High Definition Discussion Thread - Blu-Ray, HDTV, etc...

[SBrooks1]

Wow did you stay up all night just to find that ONE comment? :)

No, but I'm just trying to show you how I used to be 110% pro-HD DVD. I prefer Blu-ray now but I still own both formats and tons of movies for both. Your hostility towards me is unwarranted and unnecessary.

[imaginegrafix]

Best buy HD DVD bogo: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?id=pcmcat143700050042&type=category

Would be all over it if I didn't already own most of those - is chuck and larry any good?

[grif32]

No, but I'm just trying to show you how I used to be 110% pro-HD DVD. I prefer Blu-ray now but I still own both formats and tons of movies for both. Your hostility towards me is unwarranted and unnecessary.

You come in here ALL the time with unwarranted and unnecessary BR crap.

Hostility? Cmon now you have fun with your HD DVD bashing crap but I cant have fun with BR bashing?

Sorry for busting your balls.. It was all in fun. Kinda like you do with us.

I guess some can take it and some can not.

Chris

[grif32]

Best buy HD DVD bogo: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?id=pcmcat143700050042&type=category

Would be all over it if I didn't already own most of those - is chuck and larry any good?

I thought Chuck & Larry was funny. And nothing beats Jessica Biel in HD :D

Here is a BB 10% off coupon as well.

http://forums.slickdeals.net/showthread.php?sduid=0&t=741612

[JaylisJayP]

Best buy HD DVD bogo: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?id=pcmcat143700050042&type=category

Would be all over it if I didn't already own most of those - is chuck and larry any good?

I've heard mostly "no" as an answer to that question.

I'm in the same boat as you there, I have most of those titles. The only one at this point I'd consider is Shrek for my son, but without another one to pair it with, I'll have to wait for another sale.

[Barry Sanders]

Well I watched my first HD DVD last night it was Swordfish. Not a bad movie I had never seen it before and all I can say is damn. The sound was amazing. It was shaking the living room with the explosions. The picture looked good too. My wife was like oh it don't look any different. I was like your crazy. So when the movie was over we were watching the special features which arnt in HD and the difference was definitly noticible after watching the movie in HD. So I think I made her a believer and Ill be getting a PS3 soon. Then I can have the best of both worlds. On a side note I just ordered The Breakfast Club (wifes choice), Alpha Dog, and Carlito's Way Rise to Power from Barnes and Noble. So thank you to who posted that deal.:cool:

[ToightLikeATiger]

Yeah 40 yr old Virgin is the only one out of that BOGO I want. Other I own or dont want. Would be nice to get a BOGO where all movies are available to choose from. Guess I can dream.

[grif32]

Well I watched my first HD DVD last night it was Swordfish. Not a bad movie I had never seen it before and all I can say is damn. The sound was amazing. It was shaking the living room with the explosions. The picture looked good too. My wife was like oh it don't look any different. I was like your crazy. So when the movie was over we were watching the special features which arnt in HD and the difference was definitly noticible after watching the movie in HD. So I think I made her a believer and Ill be getting a PS3 soon. Then I can have the best of both worlds. On a side note I just ordered The Breakfast Club (wifes choice), Alpha Dog, and Carlito's Way Rise to Power from Barnes and Noble. So thank you to who posted that deal.:cool:

Great movie

Did anything POP out at you during the movie in HD :D

[PrimeBane]

I'm back... like you guys even noticed. :p

I picked up my screen from freezurfuel yesterday in Regina and he was kind enough to give me a demo of his HT. Very impressive I have to say. :D Movies on a huge screen like that is just so awesome. :D

I tried to find myself a nice A35 while down in the US (Minnesota, North Dakota), but I didn't have a lot of luck (mostly due to lack of time). I found nothing for movies either, but I wasn't that surprised considering all I'd read about B&M store pricing.

I am glad I got back in time for the Paramount HD DVD sale. :)

[CoachB]

Well you can take off the Rock :)Here is what CD tradepost has for BR

BRIDGE TO TERABITHIA $13.99
DADDY DAY CAMP
DELTA FARCE $15.99
DIE HARD $15.99
DIE HARD 2: DIE HARDER $15.99
DIE HARD 3: DIE HARD WITH A VE $15.99
FINAL FANTASY: THE SPIRITS WITHIN $11.99
GAME PLAN $13.99
HAIRSPRAY (2007) (WIDESCREEN $15.99
HARRY POTTER & THE ORDER OF THE PHO $14.99
INVINCIBLE (2006) (WIDESCREEN $13.99
OCEANS THIRTEEN $14.99
PIRATES OF CARIBBEAN: DEAD MANS $13.99
SANTA CLAUSE 3: THE ESCAPE CLAUSE / $13.99
SAW 4 (UNRATED) $15.99
SHOOT EM UP $14.99
SPIDER-MAN 3 (2PC) $17.99
STOMP THE YARD $15.99
SURFS UP / (WIDESCREEN $15.99
WAR (2007) $15.99
X-3: X-MEN - THE LAST STAND $14.99
ACROSS THE UNIVERSE $15.99
ARE WE DONE YET $15.99
BRAVE ONE $14.99
HARRY POTTER & GOBLET OF FIRE $11.99
HARRY POTTER & PRISONER OF AZKABAN $11.99
I KNOW WHO KILLED ME $15.99
MESSENGERS $15.99
THE ROCK (1996) $11.99

[kawai7]

By the way, just wanted to mention that the following members:

Johnnyknoxvill
TonightLikeATiger
WingNut25
oaktown2000

are reliable and great Hi-Def movie sellers! :)

Thanks guys!!!

[GPWYANKEE]

By the way, just wanted to mention that the following members:

Johnnyknoxvill
TonightLikeATiger
WingNut25
oaktown2000

are reliable and great Hi-Def movie sellers! :)

Thanks guys!!!


Yes they are

[GPWYANKEE]

I'm back... like you guys even noticed. :p

I picked up my screen from freezurfuel yesterday in Regina and he was kind enough to give me a demo of his HT. Very impressive I have to say. :D Movies on a huge screen like that is just so awesome. :D

I tried to find myself a nice A35 while down in the US (Minnesota, North Dakota), but I didn't have a lot of luck (mostly due to lack of time). I found nothing for movies either, but I wasn't that surprised considering all I'd read about B&M store pricing.

I am glad I got back in time for the Paramount HD DVD sale. :)


Get your movies yet bro???

[WingNut 25]

I was let down by Eastern Promises as well. I went in with zero expecatations and just didn't feel the movie delivered on any front. I did not experience any issues with the subtitles like some are apparently reporting.

[GPWYANKEE]

Best buy HD DVD bogo: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?id=pcmcat143700050042&type=category

Would be all over it if I didn't already own most of those - is chuck and larry any good?


Ive got Chuck and larry and the family and i really enjoy it.I dont think its a bad film to grab in a bogo at all.

[Barry Sanders]

Great movie

Did anything POP out at you during the movie in HD :D

Halle Berry Seemed to pop quite well ;)

[GPWYANKEE]

Halle Berry Seemed to pop quite well ;)

I was thinking the same thing-I have it on HD but just havent watched it yet.

[PrimeBane]

Get your movies yet bro???

Not yet... I find it takes 2 weeks on average for any movie to get to me from the US.

[JaylisJayP]

Watched The Rock blu-ray tonight and have to say I was overall slightly disappointed with the PQ. Close-up and outside shots were what you'd expect. But most of the prison shots were a bit "off." Maybe hazy. And not in a natural film grain type way, either.

It's not a 4/5 PQ movie imo, more of a 6.5-7 out of 10.

Haven't watched the movie in a few years, either, and I wasn't expecting it to not have aged as well as I'd hoped. The lines were so much cheesier than I remember. "You're on a need to know basis, and right now, you don't need to know!" <----Just 1 example.

[JaylisJayP]

Finally got a chance to get a shot taken...here's a look at my updated collection. Picture's a little bright, but I'm too lazy to adjust the lighting.

http://i26.tinypic.com/14u9ysn.jpg

[CoachB]

Do you buy every Blu-ray movie that comes out?Finally got a chance to get a shot taken...here's a look at my updated collection. Picture's a little bright, but I'm too lazy to adjust the lighting.

http://i26.tinypic.com/14u9ysn.jpg

[grif32]

Very nice se-up

[JaylisJayP]

Do you buy every Blu-ray movie that comes out?

only the bad ones.;)

[Kleptos18]

Just got done watching Across The Universe.

The movie overall seemed to drag on. It had a good story and By the end I was entertained, but it dragged....

Picture was great, great visuals. Pretty trippy.

I'd give it a watch if you like the beatles. It's worth a rent.

[Kleptos18]

Haul :)

Not bad at about 14 a piece :)

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=230220331748

time to take a break from buying.

[ToightLikeATiger]

Just finished watching Shooter. What a great movie. Seen it before but its even better in HD of course. PQ is great.

[freezerfuel]

I was let down by Eastern Promises as well. I went in with zero expecatations and just didn't feel the movie delivered on any front. I did not experience any issues with the subtitles like some are apparently reporting.

I think the key to watching Cronenberg movies is to pretty much go in expecting them to be crap.

A History of Violence I liked, but didn't expect to. After that I had high expectations for Eastern Promises but just couldn't get into it. Viggo put in a good performance though.

[NCStateWolfpack33]

I finally watched Across The Universe (my first blu ray) and i thought it was amazing

[freezerfuel]

I'm back... like you guys even noticed. :p

I picked up my screen from freezurfuel yesterday in Regina and he was kind enough to give me a demo of his HT. Very impressive I have to say. :D Movies on a huge screen like that is just so awesome. :D


Well, I'm glad I had a chance to show it off, there really is so much more I want to do. It seems for every one thing I do there's three or four other things that pop up that I want to get done. :D



time to take a break from buying.

Easier said than done. ;)

[freezerfuel]

Finally got a chance to get a shot taken...here's a look at my updated collection. Picture's a little bright, but I'm too lazy to adjust the lighting.


Very nice collection.

[PrimeBane]

What you can do if you have an extra $6 million lying around...
http://blog.audiovideointeriors.com/208great/

[JaylisJayP]

Very nice collection.

Thanks.

[Chugga]

Very cool way to display your movies. I've been in the market for shelving for a while now but I haven't really found anything I like that fits right. The one question that I gotta ask is how do you have the movies organized? I couldn't really make it out from the picture. Overall it looks awesome, but I hate to say it but to the best of my knowledge I didn't see Purple Rain, so it can't be that great of a collection.

[Chugga]

Wait unless thats it 2 to the left of Sunshine

[Kleptos18]

Very cool way to display your movies. I've been in the market for shelving for a while now but I haven't really found anything I like that fits right. The one question that I gotta ask is how do you have the movies organized? I couldn't really make it out from the picture. Overall it looks awesome, but I hate to say it but to the best of my knowledge I didn't see Purple Rain, so it can't be that great of a collection.

they're not alphabetical :(

*shudders*

[grif32]

Not good news for HD DVD

Netflix is dropping HD DVD buy end of year.

[SBrooks1]

Ouch... :eek:

[TheRedOx]

Not good news for HD DVD

Netflix is dropping HD DVD buy end of year.

That really sucks. There's still plenty I want to see on HD-DVD, that's the whole reason I signed up for Netflix again in the first place. Half of the Blu releases they have are on short or long wait in my queue too.

[grif32]

Ouch... :eek:

Yeah I think this is worse then WB's going Blu..

Chris

[GPWYANKEE]

Yeah I think this is worse then WB's going Blu..

Chris


That stinks for sure-Grif(Pm your way)

[JaylisJayP]

Very cool way to display your movies. I've been in the market for shelving for a while now but I haven't really found anything I like that fits right. The one question that I gotta ask is how do you have the movies organized? I couldn't really make it out from the picture. Overall it looks awesome, but I hate to say it but to the best of my knowledge I didn't see Purple Rain, so it can't be that great of a collection.

