For those of you owning both Hd-dvd and Blu-ray please tell me this: If you had two identical titles with same audio, pic quality, features an so on for the same price which would you buy?

blu ray just cuz my ps3 outputs 1080p and A2 does only 1080i. And the fact that i want BD to win

blu ray just cuz my ps3 outputs 1080p and A2 does only 1080i. And the fact that i want BD to win


Well, at least your honest about the fact you want Brulay to win ;) I paid 219 dollars for my A20 and it does 1080P.

The big question I would ask is I would change the wording to those people who have a Television CAPABLE of natively reproducing 1080P that have a player capable of outputting 1080P, and have the same movie in both formats which one they feel has better quality...

That is the only true way to do a comparison like this.

I don't want to get too technical or start any disputes. Simply put which would you buy assuming they are identical and why?

I own both AND have a 1080P set and I urchase the HD DVD version exclusively. Why? Because for the entry price into HD DVD I was able to purchase multiple HD DVD players for the price of a single BD player so I have HD DVD players in more places in the house. If I want to watch BD (PS3) I have to watch them in the theatre room (which my wife hates). If I want to watch HD DVD I can watch it in the theatre, the living room or the bedroom.

If I owned both I would buy the HD-DVD just so I would give as little money possible to the blu group!


If I did own a blu player it for sure would not be a sony!!!

would probably buy the HD DVD version.
Why? Because, while I don't see the format going anywhere for several years, I've already got some exclusive titles on it that won't be coming to Bd anytime soon- if ever. Therefore I will always need an HD DVD player in my rack- and if I will always need one, I may as well have a good sized collection to justify it.

At least that was my thinking. To be honest though, I really enjoy using my Bd player...at least for Bds. Its surprisingly only quirky with sd dvds, and I've had skips and shut offs when using it as a standard def player.. But it runs quieter , has a more comfortable remote, and I'm able to cover up the LED display so it is not distracting, yet still use the remote (something I can't do with the A1.

For all those reasons, I really should be buying everything on Bd...but I've always had a problem cheering on the popular choice. I feel more comfortable with the Underdog, and feel more comfrtable rooting for him. In this case, I do want HD DVD to continue to exist as a viable alternative, if for no other reason than to keep Bd honest and on their toes.

For those of you owning both Hd-dvd and Blu-ray please tell me this: If you had two identical titles with same audio, pic quality, features an so on for the same price which would you buy?
Whichever cheapest, although your scenarios rarer than you might think. There's almost always some little difference be it extras or sound, etc.

I own both and I purchase the HD DVD version mainly because BLU RAY is the stupidest name I've ever heard. Plus I like rootin for the underdogs.

I buy HD DVD because I don't want to support Blu-ray any more than I have to. Also, I like to use my Harmony remote with everything, and the PS3 requires me to dig out my PS3 controller or PS3 remote because it stupidly lacks an IR port.

I buy HD DVD because I don't want to support Blu-ray any more than I have to. Also, I like to use my Harmony remote with everything, and the PS3 requires me to dig out my PS3 controller or PS3 remote because it stupidly lacks an IR port.

im so glad that the PS3 don't have an IR port. The bluetooth remote has been spoiling me completely that i get frustrated using my other remotes.

I would buy the HD DVD, its my format of choice.

Initially, when I first entered the HD world, I wanted HD DVD to win. It was, in my eyes far superior. However as time passed I grew to like Blu-ray more and more for the general reasons. So to answer the OP question I would buy Blu-ray if faced with a choice. I just wish it didn't have a dumb name as it does. HD DVD is universally understood (excuse the pun).

I personally don't have both but RED cases go better with the all wood entertainment center I built than blue does....

I do own both and I buy the HD DVD version of neutral movies. I like Blu-ray, but I want HD DVD to stay around for as long as possible.

For those of you owning both Hd-dvd and Blu-ray please tell me this: If you had two identical titles with same audio, pic quality, features an so on for the same price which would you buy?
depends on whether the artwork looks better in the red case or if it looks better in the blue case

the untouchables for example, looks better in the red case

purple rain looks maybe a little better in the red case, but it's pretty close

one being lower priced than the other wins also

If the studios would just all go neutral, we'd find out!

