Blu-ray or HD DVD?

Question

First of all, I want to know from users of BOTH which format is better (or if their quality is about the same). I know the specifications, and that the dual layer blu-ray holds more than the HD DVD (50 GB compared to 30), but who will ultimately win the formatting wars-- Blu-ray already has 5 major studios backing it. And is spending another $100+ worth the blu-ray?

Answer 1

I am about to buy a HD DVD player, because it is cheap as an add on for my Xbox 360. However, I can tell you now that Blu-Ray will win.

Answer 2

Hey PaaPop. Where've I seen that answer before? ;o)

I always recommend a dual HD-DVD/Bluray player, and in light of the Warner Bros. shift, I still do. Universal and Paramount are still on contract to produce only HD-DVD. I want to be able to choose from ALL of the movies that become available in HD and I don't want to have to look at one on the shelf that I really want to see, but can't because my player won't play it.

But there's another valid reason for a dual player. If I was the only one in my house, I could buy one of each player for a little less money than a dual. I'm tech savvy and it would be no trouble for me to keep them straight. I chose a dual player for my family. They are able to appreciate HD quality movies but they all just wish everything was simpler! My system, at least playing a DVD, is easy. Buy/rent a disk, any disk, and plug it in. Done! I would say it's WORTH a bit more money if the whole family can easily operate it.

Answer 3

They play the same, up to 1080p. the movie u wish to watch decides the type. Blue ray players seems to have better reviews, HD-DVD better price.

Answer 4

Warner have just decided to go Blu-ray exclusive. That pretty much means the war is over since they were the major format neutral studio.

So the war is now whether Blu-ray can beat out DVD as the primary disk format, or whether it will remain a niche format.

So ... you can stop worrying about HD DVD and concentrate on whether you are in the minority of consumers who can benefit from Blu-ray (and choose to pay the premium price) --- minimum 40" 720p/1080i HDTV -- or are in the majority who find DVD "good enough".

Answer 5

Get a blu-ray-if u have a ps3.I have like 45 blu-rays and they look SO much better than HD dvd

click on link below

Answer 6

I wouldn't bet on either. I (honestly) don't own either, but read several articles about it. And right now, you honestly don't want to be on either horse unless you really, really need it. If I had to bet on it, I would be on Blu-Ray coming out on top, but it's certainly NOT guaranteed.

The best option if you really want HD DVD is to go with the dual format LG player (the LG BH200 or similar, review from CNET below). The link for it is below. You will pay more money for it, but at this point, if you don't, you might be gambling on a format that will go the way of Beta in a couple of years.

Answer 7

In light of recent news, Bluray will almost certainly win, but it's a good idea to get a dual player if you want to buy one now. Look at LG's BH-100 or BH-200.

HD-DVD will most likely die, but not yet. Universal and Paramount still have exclusive contracts to print only HD-DVD. That's a lot of movies you'll miss if you get a Bluray only player. No one is talking about the cost of opting out of their respective contracts publicly, but you can bet there's quite a bit of talk going on in private.

Regarding mastermind's comment about the HD-DVD folks "not knowing yet." Toshiba is a major shareholder in Time Warner and one of their execs. sits on the TW board. I promise you, they knew, regardless of what the press says.

Also, there is still concern that Sony/Samsung et al can produce product fast enough in large enough quantities. Anyone wanting to print Bluray disks will have to totally revamp their factory. That's a problem that will ultimately be solved by throwing money at it, but it's a concern at the moment and will take time.

When near-blue lasers became commercially viable (would last at least 10,000 hours) Sony and Toshiba began developing systems for bringing 1080x1920 players to market. Sony felt that providing maximum recording space was most important. Toshiba thought that it was more important to be compatible with existing disk manufacturing equipment. Since they could not agree fundamentally, there was no chance of working together. Incidentally, Toshiba was in the Beta camp with Sony in the VHS/Beta days so they have a history of working together.

I believe Time Warner (Warner Bros. Studios) made a hard, but good decision. The risk is consumers won't adopt either format if they can't figure out what to buy. And if anything can be said about the two formats of high definition DVD, it's that the confusion level IS high.

Answer 8

I don't know why people keep recommending the Dual Format player. That will only keep the war going and it is cheaper to buy 1 of each! No, instead buy Blu-Ray. If you look at my previous answers you will see that I predicted that Warner would pick Blu-Ray in January, and they just did. The war is over. Toshiba tried EVERYTHING including loosing over $200 per player they sold for $99 around Thanksgiving to get people to choose HD DVD and it didn't work. Blu-Ray movies still outsold HD DVD movies 2 to 1. If you like wait a little while and you will probably see a $200-$300 BD player but feel confident in a Blu-Ray purchase.

Stand alone players look every bit as good as the PS3 and on upper level players have been reviewed as having better sound. Stand alone players ARE firmware upgradeable. You can download the updates from the manufacturer and burn to a CD and pop it in. These updates were needed for Pirates of the Carribean on a few models.

Answer 9

I have both and the quality is ... HD quality. Neither format wins based on this.

The latest HD-DVD spec allows for a 51 gig disk so they are both about the same capacity.

Before the Warner announcement, I was thinking HD-DVD would win because it is cheaper to produce. But now I am not so sure.

BluRay is looking stronger as of Friday.

If you go with BluRay - consider getting a PS3. It actually produces slightly better video quality than the stand alone players.

Answer 10

Blu Ray! First of all because its HD (duh), and because it has more memory spacce on it! Trust me! Blu Ray is better!

Answer 11

Like the fine people up above, based on the WB decision, I have to support Blu-Ray 100%. There is already a Blu-Ray in my home, and another soon coming in the form of a PS3.  That way the firmware will be able to be upgraded via internet when Blu-Ray version disks 1.1 and 1.2 start hitting the market.  Current stand-alone players cannont be upgraded, therefore deleting the interactive features of Blu-Ray.  Gotta say though, it was one amazing battle, but this time the better tech won. Go Blu!