I cannot see much use of both the SD and HD versions on the same disc -- especially if it costs me an extra $12 or so. Yes, I know that some people may also want the SD version for when they travel or to use on a different DVD player in the house, but my feeling is that this need is rare. Thus the purpose of the poll. How popular really IS the combo version?

I noticed Firewall HDVD: but it only comes in combo, you can't get it stand alone HD-DVD, correct?

I noticed Firewall HDVD: but it only comes in combo, you can't get it stand alone HD-DVD, correct?

Those that are made "combo" are not available stand alone HD. You must buy the combo if you want the HD presentation. They retail for about $40 USD. However they DO make a stand alone SD version.

I don't know what Warner is thinking.... Who are the people on crack making these decisions? Any of us would make better board directors than those clowns....

I don't know what Warner is thinking.... Who are the people on crack making these decisions? Any of us would make better board directors than those clowns....

Well . . . obviously the ONLY reason they do it is to make additional profit under the guise of "customers want it."

Added cost to Warner for creating hybrids, NIL.

Selling a weak flick (IMDB=5.7) @ $40 for HD starved fans almost sounds like a smart move. They won't get my money with decisions like that. Only reason I'd buy a hybrid is if the cost was the same as an HD-DVD release and no HD-DVD only copy was available.

Only reason I'd buy a hybrid is if the cost was the same as an HD-DVD release and no HD-DVD only copy was available.

Well, that is the issue: "Firewall" Harrison Ford..... only version available for HD-DVD is the HD-DVD hybrid... If you want to see it in HD-DVD, you gots to buy the hybrid.

These combo formats should be priced the same as the SD releases if Warner is serious about promoting HD. The way they're doing it now they're just making those who do own HD DVD players pay more... or pass on buying a movie they otherwise would. This is piss poor marketing IMO.

I own every HD DVD except Rumor Has It and Firewall wanna guess why? I would really love to have Firewall but not for $40 freaking dollars! Same goes with 16 blocks next week. I instead opted to buy Memoirs, Munich, Narnia, and Domino at Movie Gallery for $30 with the buy 2 get 2 deal.

well for me its good. I plan on buyig a HDDVD player soon, but I want to wait till more movies come out and alot of the issues are fixed. Like sound isues and load and menu times. With these dvd and HDdvd hybrid discs I can buy the movie now and watch it on my dvd player and then watch it on my hdvd without haveing to buy a new dvd

The question doesn't make sense.

Hybrids cost only $5 more (not $12).

You are comparing costs of old movies in HD-DVD only to new releases in Combo/Hybrid format.

If you compare the cost of a new release HD-DVD only to a new release combo/hybrid, you'd see the cost difference is small ($34.99 vs. $39.99)

well for me its good. I plan on buyig a HDDVD player soon

Actually, you might want to reconsider: The Toshiba player can be found now for $400.00 and the new firmware resolves most issues... By the time you buy a bunch of hybrids, it might have been better to just buy the Toshiba player. There is also something to be said about this: wouldn't you like to watch a new movie in HD-DVD? The second time is not as much fun... Warner is on crack.... My reasoning is that if I have an option of DVD vs Blu Ray/HD-DVD version, I simply want the HD version since I don't want to waste money owning the DVD version. I'd strongly consider just spending $400.00 on the HD-DVD player..

...Problem is Firewall is only available in COMBO form.

Combos are problems. I already posted about this but I will do so again. Yesterday at my local BB some people were checking out the HD DVD player and as soon as they seen the new release Firewall for 37.99 they bailed. And in a hurry. I know it is cheaper at Amazon but most mainstream BB shoppers don't go on Amazon. When they see new Tuesday movies at 37.99 they are NOT going to buy a HD DVD player. If I want the standard version for a portable dvd player than I will purchase it seperately. HD DVDs are mainly used in peoples main room (or theater) set up. Why would they want to carry the SD version around with the HD version. It is a good concept (I admit) but not at that price. The Warner HD DVDs are 24.99 so add 13.00 more for the COMBO version. At that pricing structure we might as well buy both seperately. They better get on this quickly. The more people who see Firewall and this coming Tuesday 16 Blocks for 37.99, the more potential HD DVD buyers they LOSE... COMBO- NO THANKS! :mad: :rolleyes:

I'm not a fan of combos, nor of paying more money for them than I do for a normal HD DVD disc but some of us are going overboard. If Batman Begins were released as a combo format I don't think that would stop the majority of us from buying it. See my point? Wait till a more popular title gets a Combo only release and we'll see just how many people refuse to buy it. ;)

I would still refuse to buy it. I can HD TIVO newer releases if I have to. We have more options coming as well.... Hint. Hint.

