I wonder if there's anyone else like me?

Ok, if we all had the same money, it'll be simple, but is there anyone who's been holding out until the prices go down for blue ray and HD-DVD titles and software?

If I had lots of money, I would of brought one already, but my aim this christmas is to get:

Projector
AV-for the hd sounds
HD player as they are more affordable, and deal with how to play blue ray later. I can build up a HD DVD collection while I figure when and what I do for blue ray later.


Projector prices are tumbling with 1080p projectors sending previous reference quality ones down

I have speakers from my 5.1 set up for dvd to use for a potential 7.1 set up,



Is anyone else waiting for a projector like me?

Anyone saving money and sticking with existing equipment like old speakers/bass speakers

I don't see any reason to hold out and miss on great titles in HD.

(unless you're poor and really can't afford it)

I dove in head first the last couple of months. If you can afford it and movies are your thing then I don't see any reason to hold out a year or more to maybe save a hundred bucks or so. Some people blow money on their car and some at the bar, but I prefer to spend my money on some quality digital entertainment. I've got friends that will easily blow a hundred bucks in one night at the bar, but scoff at the notion of paying 20-25 bucks for a great movie.

Hardware pricing is one thing, but software? Do you really expect a new, improved product with limited distribution to cost the same as an older, marked-down product that can be produced and sold in far greater quantities? Aside from Fox's catalog titles, I've found the pricing to be reasonable. I don't like the combo premium either but at least I understand it.

If you want to wait for lower prices, fine, but realize it could take years, just like it did with DVD (no, stupid dot-com giveaways were a fluke and don't really count as actual street prices).

I was holding out, but decided to jump in on the Amazon Free 3 Deal that subtracted the cost of a combo. Picked up the A2 and returned my upconverting Sony DVD player to Costco..total cost of an upgrade was about $20-$30 since I sold the free ones.

I am planning on picking up very few titles, and I went back to Netflix to get HD.

SeanValen,

I just watched The Thing last night on HD DVD, with my HD-XA2, and it looked amazing. Crisp, clear, and I noticed details I never saw when I viewed the movie before. This is one of my favorite movies, and I can still remember watching it with my grandfather back in the mid-80's when it came out on cable. Scared the doo-doo outta me, and with this HD version...it still did.

Don't intend on this becoming a review, but the details of the "thing" itself are incredible. It's amazing this much detail can be taken from an early 80's movie, and then we have some transfers which just look like shit, and were released in the 90's. Oh well. The scenes of where the thing is brought back from the Norwegian camp early in the film to be investigated, and the scenes just after it is placed in the dog kennel and torched and an autopsy is performed also has great clarity.

You picked a good time to get a projector. The holidays will certainly provide you with some great deals.

It's much easier to grab a few HD titles every few weeks, than to buy a player and then have nothing to watch. Because then you're forced to go on a buying spree for titles, which isn't good.

I feel the same way. Movies are my thing and this is where my money goes. And that's what made it easier to go High Def because this is where it's at.

If I had been old enough to work and had a decent job I would've bought into laserdiscs.

I'm holding out until there is one hd format. I have no incentive to take any chances with my money. Whatever format loses will be coasters within a few years.

In my opinion, the studios made a big mistake. They keep focusing on the technical aspects in their marketing. They should really be marketing HD disk formats to the general public as an upgrade for DVD that can still play DVDs. The public understands upgrades, so long as it plays DVDs, people would be more open to buying an HD player.

Either way, two formats = I'm out.

Since you can rent HD from NetFlix, I see no reason not to own a player. Indeed, I recently picked up a Toshiba with 8 titles for $220 from Amazon, even though I don't own an HDTV yet (obviously that won't be true for too much longer).

It was the local availability of Laserdisc rentals that tipped my purchase of an LD player, back in the day, since I watch far more movies than I'm willing to buy, and still do. The cost of the player, amortized over the number of movies I rented, was insignificant.

