I have a PS3 for Blu-ray (1080p output) and a Toshiba HD-A2 for HD-DVD (1080i output). Both are connected via HDMI to a new Samsung 1080p HL-T5089S 50" DLP.

Let's say a disc is encoded with VC-1 on both formats and strictly speaking about video quality, which format would you buy given my setup?

I'm particularly torn as to which format to get Planet Earth in.

Thanks!

In the case of Planet Earth, i don't think it matters. Both versions should be identical. In the case of other movies, i would probably get whichever version was cheapest. If it's a combo on HD DVD, i would lean towards the BR.

BR. 1080P > 1080i. Also if all things were equal, I'd buy in the format that is most likely to 'win' this war. Given BR has out sold HD-DVD, I'd say BR is the better bet at this point.

For planet earth I agree with seniorpaul, it doesn't matter which version you get. Now if the studio decided to do slightly different encodes, i.e. with higher bitrate VC-1 like Deja Vu on blu-ray which peaks higher than HD DVD spec even provides for, then get the blu-ray of course. It sucks that this has not happened yet and the encodes have suited the lowest common denominator.

They are both the same. Buy whichever you prefer.

BR. 1080P > 1080i.

Um, you do know that content on BOTH formats is 1080p, right? And that 1080p players are available for both formats?

Um, you do know that content on BOTH formats is 1080p, right? And that 1080p players are available for both formats?

Given that the OP wanted to know what to buy for his specific setup, his HD-A2 will only output 1080i. Thus his recommendation that the OP get BD instead of HDDVD for full 1080p. Whether or not the OP can tell the difference on his/her set is another issue, theoretically BD would be better on his/her specific setup.

They are both the exact same, so availability and price would be your determing factors.

Thanks for all of the replies. I pre-ordered the Blu-ray version back on the 9th which was before I got my HD-A2. Last night, I made the mistake of changing my shipping method on Amazon which effectively puts you at the back of the line so I thought I'd check to see if there was any compelling reason to switch to the HD-DVD version.

Here's a very general question for other discs that are released in both formats. Which would you choose (assuming both versions are high quality encodes, the best the codec is capable of):

1080p MPEG-2 out of PS3 or 1080i VC-1 out of HD-A2?

1080p MPEG-4 out of PS3 or 1080i VC-1 out of HD-A2?

Thanks.

either mpeg-4 or Vc-1. But I have HD DVD so I'd always go with VC-1!

Um, you do know that content on BOTH formats is 1080p, right? And that 1080p players are available for both formats?
Um, you did read his original post where he stated his HD-DVD hardware only outputs 1080i, right??? :rolleyes:

Here's a very general question for other discs that are released in both formats. Which would you choose (assuming both versions are high quality encodes, the best the codec is capable of):

1080p MPEG-2 out of PS3 or 1080i VC-1 out of HD-A2?

1080p MPEG-4 out of PS3 or 1080i VC-1 out of HD-A2?

Thanks.
This is a can of worms... But, to answer your question, I'd stick to 1080p over 1080i assuming the codecs are of equal quality (you might need more disc space for the MPEG-2 to equal the same quality, but the studios have that option with BR).

The Samsung may upconvert the 1080i to 1080p internal so may not see any difference there. Which player do you enjoy using better if PQ is the same? To me the ps3 is more trouble to use than the A2, and I own both. VC-1 looks better than MPEG-2 or 4 to me.

[QUOTE=Wet1]BR. 1080P > 1080i. Also if all things were equal, I'd buy in the format that is most likely to 'win' this war. Given BR has out sold HD-DVD, I'd say BR is the better bet at this point.[/QUOTE

I'd say you need to catch up on your hardware and software news. :rolleyes:

[QUOTE=Wet1]BR. 1080P > 1080i. Also if all things were equal, I'd buy in the format that is most likely to 'win' this war. Given BR has out sold HD-DVD, I'd say BR is the better bet at this point.[/QUOTE

I'd say you need to catch up on your hardware and software news. :rolleyes:

I'd say he's right on the money
http://www.eproductwars.com/dvd/
Which category is HD-DVD winning ? None. Even the average price of HDDVD movies is higher.

Planet earth blu-ray is now #6 and hdddvd planet earth is #5. What happened to the large gap ? Well, both are still getting crushed by the DVD version anyway. Oh and you are talking about the rumored Cheapo non HD-DVD standards compliant HD-DVD players that supposedly will come out. We'll be seeing those sitting in the returns cart at walmart like every other cheap chinese dvd player that has come out if the story is actually true.