Oh, Purple Rain is in there! You spotted it, 2 left of Sunshine.

I used to have them arranged by studio, but then I started trying to arrange them by color. That's how they're still arranged for the most part. I stil need to do a little more reshuffling. And then, of course, blu-ray are separate from HD DVDs.

[JaylisJayP]

Not good news for HD DVD

Netflix is dropping HD DVD buy end of year.

Just saw this, too. Another blow. Blockbuster won't be far behind.

[GPWYANKEE]

Just saw this, too. Another blow. Blockbuster won't be far behind.

Around here Blockbusters never had HD DVDs

[SBrooks1]

Just saw this, too. Another blow. Blockbuster won't be far behind.

My local Blockbuster is Blu-ray exclusive as is Movie Starz.

[JaylisJayP]

Around here Blockbusters never had HD DVDs

I meant Blockbuster online.

[GPWYANKEE]

I meant Blockbuster online.


Ahhh

[JaylisJayP]

I have to say it's so perplexing how Toshiba has handled themselves through the last few stages of this war. They "appear" to the high-def enthusiasts and public just content to sit back and let the format die.

So, this war might already be over...and yes, digital downloads are coming down the pipe at some point, but if there's another physical format to be had after blu-ray/hd dvd....and at this point that might be a big if, but if there is, why would anyone buy into a Toshiba product? Look how horribly they attempt to support and keep going what they've started with HD DVD?

I've said it all along and it still holds true, I'm not dumping my collection of HD DVDs, but at this point I'm probably like a lot of HD DVD owners (exclusive or neutral) in that I've almost completely turned on them at this point.

I'll never be a blu-ray fanboy, but what reason does HD DVD give to still support it? Honestly? Like I said somewhere else, 2 decent titles a month will not sustain or grow a format.

[Thee Ultimate Collector]

HD-DVD and Blu-ray is just like DVD-Audio and SACD...none of them will be the dominant format

[SBrooks1]

I have to say it's so perplexing how Toshiba has handled themselves through the last few stages of this war. They "appear" to the high-def enthusiasts and public just content to sit back and let the format die.

So, this war might already be over...and yes, digital downloads are coming down the pipe at some point, but if there's another physical format to be had after blu-ray/hd dvd....and at this point that might be a big if, but if there is, why would anyone buy into a Toshiba product? Look how horribly they attempt to support and keep going what they've started with HD DVD?

I've said it all along and it still holds true, I'm not dumping my collection of HD DVDs, but at this point I'm probably like a lot of HD DVD owners (exclusive or neutral) in that I've almost completely turned on them at this point.

I'll never be a blu-ray fanboy, but what reason does HD DVD give to still support it? Honestly? Like I said somewhere else, 2 decent titles a month will not sustain or grow a format.

All good points. I'm very close to selling my HD DVD's and 360 add-on now. I just need to hear the real final crushing blow that Universal/Paramount drops HD DVD. They really can't be stupid enough to continue this BS now. Can they?

[WitchKingOfAngmar]

HD-DVD and Blu-ray is just like DVD-Audio and SACD...none of them will be the dominant format

Bingo. And, despite the various people and companies preaching downloads...it's not gonna happen any time soon. Even Apple's dowload service...the quality is only 720p, the the bit rate is so low the the quality is pretty much standard def and takes forever to download.

Technology and bandwidth need to come a looooong way before downloads take over.

[SBrooks1]

HD-DVD and Blu-ray is just like DVD-Audio and SACD...none of them will be the dominant format

I disagree. Neither DVD-Audio or SACD had this much consumer backing or excitement backing them. Listening to music in surround sound never even compared to the widespread consumer demand to be able to watch movies in HD.

[Thee Ultimate Collector]

I disagree...Music has a MUCH bigger consumer demand than Movies

[SBrooks1]

I disagree...Music has a MUCH bigger consumer demand than Movies

Music in general yes, but not music in surround sound

[JaylisJayP]

Any blu owners pick up Jesse James last week? I'm wondering about the PQ still. I have my sealed copy I'm considering returning to Best Buy.

[johnnyknoxsvill]

I have both of the Smallville's on HD for sale, $38 DLVD each

[SackExchange]

Netflix Goes Blu-ray Exclusive
Posted February 11, 2008 by Josh

The popular online video rental service Netflix has announced that they have decided to support Blu-ray exclusively for high definition movie rentals. Pointing to the Warner Brothers exclusivity announcement as the main reason for the shift, Netflix will no longer purchase movies in the rival HD DVD format, and once the life cycle for those discs has ended, they will no longer stock the format for rent.

Ted Sarandos, chief content officer for Netflix commented, "The prolonged period of competition between two formats has prevented clear communication to the consumer regarding the richness of the high-def experience versus standard definition. We are now at the point where the industry can pursue the migration to a single format, bring clarity to the consumer and accelerate the adoption of high-def. Going forward, we expect that all of the studios will publish in the Blu-ray format and that the price points of high-def DVD players will come down significantly."

While only a small percentage of Netflix users rent high definition movies, the majority of those who do take advantage of the services are renting Blu-ray. They expect that the shift to a single format will ultimately allow Netflix to provide a better service to those high definition customers.

[PrimeBane]

How things have changed from 6 months ago... at one point rentals in HD in both formats from Netflix were pretty much neck and neck.

[TheRedOx]

While only a small percentage of Netflix users rent high definition movies, the majority of those who do take advantage of the services are renting Blu-ray. They expect that the shift to a single format will ultimately allow Netflix to provide a better service to those high definition customers.

Almost sounds like they know something to me. Honestly, the announcement doesn't make a whole lot of sense. We're still talking about half of one percent here, sorry 1.3%, whatever. They really stand to lose anything by not buying and renting out, what, the 5 new releases that are in the HD-DVD pipeline anyways?
It's a big blow to HD-DVD but I don't think it's anywhere near the Warner announcement in terms of damage. Netflix will still rent out what they have in HD-DVD from what I'm reading.

[WingNut 25]

There's no way I'll dump my HD DVD collection just because the format is dying. I have no plans to go back and buy the Bourne Trilogy or Batman Begins (for examples) on Blu Ray at any point.

[PrimeBane]

+1... and I'll continue to purchase HD DVD exclusive content. :)

[GPWYANKEE]

I watched Elizabeth and Elizabeth The Golden Age on HD this weekend and thought the quality was truly amazing.I also have no thoughts of dumping my HD collection.

[HollandX]

it kinda sucks... because even IF bd wins and all of hd dvd folds... there are still a TON of exclusive movies on hd dvd that i'd want to rent from now until forever.... (or at least until they are reissued on bd....) and b.) there are a TON!!! of people who own hd dvd players and not BD players. the players don't suddently not work. they can't rent movies anymore??

that's the key word. rent. these are to rent... not buy.

that's just twisted... because i'm hesistant to BUY hd dvd exclusive movies because i can smell the end... but i still want to watch them... so i'd want to rent them... with hd dvd nearing the end.. i'd want to rent them now more than ever! netflix's whole thing is carrying niche product

lol. if i have an hd dvd out from them, can i just ask if i can keep it? can you just send me the case? i'll pay for shipping.

[TheRedOx]

The HD-DVD spin on things is that software sales will go up now with no rental option.
Sorry, not me. I'll just rent Blu but I'm not buying movies anymore period unless it's just a must-have new release or a fantastic re-release. I look at the 200+ SD DVD's in my collection pretty much with regret and remorse for all the money wasted - movies I will rarely ever watch because they're not in HD or DVD's that I blind-bought, watched once and put on the shelf and have never looked at again. If there's some massive HD-DVD firesale when and if they ever concede this thing then I might be in but at no more than $5 - $10 per title.

[HollandX]

There's no way I'll dump my HD DVD collection just because the format is dying. I have no plans to go back and buy the Bourne Trilogy or Batman Begins (for examples) on Blu Ray at any point.

I'll keep my Bourne Trilogy, but I'll probably trade in my Batman Begins. I need them all to be the same colo(u)r. :(

[oaktown2000]

Technology and bandwidth need to come a looooong way before downloads take over.

Exactly.

Before purchasing my PS3, I was barraging chugga with question after question about HD. So finally....I decided to see what it would look like on my TV before investing any real money into it. I had thousands of Microsoft points on my 360 LIVE account....so I used some of them and bought the HD version (720p only) of Braveheart off of their network. At 6 gigs.....it took forever and a day to download. Literally.......I had to wait until the next day (with my 360 running all night) before the download finished. Granted....it looked absolutely awesome....and made me run out and by a PS3 by the end of the week........but that is not how I want to go about movie watching. Simply takes way too long and is too much of a hassle.

[PrimeBane]

Not to meantion the current network in place can't handle the large DLs... the net was built for small files, not sustained DLs.

Unless they come up with something that's similar to bittorrent (only MUCH faster) DLs won't be here for a long time.

[Chugga]

I have to say it's so perplexing how Toshiba has handled themselves through the last few stages of this war. They "appear" to the high-def enthusiasts and public just content to sit back and let the format die.

So, this war might already be over...and yes, digital downloads are coming down the pipe at some point, but if there's another physical format to be had after blu-ray/hd dvd....and at this point that might be a big if, but if there is, why would anyone buy into a Toshiba product? Look how horribly they attempt to support and keep going what they've started with HD DVD?

I've said it all along and it still holds true, I'm not dumping my collection of HD DVDs, but at this point I'm probably like a lot of HD DVD owners (exclusive or neutral) in that I've almost completely turned on them at this point.

I'll never be a blu-ray fanboy, but what reason does HD DVD give to still support it? Honestly? Like I said somewhere else, 2 decent titles a month will not sustain or grow a format.


Toshiba has kinda pulled a SEGA for this war. Make an awesome product that alot of diehard people love and support and then when the going gets tough....well they decide it's time to get going. Toshiba always had an uphill battle, but it was a battle they could have won. Or hell if not won they could have at least battled through it harder then they have. The fact that it's the beginning of 2008 and we already have a pretty clear view of the future is a testiment to how quickly things have gone downhill for a format that looked like it had a bright future.

As for never buying a Toshiba product ever again. Blu-ray and is a testiment to how quickly people can forget about a companies failed endevears. Toshiba can and will make it through this but they just gotta handle this next year gracefully. It's way too early to give up or call it a day but on the same note I think it's time they start going quietly into the sunset. But then again thats easy for me to say, I can see where other people wouldn't understand that feeling.

[SBrooks1]

Ahhh, I'm back. Old ass CRT monitor I was using at work this morning died on me finally. So now I'm back with a LG 19" LCD. Sooo much better. :D

[PrimeBane]

And Toshiba is very diversified... I've always been impressed with their stuff and when HD DVD ulitimately goes away people should still always consider purchasing a Toshiba tv, laptop or other piece of electronics. :)

[Chugga]

Any blu owners pick up Jesse James last week? I'm wondering about the PQ still. I have my sealed copy I'm considering returning to Best Buy.

Great movie, the picture quality is definately something worth double dipping over. So yeah you can probably return it. In a year or 2 I can see them re-releasing a new remastered version of the movie because to me at least I thought the movie had all the potential in the world to look great but fell short considerably. They weren't lying when they said 3 stars. Every once and a while it will show it's true potential but most of the film is pretty average HD.

[ewto16]

Digital Downloads have to overcome the issue of needing another box as well. One more box, with more wires to connect makes it seem more complicated to "joe consumer". Now if they can deliver those over the standard cable box, then it would gain more traction with faster speeds and such. However, given that my HD cable company (WideOpenWest) can't/won't add more than the 20 HD channels I have now, I don't see them adding HD on-demand either. Most of the time the infrastucture just can't support it.