Seriously though, there are more blu ray players are out there, HD-DVD with less studio support, but yet software sales are very close considering. If everyone went neutral tomorrow, one would think the HD-DVD pack would pull ahead, right?

I can't be the only one who sees this. Sony, I can understand them staying Blu Ray, but the rest? I mean the HD master will be ready, and the HD-DVDs are similar to DVD's for pressing, why the holdout? It just doesn't make sense. I'd rather everyone just go neutral and let the sales figures do the talking. Winner takes all.

If the studios would just all go neutral, we'd find out!

Seriously though, there are more blu ray players are out there, HD-DVD with less studio support, but yet software sales are very close considering. If everyone went neutral tomorrow, one would think the HD-DVD pack would pull ahead, right?

I can't be the only one who sees this. Sony, I can understand them staying Blu Ray, but the rest? I mean the HD master will be ready, and the HD-DVDs are similar to DVD's for pressing, why the holdout? It just doesn't make sense. I'd rather everyone just go neutral and let the sales figures do the talking. Winner takes all.
Would be nice but not going to happen. They would be waisting there money, instead of us waisting ours! (Buying two players)

Well if we are assuming the titles are equal, are we also forgiving the deceptive and blatantly false PR from the Blu-side?

Blu-ray. They have the hard coating(my coasters kick your coasters' ass), they are a tad lighter(they really are).

On paper they're better(like they're from the future). Mostly it's that the name is less cumbersome, blooray as opposed to h-d-d-v-d.

Good thing CoM is awesome, and it's U-control feature are cool. Otherwise I wouldn't give HD the time of day. The PiP feature are cool.(I'm a film nerd)

So far i have been buying them fo rmy HD-A1 then my PS3. So i buy the HD-DVD version because of mainly the 5.1 analog connectiont ot enjoy the TrueHD track whcih if offered on the Blu-ray version i could not enjoy with my Opticle Cable connection.


Hoping to update sometime this year to maybe the Onkyo-605

BD

The hard-coating rules and the players are better IMO.

BD disks always come from the distributor in pristine condition as well. Almost all my 50+ HD DVDs have dust and fingerprints inside the cases. WTF is up with that noise?

I hope HD DVD embraces hard-coating and gets a great player.

I always just go with the HD DVD version.

HD-DVD. I have 2 360s and 2 HD-DVD players, so I've got more accessibility to HD-DVD. I also like the combo format better (when available).

HD DVD always for me...even though I only get 720p & I get 1080p outta of my PS3...I plan on buying the Onkyo HD DVD player when it comes out so, 720p will satisfy me for now.

If they were non-combos, I would be inclined to get them on HD-DVD. I haven't had any technical problems with my combo discs so far, I just hate paying extra for the SD side and giving up the disc art.

As I posted in the other thread, I would get the HD DVD simply because my A1 is more reliable than my Sammy 1200. Better sound too.
J

As I said in the Blu-ray forum, if everything's equal, I get the HD-DVD. That's rarely the case though.

300 has the PiP feature on the HD-DVD version.
The Host has a PCM track on the Blu-ray version.
Blades of Glory has a PCM track on the Blu-ray version.
Face/Off has more extras on the Blu-ray version.

I'll always go for the superior version since I'm format neutral. But in those instances where the titles are exactly the same, I stick with the HD-DVD.

I buy HD DVD because I don't want to support Blu-ray any more than I have to. Also, I like to use my Harmony remote with everything, and the PS3 requires me to dig out my PS3 controller or PS3 remote because it stupidly lacks an IR port.

I agree times one thousand. Plus the PS3 blu-ray remote is utterly retarded. Why do they continue to build remotes where every single button is identical, and without a back light?

I am format neutral, with more HD DVDs than Blu Rays. I adopted HD DVD first, then Blu Ray with the PS3.

If a disc came out that was identical, in all honesty I'd get the blu-ray version, just in case they win the war.