If it's a combo on HD DVD, i would lean towards the BR.


Ehh? You're not making sense, I think... ;)

This is a can of worms... But, to answer your question, I'd stick to 1080p over 1080i assuming the codecs are of equal quality (you might need more disc space for the MPEG-2 to equal the same quality, but the studios have that option with BR).

Khm except that studios already proved they cannot release a matching MPEG2 version in most cases, see last years ******-as-hell MPEG2 releases on Blu-Ray. (Note that I'm only talking about studios, not MPEG2 in general.)

[QUOTE=Bull1962]

I'd say he's right on the money
http://www.eproductwars.com/dvd/
Which category is HD-DVD winning ? None. Even the average price of HDDVD movies is higher.

Planet earth blu-ray is now #6 and hdddvd planet earth is #5. What happened to the large gap ? Well, both are still getting crushed by the DVD version anyway. Oh and you are talking about the rumored Cheapo non HD-DVD standards compliant HD-DVD players that supposedly will come out. We'll be seeing those sitting in the returns cart at walmart like every other cheap chinese dvd player that has come out if the story is actually true.

Ouch, another site-linking, BS-spreading Blu-Ray bot... :rolleyes:

Um, you did read his original post where he stated his HD-DVD hardware only outputs 1080i, right??? :rolleyes:
He owns a 1080p display which will deinterlace and scale it to 1080p. So this is a non issue even with his A2. Get either one if they are in VC-1.

[QUOTE=Bull1962]

I'd say he's right on the money
http://www.eproductwars.com/dvd/
Which category is HD-DVD winning ? None. Even the average price of HDDVD movies is higher.

Planet earth blu-ray is now #6 and hdddvd planet earth is #5. What happened to the large gap ? Well, both are still getting crushed by the DVD version anyway. Oh and you are talking about the rumored Cheapo non HD-DVD standards compliant HD-DVD players that supposedly will come out. We'll be seeing those sitting in the returns cart at walmart like every other cheap chinese dvd player that has come out if the story is actually true.
HD DVD doesn't need to outsell BD to coexist. Also, how on earth do you know the exact details about the Chinese players? No one knows exactly yet. No one knows that they won't meet HD DVD standards. Sorry my friend, at this point that is FUD.

HD DVD players have to meet the HD DVD standards or it won't be approved. See the LG Dual Format player.

He owns a 1080p display which will deinterlace and scale it to 1080p. So this is a non issue even with his A2. Get either one if they are in VC-1.

Well, displaying native 1080p source on native 1080p display is certainly better than interlace a native 1080p signal then deinterlace it again (no scaling here).

[QUOTE=Bull1962]

I'd say he's right on the money
http://www.eproductwars.com/dvd/
Which category is HD-DVD winning ? None. Even the average price of HDDVD movies is higher.

Planet earth blu-ray is now #6 and hdddvd planet earth is #5. What happened to the large gap ? Well, both are still getting crushed by the DVD version anyway. Oh and you are talking about the rumored Cheapo non HD-DVD standards compliant HD-DVD players that supposedly will come out. We'll be seeing those sitting in the returns cart at walmart like every other cheap chinese dvd player that has come out if the story is actually true.

You know the average price they list is the average price of the tow 10 movies, which considering HD DVD has two exclusive matrix box sets, we see the disparity. ACTUAL average prices are much different, with HD DVD slightly lower.

PS:Planet earth is back up to #4 on HD DVD, at this rate it will easily smash CR's "record" for total sales.

If it's a combo on HD DVD, i would lean towards the BR.Ehh? You're not making sense, I think... ;)

Why does that not make sense? If a movie is released on both formats, but the HD DVD version is a combo disc (and therefor most likely more expensive), why not buy the cheaper BR version? Assuming, of course, that Video/Audio quality is the same.

Well, displaying native 1080p source on native 1080p display is certainly better than interlace a native 1080p signal then deinterlace it again (no scaling here).
Thank you for pointing that out for Scoob. I didn't think something that obvious would need to be stated, but I guess he didn't realize that.

Khm except that studios already proved they cannot release a matching MPEG2 version in most cases, see last years ******-as-hell MPEG2 releases on Blu-Ray. (Note that I'm only talking about studios, not MPEG2 in general.)
Which is it... they "cannot" or "in most cases"??? :p Regardless, the fact is they CAN make MPEG-2 look just as good. Whether or not they've put the effort in to make that happen is another debate for another day. Staying away from the format war bicker, I'll stand by my original statement:

I'd stick to 1080p over 1080i assuming the codecs are of equal quality (you might need more disc space for the MPEG-2 to equal the same quality, but the studios have that option with BR).

