Blu ray or HD?
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,209
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From: Monroe, Washington
We don't have any Blu Ray yet, but Block Buster announced a month or so ago that they are going Blu Ray. They do have some Blu Ray movies there also, but not many so far.
It seems strange to me that there are millions of people with DVD Players that will all of the sudden have to buy Blu Ray Players to watch movies. That just sucks IMO.
It seems strange to me that there are millions of people with DVD Players that will all of the sudden have to buy Blu Ray Players to watch movies. That just sucks IMO.
I just bought a 50" plasma and I'm about ready to take this plunge too. I think I'm just going to get the XBOX 360 add on HD drive for a test run though. Both stand alone players are still pretty spendy.
Circuit city has a pretty good selection of movies for both formats.
Circuit city has a pretty good selection of movies for both formats.
If you are looking to get a high def dvd player I would recommend going blu ray. There are more movies available on this format. I hear that samsung is supposed to release a dvd player that can play both blu ray and hd. As of right now the only dvd player that can do this is the LG one. But the LG has limitations on al of the functions for hd. Wait it out. The prices will drop off quick just like when the first DVD players hit the market.
TECH Regular
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 448
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From: Corvallis, OR
Most of that technology has been there for so long, yet no one has wanted to utilize it consumer wide because of the massive change-overs needed. I swear though, it's all a bunch of bullshit (despite quality differences) that is hiking up prices of movies unnecessarily. Lately I think prices are smoothing out, but last time I went movie shopping I had the choice of 15-20 dollar DVD's or 30-40 dollar HD/Blu Ray DVD's. Sigh.
Teching In
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 28
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From: Mill Creek
Check out Amazon: Toshiba HD-A2 HD DVD player for $229.
12 Second Club
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,923
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From: Lynnwood, WA
We've got a 52" Sharp LCD 1080p and a PS3 and man what a difference blu-ray makes... haven't had a chance to see a really good HD-DVD yet but it looks good as well. Take note that while some movies will be on both, some are exclusive to one format. (Hence why I'll be getting an HDDVD player for the 360). We rent through blockbuster online and they have blu-ray on there as well so we go through quite a few.
The ones that you'll really see a difference on are the CG movies (Ice Age, etc). Regular films you'll still see some grain but that's all part of the filming process, either way you still see a lot more detail. I'm planning on renting Rambo here soon just to see how it looks on blu-ray lol. Right now we've got blood diamond and wild things on blu-ray from blockbuster.
Also when buying HDDVD players if you want 1080p make sure that the player supports it. Not all HDDVD players output 1080p (usually the lower end ones)
The ones that you'll really see a difference on are the CG movies (Ice Age, etc). Regular films you'll still see some grain but that's all part of the filming process, either way you still see a lot more detail. I'm planning on renting Rambo here soon just to see how it looks on blu-ray lol. Right now we've got blood diamond and wild things on blu-ray from blockbuster.
Also when buying HDDVD players if you want 1080p make sure that the player supports it. Not all HDDVD players output 1080p (usually the lower end ones)
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It's good to know there's other video junkies here. 
I was afraid to take the plunge too far into it, and settled for a 50" Samsung Plasma 720p. I hope I don't regret going half way, but dang the 1080p's are steep. 
The TV programming from Comcast is limited, so I dunno if I miss anything there. The Xbox 360 games look ultimate, and MNF on ESPN is excellent for sure. We've been renting from Hollywood Video and I never see HD titles. It looks like Blockbuster is the place to go, or maybe Netflicks.
I was afraid to take the plunge too far into it, and settled for a 50" Samsung Plasma 720p. I hope I don't regret going half way, but dang the 1080p's are steep. The TV programming from Comcast is limited, so I dunno if I miss anything there. The Xbox 360 games look ultimate, and MNF on ESPN is excellent for sure. We've been renting from Hollywood Video and I never see HD titles. It looks like Blockbuster is the place to go, or maybe Netflicks.
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I know at one time the cheapest Blue Ray player was the PS3...so you kinda get 2 birds with one stone.
I have a 96" projector setup that does up to 1080i. I just have a regular upconverting DVD player and its good enough for me for right now....until a clear winner is decided and prices come down.
I have a 96" projector setup that does up to 1080i. I just have a regular upconverting DVD player and its good enough for me for right now....until a clear winner is decided and prices come down.
TECH Regular
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 422
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From: Yakima, WA
Coming from a guy with a 50" Plasma, HD programming, and Surround Sound in the bedroom, let alone whats in the Entertainment room 
.......
I have stayed out of it. (Besides the PS3 that I don't use for movies anyways)
A year ago it was a dead heat. At this point in time Blu Ray does seem to be pulling into the lead for the market...
Personally although the High Def discs do look better, I'm satisfied enough with DVD that I'm not going to be an early adopter of either. OTOH High Def for Football season is an absolute must have.
Cheers!
.......I have stayed out of it. (Besides the PS3 that I don't use for movies anyways)
A year ago it was a dead heat. At this point in time Blu Ray does seem to be pulling into the lead for the market...
Personally although the High Def discs do look better, I'm satisfied enough with DVD that I'm not going to be an early adopter of either. OTOH High Def for Football season is an absolute must have.
Cheers!
Blu-Ray is my choice. Being an early adopter, normally, i have stayed out of it this time till prices come down. Chris you've seen my set-up, 1080i and no 1080p. damn, i have more into this set-up than my Z06, but more towards high end music. SACD, any of you other guys running sacd?
Robert
Robert
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 10,023
Likes: 6
From: LT1 land...the "409" of the 90s!
We bought an HD-DVD player with our 55in Sony. I remember watching BETA MAX and LVD(Pinoneer format) die a horrible death. Both were great formats but never realy caught on.
I will wait. at least I can watch my DVDs on this one to
I will wait. at least I can watch my DVDs on this one to
at least im not alone in this, biggest tv 36" oh.... wait thats our only tv. but i do have a tv recorder, lol. i do have plans for a movie room someday, projecter style.
Launching!
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 238
Likes: 0
From: Charlie Town, WV
I have a Samsung 46 inch LCD, only 1080i though...great pic but I am wanting to get into a true HD 1080p soon.
I really don't think you will gain anything by going Bluray or HD unless you have 1080p, your 780p will not display the Bluray or HD in its highest mode.
My .02
Ken
I really don't think you will gain anything by going Bluray or HD unless you have 1080p, your 780p will not display the Bluray or HD in its highest mode.
My .02
Ken
Yeah I think an HD player will gain alot over Standard Def, even on a 720p setup. Sure a 1080p will be better but I wonder how much. On good HD programming, the picture is unreal like Mikey says it's like watching in 3D. On Standard Def, the picture is blah. Maybe the Xbox 360 HD DVD makes the most sense for me to try for starters.
