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HD-DVD/Blu-Ray

post #1 of 43
11/2/06 at 6:48pm
Thread Starter 
Was looking for a thread on this, but couldn't find one.

For those of you who purchased HD-DVD/Blu-Ray drives, do you like them? What movies have underwhelmed/overwhelmed you?
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post #2 of 43
11/29/06 at 4:46am
I just picked up the HD drive that attaches to the Xbox 360 (the price was close enough to right). I am mainly renting movies from netflix till those discs get a little cheaper.

So far, out of the 15 or so movies I have seen on this player, Casablanca is the best. Sure, its pretty old, but the print is crystal clean. I didn't notice any blemishes at all. It's also packed to the gills with extras. Theres a few hour-long documentaries, outtakes from scoring sessions, deleted scenes, and a radio version of the movie with the original actors. I guess a lot of this stuff was on a remastered dvd that was put out a few years back, but this disc was so loaded with stuff that I am pretty tempted to just buy the thing.

the most underwhelming one was V for Vendetta. It looks great, but the menu system I thought was kinda clunky, and the extras were pretty lame. Loved the movie, but as a full package it was kinda weak.

I just got Superman Returns in the mail, so we'll see how that one goes.
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post #3 of 43
11/29/06 at 5:41am
HD's of:
Constantine
Carpenter's The Thing
Last Samurai
Cinderella Man


All look fantastic.

Will see what Superman: The Movie & Returns look like today.
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post #4 of 43
11/30/06 at 6:35am
The Thing? How fantastic can that look on HD?
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post #5 of 43
11/30/06 at 7:20am
Well, I've got my PS3 but the only blu-ray i've seen is Talladega Nights. I may check out Superman Returns, as I've heard the regular dvd really sucks being that it was shot on HD. I'd also like to rent M:I:3. I'll have to sign up for Netflix though as that seems to be the only way to rent blu-ray.
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post #6 of 43
11/30/06 at 7:35am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Domingo
The Thing? How fantastic can that look on HD?
Gorgeous.
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post #7 of 43
11/30/06 at 12:12pm
I just got married and got a 42 inch Toshiba LCD HDTV as a wedding gift. This was right around the time the XBOX 360 add-on came out so I picked one up for shits and giggles. And when I popped in the first film I,indeed, did almost shit. You can't really explain to someone how much better HD-DVDs look, you need to show them. They will cry. Just when you think that DVD is the pinnicle of film watching, HD-DVD comes along.

I can't recommend it enough.

I have:

King Kong (comes with XBOX add on- absolutely stunning)
M.I. 3 (also stunning)
The Thing (Very detailed, beautiful for a 25 year old movie)
V for Vendetta (haven't watched it yet)

One thing that most people don't realize is that these add-ons are region free right out of the box and NTSC/PAL conversion isn't necessary since it's a straight up HD signal. I ordered the Japanese release of Equilibrium (called Rebellion over there) from xploited cinema and it's beyond gorgeous. It's a Miramax film over here so it will probably only be released on Blew-Ray. Many Blew-Ray US releases are already enjoying a foriegn HD-DVD release already (Total Recall, The Fog, Basic Instinct, Reign of Fire, The Elephant Man, The Rambo Trilogy). I can't recommend HD-DVD enough, but I WARN YOU, your DVD collection won't look so hot after watching HD-DVDs.
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post #8 of 43
11/30/06 at 1:39pm
yeah, the no region code is pretty great. I'm keeping my eyes open on the import sites for OldBoy, which is supposed to be coming out soon.
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post #9 of 43
11/30/06 at 1:41pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Malcuolo
yeah, the no region code is pretty great. I'm keeping my eyes open on the import sites for OldBoy, which is supposed to be coming out soon.
I think Oldboy is available on a few of the asian import sites (cdjapan, yesasia, etc.) but it has no english subtitles, thereby making it worthless to a gaijin like myself with no understanding of japanese or korean.
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post #10 of 43
12/6/06 at 8:54pm
Thread Starter 
I've been very, very happy with my XBOX 360 HD-DVD player (I put some reviews up in the video game section), this article made me happy about my choice:

http://news.digitaltrends.com/talkback158.html

The fact that HD-DVDs could be made with basically identical equipment, while Blu-Ray requires massive factory re-tooling, always seemed pretty important to me in terms of eventual consumer pricing.
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post #11 of 43
12/6/06 at 9:30pm
So if you get a laptop with a HD-DVD drive, does it have a HD screen? That sounds expensive.
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post #12 of 43
12/6/06 at 9:39pm
Pretty silly analysis when even HD-DVD sales are a blip on the radar compared to overall movie sales, and when the PS3 is still having shortages. You can being to answer this next year, not at this time, the PS3 just came out and they haven't produced enough.
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post #13 of 43
12/6/06 at 9:59pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by ElCapitanAmerica
Pretty silly analysis when even HD-DVD sales are a blip on the radar compared to overall movie sales, and when the PS3 is still having shortages. You can being to answer this next year, not at this time, the PS3 just came out and they haven't produced enough.
I am shocked at your skepticism.
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post #14 of 43
12/6/06 at 10:30pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Chris Wood
So if you get a laptop with a HD-DVD drive, does it have a HD screen? That sounds expensive.
Aren't basically all computer screens "HD" in the sense that they have more than 1080 vertical pixels? This should mean that you can play up to 1080p output on any computer screen assuming you have a capable video card and the software/player to run the HD-DVD.

The laptop I'm on now with the current video card I have can achieve 1200 lines of vertical resolution, which is more than HD-DVD can "use".

If I'm an idiot and completely wrong, feel free to laugh at me and then provide a correct response.
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post #15 of 43
12/7/06 at 2:40am
I have a question for anyone that has a playstation 3. How does it do as a blu-ray player? My P2 was a pretty horrible dvd player, and I have heard rumors that the drive in the P3 was a cheaper version of the stand alone blu-ray players and that it may not perform as well. Not hating the P3 at all, just wondering if it would be worth it as mainly a blu-ray player.
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post #16 of 43
12/7/06 at 1:17pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Overlord
I am shocked at your skepticism.
I know what you are trying to say, but I really couldn't care less which format wins since I don't own a player in either (and won't until is becomes more clear which one "wins"). But it just seems to early to me, and I find it weird that the guy is declaring the death of Blu-Ray so soon and at the same time encouraging people to sign a petition to make HD-DVD the standard.

Sounds like somebody who spent money on a particular player and media and doesn't want to see it wasted.

Again, I still think it's best to wait this one out.

As far as both formats are concerned, my only hope is that we can still have Blu-Ray media for the PC as it has more storage now and the capacity to increase it by more layers soon.
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post #17 of 43
12/7/06 at 2:02pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Malcuolo
I have a question for anyone that has a playstation 3. How does it do as a blu-ray player? My P2 was a pretty horrible dvd player, and I have heard rumors that the drive in the P3 was a cheaper version of the stand alone blu-ray players and that it may not perform as well. Not hating the P3 at all, just wondering if it would be worth it as mainly a blu-ray player.
Even if it's the greatest Blu-Ray player ever, I'd be pretty scared to use it extensively to play movies....game consoles often have a short enough shelf life even when used just to play games!
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post #18 of 43
12/28/06 at 5:56am
BTW - Someone seems to have figured out a way to get the keys descrypt (AACS) movies off of HD-DVD titles ...

http://www.engadget.com/2006/12/27/a...kuphddvd-tool/

It'll be interesting to see how the HD-DVD consortium deals with this, if I'm not mistaken they can revoke the key from the player that was cracked. If it's a software player, that shouldn't be too bad (you'll have to just download an upgrade) if it's a hardware player (which I doubt) then it's a mess.
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post #19 of 43
1/12/07 at 1:59pm
I am totally ripping off Moriarty from AICN, but I find his article hilarious. Mostly, because he's dead on. His article here.

Will porn be the deal breaker?

Quote:
1080p Porn? Blu-ray Says 'No Thanks'
Thu Jan 11, 2007 at 03:22 PM ET

In a last-minute change of porn allegiance, top adult studio Digital Playground has defected from Blu-ray to HD DVD for its upcoming next-gen releases -- and it seems that's just fine with Sony.

One-named auteur Joone, the founder of Digital Playground, recently told German magazine Heise Online that "Sony wants me to publish my films on HD DVD."

That's a switch from a year ago, when Digital Playground was planning to be the first adult studio to jump into the next-gen waters, and to support Blu-ray exclusively. Though we're sure "legit" studios like Sony can't be publicly associated with porn, we all know that, historically at least, adult content has driven the success of every major home video format. So we would have thought Sony would have welcomed the news, at least behind closed doors.

But according to Joone, Sony didn't want Digital Playground's dirty laundry on their next-gen platform. He went on to tell Heise Online that he had "wanted to publish his movies on Blu-ray Disc, but that all Blu-ray Disc copying facilities in the United States had refused to cooperate." Even further, the companies involved threatened to withdraw their Blu-ray licenses should Digital Playground attempt to make the blue movie industry even Blu-er.

