This is really getting tough and now i am out of time. I have the Toshiba HD-A2 player and think it is great. Along with it I have 10 HD DVD's. With Anchor Bay now looking Blue also, I am trying to decide what my next move should be. I have 1 more day to decide to keep the HD-A2 or return it. If I return it and have to sell my 10 HD-DVD's I would probably get close to the cost of a BR Player. But I really like the HD DVD format and the player itself. I just don't want to have a rock sitting under the TV in a year. What suggestions does anyone have?

PS> I will be getting a PS3 for the kids to have, but that is 2 years away yet.

Personally I wouldn't be making decisions based on the Starz press release.

Only you can make this decision.

This is really getting tough and now i am out of time. I have the Toshiba HD-A2 player and think it is great. Along with it I have 10 HD DVD's. With Anchor Bay now looking Blue also, I am trying to decide what my next move should be. I have 1 more day to decide to keep the HD-A2 or return it. If I return it and have to sell my 10 HD-DVD's I would probably get close to the cost of a BR Player. But I really like the HD DVD format and the player itself. I just don't want to have a rock sitting under the TV in a year. What suggestions does anyone have?

PS> I will be getting a PS3 for the kids to have, but that is 2 years away yet.

Keep it and enjoy the HD now. Don't fall victim to all the FUD being thrown around in recent days. Where do you rent from? If it's Netflix of BBTA, enjoy the 150+ movies in HD and stop worrying.

:edit:

Most important thing. Did you buy with a lot of research? Specifically, do the movies you want to own exist on both formats? Do the Blu exclusives pique your interest?

personally i would keep it, pretty soon you will be able to get hddvd's at a really low price on ebay. buy low, sell high.

How much did you pay for it? If you can get >=$300 back, I'd say return it and buy another one for < $250 and you get even more free disks (but you have to wait for the disks).

If not, just keep it. You have 10 movies that's roughly $200+ worth that you should be able to watch for quite a while longer.

This is really getting tough and now i am out of time. I have the Toshiba HD-A2 player and think it is great. Along with it I have 10 HD DVD's. With Anchor Bay now looking Blue also, I am trying to decide what my next move should be. I have 1 more day to decide to keep the HD-A2 or return it. If I return it and have to sell my 10 HD-DVD's I would probably get close to the cost of a BR Player. But I really like the HD DVD format and the player itself. I just don't want to have a rock sitting under the TV in a year. What suggestions does anyone have?

PS> I will be getting a PS3 for the kids to have, but that is 2 years away yet.

I gotta say return it.

You're feelings of dread aren't unjustified...

- S300 for $499
- Starz Announcement
- BlockBuster announcement
- New MGM titles
- Fox is finishing up new titles for release
- Other stuff for the 1 year tomorrow

Think of it like this - you return it and get your money back and wait to see what happens - worst case scenario, you can buy a better, cheaper HD-DVD player in a year or whatever if that's how things go.

I know a lot of people are saying "keep it" but you gotta do what's right for you, not what's right for Toshiba and Universals format.

I would return it, cut your losses and get a BD player. That is my honest opinion. There is MORE blu-ray press releases coming out this week (BD 1 year anniversary tommorow, Target going BD hardware exclusive and who knows what else!). You can always buy another hd-dvd player later if you regret returning it.

YOu sound like a person who would worry if you kept it so why not just send it back for the piece of mind?

I will say that the thing wouldn't be a rock in a year even if no new releases ever came out.

Why do people here think that if a format "dies" that the player suddenly goes inspector gadget style and blows up? IT MAKES NO SENSE.

I think it depends on whether you can afford to enjoy the player now, even if the format looses in the coming months. I bought both, so I knew going in that one of my players (or worse, both) would be obsolete in a year or two, but I was able to afford the expense and enjoyed the movies in the mean time. If you can't afford to buy a player from a format that may not win, you should take it back and wait a few more months. If you can, then enjoy the movies you have now, but be aware that you may have to buy another player in the enxt year if you want to get most of the HD movies.

If it stays it could be trouble, but if it goes it could be double.

It all boils down to what will give you the best peace of mind. If you are going to fret about it daily then get rid of it. If you feel that you can get your money's worth from already released/announced HDDVDs the keep it.

I gotta say return it.

You're feelings of dread aren't unjustified...

