Should I buy an HD DVD player?

There seems to be some good deals out there. Plus the HD DVDs are reasonably priced. Also, I can upvert standard DVDs too can't I? But my question is the TV I have. I have a Sony KDL-V40XBR1 and I think it is only 720p with only one HDMI input. Will an HD DVD or even a Blu Ray player work on this set? I have a Comcast HD box and it looks great. I assume a HD DVD and/or Blu ray will look as good or better? If I did get an HD DVD player and a later wanted a Blu Ray, how would I hook them both up to this set if I wanted to keep both? Alot of questions I know, but any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

If you can get a HD DVD player for around $60.00 or less it would be worth it just as a upscaling player because it does a very good job as such. You CAN buy HD DVD movies cheap because the format is dead, but there are around 600 movies out there. As long as you understand there will not be any new releases out on it and you can get the existing library pretty darn cheap.

If you later want to add Blu-ray (BD) also you would either have to unhook the HD DVD player, or an easy solution is to just buy a HDMI switcher which costs about $35.00 now. From what I can see with my BD players compared to my HD DVD players is that the HD DVD players do a better job playing back SD DVD and upscaling them than most BD players do.

If you have your cable box using the single HDMI input already you will need to either move that to component (Red/Green/Blue) cables or get that switcher now.

Hope this helps!

Thanks for the answers. For HD DVD, Blu Ray, and/or the upscaling to work, do I have to use HDMI on this set? Like I said, I believe it is only 720p at best....and I was thinking HDMI was for 1080p only?

Thanks for the answers. For HD DVD, Blu Ray, and/or the upscaling to work, do I have to use HDMI on this set? Like I said, I believe it is only 720p at best....and I was thinking HDMI was for 1080p only?

HDMI works with all resolutions and Blu-ray, HD DVD and upscaling DVD all work with 720p and 720p can benefit from all. I can't think of any Blu-ray or HD DVD player that upscalesDVD over component connections but all can play true HD over component. If you want to rent movies, I sure would buy a Blu-ray player rather than HD DVD if you only plan to own one or the other. Blu-ray players are very affordable and HD DVD is as dead-end as is possible and the reason hardware and software is sold at firesale prices.

Chris

Here's a list of the HD DVDs released in the US, not sure if it's complete. If you can get the gear and the movies cheap, there is no reason not to go for it. Just remember, no new players are being produced. So if you want to think longterm, you might want to keep that in mind.

http://hddvdstats.com/

I might add if he ends up buying a HD DVD player and a lot of cheap HD DVD movies, he might want to get a 2nd HD DVD player as a backup, since they are not making the players anymore.

But then you are looking at the hardware cost (60.x2=$120.00) getting closer to the cost of a BD player ($200.00). Then the only remaining reason to buy a HD DVD player/movies is a lot of very low cost HD DVD movies, so this would be an individual choice.

The true HD movies at such cheap prices is very tempting, but also consider the possible increased confusion of other family members having 2 different players. Another alternative is getting a dual format (HD DVD & BD) player, but they cost more than a single BD player, but the dual format players usually do a great job upscaling regular SD DVDs also. The trick here is finding one at a decent price, as they are also not being made anymore.

No one can make the choice for you, but at least you have the pros/cons to make a more informed decision. ;)

Thanks guys. I just have a problem with Blu Ray DVDs priced at $25 and up, and HD DVDs are very cheap. Of course the renting issue does favor Blu Ray, and if the HD player dies then what.... Decisions, decisions.

There is only one regret I have with my HD DVD purchase when I made it was that I didn't grab another one at the time.

It's no longer supported as far as new discs coming out but I built a fairly decent collection and I am still adding to it (just got Battlestar Galactica Season 1 off ebay for 9.99 and free shipping still in wrapped package.) Miami vice Combo disc ran me 5 bucks HD one side regular other.

I also have PS3 for Blu and I am building that library as well. But to answer OP question if this is first purchase into the HD media realm go blu as many other's have posted it's worth it.

**Slight Hijack*** I kick myself for not getting one of the A3's when they went fire sale on line got to it way too late sold out, now looking on Ebay for an A35 or A30 reasonably priced. **end Hijack**

Thanks guys. I just have a problem with Blu Ray DVDs priced at $25 and up, and HD DVDs are very cheap. Of course the renting issue does favor Blu Ray, and if the HD player dies then what.... Decisions, decisions.

Yes, HD DVD's are very inexpensive and I think it is worth having a player to supplement Blu-ray if you can afford both and have room for both. I can't imagine why anybody would want only HD DVD at this point in time, in fact I never understood why anybody would want only HD DVD at any point. The best selection is now and always was available on Blu-ray only. The only HD rental selection is available on Blu-ray only anywhere near me. Friends, family and neighbors are all going to consider purchasing Blu-ray for their new HDTV and some will, maybe many will. You will most likely be the only person you know with an HD DVD player.

The most I have paid for a single disc Blu-ray release is $25. I just purchased "The Dark Knight" for a little less than that and my average price for a single disc release is less than $15, I have over 200 titles now and consider Blu-ray a great value and exceptionally high quality. There are many fans of HD DVD at this site and they presented their arguments in favor of HD DVD and now that HD DVD failed and equipment and discs are being liquidated at firesale prices, that is what is being touted. It has all been very funny to me but that has nothing to do with the format itself which is very good but had too little support within the industry to do anything. Add the fact there was no way the market could sustain two formats and we have what we have, one had to go. Fortunately the selection process worked in our favor, the best format remains.

Chris

Thanks guys. I just have a problem with Blu Ray DVDs priced at $25 and up, and HD DVDs are very cheap. Of course the renting issue does favor Blu Ray, and if the HD player dies then what.... Decisions, decisions.

I guess you are going to buy HD DVDs online anyway. So if you shop around online and look for sales, you can find (good) Blu-rays for under $20 and lower. And i'd definitely recommend to get something like a netflix renting account to get started. You can watch the Blu's you like and if you want to buy them afterwards, you can take your time looking for sales. This way you don't buy any duds, as you have seen the film and the transfer before you buy. :thumbsup:

If your HD DVD player breaks in the future, my guess would be that you'll be able to buy an used HD DVD player years from now through eBay or some other site like that. The safest thing is to get a spare now of course.

There is only one regret I have with my HD DVD purchase when I made it was that I didn't grab another one at the time.

It's no longer supported as far as new discs coming out but I built a fairly decent collection and I am still adding to it (just got Battlestar Galactica Season 1 off ebay for 9.99 and free shipping still in wrapped package.) Miami vice Combo disc ran me 5 bucks HD one side regular other.

I also have PS3 for Blu and I am building that library as well. But to answer OP question if this is first purchase into the HD media realm go blu as many other's have posted it's worth it.

**Slight Hijack*** I kick myself for not getting one of the A3's when they went fire sale on line got to it way too late sold out, now looking on Ebay for an A35 or A30 reasonably priced. **end Hijack**

You can still find cheap (used) HD DVD players on ebay. I just bought two HD-A20 players for about $30 each including shipping (although it don't come with a remote or power cord, any HD DVD remote works with any player so it's not a big deal), and indications are that they'll be available at decent prices for quite a while if not indefinitely.

Yes, HD DVD's are very inexpensive and I think it is worth having a player to supplement Blu-ray if you can afford both and have room for both. I can't imagine why anybody would want only HD DVD at this point in time, in fact I never understood why anybody would want only HD DVD at any point. The best selection is now and always was available on Blu-ray only. The only HD rental selection is available on Blu-ray only anywhere near me. Friends, family and neighbors are all going to consider purchasing Blu-ray for their new HDTV and some will, maybe many will. You will most likely be the only person you know with an HD DVD player.

The most I have paid for a single disc Blu-ray release is $25. I just purchased "The Dark Knight" for a little less than that and my average price for a single disc release is less than $15, I have over 200 titles now and consider Blu-ray a great value and exceptionally high quality. There are many fans of HD DVD at this site and they presented their arguments in favor of HD DVD and now that HD DVD failed and equipment and discs are being liquidated at firesale prices, that is what is being touted. It has all been very funny to me but that has nothing to do with the format itself which is very good but had too little support within the industry to do anything. Add the fact there was no way the market could sustain two formats and we have what we have, one had to go. Fortunately the selection process worked in our favor, the best format remains.

Chris

Of course, HD DVD is to be a supplement to Blu-ray. First the movies are cheaper and second there are many titles exclusive to the format and many will never get released on Blu-ray. Unfortunately the best format lost however.

