What's better and why? HD DVD or Blu Ray?

Question

I'm considering upgrading my electronics this year and I'd like to get a new DVD player. The problem is, I'm lost in the debate between HD DVD and Blu Ray.

Answer 1

Several considerations:

1) Will you benefit / Is the premium cost worthwhile?

Relative to even upconverted DVD, HD disks give superior video and audio -- under appropriate conditions. While some benefit will be experienced with almost any HDTV, most commentors point out that full benefit from HD disks for most viewers requires a 40" or larger 1080p HDTV (or 1080p projector).

Audio improvements require a good surround audio system and, optimally, an HDMI equipped receiver with support for the advanced audio formats.

All of these requirements cost a lot of money. Furthermore HD disks are significantly more expensive than DVDs (particularly relative to previewed DVDs .. an option not yet available for HD disks).

Unless you already know you can benefit, AND that the improvement is worth the cost, I strongly suggest trying before committing.

Find a store that can demo Blu-ray on an HDTV the same size and resolution as your HDTV (or the type you are considering). View a Blu-ray and DVD disk (preferably of the same movie) -- at the SAME DISTANCE as you do/will use at home -- and judge for yourself.

2) Which is the better format?

I could go into a long discussion of the reasons why HD DVD is the more "consumer friendly" format, and why Blu-ray is not a good choice. However, the studios have made a choice and ownership of about 70% of movies rests with studios who have decided to issue HD disks in Blu-ray format only. Essentially, this means that HD DVD may not be dead, but as a viable format it is on life support.

If you are choosing today there is no good reason to choose HD DVD over Blu-ray.

3) What is the future of HD Disks?

This is more difficult to answer. Because the majority of consumers can't benefit from HD disks (e.g. no, or too small, HDTV, no HDMI interconnectivity) or are unlikely to change from DVD for a variety of reasons (e.g. cost, don't see a sufficient benefit, lack of movie choice (only 1% of movies on DVD are available on HD disks)), at this time Blu-ray is only guaranteed niche status vs DVD. And with increasing demand for the convenience of Video on Demand / download there is no certainty that the successor to DVD won't be some form of download rather than HD disks.

This uncertainty could mean that Blu-ray will be analogous to SACD and DVD-A in the audio realm -- a high quality, but niche format with limited support.

On the other hand, it is still fairly early and Blu-ray may take off.

Personally, I'm not in any hurry to buy in. I don't like the lack of Blu-ray hardware maturity (The final version of the Blu-ray specification isn't even final yet), prices are still too high, and I'm quite satisfied with upconverted DVDs. You may decide differently.

Finally, see the article at the link for a good summary of the situation.

I hope this helps.

Answer 2

(blue ray) better video as well as audio, was reading an article (net flix) is no longer going to deal with hd 3/4 days latter i recieved an e/mail stating exactly what i read............ time warner as well ... blue ray is better anyway .

Answer 3

if* you download the firmware update!

I bought this player, then followed directions to download the firmware update from Samsung's web site to my PC, burn it onto a CD, and load it into the BD-P1000. (the firmware became available approx Oct 2006, if I recall). After I did so, the software configuration in the Samsung's video processor was set correctly and the images from it improved. So don't listen to any complaints from BD-P1000 users *unless* they say that they're still unhappy after installing the firmware update.

We have a 110" screen with a 1080p front projector at home. We've watched lots of regular DVDs at home and I haven't being totally happy with the image quality. But now, with the addition of this Blu-ray player and (good) Blu-ray source discs, I'd have to say that we are FINALLY experiencing true home THEATER.

http://www.siamwebpost.com/?p=306

Answer 4

According to most new articles, Blu-Ray is the winner. Especially since Warner Bros. have decided to go exclusively Blu-Ray.

At this point, I would go Blu-ray if you are only getting a High Definition player.

However, just my personal opinion. I'd chose HDDVD since I like the Xbox 360 more than the PS3.

Answer 5

Blu-Ray.

Most movie manufacturers and jumped to Blu-Ray and will only be coming out with movies in that format.

Answer 6

Blu Ray, because they hold more and are harder to scratch,

Also there is nobody left who only makes HD DVD's but there are several movie studios who only make Blu Ray format of their movies.

Also both Hollywood and Blockbuster will no longer get new HD DVD's only new Blu Ray titles (yes they do have some HD DVD titles but the point is they won't get any new ones)

Answer 7

it`s a serious debate...no one figured yet....guess there`s not that big difference

Answer 8

Plainly Blu-Ray has more space per disk and it is the consumer's choice by majority.  Most everything else is the same or built on same concepts.  Space is always a concern and has become more trouble for the HD-DVD camp as of late because they were sacrificing full HD quality sound because of lack of space.  Space will always be a concern from now until the end of technology.  Always bet on the the more capable space holder when it comes to that.

Blu has the majority of studio support now since the Warner announcement of exclusivity and that has only fueled more studios, retailers and makers to support it exclusively.  The war is all but over.