- S300 for $499
- Starz Announcement
- BlockBuster announcement
- New MGM titles
- Fox is finishing up new titles for release
- Other stuff for the 1 year tomorrow

Think of it like this - you return it and get your money back and wait to see what happens - worst case scenario, you can buy a better, cheaper HD-DVD player in a year or whatever if that's how things go.

I know a lot of people are saying "keep it" but you gotta do what's right for you, not what's right for Toshiba and Universals format.

Well said! Especially the part in bold.

Take it back and sell me your discs for cheap! j/k.....sort of.... ;)

The danger of being an early adopter is knocking on your door. Things aren't looking that rosy for HD DVD right now, but that doesn't mean they'll fold up shop anytime soon or ever.

If you don't have a decent upscaling SD DVD player, I'd keep it. If you do, and you've watched the films you own already, I'd probably return the player. If in 6 months HD DVD is still here, you can always pick up a player then, at most likely a lower price point, and be good to go. You just can't watch HD DVD in the meantime. If HD DVD dies, you can still eBay those titles you own, HD DVD player owners will pick them up, as rlindo said, the players won't just blow up.

This is really getting tough and now i am out of time. I have the Toshiba HD-A2 player and think it is great. Along with it I have 10 HD DVD's. With Anchor Bay now looking Blue also, I am trying to decide what my next move should be. I have 1 more day to decide to keep the HD-A2 or return it. If I return it and have to sell my 10 HD-DVD's I would probably get close to the cost of a BR Player. But I really like the HD DVD format and the player itself. I just don't want to have a rock sitting under the TV in a year. What suggestions does anyone have?

PS> I will be getting a PS3 for the kids to have, but that is 2 years away yet.

BD and their studios are so fickle with promises of everything and providing no titles. It sounds like you are relatively happy so.....I would say keep it and enjoy because I doubt you'd get any current HD DVD titles in the next year even if the BR eventually prevails.

BD and their studios are so fickle with promises of everything and providing no titles

What? Now all of the BD studios aren't releasing movies? I thought it was just Fox. ;)

i would definitely return it while you can get your money back.

Can I have your movies? :D

Return it and buy a PS3.

What? Now all of the BD studios aren't releasing movies? I thought it was just Fox. ;)

Where is Cars, The Lion King on BD? Can you tell me where They can be bought?

This is really getting tough and now i am out of time. I have the Toshiba HD-A2 player and think it is great. Along with it I have 10 HD DVD's. With Anchor Bay now looking Blue also, I am trying to decide what my next move should be. I have 1 more day to decide to keep the HD-A2 or return it. If I return it and have to sell my 10 HD-DVD's I would probably get close to the cost of a BR Player. But I really like the HD DVD format and the player itself. I just don't want to have a rock sitting under the TV in a year. What suggestions does anyone have?

PS> I will be getting a PS3 for the kids to have, but that is 2 years away yet.


Bring it back while you still can get a full refund. Because after that opportunity vanishes, you will not be able get $100 in the used market.

Where is Cars, The Lion King on BD? Can you tell me where They can be bought?

Right next Jurassic Park, Jaws, and Raiders of the Lost Arc of course.

Both sides could easily do better on the releases, I for one hope that there is a flood of quality releases I want to purchase asap.

I own an XA2 and a PS3 for high def movie playback.

It's no secret I prefer the BD format because of its stability. I've had too many issues with HD DVD and it's far too limited in catalog releases to really recommend. I suggest returning the A2 and getting a PS3 early. You can watch most of WB's releases with the ones missing promised to show up on BD about the time when IME is possible. You have all of Paramount's releases and you miss out only on Universal's titles, which have fallen into the bottom of their barrell for releases as of late. Even the quality's begun to suffer.

Then of course, the BDA has a lot of exclusive movie makers that support them and them alone. Some of them have slowed down for the summer, but by falltime it looks like they will pick up steam again. Meanwhile, Fox and MGM remain silent and nonexistent. Still, when they do finally return to the game after waiting for a solid DRM strategy in BD+, they certainly won't be going to HD DVD that was broken even faster than BD. In fact, their breaking led to BD being broken.

I suggest the PS3 because it's just a flatout better player than the A2, it has a better future in regards to updates, and it can play 80-ish percent of what comes to HD DVD, too. Plus it has more of its own exclusive items. At this point, I think it will cost you more in the longrun because you'll wind up buying a BD player eventually anyway.