__________________
US HD DVD Exclusives: 183

Various (27): Picture This (Ally Distribution), Apples & Oranges (Alterna), Kukahi: Keali i Reichel Live In Concert (Alternative Distribution Alliance),Galaxina (BCI), My Favorite Brunette / Son of Paleface (BCI), Road to Rio/Road to Bali (BCI), Aquarium Impressions (C&B Productions),Fireplace Impressions (C&B Productions), Mystic Forests (C&B Productions), Ten, The (City Lights), Gustav Mahler: Symphony No. 2 Resurrection (Euroarts), R. Kelly: Live - The Light It Up Tour (Image), HDCandy (MaxDef HDTV), Method Man: Live From The Sunset Strip (Video Music Distribution)CREAM, Royal Albert Hall: London May 2-3-5-6 2005 (Rhino), Eagles: Farewell 1 Tour - Live From Melbourne (Rhino), James Taylor: A Musicares Person of the Year Tribute (Rhino), Motorhead: Stage Fright (Steamhammer/SPV)
UFO: Showtime (Steamhammer/SPV), P2 (Summit), Surround Records: Jazz Standards (Surround Records), Surround Records: Uncommon Mozart (Surround Records), One Six Right (Terwilliger), Dreaming Arizona (The Picture Company), Dreaming Nevada (The Picture Company), Channels (Vanguard Cinema), Rain in the Mountains (Vanguard Cinema)

HDNet (8): Best of GetOut! Volume 1, Best of GetOut! Volume 2, Best of World Report Volume 1, Best of World Report Volume 2, Bikini Destinations: Hawaii, Bikini Destinations: Lake Tahoe, Bikini Destinations: Mexico, Harlem Globetrotters: A Gift for the Troops

Paramount/DW (6): Anchorman - The Legend of Ron Burgundy, Things we Lost in the Fire , Arctic Tale , Mighty Heart, A, Star Trek The Original Series - The Complete First Season, Stardust

Universal (122):, 12 Monkeys, 2 Fast 2 Furious, Accepted, Alpha Dog, American Me, An American Werewolf in London, Apollo 13, Army of Darkness, Assault on Precinct 13, Atonement, Backdraft, Balls Of Fury, Battlestar Galactica - Season One, Being John Malkovich, Big Lebowski, The, Billy Madison, Bone Collector, The, Born on the Fourth of July, Breach, Breakfast Club, The, Break-Up, The, Brokeback Mountain, Bruce Almighty, Bulletproof, Carlito's Way, Carlito's Way: Rise To Power, Cat People, Children of Men, Chronicles of Riddick, The, Cinderella Man, Dante's Peak, Darkman, Daylight, Dazed & Confused, Dead Silence, Deer Hunter, The, Dragonheart, Dune (1984), Elizabeth, Elizabeth: The Golden Age, Erin Brockovich, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Evan Almighty, Evening, Fast & Furious, Fast & The Furious, The: Tokyo Drift, Fast Times at Ridgemont High, Fear & Loathing in Las Vegas, Field of Dreams, Fletch, For Love of the Game, Friday Night Lights, Frighteners, The, Game, The, Getaway, The (1994), Good Shepherd, The, Half Baked, Happy Gilmore, Hitcher, The, Hollywoodland, Hot Fuzz, How The Grinch Stole Christmas, Hurricane, The, I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry, In Good Company, Inside Man, Interpreter, The, Jerk, The, Knocked Up, Last Starfighter, The, Liar Liar, Lost in Translation, Mallrats, Meet Joe Black, Meet the Fockers, Meet the Parents, Mercury Rising, Midnight Run, Mobsters, Monty Python's The Meaning of Life, Mr. Bean's Holiday, Mystery Men, National Lampoon's Animal House, Notting Hill, Nutty Professor 2: The Klumps, Nutty Professor, The, Out of Sight, Patch Adams, Pianist, The, Pride & Prejudice, Ray, Red Dragon, River, The, Scent of a Woman, Sea of Love, Seabiscuit, Seed of Chucky, Shaun of the Dead, Skeleton Key, The, Slither, Smokey and the Bandit, Smokin' Aces, Sneakers, Spartacus, Spy Game, Sting, The, Streets of Fire, Talk to Me, Timecop, Traffic, Tremors, Unleashed, Van Helsing, Waist Deep, War, The, Watcher, The, Waterworld, Wedding Date, The, What Dreams May Come, White Noise, White Noise 2, You Me & Dupree

Warner (11): Caddyshack, Charlie & the Chocolate Factory, Dukes of Hazzard, The, Excalibur, Forbidden Planet, Grand Prix, Mutiny on the Bounty (1962), Poseidon, Smallville - The Complete Fifth Season, Taking Lives, Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory

Weinstein (9): Black Christmas, Derailed, Feast, Harsh Times, Matador, The, Pulse, Scary Movie 4, School for Scoundrels, Wolf Creek

I can't think of any Blu-ray or HD DVD player that upscalesDVD over component connections but all can play true HD over component.
Just for grins I tried several discs on my A3. Most would not show any video at all on component when the player's resolution was set to 720p or 1080i. Of course all played well when the resolution was turned down to 480p. But I did find a couple of DVDs that would play at 1080i over component: "Planet Earth" and "Diana Krall: Live in Paris". I suppose that's because they are not mainstream Hollywood product and don't have the usual DRM applied to them?

Just for grins I tried several discs on my A3. Most would not show any video at all on component when the player's resolution was set to 720p or 1080i. Of course all played well when the resolution was turned down to 480p. But I did find a couple of DVDs that would play at 1080i over component: "Planet Earth" and "Diana Krall: Live in Paris". I suppose that's because they are not mainstream Hollywood product and don't have the usual DRM applied to them?

You can upscale over component if the DVD has the copy protection removed, for example a backup copy of a title that you burned from one of the many available programs out there.

Just for grins I tried several discs on my A3. Most would not show any video at all on component when the player's resolution was set to 720p or 1080i. Of course all played well when the resolution was turned down to 480p. But I did find a couple of DVDs that would play at 1080i over component: "Planet Earth" and "Diana Krall: Live in Paris". I suppose that's because they are not mainstream Hollywood product and don't have the usual DRM applied to them?

Yes, any commercial DVD with CSS will not upscale over component which of course is almost all commercial releases. There may be other factors that trigger the 480p restriction for DVD in addition to CSS with some players. It is all very funny if you think about it. True high definition can be played at high definition resolution over the component connection but faux high definition can not. It is so silly in my opinion that it is sort of like the equivalent of this, it is ok for a woman to walk around naked in public but a drawing of a naked woman is not permitted in public.

Chris

That is a great list, I have been asked for this list and never found it. Some will be released next year but most of those are likely years away and I wouldn't be surprised if some are never released on Blu-ray.

Chris

Of course, HD DVD is to be a supplement to Blu-ray. First the movies are cheaper and second there are many titles exclusive to the format and many will never get released on Blu-ray. Unfortunately the best format lost however.

__________________
US HD DVD Exclusives: 183

Various (27): Picture This (Ally Distribution), Apples & Oranges (Alterna), Kukahi: Keali i Reichel Live In Concert (Alternative Distribution Alliance),Galaxina (BCI), My Favorite Brunette / Son of Paleface (BCI), Road to Rio/Road to Bali (BCI), Aquarium Impressions (C&B Productions),Fireplace Impressions (C&B Productions), Mystic Forests (C&B Productions), Ten, The (City Lights), Gustav Mahler: Symphony No. 2 Resurrection (Euroarts), R. Kelly: Live - The Light It Up Tour (Image), HDCandy (MaxDef HDTV), Method Man: Live From The Sunset Strip (Video Music Distribution)CREAM, Royal Albert Hall: London May 2-3-5-6 2005 (Rhino), Eagles: Farewell 1 Tour - Live From Melbourne (Rhino), James Taylor: A Musicares Person of the Year Tribute (Rhino), Motorhead: Stage Fright (Steamhammer/SPV)
UFO: Showtime (Steamhammer/SPV), P2 (Summit), Surround Records: Jazz Standards (Surround Records), Surround Records: Uncommon Mozart (Surround Records), One Six Right (Terwilliger), Dreaming Arizona (The Picture Company), Dreaming Nevada (The Picture Company), Channels (Vanguard Cinema), Rain in the Mountains (Vanguard Cinema)

HDNet (8): Best of GetOut! Volume 1, Best of GetOut! Volume 2, Best of World Report Volume 1, Best of World Report Volume 2, Bikini Destinations: Hawaii, Bikini Destinations: Lake Tahoe, Bikini Destinations: Mexico, Harlem Globetrotters: A Gift for the Troops

Paramount/DW (6): Anchorman - The Legend of Ron Burgundy, Things we Lost in the Fire , Arctic Tale , Mighty Heart, A, Star Trek The Original Series - The Complete First Season, Stardust

