I'm just struggling with the fact that someone who writes on a third grade level makes enough money to be a home theater enthusiast.

(By the way, if you haven't been keeping up, kevinca1 says he prefers Blu-ray because the image is more film-like than HD DVD.)

Yep, CD audio is not what I'm looking for. I was actually referencing Phantom on HDDVD, which has TrueHD, IIRC. Probably only 5.1, but it's the only positive sign I've seen for the audio side of HD discs. I believe there are more than just Phantom, but with exactly zero players announced/shipping that can play the new formats (stereo doesn't count), I haven't bothered cataloging which discs might be worthwhile. I'll pay closer attention when it matters.

I've never even seen Phantom (in any form), don't know if I'd like it or not, probably would. But I'd buy this disc just for the audio. If I could play it.

So if you're tired of us... why bother posting here anymore?

because he is the voice of reason. if he doesn't sell us on Blu-Ray the world will end.

I dont get the whole "pick a side and defend it until death" mentality. Ive seen it alot of the BD side and just cant figure it out. Its not like these are your favorite sports teams or something.

I see pros/cons on both sides of this format....both are making missteps and will have their surges. Right now, its clear that HD-DVD is making an impact. Like I said before, BD could have a huge boost in Nov though.

I would LOVE to see a BD supporter criticize Sony/Lionsgate for the poor pic quality and lack of special features. THEN, praise HD-DVD pic/audio quality and substantial special features. Most of them wont though.

As ive said before, I am invested in HD-DVD right now because its currently the best choice. But, they have their issues too (A1 player issues, no 1080p support yet and lack of release titles as promised). I can easily admit these things.

On this note, I think it would be a great place to cross-post something that Grubert put on AVS. In actuality, they aren't having a "lack of promised release titles." In fact, they seem to be right on schedule.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...&&#post7946224

Well, the fact that they promised certain titles (like Batman Begins, Matrix and so on) closer to launch is what i am talking about.

If all the titles in the booklet thats included with the discs (like Batman Begins, Troy, Matrix, Shawshank and so on) are all released this summer (like the booklet says). I will be happy.

Its just frustrating not getting much of a warning from WB about their releases while we all wait on our hands for the titles above.

Im sure others agree that the HD-DVD release has had its frustrations.

It looks to me as if the post you're quoting is saying the exact opposite -- that Warner's release schedule in practice lags far, far behind the schedule they initially announced before all of the format delays.

D'oh. You're right. I'm at work and not doing my math. Sorry.

To me, the titles are far more important than the #......I dont give a shit about Dukes of Hazard. Bring out the big guns WB!!!

I agree. But I find it interesting that BB and HP are both "slated" to come out on the same day late in the summer...exactly when they said they'd start the hard launch. It would be interesting if that's when they started to ramp up production on the players AND were able to publicize these new huge titles.

thats my take as well. you just have to love the idea that they'll release the bigger titles when more players are sold yet many won't buy the players until they can get the bigger titles.

I dont go by rumored dates....until WB actually announces the release, I dont consider them coming out soon. Even then, they could delay the release if needed.

We will see what happens in the coming weeks, but so far, things have definately quieted when I thought we would know more by now.

1. WB only 2 releases scheduled that havent been released (Dukes and Enter the Dragon).
2. Still no word from Paramount on their releases.

NOT encouraging news at this point.

What were you expecting? WB only announces a week or two TOPS before they come out.

Paramount's delay has nothing to do with the format. That's been confirmed.

I think everyone needs to relax. Anyone who's going to complain about the titles (or lack thereof) shouldn't have bought into it already. Anything could happen at this point. As long as they're making the discs, I'm happy. Would I like them to come out faster? Sure. But I'm putting a bit of faith in HD DVD at this point. They seem to know what they're doing thus far and there's been no major fuck-ups as of yet. If there were, I don't think any of us would have bought one.

here's a little "what if" scenario - what if Toshiba/Sony actually did come to a truce and decided to combine the 2 formats. what if this new format mad all current hardware/software obsolete. if you just bought into HD-DVD/BD how upset would you be?