Might as well go ahead and do it now.

Notice, I don't mention the Blockbuster or Starz announcement. They are just bluster at this point. They don't mean much. What matters... that's what's above this. And that's why I say go buy that PS3 now and don't wait.

If you know you'll get it anyway, you know you'll probably wind up paying $300-400 for it after even a couple pricedrops, so why not put that $300+10 HD DVD's toward it now and save money in the longrun. Just imho.

Only one thing would give me pause if I were you. How much do you love Universal releases? I'd look at their catalog. If you cannot live without Universal titles (The Mummy, The Mummy Returns, King Kong (new), Riddick, Pitch Black, Doom, 40 year old virgin, Bruce Almighty, Battlestar Galactica Season 1, or Heroes Season 1), then the A2 might be in your future anyway. At least for the nearterm, none of these titles will come to BD.

If you can stand to wait on those titles and wouldn't mind titles like Casino Royale, POTC1 & 2, Chicken Little, Ghost Rider, Identity, Apocalypto, Fantastic Four, and the promise of POTC3 and Spiderman 1-3 and FF2, then the PS3 is probably best for you.

Hardware to hardware, the PS3 is the better value. It definitely has a larger library of titles to choose from, even despite Universal's digging through its' lesser fare now. Software to software, the BD library is larger and has a larger number of content providers. But some people profess a love for Universal that borders on insane, so I give upon further thought that might sway one to the Red Side of things.

At least for the moment. ;)

Who wants a $300 boat anchor? Send it back!

It doesn't look good for HD-DVD long-term but I would expect the player and software to hold up for a couple of years, even if Toshiba announced HD-DVD's demise tomorrow. It's up to you to decide if you want to tough it out. Who knows ? maybe HD-DVD is here to stay; I hope not knowing which format has the better upside (Blu-ray) because of the additional storage capacity/bandwidth. HD-DVD has a temporary advantage in terms of hardware pricing and frills, but I suspect Blu-ray will take away this advantage within a year (if HD-DVD lives that long).

I don't plan on dumping my HD-DVD collection anytime soon; in fact, I might consider picking up more HD DVD software when/if the panic sales start. I am going to stay away from new HD-DVD releases at current street pricing unless it's a movie I absolutely have to have.

Keep it. Anchor Bay/Star has only announced one title ("Masters of Horror," a mixed-matched horror anthology series) for BD in Q4. The slate of Universal and exclusive-to-HD-DVD-movies from neutral studios out now and for the foreseable future are too godd to pass up for a "maybe" from BD's camp. :)

At this point I dont think I could suggest for anyone to get an HD DVD player. If its still kicking in a year maybe, but I think that the hits are going to keep coming to the HD DVD camp all through the year.

If you can return it, I'd do it now.

You can always pick another one up or a better model up later. Prices on both BD & HD should keep on dropping fast, all the way to christmas.

If the war doesn't show more direction by this holiday season (BR 80:20), I'll probably see what they're offering XA2s for. I'm hoping I can pick one up for $350 or so with the holiday sales.

This is really getting tough and now i am out of time. I have the Toshiba HD-A2 player and think it is great. Along with it I have 10 HD DVD's. With Anchor Bay now looking Blue also, I am trying to decide what my next move should be. I have 1 more day to decide to keep the HD-A2 or return it. If I return it and have to sell my 10 HD-DVD's I would probably get close to the cost of a BR Player. But I really like the HD DVD format and the player itself. I just don't want to have a rock sitting under the TV in a year. What suggestions does anyone have?

PS> I will be getting a PS3 for the kids to have, but that is 2 years away yet.

Dump it and buy a BlueRay player. The Sony S300 is cheapest but the Samsung 1200 is best at playing SD DVDs. If you can, sell the HD-DVDs.

If HD-DVD looks viable in another 18 months, you can buy another player then.

Now is the time to sell used HD-DVD equipment and movies. I do not think now is the time to buy Blu-Ray. The prices will keep coming down. If you find a great Blu deal then go for it, otherwise wait it out.

(I am guessing you do not have a high income level, if you do then just get both.)

