Blu-Ray vs. HD DVD?
Big Block go VROOOM!
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: Chicago Burbs
I'll definitely add "The Orphanage" to the list for audio recommendations. It's a pretty damn good movie to boot. Most of the video superstars have already been mentioned. I'll just throw in "Rescue Dawn" for image quality. I thought it looked pretty damn good.
I actually used the release of Baraka as an excuse to take the day off of work. It's waiting for me at home as I type this (sitting in the dealer waiting room now).
Anyone have any to specifically avoid? Mine would be David Gilmour's Remember That Night. Good music, good performance, decent audio, abominable image quality.
I actually used the release of Baraka as an excuse to take the day off of work. It's waiting for me at home as I type this (sitting in the dealer waiting room now).
Anyone have any to specifically avoid? Mine would be David Gilmour's Remember That Night. Good music, good performance, decent audio, abominable image quality.
Last edited by Billiam; Oct 28, 2008 at 01:06 PM.
I am going to have to pick that up then. I am more concerned about the audio.
Big Block go VROOOM!
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: Chicago Burbs
There's a few useful things on the HD basics disc in addition to the "guided" calibration procedures. For example there are audio frequency sweeps which are a tone with a continuous pitch change from the very high end to the very low end of the spectrum. There are also video test patterns that push resolution limits and help to determine underscan, overscan, geometry problems, and so forth.
is learning to moonwalk i
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 15,520
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From: SoCal
I want to get a player before the end of the year. As others have mentioned, I have spent way too much money on DVDs and will probably use Netflix for most of my viewing - purchasing only a few "esentials".
With Netflix in mind, what do you think of the proposed "instant streaming" to the LG and Samsung players? I don't think it's on-line yet, nor have I seen specs on picture or sound. Do you think this is something worth waiting for/paying the premium for?
With Netflix in mind, what do you think of the proposed "instant streaming" to the LG and Samsung players? I don't think it's on-line yet, nor have I seen specs on picture or sound. Do you think this is something worth waiting for/paying the premium for?
The Third Ball
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 50,494
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From: Los Angeles, Ca
I would think so.
I'm waiting for Netflix to hit the Xbox. That will be awesome.
As for getting a player...black friday will have the Samsung 1500 for $150 bucks.
OR you can get it now for 250 I think and the matrix triliogy for free from amazon. My friend just did that.
I'm waiting for Netflix to hit the Xbox. That will be awesome.
As for getting a player...black friday will have the Samsung 1500 for $150 bucks.
OR you can get it now for 250 I think and the matrix triliogy for free from amazon. My friend just did that.
is learning to moonwalk i
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 15,520
Likes: 3
From: SoCal
The 1500 will not have Netflix. It's only the 2500 and 2550 that will have it (at least for now).
I didn't see the player+Matrix combo, but the player itself is ~$215 on Amazon. It was lower (~$200) a few days ago. I don't go shopping on Black Friday, plus I'll be in NYC. Hmmm... maybe a trip to B&H
Nah, not going to happen
I didn't see the player+Matrix combo, but the player itself is ~$215 on Amazon. It was lower (~$200) a few days ago. I don't go shopping on Black Friday, plus I'll be in NYC. Hmmm... maybe a trip to B&H
Nah, not going to happen
Big Block go VROOOM!
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: Chicago Burbs
Sure there's the convenience factor, but you have to ask yourself if that's really worth the cost of the next model up BDP just to get something that may be even less quality than a SD DVD and have that service be at the mercy of who knows what between you and Netflix.
Moderator Alumnus
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 4,295
Likes: 121
From: Ronkonkoma, NY
It caters those 'I want THIS movie NOW' people. And I'm sure people would like it even more watching it on their tv rather than their computer.
Is it worth it? YMMV. Great for the non tech savvy, though.
- Frank
on to the next one...
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 4,872
Likes: 0
From: Mpls. MN
I would think so.
I'm waiting for Netflix to hit the Xbox. That will be awesome.
As for getting a player...black friday will have the Samsung 1500 for $150 bucks.
OR you can get it now for 250 I think and the matrix triliogy for free from amazon. My friend just did that.
I'm waiting for Netflix to hit the Xbox. That will be awesome.
As for getting a player...black friday will have the Samsung 1500 for $150 bucks.
OR you can get it now for 250 I think and the matrix triliogy for free from amazon. My friend just did that.
Originally Posted by Engadget - 10/1/08
PlayOn Media Server streams Netflix to PS3 / Xbox 360 today
Forget the lames waiting for a New Xbox Experience to bring Netflix streaming to the console, the latest edition of Media Mall's PlayOn Media Server beta includes Watch Instantly support right now. An update notification should be on the way to anyone already testing things out, the impatient can grab it from the website. Also streaming Hulu, CBS, YouTube, ESPN and others to the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, HP MediaSmart TV or other DLNA hardware (Nintendo Wii's still on the coming-soon list) the presence of Netflix (and the recent Watch Instantly additions) gives even more reason to check it out. Since its still in beta don't be surprised to find a few issues, but considering our smooth sailing so far, the list of reservations over its $30 price tag (after the 60 day free trial period is over) is rapidly shrinking.
