I will be holding off for awhile. I will end up buying a computer one rather than stand alone model, so the price should end up cheaper.

I will buy the Toshiba player and either Sony's PS3 or stand alone player.

according to the specs my set is HDCP compliant.

thanks for the link. this may just work for me for a bit unless I actually get both HD-DVD and Blu-Ray(PS3 or whatever) and then I'll be stuck again. I really want to upgrade my tv but I still have around 2.5yrs. left on my warrantee. if it turned out that I definately had to upgrade my tv to play the new stuff that would put a big damper on me purchasing HD/BD at this point.

Like others Im waiting it out, but it is tempting to pick up the HD-DVD just to check it out. Its right at a good price point for me, but I know its pretty stupid to blow $500.00 for something just to check it out. Which ever one eventually wins will be with what I go with.

I didn't think this deserved its own thread, but here is the opinion of some DVD reviewer who was at CES:

http://www.dvdreview.com/html/new_format_war.html

Very heavily in support of Blu-Ray, but he makes some interesting points about current problems with VC-1 and MPEG-4. Might be why Sony is pushing MPEG-2 so much?

I think this is in reference to CES 2005... the linked article is over 6 months old. Warner hadn't even announced Blu-ray support when it was written.

Good catch. You're probably right. Reading his front page, it doesn't sound like his opinion has changed. Hopefully, we'll find a new comparison article soon.

Well I agree with everything that was said in the article regardless.

I think it might as well have been written yesterday. It is exactly how I feel after reading all the information I can find here and elsewhere.

I especially like the comparison videos on this thread:

Pics of iHD / Managed Copy

I think the Java based Blu-Ray platform will be superior to iHD/HD-DVD. And the videos reinforce that for me (read my comments in the Pics of iHD / Managed Copy thread). I've felt all along that HD-DVD doesn't have enough storage capacity. Blu-Ray is way ahead there. There are a lot of possibilities that we can't even imagine yet with all that storage and the BD/Java combination. Check out the video of it in the link and see what you think.

I think I'm going to adopt Blu-Ray at this point because I want to make a vote with my money. I don't want to sit on the sidelines and let everyone else make that decision because I think Blu-Ray will be that much better.

I say "Screw HD"...until we have a clear winner in the format war (or a quality universal player).

HD-DVD is in serious trouble the more I look at everything. Toshiba just isn't getting it done, in any product. They peaked a couple years ago when their CRT RPTVs were excellent and inexpensive and their DVD players offered acceptable capability. But both TVs and DVD players have gone downhill in quality since, while other companies are going up. I see HD-DVD just simply fading out. It could crap out by the end of 2006, just like the first DIVX just stopped one day.

The only thing they have going for them right now is the price. And PS3 may utterly destroy that.

I think SED might change that, but I guess that's a different discussion. :)

Good call. I believe that this "HD" hype will be a place holder format as it does not offer any significant leap over the existing technology. I will gladly enjoy my theater and wait this one out!

So now that CES is over (it IS over,right?), did Universal announce Blu-Ray support like so many people were saying they would at the end of the show?

I figure on picking up Sony's Blu-Ray player when it comes out. The only announced HD-DVD exclusive title I want is Goodfellas, but I'm willing to sacrifice the instant gratification of seeing that in HD in order to help bolster the Blu-Ray cause. I bought a 50" SXRD back in October and I've been getting by just fine with my Panasonic RP-82. There's no need for me to waste any money on an upconverting player when I can get that feature plus to ability to watch some real HD content with a BR player. Besides, I'll probably buy a PS3 and then ebay it, which will hopefully make the upgrade cost less. ;)

Im going to play the waiting game on this one. I want to see who comes out on top and where my best investment lies. Im pretty happy with dvd right now so Im willing to hold out a few years for prices to go down.

Same here.

Too early to call. If HD-DVD is less restrictive I may lean towards it, but I really don't want to invest much in either format until there is a clear winner.

Well, Ive changed my mind and will pick up a PS3 when it comes out. I figured this way at least even if BR fails or something else, at least I can play video games in HD.

Ditto.

I said both, but the more I watch the positioning. I think BR will be another Sony blunder. HD will be to market first, and is thus far looking a good bit cheaper to get into with a sub $500 player. (PS3 is not going to save BR like some are saying IMHO). Just like Beta, it may be better and still lose. I really don't like Sony being in charge, but I like BR better so I am torn on who I want to win. I just hope it is over quick.

Blu-Ray (PS3)
but ultimately which ever format wins of course

First decent combo player under $500 (look what happened to DVD-R +R debacle)

At this point I'm really not sure what direction to go.

I just cancled my HD-DVD player through Amazon. I am going to hold out for Blu-Ray now. I really believe HD-DVD will fail!

Well, im almost certain to get a PS3 so i guess that will mean Blu Ray.

Of course if it wasnt for the PS3 i'd wait till one format died. I dont need to start a Betamax collection :).

I will wait for the victor instead of jumping in the water, heck i'll stick with dvd for the next 10 years. The game console war will undoubtedly have a wider aspect now.

Based on what?

Same with me.

I'm in the HD-DVD camp. Mainly for price. Also, most of my collection seems to be Universal, Paramount, and WB titles.

And....35 gig is pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeenty of storage for a hd movie and extras. I don't think most are going to care that BR has 15 more gig of space.