This is really getting tough and now i am out of time. I have the Toshiba HD-A2 player and think it is great. Along with it I have 10 HD DVD's. With Anchor Bay now looking Blue also, I am trying to decide what my next move should be. I have 1 more day to decide to keep the HD-A2 or return it. If I return it and have to sell my 10 HD-DVD's I would probably get close to the cost of a BR Player. But I really like the HD DVD format and the player itself. I just don't want to have a rock sitting under the TV in a year. What suggestions does anyone have?

PS> I will be getting a PS3 for the kids to have, but that is 2 years away yet.


I cancelled my XA2 order from Value Electronics due to the fact of the BB announcement. I would return it and wait it out a little longer that's what I am doing.

Rob

I'm not sure what you should do Ed, but this reminds me of a story I heard. A stock analyst was on the radio telling people that it was a great time to own stocks. A lady called in and said she couldn't sleep at night because she worried about her stocks and wondered what she should do. The analyst told he to sell enough that she could sleep. If this is going to cause you stress then maybe it isn't worth the hassle. Only you can decide that.

For those who worry about their investment, a used HD-A1 might be a good option if the price is low enough to keep them from worrying.

--Darin

For those who worry about their investment, a used HD-A1 might be a good option if the price is low enough to keep them from worrying.

--Darin

Ive seen used HD-A1's for 90 bux on craigslist, a good solution if someone is concerned.

Sell it. It sounds like you're too jittery for your own good.

Then, buy a PS3 or a BD standalone player.

Then, when the latest PS3 sales figures slump you can go through this same dilemna. Or, when you hear that BD players won't have PiP interactivity and future discs won't allow you to play their interactive content on your current standalone, you can be downright paralyzed with doubt. And maybe disc rot and withheld titles can push you right over the edge.

:rolleyes:

People act as though anything happening with this market (which is less than 1% of all home video sales) are huge, cataclysmic events.

return it while you can get a full refund.

If HDVDD wins, you can buy another one for less than 200.00

Return it, otherwise you'll have a rock under you TV a year from now with sub-par support.

Just my 2 cents. :)

Personally, I say if you have it, keep it. It's not like HD-DVD is dying tommorrow, and by the time it does, BD players will be cheap, hell combo players will probably be cheap by then.

This is really getting tough and now i am out of time. I have the Toshiba HD-A2 player and think it is great. Along with it I have 10 HD DVD's. With Anchor Bay now looking Blue also, I am trying to decide what my next move should be. I have 1 more day to decide to keep the HD-A2 or return it. If I return it and have to sell my 10 HD-DVD's I would probably get close to the cost of a BR Player. But I really like the HD DVD format and the player itself. I just don't want to have a rock sitting under the TV in a year. What suggestions does anyone have?

PS> I will be getting a PS3 for the kids to have, but that is 2 years away yet.

Why does everyone think that if one side or the other "wins" that their player will blow up and not work anymore?

Unless you're hard up for cash and need money to bail a friend out of jail, keep it. Really, at the most you probably paid $300. This machine does a great job at upconverting SD DVD's and is probably worth keeping it for that reason alone.

I was watching my star wars DVD box set last night and the image was incredible (even on my lowly 720p DLP projector at 100"). I saw no macroblocking (unlike what I saw when using my POS Sony upconverting player).

If HD DVD fails, image all the $2-$5 movies you'll be able to pick up. I have a DVD player form 1997 that still works like it did when it was new. Early generation products tend to last longer than their cheaper "matured" products that are released years later.

As an FYI, I have an HD-D2 and would probably have a PS3 also if it had an IR sensor, but since I couldn't program it into my Harmony remote, I couldn't buy it. As soon as Sony adds that feature, I'll probably pick one up.

I received my Tosh HD A2 on Friday and installed it Saturday. I bought 2 discs (Matrix Trilogy/Planet Earth) and got 3 free and will take the 5 Toshiba gives me. I bought in the knowledge that I may end up w/a BR player some time down the road or a universal. I will not invest heavily in HD-DVD, but will rent from Netflix and enjoy the upconversion. But if you are worried about the format issue and will lose sleep over it, then sell it.

Thanks for all the advice everyone. Bottom line.... I kept it. I have not had a single problem playing any release yet, and getting a new one later would be no guarantee that would be the case. Will continue to be HD DVD supportive for the time being. Like my original post said, I will invest in the PS3 at some point in 2009 for my kids and by then I will have a collection of HD DVD's to sit with a new collection of BR on my rack.

Thanks again!

Mods may close thread if you like. All answers related are finished for the question asked.