For those of you owning both Hd-dvd and Blu-ray please tell me this: If you had two identical titles with same audio, pic quality, features an so on for the same price which would you buy?

at this poibt, blu-ray. however, i still buy hd dvd exclusives and the hd dvd version when it has the audio with higher bitrate or VC1 vs. mpeg2 (which has actually been somewhat often).

Initially, when I first entered the HD world, I wanted HD DVD to win. It was, in my eyes far superior. However as time passed I grew to like Blu-ray more and more for the general reasons. So to answer the OP question I would buy Blu-ray if faced with a choice. I just wish it didn't have a dumb name as it does. HD DVD is universally understood (excuse the pun).

i think hd dvd causes more confusion from what i have seen (and even witnessed in person going on in stores) and doesn't roll of the tongue as nicely. that said, i personally, think making the choice of which to support by what the name is is really dumb. and in the end i just want at least one of the two to win (hate the idea of downloads for payperview model and all), although at this point i guess i would prefer bluray to win, but either way is way better than SD DVD or some awkwardly DRM'ed up downloads.

If everything was exactly the same including the price, and the HD DVD wasn't a combo, I'd honestly just flip a coin to decide which one to buy. If everything is equal, I really don't care which format it's on as long as I can watch it in HD.

I don't understand those that get all caught up in this fanboy cheering stuff, especially if you own both formats. If HD DVD or BD was to loose, I'll still have that formats respective player and be able to watch everything I own so, it just doesn't matter to me which format the movie is on (all things being equal between the 2 disc that is).

If it is on both formats I will buy on HD DVD, I went into HD DVD first and I support it 100%. I bought the ps3 because I do not wish to miss out on good titles on HD and I have not been dissapointed but still like what HD DVD offers in terms of features for its price.

Jorge

For those of you owning both Hd-dvd and Blu-ray please tell me this: If you had two identical titles with same audio, pic quality, features an so on for the same price which would you buy?

Just a reminder that just because someone owns both formats does not entirely mean that they are not a "fanboy" of one or the other. In other words, you could still be getting very biased answers.

For those of you owning both Hd-dvd and Blu-ray please tell me this: If you had two identical titles with same audio, pic quality, features an so on for the same price which would you buy?

hmmmm thats a bit complicated since the two formats have somewhat different charactersistics ... it appears that BD has the potentially better sound ... while HD has more versatility in the features/interactive capacity.

... to me it would be toss up until something or some feature gave one version a decided edge.

Although, I would say that if the pricing of the machines itself is of any influence, then HD would get the nod from me considering the signficantly cheaper pricing structure for HD.

I would probably buy HD-DVD although no specs are the same. Blu-ray almost always has a PCM track. So, if HD-DVD had DD+ and BR had Lossless PCM, I'd be purchasing Blu.

Maybe this is the better suited hypothetical question:

If Playstation 3 didn't come with Blu-Ray standard, how many Blu-Ray supporters would there be?

Seriously, let's all just accept the fact that the Blu-Ray format was shoved down people's throats, where as HD-DVD is a conscious CHOICE. EVERYONE who owns an HD-DVD player went out and bought it because they absolutely wanted a hi-def DVD player to enjoy movies on, where as Blu-Ray came with the PS3 so people figure they might as well support it since they've been told they have to. The great, great majority of people who own a PS3 obviously aren't going to go out and buy an HD-DVD player since they were essentially given one with their video game system. And YES I understand there are people out there who bought HD-DVD on top of Blu-Ray, but you all damn well know that the overwhelming majority of PS3 owners spent enough money on their system to begin with so they're not going to go out and support ANOTHER format when this one has already been "given" to them.

You can't ask hypothetical questions like this and expect to get anything out of it. All I'm really trying to say is that the great, great, GREAT overwhelming majority of Blu-Ray owners are owners because it happens to be another feature of their video game system, and NOT because they went out and made the conscious decision to watch Hi-Def movies. Where as with HD-DVD, it's the total opposite.