As a result, Joone and company will now take their four initial high-def releases straight to HD DVD, followed by a large slate in rapid succession over the next several months and beyond. So watch for 'Teen America,' 'Island Fever 3,' 'Island Fever 4' and the big-budgeted porn classic 'Pirates' (the 'Gone with the Wind' of adult film) in early February. We know you're already fumbling through your wallet to grab the plastic.

Since High-Def Digest is a squeaky-clean family site, we can't offer you any reviews of Digital Playground's upcoming titles, or other adult releases in the future. But we will say this: as anyone taking in the very large adult convention right next door to CES can attest, it is never wise to underestimate the power of smut to drive new video formats. A little bit of wisdom that, assuming Joone's comments are legit, we think Sony -- and any other porn poo-pooing studio -- would do well to heed in the future.
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post #20 of 43
1/12/07 at 2:05pm
What are the stats on adult DVDs, I thought they made most of their money online?

Interesting though, although this is not the same era as VHS/Betamax so I doubt it has as much influence in this case, when Blu-Ray still has more mainstream exclusive content that seems to sell a lot more.
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post #21 of 43
1/12/07 at 2:12pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by ElCapitanAmerica
What are the stats on adult DVDs, I thought they made most of their money online?

Interesting though, although this is not the same era as VHS/Betamax so I doubt it has as much influence in this case, when Blu-Ray still has more mainstream exclusive content that seems to sell a lot more.
While the internet is huge, adult DVD's still sell extremely well. I went to look up some stats, but after reading some of the Google links, I am taking no chances of work's IT department flagging me.

You are correct, it's not as big as VHS/Beta and may not have a major impact. But it will some.
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post #22 of 43
1/12/07 at 2:44pm
Thread Starter 
Those who ignore the past are doomed to repeat it. Didn't Sony balk at porn participation back in the Betamax/VHS era?

Nobody says "porn is the reason I bought item XXX", but revenues and usage statistics suggest otherwise.
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post #23 of 43
1/12/07 at 3:11pm
I'm not an expert at anything related to HD...I know my terms, I know my tech, but I certainly can't tell you in a player has trouble with...I don't know...displaying warm hues or anything.

I'm lucky to have a 720p set that was high-end enough to come with what I've read is a good scaler chip, and the blu-ray discs look pretty great on my TV. No interlacing problems or anything that I've noticed, and definitely no jaggies.
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post #24 of 43
1/12/07 at 3:21pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by The LD
I'm not an expert at anything related to HD...I know my terms, I know my tech, but I certainly can't tell you in a player has trouble with...I don't know...displaying warm hues or anything.

I'm lucky to have a 720p set that was high-end enough to come with what I've read is a good scaler chip, and the blu-ray discs look pretty great on my TV. No interlacing problems or anything that I've noticed, and definitely no jaggies.
You watch a lot of porn on it? Do you find that you have to manually adjust the brightness setting to compensate for the jarring hi-def reality check that many pornstars have....undesirable features?
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post #25 of 43
1/12/07 at 3:24pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Overlord
You watch a lot of porn on it? Do you find that you have to manually adjust the brightness setting to compensate for the jarring hi-def reality check that many pornstars have....undesirable features?
Yeah, it's a Blu-Ray player, so...no.
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post #26 of 43
1/12/07 at 3:25pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by The LD
Yeah, it's a Blu-Ray player, so...no.
You could maybe jury rig your computer to output a signal to your television in order to view porn. Have you tried that?
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post #27 of 43
1/12/07 at 3:27pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Overlord
You could maybe jury rig your computer to output a signal to your television in order to view porn. Have you tried that?
We're clear that I'm not Fabfunk, right?
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post #28 of 43
1/12/07 at 3:29pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by The LD
We're clear that I'm not Fabfunk, right?
My mistake.
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post #29 of 43
1/12/07 at 3:40pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Overlord
You watch a lot of porn on it? Do you find that you have to manually adjust the brightness setting to compensate for the jarring hi-def reality check that many pornstars have....undesirable features?
You know that's a valid point. Some of life's little scars that a porn star has acquired in what has to be a well traveled life you might not want to see.
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post #30 of 43
1/12/07 at 4:04pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Malcuolo
yeah, the no region code is pretty great.
Is that a permanent thing or is it something that can be changed if the format takes off and is declared the "winner" ? If its something that changing, I'm buying one tomorrow. That is a great bonus.
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post #31 of 43
1/12/07 at 4:18pm
I wonder if the PS3's internet browser will prevent you from downloading porn to the PS3's hard drive. Since Sony doesn't want to be a part of anything like that, of course. Does Sony also pack their Televisions with a "P chip" to stop people from watching pornography on it?