I was all for combos, assuming minimal price difference. But if this becomes the standard from all studios it will be killing a good idea with bad marketing.

I completely agree. And I am not cheap by any means. My home theater has a MSRP of just over $40,000 (including my 6 electronic/leather reclining movie seats). But I paid a higher price for D-THEATER (92 titles) and I absolutely refuse to do it again for any new HD format. So if they are smart they will either kill the COMBO disc or make them only 5.00 more above. Actually 29.99 sounds about right. ;) And I am talking about the BBs and the CCs...

Right now the combo version doesn't interest me that much. For the inflated cost I would prefer to have just the HD. There may be some titles that I want the standard version as well for the upstairs system, so I'll buy a separate copy in SD.

Stace

Seeing as how i would expect most people voting in this thread to own HD DVD players, the voting is going to be havily one-sided. Why would someone who has an HD DVD player care about getting the SD version too? The hybrids are aimed at people who don't have HD DVD yet, not the ones who do.

I completely agree. And I am not cheap by any means. My home theater has a MSRP of just over $40,000 (including my 6 electronic/leather reclining movie seats). But I paid a higher price for D-THEATER (92 titles) and I absolutely refuse to do it again for any new HD format. So if they are smart they will either kill the COMBO disc or make them only 5.00 more above. Actually 29.99 sounds about right. ;) And I am talking about the BBs and the CCs...
COMBO discs are only $5.00 more

The reason recent COMBO's cost more than other Warner releases is because they are NEW releases. Their price is 39.99, but if they weren't COMBO's, they would cost 34.99 like Syriana next, next Tuesday.

Does this mean all newer releases will be 13.00 more. Those are the ones I care about. I haven't seen 16 Blocks or any other COMBO newer releases coming. So to see it in HD it will cost 37.99. That is more than 5.00 more. And quite INSANE! They will fail, if they stay at those prices... I will not purchase the SD version or the COMBO version. So they lose twice!

Why would someone who has an HD DVD player care about getting the SD version too? The hybrids are aimed at people who don't have HD DVD yet, not the ones who do.

So, you're saying that all of us that OWN HD DVD players are screwed! They don't care about us. They want to offer a "combo" disc for those that DON'T own an HD DVD player yet, so they can watch the movie now and, down the road, when the GET an HD DVD player, it will work on it too.

Oh. . . good thinking. In the meantime, all of those that OWN an HD DVD player will HAVE to buy the combo disk because they offer no stand-alone HD version.

If they are truly aiming these combo disks at the non HD DVD owners, then why not ALSO offer a stand alone HD DVD? They offer a stand alone SD DVD.

--------------

Personally, I doubt very many non HD DVD owners are buying the combo disks. Really! Those that don't own an HD DVD player are just buying the SD version for $15 at Wal-mart. Why would they spend $38 on a disc because they "might" buy an HD DVD player in the future.

Doesn't make any sense to me and goes against logic.

The question doesn't make sense.



Yes, it does.

Either way if any is buying COMBOs (at that price) then they're screwing themselves...

I do not know a single person who is buying HD DVDs that doesn't own a player. You are right. WHY would they pay 37.99 for COMBO discs NOW when in the future IF they by a HD DVD player I am sure they will be cheaper...

So, you're saying that all of us that OWN HD DVD players are screwed! They don't care about us. They want to offer a "combo" disc for those that DON'T own an HD DVD player yet, so they can watch the movie now and, down the road, when the GET an HD DVD player, it will work on it too.