Universal (122):, 12 Monkeys, 2 Fast 2 Furious, Accepted, Alpha Dog, American Me, An American Werewolf in London, Apollo 13, Army of Darkness, Assault on Precinct 13, Atonement, Backdraft, Balls Of Fury, Battlestar Galactica - Season One, Being John Malkovich, Big Lebowski, The, Billy Madison, Bone Collector, The, Born on the Fourth of July, Breach, Breakfast Club, The, Break-Up, The, Brokeback Mountain, Bruce Almighty, Bulletproof, Carlito's Way, Carlito's Way: Rise To Power, Cat People, Children of Men, Chronicles of Riddick, The, Cinderella Man, Dante's Peak, Darkman, Daylight, Dazed & Confused, Dead Silence, Deer Hunter, The, Dragonheart, Dune (1984), Elizabeth, Elizabeth: The Golden Age, Erin Brockovich, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Evan Almighty, Evening, Fast & Furious, Fast & The Furious, The: Tokyo Drift, Fast Times at Ridgemont High, Fear & Loathing in Las Vegas, Field of Dreams, Fletch, For Love of the Game, Friday Night Lights, Frighteners, The, Game, The, Getaway, The (1994), Good Shepherd, The, Half Baked, Happy Gilmore, Hitcher, The, Hollywoodland, Hot Fuzz, How The Grinch Stole Christmas, Hurricane, The, I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry, In Good Company, Inside Man, Interpreter, The, Jerk, The, Knocked Up, Last Starfighter, The, Liar Liar, Lost in Translation, Mallrats, Meet Joe Black, Meet the Fockers, Meet the Parents, Mercury Rising, Midnight Run, Mobsters, Monty Python's The Meaning of Life, Mr. Bean's Holiday, Mystery Men, National Lampoon's Animal House, Notting Hill, Nutty Professor 2: The Klumps, Nutty Professor, The, Out of Sight, Patch Adams, Pianist, The, Pride & Prejudice, Ray, Red Dragon, River, The, Scent of a Woman, Sea of Love, Seabiscuit, Seed of Chucky, Shaun of the Dead, Skeleton Key, The, Slither, Smokey and the Bandit, Smokin' Aces, Sneakers, Spartacus, Spy Game, Sting, The, Streets of Fire, Talk to Me, Timecop, Traffic, Tremors, Unleashed, Van Helsing, Waist Deep, War, The, Watcher, The, Waterworld, Wedding Date, The, What Dreams May Come, White Noise, White Noise 2, You Me & Dupree

Warner (11): Caddyshack, Charlie & the Chocolate Factory, Dukes of Hazzard, The, Excalibur, Forbidden Planet, Grand Prix, Mutiny on the Bounty (1962), Poseidon, Smallville - The Complete Fifth Season, Taking Lives, Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory

Weinstein (9): Black Christmas, Derailed, Feast, Harsh Times, Matador, The, Pulse, Scary Movie 4, School for Scoundrels, Wolf Creek

You can still find cheap (used) HD DVD players on ebay. I just bought two HD-A20 players for about $30 each including shipping (although it don't come with a remote or power cord, any HD DVD remote works with any player so it's not a big deal), and indications are that they'll be available at decent prices for quite a while if not indefinitely.

I also picked up a bunch of HD-A20 and HD-A30 model players, customer returns without accessories. I don't recall getting them quite that cheap but I ended up with way too many players and have started selling them. I still haven't worn out my original HD-A1 and with such light use, it may not wear out for years. I like the HD-A20 and HD-A30 well enough but I didn't want any HD-A2 or HD-A3 model players.

The HD-A30 I sold at a slight loss after fees is here:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MESOX:IT&item=220326327055

I still have way too many players, including way too many HD DVD players so I am going to sell more. I hope to figure out a way to sell some more of them without losing money.

Chris

That is a great list, I have been asked for this list and never found it. Some will be released next year but most of those are likely years away and I wouldn't be surprised if some are never released on Blu-ray.

Chris

Thanks, I got that list in my sig now (along with the import exclusives), and will try to keep it updated.

Thanks, I got that list in my sig now (along with the import exclusives), and will try to keep it updated.

"Knocked Up" has been out on Blu-ray for almost 3 months:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001CW7ZUS?tag=bluray-021-20

Chris

"Knocked Up" has been out on Blu-ray for almost 3 months:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001CW7ZUS?tag=bluray-021-20

Chris

That's right, bmore pointed that one out also and I edited the count but forgot to remove it from the list. Thanks...

I was Blu exclusive, until December 26th of last year. I went out after Christmas and bought an A3 for $99.00 and got 7 free movies. At the time I had around 70 Blu Ray movies, but since my numbers have gone the other way, due to cheap HD DVD's out there. An HD DVD player is a great investment, if you want HD content at Walmart bin prices. Here in Canada, we often find many HD DVD titles in the $5.00 to $7.00 range and many titles are a real bargain. There are places like inetvideo.com that have HD DVD's, for as low as $3.99 and often have deals for free shipping. That is hard to beat, if you want to take the plunge. Like another post mentioned, there will be no more new releases, but it is a great source of back catalogue titles that many will never see, in Blu Ray, for a long time, if ever. Good luck with your choice.:angel

I JUST PURCHASED TWO A3 HD DVD PLAYERS OFF OF EBAY. THE FIRST WAS USED WITH TWO MOVIES FOR $22.12, THE SECOND WAS STILL IN THE BOX, OPENED BUT NOT USED, WITH 12 UNOPENED MOVIES FOR $57. I HAVE BLU RAY, BUT I CAN'T PASS UP THESE DEALS, ESPECIALLY WITH THE FREE MOVIES I GOT, AND THE STEALS THAT I PURCHASED ONLINE. SOME SITES I GOT NEW HD DVDS FOR $3. I THINK IT'S WORTH IT TOO INVEST INTO HD DVD. AT LEAST THEY ARE AFFORDABLE. :banana::banana:

I JUST PURCHASED TWO A3 HD DVD PLAYERS OFF OF EBAY. THE FIRST WAS USED WITH TWO MOVIES FOR $22.12, THE SECOND WAS STILL IN THE BOX, OPENED BUT NOT USED, WITH 12 UNOPENED MOVIES FOR $57. I HAVE BLU RAY, BUT I CAN'T PASS UP THESE DEALS, ESPECIALLY WITH THE FREE MOVIES I GOT, AND THE STEALS THAT I PURCHASED ONLINE. SOME SITES I GOT NEW HD DVDS FOR $3. I THINK IT'S WORTH IT TOO INVEST INTO HD DVD. AT LEAST THEY ARE AFFORDABLE. :banana::banana:

Congrats, these are some nice deals! :thumbsup:

Congrats, these are some nice deals! :thumbsup:

Geez, you can't buy decent DVD players for that kind of money. I wonder how much money the sellers lost....or did they?

Well, i am trying to sell a few of my ~70 HD DVDs here in Germany and some are almost unsellable. Other guys are offering them for 5 Euros shipped and can't move them. I'd rather keep them than giving them away for almost nothing....

There is a used Toshiba HD-A20 and 4 HD DVD's for $75 shipped to the US at the AVSForum classifieds. I think that is a great player.

As far as eBay sellers, there are both resellers that have picked up customer returned HD DVD players or cheap discs for next to nothing and are making a small profit and owners bailing out on HD DVD that are losing money, often a lot of money.

Chris

Well, i am trying to sell a few of my ~70 HD DVDs here in Germany and some are almost unsellable. Other guys are offering them for 5 Euros shipped and can't move them. I'd rather keep them than giving them away for almost nothing....

Prices in the US and Canada are even lower. Some titles won't sell for $4 used, dozens in fact. I think there are about 600,000 households with a player worldwide and it appears some titles were manufactured in quantities greater than that. I picked up several duplicates of a few different titles, hoping to trade them, and I don't have a clue how to do anything with them now. I saw the prices get really low and thought that is the bottom, HD DVD prices can't go any lower. Next thing I know Dreamgirls and Transformers and few others were being sold for $1.

Chris

Why bother selling them for $1.00 each when you can donate them to charity?

At least if someone has a HD DVD player (or even a SD DVD player for the combo titles at least it will be put to good use. :D

Why bother selling them for $1.00 each when you can donate them to charity?

At least if someone has a HD DVD player (or even a SD DVD player for the combo titles at least it will be put to good use. :D

I refuse to sell mine for $1 but I have purchased a couple for $1. It is pretty funny, I correctly predicted the format would never amount to anything but I was buying HD DVD when the price got below $10 each, a couple hundred in fact were purchased between $6 to $10. I sure wish I had waited and saved a few hundred dollars now. I didn't realize the quantity manufactured was so great. What in the world were they thinking, making so many with less than 1 million players in service worldwide?

Chris

I refuse to sell mine for $1 but I have purchased a couple for $1. It is pretty funny, I correctly predicted the format would never amount to anything but I was buying HD DVD when the price got below $10 each, a couple hundred in fact were purchased between $6 to $10. I sure wish I had waited and saved a few hundred dollars now. I didn't realize the quantity manufactured was so great. What in the world were they thinking, making so many with less than 1 million players in service worldwide?

Chris

I think the end came so abruptly that it showed that the studios made extra copies to save money by mfg discs in volume for future demand and not just current player demand.

