Sarlacc

Thankfully my samsung BR player is firmware upgradable over ethernet.

SupaRookie

FYI:

http://gizmodo.com/344680/the-real-r...r-went-blu+ray

All you need is a pen to sign some zeroes! Nine to be exact I'll let you guys speculate.

Dem1K

iTrader: (1)

Ok...I JUST saw this thread and I have some questions.

My dad bought me a 360 for xmas (the new model w/ the falcon, 175w, quieter drive). I wanted it so that I could add the HD-DVD drive to it because it was so cheap. Now I come across this thread, and apparently HD-DVD isn't going to be around anymore? So, the production of HD-DVD's will cease? Basically, should I get rid of my 360 and try to pick up a PS3? I really just want a HD/Blu-Ray DVD player, and for the price, you might as well get a game console, or so I figure. I was just about to purchase the HD-DVD player for the 360 until I came across this thread. Please lead me in the right direction. Thanks!

`John

Sarlacc

Dem, as of RIGHT NOW.

Warner will make HD-DVD unitl the end of May. Paramount is HD-DVD exclusive, and Universal still makes both.

This can change at any moment, but as of right now, HD-DVD is still around.

Dem1K

iTrader: (1)

So if you were in my shoes, what would you do Sarlacc? Should I hang on to the 360 & get the HD-DVD drive? Or switch to the PS3? Basically I don't want to invest in HD-DVDs when it will just die out sooner or later. This sucks

OH btw, thanks for that.

Sarlacc

Well, do you play the xbox? if you play games on it, then yes keep it.

You can get the HD-DVD drive for sub-200 now, so with netflix to watch to rent the movies....why the hell not.

Plus, if you are running the setup using HDMI, its a GREAT upresing DVD player.

Dem1K

iTrader: (1)

I'm not sure. I would like to, but to be honest I don't see myself playing it that much. Some games have caught my eye, such as BioShock, Halo3, Assassin's Creed, Call of Duty 4, etc. I also have a Wii which I like a lot. I really just want to watch dvd's in 1080p. As mentioned, I figured for another $100 more or so, you could get a console that could play HD movies as well, which is why I asked for it.

Sarlacc

hmm, touch call. I have an xbox and a wii. But I also never like playstation games enough to even want to own the systems.

If you think you would, then I guess go ps3.

Dem1K

iTrader: (1)

Yeah I feel you. I don't really know much about PS3 or what games it offers so I can't make an educated decision, and I don't want to stray from the topic into a ps3 vs. xbox thing. It's more about the HD movie capabilities that I'm concerned about.

Sarlacc

Then why not just buy a standalone player. At this point its cheaper.

Dem1K

iTrader: (1)

HD-DVD yes, but not a BluRay player. Also note that the 360 was paid for, so I only have to pay $160 for the HD-DVD player for the 360 (which plays 1080p), whereas the cheapest 1080p HD-DVD player is like $250-300, and BluRay is around $400.

Sarlacc

Actually Sony and Samsung both have good players for 299.

NetEditor

Actually, Universal and Paramount (and DreamWorks) are exclusive.

Sarlacc

Why the hell did I think they were neutral. oh well, bed time.

Dem1K

iTrader: (1)

Which?? I just browsed amazon and the cheapest bluray was about $340 or so.

Moog-Type-S

Sony
Sure these tactics of being payed off happen all the time...but Sony having to pay studios to go Blu-Ray?!? Underhanded to say the least.

Billiam

And Toshiba's $150 million offering plate wasn't?

CLpower

Have you any clue what the HD side has done? Obviously not

srika

I thought this was speculation?

jupitersolo

paid


P A I D

NetEditor

It is speculation. Both Warner and Fox have denied receiving any payoffs, while Paramount and DreamWorks both said that they did receive a total of $150 million in "marketing and promotional incentives." Now, I don't doubt that Warner received something, but it's not like it would be something new.

srika

ok - thanks.

now, technically speaking, did I read somewhere that Blu-ray has a "better" quality picture?

asujosh1

Uh, no they aren't...

NetEditor

Pure speculation. There has been no official word from either company about abandoning HD DVD.

NetEditor

Comparing movies that are released in both formats, the picture and audio quality is identical, usually because the same encode is used.

Although DVDFile.com did do an interesting "analysis" on that particular topic:

http://dvdfile.com/index.php?option=...6326&Itemid=11

srika

ok well - if they are identical, there really does need to be some kind of "other" intervention, doesn't there. I mean as it stands, there really is no advantage to using either - so the companies needed an extra incentive to choose one over the other. The $$$ all of a sudden makes perfect sense.

Dem1K

iTrader: (1)

Money usually tends to be the theme and deciding factor

NetEditor

Well, some people are saying that Shoot Em Up is showing bit rates above the theoretical limit for HD DVD. But this has been reported using the PS3 bit-rate meter, which is not that reliable. Theoretically, a movie COULD look better on Blu-ray since the specs on paper are better.

Moog-Type-S

HD DVD has paid studios to drop BLu-Ray?

srika

do you mean the theoretical limit for Blu Ray?

NetEditor

No for HD DVD, meaning that IF Shoot Em Up were put on HD DVD, New Line would have to do something different since the bit rate is too high for HD DVD.

This assumes that the bit-rate numbers for the Blu-ray version are accurate.

NetEditor

DreamWorks got $100 million; Paramount, $50 million. These were called "marketing and promotional incentives."

srika

ahh ok I get it now

Silver™

<object width="425" height="373"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/friS4OOcdgQ&rel=1&border=1"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/friS4OOcdgQ&rel=1&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="373"></embed></object>

NetEditor

^^^

Great movie, BTW.

Moog-Type-S

I thought M$ paid them...not Toshiba (HD-DVD).

srika

fun thread, folks.

gatrhumpy

iTrader: (1)

NetEditor

The official word is Microsoft did NOT pay them. They probably contributed indirectly, but the money officially came from the HD DVD group.

Moog-Type-S

So the money did not come from M$
Got it :wink: