I presume then looking at this thread decent quality players that can do both is not something on the horizon.

That's what I want to know too.

I've been dying to see 300 in HD along with some other titles and Transformers is another one that I've wanted to see in HD ever since I saw it when it first came out.

I believe I asked about dual players in this very forum a while back. I'm curious to know if there is any new information out there.

The upcoming Samsung combo is meant to be awesome, but it may not be BD 1.1/2.0 compliant.

I've heard just a little bit about the Samsung. Couple questions:

1. When is it supposed to come out?

2. What do you mean by not being BD 1.1/2.0 compliant?

1) I had originally heard Q4 2007 as the release date, but I had also heard that it's been delayed, so at the moment I'm not sure.

2) Blu-ray has yet to finalize certain aspects of their technical specifications. Things like dual-video processing (for PiP commentary) and web-enabled features have not been complete yet. These are going to be added later in profiles denoted by numbers. 1.1 is meant to be finalized at the end of this month. It is possible that the reason for the delay I have heard about is that Samsung IS planning to make it 1.1 compliant.

So being 1.1/2.0 compliant doesn't really have anything to do with video or audio quality. I'm not a HUGE extras guy. I'm really more interested in high quality video and audio. Not being 1.1/2.0 compliant shouldn't really affect me right?

From what has been said, it seems that players without 1.1/2.0 functionality should be able to play the movie portions of later discs just fine. However, until we get the discs in our hands, we won't know for sure.

You have got to be kidding me. Please say you're kidding.

If you are serious, the answer is OF COURSE NOT.

Well in some cases it just might take one particular title to edge someone into high definition. I'm sure that he won't stop there with that one title thus making the purchase well worth his while.

Well, I own a PS3 player now, and if cheap standalone HD players start to hit around Christmas time, as they're rumored to- around $100, I might pick one up. Otherwise I'm going to pass. Plenty of movies on Blu to buy as it is.

I bought mine primarily to be ready for Blade Runner and the Kubrick reissues. Ordered Transformers too though. I'm sure you'll find more than one film to watch on it.

The level of interactivity on HDM is way beyond what is available from SD DVD. What's been released to date is just the tip of the iceberg. How do you know for certain that you wouldn't be interested in what the future will bring?

Yeah, these are definitely the ones that make me wanna jump as well.
In fact it's probably even more about these movies as it is about recent and forthcoming movies to go buy an HD player. It just doesn't feel smart to re-buy these movies again on standard DVD. Same for Coppola's Godfather films, which are gonna be released in newly restored/spruced up HD versions.

FYI: BD-J (1.1) is now finally ready for Blu-Ray, and Warner has announced their first Blu title with IME- T3, so the titles for both formats should start to even out with interactivity functions and such.

Exciting news for both formats...

I'll be getting a new PS3 in a month or so. Primarily what set me off is Close Encounters - one of my favorite films of all time.

But obviously I know there's plent other Blu titles i'll be getting in the future as well.

Well the thing is that I just don't know. So far, with only standard discs, I haven't been overly interested in the special features. Sure, I'll watch some interviews and stuff but rarely has anything really peaked my interest. The Alien Quadrilogy was an exception. That's probably the only set I've ever just sat and watched extras for a night and didn't even watch any of the movies on that particular occasion. The Criterions have great extras as well. It's just that for movies like Transformers or 300 or others that I'm buying mainly for video/audio quality I doubt I'd be too interested in whatever extras might be there. I mean really...do I want to listen to a Michael Bay commentary? :-)

In any event, your'e right though. I probably don't know what's available as far as HD extras so I might, in fact, end up being interested.

At the rate things are going, it'll probably take a year or 2 more for things to pan out. And since i have a PS3 already, i get to enjoy every movie in Hi-Def from now on till a format is decided. For now, Transformers look stunning and i am enjoying every minute of it. I probably will rent more than buy till then. I am a supporter of Blu Ray but you know what, i also don't want to deprived myself of HD. I've spend more on silly things, so this $200 is probably a good decision for me. Let me tell you, Megan does look sharper and hotter on HD.

It's up to you. However, just for Transformers? No...is my opinion. However, if you plan on buying others, then yes. Blu-Ray and HD-DVD will live for another 5 years or more. No one is giving up....who knows...you might get into a deadly accident tomorrow....just buy it!

Back in the day I spent over a grand just to have a Star Wars party.

$750 LD player
$250 SW THX box set
>$50 pizza

Awesome.

T3 does not use BD-J or 1.1 for its PiP. It's a workaround.