Sony wanted to win by default by shoving the format down everyone's throats by forcing it into the price of the PS3. And where as they have accomplished being ahead in the format wars because of this, they're sorely lacking behind in the console battle due to Blu-Ray pushing the production costs up of their system. Either way, Sony is most likely content with this generation. They either take the hi-def movie format and struggle a bit with system sales due to price, or if they would've left it out of the system, they would have MUCH higher system sales right now at the sacrifice of HD-DVD "winning." The PS3 itself is pretty much a "trojan horse" in that it's a high-def movie player disguised as a video game system, to Sony at least. Secretly Sony is probably content at what's going on right now. They'll take sluggish console sales as long as HD-DVD gets pushed away.

And if you don't want to believe any of that, just go take a look at the Blu-Ray Players forum on this site. I just counted and 18 of the front page topic subjects have "PS3" in the subject line, including 2 stickies about it. And the one sticky has 425,000 views. So you CANNOT honestly say that the PS3 isn't the be-all-end-all reason why Blu-Ray is even relevant. And just think, that is on a web site full of technology whores who always want the biggest and best. Imagine all the other PS3 owners out there who are buying Blu-Ray discs just to give them a try since it's built into the PS3?

I'm sorry to ramble so much but it's just frustrating to me that the one being forced at people is what's seen as "better" when essentially they're equal, and at least HD-DVD gives me CHOICE. What a novel concept.

at this poibt, blu-ray. however, i still buy hd dvd exclusives and the hd dvd version when it has the audio with higher bitrate or VC1 vs. mpeg2 (which has actually been somewhat often).should be noted that it is more so AVC MPEG4 vs VC-1 these days (which is a much closer comparison technology wise) - with the exception of 300 (VC-1) and few other titles.

HD DVD maybe cuz it has Special Online features can't get with Blu-Ray!

Hd Dvd

HDDVD since as a format the releases generally are much more balanced new and catalogue and especially many many more classic films on HDDVD so I'm supporting that in hopes of seeing more of the same.

Art

own both, I buy hddvd when i can cuz the bluetooth remote on the ps3 is annoying.
I agree with the point about br being force on ppl, but all of that is moot when theres no hd discs to buy. I have hd set as my priority and br second on my netflix. The good news is that about 80 percent of the movies i want to see is on one format or the other, it picks for me automatically.
Unfortunately, almost all the disks so far have been on br.

blu ray just cuz my ps3 outputs 1080p and A2 does only 1080i. And the fact that i want BD to win
Anyone who ows both the PS3 and A2 would know that 1080P and 1080i look exactly the same on a good HDTV. :rolleyes:

Since I owned a PS3 a few months ago, I can still vote.

HD DVD

own both standalone players (not PS3 for br! - there are a few of us out there mva5580 :D ), used to be more interested in hddvd but br is catching up from the technical perspective. br is incorporating trueHD to more of its titles (and they still have PCM), and are using AVC or VC-1. to me that brings them up to par technically, and br has more titles that i want to watch, so that doesn't help. sorry i have little to no interest in IME, or any other interactive features that hddvd boasts (like most guys i don't do well with multi-tasking). although the one feature that i do love about hddvd is that ethernet is part of the spec - so firmware updates are a breeze (compared to the old school burn to disc or call manufacturer for updates on disc, or like Sony - offer little to no support)

HD DVD version.

I buy the one I can find, stores in my area are hit and miss with releases so many times its even lucky I find what I want.

If everything was exactly the same including the price, and the HD DVD wasn't a combo, I'd honestly just flip a coin to decide which one to buy. If everything is equal, I really don't care which format it's on as long as I can watch it in HD.

I don't understand those that get all caught up in this fanboy cheering stuff, especially if you own both formats. If HD DVD or BD was to loose, I'll still have that formats respective player and be able to watch everything I own so, it just doesn't matter to me which format the movie is on (all things being equal between the 2 disc that is).

I'm with you... Assuming EVERYTHING is equal, the version I'd buy would be the first one I see on the shelve at the store, or the first one I see online at Amazon...

Though there are probably some discs where the blue/red case goes better with the disc art (ex. 300 looks better in a red case, IMO).

Blu-ray

I have the PS3 and the 360 Add-on ,the only reason i would pick Blu-ray is because i can use the PCM track(if available) on the PS3.

BD

The hard-coating rules and the players are better IMO.

BD disks always come from the distributor in pristine condition as well. Almost all my 50+ HD DVDs have dust and fingerprints inside the cases. WTF is up with that noise?

