I was thinking about buying some new movies in either Blu-Ray or HD-DVD format. I still have a SD DVD player and SDTV. I'll eventually get a HD system but I don't want to double up on movies like I did with VHS/DVD. Do either of the new formats contain a 480i version of the movie that I can watch?

I was thinking about buying some new movies in either Blu-Ray or HD-DVD format. I still have a SD DVD player and SDTV. I'll eventually get a HD system but I don't want to double up on movies like I did with VHS/DVD. Do either of the new formats contain a 480i version of the movie that I can watch?

HD DVD combo discs.
They are dual sided.
One side contains the movie in HD, and the flip side is in SD.


The top of the case will be clearly marked "Combo Format" as shown below if it is a combo disc.
http://freshsoftware.net/images/comp_dvds/horror/hitcher_the_hd_dvd_dvd_combo_format_-54271272_full.jpg

I was thinking about buying some new movies in either Blu-Ray or HD-DVD format. I still have a SD DVD player and SDTV. I'll eventually get a HD system but I don't want to double up on movies like I did with VHS/DVD. Do either of the new formats contain a 480i version of the movie that I can watch?

Hd DVD does have "combo" discs for some of their releases. Just look for the ones called combo discs. One side is the SD side and the other is the HD side.


for your point about double dipping I was in the same boat. I wanted to replace only my favorites and get new releases. That lasted all of 2 months :D, now I'm on my way to replacing every one of my 500 dvd's with the Hi-Def version. Once you go Hi-Def you can't go back :D

With HD-DVD you have the option of buying what is called a "Combo Format" disc. These discs will play on standard definition equipment and also on a HD-DVD player. One side of the disc has the SD version and the other side has the HD version. The SD side contains the movie in 480i, the HD side has the HiDef version and the special features exclusive to HD-DVD.

Many of the newer releases on HD-DVD support this combo-format, such as the upcoming '300'. Keep in mind that you will pay a premium to get the HD content, so expect to pay about $10 more than you would on a SD-DVD new release. If you are certain you are going to jump into the HiDef movie market in the near future, then this isn't a bad way to start a collection. HD-DVD players should hit $200 around the holidays, so thats probably the best time to upgrade.

expect to pay $5-$10 more than you would on a SD-DVD new release.

More like $10-15 if you don't shop online. :mad:

More like $10-15 if you don't shop online. :mad:
Since I hate flippers, at those premiums I would just get the DVD for now. It's possible that by the time you're ready to take the plunge, the HDM discs could be cheaper and you could come out even or even ahead.

Since I hate flippers, at those premiums I would just get the DVD for now. It's possible that by the time you're ready to take the plunge, the HDM discs could be cheaper and you could come out even or even ahead.

Heck, who know for sure if HD DVD will be around by the time he takes the plunge? Seriously, that would stink.

Here is a short list of HD DVD's which are combo formats and have both the standard DVD version, and the HD DVD version

The Departed
Happy Feet
The Hitcher
Breach
Children of Men
Letters from Iwo Jima
Superman Returns
Jet Li's Fearless

If you go to www.highdefdigest.com and read the reviews of HD DVD movies it will tell you if a HD DVD is a combo format or not.

Here is a short list of HD DVD's which are combo formats and have both the standard DVD version, and the HD DVD version

The Departed
Happy Feet
The Hitcher
Breach
Children of Men
Letters from Iwo Jima
Superman Returns
Jet Li's Fearless

If you go to www.highdefdigest.com and read the reviews of HD DVD movies it will tell you if a HD DVD is a combo format or not.


Also Land of the Dead, The Good Shepherd, and Army of Darkness (discontinued as combo, though).

With HD-DVD you have the option of buying what is called a "Combo Format" disc. These discs will play on standard definition equipment and also on a HD-DVD player. One side of the disc has the SD version and the other side has the HD version. The SD side contains the movie in 480P, the HD side has the HiDef version and the special features exclusive to HD-DVD.
Sorry to pick nits, but the SD side contains 480i, not 480p. This is why progressive-scan DVD players require a deinterlacer.

Sorry to pick nits, but the SD side contains 480i, not 480p. This is why progressive-scan DVD players require a deinterlacer.Thanks for clarifying that. I just assumed it would be progressive scan, but I guess thats a feature on the player and not the disc itself.

Check this site for a full list of HD DVD / DVD combo releases:
http://hddvdstats.com/

Filter by Size and set it to HD30Combo or HD15Combo.

I was thinking about buying some new movies in either Blu-Ray or HD-DVD format. I still have a SD DVD player and SDTV. I'll eventually get a HD system but I don't want to double up on movies like I did with VHS/DVD. Do either of the new formats contain a 480i version of the movie that I can watch?

I have only tested Blu-Ray on one movie at my step-dad's house.

He finally purchased a PS3 and still has SDTV. We hooked it up and played Casino Royale just fine.

I think either format's players is able to output at SD resolutions with no problems, however you would have to have a Blu-Ray or HD-DVD player to do that.

As mentioned above, HD-DVD is the only one where SOME of the movies are combo discs, with a side that is SD that will play in any dvd player.