[Yontsey]

Ok, so my situation is this. Im on the verge of buying the HD-DVD add on for xbox 360, but 360 does not have HDMI so I can only receive 1080i instead of 1080p. Bums me out, but ohwell I guess. Now, I cant decide if I should just go ahead and get the HD-DVD add on, or try and wait it out and see who "wins" or "gains ground" in the competion, even though that could take a long time.

With the HD-DVD add on, Id only be paying like $230 with shipping, plus Id get an xbox 360 media unversial remote and a copy of King Kong. Thats better than paying $600 for PS3 and having Blu-Ray, but PS3 does have HDMI......

I suppose the obivious choice is go with the HD-DVD because it's cheaper but Im hesitant for some stupid reason.

What should I do? Thoughts?

[macuser256]

I don't know. I would be very hesitant about either format at the moment because I know if one succeeds and the other fails a lot of people who spent money on the losing format are going to be very annoyed.

[pkatzman]

Nope, you're wrong. With the update that came out a month or so ago the 360 can output 1080p, though only over VGA or component. I can post a link later if you want, but I'm pretty certain.

[709]

Component maybe, but VGA won't do 1080.

[bassplayinMacFiend]

The Fall Dashboard update did turn on 1080p functionality. Supposedly a HDMI output cable is also in the works, but this is speculative at the moment.

[Yontsey]

Yeah, some of the tv can do component and vga at 1080p but my new Sony tv only does HDMI 1080p and the rest are 1080i

[wecallitfall]

i would be patient my friend, one would be a fool to make the wrong choice here for the sake of a matter of months

[thegelding]

maybe...but, unlike vhs vs beta, i actually see both formats making it to the future...

1) the xbox is going HD and the playstation is going Blu...both consoles will be around for many years to come

2) many movies are coming out in both formats, not just blu or HD

3) unlike when vhs and beta first started, people are use to buying or renting movies now...it use to be rare to buy or even rent a movie, slowly over time people changed that...now every house has a dvd player and some people buy movies, some people rent...but almost all do one or the other...Both formats will make money and so they will keep making them till we get our holodecks

g

[Ebby]

Another vote to wait. In my eyes, both formats lost so hold off until one of these polished turds shines more.

[Ryan]

IIRC, with HD-DVD right now, the disc contains 1080p, but the player can't simply output that, it has to output 1080i, or, alternatively, deinterlaced 1080p, thus losing quality from interlacing and then deinterlacing. I don't remember if the Xbox 360 changed that, but since only the new XA2 from Toshiba, which won't be out until Jan/Feb, is able to output native 1080p off the disc, I really doubt it. So, personally, I wouldn't worry much about not having 1080p output as long as you can get 1080i. The deinterlacer in your TV is probably just as good as the one in the Xbox.

But I'd still wait, like others have said.

[pkatzman]

Originally Posted by Ebby Another vote to wait. In my eyes, both formats lost so hold off until one of these polished turds shines more.

Good way to put it, haha.

But honestly, it'll be a long while before either format is adopted on a mainstream level. As far as I can tell, most people didn't really own DVD players until about 2 or 3 years ago, and are pretty unlikely to replace them soon. Let alone with players over $500, not including the possible added cost of and HDTV set.

[torifile]

Of course, if you buy the HD-DVD and it loses, you're only out $200. If Blu-Ray loses, you're out $600. But not really because you've got a PS3 to play with. Call it even. But, in the end, it's only a couple hundred $$. Just don't start buying tons of movies just yet. That'd be the killer.

[Eugene]

Neither, it's not a big enough jump from 480p in DVD to commit...unlike VHS->DVD where we eliminated quality loss over time, rewind, etc.

[dmegatool]

Originally Posted by thegelding 2) many movies are coming out in both formats, not just blu or HD

Probably cause there is no "winnner" format yet. I don't see them products their movie in 2 format forever as it cost more to product. Cost more to product = less $$$ for them. I don't know...

[scratt]

I would not even consider buying until the format 'war' is over.
For me the 'free' Blu-Ray in my PS3 is a preview for me, nothing more.

[Yontsey]

Well, against advice, I went ahead and bought the HD-DVD player. The picture quality is stunning and g made a good point. I think both formats will be around for a lil while at least because both are backed by large companies. It prolly wont come in the mail til next week, monday or so, but I get King Kong with it and a universal remote.

[JonnyCoats]

By the time this all gets sorted out, we'll all be downloading DRM-free movies via an iTunes Store or some other service.

[dmegatool]

Originally Posted by JonnyCoats By the time this all gets sorted out, we'll all be downloading DRM-free movies via an iTunes Store or some other service.

Yeah I see myself downloading a complete season of whatever show in HD.

Downloading.... 1% completed .... timeleft 2000h. Great !

**The time left is a approximation, no caculs were made

[Yonzie]

It doesn't matter what you buy now because next christmas something like 50%+ of players play both formats...

[Yontsey]

I picked up Jarhead, Four Brothers, and V for Vendetta for it too. Ive never seen V for Vendetta but I hear good things about it.