Even if HD DVD doesn't ultimately survive, I expect to rent enough movies in the format that the cost of the player will be nothing but a meaningless number.

r

I (for an unknown reason) am set on getting a Blu-ray player around X-mas when prices should hopefully hit under $300. But now I second-guessing myself. The main reason I didn't want HD was because I've read a lot of complaints about faulty combo discs, which can be an issue if something is only released in that format. Can someone tell me how HD handles playback on SD? Or should I just stick with using my upconverting Sony player for SD's? I know some BR players have issues with SD playback, so that is beginning to turn me off to the idea of owning one. Plus, John Carpenter is a huge factor for me in which format I choose, and with most of his greatest films at Universal I'd need an HD player to enjoy them. The Thing is my favorite film of all time.

This is something I have never encountered. I have 5 or 6 combos and never a glitch. Make sure you have the most recent firmware and you'll have no worries.

I have the flagship XA2 which houses the Silicon Optix Reon-VX HQV video processor. Upconversion of SD titles is what it's best known for, and quite frankly, the results are beyond amazing. Go demo one for yourself and see what I mean.

1. You won't see a Blu-ray player for $300 at Christmas. If you do, its going to be a G1 machne (Samsung/Sony), and its something that will not be compatible with Profile 1.1. Some movies may not play at all, long load times, special features won't work. To update firmware you must download an ISO and burn a disc.

2. Faulty Combo discs have pretty much been fixed by now. It has to do with the way they were made (too much glue). Many of us have never had problems with them (myself with owning 20+ included). FACT right now is there are two movies that are unplayable on 3 standalone players. FACT every HD DVD movie released can play on EVERY HD DVD player. Firmware updates are done via Ethernet (built-in to every HD DVD player) or by download the ISO and burning a disc (which is faster)

Is anyone? The vast majority of movie buyers are holding out and still bying DVDs.

Home theater enthusiasts that spend time on message boards - most won't hold out. There are worse ways to spend money.

I doubt I'm buying anything until there's a format winner. I've made a significant investment in DVD and am basically satisfied. I've used HD as an excuse not to buy a DVD for about a year now (focused more on other interests). It's frustrating trying to store and move around a movie library. I've found little interest in rewatching a movie more than once (if at all).

I'm waiting to see if a new format (4k?) that's claimed to approach/surpass the quality of what's shown in the theater becomes a possibility. If HD-DVD/Blu-Ray continue to struggle to gain traction, I wouldn't be shocked if a next generation format gets sped up. The audio market settled on CD. I don't see the video market settling on these HD formats. In a year or two I'll reasses these formats. I'll rent for now.

i agree completely. i think these people complaining about software prices have forgotten the cost of DVDs in the first few years.

Coasters? Even if HD-DVD loses this format battle, all those movies that have been released on the format have turned all their DVD counterparts into coasters.

In the early days of DVD, I have never gotten so many great deals on movies. Other than the Free HD-DVDs or Blu-rays with a purchase of a player there's no incentive like there was back in the days of DVD.

Yeah, early adopters of DVD got some amazing deals that thus far haven't been replicated on such a mass scale with the new formats. Amazon has good to great deals fairly often, but with DVD it seemed like you could get a library of hundreds of discs for pennies on the dollar.

i think perhaps your memory may have exaggerated the reality a bit. that being said, there were some excellent deals at some online retailers in the early days of DVD, which some savvy consumers were able to take advantage of. however, i'm referring to average retail pricing of DVDs, not the occasional, absurd 800.com megadeal.

and for what its worth, there are some pretty incredible deals on HDM when you buy a player to get your library going. look no further than this week at Best Buy, where you can get the HD-A30 with a total of 9 free HD DVDs.

Supposedly in the next month or so we are going to see a 399.00 PS3. I know it isn't 300 but it is the cost of one of the upper end HD players. If you want a Blu-Ray player then get a PS3 for its' ability to be updated. If you want an HD player get one of the newer models and avoid some of the technical headaches of some of the older, cheaper models. If you get an HD player make sure that it can be connected to the net so you can download updates. Nothing would suck worse than to have to wait for an update disc in order to be able to watch a movie you purchased.

Well I bought my first blue ray discs, I picked up Deliverance and Crank yesterday, and I will have an Hdtv to go with my PS3 by the end of the year, after that I may get an HD-DVD player because I want Transformers in HD.

I am holding out on Blue-Ray.

The HD-DVD player hit my magic price point and I got several free movies. Then Halo 3 came out and I bought a Xbox 360.

So at this point, I really don't need another gaming system or movie player. Yeah, I have to live without certain titles right now but it's not worth the big money for me to buy another player when I have two other products that mostly fill that need. Hell, I barely have time to watch all my DVDs, HD-DVDs thru Netflix, and play my 360.

When a BR player or a PS3 hits my magic price point, then I will pull the trigger. Until then, I have enough to keep me busy.

I'm trying to hold out for a good dual player and/or more releases of software. So far, I'd mostly have to double dip and don't plan on doing that except for a rare few. The Samsung that's coming soon may be it. But, at the same time, my dvd watching has decreased since I stopped buying awhile ago anticipating a purchase of one/or both hd format players. Directv's been launching new hd stations this month and they're looking pretty good. Not sure I even need an hd player at this point.

But, I'll probably wind up buying something this xmas

I think the format that wins will also be coasters within a few years. I give either a limited shelf life. Direct streaming will be with us before you know it.

my 2cents worth....

the original posters question:
here's the question that I pose to the original poster :

- what are you EXPECTING to SEE via a projector - HD 1080p or HD ready (as many of the recent ones) ?
- what price would you PAY to see a movie - either a 'cheaper' SD version which can be 'upscaled' vs the HD or Bluray prices ?
- what are you EXPECTING to hear with a 7.1 SOUND system vs a 5.1 system ?


I'm running a Pana PTAE900 here from an LG HDD DVD recorder that can upscale to 1080i - with a 5.1 sound system.

I'm actually watching this on a BLANK WALL - not a proper screen.

Can I just say - THIS IS PERFECT ENOUGH FOR ME - the picture I get is around 92in - AND the picture is as good enough for my home cinema that I don't bother with going to the cinema as much.


There are a stack of 'comments' and posts about the FANTASTIC DIFFERENCE between SD and HD DVD. I recall seeing picture comparisons from AEON FLUX (where Frances McCormands' hair is 'supposedly' CLEARER IN HD - granted I couldnt care because you don't really look for that) - or a comparison picture of the police badge in THE DEPARTED - INCREDIBLE clarity ... however you only SEE THIS BADGE for a FRACTION OF A SECOND in the movie !!!!!

There is a comment in this thread - .

What details are you seeing that you've never seen before ?? Is it new characters... licence plate numbers.... items in the background .... how close are you ACTUALLY WATCHING the movie ?? I'm more interested in watching the film - than knowing that there are more pixels stored on the disc in HD or Bluray. On a projector screen - THE THING in SD upscaled looks great.


Then there's SOUND - do you have a dedicated room that could allow for 8 speakers ? Are you able to turn the volume up so as to not disturb the others in the house or neighbours ??



From an Australian's POV - HD and Blu-ray MAY become more popular in time - but its going to have to drop its prices CONSIDERABLE NOW if anyone is going to take it seriously.

Example - SD 2 disc version of X-MEN 3 is $A12 in B&M stores. Blu-ray is $A39. Is the public willing to spend near 3.5 times the price for this title ?

I'd much prefer to have 3 to 4 films in my hand to watch - than 1.


Most of the comments here are from 'guys' whom have been contributing to these forums for years (note the DVD talk hall of fame / gold edition !) which is fair enough - but I still don't think Joe and Jill Average are caring about HD, Blu-ray, TrueHD, DTS-HD, DTS-ES, HDMI, 1080P at the moment.

All Joe and Jill care about...is whether the movie looks more detailed than what they are used to. In most cases, I think they will be impressed. There are a handful of HD titles which aren't impressive, however.

Well, if you're presenting an argument about the artistic value of a movie over the resolution of a movie, then I have to ask you a follow-up question. Do you not think viewing a movie at a higher resolution, reveals the creativity of the director more properly? Before DVD, we collected VHS movies (some of us Laserdiscs such as myself), so a person collecting VHS movies could've said exactly what you're saying. And we all know how much better DVD was and how it tookover VHS. Tookover Laserdisc even. HD is the next step in delivering the content to the viewer from the creator, as close as possible to the original quality of what was intended. Now, indeed, we have many films which didn't look so good initially, and were then remastered. But we also have directors who didn't have the technology we had today, and are remastering their films to the spec they would have wanted back then. You couldn't do this with DVD. There's just not enough resolution to hold the information.

Right now, I'm watching Battle Of The Bulge, and the colors are more gradient, the entire picture is absolutely gorgeous. The uniforms of the US Troops and Nazis are more defined, and the reflections and light bouncing off the medals gives them a more three-dimensional look.

You wanted more answers regarding The Thing. Ok. One of the major problems with DVD or any highly-compressed source, is it loses the subtleties of reflections. Small reflections of light contribute greatly to an image. Your eyes are very perceptive of this, but they are also great deceivers, in that they will work with the brain to fill in areas which aren't there, or what you expect to see. I've compared my DVD version of the thing, and this is exactly what's going on. In addition, the image appears "fuzzy" or "out of focus" when I go back to the DVD version. Your eyes don't know what it's missing if it's never seen it before. Same way with listening to a mono track of a movie, and then hearing a DD5.1 soundtrack for the first time. If you never heard the DD5.1 track, you'd proclaim the monotrack was just fine, and why would a person want anything different. Well, you'd have to actually hear the new audio to understand the difference.

I've noticed these reflection subtleties consistency on my HD DVDs since I've received my XA2 only a few days ago. But I've also noticed areas where the image does not improve much above DVD. For example, in The Thing, when MacReady is flying the chopper back from the Norweigan Base Camp. You see a shot of the chopper coming back in the late afternoon. I observed much more noise because of the way the shot was recorded. It wasn't bad, but it was certainly noticeable above other key shots in the film where HD was an improvement.

As to upscaling SD DVDs, well, it does look better...but it's not HD. Can't say it any more specific than that. It's like upconverting a 100x100 image with Genuine Fractals Pro to 1000x1000, and comparing the same image taken at 1000x1000. You can upsample till you're silly in the face, but it will not change the fact it is upsampling from an inferior image. You cannot gain image quality, if it never existed on the source material in the first place.

How far am I from the picture source? I don't think that matters in this case as the distance is not indicative (I suppose it would be if I was watching the movie on a 13" screen and I was across the room versus sitting in front of it, but who does that?). But I can tell you, I'm not sitting 2-inches from my 50" plasma screen, and I can also tell you, I don't have a football stadium-sized room, with the television on one end, and my couch on the other. I have my television in a typical room, with a typical distance of my couch from it (about 9ft I think). Some are 8ft from their set. Some are 7ft. And still, some are 10ft or 11ft from their television.

As far as sound, I don't need to be deaf when watching a movie, and I don't have the system on MUTE, either. I don't need to second-guess what my neighbors are going to think when I turn on my receiver. Maybe some people need the sound incredibly loud...but I don't. I don't see how loud my audio system would contribute to my comments on a movie.

You seem to think the average public is not going to spend more money on a movie. They most definitely will. HD DVDs are not too much more than regular DVDs. Maybe in Australia where you're just fucked on prices altogether, but in the US where a large majority of the HD success will be decided, we aren't paying too much over here. When a sale comes along, I pay an average of $15-$17 USD. In fact, they aren't much more than the 2-disc "Collector's Editions" which come out on regular DVD already.

How much were consumers originally spending on DVDs when they came out? I'll tell you. I paid $34.99 and $29.99 for titles back in 1998/1999. Then they came down to $19.99, and recently, you can get them for under $5.

I don't expect HD to be a hit overnight. But I do expect it to be successful.

I agree about the lighting issue. When I was in film school they always told us how lighting was the most important technical aspect of the film.

I never paid much attention to it till I started watching movies in High Definition. Lighting is what is most important in separating objects in the foreground from the background.

As far as The Thing goes, I noticed one dude has a nose piercing I had never noticed before.