The more classics, the better. I'm in for Chinatown.

Well blow me down! My copy of DVE which was ordered back in October has shipped!!!!

Blood Diamond on July 2 with exclusive extras not on the Blu-ray version:

http://forum.dvdtalk.com/showpost.ph...7&postcount=58

Interesting.... They delay the HD DVD release so that they can include the exclusives. First time that has happened to HD DVD releases. Blu-ray gets the release first.

More like Warner tried to delay the release to implement BD-j and then found out it was gonna take too long so they decided to release a better HD DVD version. The BD camp started whining so Warner decided to release the BD earlier.

I think this is clearly a "sorry" to the blu-ray camp about The Matrix.

If it was a "sorry" to the Blu-ray camp then I don't think they would have extras that are exclusive to the HD DVD. Didn't Warner release Corpse Bride and Good Night, Good Luck on BD first?

It's probably just a case of releasing what they can when they can.

This is how I see it.
I personally can't think of a reason why Warner (at this point) should favor one format over the other.

Yup. I'm sure they are trying to move as many units as fast as they can. Once they saw that BD-J was not an option for simultaneous release, they decided to drop what they have on BD and finalize their HD DVD plans. The alternative would have been to delay the finished HD DVD product indefinitely or delay the BD version until the HD DVD was ready to ship.

Bah....i dont think the studios get into apologies over releasing one format over the other.

Are they going to have to apologize for releasing Blood Diamond on hd-dvd with more extras??

I probably should have put a smilie or something after my comment, because I was being a smartass. I don't seriously think they were trying to make anything up to the blu-ray camp by releasing Blood Diamond a month early...

http://gear.ign.com/articles/783/783545p1.html

HD-DVD Movie Sales Only 2k Behind Blu-ray
Most recent sales data shows formats almost neck and neck.
by Gerry Block
April 25, 2007 - The recent pres-release-bickering between the HD-DVD and Blu-ray camps isn't terribly new, though most previous spats have gone down in the midst of large trade shows. The most recent squabbling began when HD-DVD celebrated the format's birthday by announcing that 100,000 dedicated players had been sold, preserving the format's hardware lead, not counting the PlayStation 3 (story). Blu-ray fired back, announcing that Blu-ray movie sales had reached the 1,000,000-sold milestone, and added a little salt to the wound with the data that 70-percent of Q1 HD-movie sales were thanks to Blu-ray (story).

Today, HD-DVD's representatives from Webersh & Wick public relations wrote to IGN Gear directly with updated HD-DVD news. According to their figures, HD-DVD movie sales lag only 2,000 units behind Blu-ray with 998,059 units sold. The firm points out that pre-orders of Planet Earth and The Matrix Trilogy will propel HD-DVD over the million-mark quite shortly. Representatives also stated that hardware sales have continued with strength in April, maintaining a 4 to 1 margin over Blu-ray.

Though consumers would likely benefit to a resolution to this format war sooner rather than later, it's looking like the struggle may continue for quite some time. The upshot of it all, however, will be a long and amusing PR battle. Honestly, it's rare in technology to get this much back-and-forth in claims, counter claims, dueling sales statistics, and one sided announcements of victory, so kick back and enjoy it, maybe while rocking some undeniably pretty 1080p movies on the format of your choice.

Toshiba targeting to sell 3 mln HD DVD players in fiscal 2007 - report
Published on : Thu, 26 Apr 2007 22:56
By : Agencies
URL : http://www.abcmoney.co.uk/news/25200761977.htm


TOKYO (XFN-ASIA) - Toshiba Corp aims to sell around 3 mln players compatible with the HD DVD next-generation optical disc format in the current year to March 2008, up sharply from the 250,000 units it sold last fiscal year, the Nikkei financial daily reported, without citing sources.

The global market for next-generation DVD players is seen at 4-5 mln units in fiscal 2007, with Toshiba seeking a 60-70 pct share, the Nikkei said.

To better compete with companies promoting the rival Blu-ray Disc format, Toshiba plans to continue with its strategy of cutting prices and releasing low-priced players in the US, the largest market, according to the newspaper.

The company slashed prices of both entry-level and midrange players by 100 usd there this month, bringing price tags to 399 usd and 499 usd, respectively.

http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/070516/sfw056.html

HD DVD Promotional Group Launches National Marketing and Retail Campaigns For Spring Promotion of HD DVD Format
Wednesday May 16, 12:00 pm ET
In-cinema trailers expected reach of 30 million consumers on 12,000 screens nationwide; $100 rebate on select Toshiba players bring price to an industry-first $299.99*

LOS ANGELES, May 16 /PRNewswire/ -- The companies supporting HD DVD began spring marketing and retail campaigns in May, running in-cinema trailers to promote the HD DVD format. Playing to record-breaking crowds of consumers in front of some of the summer's biggest blockbusters, including Spiderman 3, the trailers are designed to educate consumers about the quality and value of HD DVD, and will play for four weeks. The trailers showcase the amazing audio and video quality, the stunning interactive features available only on HD DVD, and the incredible line-up of films already on the market.
According to National CineMedia, the number of impressions is expected to reach approximately 30 million viewers. The trailer will run across a network of 932 theaters and on 12,000 screens nationwide, including the top three movie theater chains Regal, AMC and Cinemark.

