HD-dvd or Blue Ray

I recently purchased a bunch of new electronics. Sales people in several stores all told me not to buy either one yet. They still have no idea who is going to win the format war.

Judging by the fact that you even asked the question, I'm going to assume that you're not a videophile. Therefore, I have a few questions.

1. Do you have an HDTV?

2. If so, how far away from it do you sit?

3. How often do you watch DVDs?

4. Do you have a theatre surround system?

Paul Osborn wrote:

Judging by the fact that you even asked the question, I'm going to assume that you're not a videophile. Therefore, I have a few questions.

1. Do you have an HDTV?

2. If so, how far away from it do you sit?

3. How often do you watch DVDs?

4. Do you have a theatre surround system?

1. Yes. HD-ready.

2. about 10 feet

3. 1-2x/week, sometimes more often

4. No, but considering an upgrade there as well.

Thanks.

Certain studios have signed on for either format. A few are doing both.

LG makes a player that works with both.

Follow the porn dude. The one that embraces the skin flicks will live. Porn sells a lot more than anybody will care to admit.

Do you own a play station 3 or xbox 360? If you own the playstation 3, then you're already set for blu ray, and if you own a 360 you can get an attachment that can play hd-dvds for about half the price of a toshiba hd-dvd play.

The dvd players that can play both formats cost over $1000, which is more than each one combined.

Currently, Blu-Ray is winning, outselling HD-DVD 2:1; however, the current number of all formats of high def discs is VERY small. In the first week of the movie 300's release on DVD, more dvds were sold than all other HD-DVD and blu-Ray discs, of every movie combinded!

I faced the same precipice as you a few months ago, and decided to go with HD-DVD, because I had a 360 so I could get the attachment. I also believe that a major company, paramount, I believe, which in past format wars has always been neutral, decided to go exclusively HD-DVD

Sony and Tobisha/Microsoft are all very rich companies which can afford to continue this war for a long time, and definately see the benefits of having a monopoly on the HD market, so there is no point in waiting, because you might be waiting for years before one wins

Thanks for the suggestions. I don't have a play station or xbox. I was leaning towards a Toshiba that will play HD-DVD plus my CDs and then a few people brought up the HD vs. Blue Ray issue, but I'm guessing I'd get my money's worth before we see one format emerge.

As someone mentioned earlier, I'm definitely not a "videophile," just someone who watches movies and needs to replace a very basic dvd player. I was just going to get something basic, but one discussion has led to another...

Bump... other opinions? Thanks.

Given that we still don't know who's going to come out on top, I'd buy a cheap DVD player and spend the rest of the money on a sound system upgrade. Unless you're desperate to be on the bleeding edge of technology, you're probably better off waiting to see who the winner will be.

The only caveat I'd mention about buy the cheap DVD player is make sure you don't just trash it when you do eventually upgrade, but rather give it to Goodwill, or a church garage sale or something. No reason to put more crap in the landfills.

My folks picked up a combined player. The picture is great on both, but I'm not tempted to get either. Although I watch movies quite a bit, I find that DVD picture quality is so good that it's not worth it to me for the differential. Plus, I won't pay 25 bucks for discs.

Both types of players are also a pain because they're really computers. They take a while to load; they crash.

Another thing to consider is the picture quality of your HD tv. If you don't get 1080p, then don't get a blu-ray or an HD-Dvd because it would be pointless. You can get a dvd player that will upgrade your picture quality on the standard dvd to 720p which is your high def setting.

I have a 62 inch 1080p television with a blu-ray player it blows your mind, I'm currently looking into getting the upgrade on an x-box 360 to get the HD dvd player as well, considering it sucks that it doesn't look like one format is going to overtake the other... booooo.....

So, unless you're rocking an awesome tv, just stick with what you got and buy and upgraded picture dvd player and you'll be set... otherwise, if your a fanatic about movies like me, invest in one of the other, you'll be happy you did.

blu ray all the way.

all you need to know and then some...

http://gizmodo.com/tag/format-war/

I appreciate the responses/advice, keep it coming.

This entire thing has me going in circles, not sure what to upgrade first and what to put off. Should I begin with updating my HD-ready wide-screen, TUBE tv? I have old left and right speakers, they work great with music, but have never been hooked up to the tv. Yes, I know, I'm behind the times by a couple of decades, so I need some help here!

I see my options as upgrading tv, HD or blue ray dvd, receiver (I have a great 1980 analog model), sound system? None of it, just go with a basic dvd player?

One last bump... anyone? Thanks.

yes, stop referring to it as "blue ray", you f***ing imbecile.

I've had HD DVD for over a year now and I'm very happy with it. You really need surround sound to take advantage of the whole experience, the sound is HD too, not just the picture. I don't want to get into format bashing, but HD DVD is a better choice if you're concerned with budgeting, and who isn't? I just bought an HD DVD player for my brother for $109. Way cheaper than any Blu-ray player. The combo player that just came out is over $1000. I'll wait until combo players come down to around $100 until I go blu, if they're both still around by then.

cluu wrote:

yes, stop referring to it as "blue ray", you f***ing imbecile.

ok, how about: I know you enjoyed it when you "blew Ray" ? Is that better?