Oh. . . good thinking. In the meantime, all of those that OWN an HD DVD player will HAVE to buy the combo disk because they offer no stand-alone HD version.

If they are truly aiming these combo disks at the non HD DVD owners, then why not ALSO offer a stand alone HD DVD? They offer a stand alone SD DVD.

--------------

Personally, I doubt very many non HD DVD owners are buying the combo disks. Really! Those that don't own an HD DVD player are just buying the SD version for $15 at Wal-mart. Why would they spend $38 on a disc because they "might" buy an HD DVD player in the future.

Doesn't make any sense to me and goes against logic.

Hey, i never said i agreed with it, but isn't it obvious that that is the strategy? I am among those that think the hybrids should be the same price as normal HD DVD's for the strategy to work as inteded, to charge more is crazy. I was just trying to point out that the poll was obviously going to be one-sided because why would anyone with an HD player care about getting the SD version too?

If the prices were the same or atleast not that much higher than I probably wouldn't mind them... :)

I dont mind combo discs, I can lend them to my SD DVD friends and in general I only do this with newer releases so I dont think they are such a bad idea. If we compare Apples to Apples then combo discs only cost $5 more and if the film fits without compression problems on 15Gb then I'm happy to pay $5 more for the combo disc.

I'm looking forward to 30Gb combos when they are released.

I would not lend a new HD DVD disc to anyone. Call me selfish but I don't like my discs playing in a bunch of different players only to come back to mine. I think that is one reason why my components last longer... I just don't like the way many people handle their discs... Especially if I had to buy one (since it was a new release) at BB for 37.99! :mad:

I hate when people ask to borrow my discs... I usually say no. No reason to have a $100,000 home theater and then have a smudged or scratched disc... F that. Then theyu say, CMON, I will be very careful, I promise... They try to make you feel cheap and untrusting, so I end up letting a couple go now and then. Oh well.

I feel the same as you do. My MSRP on my theater components is just over 40,000. And I hate when I have guests over and give them my two roledexes to pick out a movie and then they pick one and I don't have it. All because I loaned it out. I now say that I have a no loan policy. I want every movie I own ready at all times so when my guests pick a movie they want to see it is available... It's not fair to my guests.... :)

Personally . . . I think combo disks will have a greater chance of being scratched or smudged on the HD side. That, alone, is probably a good reason to avoid them.

About lending out discs. My son lends out my DVDs all the time to friends. Or he takes one over during a "sleepover" to watch. I am missing about 10 DVDs and my son has no idea who borrowed them or where they are. Also, a lot of the discs come back scratched.

Not a good idea to lend out your discs -- ESPECIALLY ones with the HD movie on one side. OMG.

If King Kong out only in combo disk at $40...yeah I'd buy it, even though I already bought the SD version.

I would not lend a new HD DVD disc to anyone. Call me selfish but I don't like my discs playing in a bunch of different players only to come back to mine. I think that is one reason why my components last longer... I just don't like the way many people handle their discs... Especially if I had to buy one (since it was a new release) at BB for 37.99! :mad:


Ok, You're Selfish :p

Funny, no one ever asked to borrow my discs. But I have offered.
Mostly I loan out my TV show sets...........never came back F'ed up or anything......Luckly I guess

Call me cheap but I'm not buying ANY format of a single movie for over 25 bones. Fry's has kept me at 19.99 and I'm happy at that price point plus a few dollars IF needed. I can't see paying more than that just because they have me by the short hairs for titles atm. If that doesn't change like DVD's did then I'll buy old movies until current releases sell at 20 bucks on release week at BB etc. It makes no sense to spend up to 40 frikken dollars on a movie I may watch twice at most. In Firewall's case it's not even worth renting IMO. I walked past it in SD and didn't think twice about picking it up.

Price Gouging early adopters is BS plain and simple. I feel like the studios are trying to milk me. Luckily I'm not a lactating male.

25 bucks for a DVD movie is my limit also. Have spent $40 for a DVHS movie once

I can't afford a hd-tv/hd-dvd in my bedroom where I do most of my late night too exhausted to sleep movie watching. I'd love to only buy one copy of each dvd. Of course I'd prefer it not be $40 but given a reasonable price I'd much prefer the combos rather than stocking seperate libraries for my living room and bedroom.

