Wow, great review.

I don't know about the A2 but I know you can access web features with the HD-DVD drive with the Xbox 360.

I'll need to make a note about this in the review when I get a free moment. All HD DVD players can access the web-content. The ethernet connection and in-player storage are both a mandatory part of the HD DVD spec and have been so since launch. The only player I don't know about is the LG combo player, since it doesn't meet HD DVD specs. I would presume that the LG would not be able to play these features, as they require HDi.

Here's a pic comparison from another forum:

As for a tangible reason why someone should pick up HD-DVD just for this movie, here. The first is a screen from my DVD copy.



Here's a screen from the HD-DVD copy.

This is one of the best reviews I have read on DVDTalk to date. Great writing, really entertaining and descriptive, as well as informative. Kudos!

Thanks, Rusty! I stayed up all night working on it, but I wanted to get it up as soon as possible.

Wow. This movie is looking better and better each and every time I read a review. The DVD to HD DVD screencaps is AMAZING. Simply AMAZING!

Excellent review! Can't wait for my copy from Amazon.

am I crazy, or is the aspect ratio different than the DVD?
(at least, in those screen caps...)

I added a note about web connectivity on HD DVD players to the review.

The HD cap is just a portion of the image.

HighDefDigest.com has an equally impressed review up - http://hddvd.highdefdigest.com/1110/transformers.html

So will this movie ever hit Blu-Ray?

Not until the deal with Paramount for HD exclusivity runs out. I believe that's through 2008 or 2009.

This is HD-DVD exclusive. No Blu-Ray.

Or until Toshiba throws in the towel. But if that never happens, will Paramount offer this on Blu-Ray after the HD Exclusivity deal runs out? What about the Paramount movies already realeased on BR? Will they continue to press new ones? i.e. MI:3

I wonder if this is a contracted exclusivity or if this just a format preference? Could Paramount just decide in Mid-2008 to release in both format again?

It's contracted exclusivity. It runs through at least 2008, from what I recall. After that point Paramount can do whatever they want. They already cancelled BR releases for discs they had pressed. Existing stocks of BR discs aren't being replenished. They're simply not making them any more, per contract.

Once said contract runs out or Toshiba folds then, yes, obviously Paramount would be free to reconsider BR support. There's no guarantee they will or won't.

Pretty sure one of the top execs at Paramount said the exclusive deal was indefinitely. So that could mean FOREVER.

Maybe he meant not definite.

Yeah, it's like freakin' night and day. Can't wait and can't believe Im going to be enjoying this in HD very, VERY soon.

Well atleast I won't have to debate getting it now.

Posters on AVS and Hidefdigest are reporting that the CC BOGO glitch is working for Transformers HD DVD and they are getting it for $15.

Details quick... and thanks in advance!

I can confirm this, though supposedly it's not a glitch but a very quiet sale on all HD media.

Is there a code required?