[WingNut 25]

That's a shame about Jesse James. I saw the HDD review and was disappointed with what they said. I may just grab the standard DVD release.

[ewto16]

And Toshiba is very diversified... I've always been impressed with their stuff and when HD DVD ulitimately goes away people should still always consider purchasing a Toshiba tv, laptop or other piece of electronics. :)

I totally agree. I wouldn't not buy a Toshiba something else, just because they flopped with HD-DVD. That isn't entirly their own fault. They just make the players and such. I would only not buy a Toshiba product, if I had a horrible experience with that product.

For instance, like 10 years ago, my dad got a 20" JVC TV as a gift from his work for 30 years of service. It arrived and broke after like a week, as it wouldn't turn on. My parents said the wife and I could have it if we wanted to get it fixed.

We assumed it would still be underwarranty and it was, so we took it. Called JVC to get it fixed and sent it to the nearest repair shop. Said we would have it back in a week.

Call in a week, they say call back in another week. Call again, waiting on parts one more week. Call the next time, some other excuse one more week. After a month, call and they say they took the TV to a JVC conference because they had no idea what was wrong with it and had no idea how to fix it. Said we could just have it back.

Called JVC direct and said that TV was broken and couldn't be repaired. They said that was nonsense and it would get fixed. Call back in two weeks. Call back and TV is still not fixed and it will take more time.

Tell JVC this is unacceptable that I have been with out a TV for 2 months and I just want a new one, since this one is junk. They can't send me a new TV as they don't have any in stock at the moment, since it is around Christmas time. Offered to sell me a new TV with the price of the old one applied to it.

Said it was BS that they would rather get new customers with their TVs by sending them to stores rather than help a current owner who had a broken set. Many more calls and different manager levels until I got someone to send me a new 27" TV Fed-Ex 2 day.

Still that horrible customer service experience will prevent me from ever buying a JVC or related brand product again.

[SBrooks1]

Man, the meltdown from hardcore HD DVD'ers over at the HighDefDigest Smackdown forum is brutal today....sheesh

[SBrooks1]

Damn...

Dear XXXXXXXXXXXX,

You're receiving this email because you have asked to receive high-definition movies in the HD DVD format. As you may have heard, most of the major movie studios have recently decided to release their high-definition movies exclusively in the Blu-ray format. In order to provide the best selection of high-definition titles for our members, we have decided to go exclusively with Blu-ray as well.

While we will continue to make our current selection of HD DVD titles available to you for the next several months, we will not be adding additional HD DVD titles or reordering replacements.

Toward the end of February, HD DVDs in your Saved Queue will automatically be changed to standard definition DVDs. Then toward the end of this year, all HD DVDs in your Queue will be changed to standard definition DVDs. Don't worry, we will contact you before this happens.

[Wofford29]

I must not be seeing the problem with Jesse James, I thought it was beautiful. I didn't see it in theaters so I don't know if I'm missing something or not. It's not the best looking movie on the market but I'm willing to bet it's still much better than the standard.

[grif32]

I must not be seeing the problem with Jesse James, I thought it was beautiful. I didn't see it in theaters so I don't know if I'm missing something or not. It's not the best looking movie on the market but I'm willing to bet it's still much better than the standard.

I am holding off now. I wanted it but not with the PQ. This movie should should be atleast 4/4.5 stars. Cmon its on a 25g BR disc.

WB's f-ed this up bigtime.

[SBrooks1]

OMG!!! :eek:

Best Buy to Recommend Blu-ray as the Customer's Digital Format Choice

Best Buy Co., Inc. (NYSE: BBY) is taking a step forward in addressing consumer confusion about high-definition formats. Beginning in early March, the leading consumer electronics retailer will prominently showcase Blu-ray hardware and software products in its Best Buy retail and online channels in the United States.

"Consumers have told us that they want us to help lead the way. We've listened to our customers, and we are responding. Best Buy will recommend Blu-ray as the preferred format," said Brian Dunn, Best Buy's president and chief operating officer. "Our decision to shine a spotlight on Blu-ray Disc players and other Blu-ray products is a strong signal to our customers that we believe Blu-ray is the right format choice for them."

Dunn continued, "Best Buy has always believed that the customer will benefit from a widely-accepted single format that would offer advantages such as product compatibility and expanded content choices. Because we believe that Blu-ray is fast emerging as that single format, we have decided to focus on Blu-ray products."

"With the explosion of HDTVs, customers are hungry for quality, high definition content. We believe our move to feature Blu-ray should help consumers feel confident in their hi-def content choices," said Mike Vitelli, Best Buy's senior vice president, Home Solutions. "Best Buy is excited by the next generation of digital products and we know our customers are too. We are excited about helping customers find the right mix of products and services to make the next generation of high definition entertainment technology come alive for them. We believe that Blu-ray is the right solution for consumers."

Best Buy currently carries a wide array of Blu-ray hardware and software products. The company noted that it will continue to carry an assortment of HD-DVD products for customers who desire to purchase these products.

http://www.streetinsider.com/Press+Releases/Best+Buy+to+Recommend+Blu-ray+as+the+Customers+Digital+Format+Choice/3345206.html

[Wofford29]

I am holding off now. I wanted it but not with the PQ. This movie should should be atleast 4/4.5 stars. Cmon its on a 25g BR disc.

WB's f-ed this up bigtime.

Is there some place with screenshots showing what the problem is?


edit: Just reading the thread over at avs seems like I'm not alone. Looks good to the majority over there as well. Some screen caps this page....
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=947886&page=6&highlight=Jesse+James

[TheRedOx]

OMG!!! :eek:

.....and, this is something new? I know I ALWAYS consult Best Buy employees for all of my consumer electronics decisions :rolleyes:
Why don't Sony and the BDA make some price cuts to their BD hardware instead of paying everyone off?

[WingNut 25]

I applaud that move by Best Buy. We need one of these formats to not only win the war but really take off. I don't want to own the 2000's version of Beta in the long run.

[PrimeBane]

OMG!!! :eek:

When did you get a chance to slip them the blu kool-aid? ;)

This is nearly as bad for HD DVD as the Warner announcement was... BB is the leading seller of HDM. :(

[SBrooks1]

When did you get a chance to slip them the blu kool-aid? ;)p

I e-mailed this to Best Buy's COO last night....

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c279/SBrooks2006/fail-hddvd.jpg

:D

[ewto16]

.....and, this is something new? I know I ALWAYS consult Best Buy employees for all of my consumer electronics decisions :rolleyes:
Why don't Sony and the BDA make some price cuts to their BD hardware instead of paying everyone off?

You might not do this, but the other 75% of mainstream America does. Beleive it or not, the sales people in these stores hold a lot of clout as to what some people buy. If all you see are Sony products and advertisements for Blu-ray movies in your Best Buy ad flyer every Sunday, you (as Joe Consumer) are going to beleive that Blu-ray is the better option. Marketing exists for a reason. :D

Best Buy is already a leading retailer of Sony products. They have the highest sell-through rate of Sony brand merchandise. That is why they consistantly get the highest amounts of PS3s, PSPs, and other hard to find stuff made by Sony when it launches.

There is probably some board room deal that goes into play with this support announcement too, but it is likely just an extension of the Sony/Best Buy relationship. More ad money towards Best Buy = better placement of Sony products in the flyer and support for Blu-ray.

[GPWYANKEE]

OMG!!! :eek:


No offense to any Best Buy employees that are on here but the ones in my are are worthless-Theyre lucky they know where the Blu Rays are let alone why i should be buying them.

[Wofford29]

I don't think a Best Buy employee in my area has ever spelled anything right in the computer when looking up a title for me. They'd be the last person I'd ask for help.

[SBrooks1]

No offense to any Best Buy employees that are on here but the ones in my are are worthless-Theyre lucky they know where the Blu Rays are let alone why i should be buying them.

I work there part time in Media and have to say all the time to customers "No that movie doesn't come in full screen"... :p

[grif32]

I find this part funny about BB

"Consumers have told us that they want us to help lead the way. We've listened to our customers, and we are responding"

Since I can no longer pick on Sbrooks1 and knowing he works at BB I wont touch this.

Chris

[grif32]

Also BB will still sell HD DVD's they will just tell people to choose BR. So not sure how huge this is.

[PrimeBane]

Also BB will still sell HD DVD's they will just tell people to choose BR. So not sure how huge this is.

It's not a huge deal for those that have already made their purchase... but for anyone jumping into HDM, it's pretty big.

[grif32]

It's not a huge deal for those that have already made their purchase... but for anyone jumping into HDM, it's pretty big.

Well looking at the #'s not to many people are jumping into HDM.

[PrimeBane]

True enough, but the numbers will grow.

And really, whether we tend to lean more red that blu, it's in all our best interests to see HDM succeed. I for one do not want to go back to standard def... ever. :(

[grif32]

True enough, but the numbers will grow.

And really, whether we tend to lean more red that blu, it's in all our best interests to see HDM succeed. I for one do not want to go back to standard def... ever. :(

I agree with that. SD DVD's are so bad...

[ewto16]

Well looking at the #'s not to many people are jumping into HDM.

The consumer acceptance rate for HDM is currently exceeding the pace at which SD-DVDs were adopted by the general public.

Granted it might be slow, but so was the overall acceptance of DVDs in the beginning.

[ewto16]

It's not a huge deal for those that have already made their purchase... but for anyone jumping into HDM, it's pretty big.

Correct....like I said Joe Consumer sees all the Sony and Blu-ray ads in the Best Buy ad flyer and makes his inital impression based on that. When he goes to the store, he now sees a huge Blu-ray display and all the Blu-ray players hooked up running movies. He asks a person working there and they tell him Blu-ray is the way to go.

While they might not influence the person that already had HD-DVD, it is all about getting new consumers at this time. This is where and why Blu-ray will win. They are going to continue to get more new customers to their format. HD-DVD is treading water with their established fanbase.

Can an HD-DVD person give me one reason why you would recommend HD-DVD to someone? Say one of your best friends was ready to take the plunge into HDM. Would you really tell them to get an HD-DVD player?

[TheRedOx]

Can an HD-DVD person give me one reason why you would recommend HD-DVD to someone? Say one of your best friends was ready to take the plunge into HDM. Would you really tell them to get an HD-DVD player?

Infinitely better hardware that they got right the first time around. If you buy an HD-DVD player, you know it's going to work with all past and upcoming HD-DVD movie releases and include the full feature set available. Sorry, J6P doesn't want to know that the only updatable, future-proof BD player is a videogame console. Historically, the quality of the DVD player, scaler, etc. on a videogame console make them a damn good videogame console, if you know what I mean.
I'm going to hang out in the Blu-Ray section at my local Best Buy and tell them why they should buy HD-DVD ;):D I'll have handfuls of Monoprice HDMI cables too so they can compare them with the $200 Monster HDMI cable that the Best Buy employees just recommended them to go with their BD player :D;)

[johnnyknoxsvill]

"Best Buy to Recommend Blu-ray as the Customer's Digital Format Choice"

Doesnt bother me one bit, they have been pushing BD since day one. Most of the time the employees dont have a clue about it. I make sure to go out of my way to push HD when I see someone browing the HDM section.

[imaginegrafix]

I find this part funny about BB

"Consumers have told us that they want us to help lead the way. We've listened to our customers, and we are responding"

Since I can no longer pick on Sbrooks1 and knowing he works at BB I wont touch this.

Chris

:pLMFAO:p

Also BB will still sell HD DVD's they will just tell people to choose BR. So not sure how huge this is.

Exactly

The consumer acceptance rate for HDM is currently exceeding the pace at which SD-DVDs were adopted by the general public.

Granted it might be slow, but so was the overall acceptance of DVDs in the beginning.

Ehhhh - I have a hard time buying that, have any data to back it up? We are what - 18 months into the game and I think last week there was roughly 200,000 discs sold on both formats - That's a rain drop in a lake.