Does this mean all newer releases will be 13.00 more. Those are the ones I care about. I haven't seen 16 Blocks or any other COMBO newer releases coming. So to see it in HD it will cost 37.99. That is more than 5.00 more. And quite INSANE! They will fail, if they stay at those prices... I will not purchase the SD version or the COMBO version. So they lose twice!
For Warner at least (who is the only one putting out COMBO discs), they are only $5.00 more.

Here is the math:

An old movie costs $28.99 at regular price, these are HD-DVD only.

A new movie costs $7.00 more, $34.99. Syriana, which will be released on June 20th, will cost this much, and it is HD-DVD only.

A new movie that is in COMBO format will cost $5.00 more, like Kiss Kiss Bang Bang and 16 Blocks, $39.99.

See, the COMBO format is currently adding $5.00 to the price.


It doesn't make sense to compare the cost of old movies on HD-DVD only to new movies in COMBO format. They should be compared to new movies, like Syriana, which will be $34.99.

Type what you want but Firewall is 37.99. New title or not the other titles were 24.99. People are not going to care about what is new or not. They are only going to see the 37.99 price tag. Warner better fix this in a hurry. BTW, I stopped in my BB yesterday and the workers told me they aren't movie any of their Firewall copies. Maybe 1 so far. I think that is hysterical... :D

Did you mean they were not moving any of their Firewall copies? That is good...

Yes. Not selling hardly any Firewall copies. Maybe 1 since they put them out late Tuesday night... :)

hey I'm not defending Warner, and in fact the price is ridiculous, but it's inaccurate to state that being COMBO makes them cost $12 more.

I hate the high prices (COMBO or not). But it's probably best to be clear as to the reason why Rumor Has It, 16 Blocks, Firewall, and Kiss Kiss Bang Bang more expensive ($39.99). That is because they are new titles.

Convincing Warner stop releasing new titles instead of COMBO titles would prove more useful in seeing a drop in prices, but that would be ridiculous.

All I'm saying is, the price is ridiculous, but being a COMBO title is not as relevant to the price as being a new title.

When you see Syriana for $34.99 without being COMBO, what use will rallying against the COMBO format do?

Like I typed before, new releases or older re-releases- the price difference is going to scare away the average consumer. When you see a SD new release on sale for 15.00-17.00 and then you see a COMBO for 37.99 do you honestly think they are going to 'invest" in a way more expensive format. Not a chance. If any of these newer HD formats are going to make it we need average consumers to embrace them. And if they keep these stupid prices going then there is no way people will jump on board. I would prefer to download the movie in HD for 20.00 instead of spend 37.99 (over 40.00 after tax) for a new release movie. COMBOS must DIE. And if they have a new release with a MSRP of 34.99 then they (BB) is selling it for 29.99. If the MSRP is 29.99 then they are selling them for 24.99. Now do you understand the price difference of 13.00. I will not be purchasing 16 BLOCKS. I guarrantee it will sit on the shelf like Firewall. Maybe soon Warner will get the HINT... :mad:

COMBOS must DIE.

I hope not! Personally, I'm not partial to them. However, combo looks like the rental vehicle to me, single inventory. It's the high prices that must die.

If the prices drop to a reasonable price then I won't care because I am sure others won't care. But at the current price level I would prefer them to disappear. :)

What makes me chuckle occasionally is the huge amount of money many people in this thread have invested into their HT seups (In most cases 10K - 50K) but they continue to moan about combos costing $5 more.

I hope not! Personally, I'm not partial to them. However, combo looks like the rental vehicle to me, single inventory. It's the high prices that must die.

EXACTLY!!!!

For the format to thrive, it needs to show up at Blockbuster and quick. The combo version has the best chance at this. Don't you guys rent most of your movies?

Sure, if I were planning to buy every movie, I'd prefer the dedicated HD disc I guess, but right now I want whatever makes titles available for rent locally the fastest.