Not much. I have an upconverting player that cost me about $300. I could give it to my parents. No big loss.

And I seriously doubt the existing software would be obsolete. Nothing that drastic could change within 2 months of a formats launch.

I wouldn't be. That's the risk of being an early adopter: you pays your money and you takes your chances.

It's still a good bit slower than I expected, and having two weeks with a grand total of one title between 'em doesn't help. It wouldn't be so bad if I at least knew when we would be getting something from some of these other studios or officially what titles Warner has in the pipeline.

I don't regret buying into HD DVD at this early stage, but it's not the "centerpiece" of my movie-watching the way I was expecting it to be.

Yes, and thats another issue with the HD-DVD releases that I havent liked.

Whether its the format or not doesnt matter to me. Im not saying that HD-DVD is bad because of these things....Im just bringing up issues that we who have bought into HD-DVD are facing.

I think your way off here....Its not ignorant or even naive to expect that WB was going to release the titles promised at launch or even release them as stated in the booklets inside the disc packaging.

Like Adam said, Im happy with my purchase but would like to see these titles coming out.

I just wish 1 BD studio would jump over to HD-DVD. I don't really care which one. it would give more options for movies and maybe pave the way for others to follow. hell, I'd love to have House of 1000 Corpses or The Devils Rejects on HD-DVD.

Is it the end of summer yet? No. Then there's no reason to think that WB won't deliver.

As I said, everyone needs to take a deep breath. Everything is up in the air ESPECIALLY with how calculated this release is seeming to be.

Do i want more titles? Hell yes. Do I have my money out and waiting? Hell yes. Do I wish my player booted up faster? Hell yes. But it doesn't leave me any less excited about what is happening right now. We're just not seeing it as quickly as we'd have liked.

This is my entire point and is why I am complaining. Short announcement window, missed release dates and delayed releases. I think thats pretty clear.

There is no question that studios have been running into issues with both formats....otherwise, we probably would have seen all the promised titles on their promised dates (per CES or whenever they announced).

Whether or not its specific to HD-DVD doesnt matter. It still affects the format.

But I think you're missing the bigger picture. BD's delay has delayed some of the strategy for HD. What happens to one, affects the other. WB said they'd have certain titles out by the end of summer and that means that they should have them out by the end of September. If they don't, then I think we can complain. Short announcements? Enh. Yeah...i guess it's not very good but does it really affect anything severely? The only people really clamouring for new material are us noobs. There haven't been been any missed release dates or postponements on the software side thus far.

I dont understand this then. I dont buy it. I think manufacturing issues are more likely the case. There doesnt seem to be any reason they cannot release HD-DVD. We all know that supposedly Batman Begins and Harry Potter are ready to go.

Well, im not only going by the booklets stating summer 2006 for those titles, but also the announcements before launch. They were overly optimistic in their release plan before launch. There is NO question about that.

It does affect those of us who have HD-DVD and follow the releases. We would be MUCH more confident if they would announce a date and let us pre-order via amazon or whatever. Even if its 2 months ahead. Universal has this part right.

Yes there have been missed dates.

Paramount has delayed their titles. A couple others have been moved around. That doesnt even mention the announced dates before launch that WB has not missed.

I honestly think if the studios who have HD-DVD titles ready to go (Batman Begins, HP, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and so on), would release them, we would see a bigger buzz about HD-DVD.

Look at what happened to the 360, the buzz was so big around it that when they couldnt keep up with demand for players, they were still selling software and accessories.

I bet alot more people would pre-order the players and buy the movies they want BEFORE they even get the player.

I dont think its strategy to hold off on the media releases. It just doesnt make sense to me.

I can only buy manufacturing issues being the culprit.

I wasn't thinking about pre-release dates because once the players were pushed back, so were the discs. I was thinking more about after release.

However, You're right about Paramount. That's my bad.

Batman Begins ready to go? Where'd you hear that? about 3 weeks ago they were still working on it. That's inaccurate.

Uhh..i have it and I follow it. How much more confident do you want to be? You have a player. What are you going to do? Sell it? I don't get this.