Can an HD-DVD person give me one reason why you would recommend HD-DVD to someone? Say one of your best friends was ready to take the plunge into HDM. Would you really tell them to get an HD-DVD player?

I'm not an HD DVD person - I'm a high def movie person - but that's beside the point.

I can see the logic in going with an HD DVD player - why you ask? For a little over a $100 bucks you can get in the high def movie game - HD DVD still has exclusive movies, good ones at that and you can get most older releases for around $12-$15 if you don't mind buying used.

[GPWYANKEE]

True enough, but the numbers will grow.

And really, whether we tend to lean more red that blu, it's in all our best interests to see HDM succeed. I for one do not want to go back to standard def... ever. :(


I agree with this statement whole heartedly.

[ewto16]

Infinitely better hardware that they got right the first time around. If you buy an HD-DVD player, you know it's going to work with all past and upcoming HD-DVD movie releases and include the full feature set available. Sorry, J6P doesn't want to know that the only updatable, future-proof BD player is a videogame console. Historically, the quality of the DVD player, scaler, etc. on a videogame console make them a damn good videogame console, if you know what I mean.


Does the better hardware really make it the right purchase though, if they don't have anything to watch on it? I mean, you have to admit that the HD-DVD releae list looks pretty bleak compared to Blu-ray. Granted, there is a nice set of already released media, but what about the future? Isn't your friend going to be a little upset when he can't find any new movies?

The PS3 has proven to be a very good DVD/Blu-ray player this go around and great at upconverting SD-DVDs. Previously, I would have agreed with you, but the PS3 does these things well this time.

[TheRedOx]

Does the better hardware really make it the right purchase though, if they don't have anything to watch on it? I mean, you have to admit that the HD-DVD releae list looks pretty bleak compared to Blu-ray. Granted, there is a nice set of already released media, but what about the future? Isn't your friend going to be a little upset when he can't find any new movies?

The PS3 has proven to be a very good DVD/Blu-ray player this go around and great at upconverting SD-DVDs. Previously, I would have agreed with you, but the PS3 does these things well this time.

Good points.. Look, I freakin' love the PS3. I'm so glad I bought one and I'm very happy with it as a Blu-Ray player as well, even though I've only been able to watch 2 movies thus far. I'm not sure how the PS3 compares with the BD standalones as far as quality of the scaler, etc. but it sure gives a great picture at my house so I don't really care. Does the PS3 upconvert SD DVD's though? I thought I read that it didn't, even over HDMI.

[PrimeBane]

Can an HD-DVD person give me one reason why you would recommend HD-DVD to someone? Say one of your best friends was ready to take the plunge into HDM. Would you really tell them to get an HD-DVD player?

$149 or less (if you're lucky) gets you a player, 7 HD movies and a great upconverting DVD player... not much risk involved. :)

That being said, I always still give the caveat that HD DVD most likely won't be around in a year's time.

[JaylisJayP]

Good points.. Look, I freakin' love the PS3. I'm so glad I bought one and I'm very happy with it as a Blu-Ray player as well, even though I've only been able to watch 2 movies thus far. I'm not sure how the PS3 compares with the BD standalones as far as quality of the scaler, etc. but it sure gives a great picture at my house so I don't really care. Does the PS3 upconvert SD DVD's though? I thought I read that it didn't, even over HDMI.

I'm pretty sure the PS3 does upconvert SD DVDs. I believe it was included in their 1.8 Firmware update last year. It also upscales PS2 games.

[PrimeBane]

It does, but only over HDMI. :)

[JaylisJayP]

It does, but only over HDMI. :)


ahhhh

[PrimeBane]

Sorry, that's just for movies with CSS... games will upconvert over component.

[JaylisJayP]

Great movie, the picture quality is definately something worth double dipping over. So yeah you can probably return it. In a year or 2 I can see them re-releasing a new remastered version of the movie because to me at least I thought the movie had all the potential in the world to look great but fell short considerably. They weren't lying when they said 3 stars. Every once and a while it will show it's true potential but most of the film is pretty average HD.

Thanks. I saw a thread on AVs with some screen shots, and I actually have to say they look decent. I know this was on a BD25, but there was a lot of discussion about director's intent on this one. To give it that look and feel of a documentary/old west-era movie.

[imaginegrafix]

Does the better hardware really make it the right purchase though, if they don't have anything to watch on it? I mean, you have to admit that the HD-DVD releae list looks pretty bleak compared to Blu-ray. Granted, there is a nice set of already released media, but what about the future? Isn't your friend going to be a little upset when he can't find any new movies?

The PS3 has proven to be a very good DVD/Blu-ray player this go around and great at upconverting SD-DVDs. Previously, I would have agreed with you, but the PS3 does these things well this time.

There is plenty to watch on it and there are good movies coming out over the next few months that are HD DVD exclusive - American Gangster, Bee Movie, Into the Wild, Charlie Wilson's War and many more. Warner doesn't go exclusive until June - and if, and this is a big if, uni/para/dreamworks decide to dip into their catalogs it could still make things very interesting.

If someone spent $130 bucks on a player and got 7 free movies..... they'll get their $130 bucks worth.

[ewto16]

Ehhhh - I have a hard time buying that, have any data to back it up? We are what - 18 months into the game and I think last week there was roughly 200,000 discs sold on both formats - That's a rain drop in a lake.


I posted a response, but maybe it didn't appear. Here is a link to the article on Engadget where they talk about the HDM sales outpacing DVD.

http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/29/viewed-in-perspective-hdm-growth-outpacing-dvd/

[imaginegrafix]

I'd like to see some actual numbers - can't really tell much off of that except BDA claiming it's similar.

It's really a moot point though - neither one is going to take off unless it gets rid of the other. BDA has gotten lazy and complacent since Warner - They need to go after uni/para if they want to end this anytime soon.

[grif32]

I posted a response, but maybe it didn't appear. Here is a link to the article on Engadget where they talk about the HDM sales outpacing DVD.

http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/29/viewed-in-perspective-hdm-growth-outpacing-dvd/

Its different this time. DVD was huge over VHS. The problem this time around DVD is good enough for most where VHS was not.

Also DVD would play on your standard TV. Now you have to go out and buy a HDTV to get the full advantage of BR.

I want HDM to become more then just a niche market but its not looking good as of NOW..

[grif32]

Correct....like I said Joe Consumer sees all the Sony and Blu-ray ads in the Best Buy ad flyer and makes his inital impression based on that. When he goes to the store, he now sees a huge Blu-ray display and all the Blu-ray players hooked up running movies. He asks a person working there and they tell him Blu-ray is the way to go.

While they might not influence the person that already had HD-DVD, it is all about getting new consumers at this time. This is where and why Blu-ray will win. They are going to continue to get more new customers to their format. HD-DVD is treading water with their established fanbase.

Can an HD-DVD person give me one reason why you would recommend HD-DVD to someone? Say one of your best friends was ready to take the plunge into HDM. Would you really tell them to get an HD-DVD player?

At this point I wouldnt recommend HD DVD to my friends.

Also Average Joe walks in and see's all the pretty BR Disc' and players then they take a look at the price tag and keep walking. Thats the problem right now.

Doesnt matter how much BB tells them about BR its about them spending the money for the upgrade and with the economy right now its going to be a tough sell..

[PrimeBane]

I agree with Chris... while there probably were new buyers that were fence sitters after Warner's announcement, I think it will be a while before HDM gets more mainstream. And this is mainly due to the still high player prices... we're basically at about 1999-2000 prices for players. If the BDA seriously wants to make great inroads, they need to have the sub $300 or better players by Christmas 2008.

[Chugga]

Thanks. I saw a thread on AVs with some screen shots, and I actually have to say they look decent. I know this was on a BD25, but there was a lot of discussion about director's intent on this one. To give it that look and feel of a documentary/old west-era movie.

Well I watched it right off of the heels of somewhat of a couple day movie marathon where I got in Crimson Tide, Across the Universe, the Invasion, the Gameplan and King of California and I can safely say ALL of those movies were better then the Assassination of Jesse James. I think people on HDD and AVS have done a bit of overreacting....it blows the SD DVD away but then again how many Blu-rays don't do that? I don't know I think 3 stars is a fair comparison. The thing is when you look at the screen shots online you are getting some of the best the movie has to offer, it's not a very consistant movie which was my major knock against it. Some scenes where you are up close with Brad Pitt you are like "wow thats great" but sometimes it just seems dull.

It's nothing to write home about but on the same note if you like the movie (like I really do) then sure why the hell I say it's worth the $20. But I'm also a true believer that they can step their game up on a second edition.

[JaylisJayP]

Well I watched it right off of the heels of somewhat of a couple day movie marathon where I got in Crimson Tide, Across the Universe, the Invasion, the Gameplan and King of California and I can safely say ALL of those movies were better then the Assassination of Jesse James. I think people on HDD and AVS have done a bit of overreacting....it blows the SD DVD away but then again how many Blu-rays don't do that? I don't know I think 3 stars is a fair comparison. The thing is when you look at the screen shots online you are getting some of the best the movie has to offer, it's not a very consistant movie which was my major knock against it. Some scenes where you are up close with Brad Pitt you are like "wow thats great" but sometimes it just seems dull.

It's nothing to write home about but on the same note if you like the movie (like I really do) then sure why the hell I say it's worth the $20. But I'm also a true believer that they can step their game up on a second edition.

I'll probably keep it. How's Across The Universe?

[Barry Sanders]

Does anyone know if you use one of those DVI to HDMI adapters if you lose any quality? Or would component still be better?

[jmcc000]

Save 50% on HD DVD movies
http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html?ie=UTF8&docId=1000195491&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=special-offers-5&pf_rd_r=1E60QPZDNF9K36EN7PQS&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_p=363474301&pf_rd_i=B000XCZGVI

[grif32]

Does anyone know if you use one of those DVI to HDMI adapters if you lose any quality? Or would component still be better?

U will not lose any quality.

[SBrooks1]

Since I work at Best Buy I couldn't help but print out Best Buy's press release today and tape it over the Blu-ray and HD DVD movie sections....

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c279/SBrooks2006/0211081733a.jpg

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c279/SBrooks2006/0211082050.jpg

:D

[oaktown2000]

lol....that's pretty funny

[CoachB]

After speaking with a Circuit City Mgr on Sunday, Best Buy may soon be the only mainstream retailer of electronics. He told me he doesn't see Circuit City being in Business by the end of 2009!

[freezerfuel]

After speaking with a Circuit City Mgr on Sunday, Best Buy may soon be the only mainstream retailer of electronics. He told me he doesn't see Circuit City being in Business by the end of 2009!

You guys don't have Future Shop or Visions in the US? Wait, that's probably a good thing. If these electronics chains were parts of a city Visions would be the ghetto. God, I hate that place, I think it's where all the rejects that couldn't make it at FS or BB go.

[HollandX]

Since I work at Best Buy I couldn't help but print out Best Buy's press release today and tape it over the Blu-ray and HD DVD movie sections....

:D

LMAO!

[SBrooks1]

The HD DVD Promotional Group has got to have the most inept PR Department EVER. Netflix goes Blu and here's their response....

The HD DVD Promotional Group's response: "We have long held the belief that HD DVD is the best format for consumers based on quality and value, and with more than 1 million HD DVD players on the market, it's unfortunate to see Netflix make the decision to only stock Blu-ray titles going forward."

http://www.news.com/8301-10784_3-9869181-7.html

Then Best Buy chooses to promote Blu-ray over HD DVD and they respond again....

