Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion The Water Cooler Anyone going to upgrade to HD-DVD or Blueray?

Just wondering if any one is interested enough to spend the mega bucks, initially, for the new format(s)? If and when they finally stop trying to make them pirate proof which won't last long anyway.

I'll probably get one of the dual format players when they get into the $300 range. I kinda need an HD-TV first... and some speakers... and a 360... when does it end?

I will eventually, but I guess getting an actual HDTV would be a more logical first step for me.

$300 CDN or less is my entry point. At that time I hope there is only one format. Somebody has to be punished for this stupidity .

IM going to wait for PS3

Ditto on the PS3.

On the PS3 thing, what if Blu-Ray "loses?" Also, I heard rumor that the Blu-Ray player in the PS3 may not be "fully compatible" with "main stream" home theater players. I wish I had the link where I read that. Maybe it was in one of my home theater mags. I mean, it would be awesome for PLayStation fans (and for Sony)if people DID gobble up PS3's because of Blu-Ray in addition to those that want to actually play games on it, but there has to be something cut out to keep the cost down (so that article said)...

I just remember how the PS2 was supposed to have a DVD player in it, yet when it first came out, most DVDs wouldn't play in it. It was still dubbed a "DVD Player" but again, something was missing...

I am waiting for something in the $300 range too. That will be a couple of years unless it really takes off this year, but BEST case, it MAY be next year for HD-DVD, since they are starting in the $800 range or less this year...

I think they're just waiting for the PS3.

My guess is Sony won't release the PS3 until they make sure the system will be compatible for most consumers.
I would also venture that the PS3 will be just as good as any of the Blu-Ray players out there, Microsoft loses around $200.00 on every 360 sold, I'm guessing Sony will do the same to keep the quality high and make it up in game sales. And yeah I do just want a PS3

It says something when a board full of eearly adopters (you're pretty much part of the gang if you chat - for fun - about AV technology on the web) are going to wait and are also mad at the industry for jerking around with the technology (greedily so, I might add). You would think that a group like us woudl simply let by-gones be by-gones and purchase the best technology - this apparently isn't so...which I think is a big problem for all the High Def video purveyors.

My take - I think that I can wait many years for the storm to subside and prices to drop drastically. DVD looks pretty darn good, as near as perfect as I demand these days, anyway. I just don't know if I perceive the value of the HD DVD/Blue Ray product. I am not that into the bonus features as I rarely even have time to enjoy the feature itself uninterrupted, let alone a whole weekend to sit through making of featurettes that, frankly, tend to ruin the experience for me (I like my movie magic like my regular magic - unknown - helps with the suspension of disbelief for me).

I think that both of these formats will whither on the vine - to be usurped by online downloads of material directly to HTPCs or On Demand via cable boxes, etc. I predict the High Def video format will live on in historical obscurity similar to the Laser Disc - known, but never accepts or utilized by the masses.

I'm still waiting for SACD to catch on.

I'm looking forward to PS3 as a new game console but I also am very excited about the possibilities of the blue ray player. as for something’s got to be missing to get the cost down theory I don’t totally believe this to be true I think MS has already shown THEY are willing to take a loss on their console and THEY don’t have the vested interest of pushing a new format like PS3 does. Just my opinion.

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I rarely even have time to enjoy the feature itself uninterrupted, let alone a whole weekend to sit through making of featurettes that, frankly, tend to ruin the experience for me (I like my movie magic like my regular magic - unknown - helps with the suspension of disbelief for me).

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I'm with you, Capn. I like to be amazed and wowed when I watch a movie. It really bugs me when a movie is coming out in the theater and there is a behind-the-scenes special on tv showing how everything is done. I don't even like reading in-depth reviews for fear that it might spoil a crucial plot point.

Sometimes I wish I was still a kid. Everything seemed magical then. Of course, I didn't have any taste in movies either. I thought "Super Fuzz" was awesome.

It's very possible that PS3 may debut sans Blu-Ray. The Blu-Ray drive could be an add-on at additional cost.

Figures. . .

I wonder how the PS3 will handle the next generation audio formats. I doubt it will have 7.1 analogue outputs and decoders onboard like most of the stand-alone players will. A next generation receiver will most likely be needed, offsetting the savings of having an all-in-one console/blueray player.