I was wondering as I read to the bottom of the thread if common sense would prevail... looks like it did. Last I checked, you were getting later this year... the Tom Clancy movies, 300, The Untouchables, Oceans 1x, and whole slew of other movies. BD is also getting those, and maybe even the Matrix and Batman as well. I think you can disable the self-destruct mechanism on those HD DVDs so they will still play after BD wins the format war next week, or at least that what's I am gleaning from certain forums of late...

If blu ray does win the war, and hd dvd stops releasing new titles...what will happen with porn in hd? Many people think this is a huge plus for hd dvd. From what was said Sony wont let it on blu ray. The situation of blu ray only and no porn would never work. Either hd dvd will always be a rival or blu ray will get porn.

I am close to purchasing a a2 from VE with the 8 hd dvd special but am hesitant go have one, just like the OP. It all comes down to price for me. If the ps3 wasnt so overpriced I would have one to go with my 360. But dropping $600 for one isnt really worth it to me, when I can get equal pq for under $300...knowing that it may become obsolete down the road.

Do you read news beyond the HD DVD forums? There already is porn on Blu Ray:
http://adult.dvdempire.com/v2_index2.asp?partner_id=10007949&tab_id=51&site_id=75&site_media_id=0&gclid=CMiNtdvq64wCFQzDYgodYHX-6w

(not work friendly!). The BDA announced publically that they would do nothing to hinder porn use.
It's hard, given that it was never true, to imagine that this was anything but another dishonest
attempt by HD DVD companies to generate good news when the darned sales numbers wouldn't cooperate.

Where is Cars, The Lion King on BD? Can you tell me where They can be bought?

Nice exaggeration. Disney IS putting out BDs. If you were playing fair you'd rip into Warner as well because they've been promising Shawshank Redemption, and Twister among others for over a year now. Where are they? Please tell me where they can be bought. :rolleyes:

I am close to purchasing a a2 from VE with the 8 hd dvd special but am hesitant go have one, just like the OP. It all comes down to price for me. If the ps3 wasnt so overpriced I would have one to go with my 360. But dropping $600 for one isnt really worth it to me, when I can get equal pq for under $300...knowing that it may become obsolete down the road.

Look at it this way, at least this is what I did (putting free discs aside as they are limited time offers):

Buy Blu-Ray only now, spend about $600 and enjoy HD movies now
Buy HD DVD now, spend about $250 and enjoy HD movies now

Blu-Ray wins the war (assuming HD DVD titles will be available through 2009):
If I buy Blu-Ray now, it cost me $600
If I buy HD DVD now it cost me $250 + $250 (est. 2009 BD price) = $500 total

HD DVD wins the war (assuming BD titles will be available through 2009):
If I buy Blu-Ray now, it cost me $600 + $100 (est 2009 HD DVD price) = $700
If I buy HD DVD now, it cost me $250

So, looking at the least out of my pocket in each of the scenarios, it came up with the bolded above. So regardless of who "wins" the war I should be out no more than $500 by picking HD DVD now (less than it would cost to pick BD now).

So really a no brainer...plus the HD-D2 I got at Costco does a great job at upconverting too. You could argue that the $250 is worth it for that alone.

I didn't calculate software into the equation as it will play on my player in the future regardless of the "format winner." Plus, I have a DVD player from 1998 that still plays fine to this day.

Look at it this way, at least this is what I did (putting free discs aside as they are limited time offers):

Buy Blu-Ray only now, spend about $600 and enjoy HD movies now
Buy HD DVD now, spend about $250 and enjoy HD movies now

Blu-Ray wins the war (assuming HD DVD titles will be available through 2009):
If I buy Blu-Ray now, it cost me $600
If I buy HD DVD now it cost me $250 + $250 (est. 2009 BD price) = $500 total

HD DVD wins the war (assuming BD titles will be available through 2009):
If I buy Blu-Ray now, it cost me $600 + $100 (est 2009 HD DVD price) = $700
If I buy HD DVD now, it cost me $250

So, looking at the least out of my pocket in each of the scenarios, it came up with the bolded above. So regardless of who "wins" the war I should be out no more than $500 by picking HD DVD now (less than it would cost to pick BD now).

So really a no brainer...plus the HD-D2 I got at Costco does a great job at upconverting too. You could argue that the $250 is worth it for that alone.