I think the same thing would have become evident if BD died so abruptly also, but to a lesser extent because the PS3 would have still been mfg and able to play BDs. Just look how long Paramount BD titles were STILL available after Paramount went HD DVD exclusive. ;)

From what I understand, The initial setup for disc mfg takes quite a bit of time so that setup cost is better to be spread out over a larger run of discs, and this is part of what we are seeing. I definitely think that discs easily out number players by some multiple because of this. It is the players that will be more valuable some day to those with large HD DVD movie libraries (mostly paid for at much higher prices originally) and titles have very little value because they outnumber players by some multiple that I bet is currently at about 3:1, and growing as players die.

I think the end came so abruptly that it showed that the studios made extra copies to save money by mfg discs in volume for future demand and not just current player demand.

I think the same thing would have become evident if BD died so abruptly also, but to a lesser extent because the PS3 would have still been mfg and able to play BDs. Just look how long Paramount BD titles were STILL available after Paramount went HD DVD exclusive. ;)

From what I understand, The initial setup for disc mfg takes quite a bit of time so that setup cost is better to be spread out over a larger run of discs, and this is part of what we are seeing. I definitely think that discs easily out number players by some multiple because of this. It is the players that will be more valuable some day to those with large HD DVD movie libraries (mostly paid for at much higher prices originally) and titles have very little value because they outnumber players by some multiple that I bet is currently at about 3:1, and growing as players die.

I sure wish someone had mentioned the quantity manufactured was so high, I could have figured out on my own the prices would go to sub DVD levels. I think it is clear now that most discs will never be worth much of anything again. I have about 100 I need to sell and none of them are the ones that have held a good value. I might try to sell an HD-A20 and 100 movies for a fixed price and see if I have any luck. Because there were many times the number of Blu-ray players in service compared to HD DVD, the same thing would not have happened with Blu-ray. The software prices would have been a bargain, no doubt but nothing like this. Besides, Blu-ray wasn't going to disappear, it was going to be Blu-ray alone or two tiny niche formats.

Chris

Ok I have decided to get a HD DVD player after Christmas. The deals are just too good to give up. I may get a blu ray later, who knows. But there is a TOSHIBA HD-D2 on ebay, manuf referb'd, for $65 shipped. Does this sound like a decent deal? What about the HD-D2 as far as a player....any good?

I have an older Denon A/V receiver that only has dolby pro-logic and dolby digital capabilities, so the other surrounds out there don't matter to me. Just so long I get 5.1 minimum.

Ok I have decided to get a HD DVD player after Christmas. The deals are just too good to give up. I may get a blu ray later, who knows. But there is a TOSHIBA HD-D2 on ebay, manuf referb'd, for $65 shipped. Does this sound like a decent deal? What about the HD-D2 as far as a player....any good?

I have an older Denon A/V receiver that only has dolby pro-logic and dolby digital capabilities, so the other surrounds out there don't matter to me. Just so long I get 5.1 minimum.

It is the same as the HD-A2 and if it comes with warranty, that sounds like a reasonable deal to me. A much better deal in my opinion would be spend another $100 and get an entry level Blu-ray player. The ability to rent current movies or purchase the big blockbusters makes it a much better deal. If all you have is HD DVD, you don't have much in my opinion.

Chris

I sure wish someone had mentioned the quantity manufactured was so high, I could have figured out on my own the prices would go to sub DVD levels. I think it is clear now that most discs will never be worth much of anything again. I have about 100 I need to sell and none of them are the ones that have held a good value. I might try to sell an HD-A20 and 100 movies for a fixed price and see if I have any luck. Because there were many times the number of Blu-ray players in service compared to HD DVD, the same thing would not have happened with Blu-ray. The software prices would have been a bargain, no doubt but nothing like this. Besides, Blu-ray wasn't going to disappear, it was going to be Blu-ray alone or two tiny niche formats.

Chris

I don't see why you're worried about their resale value, if you bought them for your personal enjoyment. Although it's a dead format, it looks like you have enough backup players and besides, they'll look at good as BLu-ray too, even though Blu-ray won. PQ-wise, this isn't like LD owners seeing their collection go to shit because DVD is cranking out superior versions left and right. Furthermore, I wouldn't unload those Universal releases just yet, as the BD version tends to have more DNR and thus less detail.

I don't see why you're worried about their resale value, if you bought them for your personal enjoyment. Although it's a dead format, it looks like you have enough backup players and besides, they'll look at good as BLu-ray too, even though Blu-ray won. PQ-wise, this isn't like LD owners seeing their collection go to shit because DVD is cranking out superior versions left and right. Furthermore, I wouldn't unload those Universal releases just yet, as the BD version tends to have more DNR and thus less detail.

I am not really worried about resale value, the problem is I have purchased too many players and need to sell some now and wish I could get a better price. You are sure right about this not being comparable to LaserDisc. I immediately bailed out on LaserDisc once I saw DVD. We are delighted to use HD DVD for as long as possible and that is why I have hardware redundancy that makes me believe I can continue to use HD DVD for the rest of my life. I have many duplicate titles, not realizing the value was headed down even further that I purchased to trade or sell if no trades could be found. Those are going to be big money losers for me.

Chris

I am not really worried about resale value, the problem is I have purchased too many players and need to sell some now and wish I could get a better price. You are sure right about this not being comparable to LaserDisc. I immediately bailed out on LaserDisc once I saw DVD. We are delighted to use HD DVD for as long as possible and that is why I have hardware redundancy that makes me believe I can continue to use HD DVD for the rest of my life. I have many duplicate titles, not realizing the value was headed down even further that I purchased to trade or sell if no trades could be found. Those are going to be big money losers for me.

Chris

Well, I saw you did unload your spare Onkyo for a good price. Although resale value for most other HD DVD players is low right now, that could change for the better later on, long after the liquidations are complete. Many of the titles though may never recover, although some of the really popular ones could, especially those with special packaging like the Harry Potter set or Star Trek. What I find interesting is that some people who sold out of HD DVD right after the format war ended, are now buying back into it because of the low prices. So since HD DVD is pretty much an equal caliber format, there could always be a balance in format value by attracting new owners if the price dips low enough, since although it is a dead format, it's a good format.

If you can get a HD DVD player for around $60.00 or less it would be worth it just as a upscaling player because it does a very good job as such. One thing the HD DVD players don't have is variable speed playback (i.e. from 0.6 to 1.4 speed). That's why I ultimately decided to go with an upscaling DVD player since I wanted that variable speed playback.

Right now the great benefit of HD DVD is that you can buy the "flippies" for cheap. Why pay $15 for a DVD movie when I can get the HD DVD/SD DVD version for $5?

First the movies are cheaper and second there are many titles exclusive to the format and many will never get released on Blu-ray. Riiiight... I've heard that word "exclusive" before, or "never again released" from Disney, and then later on we see those titles released a second time. I've seen exclusive Gamecube titles get ported to PS2, or viceversa. I've seen VHS movies get redone on DVD, and "will disappear forever" titles like Pocahontas suddenly hit the shelves ten years later.

"Exclusive" only means for this brief moment in time.

Next year or in 2010 or 2011 we'll see these HD DVD movies released on Bluray. The studios aren't going to let HD DVD titles like the Bourne Ultimatum or Star Trek sit idle; they'll release them again.

Riiiight... I've heard that word "exclusive" before, or "never again released" from Disney, and then later on we see those titles released a second time. I've seen exclusive Gamecube titles get ported to PS2, or viceversa. I've seen VHS movies get redone on DVD, and "will disappear forever" titles like Pocahontas suddenly hit the shelves ten years later.

"Exclusive" only means for this brief moment in time.

Next year or in 2010 or 2011 we'll see these HD DVD movies released on Bluray. The studios aren't going to let HD DVD titles like the Bourne Ultimatum or Star Trek sit idle; they'll release them again.

You really didn't think I meant 'exclusive' as in 'forever exclusive'....did you? :confused: :duh:

One thing the HD DVD players don't have is variable speed playback (i.e. from 0.6 to 1.4 speed). That's why I ultimately decided to go with an upscaling DVD player since I wanted that variable speed playback.

Right now the great benefit of HD DVD is that you can buy the "flippies" for cheap. Why pay $15 for a DVD movie when I can get the HD DVD/SD DVD version for $5?

And WHY do you need variable speed playback? :confused:

What do you plan to play in them besides HD DVD and/or SD DVD movies?

Right now the great benefit of HD DVD is that you can buy the "flippies" for cheap. Why pay $15 for a DVD movie when I can get the HD DVD/SD DVD version for $5?