Not to mention, at this point the PS3 is just so much vaporware. When they have a tech demo ready (instead of the same tired empty plastic cases), let me know, huh?

Capn Pickard, I agree that most DVD looks really good, but I have a HDTV fornt projector and a 104" screen, so I want a HD format so that I don't see artifacts and the grain of lesser quality DVD transfers. You just notice the lack of quality when you blow up an image that big, even with upconversion technology "filling" in what it can. Not all DVDs are bad, just some are worse than others, and I just can't wait for true HD on that big screen.

As for Home Dad, I wouldn't mind a PS3. I really liked playing a friend's 360 a couple of months ago, but I just don't have time. Too many hobbies for me. I love games, but just don't have time to feel comfortable dropping $300 (or whatever) on a PS3 plus $55 a pop per game just to play every now and then. Granted, there is value if it can dub as a Blu-Ray player though, so you never know.

Ps3 has been delayed until Nov. due to copyright-protection problems with the next-generation console's Blu-ray drive. Also PS3 games would be released only on Blu-ray discs. More info here Link
Sounds like a pretty hefty device.

Spiff,
I dont think PS3 would consider shipping PS3 without blueray at this point. There would just be to much of a let down. i mean they waited a number of years already whats a couple of months more to do it right. for all the things sony does wrong they usually make the right decisions when it comes to there gaming console.

The story I'd heard is that shipping the units with blu-ray drives would put them in the poor house. The cost of making a PS3 with blu-ray is supposedly upwards of $900. To stay competitive they'd need to keep their msrp at around $400. That's too much of a loss per unit. Sony's even been polling PS2 players about how important HD is to them in the next gen consoles.

I'm sure it'll be available at an added cost, but I wouldn't hold my breath and expect to get it for $400.

I have seen the HD DVD in person and it was great, but I am waiting for the war to pan out. Kong looked amazing!

maybe they're being delayed because they run Vista as their os....

The difference? Vista's actually had some tech demos... and they say that will be out after the PS3.

Well, that and Vista's software and the PS3 is hardware, and they're targeted at different markets, and ...

Well my brother's sister's friend said that the PS3 was delayed because games were taking too long to make (I believe EA was the source). I've also heard that they may be waiting for the technology of blueray to drop a bit so they don't take huge losses on the hardware (somewhat believable I guess). They could also be waiting for things like HDMI 1.3 to be finalised along with copyright protection stuff.

Just what I heard, don't ask me to prove any of it!

Latest I have read is that the CSS encryption is the problem and the Movie makers are against having it and want something better, and not wanting to produce in a bunch of different formats, too costly for them. However they realize that they would make too many enemies doing away with Regular DVD in the beginning as most consumers are not willing to spend on the new formats. So the latest thing is dual format discs with regular and HD formats on one disc. Once the all the players finally decide on what to do with the discs and encryptions, the gates will open.....

If there is a format war I'll just get one of each (drive) for my HTPC (unless DRM screws us over).

DRM screws you over. HDCP requires that the entire device (not just the drive) be certified. Therefore, the day of home built HTPCs is qiuckly coming to an end, if the **AAs have their way.

Well let's just wait and see how it plays out...

I have to agree with kcarlile. Anyone who bought an HDTV before 2005 is basically screwed. Therefore, I plan on saving up for a new HDCP compliant HDTV (perhaps a DLP front projector) before I even think about a new Blu-Ray/HD-DVD player

Anyone know of a site that has a list of TVs that are HDCP compliant?

It does look bleak (some things) because of DRM/HDCP but remember, almost nothing is 100% set in stone right now so I'm holding out hope. Sony Studios recently anounced they won't enforce the down-rez'n of their blue-ray movies on component.

Right now it sounds like we *should* be able to play blue-ray and HD DVD 's in a DIY HTPC (Vista) but it's not looking so great for HD Cable (cause Cable Labs are EXPLETIVE's)

I'm not worried really... I've already have a few "connections" that will be working on workarounds when the standards come out. When there's a will...

Oh, you are right. I was mixing the evils up. I apologize!