dubq 0 Report post Posted May 28, 2007 I'm looking to upgrade soon since my progressive scan DVD player is about to bottom out on me and figured I might as well go with the next generation of DVD player. Anyone have advice/opinions on the best models/prices out there? Also: are region free hacks available for these players yet? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Craig Th 0 Report post Posted May 28, 2007 It all depends on what you like. If you are a fan of Universal and Weinstein Company movies, then HD-DVD is what you should get since both of them are only on that format. While Fox, MGM, Lionsgate Sony, and Disney are only on Blu-Ray. Warner and Paramont are on both formats. You can get an HD-DVD player for $400 with a rebate, but you can get a BR player for $600. However, BR is dropping in price very soon and will be available for $400 soon. There is an LG player that is a dual format player, but it will only play the movie on an HD-DVD, no special features. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Craig Th 0 Report post Posted May 28, 2007 2 Formats collide. Toshiba/Nec's HD DVD format titles available now & announced & we have the rival format, Sony's Blu-Ray Disc movies available now & announced. At the bottom of the list you'll see the total # of movies from each format. North American releases only Available Now HD DVD The Last Samurai (Warner) Million Dollar Baby (Warner) The Phantom of the Opera (Warner) Serenity (Universal) Apollo13 (Universal) Doom (Universal) GoodFellas (Warner) Swordfish (Warner) Assault On Precinct 13 (Universal) Cinderella Man (Universal) Jarhead (Universal) Rumor Has It (Combo) (Warner) Training Day (Warner) Full Metal Jacket (Warner) Unforgiven (Warner) Blazing Saddles (Warner) The Bourne Supremacy (Universal) The Chronicles of Riddick (Universal) The Fugitive (Warner) U-571 (Universal) Van Helsing (Universal) Constantine (Warner) Firewall (Combo) (Warner) The Perfect Storm (Warner) View From Space With Heavenly Music (Concert Hot Spot) 16 Blocks (Combo) (Warner) Happy Gilmore (Universal) The Rundown (Universal) Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (Combo) (Warner) Syriana (Warner) Guitarscape Planet (Concert Hot Spot) Lethal Weapon (Warner) The Best of GetOut! Volume 1 (HDNet) The Best of GetOut! Volume 2 (HDNet) The Best of HDNet World Report Volume 1 (HDNet) The Best of HDNet World Report Volume 2 (HDNet) The Dukes of Hazzard (Unrated) (Warner) Enter the Dragon (Uncut) (Warner) Friday Night Lights (Universal) Pitch Black (Universal) ATL (Combo) (Warner) Lara Croft: Tomb Raider (Paramount) Sahara (Paramount) Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow (Paramount) Sleepy Hollow (Paramount) Four Brothers (Paramount) The Manchurian Candidate (Paramount) We Were Soldiers (Paramount) Aeon Flux (Paramount) The Italian Job (Paramount) U2: Rattle and Hum (Paramount) Animal House (Combo) (Universal) Ray (Universal) Unleashed (Combo) (Universal) The Bone Collector (Universal) Caddyshack (Warner) Good Night, and Good Luck (Combo) (Warner) The Searchers (Warner) Spy Game (Universal) Backdraft (Universal) House of Wax (2005) (Warner) Lethal Weapon 2 (Warner) Red Dragon (Universal) Seabiscuit (Universal) Space Cowboys (Warner) Traffic (Universal) Troy (Warner) 2 Fast 2 Furious (Universal) The Adventures of Robin Hood (Warner) Dazed & Confused (Combo) (Universal) The Dirty Dozen (Warner) End of Days (Universal) The Fast and the Furious (Universal) Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift (Combo) (Universal) Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (Universal) George A. Romero’s Land of the Dead (Combo) (Universal) Grand Prix (Warner) The Lake House (Combo) (Warner) Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines (Warner) Alice Cooper: Live At Montreux (Eagle Rock) Black Crowes: Freak ‘n’ Roll... Into The Fog (Eagle Rock) Elvis Costello - Club Date: Live In Memphis (Eagle Rock) The Pat Metheny Group: The Way Up (Eagle Rock) Toto - Live In Amsterdam (Eagle Rock) Batman Begins (Warner) Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (Warner) Fast Times at Ridgemont High (Combo) (Universal) The Polar Express (Warner) Sam Raimi's Army of Darkness (Combo) (Universal) Tim Burton's Corpse Bride (Warner) Waist Deep (Combo) (Universal) Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (Warner) The Break-Up (Combo) (Universal) 12 Monkeys (Universal) The Interpreter (Universal) Out of Sight (Universal) Slither (Combo) (Universal) Spartacus (Universal) The Thing (Universal) Excalibur (Warner) Mission: Impossible I (Paramount) Mission: Impossible II (Paramount) Mission: Impossible III (Paramount) One Six Right: the Romance of Flying (Terwilliger) Under Siege (Warner) V for Vendetta (Warner) Nacho Libre (Paramount) Reds (Paramount) Accepted (Combo) (Universal) Antarctica Dreaming (DVD International) Casablanca (Warner) Cream: Royal Albert Hall - London May 2-3-5-6 2005 (Rhino) The Eagles: Farewell Tour 1 - Live In Melbourne (Rhino) Exotic Saltwater Aquarium (Combo) (DVD International) Fireplace - Visions of Tranquility (DVD International) Forbidden Planet (Warner) HD Window - Great Southwest (DVD International) HD Window - Hawaii (DVD International) James Taylor: A MusiCares Person of the Year Tribute (Rhino) King Kong (Universal) Mutiny on the Bounty (Warner) Serenity - Southern Seas (DVD International) Stargaze II (DVD International) Visions of the Sea (DVD International) Waterworld (Universal) Dr Seuss How The Grinch Stole Christmas (Combo) (Universal) You, Me and Dupree (Combo) (Universal) An American Werewolf in London (Combo) (Universal) The Ant Bully (Combo) (Warner) Dune (Universal) Meet the Parents (Universal) The Mummy (Universal) Smallville: The Complete Fifth Season (Warner) Superman: The Movie (Warner) Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut (Warner) Superman Returns (Combo) (Warner) The Architect (Magnolia) A Christmas Story (Warner) Chronos (R&B Films) Miami Vice (Combo) (Universal) National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (Warner) Barry Manilow Live! (Image) Chicago and Earth, Wind & Fire: Live at the Greek Theatre (Image) Field of Dreams (Universal) Heart: Alive in Seattle (Image) Hulk (Universal) World Trade Center (Paramount) Casino (Universal) Derailed (Weinstein) Jet Li's Fearless (Combo) (Universal) Lady in the Water (Combo) (Warner) The Matador (Weinstein) Scary Movie 4 (Weinstein) The Scorpion King (Combo) (Universal) The Sopranos: Season Six, Part One (HBO) Wolf Creek (Weinstein) The Breakfast Club (Combo) (Universal) The Deer Hunter (Universal) Clerks II (Weinstein) Lucky Number Slevin (Weinstein) The Mummy Returns (Universal) Poseidon (Warner) Pulse (Weinstein) Scooby-Doo (Warner) The Sting (Universal) Black Rain (Paramount) Brokeback Mountain (Combo) (Universal) Beerfest (Warner) Discovery Atlas: Australia Revealed (Discovery) Discovery Atlas: Brazil Revealed (Discovery) Discovery Atlas: China Revealed (Discovery) Discovery Atlas: Italy Revealed (Discovery) Half Baked (Combo) (Universal) The Wicker Man (Combo) (Warner) Hollywoodland (Combo) (Universal) The Departed (Combo) (Warner) The World's Fastest Indian (Magnolia) Babel (Paramount) Bullitt (Warner) The Getaway (Warner) Nature's Colors With the World's Greatest Music (WEA) Nine Inch Nails Live: Beside You in Time (Interscope) Children of Men (Combo) (Universal) Happy Feet (Combo) (Warner) March of the Penguins (Warner) National Geographic: Relentless Enemies (Warner) The Good Shepherd (Combo) (Universal) Dog Day Afternoon (Warner) Payback Straight Up: The Director's Cut (Paramount) A Scanner Darkly (Warner) Feast (Weinstein) The Game (Universal) The Jerk (Universal) School for Scoundrels (Weinstein) Smokin' Aces (Combo) (Universal) District B13 (Magnolia) Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (Universal) Failure to Launch (Paramount) The Nutty Professor (Universal) Planet Earth: The Complete Series (BBC) Digital Video Essentials (DVD International) Alpha Dog (Combo) (Universal) Bubble (Magnolia) Dreamgirls (Paramount) The Hitcher (Combo) (Universal) The Lost City (Magnolia) Battle of the Bulge (Warner) The Fountain (Combo) (Warner) The Road Warrior (Warner) The 40-Year-Old Virgin (Universal) Flags of Our Fathers (Paramount) Freedom Writers (Paramount) Letters from Iwo Jima (Combo) The Complete Matrix