Recently, I took the red pill and got an XA2 HD DVD player. With the Paramount/Dreamworks announcement, HD DVD seemed to gain some steam, with some formerly BD-only folks going format neutral. It seems that recently, fewer in the HD DVD camp have gone neutral by picking up a BD player. Although happy that I went with HD DVD, there are a number of titles that just aren't available to me in HD that I'd like to see. As much as I'd like to go neutral, I can't quite pull the trigger on a $500+ player that isn't quite finished and may not have the lossless audio I want. The PS3 has been mentioned because of the ability to upgrade its firmware, but I'm just not interested in a gaming console right now. Any thoughts from BD fanboys or others?

Recently, I took the red pill and got an XA2 HD DVD player. With the Paramount/Dreamworks announcement, HD DVD seemed to gain some steam, with some formerly BD-only folks going format neutral. It seems that recently, fewer in the HD DVD camp have gone neutral by picking up a BD player. Although happy that I went with HD DVD, there are a number of titles that just aren't available to me in HD that I'd like to see. As much as I'd like to go neutral, I can't quite pull the trigger on a $500+ player that isn't quite finished and may not have the lossless audio I want. The PS3 has been mentioned because of the ability to upgrade its firmware, but I'm just not interested in a gaming console right now. Any thoughts from BD fanboys or others?

I fall under your "others" category. Your logic seems 100% o.k. to me.

I'm in the same boat as you and was looking at the XA2, then thought I'd wait until the new Sammy dual format came out. It has the same Reon upscaler as the XA2 (and, let's face it, these things are going to be used for SD playback more often than not), and if the street price comes in within ~$200 of the XA2, that may be the way to go.

Well, it depends on if you like/enjoy movies on both formats.

I mainly like the Blu-ray catalog of movies but do enjoy some of the HD DVD movies.
Enough that I bought an HD DVD player.
I have the A20 and have my complaints but overall it does a good job on HD DVD discs but the upconverting wasn't that great(macroblocking/noisy PQ) compared to the Samsung BD-P1200 I have.

I stayed away from the PS3 because the fan is a little noisy, not loud but audible and it's disc grabbing roller mechanism. I like trays better than rollers grabing the discs.

I would probably stay away from the Sony BD-S300 and SD1 as they seem to load and respond the slowest.

I've had good luck with my Samsung BD-P1200($399 at Sears) and it loads/plays the POTC I&II discs quicker and the PQ/AQ is also great.

Is this a good time to go format neutral?
As much as I'd like to go neutral, I can't quite pull the trigger on a $500+ player that isn't quite finished and may not have the lossless audio I want. The PS3 has been mentioned because of the ability to upgrade its firmware, but I'm just not interested in a gaming console right now.

You've answered your own question.

you don't have to look at the ps3 as a gaming console really. look it as an upgradeable bd player with extra functions.

I ended up picking up a PS3, 60gig model. Couple of reasons. Mainly that model as released in North America has the PS2 chipset in it, so it will hold its value.

The PS3 is also the only current BD player that will be 1.1 ready, and even 2.0 ready.

So it really came down to buying the PS3 (and selling later at a small loss) or missing out on several movies.

I decided I simply enjoy the movies too much so jumped.

Recently, I took the red pill and got an XA2 HD DVD player. With the Paramount/Dreamworks announcement, HD DVD seemed to gain some steam, with some formerly BD-only folks going format neutral. It seems that recently, fewer in the HD DVD camp have gone neutral by picking up a BD player. Although happy that I went with HD DVD, there are a number of titles that just aren't available to me in HD that I'd like to see. As much as I'd like to go neutral, I can't quite pull the trigger on a $500+ player that isn't quite finished and may not have the lossless audio I want. The PS3 has been mentioned because of the ability to upgrade its firmware, but I'm just not interested in a gaming console right now. Any thoughts from BD fanboys or others?

I am in the same boat in the opposite direction. I have been looking at the A30 at BB, but I just can't pull the trigger. There are only really 2 titles that I am dying to have, Hot Fuzz and Serenity, but that just isn't worth $400 for 2 movies. I am very close to the edge, and I think that I will give in in a few months. I am trying to hold out for the Samsung or new LG combo player.

I am in the same boat in the opposite direction. I have been looking at the A30 at BB, but I just can't pull the trigger. There are only really 2 titles that I am dying to have, Hot Fuzz and Serenity, but that just isn't worth $400 for 2 movies. I am very close to the edge, and I think that I will give in in a few months. I am trying to hold out for the Samsung or new LG combo player.


"Serenity" is part of my favorite genre but it was a bit soft for my tastes (but then, apparently so are many other movies some call "reference" (?).

My PS3 is not a "gaming console." It has no games on it. I even hid the game controller away after showing my kids that it was "broken" (batteries discharged:-). The things about the PS3 as BD player that I like are that it is quick, stable and upgradeable. One unique feature I really like about the PS3 is the way that you can insert a disc while it is turned off. Other players require you to wait quite a while after pushing the POWER ON button. The PS3 then automatically starts playing the movie. I also got the Nyko IR remote and programmed my Harmony with it. The only real shortcoming of the PS3 as a BD player is that POWER ON/OFF does not work with the IR remote.

If $500 is too much to swallow for a BD player, I would recommend getting an open box early model such as the Samsung - you can find one for less than $300 now.
I purchased an open box Samsung 1000 for $300 and have been pretty happy with it - a few quirks (some stuttering with DTS soundtrack discs) but very good value for the price.

