The Energon Pub

I'll stick with DVD till one or the other wins and then swap over my collection. Personally the first generation of HD-DVD and BlueRay weren't really all that great quality wise, and the newer stuff still isn't worth the price that the full upgrade for a machine+movies would cost me. Plus the fact that one or the other is going to fail eventually makes picking on side or the other an expensive gamble. This isn't like the Laser Disc vs DVD war where one had great benefits over the other and was a winner from the start. These two are in reality closely matched regardless of what the hype says. The winner is going to be who manages to snag the best library and can get their prices low enough to grab and hold customers the quickest just like the Betamx vs VHS battle.

Right now HD-DVD is picking up steam again, and Sony has been getting hit hard with the sluggish sales on the PS3 which though they claim otherwise really is their flagship Blue Ray product. Its going to be another few years before on or the other actually manages to come out on top.

Rodimust wrote:

Toshiba HD-A2 is 1080i. 1080p players are well over $300. Its cool maybe HD-DVDs are great. I just don't want a mere player. Interactive games and ethernet ports don't impress me as much as the bare-boned visual quality of 300 on BluRay. Especially when I can pop in Heavenly Swords afterwards.

That's all well and good, but you're making an accusation that somehow the BD version of 300 was superior in picture quality to the HD DVD version which is false. Both versions used the same exact video encode, and look exactly the same. The differences are that the HD DVD version has about 12 hours worth of next-gen special features including the blue-screen PiP and downloadable content among other things.

Yes, the HD-A2 is a 1080i player, but %90 of all HDTVs are only 1080i capable displays. 1080p displays have not reached big popularity because they have been much more expensive to buy until recently. There's nothing wrong with offering a cheaper HD DVD, or BD player for that matter that matches your display. Purchasing a 1080p player for a 1080i set is foolish and unnecessary.

Metal wrote:Rodimust wrote:

Toshiba HD-A2 is 1080i. 1080p players are well over $300. Its cool maybe HD-DVDs are great. I just don't want a mere player. Interactive games and ethernet ports don't impress me as much as the bare-boned visual quality of 300 on BluRay. Especially when I can pop in Heavenly Swords afterwards.

That's all well and good, but you're making an accusation that somehow the BD version of 300 was superior in picture quality to the HD DVD version which is false. Both versions used the same exact video encode, and look exactly the same. The differences are that the HD DVD version has about 12 hours worth of next-gen special features including the blue-screen PiP and downloadable content among other things.

Yes, the HD-A2 is a 1080i player, but %90 of all HDTVs are only 1080i capable displays. 1080p displays have not reached big popularity because they have been much more expensive to buy until recently. There's nothing wrong with offering a cheaper HD DVD, or BD player for that matter that matches your display. Purchasing a 1080p player for a 1080i set is foolish and unnecessary.

First of all. A bluRay disc holds more which means they can have more features. The production companies like WB's chose not to put these features on. The ethernet is not a problem for a PS3. This whole PiP garbage that you are ranting about is foolish and unnecessary. If I went to see transformers in IMAX and they had a PiP showing the green screen action on a smaller screen, I'd be pissed. Why would you waste your time looking at that? I'm sorry you felt I was insinuating 300 is better picture quality on bluRay. I was just stating that there is nothing wrong with the bluRay version. These HD extras are a little excessive. The important ones will always be on both.

Secondly, 65% of 300's sales were (you guessed it) bluRay. Obviously I'm not the only person not impressed with the 12 hours you boast of.

When it comes to transformers, 1080p IS necessary. I'm not looking for green screens or downloadable content (I have a computer for that). I want the visual affects to be the best they can be. I can't help, but be disappointed that the HD version can only be experienced through one kind of player. I was looking forward to finally being able to purchase a system that can play Transformers AND give me satisfaction elsewhere as a gamer. A Toshiba player is not going to serve me any use. When was the last time you ever wanted anything made by Toshiba?

Transformers and Iron Man were the only movies I was looking forward to owning an HD version of. I just don't think an 1080i X-box 360 with a clunky add on (both with dvd slots making it a waste of space) is an option for the money.

Rodimist wrote:

Metal wrote:Rodimust wrote:

Toshiba HD-A2 is 1080i. 1080p players are well over $300. Its cool maybe HD-DVDs are great. I just don't want a mere player. Interactive games and ethernet ports don't impress me as much as the bare-boned visual quality of 300 on BluRay. Especially when I can pop in Heavenly Swords afterwards.