Right now the great benefit of HD DVD is that it's 1080p HD like Blu-ray is. Later on the great benefit of HD DVD will be that it's 1080p just like Blu-ray will always be. HD DVD is one of the best formats to watch and you can't beat that. In fact, right now some movies Like The Mummy, The Thing and Band of Brothers look better on HD DVD (more detail) than on Blu-ray. Of course, there is also the nearly 300 HD DVD movies that aren't even available on Blu-ray (that's 300 more titles that Purple owners have access to than do the Blu owners) Also HD DVD isn't hindered by that messy Java that can slow BD load times to a crawl.

i just bought caddyshack on hd dvd for $9 with shipping (ebay). also i wanted to buy the movie faceoff, with travolta and cage. a local store had the special edition on blu ray for $25 plus tax. i got the hd dvd (brand new) online for less than $10 with shipping. thats a deal to me! dead format, not to me, more like bargain format!!!!:yippee:

I might try to sell an HD-A20 and 100 movies for a fixed price and see if I have any luck. Chris

What titles do you have?

What titles do you have?

Ha, the same 100 every other HD DVD owner has. I will put together a list soon and be glad to pass it on to you.

Chris

Ha, the same 100 every other HD DVD owner has. I will put together a list soon and be glad to pass it on to you.

Chris

I wouldn't be in too big a hurry to unload the A20. They're selling artificially cheap right now on ebay because dealtree is unloading some demo players. In the future, after the XA2 and Onkyo 805, the A20 will be the most desirable HD DVD player because it's 1080p and also G2 players are the only HD DVD players that will play all titles.

I wouldn't be in too big a hurry to unload the A20. They're selling artificially cheap right now on ebay because dealtree is unloading some demo players. In the future, after the XA2 and Onkyo 805, the A20 will be the most desirable HD DVD player because it's 1080p and also G2 players are the only HD DVD players that will play all titles.

I think the HD-A20 is a really good player so that is probably good advice, thanks.

Chris

I am looking to get a 3rd A20 as a backup player myself. Other than the XA2 or Onkyo players I want this model more than the others.

I am looking to get a 3rd A20 as a backup player myself. Other than the XA2 or Onkyo players I want this model more than the others.

I don't think there will be a better time to get one than now. Bruce knows his HD DVD stuff and if he believes this player will demand better prices than the HD-A30 and some others going forward, he is probably right. I only picked up 1080/24p players as back ups and the only HD-A35 I bought, I sold at a small profit when I saw player prices were heading south. The HD-A30 fell out of favor with buyers for reasons unknown to me and it is currently the model I use the most.

Chris

I don't think there will be a better time to get one than now. Bruce knows his HD DVD stuff and if he believes this player will demand better prices than the HD-A30 and some others going forward, he is probably right. I only picked up 1080/24p players as back ups and the only HD-A35 I bought, I sold at a small profit when I saw player prices were heading south. The HD-A30 fell out of favor with buyers for reasons unknown to me and it is currently the model I use the most.

Chris

Well I'm not sure that it will demand more than the A30 going forward, because the average buyer may surmise that newer player = better player. However there are also buyers who need a G2 player because they have certain imports (like Enemy of the Gates and Two Brothers) that will only play in a G2 player. Besides I think the build quality is better in G2 models than in G3, but on Ebay right now the A3/A30 are fetching higher prices than the A2/A20. It just seemed to me that prices are too low, relatively speaking, for the A20 because of too many units being auctioned and that it will go back up somewhat. I could be wrong, of course.

What I would like to get is another LG BH200, as I really like this player for its region free capabilities but unfortunately the prices are headed north it seems.

Well I'm not sure that it will demand more than the A30 going forward, because the average buyer may surmise that newer player = better player. However there are also buyers who need a G2 player because they have certain imports (like Enemy of the Gates and Two Brothers) that will only play in a G2 player. Besides I think the build quality is better in G2 models than in G3, but on Ebay right now the A3/A30 are fetching higher prices than the A2/A20. It just seemed to me that prices are too low, relatively speaking, for the A20 because of too many units being auctioned and that it will go back up somewhat. I could be wrong, of course.

What I would like to get is another LG BH200, as I really like this player for its region free capabilities but unfortunately the prices are headed north it seems.

The LG BH200 is intriguing and will possibly be very good but right now there too many problems and no firmware in sight and no word from LG if the player will be supported going forward. I don't know when or if there will be another Blu-ray player that can be hacked easily for all-region Blu-ray playback so I think it is worth taking a chance on.

Chris

The LG BH200 is intriguing and will possibly be very good but right now there too many problems and no firmware in sight and no word from LG if the player will be supported going forward. I don't know when or if there will be another Blu-ray player that can be hacked easily for all-region Blu-ray playback so I think it is worth taking a chance on.

Chris

Well, I hope that $75 check means they don't plan on routine FW updates either. I have to download yet another FW update for my Samsung BDP1200 because it won't play the Criterion titles nor one of the Bond movies I tried. It gets frustrating and it shouldn't taking using a PS3 connected to the internet to not have to worry about constant upgrades to watch the newest releases.

Well, I hope that $75 check means they don't plan on routine FW updates either. I have to download yet another FW update for my Samsung BDP1200 because it won't play the Criterion titles nor one of the Bond movies I tried. It gets frustrating and it shouldn't taking using a PS3 connected to the internet to not have to worry about constant upgrades to watch the newest releases.

Mark that up to DRM, pretty crappy, isn't it...

Well, I hope that $75 check means they don't plan on routine FW updates either. I have to download yet another FW update for my Samsung BDP1200 because it won't play the Criterion titles nor one of the Bond movies I tried. It gets frustrating and it shouldn't taking using a PS3 connected to the internet to not have to worry about constant upgrades to watch the newest releases.

I think you meant to say you hope the $75 check doesn't mean they don't plan on routine FW updates and I agree but since we haven't seen one in about 6 months, I am worried to say the least. The thing I have noticed and I don't know if there is anything to it or not is that the players using Broadcom chips are for the most part the players we have issues with. Several Samsung and LG players use Broadcom BCM7440 or BCM7411 and those are constantly in need of updates and once updated to play some releases end up unable to play others. The Sigma Designs and NEC chip players and of course the PS3 with Cell Processor are doing far better and I don't recall even having a title those can't play. My Samsung BD-P1200 is disconnected again, although I like the video quality really well when it works.

Chris

I think you meant to say you hope the $75 check doesn't mean they don't plan on routine FW updates and I agree but since we haven't seen one in about 6 months, I am worried to say the least. The thing I have noticed and I don't know if there is anything to it or not is that the players using Broadcom chips are for the most part the players we have issues with. Several Samsung and LG players use Broadcom BCM7440 or BCM7411 and those are constantly in need of updates and once updated to play some releases end up unable to play others. The Sigma Designs and NEC chip players and of course the PS3 with Cell Processor are doing far better and I don't recall even having a title those can't play. My Samsung BD-P1200 is disconnected again, although I like the video quality really well when it works.

Chris

Yeah, that's what I meant. So far the player has played every BD I've tried (knock on wood), although it won't play those finicky HD DVDs that only the G2 players will play. I'm interested in the player mainly for region B BD and PAL playback, as well as for having one of the two existing BD/HD DVD combo players. I'd rather not use it any more than I have to for BD playback, so I also have the Sammy connected. Eventually I want to get another BD player that's more reliable and one that I can insert a region free mod chip in. Otherwise I'll settle for another BH200 for the closet and use this one more often.

Yeah, that's what I meant. So far the player has played every BD I've tried (knock on wood), although it won't play those finicky HD DVDs that only the G2 players will play. I'm interested in the player mainly for region B BD and PAL playback, as well as for having one of the two existing BD/HD DVD combo players. I'd rather not use it any more than I have to for BD playback, so I also have the Sammy connected. Eventually I want to get another BD player that's more reliable and one that I can insert a region free mod chip in. Otherwise I'll settle for another BH200 for the closet and use this one more often.

I don't have any of the problem HD DVD's and everything I have tried plays fine with my BH200 but I have read of way too many issues now to believe the player is very good at the current firmware version. There are several reports of the BH200 being unable to play HD DVD's. Again, I like the video quality for all formats it plays including standard DVD but the issues without response from LG means it isn't a player I could recommend now.

I decided to download firmware 2.5 for my BD-P1200 and hook that stupid thing back up until I find something or read about something that results in disconnecting it and putting it back in the closet.

Chris

Well I got a HD-A3 used off eBay for $45 shipped. I can't be more pleased. Although I don't have a lot of HD DVDs, the ones I do have look awesome. But more impressive is how standard DVDs look and sound! Just upgraded the firmware to 4.0. Everything is working great. One day I may get a blu ray, but very happy now. Thanks for all the input.

Of course, HD DVD is to be a supplement to Blu-ray. First the movies are cheaper and second there are many titles exclusive to the format and many will never get released on Blu-ray. Unfortunately the best format lost however.