Also, just got the VGA cables so I can watch in 1080p

[World Leader Pretend]

You do realize that the difference between 1080p and 720p is almost a placebo effect? Unless you have a front projector or TV that is over 60" you won't see a significant-if any-real increase in quality. Again though, it isn't all about what you see. Save up and get a nice sound-system to go with it.

[NosferaDrew]

Originally Posted by Yonzie It doesn't matter what you buy now because next christmas something like 50%+ of players play both formats...

That can't happen until the Blu-ray Disk Association allows companies to license it - and that is very unlikely to happen anytime soon.

[Ebby]

I think that will happen anyways. There are already players that can do this, and if they have enough demand, some sort of lawsuit may come about. I'm really hoping it does. Nonetheless, it is in the best interest of drive builders to make a single drive that can handle both formats and limit functionality for one format or another via firmware. I'm hoping there are some genius firmware hackers on the scene with consumer interests at heart.

[NosferaDrew]

Originally Posted by Ebby I think that will happen anyways. There are already players that can do this....

Say what? Where are these players, pray tell?

Ebby, I love your posts, but you have no clue what you are talking about in this situation.
First, It is not in the consumer electronics companies aligned with the BDA (of which there are over 150) to make a single drive for both formats - not until it's apparent that there will be no clear winner.

Anyone releasing a drive that plays Blu-ray discs (and HD-DVD for that matter) without paying for the license will get sued into oblivion.

[Ebby]

I know blueray prohibits dual platform drives by license. I hate it and it sucks. However a cost saving technique often used in designing DVD drives is to build a single physical drive but disable various functions in the firmware and sell them as different models in order to save money in R&D. The technology used in HD-DVD and Blueray are very similar and it is logical to build a dual format capable drive but with either the Blueray or HD DVD firmware installed. If this sort of solution is illegal and is confined to the dark allies of the internet, so be it. It will only strengthen the digital black market, appealing yet again to consumer demand.

Oh, a little linkage:
http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/01/p...e-the-bdr-103/
http://www.cdrinfo.com/Sections/News...x?NewsId=16562

Yea, it is riding a slippery slope. But I hope, for consumers sake, that someone slips up or defends the little people.

As for dual format players, they are available for purchase today. They use two drives, but you can play both HD-DVD and Blueray disks with a single device.

[NosferaDrew]

Originally Posted by Ebby I know blueray prohibits dual platform drives by license. I hate it and it sucks. However ...blah,blah,blah,blah....

Ebby, my friend. Are You In Touch With Reality?
In a perfect world, all formats would be one. There is a huge battle going on right now for billions of dollars and mutual compatibility does not fit into this equation at this time.

Originally Posted by Ebby Oh, a little linkage: http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/01/p...e-the-bdr-103/ http://www.cdrinfo.com/Sections/News...x?NewsId=16562

Your links are useless. There might come a time, in the future, where dual players exist, but they are simply possibilities right now.
Can't you comprehend that these dual drives, while great for the consumer, are not available for purchase, they do not exist (outside the lab) and are very unlikely to be released within the next few years?

Originally Posted by Ebby Yea, it is riding a slippery slope. But I hope, for consumers sake, that someone slips up or defends the little people.

You do not get it.
So, someone (the Government?) is going to step up and force Sony and the BDA to allow a dual player? WTF are you smoking?

Originally Posted by Ebby As for dual format players, they are available for purchase today. They use two drives, but you can play both HD-DVD and Blueray disks with a single device.

Links?
If someone is packaging a Blu-ray and a HD-DVD player together for less than it costs to buy each individually I'd love to see it.

[Eugene]

Instead of all the studios all being on the same page, they're quickly bleeding support away either medium. I really wanted to support Blu-ray on a technological basis, but now I'm just not interested. The format war is just accelerating the adoption of online content delivery, and that's fine with me.

[Yonzie]

What Eugene said. Someone in another thread mentioned wanting to get rid of CDs and DVDs and I couldn't agree more.

On the combo player issue, I wasn't aware that Samsung et al. had reneged on their statements about producing combo players. On the "no combo drive" clause in the blu-ray license, I didn't know that, but it's just another one of Sonys innumerable missteps. I used to root for Blu-Ray, partly because it had the highest capacity, but I'm starting to turn...

[NosferaDrew]

Originally Posted by Yonzie On the combo player issue, I wasn't aware that Samsung et al. had reneged on their statements about producing combo players. On the "no combo drive" clause in the blu-ray license, I didn't know that, but it's just another one of Sonys innumerable missteps. I used to root for Blu-Ray, partly because it had the highest capacity, but I'm starting to turn...

Samsung is not making a universal player:
Samsung Cancels Blu-Ray/HD DVD Hybrid Players.
Samsung Bets Everything on Blu-Ray

[Yonzie]

Originally Posted by NosferaDrew Samsung is not making a universal player: Samsung Cancels Blu-Ray/HD DVD Hybrid Players. Samsung Bets Everything on Blu-Ray

Which is what I said I didn't know:

Originally Posted by Yonzie I wasn't aware that Samsung et al. had reneged on their statements about producing combo players.

Obviously, I do now
I guess the above could be understood as if I was unaware of it, but it is meant as past tense.