That's all well and good, but you're making an accusation that somehow the BD version of 300 was superior in picture quality to the HD DVD version which is false. Both versions used the same exact video encode, and look exactly the same. The differences are that the HD DVD version has about 12 hours worth of next-gen special features including the blue-screen PiP and downloadable content among other things.

Yes, the HD-A2 is a 1080i player, but %90 of all HDTVs are only 1080i capable displays. 1080p displays have not reached big popularity because they have been much more expensive to buy until recently. There's nothing wrong with offering a cheaper HD DVD, or BD player for that matter that matches your display. Purchasing a 1080p player for a 1080i set is foolish and unnecessary.

First of all. A bluRay disc holds more which means they can have more features. The production companies like WB's chose not to put these features on. The ethernet is not a problem for a PS3. This whole PiP garbage that you are ranting about is foolish and unnecessary. If I went to see transformers in IMAX and they had a PiP showing the green screen action on a smaller screen, I'd be pissed. Why would you waste your time looking at that? I'm sorry you felt I was insinuating 300 is better picture quality on bluRay. I was just stating that there is nothing wrong with the bluRay version. These HD extras are a little excessive. The important ones will always be on both.

Secondly, 65% of 300's sales were (you guessed it) bluRay. Obviously I'm not the only person not impressed with the 12 hours you boast of.

When it comes to transformers, 1080p IS necessary. I'm not looking for green screens or downloadable content (I have a computer for that). I want the visual affects to be the best they can be. I can't help, but be disappointed that the HD version can only be experienced through one kind of player. I was looking forward to finally being able to purchase a system that can play Transformers AND give me satisfaction elsewhere as a gamer. A Toshiba player is not going to serve me any use. When was the last time you ever wanted anything made by Toshiba?

Transformers and Iron Man were the only movies I was looking forward to owning an HD version of. I just don't think an 1080i X-box 360 with a clunky add on (both with dvd slots making it a waste of space) is an option for the money.

You do know the reason that the HD-DVD version has these extras and the Blu-Ray version doesn't is because Blu-Ray is currently unable to do them(though that capability is coming).

As for seeing 300 green screen PiP feature, its actually quite funny because of how bad the film is without the effects(the finished film itself is awesome).

You wont get satisfaction as a gamer with the PS3(at least not yet), as for the 360 it is also capable of outputting a 1080p signal through a VGA cable or HDMI(elite and new units only).

You do realise that the only difference between 1080i and 1080p is that with 1080p the full screen is refreshed every cycle where as with 1080i every second line is refreshed every cycle, they both have the same resolution of 1920x1080. The difference between the two is barely distinguishable unless there is something moving very fast on screen(gets slightly fuzzy) or you have a crap tv(video tearing).

And for insinuating that Toshiba is a crap company you do know that the HDD in the iPod is a Toshiba drive, I don't see many people who don't have or want an iPod(personally I don't like it but the mp3 player I have also has a Toshiba drive). If you buy a Samsung dvd player its a Toshiba drive(shared resources for DVD), Toshiba make the worlds smallest HDD(5x24x32mm) and they make pretty good laptops and laptop hdds.

Toshiba Micro HDD:

This is all about the mighty $$$. Paramount doesn't want to give money to Sony who's one of their biggest competitors in the entertainment industry. This blows though, as it would look so sweet in blu-ray, plus the fact that blu-ray discs can store way more information, look at all the added goodies they could have put on there.

Not to double post, but is there hope for blu-ray afterall

"Paramount Home Entertainment will issue new releases day and date as well as catalog titles exclusively on HD DVD. Today's announcement does not include films directed by Steven Spielberg as his films are not exclusive to either format."

Speilberg didn't direct but produced this film...so maybe there's hope

Obi-Wan Kenobi wrote:This is all about the mighty $$$. Paramount doesn't want to give money to Sony who's one of their biggest competitors in the entertainment industry. This blows though, as it would look so sweet in blu-ray, plus the fact that blu-ray discs can store way more information, look at all the added goodies they could have put on there.

That dosen't mean HD-DVDs will keep the same specs throughout their entire lifespan. Hell ,look at DVD's. They didn't start off burning/scanning info on multiple layers. but they do now, & nearly doubles the space on them. Perhaps something similar could be done later to boost the amount of data that can be stored on it.

Keep in mind, I know nothing about specs or anything here, but history does show that the tech, even among the same format, only gets better with age.

i don't get it, they would release disturbia (paramount movie) and other paramount films, but not transformers or shrek, it doesn't make any sense. i mean blu-ray is way superior than hd-dvd format in terms of audio and visual quality. i wish paramount/dreamworks will change their mind about the eventual release of the movies.