[QUOTE=Bull1962]

I'd say he's right on the money
http://www.eproductwars.com/dvd/
Which category is HD-DVD winning ? None. Even the average price of HDDVD movies is higher.

Planet earth blu-ray is now #6 and hdddvd planet earth is #5. What happened to the large gap ? Well, both are still getting crushed by the DVD version anyway. Oh and you are talking about the rumored Cheapo non HD-DVD standards compliant HD-DVD players that supposedly will come out. We'll be seeing those sitting in the returns cart at walmart like every other cheap chinese dvd player that has come out if the story is actually true.


With HF and PE available on both formats and selling better on HD-DVD, what are studios execs supposed to think except that there is a big market for HD-DVD if they release movies on that format. Hmm, that studio is releasing on both formats and selling more HD-DVDs. $ talks BS walks.

Well, displaying native 1080p source on native 1080p display is certainly better than interlace a native 1080p signal then deinterlace it again (no scaling here).

given it's a 1080p/24 source telicined and interlaced (perfectly) which is output as 1080i60 it's really a question of how good the processor in the TV in question (which I know nothing about) does the reconstruction to 1080p60 (or 24 if it goes the extra mile to IVT). It's theoretically possible to perfectly reconstruct the original 1080p/24 off the disk in this manner.

To wit the PS3 outputs 1080p60 so it is pulling up and locking in judder that your TV/processor can't remove (unless you could somehow force it to IVT everything from a given source).

So without being constructive, all that I'm saying is this very much is a 'it depends' kind of situation...

Why does that not make sense? If a movie is released on both formats, but the HD DVD version is a combo disc (and therefor most likely more expensive), why not buy the cheaper BR version? Assuming, of course, that Video/Audio quality is the same.

I understood you the first time and agree, I would by the BR version every time over a $5+ more combo.

given it's a 1080p/24 source telicined and interlaced (perfectly) which is output as 1080i60 it's really a question of how good the processor in the TV in question (which I know nothing about) does the reconstruction to 1080p60 (or 24 if it goes the extra mile to IVT). It's theoretically possible to perfectly reconstruct the original 1080p/24 off the disk in this manner.

To wit the PS3 outputs 1080p60 so it is pulling up and locking in judder that your TV/processor can't remove (unless you could somehow force it to IVT everything from a given source).

So without being constructive, all that I'm saying is this very much is a 'it depends' kind of situation...

That was my understanding as well. I also wasn't sure how the HD-A2 compared to the PS3 as a player. One difference is the PS3 lets you set it to output as RGB (no such options on the HD-A2). If it turns out that the TV does the best job of reconstructing the singal to 1080p/60, I suppose I could set the PS3 to only output at as 1080i. I'll have to do some comparisons. My Blu-ray copy of Planet Earth is on the way and I should be the getting the first disc of the series on HD-DVD from Netflix today.

Thanks.

I have a PS3 for Blu-ray (1080p output) and a Toshiba HD-A2 for HD-DVD (1080i output). Both are connected via HDMI to a new Samsung 1080p HL-T5089S 50" DLP.

Let's say a disc is encoded with VC-1 on both formats and strictly speaking about video quality, which format would you buy given my setup?

I'm particularly torn as to which format to get Planet Earth in.

Thanks!


The best way to check things like this is to get both disks and check out the difference. For example. I have Lady in the Water for the PS3 and for my A1. I have a 65" DLP 1080p set. Both versions have the same video codec: VC-1. The A1 outputs 1080i of course. The TV of course either accepts the 1080p/60 as is from the PS3 or de-interlaces the A1 1080i to 1080p. Absolutely no differences are evident in both versions. So in short my opinion is either are just fine.

The best way to check things like this is to get both disks and check out the difference. For example. I have Lady in the Water for the PS3 and for my A1. I have a 65" DLP 1080p set. Both versions have the same video codec: VC-1. The A1 outputs 1080i of course. The TV of course either accepts the 1080p/60 as is from the PS3 or de-interlaces the A1 1080i to 1080p. Absolutely no differences are evident in both versions. So in short my opinion is either are just fine.

Will do. Just got the HD-DVD version of Planet Earth from Netflix today (looks amazing) and I should be receiving the Blu-ray version tomorrow or Friday. I'll post my results after I've had a chance to A/B them.

Thanks.