Official Blu-Ray & HD-DVD Thread

[ExtremeGamer]

Re: Official Blu-Ray & HD-DVD Thread

That is disappointing, but I gave up caring about bonus features a long time ago. My main concern is the actual movie and its audio and video, and the BD version will provide a substantial upgrade in the video department to my DVDs, so I'll be getting the trilogy. For the HD alone, it's a worthwhile purchase and I don't care about bonus junk.

Special Features aren't a big factor to me, but leaving off special features, and an uncompressed PCM track is very odd. I get that it has True HD, unfortunately, most people can't hear that anyway without a HDMI 1.3 receiver, and from all reviews, the uncompressed PCM tracks sound better than True HD. Just odd from Sony on their big blockbusters. Why feature load Spidey 3, but not the first 2 titles? The decision does factor into me not replacing my 2 special edition DVD's for the $90 box set though.

Can the PS3 even do TrueHD yet? I didn't think it was turned on.

I still toss and turn wanting to buy Black Hawk Down on Blu ray, but always pass on it due to owning the 3 disc DVD, which is outstanding. I've watched those special features numerous times.

[Skerik]

Re: Official Blu-Ray & HD-DVD Thread

I bought BHD on BD but I kept the 3-disc original DVD for the commentary track by the rangers. That's one of the only worthwhile bonus features I can think of right now and it's worth having the 3-disc set. Otherwise, the picture and especially the sound on the BD are so good, it's a no brainer to upgrade from the DVD and if I could only have one, it would be the BD.

[ExtremeGamer]

Re: Official Blu-Ray & HD-DVD Thread

I bought BHD on BD but I kept the 3-disc original DVD for the commentary track by the rangers. That's one of the only worthwhile bonus features I can think of right now and it's worth having the 3-disc set. Otherwise, the picture and especially the sound on the BD are so good, it's a no brainer to upgrade from the DVD and if I could only have one, it would be the BD.

I rented it and it was amazing, breathtaking even. I may do that, it was $14.95 somewhere online when I looked.

[CaptainZombie]

Re: Official Blu-Ray & HD-DVD Thread

That is disappointing, but I gave up caring about bonus features a long time ago. My main concern is the actual movie and its audio and video, and the BD version will provide a substantial upgrade in the video department to my DVDs, so I'll be getting the trilogy. For the HD alone, it's a worthwhile purchase and I don't care about bonus junk.

I only watch the special features once, but the only thing that gets me upset is that when they have no special features like FOX or even Paramount (back in the DVD days) and they charge a higher cost for their movies than other Blu-Ray movies which are feature loaded. That is one reason why I haven't bought much from FOX and I really like some of their selection on Blu-Ray. I'm just waiting for a sale or something to get a few of their titles.

Special Features aren't a big factor to me, but leaving off special features, and an uncompressed PCM track is very odd. I get that it has True HD, unfortunately, most people can't hear that anyway without a HDMI 1.3 receiver, and from all reviews, the uncompressed PCM tracks sound better than True HD. Just odd from Sony on their big blockbusters. Why feature load Spidey 3, but not the first 2 titles? The decision does factor into me not replacing my 2 special edition DVD's for the $90 box set though.

Can the PS3 even do TrueHD yet? I didn't think it was turned on.

I still toss and turn wanting to buy Black Hawk Down on Blu ray, but always pass on it due to owning the 3 disc DVD, which is outstanding. I've watched those special features numerous times.

I think that PS3 has TrueHD, but doesn't Sony call it something else? I think that TrueHD was HD-DVD only and Sony had a different name for it, but I could be wrong here.

EG, this week Black Hawk Down is $17.99 at Best Buy for the Blu-Ray on sale.

[ExtremeGamer]

Re: Official Blu-Ray & HD-DVD Thread

I only watch the special features once, but the only thing that gets me upset is that when they have no special features like FOX or even Paramount (back in the DVD days) and they charge a higher cost for their movies than other Blu-Ray movies which are feature loaded. That is one reason why I haven't bought much from FOX and I really like some of their selection on Blu-Ray. I'm just waiting for a sale or something to get a few of their titles.



