Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems The one of MANY HD-DVD threads (No bashing Blu-Ray)

I know that Blu-Ray is banking on the sales of the PS3 to bolster their position in the Hi-Def DVD wars, but I've seen something interesting the last two times I visited the local Best Buy to purchase HD DVD's. Both times (first was 12-23 and the second was 1-9) our Best Buy had pallets of 60GB PS3's in the main store aisle and guess what, nobody was even paying attention to the display. Unlike the launch where people waited for 4 and 5 days, I could go to the store right now and probably purchase a game system. But after reading about some of the consortium's decision on using MPEG2 coding, I've decided to wait and see if they reconsider this decision and decide to adopt strictly VC-1 coding. I'm not holding my breath.

there was a consortium decision on using MPEG2 coding?

ken

" I would probably go with the BR version because I still, in my gut, feel that format has the advantage in the long run. "

Simon,
Just curious why you feel that way ? PQ and SQ are almost identical on both formats AFAIK. I dont even have a Hd-DVD player yet but I'm buying discs already ( Thanks to all the 'Reviews' from all here ) .

I feel BD is designed more to benefit the 'industry' itself and the more transparent Hd-DVD Group gives me the same benefits without Region Coding ( yet ) and BD+ and is therefore more deserving of my dollar/pound/euro.

If it later becomes a Blu world I can always add a ( Universal ) player and join up .

Or maybe just enjoy my CD, DVD and Hd-DVD collections and take up golf or playing guitar instead

~M~

Keep playing that guitar Manus, Its a constant thorn in my side too, but i am getting better over time as I play along to my fav bands on the Meridian.
At least the sound quality is good enough to work out what Key they are in.

I am with you on this, HD-DVD will win, its an easy name and familiar for the general public (Joe & Josophine Sixpack) to latch on to.

Thats what it will come down to in the end.

Cheers, Chris

Manus:

You are correct, PQ is now essentially identical (although was not so out of the gate with the dismal samsung BD player), but BD still has greater support - from studios and from manufacturers. I just don't think the majority of mass market consumers care at all about things like storage space, regional coding, etc. - and it is the mass market that will ultimately select the winner (if there is a winner!).

A while back I put together my pros/cons list for both, which if memory serves is as follows:

HDDVD

Better name recognition
Cheaper (both players and discs) - sustainable?
XBox
Toshiba only?
Universal only exclusive studio
Good launch
Already into 2nd Gen players (is this good or bad?)

Bluray

Broader manufacturer support
More expensive
PS3
Many exclusive studios - Disney, Lionsgate
Bad launch

So, how would you handicap this 'race'? How about this:

Bluray wins - 25%
HDDVD wins - 15%
Both lose - 15%
Coexist - 45%

I have bought into both formats, and to the original question; if the choice is available, I will buy the BR version, however, I have no problem buying an HDDVD if it is unique to that format.

Of course, this is all just conjecture and speculation ....

Simon

PS - six months ago I was right there with Bob Stuart that the likely winner of this 'war' was satndard DVD - I no longer think that. I think now it is quite likely that we will have both formats - shoot, games support three separate formats!

Heres mine:

Bluray wins - 25%
HDDVD wins - 15%
Both lose - 50%
Coexist - 10%

best regards,
Jerry

Prediction (not desire):

Bluray wins - 40%
HDDVD wins - 1%
Both lose - 40%
Coexist - 19%

Coexist requires all major studios to publish on both IMO or dual players to be norm and cheap; Both long shots I think...

I agree with some others that HDDVD 'deserves' a better showing than this as it has really performed well out of the gates. But there's too much money and support behind BD and thanks to HDDVD success is closing the performance gap rapidly... I know HDDVD has price on it's side yet and that's important, but I don't think the public will 'take-up' High Definition disk rapidly enough to give this a proper advantage. By year's end, I think the price differences will be inconsequential.

ken

OT - Jeez that new Beatle Love DVD-A I'm listening to right now is awesome... Thank you Brits for giving us the The Beatles... Sorry for the diversion... Back to HD disk formats...

Ken,
Shame on you 1% Hd-DVD ????? Wait till the Milky Bar Kid hears about that

Simon,
Great thread over at AVs. People formed a club , Anything from Fx,Sony,Lionsgate etc they just took turns buying standard DVD and none of their friends could tell the difference whether it was HD or Upscaled

Later on they can always get a 'Universal'

~M~

WOW - I am surprise 2/3 that took up on Mark's quest predict the demise of the HDDVD. I gather this has more to do with the marketing than the actual technical abilities, right? I'd like to know cause I had decided to buy a HDDVD, if you feel you get what the format offers I am game, if you are left feeling unmoved by the quality than I'd like to know too.

So far feedback had been very positive, so I would like to know. Thanks!

Do you have link per chance?

I have to say that I have done side-by-side HD versus regular DVD on both my Sony Ruby and 60" SXRD RPTV, and the difference is significant. Might be hard to see on, say, a 32" LCD though. Is worrisome that many seem to see little difference - perhaps every HD player should come with a free pair of eyeglasses.

Simon

As the third Milky Bar recipient, I'm not going to make any prediction, but I will say that I don't think the PS3 will be the saviour of Blu-Ray.

Irrespective of studio affiliations, at the moment there are far more discs I want to watch on HD DVD than BD. Were the Blu-Ray execs thinking that J6P was going to be an early adopter?!!! Hitch? Great movie. Not. Yes, this will change...

I don't think anyone is going to come out of this smelling of roses, but I really hope Sony get burnt badly over this. IMO, they've been involved in too many format wars for it to be "coincidence". The BD tactics at CES are also nothing short of scandalous (and unfortunately may work).