People can say what they want, but there is no discernible difference between HD-DVD and Blu-Ray's A/V quality. The discs and players are different, but the film's own quality is unaffected by the format.

Both are capable of Dolby Digital, DTS, etc and 1080P (depending on the player)

And even though Spielberg was the executive producer, it's not his film. It's Bay's and it's not under the same restrictions as Spielberg's own works.

....I think my brain's beginning to bleed.

sniper_samurai wrote:
You do know the reason that the HD-DVD version has these extras and the Blu-Ray version doesn't is because Blu-Ray is currently unable to do them(though that capability is coming).

As for seeing 300 green screen PiP feature, its actually quite funny because of how bad the film is without the effects(the finished film itself is awesome).

You wont get satisfaction as a gamer with the PS3(at least not yet), as for the 360 it is also capable of outputting a 1080p signal through a VGA cable or HDMI(elite and new units only).

You do realise that the only difference between 1080i and 1080p is that with 1080p the full screen is refreshed every cycle where as with 1080i every second line is refreshed every cycle, they both have the same resolution of 1920x1080. The difference between the two is barely distinguishable unless there is something moving very fast on screen(gets slightly fuzzy) or you have a crap tv(video tearing).

And for insinuating that Toshiba is a crap company you do know that the HDD in the iPod is a Toshiba drive, I don't see many people who don't have or want an iPod(personally I don't like it but the mp3 player I have also has a Toshiba drive). If you buy a Samsung dvd player its a Toshiba drive(shared resources for DVD), Toshiba make the worlds smallest HDD(5x24x32mm) and they make pretty good laptops and laptop hdds.

I'm not very into features accept for the making of, bloopers, and deleted scenes. I may not be very familiar with these extras. But, I DO know that watching Transformers with a green screen PiP would be very unentertaining being that the characters we would all want to see are CGI.

Don't worry, by the time Transformers comes out on DVD, PS3 will have an amazing library. Xbox unfortunately hasn't proved themselves and they have been out for a year earlier than both wii and PS3. It shows in the recent slow down of their sales. The new Xbox elite had me interested, but I don't believe it comes with a HD player either. The price with this HD-player add on is the same as a PS3.

1080p is perfect for Transformers. All the actions scenes move quickly.

My iPod video has crappy video quality. The iPhone as well. In iPods defense, the strength is in the portability. You obviously don't want to take up you hard-drive space with HD 1080 information. Toshiba is obviously sound company and I didn't know the samsung used a toshiba drive. Thanks for the info. The point I was making is it's name won't make me buy something that I don't want for the price. But hey, maybe if I have to buy a HD-DVD player and I can get a good deal on a Toshiba, I won't feel bad about it. Samsungs cost more generally.

Sorry if I offended Toshiba and XBox.

Don't you feel stupid for adopting a format so early? HD-DVD will die. It'll just take a little more time.

Moonbase2 wrote:
Yep, porn killed Betamax. But the question is....do we REALLY want high definition porn? I mean, really?

Why wouldn't we?

On topic, meh. I've seen no difference between HD and BluRay. I will get an HD drive for my 360 eventually, but I refuse to own a PS3 til it's dirt cheap. So it looks like HD TFs for me when the time comes.

On a side note: UMD and the PSP did real well in the begining, then issues came, and now UMD and the PSP aren't doing much of anything. I love my PSP, but anything good coming to it and UMD is few and far between. It seems BluRay may go the same route. Until I see more positive things for BluRay and the PS3, I won't be supporting the hardware or it's format.

Well, thats just a load of crap. That you very much Paramount, you bunch of morons. There is a HUGE Blu Ray user base out there and we would have yummed up a TF movie release. You deserve to lose the profits.

I am not going to buy an HD-DVD player to own ONE movie on that format, I refuse to be bullied into it. I wont even buy the DVD release if this is their attitude.

PARAMOUNT NEEDS TO RETHINK, this really pisses me off. Who the hell do I write to??

oh i'm sure you're buy it on dvd the minute it hits shelves across the nation Ravage XK.

Altertron wrote:oh i'm sure you're buy it on dvd the minute it hits shelves across the nation Ravage XK.

Nope, its Blu Ray or nothing. I didnt pay out for a HD screen and PS3 to buy more DVDs.

I must make my stand!

D-340 wrote:

Moonbase2 wrote:
Yep, porn killed Betamax. But the question is....do we REALLY want high definition porn? I mean, really?

Why wouldn't we?

On topic, meh. I've seen no difference between HD and BluRay. I will get an HD drive for my 360 eventually, but I refuse to own a PS3 til it's dirt cheap. So it looks like HD TFs for me when the time comes.