I think that PS3 has TrueHD, but doesn't Sony call it something else? I think that TrueHD was HD-DVD only and Sony had a different name for it, but I could be wrong here.

EG, this week Black Hawk Down is $17.99 at Best Buy for the Blu-Ray on sale.

It's actually 13.99 at Best Buy Just looked. I have $10 in Reward Cert's, so it'll be $4, now it's a no brainer.

No, it's TrueHD with Sony as well, as evidence by the press release for Spiderman

I just didn't think the PS3 had it turned on yet, none of the HDMI 1.3 features were turned on as far as I know. I never could understand how you could leave off a PCM track though. I think I'm more saddened by that! LOL

[CaptainZombie]

Re: Official Blu-Ray & HD-DVD Thread

It's actually 13.99 at Best Buy Just looked. I have $10 in Reward Cert's, so it'll be $4, now it's a no brainer.

No, it's TrueHD with Sony as well, as evidence by the press release for Spiderman

I just didn't think the PS3 had it turned on yet, none of the HDMI 1.3 features were turned on as far as I know. I never could understand how you could leave off a PCM track though. I think I'm more saddened by that! LOL

Thanks for clearing that up for me on the audio and the price fo BHD.

Especially that Spiderman is going to be one of their heavy hitters for this fall, they really took the DOUBLE DIP route with this one.


Heroes: Season One (HD DVD) Review

Final Thoughts

'Heroes' is television's breakout hit of the year, and for my money, it's just about the only TV comic book series that's ever been any good. Sure, it can be a bit slow-paced at times, and sometimes the characters' unending neurosis get a bit tiresome. But this is still genuinely compelling television, and I certainly will be tuning in for season two.

This HD DVD definitely impresses in the supplements department. Universal has packed in enough standard extras to keep any fan happy for days, plus a load of cutting-edge high-def exclusives that really push the boundaries of the format. Okay, so the video transfers can get a bit noisy at times and the audio is somewhat underwhelming, but as TV-on-high-def box sets go, this first season of 'Heroes' is now the one to beat.

[ExtremeGamer]

Re: Official Blu-Ray & HD-DVD Thread

Thanks for clearing that up for me on the audio and the price fo BHD.

Especially that Spiderman is going to be one of their heavy hitters for this fall, they really took the DOUBLE DIP route with this one.


Heroes: Season One (HD DVD) Review

Final Thoughts

'Heroes' is television's breakout hit of the year, and for my money, it's just about the only TV comic book series that's ever been any good. Sure, it can be a bit slow-paced at times, and sometimes the characters' unending neurosis get a bit tiresome. But this is still genuinely compelling television, and I certainly will be tuning in for season two.

This HD DVD definitely impresses in the supplements department. Universal has packed in enough standard extras to keep any fan happy for days, plus a load of cutting-edge high-def exclusives that really push the boundaries of the format. Okay, so the video transfers can get a bit noisy at times and the audio is somewhat underwhelming, but as TV-on-high-def box sets go, this first season of 'Heroes' is now the one to beat.

No question, we'll see Spiderman 1 and 2 releases again next summer. Just so odd to me.

Heroes should be here Tuesday, I plan on immediately watching the un-aired pilot episode to see faux Sylar.

[CaptainZombie]

Re: Official Blu-Ray & HD-DVD Thread

No question, we'll see Spiderman 1 and 2 releases again next summer. Just so odd to me.

Heroes should be here Tuesday, I plan on immediately watching the un-aired pilot episode to see faux Sylar.

I think their just screwing over people that buy the box set for Spiderman. What Sony will do is release each movie on their own seperate from the box set with all the features sometime next year like you said.

Next week is going to be exp for movies - Heroes, Dawn of the Dead, and a maybe on the Hurricane.

[fistofrage]

Re: Official Blu-Ray & HD-DVD Thread

So what is the consensus, does Blu Ray or HD look better?

Now there are going to be exclusives for each one? So you will basically need one of each if you want to watch all the movies?

Do the Video Game players, PS3 and Xbox 360 HD add-on get the same quality of picture as the stand alone units?

