RoboDad

And when you no longer have a working player?

darkside

I get this arguement, but find it unlikely. My original DVD player still works fine (my son uses it daily) and I still have a working laserdisc player. HD DVD players will continue to be sold for some time so I just don't see a situation where I would need to rebuy all my HD DVDs on Blu-ray. Just won't happen. Again, if Warner wants to make the TotalHD discs standard as their only releases and charges the same I can live with it, but I don't want to pay more on every disc for insurance I will probably never use.

Drexl

Well, if I have to buy them again, I will. I'm just saying that I'm not going to be in any hurry to get them replaced when I can still watch them, especially considering that buying them on the other format would in most cases offer no advantange other than just having them on that format. However, I might buy something again if it gets re-released with something compelling like a remastered transfer, more special features, etc.

Even if HD DVD was to die today, it would probably be several years before I would have to get the titles replaced. At the very least, I'd wait for price drops and big sales.

RoboDad

That sounds like a fair and reasonable answer.

Of course, there are other factors in the Total HD proposal that still (IMO) make it a good idea. Most consumers are still taking a wait-and-see attitude in the format war. Having discs in stores that cover both formats (assuming that there isn't a ridiculous premium price for them) would only help increase sales, and speed acceptance of HD in general. Plus, it would give studios more shelf space to work with, since only one slot would be required per Total HD title, as opposed to two with the current system.

Spiky

You just described digital copying, but without the digital. That would, indeed, be silly.

Maybe you could just have a $150 DVDR in your HT. Burn a copy when you feel like it, maybe on the way to bed one night. (hit play, hit record, what's the big deal?) Play the 480i/stereo copy in your minivan or on the TV with no 5.1. What's the harm of a lesser version on a lesser setup? Were you going to drag your HDDVD player to the other TV and on the road to play the original disc? And copies are good for a loaner, too.

The copies of HD programs I make on my Panny DVDR are as good as most purchased DVDs. (I mean video, there's no 5.1 audio) This works for quick copies of DVD, too.

ogden2k

At first we had to worry about HD-DVD or BluRay, now another media is thrown into the war, TotalHD. This is getting to be ridiculous, I, as a customer want to just go to the store and pickup a movie that is in HD- I don't care what format it is, as long as it's in HD and at an affordable price.

Look at how well DVD sales are doing, the reason being is because you just go into the store and buy what you want for a movie, you don't have to worry about what media format it's in.

I have money saved for an HD player but have decided to continue to purchase standard DVDs until the war is over and just buy a good up converting DVD player.

What are your thoughts?

Adam Tyner

...but with Total HD, you don't have to care what format is it. You'll be able to play it either way.

ogden2k

And what happens if backers of either side decide to not use TotalHD? Has any of the companies stated that they will be using TotalHD?

corbin dallas

I believe this to be one of the main reasons HD formats are not doing so well. The average Joe doesn't want to have to choose between the two. What if Average Joe makes the wrong choice? Now they have a somewhat obsolete piece of equipment and an expensive one at that. As others have stated the consumers will end up deciding wich format survives with the exception of the possibility of an inexpensive multi format player.

Also Total HD as Adam stated a would be somewhat foolproof.

Adam Tyner

Warner, New Line, and HBO. No one else has announced that they'll be using it, but Warner has very recently tossed the idea out there, and they've stated that they won't try to collect royalties for any other company interested in it.

ogden2k

All of those if I'm correct support HD-DVD, I wouldn't think that Sony would be for TotalHD.

Sigh... I just want to watch Superman Returns, Lady in the Water, etc in HD without worrying if I wasted $ on the media and equipment.

DVD Josh

I think you are totally misunderstanding TotalHD. TotalHD can be played on either a HD-DVD or Bluray player. It's not a COMPETING format, it's a unified format.

ogden2k

I realize that, but its going to confuse people even more because not all publishers are going to support this.

Burnt Thru

Has anyone even seen a Total HD disc yet, let alone seen one play in either a BD or HD DVD player (or the LG)? Personally I'll believe it can be made to work when it is demonstrated.

Pistol Pete

There's no reason to believe it won't work. It's just a flipper disk for christsake.

Burnt Thru

BD50s were apparently considered almost science fiction by Amir not long ago. Now they want to add even more layers of complexity to the replication process? More complexity means more coasters. Disney seem to be wondering the same thing. BTW I'd certainly be interested to see how physically thick these discs would have to be, and whether they would fit into slot drives already on the market.

digitalfreaknyc

agreed.

This format war is getting worse and worse as the days go by.

Adam Tyner

A Total HD disc of Superman Returns was demonstrated on an HD DVD player at CES.

ChrisHicks

every time I'm in Best Buy or whatever I usually see some poor person looking at HD/BD and trying to decide if they want to buy in. usually they just pass on it because of the fear of "the wrong choice". I was looking at the selection at Best Buy and ended up talking to this one guy. he wanted to buy an HD-DVD player because he heard great things about it. he liked alot of the movies released but also liked alot of the Blu-Ray stuff as well. he said he just can't afford to buy both and he was afraid that with his luck whichever he chooses would be the one to go under. its the same thing every time I end up talking to someone.

Centurion

It costs the studios to press these things onto a disc.
How realistic is it to believe that these will cost only a few dollars more than the current high def selections?

My thoughts are that if Total HD discs hit the market, expect to pay a premium even more so than current HDDVD/DVD Combo discs. My guess is >$45-50. Not good.

Second, it's ridiculous to charge the consumer more for a Total HD disc when they can support only one of the formats.

Third, so you've been blessed with a cash flow to support both formats. When you buy a Total HD movie, which format will you watch it in, both? Will it be more exciting to watch it in BD vs. HDDVD or vice versa?

Total HD is not practical. Admittedly, my 'assumptions' are based on cost which none of us know at present.

DVD Josh

I guess then I don't understand your point, or I just don't find it well taken (no disrespect intended).

The Bus

This will work better if it's better labeled. Adding a "Total HD" to the mix is going to be even more confusing. I'd go with a dual-color case design (maybe blue in the front & red in the back, or purple) with BOTH shiny logos up top.

The way it's being labeled now just seems much more confusing. I'm also not a huge fan of interactivity not being on some players of both sides.

dfnyc: This format war has been bad from the beginning. It can't get worse, it can only get better.

Adam Tyner

From http://www.videobusiness.com/article/CA6406192.html

bunkaroo

Even if they clear the technical hurdle of getting dual-layered versions on both sides and they'r enot glitchy, what will be the cost? It's bad enough HD-DVD combos and Fox BD's list for $40-do we want all our discs listing for this price?

DJ_Longfellow

I guess I'll tolerate this if the prices stay about the same as a normal HD or Blu-Ray disc. I mean, how many people own a Blu-Ray and HD-DVD of Superman Returns...that seems rather pointless to me.

Also, losing out on the disc art just sucks too. I know the Combo HD/DVD ones are that way, but I like it. I really don't see this next gen catching on too much except with people that actually follow it. I mean, the general public will have NO CLUE about all these new formats.