I'm trying to decide the best way to go (blu-ray or HD-DVD), and came across the following article on the web. It's a year old, so maybe it's not applicable anymore.

http://www.projectorcentral.com/blu-ray_2.htm

Anyway, is there one format that seems better than the other at present? I know there's a lot to consider, but for someone just looking to get a player to play his old DVDs as well as some really nice-looking HD content, is one type player better than another?

Honestly, I would read up about both of the formats, players, studio support, costs etc in the forum and make your own decision. I am in the same boat as you. I haven't adopted a format and probably won't do so until early 2008 because there are too many variables that can affect the outcome. Asking "is there one format that seems better than the other at present" will result in nothing but back and forth discussions from both sides of the house (hd dvd and bluray) and you may walk away from this all with exactly what you came here with: confusion :) Anywho, good luck deciding and I'm sorry I could be of any help...

If you're entering the format, I fail to see how a sane individual can pick HD DVD over Blu-ray at this point.

It seems like every week some company is choosing Blu-ray over HD DVD.

The article is a year old so moot point. I would bank on a stalemate, aka dual format eventually.

http://www.microsoft.com/Presspass/press/2007/jul07/07-26ComicConXboxHDDVDPR.mspx

Here's your best bet if you want to get in with just a few bux and invest the rest on rentals and must have buys.

You'll have plenty of money saved for when the ultimate combo player comes out...

I'm trying to decide the best way to go (blu-ray or HD-DVD), and came across the following article on the web. It's a year old, so maybe it's not applicable anymore.

http://www.projectorcentral.com/blu-ray_2.htm

Anyway, is there one format that seems better than the other at present? I know there's a lot to consider, but for someone just looking to get a player to play his old DVDs as well as some really nice-looking HD content, is one type player better than another?

Blockbuster will be carrying only blu ray in all but 250 of there stores. Target will only be carrying Blu Ray players in there stores. Many smaller studios have recently gone Blu Ray exclusive and an already exclusive like Disney is traveling across the country mall to mall showing everyone how great Blu ray is. Oh yeah, and Blu Ray hasnt lost a week in sales to HD in all of 2007. Which one is on there way out?

I'm trying to decide the best way to go (blu-ray or HD-DVD), and came across the following article on the web. It's a year old, so maybe it's not applicable anymore.

http://www.projectorcentral.com/blu-ray_2.htm

Anyway, is there one format that seems better than the other at present? I know there's a lot to consider, but for someone just looking to get a player to play his old DVDs as well as some really nice-looking HD content, is one type player better than another?

Yes there are plenty of resources here, read up.

And on a side note, any article that old for either format is COMPLETELY irrelevant.

:)

Where is the right forum? The blu-ray and HD forums all state in caps that they are to be used EXCLUSIVELY for their own formats. If I made a mistake, I apologize!

Where is the right forum? The blu-ray and HD forums all state in caps that they are to be used EXCLUSIVELY for their own formats. If I made a mistake, I apologize!

Okay, I removed my post after seeing your logic. I think that HDTV Software Media Discussion forum would be more appropriate, since it covers both. This is supposed to be a Dual-Format PLAYER forum. Which is not the same as a forum to discuss Both formats. Generally, when threads get posted like yours, it quickly becomes format fanboy fodder.

So, with that said... I would suggest the LG multi-format player, or looking into the Samsung that's supposed to be coming out in the fall. I have the LG, and have found it to be a solid, single player, dual-format solution. Although it's a bit on the pricey side. I believe the jury is still out on what price point the Samsung is going to come in at.

Blu-Ray is definitely not on the way out. I'd take a look at the available and upcoming titles for both and decide which one suits your tastes. HD-DVD is less expensive to buy in, but you can pick up a PS3 for Blu-Ray which is multi-capable and will hold a better resale value.

I appreciate everyone's input thus-far, and I knew it wouldn't be an easy answer. I just haven't been able to keep up with the whole blu-ray versus HD-DVD, and didn't know if there's a better way to lean at the moment. I'm simply trying to piece my home theater system together last-minute, and need some good HD content to show off the projector, screen, etc. It's very unfortunate that so many movies will be released only in one format or the other.

It comes down to the movies. I own a HD DVD player because of Universal and the movies on HD DVD. I could afford a Bluray player, but I cannot justify the extra player when there are really only a few movies exclusive to Bluray that I am interested in at this time. We'll see if that changes.

For me it was a cost issue. Since I already had the Xbox 360, the cheapest way for me to enter the HD market was to buy the 360 HD-DVD add on. At the time, I honestly was not thinking about studio support, bitrates, etc. In fact, you may want to take the time to look into the specs of the players. It may impact your decision.

As other's have said, you need to factor in studio support.

Not sure if its the right thing to do, but I would buy the player that will play the films you want to watch at home now and in the future. Of course, future content is the great debate! Good luck.

For me initailly, cost was the factor; and I chose HD-DVD. The price has now dropped on the Sony S300 (which I just purchased last week) - so now I am format neutral as they say. In terms of performance on my system; I must admit the the hi-def image looks equal of both formats. Where I have seen a difference is in the upscaling of my standard SD dvd's. My Toshiba A-2 seems to do a much better job on the standard dvd,s. The Toshiba still has the lower priced units with almost as many titles available for sale which probably still tips the scale for any new person wanting to get into HD. Good Luck.

If you're entering the format, I fail to see how a sane individual can pick HD DVD over Blu-ray at this point.

It seems like every week some company is choosing Blu-ray over HD DVD.

I made a list of all the HD-DVDs and Blu-Ray movies I would want.

All of them happened to be on HD-DVD, none (for now) on blu-ray.

I got a used A1 refurb for $ 175 last week which also replaces my dead dvd player.

Thats not too crazy is it?

I made a list of all the HD-DVDs and Blu-Ray movies I would want.

All of them happened to be on HD-DVD, none (for now) on blu-ray.

I got a used A1 refurb for $ 175 last week which also replaces my dead dvd player.

Thats not too crazy is it?
I think so. In fact, you may be the first person around here in months to make their first HD leap into HD-DVD.

Blockbuster will be carrying only blu ray in all but 250 of there stores. Target will only be carrying Blu Ray players in there stores. Many smaller studios have recently gone Blu Ray exclusive and an already exclusive like Disney is traveling across the country mall to mall showing everyone how great Blu ray is. Oh yeah, and Blu Ray hasnt lost a week in sales to HD in all of 2007. Which one is on there way out?

The Target carrying only blu-ray blog was a lie. Reports have already been posted stating so. HDDVD still has more studio support overall. And bluray did just recently lose in sales i believe i saw a week ago or was it 2 weeks ago?

I think so. In fact, you may be the first person around here in months to make their first HD leap into HD-DVD.

Seems lots of people have just bought into HD DVD. Check out the HD DVD hardware section - new owners posting all the time. Apparently the A2 is doing very well at Amazon and CC - so someone is buying lots of these things. Of course many of them are probably BD owners that want Universal content and couldn't resist the price of the Toshiba players. :D

Cheers,

Grant

Not crazy at all. It's completely logical. I have a few amazon GC and am trying to justify the PS3 pick up. It's cheap enough and I get 5 crap movies... but the only Bluray movies I can see myself buying are the Pirate movies.

I think so. In fact, you may be the first person around here in months to make their first HD leap into HD-DVD.
Probably not. Toshiba announced they sold 100K players in April. Six weeks later, they announced another 70K sold due to the price drop. The HD-A2 is consistently a top standalone DVD player on Amazon since then.

Hardware talk only, and please no "my format is better than yours" thats why this section is called "Dual Format Players"