I wish you guys could add because 24.99 versus 37.99 is more than 5.00 more.

The $5 is in reference to MFG suggested retail only. What retailers sell them for is near impossible to predict and that price will likely drop on new releases if history follows course. In the meantime, combo or not I don't care but I'm certainly NOT going to pay more because a disk is combo. My limit is 25 bones unless they special package or double disk gobs of extras or something beyond a combo disk which to me indicates NOTHING extra.

Do they really think giving us more bits on a disk counts as more money? We get the movie twice woot. Maybe they can charge another 5 bucks and offer us full screen WOW-WEE. It's BS, we're being gouged. Why can Fry's sell releases for 20 bucks (24.99 for some others) and others feel just swell selling the same movie at 30 bucks? I know I'll be paitent, it's up to you others to spend wisely (to help drop my prices =)).

Yes, I spent over 15k on home speakers alone. What affords me that luxury is making discerning decisions on a daily basis. That includes buying reasonably priced media and brewing my own shots of espresso lol =) What we choose to give up defines us...

I agree. The MSRP on my home theater is just over 40K. And I will be damned if I am going to start shelling out 40.00 (after taxes) for new release movies because they had a SD version on the flip side. Yes, I do Netflix but I like to have current new releases available anytime I have guests over (every other weekend)... I guess I could always wait until the combo version fails and then pick them up for half price... :confused:

I was at Blockbuster tonight and asked the CSR about HD DVD titles. First, he said "that's been delayed" then he said "My boss doesn't want to buy any because people will rent them and then bring them back because they won't play in their DVD player".

Just food for thought.

Those BlockBuster Bastards! :D

They killed Kenny!!

I cannot see much use of both the SD and HD versions on the same disc -- especially if it costs me an extra $12 or so. Yes, I know that some people may also want the SD version for when they travel or to use on a different DVD player in the house, but my feeling is that this need is rare. Thus the purpose of the poll. How popular really IS the combo version?
Since you saw a need to put the comment about extra cost in the poll, and an inaccurate comment at that, I am not surprised at the results so far-I think you got exactly the outcome you were hoping for.

hey I'm not defending Warner, and in fact the price is ridiculous, but it's inaccurate to state that being COMBO makes them cost $12 more.

I hate the high prices (COMBO or not). But it's probably best to be clear as to the reason why Rumor Has It, 16 Blocks, Firewall, and Kiss Kiss Bang Bang more expensive ($39.99). That is because they are new titles.

Convincing Warner stop releasing new titles instead of COMBO titles would prove more useful in seeing a drop in prices, but that would be ridiculous.

All I'm saying is, the price is ridiculous, but being a COMBO title is not as relevant to the price as being a new title.

When you see Syriana for $34.99 without being COMBO, what use will rallying against the COMBO format do?


I don't think anyone here purchased Syriana for $ 35. BB had it for $29 and some. I also don't understand why there is this $ 5 or $ 12 debate either. Many are quite accustomed to purchasing new releases retailing for $ 13.99 (SD DVD). New releases drops precipitously sonn thereafter. So for catalogue titles, or new for that matter, for $ 40 is ridiculous. Combo disks should only be offered to commercial businesses that are in the rental biz and not to Joe Consumer.

Anyone that can afford to *buy* an HD-DVD, would have bought a $400.00 street priced HD-A1..... DUMB!! Combo serves NO purpose, especially not priced higher than the HD-DVD. Even if it was priced the same as HD-DVD, anyone that buys discs at that price, is already going to have bought an HD-DVD player...

Warner = stupid.

Since you saw a need to put the comment about extra cost in the poll, and an inaccurate comment at that, I am not surprised at the results so far-I think you got exactly the outcome you were hoping for.

I think the fact that the combo DVDs cost more is a valid fact and that's why I included that. The amount, I admit, varies. I CERTAINLY don't think if I put $5 or $10 more, it would change the results much at all. If I DIDN'T put in that the combos cost more, I would be getting many MORE people stating it was skewed and misleading. What I put as $12 was based on "buy" price experience. Granted, a MSRP difference ($5-$10) probably would have been better to put in hindsight.