The HD DVD Promotional Group responded with a statement that's strikingly similar to the one issued earlier in the day: "We have long held the belief that HD DVD is the best format for consumers based on quality and value, and with more than 1 million HD DVD players on the market, it's unfortunate to see Netflix make the decision to only stock Blu-ray titles going forward. While the Best Buy announcement says they will recommend Blu-ray, at least they will continue to carry HD DVD and offer consumers a choice at retail."

http://www.news.com/8301-10784_3-9869591-7.html?tag=more

Wow.... LOL :D

[Chugga]

I'll probably keep it. How's Across The Universe?

Well I bought it thinking it looked alot like Big Fish. A big colorful story about love and love lost, etc. You know the idea. It wasn't a bad movie but parts of the movie make you go "why is this happening?". Theres like a 5-10 minute long scene in the movie where they are seemingly just trippin off of acid or something. And as a viewer (who wasn't currently trippin on acid at that time) I was like "ehh whats going on? and why is this scene lasting so long?"

It's one of those movies where you can see why people loved it, and see why people think it's a great movie, but on the same note in my personal tastes....it just wasn't that great. I'd give it like an 8 out of 10. Good movie but I didn't feel anything after watching it.

I thought King of California also starring Evan Rachel Wood was a better overall film.

[JaylisJayP]

Chugga or anyone else, you picking up We Own the Night or Gone Baby Gone this week?

I'm on the fence on both.

[Chugga]

Definately getting We Own the Night and Gone Baby Gone. Everything else is up in the air until I actually get to the store and look.

[ewto16]

I'd like to see some actual numbers - can't really tell much off of that except BDA claiming it's similar.

It's really a moot point though - neither one is going to take off unless it gets rid of the other. BDA has gotten lazy and complacent since Warner - They need to go after uni/para if they want to end this anytime soon.

Sorry I didn't read it too in depth. I just knew I ran across it and it was supporting my point.

You are totally right though. One needs to eliminate the other. I'm assuming the BDA is just going to wait it out and let it all run its course at this point. Everyone assumes they will win, so I think they want to save the cash in the meantime.

Maybe make some major moves before the holidays?

[ewto16]

There is plenty to watch on it and there are good movies coming out over the next few months that are HD DVD exclusive - American Gangster, Bee Movie, Into the Wild, Charlie Wilson's War and many more. Warner doesn't go exclusive until June - and if, and this is a big if, uni/para/dreamworks decide to dip into their catalogs it could still make things very interesting.

If someone spent $130 bucks on a player and got 7 free movies..... they'll get their $130 bucks worth.

Well, I see lots of people in this thread say AG is only so so and Bee Movie only appeals to a certain group. Uni/Para/DW don't seem all that eager to dip into their catalog titles at this point. I mean how long should an HD-DVD person wait for them to announce they are releasing some movies?

I agree that INITIALLY for $130 you get a great deal. However, in my opinion, you have a large amount of diminishing returns after that, if you want new movies on HD-DVD. New meaning day and date releases.

For $400, I think you get a better deal with a PS3 and Blu-ray. You get a great Blu-ray player and a game machine as well, assuming you want that. You have a large and growing library of movies coming out, including catalog titles that are already announced. On top of that, you could play PS3 games on it, surf the Internet, stream media from your PC, etc.

[Wofford29]

It's funny that I chose blu a year ago, yet all the movies I want the most are HD exclusive. This year is no different. Hopefully Paramount will go neutral again and Warner needs to speed up the back catalog for Blu.

I'm wanting these in Blu....

The Pianist
40 yr. Old Virgin
Knocked Up
Batman Begins
American Gangster
Into the Wild
There Will Be Blood
Hot Fuzz
Shaun of the Dead
Children of Men

[GPWYANKEE]

I picked up we own the night.

[ewto16]

Just watched this last night and I've never really written a review before, so take that for what it is worth. Note I'll only include really high level spoilers that you could probably get by reading the back of the box. Nothing that ruins the movie.

Overall Movie - 5/10
3:10 stars Christan Bale as the good guy (You know this becuase he wears white/grey the whole time.) and Russel Crowe as the bad guy (He wears black the whole time.) in a somewhat classic western tale of the good guys stopping the bad guy. Crowe is a really bad guy that does really bad things. Bale is a down on his luck rancher that gets involved in the capture of Crowe's character. Bale volunteers to help take Crowe's character to Yuma, which is a prision train.

The movie itself is a pretty character driven piece, but only in respect to the two lead stars. No one else is terribly memorable or has a whole lot of impact. In fact, they are mostly just nameless characters in the movie. Lots of dialogue exchanged between Bale and Crowe, which is fine, but the movie is pretty slow.

I would have ranked the movie a bit higher but I didn't really get the point. I got sort of lost at what was going on and why by the last 1/3 of the movie. It really just didn't seem to make much sense anymore to me. Perhaps I missed something that sort of made it key. Perhaps I'm not a sophisticated enough movie viewer to get it. Not sure, but I was disappointed.

Truthfully, I'd give this movie a lower score if it didn't have Bale and Crowe in it. I really like both these actors and I think they did a good job in their roles. If you don't like these actors, take the review down a point.

Picture Quality - 8/10
I thought this movie looked great. There are a lot of big, wide shots as they go throughout the movie which look great. The close-ups also look fantastic. I really had no complaints at all about how the movie looked. Since my Blockbuster doesn't get a lot of Blu-ray movies in for rent, I haven't gotten to see many, but this one was quite enjoyable. My wife noticed right away it was a High-def movie. I wouldn't say there was anything wrong with it, but my limited knowledge of Blu-ray movies makes me rank it high, but not perfect.

Audio Quality - 5/10
There isn't anything really impressive in this movie. As I said before, it is mostly character driven so there is just a lot of talking throughout. Most of the dialoge seems to be whispered or spoken in hushed tones as well, which required that I turn up the receiver pretty loud to actually hear what was going on. Then, when an action scene actually occurs, you have to turn it back down.

When there was action, it was fine and the surround sound was good. I just didn't think there was enough going on during the movie to warrent it getting a high audio score. If you really like to listen to people talk, then you will like it.

(Note, when the movie was over, I noticed that it defaulted to playing in 7.1 as opposed to 5.1 that my receiver supports. I didn't get to test it, but perhaps this accounts for the low volume of the audio. If so, bump up my score to like a 7.)

Special features - 7/10
I'm not really a guy to go into the special features of a disc much, other than just to click around when the movie is over. Usually I look for outtakes or deleated scenes. There are deleted scenes on this disc, but no outtakes. It looked like there were a ton of documentary type things on the making of the movie and the sets. I didn't really watch them.

One thing that I did like was some option that enabled you to see the script or storyboards as the movie was playing. I thought that was pretty cool. There was also an option to see how they made the FX shots as the scene was occuring. Also, very cool.

Overall, I really like how the movie keeps going while accessing the menu on a Blu-ray and how the special features seem to "interact" more with the movie, than being a seperate thing to watch. It looked like there was a lot of content to see and that if you really liked a lot of the making of stuff that goes into a movie, you would be happy with this area of the disc.

Thanks for reading!! :D

[logain99]

The HD DVD Promotional Group has got to have the most inept PR Department EVER. Netflix goes Blu and here's their response....



Then Best Buy chooses to promote Blu-ray over HD DVD and they respond again....



Wow.... LOL :D

I tried to read this thread from the beginning then it occurred to me it started in 2006. I noticed from glancing through the 200+ pages that a good portion of the people on here were leaning towards HD DVD as the better choice.

It appears that if the "war" is not over this is a major battle HD DVD has lost. The only thing I am wondering is when the major push is going to happen because no Walmarts in my area carry the Blu Ray and a few have the HD DVD player at the same cost as a regular DVD player. There are no major places to buy any Blu ray or HD DVD's here.

I think the Sportspicks section in Walmart is bigger than the Blu ray, HD DVD display. I just dont think consumers are sold on HD in general only because to really enjoy it and see the clarity you have to buy a 1080p capable TV. Most consumers just don't have that kind of disposable income to replace a DVD player that only costs $30 and DVD's that cost $5-$15.

I just bought a Blu Ray player online and amazon is my only choice for the discs. I love the difference but my wife isn't sold on it.

Anyway it seems like both HD DVD and BluRay are sitting back not doing much of anything.

Is there some sort of "New Bluray or HD DVD player" that is awaiting a release date or is this how it is going to be?

[Kleptos18]

Well I bought it thinking it looked alot like Big Fish. A big colorful story about love and love lost, etc. You know the idea. It wasn't a bad movie but parts of the movie make you go "why is this happening?". Theres like a 5-10 minute long scene in the movie where they are seemingly just trippin off of acid or something. And as a viewer (who wasn't currently trippin on acid at that time) I was like "ehh whats going on? and why is this scene lasting so long?"

It's one of those movies where you can see why people loved it, and see why people think it's a great movie, but on the same note in my personal tastes....it just wasn't that great. I'd give it like an 8 out of 10. Good movie but I didn't feel anything after watching it.

I thought King of California also starring Evan Rachel Wood was a better overall film.

exactly how I felt about it.

Amazon has a b2g1 up, but its not working for anyone. I tried Pan's Lab., First Blood, and Crank but it charged for all.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html/ref=amb_link_6333342_2?ie=UTF8&docId=1000196201&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=hero-quick-promo&pf_rd_r=1TFFYTZJZMX3Q0HDV9ZH&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_p=363263601&pf_rd_i=B000W9DSVW&tag=blurayforum-20

[SBrooks1]

Thanks for reading!! :D

It pains me to say this but Joshua Zyber's review (http://bluray.highdefdigest.com/1216/310toyuma2007.html) of 3:10 trumps yours easily and I generally hate his reviews :p

[ewto16]

It pains me to say this but Joshua Zyber's review (http://bluray.highdefdigest.com/1216/310toyuma2007.html) of 3:10 trumps yours easily and I generally hate his reviews :p

As I said, consider that it is the first time I wrote a review of anything and that I purposely avoided a lot of the story of the movie, so that I didn't really post any spoilers about it. I could have went into more detail about the movie, but I didn't.

The rest of it is presented from an everyman perspective. I don't watch HD movies for a living. I don't know much more than what is posted in this thread. I just know what appeals to me about a movie. Maybe other people can relate to that, maybe they can't.

Thanks for reading though. I just liked the idea of sharing my opinion of the movie with everyone else, since it was actually recent and I know people were interested in it. I hope to watch We Own The Night and/or Gone Baby Gone this weekend.

What is GBG about anyway?

[SBrooks1]

As I said, consider that it is the first time I wrote a review of anything and that I purposely avoided a lot of the story of the movie, so that I didn't really post any spoilers about it. I could have went into more detail about the movie, but I didn't.

The rest of it is presented from an everyman perspective. I don't watch HD movies for a living. I don't know much more than what is posted in this thread. I just know what appeals to me about a movie. Maybe other people can relate to that, maybe they can't.

Thanks for reading though. I just liked the idea of sharing my opinion of the movie with everyone else, since it was actually recent and I know people were interested in it. I hope to watch We Own The Night and/or Gone Baby Gone this weekend.

What is GBG about anyway?

Your review wasn't that bad actually. I only took exception with the fact that I loved it and you didn't. ;)

Gone Baby Gone...

Plot Synopsis: Two young private detectives are hired to take a closer look at the mysterious disappearance of a little girl and soon discover that nothing is what it seems. Ultimately, they will have to risk everything -- their relationship, their sanity, and even their lives -- to find a little girl-lost.

[ewto16]

Your review wasn't that bad actually. I only took exception with the fact that I loved it and you didn't. ;)

Gone Baby Gone...

Plot Synopsis: Two young private detectives are hired to take a closer look at the mysterious disappearance of a little girl and soon discover that nothing is what it seems. Ultimately, they will have to risk everything -- their relationship, their sanity, and even their lives -- to find a little girl-lost.

Ahhh....hahahahaha, OK. I didn't hate the movie. Just thought it was average. I was expecting a lot and was let down by the end.

Thanks for the synop on GBG. Sounds like something I would like.

