Upconvert DVD Players vs. HD/BluRay

[RockyTop1]

I'm seriously considering picking up the sony upconvert dvd player but then I start thinking hmm, for just like $200 more, I could have an upconvert dvd player PLUS a hd-dvd player to start picking up the HD versions of the movies that are starting to come out on a more regular basis now. I've also considered just waiting on the HD-DVD add on coming for the 360 this fall.

My question is, who has an upconvert and what brand? How do you like it? I know its not "true" HD, but does it look somewhat similar?

What about HD-DVD and/or BluRay? I haven't seen much discussion on the boards about people having these, surely somebody out there has one or the other. Not really interested in BR mainly because I don't have a spare $1g laying around.

[ExtremeGamer]

Re: Upconvert DVD Players vs. HD/BluRay

If I was you, I would wait for HD-DVD or Blu Ray to come down. Upconvert isn't going to do as much as you hope. It's not going to look much different than Progressive Scan DVD. For a good upconvert DVD player, you're looking at $150-$200 with HDMI cables. The Xbox HD DVD player will do the same for possibly cheaper or the same price at least.

[ExtremeGamer]

Re: Upconvert DVD Players vs. HD/BluRay

Ok, seriously, besides an HD image, what is the point of HDDVD and Blu Ray?

http://www.thedigitalbits.com/mytwocentsa125.html

Okay... we've got a VERY cool late update for you high-def fans this afternoon. We've spoken to Paramount and learned that BOTH the HD-DVD and Blu-ray Disc versions of Mission: Impossible 3 (due 10/30) will be 2-disc sets. The first disc in each set will include the film, while the second will include the majority of the extras. And both discs in each set will be high-definition discs. We've got a complete breakdown for you this afternoon of the extras on the HD versions. All the extras are identical on both high-def versions except where noted (specifically, the commentary). Bonus features actually in 1080 high-definition are indicated with (HD) - the rest are standard definition. Here's the specific details:

The Blu-ray and HD DVD presentations will each be 1080p High Definition with English, French and Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital (Dolby Digital Plus on HD-DVD only), with English, English SDH+, French and Spanish subtitles and includes the following special features:

Disc One - audio commentary by Tom Cruise and director J.J. Abrams (enhanced with picture-in-picture for HD DVD, audio-only for Blu-ray Disc)

Disc Two - The Making of the Mission documentary (HD), deleted scenes (all in HD including: Ethan fights at the top of the stairs, Zhen fights in the computer room, Musgrave cemetery conversation, Lindsey graduates and Vatican entry extended), Inside the IMF featurette, Mission Action: Inside the Action Unit featurette (HD), Visualizing the Mission featurette (HD), Mission: Metamorphosis featurette (HD), Scoring the Mission featurette (HD), Moviefone Unscripted: Tom Cruise/J.J. Abrams, Launching the Mission (New York, Rome, Paris, London, Tokyo), Mission Marketing: theatrical trailers (HD), TV spots & photo gallery

So this marks the first time we'll see 2-disc sets in either HD format, much less both. Very cool indeed. Should be something to see. You'll find the cover art for both HD versions below. FYI, the 2-disc DVD special edition features the very same extras (save the enhanced part of the commentary) only in standard-definition video.

Stay tuned...

If studios are still doing 2 disc sets, when they supposedly have all that room. Makes no sense to me.

[UNC_Pete]

Re: Upconvert DVD Players vs. HD/BluRay

All the extra room is used to store the higher resolution images.. Higher res images = higher amounts of data..

[ExtremeGamer]

Re: Upconvert DVD Players vs. HD/BluRay

All the extra room is used to store the higher resolution images.. Higher res images = higher amounts of data..

So, to do a 1080p movie, you're telling me that both Blu Ray and HDDVD are using all 50 gigs?

[UNC_Pete]

Re: Upconvert DVD Players vs. HD/BluRay

Are the discs single or double layered? If they are single, cut the storage in half. Blue Ray takes 18g for a 2 hour movie while HD DVD takes 9gb. Single layed Blue Ray is at 25GB and HD DVD at 15gb.

[Brando70]

Re: Upconvert DVD Players vs. HD/BluRay

If I was you, I would wait for HD-DVD or Blu Ray to come down. Upconvert isn't going to do as much as you hope. It's not going to look much different than Progressive Scan DVD. For a good upconvert DVD player, you're looking at $150-$200 with HDMI cables. The Xbox HD DVD player will do the same for possibly cheaper or the same price at least.

It depends on what you want. I needed to get a new progressive player when I bought my plasma last year, so I bought the Sony upconverting player. The difference isn't night and day, but I do think the picture is sharper than a 480p picture. Plus the sound is really amazing considering the unit's cost.

This sounds like a bit of a cop out, but I'd buy one of each type and see what you think, then take back the one you don't like. It's one of those questions that really comes down to personal preference.

I do think buying an HD or BR player right now is a mistake. The formats are too unsettled.

[BagMan]

Re: Upconvert DVD Players vs. HD/BluRay

I have an LG 511 upconverting player that I bought at Best Buy for $130. (I needed one that could upconvert over component) I'm very happy with it, but I also plan on getting an HD-DVD player. If I were you I'd wait until the next wave of HD players come out.

If you're even asking about it now, you know you'll be getting the HD-DVD soon!