I hope HD DVD embraces hard-coating and gets a great player.

What he said.

A few weeks ago, i would have said hd-dvd....bluray seems to be picking up steam, BUT mainly, ive had some lockups with the XA2 player that ive had recently. None on my S300 bluray player, SO, ive changed and starting defaulting to BD.

Now that I have a Panny BD-10A, I'm format neutral.

I would buy the one in stock :D

Unfortunately with my local BestBuy that means I'd have to do without. It can be weeks from a release date before they show up on the shelves.

I like both formats. The Panny is easier to use. Loads much faster then the first generation Toshiba and the remote is much better. Neither remote is easy to use in a dark room, but the Toshiba is impossible :)

own both standalone players (not PS3 for br! - there are a few of us out there mva5580 :D ), used to be more interested in hddvd but br is catching up from the technical perspective. br is incorporating trueHD to more of its titles (and they still have PCM), and are using AVC or VC-1. to me that brings them up to par technically, and br has more titles that i want to watch, so that doesn't help. sorry i have little to no interest in IME, or any other interactive features that hddvd boasts (like most guys i don't do well with multi-tasking). although the one feature that i do love about hddvd is that ethernet is part of the spec - so firmware updates are a breeze (compared to the old school burn to disc or call manufacturer for updates on disc, or like Sony - offer little to no support)

I wonder how long BD releases will continue with LPCM (I have a hunch you will see less releases with it and only speculation on my part but I do buy BD discs and will be watching.) It seems they are embracing TrueHD and why are they even bothering (Fox) with DTS MA.

My last HD purchase: 300 on HD DVD.

with different copy protection (uhh...additional copy protection) they will never be identical. If they were identical, it wouldn't matter....and price would be the deciding factor.

I have both players and always go for the HD-DVD when possible just because it has better picture quality hands down. If all that is available is Blu-Ray (Pirates of the Caribbean), then I buy it on Blu-Ray.

I agree times one thousand. Plus the PS3 blu-ray remote is utterly retarded. Why do they continue to build remotes where every single button is identical, and without a back light?


My thought exactly. I love my Pronto universal remote that control everything in my theater except my PS3. I most definitely would purchase the HD DVD version of movies. To me, HD DVD is a much better experience than Blu-Ray. I find myself purchasing movies on HD DVD just because they are HD DVD (I know I may have too much disposable income). I cannot say the same for BR for some reason. I purchased both Pirates movies and wasn't really impressed (and they are supposed to be some of the best transfers for BR).

Hd-dvd

The HTPC that I built has replaced both my HD A1 and PS3 cause the picture quality is so much better.

I am storing all of my HD and BR on hdds for easier access :rolleyes: and I pick HD whenever I can because the BR discs take up so much more space than the HD counterparts. I've also encountered more problems playing back BR than HD.

With only 6 terabytes of storage :eek: I have to be selective on what I store. :D

Have two A2s and recently bought a PS3.

I don't see any advantage to blu-ray. Now that I have used both formats the differences that are debated so much appears very over blown. That being said HD-DVD seems slightly more polished and I like the extra features. I have also been able to make my own homemade HD-DVDs on red laser DVD.

The BDA's methods in this format competition have also put me off blu-ray.

own both and a 1080p tv. I buy HD-DVD whenever possible. Got hooked on the PQ from the beginning (those early BD mpeg2 releases were so subpar) and have been buying out of loyalty since then.

Face Off will contain the identical extras in hddvd or bd. The hddvd willl be a 2 disc set. Confirmed by Paramount insider jiggawhat today. The bd-50 of Face Off is only 1 disc.

For those of you owning both Hd-dvd and Blu-ray please tell me this: If you had two identical titles with same audio, pic quality, features an so on for the same price which would you buy?


Probably Blu. I'm not particularly invested in either format, but I have a feeling that Blu Ray is going to win. With releases like Pirates and Spiderman being exclusive - that's pretty huge.

HD DVD since I've always liked the red cases better than the Blu cases ;) but it is never the case that EVERYTHING is equal.