__________________
US HD DVD Exclusives: 183

Various (27): Picture This (Ally Distribution), Apples & Oranges (Alterna), Kukahi: Keali i Reichel Live In Concert (Alternative Distribution Alliance),Galaxina (BCI), My Favorite Brunette / Son of Paleface (BCI), Road to Rio/Road to Bali (BCI), Aquarium Impressions (C&B Productions),Fireplace Impressions (C&B Productions), Mystic Forests (C&B Productions), Ten, The (City Lights), Gustav Mahler: Symphony No. 2 Resurrection (Euroarts), R. Kelly: Live - The Light It Up Tour (Image), HDCandy (MaxDef HDTV), Method Man: Live From The Sunset Strip (Video Music Distribution)CREAM, Royal Albert Hall: London May 2-3-5-6 2005 (Rhino), Eagles: Farewell 1 Tour - Live From Melbourne (Rhino), James Taylor: A Musicares Person of the Year Tribute (Rhino), Motorhead: Stage Fright (Steamhammer/SPV)
UFO: Showtime (Steamhammer/SPV), P2 (Summit), Surround Records: Jazz Standards (Surround Records), Surround Records: Uncommon Mozart (Surround Records), One Six Right (Terwilliger), Dreaming Arizona (The Picture Company), Dreaming Nevada (The Picture Company), Channels (Vanguard Cinema), Rain in the Mountains (Vanguard Cinema)

HDNet (8): Best of GetOut! Volume 1, Best of GetOut! Volume 2, Best of World Report Volume 1, Best of World Report Volume 2, Bikini Destinations: Hawaii, Bikini Destinations: Lake Tahoe, Bikini Destinations: Mexico, Harlem Globetrotters: A Gift for the Troops

Paramount/DW (6): Anchorman - The Legend of Ron Burgundy, Things we Lost in the Fire , Arctic Tale , Mighty Heart, A, Star Trek The Original Series - The Complete First Season, Stardust

Universal (122):, 12 Monkeys, 2 Fast 2 Furious, Accepted, Alpha Dog, American Me, An American Werewolf in London, Apollo 13, Army of Darkness, Assault on Precinct 13, Atonement, Backdraft, Balls Of Fury, Battlestar Galactica - Season One, Being John Malkovich, Big Lebowski, The, Billy Madison, Bone Collector, The, Born on the Fourth of July, Breach, Breakfast Club, The, Break-Up, The, Brokeback Mountain, Bruce Almighty, Bulletproof, Carlito's Way, Carlito's Way: Rise To Power, Cat People, Children of Men, Chronicles of Riddick, The, Cinderella Man, Dante's Peak, Darkman, Daylight, Dazed & Confused, Dead Silence, Deer Hunter, The, Dragonheart, Dune (1984), Elizabeth, Elizabeth: The Golden Age, Erin Brockovich, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Evan Almighty, Evening, Fast & Furious, Fast & The Furious, The: Tokyo Drift, Fast Times at Ridgemont High, Fear & Loathing in Las Vegas, Field of Dreams, Fletch, For Love of the Game, Friday Night Lights, Frighteners, The, Game, The, Getaway, The (1994), Good Shepherd, The, Half Baked, Happy Gilmore, Hitcher, The, Hollywoodland, Hot Fuzz, How The Grinch Stole Christmas, Hurricane, The, I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry, In Good Company, Inside Man, Interpreter, The, Jerk, The, Knocked Up, Last Starfighter, The, Liar Liar, Lost in Translation, Mallrats, Meet Joe Black, Meet the Fockers, Meet the Parents, Mercury Rising, Midnight Run, Mobsters, Monty Python's The Meaning of Life, Mr. Bean's Holiday, Mystery Men, National Lampoon's Animal House, Notting Hill, Nutty Professor 2: The Klumps, Nutty Professor, The, Out of Sight, Patch Adams, Pianist, The, Pride & Prejudice, Ray, Red Dragon, River, The, Scent of a Woman, Sea of Love, Seabiscuit, Seed of Chucky, Shaun of the Dead, Skeleton Key, The, Slither, Smokey and the Bandit, Smokin' Aces, Sneakers, Spartacus, Spy Game, Sting, The, Streets of Fire, Talk to Me, Timecop, Traffic, Tremors, Unleashed, Van Helsing, Waist Deep, War, The, Watcher, The, Waterworld, Wedding Date, The, What Dreams May Come, White Noise, White Noise 2, You Me & Dupree

Warner (11): Caddyshack, Charlie & the Chocolate Factory, Dukes of Hazzard, The, Excalibur, Forbidden Planet, Grand Prix, Mutiny on the Bounty (1962), Poseidon, Smallville - The Complete Fifth Season, Taking Lives, Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory

Weinstein (9): Black Christmas, Derailed, Feast, Harsh Times, Matador, The, Pulse, Scary Movie 4, School for Scoundrels, Wolf Creek

Agreed

And WHY do you need variable speed playback? :confused: When I've seen certain television shows like Stargate multiple times, I routinely watch them at 1.3x or 1.4x speed. It allows me to watch an entire season in 9 hours instead of 13 hours. You really didn't think I meant 'exclusive' as in 'forever exclusive'....did you? duh: :confused: Um. Yes? Quote: "there are many titles exclusive to the HD DVD format and many will never get released on Blu-ray."

Don't go "duh" to me ya rude _______. You said never, and never means forever. Are you now going to try to backpeddle and claim you did not say that??? Unfortunately for you, your post is recorded. You stated that HD DVD Exclusives would never be released to Bluray. As in, forever exclusive. Right now the great benefit of HD DVD is that you can buy the "flippies" for cheap. Why pay $15 for a DVD movie when I can get the double-sided DVD version for $5? Right now the great benefit of HD DVD is that it's 1080p HD like Blu-ray is. Only if you waste money on an HD DVD player. I will not.

But I will happily buy-up all the "flippy" HD Discs which will work in my standard DVD player, because they are dirt cheap.

When I've seen certain television shows like Stargate multiple times, I routinely watch them at 1.3x or 1.4x speed. It allows me to watch an entire season in 9 hours instead of 13 hours. Um. Yes? Quote: "there are many titles exclusive to the HD DVD format and many will never get released on Blu-ray."

Don't go "duh" to me ya rude _______. You said never, and never means forever. Are you now going to try to backpeddle and claim you did not say that??? Unfortunately for you, your post is recorded. You stated that HD DVD Exclusives would never be released to Bluray. As in, forever exclusive. Only if you waste money on an HD DVD player. I will not.

But I will happily buy-up all the "flippy" HD Discs which will work in my standard DVD player, because they are dirt cheap.

There were some HD DVD releases that sold very poorly, weren't very well reviewed and I would be surprised if we ever see 100% of those titles released on Blu-ray. I would agree some will never be released on Blu-ray. How many? I don't know, not many obviously but some aren't in demand and won't justify a Blu-ray release. Others might have contractual issues that will prevent it. Star Trek Season 1? I don't know if we will see that one, it was reputedly paid for by Toshiba with restrictions to the use of the work Toshiba paid for. If and when that restriction expires or is released, will that still be within the Blu-ray product life cycle? I sure don't think demand for that title would justify having the work done again. There are specific titles that for various reasons haven't been released on Blu-ray yet and those reasons might very well mean the title never shows up on Blu-ray.

As far as you watching some programs at 1.4x normal speed, you can do that, there is nothing that states you can't. I won't do it with any programming I want to watch.

Chris

When I've seen certain television shows like Stargate multiple times, I routinely watch them at 1.3x or 1.4x speed. It allows me to watch an entire season in 9 hours instead of 13 hours.

I figure if i need to do that to watch it, then it isn't worth watching again then myself. :p :lol:

If you say so. Each of us has a finite lifespan, and sometimes I want to rewatch a favorite show (like 24 Season 2) but don't want to invest 15 hours doing it. The variable speed playback lets me shorten it to about 10 hours. Therefore I sold my HD DVD player because even though it had upscaling, it lacked that variable speed capability, so instead I kept my upscaling Sony DVD player which does have the 0.6-to-1.4x playback. Star Trek Season 1? I don't know if we will see that one, it was reputedly paid for by Toshiba with restrictions to the use of the work Toshiba paid for. Of course it will. Paramount spent a LOT of money scanning the original negatives into HD and adding CGI for the new effects. They aren't going to just keep it locked in the vault forever.

Don't go "duh" to me ya rude _______. You said never, and never means forever. Are you now going to try to backpeddle and claim you did not say that??? Unfortunately for you, your post is recorded. You stated that HD DVD Exclusives would never be released to Bluray. As in, forever exclusive.

How could I mean that ALL the HD DVD exclusives now will remain exclusive forever? :confused: Anybody can see that Universal, Paramount, WB and other studios are now releasing former HD DVD exclusives one by one. Of the over 280 exclusives now, maybe 50 or so will be 'forever exclusive' (just a guess).

How could I mean that ALL the HD DVD exclusives now will remain exclusive forever? :confused: Anybody can see that Universal, Paramount, WB and other studios are now releasing former HD DVD exclusives one by one. Of the over 280 exclusives now, maybe 50 or so will be 'forever exclusive' (just a guess).