[SBrooks1]

I was expecting a lot and was let down by the end.

You should watch the original. The ending is the exact opposite... ;)

[ewto16]

You should watch the original. The ending is the exact opposite... ;)

O RLY??? I think I would like that a LOT better. This one was just sort of dumb, based on what I thought had been laid out in the movie until that point. If I wasn't so lost by the end of the movie, I may have liked it a bit better. I kept thinking about it after watching it to see if I missed something that the director was telling me, and neither my wife or I could explain/understand it.

I also think the review on HDD that you linked to makes an excellent point. This movie could have been over in 20 minutes if certain and honestly realistic actions took place.

[SBrooks1]

Well, by opposite I mean someone still is allowed to get away but someone doesn't die.... :D

[PrimeBane]

Amazon buy 2 BD, get 1 free

http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html?ie=UTF8&docId=1000196201

Click on the different catagories at the top for more selection.

[johnnyknoxsvill]

Anyone try to use the Disney $5 off coupon on Gone Baby Gone?

[Chugga]

Gotta agree with Sbrooks on this one ewto....I thought 3:10 to Yuma was one of the best films of 2007. I know alot of people get turned off by the ending but if you truly follow the movie from beginning to end and pay attention to all of the little things that happen the end shouldn't be suprising what-so-ever.

[imaginegrafix]

Anyone try to use the Disney $5 off coupon on Gone Baby Gone?

I'm going in about an hour or so and am gonna give it a shot - saved one just for this, I'm thinking it should work since it's Buena Vista and the coupon worked for the rock....

[grif32]

Well GF just called and said my Onkyo 705 was just dlvd. :D

Setup all my polks last week and my new sub.

So now the fun begins. I am going to redo everything and rewire my whole system so I dont have a million wires everywhere. Everything in the 705 and 1 HDMI out tothe TV.

Should be a fun Sat project for me.

Once complete I will post pics.

Just having new speakers and a sub which I upgraded my Onkyo HTIB has been night and day. Cant wait to see what the 705 has instore for me once hooked up.

[Kleptos18]

Amazon buy 2 BD, get 1 free

http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html?ie=UTF8&docId=1000196201

Click on the different catagories at the top for more selection.

is it actually working now?

Wasn't when I posted the link earlier.

[WitchKingOfAngmar]

Gotta agree with Sbrooks on this one ewto....I thought 3:10 to Yuma was one of the best films of 2007. I know alot of people get turned off by the ending but if you truly follow the movie from beginning to end and pay attention to all of the little things that happen the end shouldn't be suprising what-so-ever.


Meh, after Road to Perdition...the ending of 3:10 to Yuma made me yawn. Not to say I was bored...just that it was totally expected by me. Still love the movie though.

[Chugga]

is it actually working now?

Wasn't when I posted the link earlier.


It's buy 3 get 2 free

Nevermind they just edited the deal AGAIN....b2g1 again

[Chugga]

Meh, after Road to Perdition...the ending of 3:10 to Yuma made me yawn. Not to say I was bored...just that it was totally expected by me. Still love the movie though.

Well I can say I saw some part of the ending happening as the leadup was definately happening throughout the entire movie, but what actually played out in it's entirety I never saw coming.

[grif32]

Ok enough talk about 3:10 to yuma. Making me jealous. I want to see it so bad.

How is the AQ I heard its top notch in 7.1. I still have to pick this title up.

[Kleptos18]

It's buy 3 get 2 free

Nevermind they just edited the deal AGAIN....b2g1 again

unless i missed it, i don't think it was every 3 get 2. Earlier it said 3 for the price of 2.

I could be wrong though :)

[Chugga]

That actually may have been it, but that text up top is what changed. Maybe it was confusing people. Clearly it confused me. I couldn't really find 5 titles I wanted, but I can probably find 3.

[PrimeBane]

If you order and the free movie doesn't show up, contact their customer service to have it fixed.

[ewto16]

Gotta agree with Sbrooks on this one ewto....I thought 3:10 to Yuma was one of the best films of 2007. I know alot of people get turned off by the ending but if you truly follow the movie from beginning to end and pay attention to all of the little things that happen the end shouldn't be suprising what-so-ever.

See I guess that is the whole thing for me. The end was just so "meh" that it ruined the rest of the movie for me. I liked it, for being a highly character driven piece, until the last 20ish minutes. I sse that it made sense from the setup of the movie, but I didn't think that it made sense overall for Crowe's character.

I just didn't like the end. I was disappointed by the end and felt it was just such a huge letdown. If you can accept and enjoy the ending, then you probably will like the movie more than me.

For me, it took the movie down like 2 or 3 points.

[ewto16]

Ok enough talk about 3:10 to yuma. Making me jealous. I want to see it so bad.

How is the AQ I heard its top notch in 7.1. I still have to pick this title up.

I thought it was OK, but I only have a 5.1 system. Throughout the movie it was very hard to hear the characters talk. They talk in hushed tones and whispers alot, so I kept having to turn the stereo up to hear what they were saying, then turn it back down when some action occured. I really HATE doing that throughout a movie.

However, I didn't notice until the movie was over that the PS3 selected 7.1 by default for my sound settings. I'm not sure if that would make a difference or not, as the center channel should still probably be the center channel, but maybe it does. :confused:

Keep in mind it is a very character driven flick, so there isn't really that much action. I wouldn't think it would be something you would want to demo off a new 7.1 system.

[Kleptos18]

My B2G1 Pickups.

Casino Royale
Hellboy
Last Samurai
Training Day
Million Dollar Baby
300

with my $30 discount from signing up for the amazon card (we did that awhile ago when we were going for the tv, just never used it) all 6 movies will cost me about 53 bucks :)

Now i have to explain that to the wife!

[ewto16]

I couldn't find anything in the B2G1 deal. I was hoping for some newer stuff, but there just wasn't anything in there I was interested in. Oh well.

[Kleptos18]

I couldn't find anything in the B2G1 deal. I was hoping for some newer stuff, but there just wasn't anything in there I was interested in. Oh well.

there wasn't alot I wanted. I got 2 (samurai and million dollar) that I wasn't really sure I needed on blu-ray but wanted the rest. But, at <$10 I can't complain to much.

[SackExchange]

My B2G1

Pans Labyrinth
We Are Marshall
Reservoir Dogs

Unforgiven
Wyatt Earp
The Last Samurai

Corpse Bride
Blood Diamond
Tears of the Sun

$13.52 a piece.

[PrimeBane]

Amazon.com HD DVD Buy 2, get 1 free

http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html?ie=UTF8&plgroup=1&docId=1000196251&plpage=1

[oaktown2000]

Amazon buy 2 BD, get 1 free

http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html?ie=UTF8&docId=1000196201

Click on the different catagories at the top for more selection.


Finally :D Time to spend some money

[Chugga]

Finally :D Time to spend some money

Get Big Fish, it's included

[oaktown2000]

Get Big Fish, it's included


Already on top of it. Just trying to figure out the price combos....and how many sets of 3 I actually want to order.

[Chugga]

Also a quick heads up when I went in to buy We Own the Night, No Reservations, and Gone Baby Gone found out that they are running a buy 3 blu-ray's save $10 deal. Their prices on all 3 movies are awful but if you can get your bestbuy to pricematch target.com you aren't looking too bad.

[TheCollectorStop]

I disagree...Music has a MUCH bigger consumer demand than Movies

No thats not true. The movie industry makes several billion more a year than the music industry. Its been growing exponentially lately and the two have not been comparable for all most a decade now.

[johnnyknoxsvill]

I used the $5 Disney coupon and got GBG for $21 at WM

[imaginegrafix]

I used the $5 Disney coupon and got GBG for $21 at WM

Was just going to post the same thing:D

[WingNut 25]

Eastern Promises on HD-DVD for sale. Watched it once. $21 dlvd.

[oaktown2000]

Took advantage of the B2G1 sale. I'm glad I held off on buying Blade Runner until a sale came along. I knew it wouldn't be too long


Blade Runner
Pan's Labrynth
Ghost Rider

Big Fish
Memento
Training Day

[ewto16]

Why is that Disney coupon not in the first page of links?

[PrimeBane]

I gotta resist this B2G1... I already have 3 titles on preorder and 2 on sale coming. :(

[WingNut 25]

I didn't see anything on that sale on either format I had to have.

[ewto16]

I saw some stuff that I wouldn't mind having, but it is all older stuff. I guess I'm not real big on going back and filling in my collection with older movies that I already have on DVD. At least not at what amounts to $13 a pop for most of them. That is basically what I paid for them new on DVD.

[Kleptos18]

My tower order arrived today. 2 weeks for free shipping... I can't complain too much i guess.

Watched cars with my son. This is what I bought the ps3 for. That movie is just beautiful.

Gonna watch underworld here in a bit.

[johnnyknoxsvill]

Picked up 2 blind buys today.

Gone Baby Gone
We Own the Night

[JaylisJayP]

Why is that Disney coupon not in the first page of links?

I stopped updating that. I'm sorry but it was taking too much of my time, and I have links to the avsforum deal sites that update constantly and are all-inclusive.

[IceRat]

would get Pan's in the amazon deal but nothing to couple it with that I want right now and I just recently got The Fountain... oh well

next week's ad titles from that retailer who is "prominently showcasing" BD .... nothing to write home about

Blu-Ray Discs:

The Host >>>> $19.99
Rescue Dawn >>>> $24.99
X-Men 3: The Last Stand >>>> $24.99
The Devil Wears Prada >>>>> $24.99
Sunshine >>>> $24.99
Shoot ‘Em Up >>>> $24.99
Mr. Brooks >>>> $29.99
The Departed >>>> $19.99
CARS >>>> $19.99
High School Musical 2: Extended Edition >>>> $19.99
Meet The Robinsons >>>>$19.99
Pirates Of The Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest >>>> $19.99
Pirates Of The Caribbean: Curse Of The Black Pearl >>>> $19.99
The Rock >>>> $14.99
Crimson Tide >>>> $14.99
Con Air >>>> $14.99
GoodFellas >>>> $14.99

[grif32]

would get Pan's in the amazon deal but nothing to couple it with that I want right now and I just recently got The Fountain... oh well

next week's ad titles from that retailer who is "prominently showcasing" BD .... nothing to write home about

Blu-Ray Discs:

The Host >>>> $19.99
Rescue Dawn >>>> $24.99
X-Men 3: The Last Stand >>>> $24.99
The Devil Wears Prada >>>>> $24.99
Sunshine >>>> $24.99
Shoot ‘Em Up >>>> $24.99
Mr. Brooks >>>> $29.99
The Departed >>>> $19.99
CARS >>>> $19.99
High School Musical 2: Extended Edition >>>> $19.99
Meet The Robinsons >>>>$19.99
Pirates Of The Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest >>>> $19.99
Pirates Of The Caribbean: Curse Of The Black Pearl >>>> $19.99
The Rock >>>> $14.99
Crimson Tide >>>> $14.99
Con Air >>>> $14.99
GoodFellas >>>> $14.99

Man good price on the Rock. Love that movie.

Anyone own it? How is the PQ and AQ?

[JaylisJayP]

Man good price on the Rock. Love that movie.

Anyone own it? How is the PQ and AQ?

I watched it a couple days ago. Slightly disappointed in the PQ. I'd say it's closer to 7/10 than the 8/10 reviewers were giving it. Close-ups are sharp, but most of the prison shots have a hazy feel to it, and not in a natural grain-type way.

Doesn't detract from the movie, at all, though. Definitely worth $14.95.