I have both the PS3 and the HD-XA2 (actually, it'll arrive in a few days) and I always pick up the HD DVD version no matter what. There are a lot more movies that interest me in HD DVD and I'm not too keen on using my PS3 for movie playback.

I've been getting everything but the Blu-ray exclusives on HD DVD, but I have to admit that the PS3 has really won me over as a player, especially compared to my slow, clunky HD-A1.

HD-DVD! I purchase Bluray only if the title is BR exclusive, and I've only bought 3. HD-DVD has the types of movies I'm interested in, BR is mainly "kiddie" titles and dumb stoner movies.

at this poibt, blu-ray. however, i still buy hd dvd exclusives and the hd dvd version when it has the audio with higher bitrate or VC1 vs. mpeg2 (which has actually been somewhat often).

although, if BD+ comes out, i might favor, all things equal, HD DVD again at that point, since at least it would be future safe since i could always copy it to HD at some time in the future if need ever be.

HD-DVD unless it's a combo, then I buy Bluray. I despise combo's! :eek:

i'd buy the blu-ray because of i think the format has more staying power.

that said, the hd-dvd and blu-ray are almost always different -- hd-dvd offerings have, to date, usually offered better special features and/or better advanced codec support.

EDIT:

you know what, i thought about it a little more, and i changed my mind. assuming the titles were EXACTLY the same (same video/audio encodes, same extras, same price, etc...)

considering i don't have an HDMI receiver or analog outs, i'd probably actually take the HD-DVD, because my HD-D2 will take a TrueHD track or high-bitrate Dolby Digital Plus track and convert it to 1.5MBPS DTS, preserving more (or, in the case of 1.5MBPS DD+, virtually all) of the audio resolution for bitstream output, whereas with the blu-ray, i'd be stuck with 640KBPS standard Dolby Digital.

at least, until i get an HDMI receiver.

Why I am holding HD format is,

1. Universal studio is exclusive to HD-DVD.

2. Whichever cheaper.

Currently my collection accumulated 136 total, 78 BR and 58 HD

HD DVD. every time. I have never had a lip sync problem with any HD DVD. I like HD DVD/SD hybrids, for which I shall remain unapologetic.

I have lip synch issues with every Blu-Ray that I watch no matter whether I use digital correction via receiver and/or VP or whether I select PCM via multi channel analog. It's the player, which, by the way, I paid twice what I paid for my HD DVD player. Nice. I'll gladly put up with those horrendous 40 second HD DVD load times (c'mon, you're going to be sitting there for the next two hours) in exchange for an audio track that matches the video track.

Also, I don't mind paying the extra $5 for HD DVD/SD hybrids. I have kids with SD setups, and portable SD players. With the hybrids I can easily make a backup(gasp) of the SD side that will play on those units. The other option is to buy the HD DVD/Blu-ray disc and the SD DVD, which is much more expensive. I realize that this is a highly unpopular perspective. I wish that the hybrids were the same price as others, but if wishes were pigs, bacon would be free.

IMHO.

I replaced the Toshiba HD-A1 owned for the first year with a Toshiba HD-A2 HD-DVD Player and recently purchased a Panasonic DMP-BD10a Blu-ray Player due to the 10 free discs deal.

The HD-A2 is a big improvement over the HD-A1 in terms of relative speed and usability. The Pany BD10a is OK, but I generally prefer the HD-DVD experience over Blu-ray. Neither remote control matters because I use a URC MX-3000.

The only Blu-ray titles I really wanted so far are Pirates of the Caribbean and Casino Royale. Most of my favorites are Universal titles (ie. Apollo 13, Streets of Fire, Smokey and the Bandit and 22 others I own).

I have both, but my collection is more skewed towards BD (13 HDDVD/29 BD). Unfortunately it isn't really a fair competition in my basement because my home theater can take better advantage of the PS3. The PS3 can output the 1080p24 which my JVC RS1 renders beautifully, as well as connect to my media tomb UPnP media server (though this has been a bit flakey lately).

HDDVD definitely holds its own (even if my HD-A2 is only outputting 1080i), and my girlfriend can't tell the difference. So far I have pretty much been getting neutral discs on BD (mostly because they are slightly cheaper - and the same PQ), and HDDVD exclusives (like Serenity and Matrix Unilogy) for the HD-A2.