Of course you didn't say all exclusives, you stated many exclusives won't be released on Blu-ray ever and I agree. Picking which ones won't be easy but we can look at the list in a few years and it will be easier then.

Chris

If you say so. Each of us has a finite lifespan, and sometimes I want to rewatch a favorite show (like 24 Season 2) but don't want to invest 15 hours doing it. The variable speed playback lets me shorten it to about 10 hours. Therefore I sold my HD DVD player because even though it had upscaling, it lacked that variable speed capability, so instead I kept my upscaling Sony DVD player which does have the 0.6-to-1.4x playback. Of course it will. Paramount spent a LOT of money scanning the original negatives into HD and adding CGI for the new effects. They aren't going to just keep it locked in the vault forever.

You are one of the funniest people to disagree with. Who has said that Paramount will keep it locked in the vault forever? I only stated I didn't know if it would released on Blu-ray, not that Paramount would do nothing with it. There are other revenue generating uses for Star Trek in HD. The tiny quantity it would sell on Blu-ray now isn't enough to mess with even if the agreement with Toshiba would permit its release on Blu-ray now. I don't know the Blu-ray lifespan but 10 years wouldn't surprise me at all and I wouldn't be surprised if Star Trek Season 1 is one of the many HD DVD titles that never see a Blu-ray release. I can't name which ones won't with certainty, only that I believe there will be many that aren't released.

Chris

Chris: I hope you're wrong because I want to get Star Trek TOS in high-definition, so I can put it on my bookshelf. I suspect a lot of other Bluray Trekkies feel the same. How could I mean that ALL the HD DVD exclusives now will remain exclusive forever? Simple answer; simple question. Because you engaged your mouth and not your brain, and thereby spoke a bunch of nonsense. PROOF: "There are many titles exclusive to the HD DVD format and many will never get released on Blu-ray." Anybody can see that Universal, Paramount, WB and other studios are now releasing former HD DVD exclusives one by one. So why waste money on an obsolete HD DVD player? Just wait for the Bluray release and buy that.

Chris: I hope you're wrong because I want to get Star Trek TOS in high-definition, so I can put it on my bookshelf. I suspect a lot of other Bluray Trekkies feel the same. Simple answer; simple question. Because you engaged your mouth and not your brain, and thereby spoke a bunch of nonsense. PROOF: "There are many titles exclusive to the HD DVD format and many will never get released on Blu-ray." So why waste money on an obsolete HD DVD player? Just wait for the Bluray release and buy that.

You might look up the definition of many. If you don't want to take the time, I can help. Many does not mean all. Many does not even mean half. Many does not even mean more than 10. He never stated all HD DVD exclusives will not be released on Blu-ray, he stated many won't. It isn't complicated to understand what he wrote.

Chris

I agree, many HD DVD exclusives will not be released on Blu-ray. It isn't important really, because the Blu-ray selection will be excellent in a few years. There will be many thousand titles on DVD not on Blu-ray and many titles on HD DVD not on Blu-ray. Blu-ray will still be a great format with a great selection.

Chris

I agree, many HD DVD exclusives will not be released on Blu-ray. Like what? Heroes Season 1? The New Galactica season 1? Two of ye have made a statement, but so far you have not backed it up.

Like what? Heroes Season 1? The New Galactica season 1? Two of ye have made a statement, but so far you have not backed it up.

Backed up what? I stated many won't be released and that I can't tell you which ones for certain. Bruce has a list of 180 or or so titles, many of those won't be released on Blu-ray ever. That is my prediction and I believe that is Bruce's prediction. Heroes Season 1 isn't among them, it is already out on Blu-ray. There are many low demand titles among that group and tens of thousands of other titles would sell better so you can look for yourself and see which ones you think won't be or you can claim they all will be, I don't really care. In ten years or fifteen years, maybe more, maybe less, Blu-ray will be discontinued by all companies in favor of something that makes more sense from a business perspective and you can look at this very list that Bruce has and see if many were never released at that time. Until then, there is nothing to back up. Your disagreements get sillier with each post. If you think all are going to be seen on Blu-ray, great. If you think all but one will be, that is fine by me too. I can't prove you wrong for a long time and wouldn't care to then.

Chris

Chris: I hope you're wrong because I want to get Star Trek TOS in high-definition, so I can put it on my bookshelf. I suspect a lot of other Bluray Trekkies feel the same. Simple answer; simple question. Because you engaged your mouth and not your brain, and thereby spoke a bunch of nonsense. PROOF: "There are many titles exclusive to the HD DVD format and many will never get released on Blu-ray." So why waste money on an obsolete HD DVD player? Just wait for the Bluray release and buy that.

Quit being an ass and look up 'many' in the dictionary before running your mouth. Judging by your post history, you're an expert at that anyway. :rolleyes: I've stated my opinion, many movies on HD DVD will never get released on Blu-ray. If you have a problem with that, too bad, go cry on someone's shoulder. :crying:

If you think all are going to be seen on Blu-ray, great. If you think all but one will be, that is fine by me too. Probably those "nature" or "demo" discs will never be released to Bluray, but this is NOT a valid reason to go out and buy a HD DVD player.

I've stated my opinion, many movies on HD DVD will never get released on Blu-ray. Replace "many" with "zero". In my opinion ALL of the movies will be released, with just a few of those stupid "demo/nature" discs not being released.

Which is why you should not be misleading people to go waste their hard-earned cash on HD DVD. It would be foolish as buying a Betamax in 1990.

Bruce is right. Many movies on HD DVD will never be released on Blu-ray. Troy is wrong.

Replace "many" with "zero". In my opinion ALL of the movies will be released, with just a few of those stupid "demo/nature" discs not being released.

Which is why you should not be misleading people to go waste their hard-earned cash on HD DVD. It would be foolish as buying a Betamax in 1990.

Anybody who buys an HD DVD player and movies will know that it's a dead format. However, since it still looks and sounds just as good as BLu-ray, it's quite a stretch to say that buying HD DVD it would be as foolish as buying Betamax. I don't think it's foolish to pay $5 for a movie on one format instead of $20 on another. On the contrary, it can be argued that the opposite is true. Hmm, quality is virtually the same, should I pay $5 for HD DVD Transformers, or $20 for the Blu? ;) What's foolish to you may not seem so to those who place a greater importance on the price point. HD DVD players are easily available for under $50 and as well as they upscale, that's a great price for that alone. I've said all along that HD DVD is a supplement to Blu-ray for those who want a cheaper option to the same quality movie or is not available on Blu-ray. I'm just laying the cards out on the table, and saying that although HD DVD is not a format going forward, it's still one of the best formats available, only much cheaper.

You think all the movies will be on Blu-ray eventually, fine, but keep in mind that Universal and other studios have many thousands of movies in their vaults begging to be released on Blu-ray. It doesn't look like Universal is moving HD DVD releases to the front of the line, and why should they? Are they going to think about wants of (former) purple owners first (or Blu-ray only zealots still living the format war, who just can't stand it that HD DVD still has exclusives), or their own bottom line? No one knows what exclusives now will remain exclusives, but why should one wait for it to come out on Blu-ray anyway, if it's available now, and at a much cheaper price then it will be later? ;)

Some movies had hardly any demand and only sold a few thousand at most. Those releases on HD DVD will likely NOT be high on the agenda list for a studio to repeat the expense for those low numbers again, now that they know the demand was so low. Does it mean those movies are a waste to even want? I may not be interested in some of those, but there are others that will be interested since tastes in movies vary widely.

I would guess (which is all any of us can do at this point) that some that may eventually get released on BD may take many years if they do get released. And like Bruce said, why pay $20.00+ for it on BD if you have a HD DVD player and can get it for only $5.00+? At around $50.00 or less, an HD DVD player is worth it just for upscaling alone, and having the bonus of being able to get true HD movies for around $5.00 is simply icing on the cake IMO. ;)

Some movies had hardly any demand and only sold a few thousand at most. Those releases on HD DVD will likely NOT be high on the agenda list for a studio to repeat the expense for those low numbers again, now that they know the demand was so low. Does it mean those movies are a waste to even want? I may not be interested in some of those, but there are others that will be interested since tastes in movies vary widely.

I would guess (which is all any of us can do at this point) that some that may eventually get released on BD may take many years if they do get released. And like Bruce said, why pay $20.00+ for it on BD if you have a HD DVD player and can get it for only $5.00+? At around $50.00 or less, an HD DVD player is worth it just for upscaling alone, and having the bonus of being able to get true HD movies for around $5.00 is simply icing on the cake IMO. ;)

Very well put, and I would never try to fool people into thinking HD DVD will get anymore new releases or even will produced anymore.

It still is a wonderful deal when you can get new HD DVDs for 1/3rd the price of a regular SD DVD version of the movie and you get greatly superior sound and picture quality along with it.