Trilogy (Warner) The Ultimate Matrix Collection (Warner) Mission: Impossible (Paramount) Mission: Impossible II (Paramount) The Skeleton Key (Universal) Smokey and the Bandit (Universal) HD DVD = 220 releases Available Now Blu-Ray Disc 50 First Dates (Sony) The Fifth Element (Sony) Hitch (Sony) House of Flying Daggers (Sony) The Terminator (MGM) Underworld: Evolution (Sony) xXx (Sony) Crash (Lionsgate) Lord of War (Lionsgate) The Punisher (Lionsgate) Saw (Lionsgate) Terminator 2 - Judgment Day (Lionsgate) Ultraviolet (Sony) Basic Instinct 2 (Sony) Guitarscape Planet (Concert Hot Spot) View from Space With Heavenly Music (Concert Hot Spot) The Benchwarmers (Sony) The Last Waltz (MGM) Species (MGM) Stealth (Sony) Good Night, and Good Luck (Warner) Kiss, Kiss, Bang, Bang (Warner) Rumor Has It (Warner) Training Day (Warner) Into the Blue (Sony) Memento (Sony) RV (Sony) Silent Hill (Sony) The Devil's Rejects (Lionsgate) Stargate (Lionsgate) Stir of Echoes (Lionsgate) Total Recall (Lionsgate) Blazing Saddles (Warner) Firewall (Warner) Full Metal Jacket (Warner) Lethal Weapon (Warner) The Big Hit (Sony) Dinosaur (Disney) Eight Below (Disney) The Great Raid (Miramax, Buena Vista) Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back (Dimension, Buena Vista) A Knight's Tale (Sony) S.W.A.T. (Sony) Tears of the Sun (Sony) Four Brothers (Paramount) The Fugitive (Warner) House of Wax (2005) (Warner) The Lake House (Warner) Lara Croft: Tomb Raider (Paramount) Lethal Weapon 2 (Warner) Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow (Paramount) Sleepy Hollow (Paramount) Space Cowboys (Warner) Swordfish (Warner) Tim Burton's Corpse Bride (Warner) John Legend: Live at the House of Blues (Sony Music) New Orleans Concert: The Music of America's Soul (Concert Hot Spot) Bubble (Magnolia) Alice Cooper: Live At Montreux (Eagle Rock) Black Crowes: Freak ‘n’ Roll... Into The Fog (Eagle Rock) Elvis Costello - Club Date: Live In Memphis (Eagle Rock) The Pat Metheny Group: The Way Up (Eagle Rock) Toto - Live In Amsterdam (Eagle Rock) 16 Blocks (Warner) Aeon Flux (Paramount) Bikini Destinations: Triple Fantasy (HDNet) Click (Sony) Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room (Magnolia) The Italian Job (Paramount) One Last Thing... (Magnolia) Sahara (Paramount) Shuttle Discovery's Historic Mission (HDNet) Syriana (Warner) U2: Rattle and Hum (Paramount) The War Within (Magnolia) The Brothers Grimm (Dimension, Buena Vista) Dark Water (Touchstone, Buena Vista) Haunted Mansion (Disney, Buena Vista) Glory Road (Disney, Buena Vista) Gone in 60 Seconds (Touchstone, Buena Vista) Legends of Jazz (LRS Media) Monster House (Sony) Mission: Impossible I (Paramount) Mission: Impossible II (Paramount) Mission: Impossible III (Paramount) The Phantom of the Opera (Warner) The Searchers (Warner) Under Siege (Warner) Unforgiven (Warner) Little Man (Sony) Nacho Libre (Paramount) Reds (Paramount) ATL (Warner) Behind Enemy Lines (20th Century Fox) Black Hawk Down (Sony) Fantastic Four (20th Century Fox) Kingdom of Heaven (Directors Cut) (20th Century Fox) Kiss of the Dragon (20th Century Fox) The Last Samurai (Warner) The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen (20th Century Fox) Million Dollar Baby (Warner) The Omen (20th Century Fox) Speed (20th Century Fox) The Transporter (20th Century Fox) X-Men: The Last Stand (20th Century Fox) Annapolis (Touchstone, Buena Vista) Enemy of the State (Touchstone, Buena Vista) Goal! The Dream Begins (Touchstone, Buena Vista) Ice Age: The Meltdown (20th Century Fox) Sky High (Disney, Buena Vista) The Wild (Disney, Buena Vista) The Ant Bully (Warner) Superman: The Movie (Warner) Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut (Warner) Superman Returns (Warner) Windtalkers (MGM) The Architect (Magnolia) Bulletproof Monk (MGM) A Christmas Story (Warner) Flight of the Phoenix (20th Century Fox) National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (Warner) Rising Sun (20th Century Fox) Rocky (MGM) The Devil Wears Prada (20th Century Fox) Kung Fu Hustle (Sony) Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby (Sony) Tony Bennett: An American Classic (Sony Music) World Trade Center (Paramount) All the King's Men (Sony) Flightplan (Touchstone, Buena Vista) Invincible (Disney, Buena Vista) Lady in the Water (Warner) Pearl Harbor (Disney, Buena Vista) The Sopranos: Season Six, Part One (HBO) The Descent (Lionsgate) Transporter 2 (20th Century Fox) The Covenant (Sony) Crank (Lionsgate) Employee of the Month (Lionsgate) Goodfellas (Warner) Resident Evil: Apocalypse (Sony) Scooby-Doo (Warner) Alien vs. Predator (20th Century Fox) Black Rain (Paramount) Casanova (Touchstone, Buena Vista) Chicago (Miramax, Buena Vista) Courage Under Fire (20th Century Fox) Gridiron Gang (Sony) The Guardian (Touchstone, Buena Vista) The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (Touchstone, Buena Vista) The Manchurian Candidate (Paramount) Men of Honor (20th Century Fox) Saw II (Lionsgate) Saw III (Lionsgate) We Were Soldiers (Paramount) District B13 (Magnolia) Beerfest (Warner) Discovery Atlas: Australia Revealed (Discovery) Discovery Atlas: Brazil Revealed (Discovery) Discovery Atlas: China Revealed (Discovery) Discovery Atlas: Italy Revealed (Discovery) Flyboys (MGM) Hart's War (MGM) Open Season (Sony) The Wicker Man (Warner) American Psycho (Lionsgate) First Blood (Lionsgate) Reservoir Dogs (Lionsgate) Running With Scissors (Sony) The Tailor of Panama (Sony) Young Guns (Lionsgate) Broken Arrow (20th Century Fox) Chain Reaction (20th Century Fox) Chronos (R&B Films) The Departed (Warner) Entrapment (20th Century Fox) Ladder 49 (Touchstone, Buena Vista) The Marine (20th Century Fox) Phone Booth (20th Century Fox) Planet of the Apes (2001) (20th Century Fox) Reign of Fire (Touchstone, Buena Vista) The Sentinel (20th Century Fox) The Usual Suspects (MGM) The World's Fastest Indian (Magnolia) Babel (Paramount) Destiny's Child: Live in Atlanta (Sony Music) The Prestige (Touchstone, Buena Vista) Vertical Limit (Sony) Bullitt (Warner) The Getaway (Warner) Nature's Colors With the World's Greatest Music (WEA) Nine Inch Nails Live: Beside You in Time (Interscope) Stranger Than Fiction (Sony) Casino Royale (MGM) The Holiday (Sony) Hoosiers (MGM) Layer Cake (Sony) Big Fish (Sony) Chicken Little (Disney, Buena Vista) Eragon (20th Century Fox) Finding Neverland (Miramax, Buena Vista) Rocky Balboa (MGM) Happy Feet (Warner) Incubus: Alive at Red Rocks (Sony Music) March of the Penguins (Warner) National Geographic: Relentless Enemies (Warner) The Pursuit of Happyness (Sony) Warriors of Heaven and Earth (Sony) G.I. Jane (Touchstone, Buena Vista) Identity (Sony) King Arthur - Director's Cut (Touchstone, Buena Vista) Volver (Sony) Dog Day Afternoon (Warner) Payback Straight Up: The Director's Cut (Paramount) A Scanner Darkly (Warner) The Dirty Dozen (Warner) Enter the Dragon (Warner) Deja Vu (Touchstone, Buena Vista) Failure to Launch (Paramount) Night at the Museum (20th Century Fox) Planet Earth: The Complete Series (BBC) The Queen (Miramax, Buena Vista) Secret Window (Sony) Ultimate Avengers Collection (Lionsgate) Dreamgirls (Paramount) Happily N'Ever After (Lionsgate) The Lost City (Magnolia) Catch and Release (Sony) Dirty Dancing (Lionsgate) Donnie Brasco: Extended Cut (Sony) Revenge: Director's Cut (Sony) Battle of the Bulge (Warner) The Fountain (Warner) The Road Warrior (Warner) Stomp The Yard (Sony) Apocalypto (Touchstone, Buena Vista) Closer (Sony) Flags of Our Fathers (Paramount) Freedom Writers (Paramount) Letters from Iwo Jima (Warner) Mission: Impossible (Paramount) Mission: Impossible II (Paramount) Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (Disney, Buena Vista) Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest (Disney, Buena Vista) Blu-Ray Disc = 243 releases ------------------------------------------------------------- Upcoming HD DVD & Blu-Ray Schedual, May 29th 2007 Basic Instinct (Lionsgate) Chris Botti Live with Orchestra and Guests (Sony Music) Curse of the Golden Flower (Sony) Dragonheart (Universal) Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room (Magnolia) The Frighteners: Director's Cut (Universal) Lost In Translation (Universal) Midnight Run (Universal) One Last Thing... (Magnolia) The River (Universal) The War Within (Magnolia) Weeds: Season One (Lionsgate) June 5th 2007 