I didn't calculate software into the equation as it will play on my player in the future regardless of the "format winner." Plus, I have a DVD player from 1998 that still plays fine to this day.


Unless your player fails or proves incompatible with future (TL 51gig) discs. Just because you have one DVD player that works to this day does not mean your HD DVD player will. There were enough failures on players from last YEAR that failed that I would really NOT count on an HD DVD player from this or last year lasting for more than a few years.

Then again, I think dual format players will at least be available more frequently next year even if Blu-ray wins the war to help those souls that (would have apparently) chose poorly when choosing just one of the two formats.

I don't think dual format players will decide the war or even keep HD DVD from going extinct, but I think they may show up to help you out if your player does fail.

Truth is, that's kinda why I kept my A1 despite my purchase of an XA2. Just in case the XA2 croaks, I'll still have a backup HD DVD player. Plus, I put a 360 add on on my PC since I got a great deal on the drive. :) Even if HD DVD perishes, I've still got 60 some HD DVD titles, so I'll be playing them some way for the near future.

I still want BD to win out because I truly believe the only way either format will come out of obscurity is on the dead corpse of the other.

This is really getting tough and now i am out of time. I have the Toshiba HD-A2 player and think it is great. Along with it I have 10 HD DVD's. With Anchor Bay now looking Blue also, I am trying to decide what my next move should be. I have 1 more day to decide to keep the HD-A2 or return it. If I return it and have to sell my 10 HD-DVD's I would probably get close to the cost of a BR Player. But I really like the HD DVD format and the player itself. I just don't want to have a rock sitting under the TV in a year. What suggestions does anyone have?

PS> I will be getting a PS3 for the kids to have, but that is 2 years away yet.

Obviously you and all other people who own HD-DVD players need to sell the players and the discs right now. All HD-DVD players will cease functioning on July 1, 2007, and the discs will all disintegrate.

Give me a break.

The chicken little insanity exhibited on this board in the last 3 days is freaking stupid beyond comprehension.

Unless your player fails or proves incompatible with future (TL 51gig) discs. Just because you have one DVD player that works to this day does not mean your HD DVD player will. There were enough failures on players from last YEAR that failed that I would really NOT count on an HD DVD player from this or last year lasting for more than a few years.

True, but in my experience 1st and 2nd gen equipment seems to last longer (DVD, VCR, etc) and look at all the working laserdisc players you can still pick up on eBay, many years after they became discontinued. (Heck, I bet you can even find working 8-track machines :p )

I think we all forget the only true dying format is SD DVD. I would keep the A2 so you can continue to watch HD content. There is still not a lot of HD on TV, so having something is better than nothing. Blue Ray may win, but who cares, for $250 if it sticks around for another year or two or maybe forever that kinda money is not a back breaker. Think about the premium you pay your cable or satelite provider in about 2 years for HD channels, it almost pays for itself. Atleast with the A2, your left with a DVD player in the end and can watch movies without all of the artifacts and macroblocking you get with cable. A bad purchase would be spending $1500.00 for a Denon DVD player that no matter how good the upscaling is.....at the end of the day it's still SD DVD. My vote is keep it or sell it to me. :)

Nice exaggeration. Disney IS putting out BDs. If you were playing fair you'd rip into Warner as well because they've been promising Shawshank Redemption, and Twister among others for over a year now. Where are they? Please tell me where they can be bought. :rolleyes:

Please tell us which studio has released the most disc in HD Disney or Warner and please; no exaggeration.

Obviously you and all other people who own HD-DVD players need to sell the players and the discs right now. All HD-DVD players will cease functioning on July 1, 2007, and the discs will all disintegrate.

Give me a break.

The chicken little insanity exhibited on this board in the last 3 days is freaking stupid beyond comprehension.

I totally agree, I guess they'll suggest videotapes, Laser Disc and other media no longer being made will self distruct; talk about fear mongers.

People don't realize that the best part of CDs, DVD, HD-DVD, and Blu-Ray is that YOU CAN BURN YOUR OWN!!!

If Studios quit releasing HD-DVD or Blu-Ray today, someone else will step up and start converting and burning OTA broadcasts and other formats so that you can keep enjoying your player!

Search this site or the Internet and you will already see tutorials on how to make your own discs!