My HD DVD players upscale great, even a little better then my PS3, so if someone is not ready to step into Blu-Ray for whatever reason, then getting a great upscaling HD DVD player for less then many regular DVD players plus getting new HD DVDs for so cheap, I would still recommend it as long as they realize the format is dead.

(ugh I should refrain from posting via iPhone but I couldn't wait... But I gotta clean up my post :-P )

Regarding low demand, I got 1 word... Casablanca. Did poorly on hd dvd but was still rereleased. No clue how well it sold and given it was released with a bunch of crap that made the disc cost even more, I'm hardly surprised if it did poorly. But it was released and may even get released as a regular edition.

There are maybe 150 titles exclusive to HD DVD and while it won't hit 0 in 2009, I'd expect more releases in the next few years.

regarding low demand... Casablanca. Did poorly on hd dvd but was still rereleased. No clue how well it sold and given it was released with a bunch of crap that made the disc cost even more, I'm hardly surprised. But it was released and may even get released as a regular edition.

There are maybe 150 titles exclusive to HD DVD and while it won't hit 0 in 2009, I'd expect more releases in the next few years.

Bruce has a list of 180 domestic US HD DVD exclusives right now. I would never recommend that anybody buy HD DVD if they are only going to have one HD media player. Make the one Blu-ray if that is the choice and I said that 4 years ago when all of this was just in the discussion stages. If you don't mind having several players around the house, HD DVD can be a good supplement to Blu-ray even though electricroy thinks all of the HD DVD exclusives will be released on Blu-ray. Not many people want to mess with a dead format and the prices are so low because it is a dead format. I thought it was going to die within a year two years ago when I purchased my first player and I never even purchased one new HD DVD until Toshiba withdrew HD DVD from the marketplace and now I have over 250.

Chris

Most Blurays will drop to $5 if you just wait a year. It's like videogames - You can foolishly pay $50 now, or wait until after Christmas 2009 and pay $20 or $25. As time passes the costs drop. ---- An then of course there's also the used market. I'd rather buy a "used - like new" item than invest in a dead format. Bruce is right. Many movies on HD DVD will never be released on Blu-ray. Troy is wrong. Which "movies" will never be released to Bluray? I'm sure there's some obscure pron ____ that will never be released, but I the Hollywood movies will be.

It's just like VHS. We've now reached the point where the list of VHS-exclusive movies is virtually zero, and HD DVD will eventually reach that point too.

However, since it still looks and sounds just as good as BLu-ray, it's quite a stretch to say that buying HD DVD it would be as foolish as buying Betamax. Not really. In 1990 Betamax looked just as good as VHS did. Just as today we have people advising to buy HD DVD, there were some people in 1990 saying to buy Betamax. You are no different from them.

Most Blurays will drop to $5 if you just wait a year. It's like videogames - You can foolishly pay $50 now, or wait until after Christmas 2009 and pay $20 or $25. As time passes the costs drop. ---- An then of course there's also the used market. I'd rather buy a "used - like new" item than invest in a dead format. Which "movies" will never be released to Bluray? I'm sure there's some obscure pron ____ that will never be released, but I the Hollywood movies will be.

It's just like VHS. We've now reached the point where the list of VHS-exclusive movies is virtually zero, and HD DVD will eventually reach that point too.

Of course the list of movies on VHS exclusively is far from zero, but I don't know what virtually zero means. Does virtually zero mean 1 or 2 or 3, if so, then there are far more than virtually zero VHS exclusives. I can't name the HD DVD exclusives that won't ever be released on Blu-ray now, but if you ask me in 10 years, I bet I can.

Bruce has a list of HD DVD exclusives, take that list and come back in five years and let us know the status. Please don't bother us with this issue again until then.

Chris

Not really. In 1990 Betamax looked just as good as VHS did. Just as today we have people advising to buy HD DVD, there were some people in 1990 saying to buy Betamax. You are no different from them.

Betamax players and movies were relatively expensive in 1990 and could not play another format. An HD DVD player also plays DVD, and on ebay for $50 is a good price for the upscaling alone. Plus the $5 movies, which is practically the price of a rental, you really can't lose (unless the movie wasn't worth watching once).

Betamax players and movies were relatively expensive in 1990 and could not play another format. An HD DVD player also plays DVD, and on ebay for $50 is a good price for the upscaling alone. For that same price I can get a used Sony DVD player with upscaling *and* variable speed playback. That's why I sold the HD DVD several months ago and kept the Sony DVD.

*
* The jerk who sold his HD DVD *lied* to me because he claimed it could do variable speed playback. When the item arrived I discovered it lacked that function. I should have filed a Paypal claim right then and there. I hate sellers who lie.

For that same price I can get a used Sony DVD player with upscaling *and* variable speed playback. That's why I sold the HD DVD several months ago and kept the Sony DVD.

*
* The jerk who sold his HD DVD *lied* to me because he claimed it could do variable speed playback. When the item arrived I discovered it lacked that function. I should have filed a Paypal claim right then and there. I hate sellers who lie.

Is that why you're hating on HD DVD right now, because you got lied to? Anyway, the Toshiba HD DVD upscale on a par or even better than the high end upscalers like Oppo, so value-wise shouldn't be compared to a cheap DVD player, even if it is a Sony, since PQ performance will be superior.

Is that why you're hating on HD DVD right now, because you got lied to? Anyway, the Toshiba HD DVD upscale on a par or even better than the high end upscalers like Oppo, so value-wise shouldn't be compared to a cheap DVD player, even if it is a Sony, since PQ performance will be superior.

The best HD DVD player is certainly not better that the Oppo DV-983H and not even on a par with it. I have the best HD DVD players and the Oppo DV-983H and the high end Oppo player is better with standard DVD but the HD DVD players are certainly very good and the difference for just DVD-V might not be worth premium necessary to buy the DV-983 since the DV-983H has held firm at $400 and you can probably buy one of the best HD DVD players for less than that. The DV-983H does a lot of things in addition to DVD-V that makes it a dream machine and quite possibly the last of its type.

Yes, electicroy needs variable speed playback because as he mentioned earlier, he likes to watch programming at 1.4 times the normal speed. He can watch a lot more in the same period of time so an HD DVD player without that feature isn't worth much to him. Somehow I am thinking maybe the average consumer will find other features more important, like better picture quality or true HD playback.

Chris

The best HD DVD player is certainly not better that the Oppo DV-983H and not even on a par with it. I have the best HD DVD players and the Oppo DV-983H and the high end Oppo player is better with standard DVD but the HD DVD players are certainly very good and the difference for just DVD-V might not be worth premium necessary to buy the DV-983 since the DV-983H has held firm at $400 and you can probably buy one of the best HD DVD players for less than that. The DV-983H does a lot of things in addition to DVD-V that makes it a dream machine and quite possibly the last of its type.

Yes, electicroy needs variable speed playback because as he mentioned earlier, he likes to watch programming at 1.4 times the normal speed. He can watch a lot more in the same period of time so an HD DVD player without that feature isn't worth much to him. Somehow I am thinking maybe the average consumer will find other features more important, like better picture quality or true HD playback.

Chris

I could see variable speed playback useful for sporting events, or something where dialogue tone isn't important and the action could be followed at a quicker pace.

It's likely the HD DVD players are not as good as the Oppo 983, but rather on a level with the (Oppo) players below it. But the 983 is $400, so it doesn't have to be as good to be a good value for an upscaler.

The dialog is processed to sound natural. It's similar to how the FX Channel speeds-up Star Trek TNG and DS9 to fit inside 40 minutes, without trimming scenes or making the speed sound unnatural. Is that why you're hating on HD DVD right now, because you got lied to? No. Someone also sold me a broken Ipod, but I don't hate on Apple for that. I hate the dishonest seller(s).

I could see variable speed playback useful for sporting events, or something where dialogue tone isn't important and the action could be followed at a quicker pace.

It's likely the HD DVD players are not as good as the Oppo 983, but rather on a level with the (Oppo) players below it. But the 983 is $400, so it doesn't have to be as good to be a good value for an upscaler.

The DV-983H is very expensive by today's prices if someone only wanted Region 1 DVD, you can get performance nearly as good for a lot less money now. The player is king of the hill and a great value in my opinion if all-region DVD-V, SACD, DVD-A, HDCD and excellent CD and DVD-V performance is what is wanted. It also plays many additional different formats, most of which I don't use. I purchased a used Oppo DV-983H and a used Toshiba HD-XA2 around the same time and the Oppo player has the lower MSRP by several hundred dollars but it cost me much more and that was the lowest price I have seen on a used DV-983H. The upcoming Oppo BDP-83 won't be released with an easy remote code for all-region DVD or Blu-ray playback and if my guess that making it all-region for either won't be possible without a hardware modification, that means the DV-983H will still be in demand.

Chris