HDDVD definitely holds its own (even if my HD-A2 is only outputting 1080i), and my girlfriend can't tell the difference.

So what you are saying is that size doesn't matter :p

Sorry, couldn't resist.

So what you are saying is that size doesn't matter :p

Sorry, couldn't resist.

Obviously you've never heard of the expression "Big things come in small packages".

Maybe this is the better suited hypothetical question:

If Playstation 3 didn't come with Blu-Ray standard, how many Blu-Ray supporters would there be?

Seriously, let's all just accept the fact that the Blu-Ray format was shoved down people's throats, where as HD-DVD is a conscious CHOICE. EVERYONE who owns an HD-DVD player went out and bought it because they absolutely wanted a hi-def DVD player to enjoy movies on, where as Blu-Ray came with the PS3 so people figure they might as well support it since they've been told they have to.

No reason to be pissed Sony gave consumers something with great value. A lot of us PS3 owners bought A1/XA1s long before we bought our PS3s.

Since the initial post mentions same price and features this boils down to hardware capabilities, future prospects for formats, and sense of loyalty.

I really don't have any special interest in any of the companies involved having had both good and bad experiences with Sony, and decent experiences from Toshiba. It does look good for the future of Bu-Ray for now, but of course nothing is certain.

As for my current setup, I lean a bit towards my PS3, since it is Wifi and is easy to update. My Toshiba's firmware is really old and I need to unplug my roommates from the net if I want to update my HD-DVD. This is really annoying for online extras like the ones on the Freedom DVD which I still have yet to watch.

On the other hand I love the 6 cable analog out on the Toshiba since my receiver is pre-HDMI. HD-DVDs sound better than the PS3 for now, but I am planning on buying a new receiver soon.

I think the most annoying thing about HD-DVD is that it takes longer to load compared to the PS3. The other odd thing is that the DVD will stop playing if HDMI is lost when I switch my television to another signal. This wouldn't be so bad if it didn't take so long to reload the DVD. With these factors I will have to side with Blu-ray if things were equal, unfortunately the reality is that combo discs are the real kicker since I will tend to buy the cheaper DVD.

For those of you owning both Hd-dvd and Blu-ray please tell me this: If you had two identical titles with same audio, pic quality, features an so on for the same price which would you buy?
I have still only bought HD DVD versions of movies available in both formats. This is because I just plain like the business practices or forum participation of the HD DVD companies better, and I heavily dislike numerous business practices of the main Blu-ray company.

What's really Hurting HD DVD is the MORE expensive price HD DVD than Blu-Ray!

I have Reached an Ultimatum...

In the future, I am ONLY going with HD DVD with Extra features or same price as BR, but otherwise if BR is cheaper(Which they usually are) than I will go with BR!

I am really Disappointed with HD DVD it's Supposed to be Cheaper than BR, but it's NOT! :rolleyes:

Face Off will contain the identical extras in hddvd or bd. The hddvd willl be a 2 disc set. Confirmed by Paramount insider jiggawhat today. The bd-50 of Face Off is only 1 disc.

I'll still probably go with Face/Off on Blu-ray. The idea of putting in a 2nd disc just to watch extras is annoying, at least when factoring in that the Blu-ray version wouldn't require me to do this. Same goes for A Clockwork Orange.

And before anyone brings up two 30GB discs being better than a single 50 GB disc(and this is assuming the 2nd disc is dual layer), I seriously doubt either of these titles will require more than 50GB.

If your reciever doesn't handle lossless audio don't you often come out better with the hd dvd version with a higher bit rate DD 5.1 or DTS 5.1?

I am also format neutral but based on your scenario, I would have to say the HD-DVD version. Simply because I feel more comfortable with them, I always root for the underdog, they haven't disappointed me yet and I tend to get them cheaper most of the time. And I also would like to see HD-DVD win. I am a bit of a Sony hater but they have come a long way and seem to be producing quality products now. So as a result, I would choose the superior product based on PQ, AQ, Extras, etc....