Still, I believe the poll is still valid and even if the results would be slightly different if I put a MSRP difference, the poll would still indicate a vast majority prefer single HD DVD discs, IMO.

IMO if the combo discs were priced the same a the single discs the results of this poll would be a lot different.

BTW I would prefer a combo disc that had only the movie on the HD DVD side and any extras on the standard DVD side (no movie just extras). :)

IMO if the combo discs were priced the same a the single discs the results of this poll would be a lot different.

BTW I would prefer a combo disc that had only the movie on the HD DVD side and any extras on the standard DVD side (no movie just extras). :)

Maybe that is your preference and maybe the results would be different if the costs were exactly the same. But I don't think so, personally.

There are other issues with two-sided combo discs other than just price. I've dealt with two-sided discs before with the SD format (widescreen/full screen) and I noticed that there were far more smudges and scratches on those discs. I think they are more prone to that.

Secondly, there's a slight inconvenience factor. (Maybe this is just me). My home theater is dim (even with lights on) and to try to read which side is which is always difficult for me. And they print in such small font size around the inner ring, that I sometimes find it difficult to determine which side is which in the dim light.

Asthetically, it doesn't look good. I prefer a disk with a etched or printed image.

I think with HD DVD, having an exposed side is even more problematic than an SD combo disc. Sticking that HD disc in other SD players or taking it traveling or lending it out all increase the possibility of smudges and scratches on the HD side. And we know that the HD side is very sensitive to any type of particles or scratches.

So. . . for me anyway . . . There are other factors that come into play when deciding on single or combo discs -- not just price. And I feel the negatives outweigh the positives.

So. . . for me anyway . . . There are other factors that come into play when deciding on single or combo discs -- not just price. And I feel the negatives outweigh the positives.

Have you considered that combo versions may be more likely to show up at rental outlets?

Combos should be for rental only. It should either be a HD DVD or sd dvd. Confusion atleast would not be a factor. Nor would pricing!

Have you considered that combo versions may be more likely to show up at rental outlets?

Yes, I can see a substantial benefit for combos in the rental market.

If I were Blockbuster or Netflix I would consider bulking up on these...

Combos should be for rental only. It should either be a HD DVD or sd dvd. Confusion atleast would not be a factor. Nor would pricing!

Maybe I'm in the minority here, but I own maybe 50 DVD's total and probably 19/20 times we decide "hey, let's watch a movie" it means going to Blockbuster and searching for a decent new release. Maybe I'm a little like J6P in this regard. :)

If HD DVD can capitalize on the fact that they can send the stores a version which is backwards compatible with DVD it's a big plus in competing with BD, no?

The main point is for HD DVD to succeed as a format, right?

Then we can all get picky over what versions we want. ;)

I just won't pay 37.99 for a copy of both versions on one disc. If they come down to realistic pricing then I will do cartwheels... And I am not talking about Amazon or any online retailors. I am talking about mainstream electronic retail stores... Does anyone here really believe that the price should be 37.99 (40.00 after taxes)???

Obviously, it doesn't surprise me that 90% are in favor of single HD movies and not the combo for their home theater. Yes, there may be some benefit in the rental market, but not for most home theater consumers.

So it begs the question: Who in the upper rungs are making these format decisions? What is their thinking?

If HD DVD can capitalize on the fact that they can send the stores a version which is backwards compatible with DVD it's a big plus in competing with BD, no?

Plus it might help sell HD-DVD since the people who rent the combo disk might wonder whats on the other side of the disk. You are more likely to be curious about the format if you have it in your hands every time you leave blockbuster with a new release.

They need to desperately start making plain HD DVDS and combo (if they are going to continue to make them)... I as well as many others simply refuse to pay the higher price for the new released titles in combo form... I hope Warner reads! Of course I am sure they are reading their HUGE decline report in combo sales... :D

They need to desperately start making plain HD DVDS and combo (if they are going to continue to make them)... I as well as many others simply refuse to pay the higher price for the new released titles in combo form... I hope Warner reads! Of course I am sure they are reading their HUGE decline report in combo sales... :D

well im sure making 2 versions of a niche product is absolutely not cost effective. I just hope the price equalizes. Paying more for combo is stupid, the whole point of the combo was to help the transition. Its not a feature we are willing to pay extra for, at the prices they are asking, you can buy a seperate SD DVD and a HD DVD. Thats just stupid...