[Kashanova]

Re: Official Blu-Ray & HD-DVD Thread

So what is the consensus, does Blu Ray or HD look better?

Now there are going to be exclusives for each one? So you will basically need one of each if you want to watch all the movies?

Do the Video Game players, PS3 and Xbox 360 HD add-on get the same quality of picture as the stand alone units?

i've heard great things for hddvd audio wise and look wise i think their the same

[GAMEC0CK2002]

Re: Official Blu-Ray & HD-DVD Thread

So what is the consensus, does Blu Ray or HD look better?

Now there are going to be exclusives for each one? So you will basically need one of each if you want to watch all the movies?

Do the Video Game players, PS3 and Xbox 360 HD add-on get the same quality of picture as the stand alone units?

As far a PQ goes I've seen no difference b/w the 360 add-on and the Toshiba A1. The 360 is a WHOLE lot faster loading the movie though.

By most accounts Blu Ray videos might have better audio, but HD DVDs are significantly better with extras/exclusives like the U-Control (in movie special features).

[CaptainZombie]

Re: Official Blu-Ray & HD-DVD Thread

As far a PQ goes I've seen no difference b/w the 360 add-on and the Toshiba A1. The 360 is a WHOLE lot faster loading the movie though.

By most accounts Blu Ray videos might have better audio, but HD DVDs are significantly better with extras/exclusives like the U-Control (in movie special features).

Thats good that the 360 HD-DVD loads fast...these first & even second gen HD-DVD players remind me so much of the first few generations of DVD players which also took time to load, it sucks but you get used to it.

I wonder how the Blu-Ray stand alone players are, do they load right away like the PS3 or does it take a few seconds? Still to this date, the PS3 is getting some good reviews against many of the standard players.

With each firmware upgrade, the stand alone players have been getting better on the load times but the A1 from what I read is a bear on the load times. I have the A2, and it takes about 20-25 seconds to load up.

[ExtremeGamer]

Re: Official Blu-Ray & HD-DVD Thread

Thats good that the 360 HD-DVD loads fast...these first & even second gen HD-DVD players remind me so much of the first few generations of DVD players which also took time to load, it sucks but you get used to it.

I wonder how the Blu-Ray stand alone players are, do they load right away like the PS3 or does it take a few seconds? Still to this date, the PS3 is getting some good reviews against many of the standard players.

With each firmware upgrade, the stand alone players have been getting better on the load times but the A1 from what I read is a bear on the load times. I have the A2, and it takes about 20-25 seconds to load up.

Wow, really? 20-25 seconds.

The Add on is about 5-10 tops.

[SLAYER]

Re: Official Blu-Ray & HD-DVD Thread

Thats good that the 360 HD-DVD loads fast...these first & even second gen HD-DVD players remind me so much of the first few generations of DVD players which also took time to load, it sucks but you get used to it.

I wonder how the Blu-Ray stand alone players are, do they load right away like the PS3 or does it take a few seconds? Still to this date, the PS3 is getting some good reviews against many of the standard players.

With each firmware upgrade, the stand alone players have been getting better on the load times but the A1 from what I read is a bear on the load times. I have the A2, and it takes about 20-25 seconds to load up.

There are some painful YouTube clips of one stand-alone owner trying to fire up Pirates of the Caribbean. I think his case is rare.

[CaptainZombie]

Re: Official Blu-Ray & HD-DVD Thread

Wow, really? 20-25 seconds.

The Add on is about 5-10 tops.

Yeah, it used to be about 5-10 seconds longer at one point, but with each firmware upgrade the loading is decreased a little to about 20-25 seconds. I guess I just have gotten used to it. LOL! I would love for Johnny to chime in and let us know how long the A20 takes to load since he just bought it.

The PS3 spoils you, the damn thing just loads up and you can watch your movies.

There are some painful YouTube clips of one stand-alone owner trying to fire up Pirates of the Caribbean. I think his case is rare.

How long does it take on average for a stand alone blu-ray player to load? One thing that I wish the PS3 had was an LED screen of some sorts so we can see the run times on the front itself.