Blu-Ray & HD-DVD: which has better movies in your opinion?

Question

Future releases count as well, right now I got a HD-DVD player and it's obviously that Blu-Ray has the better movies, but I gotta say Heroes makes up for it. What do you think and is this format war just a more recent version of the VHS vs. Betamax (in which Sony lost)?

Answer 1

Since everyone has different taste only you can judge which format has "better" movies.

Given the studios involved and their choice of format you can be fairly sure to feel Blu-ray has better movies if your taste leans toward kids pictures/Disney. Arguably there are more "serious" movies on HD DVD, but it's by no means one sided.

In terms of the format war, either the studios will decide it by changing their current support (e.g. Warner changing from neutral to either format exclusively would pretty much decide it), or both formats will exist and dual format (actually universal format: DVD, CD, HD HDV, Blu-ray, etc) players will become the norm. The Warner decision is expected before the ned of Q2 in 2008.

As things stand now we are destined for a dual format world. I say this (despite more disks being sold in Blu-ray format) simply because sales of both formats are increasing and HD DVD, while behind, is not losing ground. It appears unlikely to me that any studio will abandon a viable format even if the other format is ahead.

Keep in mind that HD disk sales are still only about 2% of DVD sales, so the studios would be almost as likely to abandon HD entirely as to kill one format prematurely.

There is an argument that studios benefit more from HD DVD than Blu-ray (e.g. online extras support additional product sales, PS3 support is seen as competiition to movies), and while not convincing, is a consideration.

There is an argument to be made that (almost) everyone would be better off if there were one format ... but that was always the case and it didn't prevent the "war".

In terms of similarities to this format war ... there are similarities to the Beta/VHS war, but to me it is more like the CD >> SACD/DVD-A HD audio war, which saw both multichannel/HD audio formats carve out niche status while MP3 was the real winner. In the long run I believe DVD will continue for some time as the premiere disk format, Blu-ray and HD DVD will become niche formats for those able and willing to pay for HD disks, and gradually various forms of Video on Demand (VOD) and downloadable movies will become the next big thing. This fits consumer demand for convenience over quality ... as identified clearly in the CD >>> MP3 / downloadable music war.

The fact is the DVD paradigm has been slowly dying for some time, and HD disks won't revive it.

Anyway ... my take.

Answer 2

I really notice the best quailty with Blu-Ray movies.  Most the time I don't even know the movie I'm watching is HD...But I can really notice a difference with Blu-Ray. Also, the upscaling of regular Dvd's on my PS3 blu-ray player is awesome!  I was watching National Lampoon: Christmas Vacation last night and the quality of the movie isn't that great because it was made back in the late 80's...so the picture is pretty crappy compared to movies now days.  But wow..having it upscaled on with the Blu-Ray player was unreal!  I couldn't believe the quality.  I also think Blu-Ray is the better choice becaues of the fact that a lot more movie companies are releasing Blu-Ray format.  Last I knew..only 3 major movie companies (Warner, Paramount and Universal) were releasing HD dvd format compared to the 7 out of the 8 major companies are releasing Blu-Ray. So Universal is the only company that is exclusively supporting HD dvd.  Not too long ago Paramount was only supporting HD dvd but then decided to support both.  So I'm seeing the companies that are exclusively supporting HD-dvd decide to start supporting the Blu-Ray format but not vise versa.  So for the long run..Blu-Ray will probably be around but HD-dvd may get phased out before too long.

Also..If you are deciding between using blu-ray or HD-dvd discs for your own use..Blu-Ray disc storage capacity is almost twice that of HD.  Blu-Ray 25GB, HD 15GB

Answer 3

You should buy the Lg Bh100 Blu Ray Hd Dvd.  It plays both.

Answer 4

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