To augment the trailer campaign, Toshiba is offering a one month promotion for an instant, in-store rebate on select HD DVD players, bringing the price of some models down to an industry-first $299.99*. Beginning May 20th, 2007, consumers buying a Toshiba HD-A2 model player will receive an immediate $100 instant rebate in store, for an attractive price of $299.99*.

During the final week of the rebate period, from June 10th through June 16th, 2007, Toshiba will increase the incentive for consumers to enjoy high definition. Consumers can apply the $100 rebate to any Toshiba HD DVD player, resulting in prices of $299.99* for the HD-A2 or $399.99* for the HD-A20 models. Or consumers can buy any Toshiba HDTV 42" and over (measured diagonally) along with any Toshiba HD DVD player and receive an instant $200 rebate in store on the collective purchase.

Consumers who purchase any Toshiba HD DVD player can also get five HD DVD titles for free, choosing from a selection of 15 movies. This offer is available through July 31, 2007 and in conjunction with the previously listed promotion and rebate -- full offer details are available at www.toshibahddvd.com.

"HD DVD is an evolution of the DVD format into high definition, but the format offers much more, so educating consumers on the quality and new features is an important step as more households purchase high definition televisions," said Jodi Sally, vice president of marketing at Toshiba America Consumer Products. "We know that price is a powerful driver for consumers to adopt new technology, which is why our rebate promotion is a great incentive to bring cinema-quality, high definition movies into your home today."

The rebate will be available across a wide range of retailers, including Best Buy, Circuit City, HHGregg, Amazon.com and many others. The marketing and retail campaigns will also coincide with the Warner Home Video release of The Complete Matrix Trilogy and Letters from Iwo Jima, and the Paramount Home Entertainment release of Flags of Our Fathers on May 22nd, and will be supported by a multi-million dollar advertising campaign incorporating TV, online, newspaper, and radio.

*MSRP on Toshiba HD DVD Player models: (HD-A2) $399.99, (HD-A20) $499.99 and (HD-XA2) $799.99.

Instant rebate offer available only at participating retailers.

About HD DVD

HD DVD is the next generation, post-DVD standard for high capacity, high definition optical discs, approved by the DVD Forum, which develops and defines DVD formats. Its more than 220 strong membership brings together leaders in movies and entertainment, computing, consumer electronics and software. HD DVD is fast becoming the primary visual medium for the age of high-definition TV. The North American HD DVD Promotional Group, Inc. is an organization established to promote the HD DVD format and educate consumers in North America. For more information and a complete listing of HD DVD launch titles please visit http://www.TheLookAndSoundOfPerfect.com.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Source: HD DVD Promotional Group

Lossless sound should be coming on a title I've mentioned above. I'm sure you guys can guess which one will have it.

Hint: It has a cheesy love song in it.

Okay...this newest promotion with all the free dvds is seriously making me consider throwing my hat in the ring for an HD-DVD player. I was an early adopter to dvd and the only thing that hurt me later was when they went to progressive scan.

My questions are:

I HDTV is around 5 years old and doesn't even have DVI much less HDMI. I would have to hook it up thru component video. Is it worth it? Are my standard dvds going to look any better due to the upconverting since I can't use DVI or HDMI? Is there a chance in the future where it will only work thru HDMI and component only people are screwed?

My nicest dvd player that still works perfectly is the acclaimed mid-level Denon-1600. I have always had 7.1 sound capability but of course there are very few standard dvds that even use 6.1. I have no plans to upgrade my largest HD set until it dies or until a 65" or larger hits under $1000. My other HDTVs all have HDMI but the HD-DVD player would go on my largest TV of course.

Just don't know if someone in my position should take the plunge. The deals are tempting (even though I would get rid of the majority of the free 5 dvds) and I have always been the first on my block to have the newest stuff. I just haven't felt compelled to buy a HD-DVD or Blueray player...I guess due to the format war.

Another quick question...do these players do DVD-Audio or SACD? I never bought a SACD player but my Denon does do DVD-Audio and it would suck to give that up.

Top Gun w/lossless sound????

You can take full advantage of HD DVD through component. To this point no discs have had any restrictions put on them. What doesn't make sense is DVD upconversion is not allowed through component so your DVDs will not look better than on the Denon. To get upconversion with any player you will have to use DVI or HDMI.

There is no DVD Audio support or SACD on any of the HD DVD players.

Well, that decides it for me. No reason for me to jump on it at this time. Looks like I have to pass until my HDTV dies or my dvd player dies. Maybe by then something will have been decided on the format war.

Thanks for the answers Darkside!

I think you're missing the fact that the HD DVDs themselves will play in full HD quality over component.

You sir get a cookie!

No, I get that. I was just looking for some extra functionality before I toss a bunch of money at a format that is still not settled.

The format is settled. You will never be allowed to upscale standard DVDs over Component. Not on an HD DVD player, not on a Blu-ray player. The DVD Forum specifically prohibits it.

If you want to upscale (at the player, versus at the display), you will need to upgrade to an HDTV with HDMI. It's not fair, but that's the way it is.

Kenny Logins Danger Zone is considered a love song?