If you dont like a combo disk, just get a dvd label to throw over the SD side :D

bad poll....

missing this choice:

C. I Prefer the Combo Version (AT NO EXTRA COST) with both the SD and HD Presentations

I agree with Joerod and hope Netflix customers are a bit more careful with their rented HD DVDs since i just signed up! ;)

EXACTLY!!!!

For the format to thrive, it needs to show up at Blockbuster and quick. The combo version has the best chance at this. Don't you guys rent most of your movies?

Sure, if I were planning to buy every movie, I'd prefer the dedicated HD disc I guess, but right now I want whatever makes titles available for rent locally the fastest.

Having once worked in blockbuster for a summer I can tell you the rental industry will not want double sided disks.

Remember when they had double sided DVD (one side WS one side FF). Notice how they disapeared. 99% of movies are now single sided and released in 2 formats (WS & FF). On most major films Blockbuster stocks BOTH even though it takes more shelf space.

WHY?

Two reaons: damaged disks, and disk cleaning. Double Sided disks get ruined at a rate something like 5X single sided. Plus when the disks are cleaned both sides need to be cleaned. Every single rental chain was against double sided disks on normal DVD I am almost positive they will be against double sided HD-DVD.

Now I am not saying they wont stock them but they will do everything they can to lobby for Single Sided disks OR they rmay end up charging MORE for HD rentals to cover the losses.

Now I worked in Blockbuster a long time ago so maybe someone with some current industry knowledge can comment.

If the studios only charged about $2-3.00 more for the combo disc it would be a smart idea, but because they charge $12.00+ more I think it is stupid and will only hurt themselves only offering a combo disc.

Does this earlier poll still seem to reflect current sentiment?

Petition time guys! How do we start one?

I cannot see much use of both the SD and HD versions on the same disc -- especially if it costs me an extra $12 or so. Yes, I know that some people may also want the SD version for when they travel or to use on a different DVD player in the house, but my feeling is that this need is rare. Thus the purpose of the poll. How popular really IS the combo version?

This poll is biased. As per Amazon.com prices the cost difference between upcoming hybrid and non-hybrid discs is $4, not $12. i.e. upcoming warner and universal hybrids are $24 while their regular discs are $20.

This poll is biased. As per Amazon.com prices the cost difference between upcoming hybrid and non-hybrid discs is $4, not $12. i.e. upcoming warner and universal hybrids are $24 while their regular discs are $20.

Prices have fluctuated since this poll began. $12 is high. $5-$8 more is more realistic now. The poll was not intended to be "biased." It was not uncommon back in early June, however, for combos to cost $37.99 at Best Buy while other single sided movies were running $24.99-29.99.

However, I doubt the results would be much different if the poll stated $5-$8 more rather than $12. I still believe the vast majority still prefer single sided instead of combos.

If they could do it as a hybrid (single sided) disc I think the combo would be much more widely accepted.

Sorry, but I think this poll is heavily biased in the wrong direction.

If Universal has decided that 90% of their new releases will be combo discs, then the price point must be coming down to be roughly equal to a standard HD DVD. As it is today, the $12 is no longer valid, and the difference appears to be getting smaller as time progresses.

This leaves the HD DVD consumer who has multiple playback systems (including car, kids' room, etc.) with four options:

1) Buy a single SD DVD for $15, and forego HD for that title. [This works for me with the Disney stuff my kids watch.]

2) Buy a single HD DVD for $25, and only watch it on the main HT system. [This is not an option for any 'family' title or anything my wife and I will watch in our bedroom.]

3) Buy one of each for $40. [Yeah, right. Not gonna happen.]

4) Buy a combo disc for $20-30. [For me, this is a done deal for any movies that I/my family really like, and are worth buying.]