[JaylisJayP]

would get Pan's in the amazon deal but nothing to couple it with that I want right now and I just recently got The Fountain... oh well

next week's ad titles from that retailer who is "prominently showcasing" BD .... nothing to write home about

Blu-Ray Discs:

The Host >>>> $19.99
Rescue Dawn >>>> $24.99
X-Men 3: The Last Stand >>>> $24.99
The Devil Wears Prada >>>>> $24.99
Sunshine >>>> $24.99
Shoot ‘Em Up >>>> $24.99
Mr. Brooks >>>> $29.99
The Departed >>>> $19.99
CARS >>>> $19.99
High School Musical 2: Extended Edition >>>> $19.99
Meet The Robinsons >>>>$19.99
Pirates Of The Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest >>>> $19.99
Pirates Of The Caribbean: Curse Of The Black Pearl >>>> $19.99
The Rock >>>> $14.99
Crimson Tide >>>> $14.99
Con Air >>>> $14.99
GoodFellas >>>> $14.99

If I bought Crimson Tide last week can I just bring in my receipt and get a price adjustment?

[grif32]

BB 10 - 12% off coupon

http://emailinfo.bestbuy.com/P/v3/HTMLCouponv3.asp?ci=50470&r=T1_CPN_50470&e=9708%3B517271%3B1256749863%3B1%3B02&a=1007&ref=39&loc=01

[Kleptos18]

So I started an account on this site, to keep track of my Blu's. I'm too far gone in dvd's to even worry about inputing all of them :)

Now I feel like i've spent too much on blu already :) I have all my ordered discs in there too :)

Links in the sig if your bored :)

[oaktown2000]

The Rock >>>> $14.99
Crimson Tide >>>> $14.99
Con Air >>>> $14.99


Nice...I'll be getting The Rock and Con Air for sure...possibly Crimson Tide.

[imaginegrafix]

Just finished watching Gone Baby Gone - great movie, anyone on the fence about it should pick it up - won't regret it.

[IceRat]

If I bought Crimson Tide last week can I just bring in my receipt and get a price adjustment?
of course, you just need to wait till Sun when the new prices are in effect

[CoachB]

I agree the PQ wasn't what I expected either, but the sound thru my Def Techs sounded great. But I only paid 11.99 for it. So can't complain too much.I watched it a couple days ago. Slightly disappointed in the PQ. I'd say it's closer to 7/10 than the 8/10 reviewers were giving it. Close-ups are sharp, but most of the prison shots have a hazy feel to it, and not in a natural grain-type way.

Doesn't detract from the movie, at all, though. Definitely worth $14.95.

[Thee Ultimate Collector]

True enough, but the numbers will grow.

And really, whether we tend to lean more red that blu, it's in all our best interests to see HDM succeed. I for one do not want to go back to standard def... ever. :(

I agree with this statement whole heartedly.

It's too bad about 80% of the real DVD consumers could care less. The ONLY way HD movies will become successful is when...they ALL sell for 19.99 BRAND NEW!!!!

[Thee Ultimate Collector]

I'm stunned with all these movies people are buying on HD-DVD and Blu-ray...most of them sucked on VHS and DVD.

[rsoaker23]

I'm stunned with all these movies people are buying on HD-DVD and Blu-ray...most of them sucked on VHS and DVD.

I think alot of the fun/excitement comes from the sound and PQ..if you have the right setup it really changes the enjoyment

[PrimeBane]

The ONLY way HD movies will become successful is when...they ALL sell for 19.99 BRAND NEW!!!!

All in good time... once the press runs are larger, the price will come down.

If you're the patient type, you can get the new releases down the road for that $20 mark or less.

[Thee Ultimate Collector]

I think alot of the fun/excitement comes from the sound and PQ..if you have the right setup it really changes the enjoyment

I think if you have the right setup...regular DVD is frickin awesome...I'll take great sound over a great picture anyday...but having both doesn't hurt

[rsoaker23]

I think if you have the right setup...regular DVD is frickin awesome...I'll take great sound over a great picture anyday...but having both doesn't hurt

i cant stand watching regular DVD's anymore..even in an upscaler they look like crap

[Thee Ultimate Collector]

i cant stand watching regular DVD's anymore..even in an upscaler they look like crap

its all in the player and the speakers...thats where the magic starts

[grif32]

It's too bad about 80% of the real DVD consumers could care less. The ONLY way HD movies will become successful is when...they ALL sell for 19.99 BRAND NEW!!!!

SD DVD's are now $21.99 instead of $19.99. So I dont know if they will go that low. Unless DVD's go down to $14.99 and BR to $19.99.

I was surprised to see SD DVD's are now $21.99 after the 1st week release. It use to be $19.99. Tells you how long its been since I bought an SD DVD.

Also the ONLY way HD movies will become successful is when Players come down to around $100. People are NOT going to buy $400 for a HD Player regardless of the cost of HD disc.

People will say "Well toshiba players were around $100 - $150 and they didnt sell all that well"

Thats because NO-ONE really know what format was going to win. Now its pretty clear BR is going to win they need to get the price of the Players way down.

Chris

[TheRedOx]

Also the ONLY way HD movies will become successful is when Players come down to around $100. People are NOT going to buy $400 for a HD Player regardless of the cost of HD disc.

Chris

The other big problem is that, with the way upconverting DVD players are being marketed these days, a lot of people think they already have an HD-DVD player or don't see the need for one - they already have a player that makes their DVD's 1080p.

[grif32]

The other big problem is that, with the way upconverting DVD players are being marketed these days, a lot of people think they already have an HD-DVD player or don't see the need for one - they already have a player that makes their DVD's 1080p.

Very true. They need to get rid of upscale DVD players and just market BR players and drop the price.

People love buying those $30 dvd players all day long.

People will not buy up $400 BR players..

chris

[SBrooks1]

UK gets American Gangster on a single sided HD DVD with both versions of the film on it....:eek:

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51GywuG54pL._SS500_.jpg

DVD Description
Single disc (one sided) featuring both the theatrical and extended versions of the film.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/American-Gangster-DVD-Denzel-Washington/dp/B0012MHRSI/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=gateway&qid=1202913108&sr=8-1

[stupidsuck]

Good day for me, My surround sound system should arrive and I got Hellboy, Casino Royale and Galapogos on the way from the B2G1 :)

[grif32]

Good day for me, My surround sound system should arrive and I got Hellboy, Casino Royale and Galapogos on the way from the B2G1 :)

Congrats. Got my onkyo 705 last night but wont have time to hook up everything until sat or sunday :mad:

I am like a kid a xmas when I get new electronics. :D I must have read the manual 3 times last night.

I have spent over 1k just in the last week or two upgrading my HTIB system. Havent bought many new HD DVD's or BR's lately. So many to catch up on.

[SackExchange]

I think if you have the right setup...regular DVD is frickin awesome...I'll take great sound over a great picture anyday...but having both doesn't hurt

its all in the player and the speakers...thats where the magic starts

Do you have Hi-Def? Cuz if you don't than you must think that DD 5.1 sounds better than uncompressed, True-HD and DTS HD-MA and that is crazy talk.

[JaylisJayP]

i cant stand watching regular DVD's anymore..even in an upscaler they look like crap

agreed, DVD so hard to watch now. I still get standard DVDs through Netflix but I would NEVER buy another DVD again.

[ewto16]

The other big problem is that, with the way upconverting DVD players are being marketed these days, a lot of people think they already have an HD-DVD player or don't see the need for one - they already have a player that makes their DVD's 1080p.

I agree with this. They do tell people that upconverting makes them HD, which isn't really the case. Granted, I do think that upconverted DVDs do look pretty good, but they aren't HD.

[ewto16]

I stopped updating that. I'm sorry but it was taking too much of my time, and I have links to the avsforum deal sites that update constantly and are all-inclusive.

Oh, OK. Thanks. I didn't know that link went to the deal site there.

[PrimeBane]

I agree with this. They do tell people that upconverting makes them HD, which isn't really the case. Granted, I do think that upconverted DVDs do look pretty good, but they aren't HD.

I ran into that at Sears in the Mall of America... I asked where their HD DVD player were and they directed me to the upconverting players. I said no, HD DVD players... they had no fricken clue.

[PrimeBane]

I don't think anyone else posted this and I'm sure you've read it elsewhere by now...

Samsung sued over BD player
http://www.tgdaily.com/content/view/35999/97/

[grif32]

I don't think anyone else posted this and I'm sure you've read it elsewhere by now...

Samsung sued over BD player
http://www.tgdaily.com/content/view/35999/97/

I posted it back a few pages while you were off. Started a good debate with Sbrooks and I :D

Chris

[PrimeBane]

Ah... that's what that pissing match was about. :D

[HollandX]

Michael Bay on Blu-ray: "Told You So"
Wed Feb 13, 2008 at 11:00 AM ET

Never one to hold his tongue, Michael Bay is speaking out again on the high-def format war, reminding that he backed Blu-ray long before the format's most recent wave of victories.

The outspoken 'Transformers' director's latest comments came earlier this week at an award ceremony held by the Visual Effects Society, where he presented the award for animated character in a motion picture.

"Blu-ray’s better, and I told everyone," said Bay. "I was very vocal about it. I knew HD [DVD] was not going to make it."

As longtime readers of this site will remember, Bay made headlines last August when he threatened to back out of 'Transformers 2' after it was announced that the film's distributor (Paramount/DreamWorks) would drop Blu-ray support in favor of HD DVD.

Although Bay recanted his remarks before 'Transformers' hit HD DVD, he ultimately returned to his pro-Blu-ray stance, stating that the Sony-backed format was "where my money is."

Taking a virtual victory lap Sunday night, Bay issued his first public statement on the format war following Warner's announcement that it would drop HD DVD support, saying: "Am I thrilled? It really wasn’t my fight, but remember what I said in the press? I was kind of saying HD [DVD]’s going to lose... No one believed me."

http://www.highdefdigest.com/news/show/Michael_Bay/Michael_Bay_on_Blu-ray:_Told_You_So/1460

[imaginegrafix]

Shouldn't bay be saying that his friends "told you so"?

[PrimeBane]

Bay is off his meds again eh?

[GPWYANKEE]

http://www.highdefdigest.com/news/show/Michael_Bay/Michael_Bay_on_Blu-ray:_Told_You_So/1460


This guys got the mentality of a 6 year old i swear to god.

Not you Holland-Mr Bay:o

[stshammgod]

I can't believe some studios are still holding out on Blu_ray releases. I want Beowulf on Blu-Ray, but it's only HD-DVD... Grrrrr

[PrimeBane]

Import it if you want it that bad... It's available in Europe on BD.

[Wardo30]

is anyone coming out with a good HD/BluRay combo player in the near future???

[PrimeBane]

The current Samsung isn't bad... but for the price of it you can buy yourself standalone Blu-ray and HD DVD players and a pile of movies. :)

Perhaps Toshiba will make a dual player, but I'm not holding my breath.

[Wardo30]

The current Samsung isn't bad... but for the price of it you can buy yourself standalone Blu-ray and HD DVD players and a pile of movies. :)

Perhaps Toshiba will make a dual player, but I'm not holding my breath.

well i was thinking about buying a PS3 for both the gaming and the Blu Ray but it would be upstairs on my office tv I was looking for a decent combo for my tv room seeing as how there are still lots of movies made on one but no the other

[PrimeBane]

There Will Be Blood 2-disc: 04/08/08 MSRP $39.99 HD-DVD

This will be a blind buy for me :)

[GPWYANKEE]

A friend of mine has a few questions.Hes buying a tube and i want to make sure im giving him the right answers.

Aspect ratio-What number should be be looking for.

120MHZ??Why are Tvs with this so much more????

[PrimeBane]

A friend of mine has a few questions.Hes buying a tube and i want to make sure im giving him the right answers.

Aspect ratio-What number should be be looking for.

120MHZ??Why are Tvs with this so much more????

Aspect ratio for all new HDtvs is 16:9... all old SDtvs are usually 4:3.

