its spectacular picture and stunning sound. Hundreds of great movies are available, with more added every week. Check out Amazon.com to see the wide, varied selection.

On the other hand, at launch, Blu-ray's picture quality was horrible. Although they have since closed the picture-quality gap, almost all Blu-ray players announced or existing are already obsolete. They conform to an early player profile that does not support upcoming disc features. Profiles should have been finalized before product launch. Blu-ray's record has been spotty, at best.

It's easy to debunk Blu-ray's purported advantages:

"More studios support Blu-ray, including Disney -- no 'Cars' or 'Pirates' on HD DVD." Well, HD DVD has plenty of exclusive support, too, and has never lost a studio. Conversely, Paramount and DreamWorks recently abandoned Blu-ray for HD DVD, calling it "the affordable, high-quality choice." So, no "Star Trek" or "Shrek" for Blu-ray. The answer for either camp is to get the regular DVD if you can't get the high-def version.

"Blu-ray Discs have higher capacity." This is a nonissue, because HD DVD has enough to do the job.

"More Blu-ray players have been sold, and more companies make them." Almost all of the Blu-ray players sold so far are PlayStation 3 game consoles that happen to have a Blu-ray drive in them. Many are used solely as game machines. HD DVD has the lead in stand-alone players. As for more manufacturers, what's the difference if there is one or 10 obsolete, expensive Blu-ray models on the market?

"Blu-ray will win because it has sold more movies to date." Even combined, Blu-ray and HD DVD disc sales are an infinitesimal piece of the DVD pie, a few grains of sand in a sandbox. Blu-ray's tiny numerical lead will be obliterated soon anyway, because kingmaker Wal-Mart has embraced HD DVD. In early November, Wal-Mart placed HD DVD ads on primetime TV and ran a promotion estimated to have sold well over 50,000 players in a single day. Other retailers showed increased HD DVD player sales, with the events making national news.

HD DVD's growing momentum is showing signs of turning into a tidal wave this holiday season. Consumers are smart enough to see which way to go. Nice to get the best for half the price, isn't it?

Submit questions and read past columns at www.soundadviceblog.com.

http://www.startribune.com/459/story/1556416.html

where do they get this crap from?

[Hawknelson05]

im pretty sure hd-dvd is the "twice as much" that hes talking about. The avg. price for a BD now is like $23. hd-dvd? $30

[key420]

Originally Posted by Hawknelson05

who is that man and where can I punch him in the face?

ha ha, no kidding.

All he needs now is a HD DVD cheerleading outfit.

[Smallville206]

Yeah, someone posted this garbage a week or so ago in another forum I frequent (not an HD forum) like it was coming from the mouth of God.

[Slackr89]

ill bold everything that he got wrong.

Originally Posted by BBlue

PURE GARBAGE...

Sound Advice: HD DVD is clear choice

By Don Lindich, Special to the Star Tribune

Q Do you have a preference between HD DVD and Blu-ray?

RHETT ELTON, SEATTLE

A I enthusiastically recommend HD DVD. Signs are showing it is going to trounce Blu-ray -- and soon.

HD DVD is a better thought-out, more solid product than Blu-ray; it is half the price, and picture and sound quality are identical. At under $200, including seven or more movies, HD DVD players are a stunning value. Why pay twice the money when Blu-ray has serious issues and the movies look and sound the same?

I smile when I see people buying HD DVD players based on bargain pricing, because they are unknowingly getting the Ferrari as well. Despite its purported superiority and much higher cost, Blu-ray is the emperor with no clothes.

HD DVD has delivered as promised from the start, receiving critical acclaim for its spectacular picture and stunning sound. Hundreds of great movies are available, with more added every week. Check out Amazon.com to see the wide, varied selection.

On the other hand, at launch, Blu-ray's picture quality was horrible. Although they have since closed the picture-quality gap, almost all Blu-ray players announced or existing are already obsolete. They conform to an early player profile that does not support upcoming disc features. Profiles should have been finalized before product launch. Blu-ray's record has been spotty, at best.

It's easy to debunk Blu-ray's purported advantages:

"More studios support Blu-ray, including Disney -- no 'Cars' or 'Pirates' on HD DVD." Well, HD DVD has plenty of exclusive support, too, and has never lost a studio. Conversely, Paramount and DreamWorks recently abandoned Blu-ray for HD DVD, calling it "the affordable, high-quality choice." So, no "Star Trek" or "Shrek" for Blu-ray. The answer for either camp is to get the regular DVD if you can't get the high-def version.