My PS3 is not a "gaming console." It has no games on it. I even hid the game controller away after showing my kids that it was "broken" (batteries discharged:-). The things about the PS3 as BD player that I like are that it is quick, stable and upgradeable. One unique feature I really like about the PS3 is the way that you can insert a disc while it is turned off. Other players require you to wait quite a while after pushing the POWER ON button. The PS3 then automatically starts playing the movie. I also got the Nyko IR remote and programmed my Harmony with it. The only real shortcoming of the PS3 as a BD player is that POWER ON/OFF does not work with the IR remote.

that sums up my ps3 experience. i only use the controller for updating the system, when not in use it's at my friend's house for games.

My PS3 is not a "gaming console." It has no games on it. I even hid the game controller away after showing my kids that it was "broken" (batteries discharged:-). The things about the PS3 as BD player that I like are that it is quick, stable and upgradeable. One unique feature I really like about the PS3 is the way that you can insert a disc while it is turned off. Other players require you to wait quite a while after pushing the POWER ON button. The PS3 then automatically starts playing the movie. I also got the Nyko IR remote and programmed my Harmony with it. The only real shortcoming of the PS3 as a BD player is that POWER ON/OFF does not work with the IR remote.

...and you have that Nyko USB thing sticking out the front.
...and you have to hold down the power button a while for it to work.
...and there is no lcd display like stand-alones.
...and if you place anything above it, the fan sounds like a jet taking off.

I would say neutral is always good. You get the best of both camps. As to the audio question the 1400 can pass both MA and HD via bitstreem right now. If you need them encoded rumor is you need to wait for the 2400. I started Blu but was always planning on going purple. It took me about 2 months before I had both and I have never looked back. There are things on both sides.
Good luck

...and you have that Nyko USB thing sticking out the front.

It sticks out less than the volume knob on my Onkyo receiver. No problem.

...and you have to hold down the power button a while for it to work.

You hold it for a few seconds -- less of issue than I had originally thought. No question about it -- it would be nice if you could just push a button on an IR remote.

...and there is no lcd display like stand-alones.
off.
Don't miss the LCD display -- the PS3 has a very detailed on-screen display that shows more than any LCD

...and if you place anything above it, the fan sounds like a jet taking off.
Well, I haven't tried that yet, but my PS3 is very quiet sitting on top of an HD-XA2.

I was in the same boat about 2 weeks ago and ended up grabbing a brand new 80gb PS3 and it was a great move. I get everything in HD that I want without having to worry about studios, backdoor deals, whiny-ass fanboys, etc, etc. LOVIN IT!

I hear your PS3 hesitation...I was exactly like you. I didnt even play stoopid video games. I mean....a GAME system? Not in my house! Then, I decided, screw it! Brought it home, hooked it up via HDMI, changed a few settings, and bingo....I was watching The Patriot in all its HD glory with incredible picture quality & sound. All from a "game" system. hehehehehe

But YES, neutral is the way to go. The PS3 is the best BD option and does so much more. My wife used it for a camera card-based slideshow on the big screen and she loved it. Freegin cool.....:cool:

If $500 is too much to swallow for a BD player, I would recommend getting an open box early model such as the Samsung - you can find one for less than $300 now.
I purchased an open box Samsung 1000 for $300 and have been pretty happy with it - a few quirks (some stuttering with DTS soundtrack discs) but very good value for the price.

I recommend this too. I got a used BDP-S1 for only $250. check craigslist or BB and WM for open box specials.

The PS3 has been mentioned because of the ability to upgrade its firmware, but I'm just not interested in a gaming console right now. Any thoughts from BD fanboys or others?

If you aren't interested in a gaming console, don't use it as such. It is a full featured Blu-ray player, and one of the best at that.

"Serenity" is part of my favorite genre but it was a bit soft for my tastes (but then, apparently so are many other movies some call "reference" (?).

I might get flamed for saying this, but I think "Aeon Flux" is an amazing transfer - those colours and detail! I was hoping that Serenity was just as good. So tell me what I hope to hear, that you think Aeon Flux is as soft as Serenity?

I'm all for neutrality and may eventually go there myself, but not until the BDA gets their act together and puts completed spec'd players on the market. I like extras and I want to view them on movies I like.

Also, there's no way I'm buying a gaming console for a video player. I will never do this.

I just went neutral. I'm happy and depressed at the same time. I'm happy that I'll be able to enjoy more movies in high definition.

I'm depressed because I've come to the conclusion that neither BD nor HD DVD are in a position to ever become the next mainstream format. I'm fully convinced that both will be around for a while, and both will remain an enthusiast niche market segment, and more enthusiasts will jump on board. But standard definition DVDs are going to remain the de-facto standard of J6Ps everywhere for an extremely long time. Even if the next gen player and media prices were identical to standard dvd, why would J6P want to change what he currently has? In order to appreciate it, he would probably have to upgrade his tv, his av receiver, and maybe even his speakers/sub in addition to buying a next gen player (or two if he wants movies from all studios). That isn't cheap, and most J6P's don't see the benefit for the cost.

If you want to enjoy movies from all studios in high def, the only option is to go neutral. You can sit on a fence and wait for one side to "win", but the only side that is going to win anytime soon is standard dvd. Depressing.

If you want to enjoy movies from all studios in high def, the only option is to go neutral.
But if you go neutral, you can't be a lobbyist and your home webpage(blu-ray.com or campaignhd.com) will disown you for helping the "other" side.;)

Being neutral has it's benefits.
I walk over to the Blu-ray section and see that a movie I like is not available and then I look over to the HD DVD section and what do you know, it's an HD DVD exclusive not available on Blu-ray. So, I buy it and enjoy my HDM purchase. Whereas if I was exclusive to one format, I would miss out and would have to buy the SD DVD version on day and date releases.

I think now is the worst time. Pick a side and stick with it because it is going to end soon enough. When I say end, I mean Warner will pick a side.