Blu ray - when should i buy one (now that the format war looks like it is over)?

Question

Blu ray - when should i buy one (now that the format war looks like it is over)?

Answer 1

Depends on your needs.

Basically, there are two questions to answer. Can you benefit from Blu-ray, and if so, how budget conscious are you?

You are an HD disk candidate if you have a 40"+ HDTV (preferably 1080p). If you don;t have an HDTV forget HD disks ... you won't see a benefit. If you have a small 720p HDTV forget it for the same reason. If you have a 40-50" 720 HDTV you will get a benefit, but maximum (visual) benefit won't be there unless you have a true 1080 large screen HDTV. You must also have an HDMI input on the HDTV.

Now, audio is another story. To fully benefit from the improved audio you need an surround sound system that can decode the advanced sound streams ... and that means a new receiver.  An older surround system (with HDMI if you want switching) will work on DD+ tracks.

OK .. assuming you feel you can benefit, prices are still high on players, and most are not fully compliant with BD Live 2.0 -- the "final" spec for Blu-ray. Without 2.0 compliance you won't be able to use on-line features.  The only real exception is the PS3 ... but not everyone wants a game machine as a player.

In addition movie choice and prices are not as attractive as they may be later.

So, even if you can benefit from HD disks I suggest waiting until a) disk prices are closer to DVD level, and b) Version 2.0 players are available at lower price than now.

Answer 2

Absolutely not.  First of all, they haven't finished updating profiles, this means that you won't be able to access all the features (and by some estimates, the movie may have trouble as well) of newer discs made once profile 2.0 goes standard.  Second, prices are still very high, and won't be going down anytime soon with bluray in the lead of HD DVD.  Third, its not actually over at all.  Although warner did go blu exclusive (starting in june) they did so with a clause to watch sales numbers and switch back.

With recent hd dvd sales as they are, this is actually a potential occurance as hd dvd's cost half of what bluray discs do to manufacture, and can be made to keep up with supply as they don't need new factories.  Also, bluray units cost 2-3 times what HD DVD units do (and aren't even technically on par with hd dvd).  Therefore, if you want hi-def, you'll pay out the nose for it, or you can get a cheap HD DVD unit that will upconvert your standard dvd's (as well as get some HD DVD's which are actually pretty cheap right now).  Definitely wait for bluray, and see how this little switch plays out.  Especially with warner's only big hit (besides batman, which may not release until 09') to release this coming year releasing on both formats (I am Legend).  

Paramount and Universal have a pretty good slate for 08' (Iron man, hulk, cloverfield and most other big blockbusters of the year excluding batman)

Answer 3

just make sure you buy a player that plays blue ray and hd

Answer 4

Seriously, I'd wait as long as possible.

The format war isn't quite over yet - and unfortunately, HD-DVD seems determined to hang on for as long as possible.  I don't like Blu-ray or hate HD-DVD - I just want this stupid, pointless format war over and done.

Meanwhile,  the movies aren't going to go anywhere and there's nothing to lose by waiting.

If you want to buy before the war is over, I would strongly consider getting a dual-format player.  It'll be cheaper than buying 2 separate players and won't use up 2 ports on your TV.  Otherwise, if you're convinced that Blu-Ray is the winner, you might want to pick up a PS3 - especially after it drops again in price.  Even if you never play a single game on it, the PS3 has proven itself to be one of the better entry/mid-level players on the market.  It's also one of the easier models to update - which is important since the Blu-Ray spec isn't finalized yet, and updates have already occured.