Blood Diamond (Warner) Bruce Springsteen with the Seeger Band: Live in Dublin (Sony Music) Coming to America (Paramount) Coming to America (Paramount) The Cowboys (Warner) The Cowboys (Warner) Hellboy (Sony) The Messengers (Sony) Norbit (Paramount) Norbit (Paramount) Rescue Me: The Complete Third Season (Sony) Rio Bravo (Warner) Rio Bravo (Warner) Trading Places (Paramount) Trading Places (Paramount) June 12th 2007 Black Christmas (Weinstein) Blood and Chocolate (Sony) Born on the Fourth of July (Universal) Breach (Combo) (Universal) Bruce Almighty (Universal) Cruel Intentions (Sony) Daddy's Little Girls (Lionsgate) Daylight (Universal) Ghost Rider (Sony) Harsh Times (Weinstein) Liar, Liar (Universal) Monty Python's The Meaning of Life (Universal) Music and Lyrics (Combo) (Warner) Music and Lyrics (Warner) Primeval (Hollywood Pictures, Buena Vista) Seven Years in Tibet (Sony) Sneakers (Universal) June 19th 2007 Bridge to Terabithia (Disney, Buena Vista) June 26th 2007 American Me (Universal) Being John Malkovich (Universal) The Big Lebowski (Universal) Black Snake Moan (Paramount) Black Snake Moan (Paramount) Bulletproof (Universal) Dead Silence (Combo) (Universal) Deep Purple: They All Came Down to Montreux (Eagle Rock) Freedom: Vol. 1 (Combo) (Bandai) Hustle & Flow (Paramount) Hustle & Flow (Paramount) Mallrats (Universal) Meet Joe Black (Universal) Mystery Men (Universal) Santana: Hymns for Peace - Live at Montreux (Eagle Rock) The Watcher (Universal) Yes: Live at Montreux (Eagle Rock) July 3rd 2007 Blood Diamond (Warner) Flatliners (Sony) The Patriot (Sony) The Untouchables (Paramount) The Untouchables (Paramount) The Warriors (Paramount) The Warriors (Paramount) July 10th 2007 Billy Madison (Universal) Dante's Peak (Universal) The War (Universal) The Wedding Date (Universal) July 17th 2007 Premonition (Sony) Waiting... (Lionsgate) Wild Things (Sony) July 24th 2007 An Officer and a Gentleman (Paramount) An Officer and a Gentleman (Paramount) The Bourne Identity (Universal) The Contract (First Look) Ghost (Paramount) Ghost (Paramount) The Host (Magnolia) The Host (Magnolia) Hot Fuzz (Combo) (Universal) In Good Company (Universal) Nutty Professor II (Universal) Scent of a Woman (Universal) Streets of Fire (Universal) Weeds: Season Two (Lionsgate) Zodiac (Paramount) Zodiac (Paramount) July 31st 2007 300 (Combo) (Warner) 300 (Warner) Blue Planet (Warner) Blue Planet (Warner) Darkman (Universal) Roving Mars (Disney, Buena Vista) Sea of Love (Universal) Shaun of the Dead (Universal) Shooter (Paramount) Shooter (Paramount) August 7th 2007 TMNT (2007) (Combo) (Warner) TMNT (2007) (Warner) August 14th 2007 Bell Witch: The Movie (Big River) Bell Witch: The Movie (Big River) Dr. Strange (Lionsgate) Wild Hogs (Touchstone, Buena Vista) August 28th 2007 Face/Off (Paramount) Face/Off (Paramount) Heroes: Season One (Universal) September 4th 2007 Nip/Tuck: The Complete Fourth Season (Warner) Nip/Tuck: The Complete Fourth Season (Warner) September 18th 2007 Jailhouse Rock (Warner) Jailhouse Rock (Warner) Viva Las Vegas (Warner) Viva Las Vegas (Warner) We Are Marshall (Combo) (Warner) We Are Marshall (Warner) November 20th 2007 Santa Clause 3: Escape Clause (Disney, Buena Vista) ------------------------------------------------------------ Total HD DVD announced 70 Total Blu-Ray announced 50 ------------------------------------------------------------ Total HD DVD released & announced by Studio, Bandai Visual = 1 BBC Video = 1 Big River Productions = 1 Concert Hot Spot = 2 Discovery Communications = 4 DVD International = 9 Eagle Rock = 8 First Look Studios = 1 HBO = 1 HDNet = 4 Image Entertainment = 3 Interscope = 1 Magnolia Home Entertainment = 9 Paramount Home Entertainment = 35 R&B Films = 1 Rhino Home Entertainment = 3 Terwilliger Productions = 1 Universal Home Entertainment = 109 Warner/Elektra/Atlantic (WEA) = 1 Warner Home Video = 83 Weinstein Company = 11 Total Blu-Ray Disc released & announced by Studio, 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment = 26 BBC Video = 1 Big River Productions = 1 Concert Hot Spot = 3 Discovery Communications = 4 Disney = 38 Eagle Rock = 5 HBO = 1 HDNet = 2 Interscope = 1 Lionsgate Films = 27 LRS Media = 1 Magnolia Home Entertainment = 9 MGM = 12 Paramount Home Entertainment = 35 R&B Films = 1 Sony Pictures Home Entertainment = 59 Sony Music = 6 Warner/Elektra/Atlantic (WEA) = 1 Warner Home Video = 60 ------------------------------------------------------------ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dubq 0 Report post Posted May 28, 2007 I gotta say: I hate this dual format bullshit and that certain studios only release on one format. I don't ever plan on getting a PS3, either. Maybe I'll just wait until there's a hardcore dual format player that can utilize all aspects of the discs... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jaxxson Mayhem 0 Report post Posted May 28, 2007 Ya, this format split is bullshit. Although it might be good because it brings the price down on players that play HD quality movies. The competition is a good and bad thing. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dubq 0 Report post Posted May 28, 2007 Apparently Samsung has a dual format player that will support all features of both disc formats slated to be released this X-Mas. Crossing my fingers. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MarvinisaLunatic 0 Report post Posted May 29, 2007 First of all, dont bother with the LG Combo player if you really want HD-DVD since it only plays the movies, no special features and its more expensive than buying seperate players for each. You can get an HD-DVD player at Best Buy right now for $299, and Im pretty sure its the newer Toshiba model, and Im pretty sure thats also with some free movies. They also just put a $200 reduction on the Sony BR player to put it to $799. And duh you can get a PS3 for $599 as well. As far as the Samsung model, I would almost bet it will be the same deal as the LG, a stripped down HD-DVD player and full fledged Blu-Ray. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dubq 0 Report post Posted May 29, 2007 As far as the Samsung model, I would almost bet it will be the same deal as the LG, a stripped down HD-DVD player and full fledged Blu-Ray. I dunno - their press release says that it will include the features that the LG one does not have including HDi (the application software used to play the special features). We'll have to wait and see I guess, and I'm cool with waiting. I can still use my PS2 as a regular DVD player if/when my current player spins out of control into a nearby ditch. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MarvinisaLunatic 0 Report post Posted May 29, 2007 A manufacturer who wasn't in either formats "camp" to begin with might be able to work with both now and make a dual format player but I dont see it with any company that has been in one formats camp from the start. The LG player is a travesty though because it got hyped up so much at CES and then it came out that the thing couldnt even carry the HD-DVD logo because it wasn't fully compliant with HD-DVD specs, and the price put it at more than the cost of a player of both format. Blu Ray is the better format.. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Craig Th 0 Report post Posted May 29, 2007 Yeah, it is. I used to be HD-DVD only, but then I got a PS3. I then realized one day that I NEVER watched my HD-DVDs anymore and I just watched BR. So I got rid of my 360 and the HD-DVD add-on. And I haven't looked back since. BR is 10 times better Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CanadianGuitarist 0 Report post Posted May 29, 2007 I still think an upconverting DVD player is the way to go for now, and forseeably for two or three years still. Since they can pretty well be picked up for $100 or less, that's not really a wasted investment. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnnyBlaze 0 Report post Posted May 29, 2007 I have an upconverting DVD player right now, and I'm just hoping that HD/DVD wins so that all I have to do is get the add on for my Xbox 360. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MarvinisaLunatic 0 Report post Posted May 31, 2007 I have an upconvert dvd player as well, and Im just waiting til 1080p tvs get cheap enough to make the investment in both a slightly larger 1080p tv and blu ray worth it as right now I dont see it being worth it on my tv. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dubq 0 Report post Posted July 3, 2007 Yeah, it is. I used to be HD-DVD only, but then I got a PS3. I then realized one day that I NEVER watched my HD-DVDs anymore and I just watched BR. So I got rid of my 360 and the HD-DVD add-on. And I haven't looked back since. BR is 10 times better Better clarity? So the lesson here is if it's available in both formats - and if you're someone who plans to get the combo player from Samsung - then get the Blu Ray version of the movie? Also - I've seen a lot of DVD/HDDVD combo discs lately.. and I've bought a few. Does Blu Ray do the same sort of thing? I think it's a great idea and really gets me invested into the idea of switching to a high def player down the road if I have all of these high def dvds laying around. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
At Home 0 Report post Posted July 3, 2007 Also, HOT FUZZ is going to be on HD DVD july 31st. I think that HD DVD is going to ultimately pull through just because its cheaper, also just so sony can get their asses kicked again just like betamax. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lil' Bitch 0 Report post Posted July 13, 2007 Blu-Ray is better quality, has more disc space to hold data, and has more support from studios (which means it will have more movies to be watched on its format) so I would go with Blu-Ray. However, I myself am only going for the bigger disc space so longer movies can fit on one disc rather than having to switch discs to watch the same damn movie (Kingdom of Heaven: Director's Cut for example). Blu-Ray will also be great for TV shows because they'll able to fit A LOT more episodes, hell maybe even an entire season on one disc! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AntiLeaf33 0 Report post Posted July 19, 2007 I think HD-DVD may win out thanks to the casual consumer. Take an average person who doesn't know shit about shit. They see HD-DVD and they think "Thats just a DVD in HD", and then they see Blue Ray and think "What the fuck is that? Is that a game or something?" Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CanadianGuitarist 0 Report post Posted July 19, 2007 I think HD-DVD may win out thanks to the casual consumer. Take an average person who doesn't know shit about shit. They see HD-DVD and they think "Thats just a DVD in HD", and then they see Blue Ray and think "What the fuck is that? Is that a game or something?" I like that theory, but I'm not sure it'll hold up altogether. It might help out HD DVD at the beginning, but there was a time when no one knew what a DVD was either and people refused to buy them. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AntiLeaf33 0 Report post Posted July 19, 2007 I think HD-DVD may win out thanks to the casual consumer. Take an average person who doesn't know shit about shit. They see HD-DVD and they think "Thats just a DVD in HD", and then they see Blue Ray and think "What the fuck is that? Is that a game or something?" I like that theory, but I'm not sure it'll hold up altogether. It might help out HD DVD at the beginning, but there was a time when no one knew what a DVD was either and people refused to buy them. True. Also HD DVD may also appeal to the general public a little more due to price as well. I don't really care who wins (I'm going to wait for 1 to die off before I ever think of buy a High Def DVD player/TV) but right now I would give HD DVD an edge because it just may be easier to push that on the general public. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CanadianGuitarist 0 Report post Posted July 19, 2007 I still can't underline enough how much more sense to me an upconverting player makes. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hank Kingsley 0 Report post Posted July 19, 2007 I was looking at getting an upconverting DVD player since I got a 26" Vizio for my dorm room. Is it that much of a difference? And you need the HDMI cables to get the full effect, right. That adds another $80 or so. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MarvinisaLunatic 0 Report post Posted July 20, 2007 HDMI cables can be had at Wal Mart for like $30 and places on the net for half of that. Upconverting is nice, but its not HD and the picture in HD will still look tons better. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Prophet of Mike Zagurski 0 Report post Posted July 20, 2007 Monoprice.com has some of the cheapest HDMI cables on the net. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CanadianGuitarist 0 Report post Posted July 20, 2007 We had a special buy on an RCA LCD a few months ago at my Wal*Mart. We wanted to display it, but had no free component cables on our tv wall, so we ran it off an upconverting DVD. I honestly couldn't tell the difference between an upconverting and a legitimate 1080 broadcast, but, yeah. It's all a personal thing. HDMI cables can realistically be had for 30 or 40 bucks, if that. Another option would be to try a Gamespot and pick up a MadCatz, what with the PS3 and 360 Elite available. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dubq 0 Report post Posted July 23, 2007 I still can't underline enough how much more sense to me an upconverting player makes. What model would you recommend? (preferabily with the ability to region-free hack it) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CanadianGuitarist 0 Report post Posted July 23, 2007 Honestly, I couldn't tell ya which models are region-free. I'd say read a few reviews and learn the specs, and stick to a brand you trust. You and I might have much different opinions on Brand X and Brand Y, but that doesn't necessarily make either of them good, bad, or better than one another. Interestingly, the only model of DVD player that my Wal*Mart carries that's region-free is the crappiest one, the 29 dollar one, and it's not upconverting. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dubq 0 Report post Posted July 23, 2007 Honestly, I couldn't tell ya which models are region-free. I'd say read a few reviews and learn the specs, and stick to a brand you trust. You and I might have much different opinions on Brand X and Brand Y, but that doesn't necessarily make either of them good, bad, or better than one another. Interestingly, the only model of DVD player that my Wal*Mart carries that's region-free is the crappiest one, the 29 dollar one, and it's not upconverting. Most players can be hacked, though, right? Even if they're not advertised as region free. My old Citizen wasn't and I had found a hack online where you had to enter a sequence of numbers on the setup menu and it unlocked the ability to play other regions. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Craig Th 0 Report post Posted July 23, 2007 Helios has a decent upconverting player out. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ripper 0 Report post Posted July 24, 2007 HDMI cables can realistically be had for 30 or 40 bucks, if that. Another option would be to try a Gamespot and pick up a MadCatz, what with the PS3 and 360 Elite available. Or 8 bucks at amazon.com Seriously, a hdmi cable is a hdmi cable. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Craig Th 0 Report post Posted July 24, 2007 Honestly, I couldn't tell ya which models are region-free. I'd say read a few reviews and learn the specs, and stick to a brand you trust. You and I might have much different opinions on Brand X and Brand Y, but that doesn't necessarily make either of them good, bad, or better than one another. Interestingly, the only model of DVD player that my Wal*Mart carries that's region-free is the crappiest one, the 29 dollar one, and it's not upconverting. Most players can be hacked, though, right? Even if they're not advertised as region free. My old Citizen wasn't and I had found a hack online where you had to enter a sequence of numbers on the setup menu and it unlocked the ability to play other regions. Oppo is a great brand for upconverting. I've only heard great things from them and only a few HD-DVD and BR players do a better job at upconverting. I believe the 970HD is region free, but I could be wrong. http://www.oppodigital.com/ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