On a side note: UMD and the PSP did real well in the begining, then issues came, and now UMD and the PSP aren't doing much of anything. I love my PSP, but anything good coming to it and UMD is few and far between. It seems BluRay may go the same route. Until I see more positive things for BluRay and the PS3, I won't be supporting the hardware or it's format.

360 + hyd dvd drive + joypad charger + wireless networking adapter = price of ps3

WILL IT BE RELEASED ON REGULAR DVD IF IT DOES NOT I WILL SUCK FOR PEOPLE WHO DON'T HAVE HD-DVD.

BIGBOTSYSTEM wrote:WILL IT BE RELEASED ON REGULAR DVD IF IT DOES NOT I WILL SUCK FOR PEOPLE WHO DON'T HAVE HD-DVD.

YES.

correct me if i'm wrong so paramount will also not releasing any of its movies on umds too right including transformers and shrek 3?

Actually from the word I have gotten from my bosses emails at work it is quite possible that October may see the price of HD discs taking a big price drop as well as the players. I have been trying to find articles to verify, but it may be news that is being sent through on a store level for the moment.

YOU know, I was just thinking about something:

Microsoft has paid DreamWorks and Paramount so much money that they've decided to join Universal in the HD-DVD exclusive camp. No kidding.

This actually makes a lot of sense, especially if you look at it from the game industry perspective. If Sony, Microsoft's biggest rival in the gaming industry, ends up with the exclusive next-gen format after HD-DVD goes under, it wouldn't suprise me if Sony ended up making Microsoft have to pay such a huge sum for use of their blu-ray tech for their consoles & games that it puts MS's gaming industry almost totally out of the picture. I mean, think about it...having to pay your rival for the means to surpass them??.....it's no wonder MS is trying to keep the HD-DVD afloat by any means necessary.

I'm not happy over the fact that I will not be able to own what is now one of my favorite movies the the Hi-Def format that I chose. I guess I won't be able to see Transformers on my Home Theater Setup as I will not be getting the DVD or any other Paramount movie out of protest. I am currently doing the same with Universal movies.

Rashomon wrote:Actually from the word I have gotten from my bosses emails at work it is quite possible that October may see the price of HD discs taking a big price drop as well as the players. I have been trying to find articles to verify, but it may be news that is being sent through on a store level for the moment.

It's true. This Christmas, brand name players will drop to $199.00 and Chinese branded models could be as cheap as $180.00!

The movies will be adjusted accordingly.

Nemesis Cyberplex wrote:YOU know, I was just thinking about something:

Microsoft has paid DreamWorks and Paramount so much money that they've decided to join Universal in the HD-DVD exclusive camp. No kidding.

This actually makes a lot of sense, especially if you look at it from the game industry perspective. If Sony, Microsoft's biggest rival in the gaming industry, ends up with the exclusive next-gen format after HD-DVD goes under, it wouldn't suprise me if Sony ended up making Microsoft have to pay such a huge sum for use of their blu-ray tech for their consoles & games that it puts MS's gaming industry almost totally out of the picture. I mean, think about it...having to pay your rival for the means to surpass them??.....it's no wonder MS is trying to keep the HD-DVD afloat by any means necessary.

I don't think it's even remotely fair that Sony has a stake in this issue. Last I checked, HD was run by a consortium that wasn't controlled by any of the major companies. Supported, yes. Controlled, no. HD-DVD was created by NEC and Toshiba, electronics and computer manufacturers.

Microsoft supports it, but didn't create it. Sony not only created Blu-Ray, but makes the discs, and the movies that go on them. It's not fair and they shouldn't have a monopoly on the market, controlling the situation and forcing their competition to bend to their whim.

Sad thing is, Sony's not even Sony anymore. They bought out the Aiwa brand, and it's now a piece of junk. I opened it to clean it by hand, and found the guts were made by Sanyo and Orion. (The latter of the two makes Ilo TVs...and we all know what kind of quality that is....)

But Sony forces other companies to use their technology in other brand DVD players (boards, chips, etc) and it's not fair.l And I say forces so they can even compete in the same market.

I'm so sick and tired of Sony and it's subpar sh*t. I wouldn't mind seeing them toppled for once.

is transformers directed by bay if so it should also be on blu-ray according the sources. movies that are directed by bay or spielberg will be on blu-ray and hd.

Altertron wrote:is transformers directed by bay if so it should also be on blu-ray according the sources. movies that are directed by bay or spielberg will be on blu-ray and hd.

It may be directed by Bay but the studio owns the film and they can do what they like with it. They employ everyone to make the film.