Forget the lames waiting for a New Xbox Experience to bring Netflix streaming to the console, the latest edition of Media Mall's PlayOn Media Server beta includes Watch Instantly support right now. An update notification should be on the way to anyone already testing things out, the impatient can grab it from the website. Also streaming Hulu, CBS, YouTube, ESPN and others to the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, HP MediaSmart TV or other DLNA hardware (Nintendo Wii's still on the coming-soon list) the presence of Netflix (and the recent Watch Instantly additions) gives even more reason to check it out. Since its still in beta don't be surprised to find a few issues, but considering our smooth sailing so far, the list of reservations over its $30 price tag (after the 60 day free trial period is over) is rapidly shrinking.
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,598
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From: Toronto, ON
For those that haven't seen it yet, I saw The Assassination of Jesse James on BD the other day. Excellent video, and an amazing movie.
Rescue Dawn I believe is another movie that can be used as demo material, video for sure, I'm not 100% positive about audio as I don't have the world's most amazing speakers.
Rescue Dawn I believe is another movie that can be used as demo material, video for sure, I'm not 100% positive about audio as I don't have the world's most amazing speakers.
Moderator Alumnus
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 4,295
Likes: 121
From: Ronkonkoma, NY
Sometimes Blu-rays ship from a further shipping center than the closest one, but this isn't a big deal, imho.
- Frank
amazon.com
Big Block go VROOOM!
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: Chicago Burbs
The Third Ball
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 50,494
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From: Los Angeles, Ca
The movie is just so serene and peaceful that it lulls me right out
Big Block go VROOOM!
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 8,578
Likes: 1
From: Chicago Burbs
BTW, I got Baraka on sale for $21.99 at my BB. It didn't ring up as that price but that's what it was on sale for on the BB web site. Sho, you may have some money owed to you if you paid $30.
Ya the only reason I bought it was because Amazon said unavailable.
Originally Posted by Billiam
BTW, I got Baraka on sale for $21.99 at my BB. It didn't ring up as that price but that's what it was on sale for on the BB Sho, you may have some money owed to you if you paid $30.
Last edited by sho_nuff1997; Oct 30, 2008 at 02:51 PM. Reason: Gremlins
The Third Ball
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 50,494
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From: Los Angeles, Ca
One word about the quality. Astounding.
From everything I saw, I found no trace of any hardcore compression artifacting that you can usually find in blurays.
They truly took their time and made this disc right, and I'm sure starting at 8k was part of it.
The imagery is just breathtaking in HD.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 654
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From: Raleigh, NC
Eco-friendly packaging
-100% recyclability.
-20% post-consumer waste.
-Prints using soy based inks.
-Greatly reduces green house gases.
-Forest Stewardship Council (FCS) certified
-Weighs less than conventional plastic and therefore costs less to ship
The Third Ball
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 50,494
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From: Los Angeles, Ca
Missed that. Makes total sense, still annoying though.
Big Block go VROOOM!
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 8,578
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From: Chicago Burbs
You may want to hold off. If you put faith in the rumors, you may be able to get a stand-alone BDP for significantly less than a PS3 come this holiday shopping season. Of course, that does you no good if you also want a game console.
I Shoot with a Camera
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 23,082
Likes: 3,684
From: Vancouver BC
Moderator Alumnus
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 4,295
Likes: 121
From: Ronkonkoma, NY
I already got the Panasonic BD-30K when the price dipped down to $250.
I'm very happy with it. It's already superceded by the BD-35K which is only slightly more expensive.
There's a good thread on avsforum.com for deals:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...37817&page=174
There's an amazon thing going on right now:
With Sony BDP-S350 - $253.99
1. GoodFellas - $16.95
2. 300 - $14.95
3. Speed Racer - $19.95
4. Batman Begins - $17.95
=
Items: $323.79
Shipping & Handling: $16.84
Super Saver Discount: -$16.84
Promotion Applied: -$100.00
Total Before Tax: $223.79
Estimated Tax: $0.00
- Frank
I'm very happy with it. It's already superceded by the BD-35K which is only slightly more expensive.
There's a good thread on avsforum.com for deals:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...37817&page=174
There's an amazon thing going on right now:
With Sony BDP-S350 - $253.99
1. GoodFellas - $16.95
2. 300 - $14.95
3. Speed Racer - $19.95
4. Batman Begins - $17.95
=
Items: $323.79
Shipping & Handling: $16.84
Super Saver Discount: -$16.84
Promotion Applied: -$100.00
Total Before Tax: $223.79
Estimated Tax: $0.00
- Frank
I spend 2 much time here
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 7,115
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From: MA
is in Honda heaven
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,067
Likes: 1
From: Gainesville, VA
^ Hell yeah! 90% of my PS3 use is with the Blu-ray. I play games but I wouldnt call myself a gamer especially seeing how I only have 3 games and have had the thing for over a year. I'm a movie freak though and usually watch one 3 nights a week or whenever football isn't on. The other great thing about it is that if you hook it up online you can go into the playstation store and rent/buy movies for less than at the store. However when you do that I'm not sure how they broadcast as in blu-ray, high def, standard?