120 Mhz is a new technology, thus the premium price.

[GPWYANKEE]

Aspect ratio for all new HDtvs is 16:9... all old SDtvs are usually 4:3.

120 Mhz is a new technology, thus the premium price.

8000 to 1-10000 to 1 This is what hes talking about -Aspect ratio is probably the wrong question.

[PrimeBane]

8000 to 1-10000 to 1 This is what hes talking about -Aspect ratio is probably the wrong question.

He means contrast ratio. :)

10,000:1 is pretty standard now for most good tvs.

[GPWYANKEE]

He means contrast ratio. :)

10,000:1 is pretty standard now for most good tvs.


Thanks

[JaylisJayP]

Bay is off his meds again eh?

lol

[JaylisJayP]

There Will Be Blood 2-disc: 04/08/08 MSRP $39.99 HD-DVD

This will be a blind buy for me :)

me too....WOHOOO...1 more HD DVD to get excited about.

[JaylisJayP]

8000 to 1-10000 to 1 This is what hes talking about -Aspect ratio is probably the wrong question.

10:000 to 1 aspect ratio would be some serious widescreen. Worse than Blade Runner :)

[ewto16]

A friend of mine has a few questions.Hes buying a tube and i want to make sure im giving him the right answers.

Aspect ratio-What number should be be looking for.

120MHZ??Why are Tvs with this so much more????

Yeah, what PB said. The higher the contrast ratio the better. So 10,000:1 is better than 5,000:1. Also, check some reviews on it. TV manufactuers don't use the same standards to measure that. Somy differes from Samsung, and so on.

120 MHZ is new. It is supposed to eliminate the artifacts (jitter) that are created by TVs displaying everything at 24MHZ Basically if you watch the end crdits of a movie that are white text on a black backgorund, you can notice this jitter. Makes it look like the letters don't scroll smoothly.

As with anything, you need something that outputs a 120MHZ source or it won't make a difference.

[PrimeBane]

One other note on 120Mhz... watch it in store before purchasing.

I find the picture to be jittery and the movement on screen to be very un-natural.

And 120Mhz only applies to LCDs.

[Wardo30]

alright I need a break down...I have a HDMI cable running to my tv from my HD cable box...now whats the optical cable slot on the back of the tv do and where do I hook it up...I think it lights up red

[PrimeBane]

If you're getting sound from the cablebox over HDMI, you don't need ot use optical.

It's there for people that have an older cable or sat box with DVI, component, s-video or composite... since you can't get sound over a DVI connection (usually DVI to HDMI) then they need to get the sound over composite/RCA or optical.

[grif32]

One other note on 120Mhz... watch it in store before purchasing.

I find the picture to be jittery and the movement on screen to be very un-natural.

And 120Mhz only applies to LCDs.

I got a headache watching it in CC for about 5 minutes. Its strange to watch. And hard on the eyes at first.

[ewto16]

I recall someone saying that they watched Spiderman on a TV with 120 and it made all the CG stuff look really fake. They hated it.

[CoachB]

No wonder theres a lot of potential buyers of a new format waiting to see which becomes the dominate format that will be readily available in the future. Right now were two separate camps being held up by the greed of the 2 formatting companies. There are lots of HD-DVD movies I would like to buy, and I assume there are lots of BR's that the owners of HD-DVD would like to own or watch. I have a BR and cannot afford both. As I'm sure that is the case for others. I for one hope this division ends soon. Cause it could end up costing them both in the long run, by not bringing in new customers, most of whom might just stick with reg DVD's. Cause right now on DVD everyone can go out and buy any movie they want and not have to worry about there film that might or might not come out on HD because it's the wrong format...

[PrimeBane]

There are lots of HD-DVD movies I would like to buy, and I assume there are lots of BR's that the owners of HD-DVD would like to own or watch. I have a BR and cannot afford both.

No offence CoachB, but you already have the expensive BD player... make the plunge and go dual format for less than $150 (that's the price of buying 5 or 6 new release Blu-rays) :)

http://www.amazon.com/Toshiba-HD-A3-720p-1080i-Player/dp/B000U62N1S/ref=pd_bbs_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1202942503&sr=8-1

Comes with 7 free movies until the end of Feb :D

Being purple gives you the bets of both worlds.

[civictyperboy]

I've said it before and I will say it again...120hz is useless on BD/HD movies it speeds up the image making it look totally unrealistic, most people I know have turned it off on thier sets and the place I used to work at I turned it off on all the sets that had it and it does not only apply to LCD tv, RPTVs have it as well like the Sony A3000 line

[PrimeBane]

But who buys RPTVs anymore civic? ;)

Thanks for the 411 :)

[CoachB]

And then what do I do with the HD-DVD player and movies stuff, if they fold, or the other 2 movie companies decide to go to BR only? And besides I only paid $299 for my Panasonic 30 with 10 free movies. No offence CoachB, but you already have the expensive BD player... make the plunge and go dual format for less than $150 (that's the price of buying 5 or 6 new release Blu-rays) :)

http://www.amazon.com/Toshiba-HD-A3-720p-1080i-Player/dp/B000U62N1S/ref=pd_bbs_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1202942503&sr=8-1

Comes with 7 free movies until the end of Feb :D

Being purple gives you the bets of both worlds.

[PrimeBane]

And then what do I do with the HD-DVD player and movies stuff, if they fold, or the other 2 movie companies decide to go to BR only? And besides I only paid $299 for my Panasonic 30 with 10 free movies.

The same as the rest of us... enjoy them for as long at the player and disks play. I plan on enjoying my HD DVD players and movies for years to come. :)

The Toshiba's make nice upconverting DVD players as well.

Or, if you're the patient type, wait a few years for all the HD DVD exlusive content to hit BD...

[grif32]

deepdiscount.com has the following HD-DVDs for $12.20 each with free shipping.


12 Monkeys [HD DVD]
2 Fast 2 Furious [HD DVD]
The 40-Year-Old Virgin [HD DVD]
American Me [HD DVD]
Apollo 13 [HD DVD]
Army of Darkness [HD DVD]
Being John Malkovich [HD DVD]
The Big Lebowski [HD DVD]
Born on the Fourth of July [HD DVD]
Bruce Almighty [HD DVD]
Bulletproof [HD DVD]
Carlito's Way [HD DVD]
Carlito's Way: Rise To Power
Cinderella Man [HD DVD]
Dante's Peak [HD DVD]
Darkman [HD DVD]
Doom [HD DVD]
Elizabeth [HD DVD]
Erin Brockovich [HD DVD]
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind [HD DVD]
The Fast and the Furious [HD DVD]
Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas [HD DVD]
For Love of the Game [HD DVD]
The Frighteners [HD DVD]
The Getaway [HD DVD]
In Good Company [HD DVD]
Inside Man [HD DVD]
The Interpreter [HD DVD]
The Last Starfighter [HD DVD]
Lost in Translation [HD DVD]
Mystery Men [HD DVD]
Notting Hill [HD DVD]
Out of Sight [HD DVD]
Patch Adams [HD DVD]
Pride and Prejudice [HD DVD]
Ray [HD DVD]
The River [HD DVD]
The Rundown [HD DVD]
Scent of a Woman [HD DVD]
Sea of Love [HD DVD]
Seabiscuit [HD DVD]
Seed of Chucky [HD DVD]
The Skeleton Key [HD DVD]
Spy Game [HD DVD]
The Sting [HD DVD]
The Thing [HD DVD]
Tremors [HD DVD]
The War [HD DVD]
The Watcher [HD DVD]
The Wedding Date [HD DVD]
What Dreams May Come [HD DVD]
Billy Madison [HD DVD]
Dawn of the Dead [HD DVD]
Daylight [HD DVD]
End of Days [HD DVD]
The Hulk [HD DVD]
Mercury Rising [HD DVD]
The Nutty Professor [HD DVD]
Pitch Black [HD DVD]
Shaun of the Dead [HD DVD]
Timecop [HD DVD]
U-571 [HD DVD]
Unleashed [HD DVD]
Van Helsing [HD DVD]

[WingNut 25]

Definitely a few I'll grab for that price.

[kawai7]

i wish they had that sale earlier, i got most of those at higher prices :(

[PrimeBane]

Toshiba XA2 $228

http://www.ubid.com/Toshiba_HDXA2_HD_DVD_high-def__player_with_1080p_output/a602209239.html

Only available in the US :(

[imaginegrafix]

I have Eyes Wide shut HD DVD for $12 dlvd if anyone is interested - it has French/English cover art (Canadian release)

[civictyperboy]

I would buy another one...I love mine...the only reason why companies stopped making them is due to the "panty dropper" mentality of a flat panel tv...people think they are the best thing since sliced bread...mark ups are insane and gross profit is close to 35-40% on an LCD TV...RPTVs were considerably less

[grif32]

These will be in Sundays ads 2/17:

Target: Blu-rays $29.99 each

Harry Potter & Order Of The Phoenix
Pirates Of The Caribbean: At World’s End
Resident Evil: Extinction
Rush Hour 3

CC: $24.99 each (selection might vary by store)

Harry Potter & Order Of The Phoenix
Rush Hour 3
The Simpsons Movie
Live Free Or Die Hard
Ocean’s Thirteen
300
3:10 To Yuma
Troy: The Director’s Cut
The Departed
Fantastic 4: Rise Of The Silver Surfer
X-Men 3: The Last Stand
Superman Returns
WAR
CRANK
Lord Of War
The Condemned
SAW IV: Unrated Director’s Cut
The Brave One
Kingdom Of Heaven
Eragon
The Fountain
The Day After Tomorrow
Letters From Iwo Jima
We Are Marshall
A Night At The Museum
Good Luck Chuck
Hairspray
Happy Feet
TMNT
The Ant Bully

Best Buy: prices as listed

The Host $19.99
Rescue Dawn $24.99
X-Men 3: The Last Stand $24.99
The Devil Wears Prada $24.99
Sunshine $24.99
Shoot ‘Em Up $24.99
Mr. Brooks $29.99
The Departed $19.99
CARS $19.99
High School Musical 2: Extended Edition $19.99
Meet The Robinsons $19.99
Pirates Of The Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest $19.99
Pirates Of The Caribbean: Curse Of The Black Pearl $19.99
The Rock $14.99
Crimson Tide $14.99
Con Air $14.99
GoodFellas $14.99

[ToightLikeATiger]

Con Air and The Rock for $15 each is a good deal. May grab those if thats the case.

Quick question for people who are fans of the Pirates of the Carribean movies. Are 2 and 3 better then 1? I watched 1 on TV a while back and it was ok at best. Was thinking about checking the other 2 out but not sure if its worth it. Guess this would be a good reason to have netflix but I dont think Id use it enough lol.

[Barry Sanders]

Well Im now Both Blue and Red. Ive been thinking about getting a PS3 for the past couple weeks, because you damn guys have brought out my OCD on this Hi Def stuff. I wanted a 60gb and was about to give up and get the 40gb. So today the family went up to Kmart and low and Behold one 60 gb PS3 :D. I think it was returned, but its all mine now. I was totally unprepared to get it tonight so I don't have the HDMI to DVI cable or Optical cable I need, So I wont get to check it out til they arrive via monoprice.com. I was going to just buy some but its like 60.00 at the store plus 20.00 for the hdmi dvi adapter, than 20 for the optical. But from that website it was 20 dlvd for everything. So if you need cables I suggest them for you. I guess this weekend I'll have to pick up a Blu Ray and a PS3 game.

[ToightLikeATiger]

Barry... Get Uncharted for the PS3 game! you wont be disappointed. Welcome to the Blue and Red club :)

[Kleptos18]

Hey garth, I got my Pirates movies today. Just wanted to let you know :)

thanks!

[TastySweetNutz]

I might have to finally pick up Sunshine for 24.99.

Is there a website that shows upcoming releases on BR? I want to know if, Right at your Door, will be released on BR.