I would return it, cut your losses and get a BD player. That is my honest opinion. There is MORE blu-ray press releases coming out this week (BD 1 year anniversary tommorow, Target going BD hardware exclusive and who knows what else!). You can always buy another hd-dvd player later if you regret returning it.

I would return it if you have the chance...HD-DVD is losing and isn't going to recover from all this bad press..This is the first time Blu-Ray and HD-DVD battle has appeared in the media and word travels fast.... You can expect to find an HD-A2 much cheaper within the next few months than you paid for it now..

Look at it this way, at least this is what I did (putting free discs aside as they are limited time offers):

Buy Blu-Ray only now, spend about $600 and enjoy HD movies now
Buy HD DVD now, spend about $250 and enjoy HD movies now

Blu-Ray wins the war (assuming HD DVD titles will be available through 2009):
If I buy Blu-Ray now, it cost me $600
If I buy HD DVD now it cost me $250 + $250 (est. 2009 BD price) = $500 total

HD DVD wins the war (assuming BD titles will be available through 2009):
If I buy Blu-Ray now, it cost me $600 + $100 (est 2009 HD DVD price) = $700
If I buy HD DVD now, it cost me $250

So, looking at the least out of my pocket in each of the scenarios, it came up with the bolded above. So regardless of who "wins" the war I should be out no more than $500 by picking HD DVD now (less than it would cost to pick BD now).

So really a no brainer...plus the HD-D2 I got at Costco does a great job at upconverting too. You could argue that the $250 is worth it for that alone.

I didn't calculate software into the equation as it will play on my player in the future regardless of the "format winner." Plus, I have a DVD player from 1998 that still plays fine to this day.

Common sense and simple math is not allowed here :p :D

Very good analogy. and even if a player breaks thats what extended warranties are for. IMO blu ray players are the ones having issues right now more then HD DVD looks at liars dice and slow slow loading or locking up bd plalyers.

http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/movies/problems-with-blu+rays-bd+j-spec-causes-headaches-for-early-adopters-266923.php

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBGwOsnZFME

Common sense and simple math is not allowed here :p :D

Very good analogy. and even if a player breaks thats what extended warranties are for. IMO blu ray players are the ones having issues right now more then HD DVD looks at liars dice and slow slow loading or locking up bd plalyers.

http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/movies/problems-with-blu+rays-bd+j-spec-causes-headaches-for-early-adopters-266923.php

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBGwOsnZFME

Loading troubles with Liar's Dice are definitely not a problem for the HD-DVD player. Nor are the slow loading times on some of the poplular Disney titles. And the HD-DVD player is likely to have fewer problems with all the new BD software coming out.

I should add that the HD-DVD player will probably last many more years, while BD player owners wear out and replace their units.

To me it (also) boils down to this:
How much do you like Universal movies?

As long as Universal is exclusive, there is no way, I´ll get rid of my HD DVD player.

Thanks for all the advice everyone. Bottom line.... I kept it. I have not had a single problem playing any release yet, and getting a new one later would be no guarantee that would be the case. Will continue to be HD DVD supportive for the time being. Like my original post said, I will invest in the PS3 at some point in 2009 for my kids and by then I will have a collection of HD DVD's to sit with a new collection of BR on my rack.

Thanks again!

Mods may close thread if you like. All answers related are finished for the question asked.

Good move. Years down the road you'll have a conversation piece sitting around that the rest of us won't have. Kinda like the aftermarket 8 track player that I bought and then didn't get around installing before I bought a new car. I put it out every year in our community yard sale but get no takers. But it's good for a laugh.

I have no intentions of selling my HD DVD player.... I still have my D-VHS.. I'd keep your HD A2.

Common sense and simple math is not allowed here :p

Sorry :( I'll keep to that 2+2 = 5 type of math. I bought my unit at Costco with a lifetime return policy and my Amex extended the warranty to 2 years....so I feel half way safe if it self destructs when the war ends :p

Please tell us which studio has released the most disc in HD Disney or Warner and please; no exaggeration.

WTF? What the hell does "most discs" have to do with releasing at all? You really need to work on your reading comprehension skills. I don't have time to debate nonsense with you. Feel free to let me know when you've landed back on planet earth.

Thread now closed based on the thread started request as it gone way off course. (Guys, go watch a movie will ya. :))

I would keep the HD-A2 no questions asked. If you are a videophile you cannot get a better deal and of course want to see all movies in hi-def regardless of platform.