This is why Betamax failed, people! Not enough porn!
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post #32 of 43
1/12/07 at 4:23pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Martianman
This is why Betamax failed, people! Not enough porn!
I'm about to pull a total Fabfunk moment here, but the "best" porn I ever remember was on Beta. My dad was a "beta guy" (he wanted the better picture) before it failed and apparently he thought the porn looked good.

I found a copy of Satin Angels (I still remember the damn title to this day - that's sad) in the ol' sock drawer when I around 13 or 14 or so. I just couldn't wait till my parents left the house, because that damn movie was just sweet. Who knows how it would hold up today, seeing as how I've seen a woman take an entire horse in her mouth, but for the time... for the time.
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post #33 of 43
1/12/07 at 9:56pm
I found this Kotaku article through Penny Arcade's front page...
Sony to include portable versions of films with Blu-Ray discs.
The plot thickens.
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post #34 of 43
1/12/07 at 10:48pm
Porn on HD kinda ruins the appeal and misses the point. Like dressing up a whore to look proper.
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post #35 of 43
1/14/07 at 12:24pm
HD DVD will probably win this battle with Porn on its side....in my book, 'it is what it is.'

The HD DVD add on for the 360 uses component cables, right?
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post #36 of 43
1/14/07 at 2:01pm
I just saw my first HD porn and I have to say, as someone who also thought porn was best suited for crude lo-res VHS, it is totally worth the upgrade. It was mesmerizing in HD. Next stop: BRAINSTORM porn loop.

Given Sony's completely inept handling of Blu-Ray so far, I think I'll be buying into HD-DVD this year. And I really wanted Blu-Ray to win this format war...I feel it's the superior format but it's being handled by morons.
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post #37 of 43
1/15/07 at 2:00am
I'd want to get HDDVD for 360, but the lack of trueHD sound scares me. Everything gets down converted.

Then a lack of hdmi...

I just wish format war would end now. Why? Umm I've just started watching Hd tv (watched 2 football games and 24) and I want my movies to look nice dammit! (yeah 24 ruboff)
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post #38 of 43
1/15/07 at 2:30am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Litmus Configuration
Next stop: BRAINSTORM porn loop.
Fuck yes. I can't wait to be found dead and smiling with the Brainstorm/Strange Days equipment frying my brain.
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post #39 of 43
1/15/07 at 2:40am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Overlord
The fact that HD-DVDs could be made with basically identical equipment, while Blu-Ray requires massive factory re-tooling, always seemed pretty important to me in terms of eventual consumer pricing.
Ah, that doesn't mean squat when it comes to pricing.
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post #40 of 43
2/3/07 at 4:15am
How little sense does this make?

Sony created BluRay

Crank is a Sony movie

Yet when I go to Best Buy looking to buy Crank on BluRay (the first bluray disc i'd be buying rather than normal dvd) what do I find? Not Crank.

They apparently only got 4 copies of it on BluRay when it came out, and none more since then.

Meanwhile they have a shitload of The Devil Wears Prada on BluRay.

Devil Wears Prada. FOX. Inventory? LOTS.

Crank. SONY. Inventory? ZIP!

I also went to Circuit City. Didn't have it. Went to Fry's. Didn't have it. Went to Blockbuster just to rent it. Didn't have it. Why is Sony not getting their own fucking movies on their own fucking new format that they're trying to make successful into stores? I mean if there's one movie you want readily available on your new format its your newest action movie.
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post #41 of 43
2/4/07 at 12:51pm
Crank is actually Lionsgate. My bad. Though since Lionsgate is Blu-Ray exclusive the same questions might be asked of them. Do they want Blu-Ray to fail? Wonder what the hell is wrong with their studio that there is no inventory on this movie.
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post #42 of 43
2/7/07 at 10:57pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Angry Badger
Is that a permanent thing or is it something that can be changed if the format takes off and is declared the "winner" ? If its something that changing, I'm buying one tomorrow. That is a great bonus.
I guess regular dvds are still region coded, but from everything I have read the HD DVDs from different countries are region free, and as long as you don't upgrade the players software then it will always be region free. I have yet to get any region free HD DVD's since OldBoy has no english subtitles, so I haven't tried it myself.
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post #43 of 43
2/8/07 at 2:47am
Finally got Crank on Blu-Ray. Gonna check it out later. Still kind of ridiculous that while a large amount of Blu-Ray discs were 20 bucks or less at the store I was at, Crank was $28.99. I doubt I'll buy many more until studios do a better job of giving us more than just better picture and sound. I'll probably get Batman Begins when it finally comes out on Blu-Ray as it has that inmovie experience thing.
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