"Blu-ray Discs have higher capacity." This is a nonissue, because HD DVD has enough to do the job.

"More Blu-ray players have been sold, and more companies make them." Almost all of the Blu-ray players sold so far are PlayStation 3 game consoles that happen to have a Blu-ray drive in them. Many are used solely as game machines. HD DVD has the lead in stand-alone players. As for more manufacturers, what's the difference if there is one or 10 obsolete, expensive Blu-ray models on the market?

"Blu-ray will win because it has sold more movies to date." Even combined, Blu-ray and HD DVD disc sales are an infinitesimal piece of the DVD pie, a few grains of sand in a sandbox. Blu-ray's tiny numerical lead will be obliterated soon anyway, because kingmaker Wal-Mart has embraced HD DVD. In early November, Wal-Mart placed HD DVD ads on primetime TV and ran a promotion estimated to have sold well over 50,000 players in a single day. Other retailers showed increased HD DVD player sales, with the events making national news.

HD DVD's growing momentum is showing signs of turning into a tidal wave this holiday season. Consumers are smart enough to see which way to go. Nice to get the best for half the price, isn't it?

Submit questions and read past columns at www.soundadviceblog.com.

http://www.startribune.com/459/story/1556416.html

[BluStar88]

I'll bet he got one of those $1,500 USD bribes HDDVD has been giving out. Once they ran out of studios to bribe (Parmount) and ran out of players to give away for free (1080i clearance crap) they have now resorted to bribing morons... you never know I could be wrong.... but then again I could be right.....

[dakota81]

Just another blog. Who cares.

[toocheezy]

This is a really funny post. I really like the part when he says that they have never lost a studio, and Paramount and Dreamworks are H-DUD only. LMFAO. If the consumers only knew that PM and DW were paid off!

[lch]

"More studios support Blu-ray, including Disney -- no 'Cars' or 'Pirates' on HD DVD." Well, HD DVD has plenty of exclusive support, too, and has never lost a studio. Conversely, Paramount and DreamWorks recently abandoned Blu-ray for HD DVD, calling it "the affordable, high-quality choice."

why don't he mention the hd-dvd side have to spend 150m for that ?
i thought disney were very supportive of hd-dvd at designing stage and jump ship just before launch to our blu side ?

[kiskiboy97]

Another gutless shill just like Jim Goldman (whose FUD article he quotes in his piece). This guy even admits he won't respond to your comments at the bottom of his article. I've learned it's best not to burst a blood vessel over these fools. Unfortunately they have the readership and the forum to proclaim their nonsense.

[UTVOL06]

Originally Posted by Hawknelson05

who is that man and where can I punch him in the face?

I totally agree!

[nhaase]

Originally Posted by dakota81

Just another blog. Who cares.

No, not just another blog. This article was in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette a couple of weeks ago. His articles are going to print in newspapers. He's an idiot, but he's got a better soap-box on which to stand than a regular blogger.

[buckshot]

Originally Posted by Hawknelson05

who is that man and where can I punch him in the face?

he's the crazy drunk guy rambling on the corner. but since he got a keyboard and the internets people now listen to him.

[Blu-Light]

That has got to be some of the worse writing I have ever seen by a writer let alone all of the mis-truths and incorrect reporting.

[sj001]

It would be nice to see more truly NEUTRAL journalism instead of all of this paid-off/biased crap.

[CptGreedle]

I just ignore these reports. Why? Cause 1, it is obvious they are HD-DVD camp and not unbiased at all. 2, only HD-DVD people are going to read this and care. No one will take one report as the end all answer to the format war.
This is a sad sad guy, and his blog is FULL of FUD and spin. He is totally an HD-DVD camp promoter.

[mystiksuicide]

What are they not paying you enough as a writer to buy blu? Well what am I saying if all your articles are that stupid your lucky your not a garbage man for Mc Donalds

[cawgijoe]

Please see adjoining "Look at this FUD" thread below this one and you will see some of the e-mail responses he had for me as I tried to debate him.

It's a stupid opinionated blog that should not be printed in any kind of newspaper since it is completely biased and incorrect and is being passed off as "news".

People should complain to the paper.