News on HD-DVD vs Blu-Ray Hi all - there is a news article on the new formats which ponders a few questions - mainly if there will or won't be a multi-format dvd player produced that supports both Blu-Ray and HD-DVD.
go here and have a look and comment below.

Those who do not remember history are destined to repeat it.

I don't think there will be a multi-format player. The whole war is going too far for there to have a multi-format player.

What do you guys think will sell more, Blu-Ray or HD-DVD. Mainly, I'm thinking HD-DVD because of the cheaper price and the fact a lot of people own HDTV's.

Matt, you are so gentle.

There's no way I'm getting a player if they end up using some sort of online rights management system - that's giving them way too much control.

Mal wrote: There's no way I'm getting a player if they end up using some sort of online rights management system - that's giving them way too much control.Sounds like the Terminator 2 Extreme Edition fiasco - did anyone ever get round the encoding on the 1080i print?

Its too early to say.  I'd rather stick with present DVD format and leave HD for cable or sat/laser transmission.  My collection is too large to buy again.  Gimme a laser dish in 10 years or so capable of transmitting movies by the terrabyte.  I don't want to buy another collection in HD DVD.  I've spent enough converting from VHS to DVD.  I'm satistfied with what I have.

Ok people..

Blue Ray and HD-DVD are both HD formats.

Blue Ray *apparently* will require a phone line conencted for rights mamangment. This might fall over though since it seems as popular as that compettion we ran for Tom's used underpants.

DVI is basically the same as HDMI in that you can get converts which aren't expenisve or complicated. HDMI AFAIK is just DVI with HDCP using a different connector which also can carry an audio signal. It is also possible to have DVI which supports HDCP. Its a digital signal. There will be no signal loss*. Its not like converting component to s-video or anything.

HDCP is a new version of for want of a better word, macrovision.

*There might be signal loss based on interferance from electrical signals or rubbish cable I guess but you know.. its a digital signal. Shouldbe fine ;-)

Do you think its worth us doing a small article on this?

I've been confused by what I've been reading about these two formats.  Like Keith, I already have an extensive dvd collection that ranges from Windsor McCay's first cartoons from 1911 to several features that were released today like Lord of War and Two for the Money.  With a collection of over 2,000 dvd's I want to know if these new formats will support the existing format.  The early word was "yes."  Is this true?

Ah, answered my own question. it's amazing what you can learn when you actually look for it Well there you go then, I won't be upgrading until I absolutely have to. The extra resolution just isn't enough to convince me to spend thousands of pounds on new equipment. It's like Dolby EX and DTS ES. I have both in 5.1, but I certainly don't think it's worth spending a few hundred quid to get the extra rear channel when the matrixed audio sounds ok...

It's only a different jump if you're bothered about it, which I'm not. I happen to think current DVD looks fine, and I'm not about to replace all my expensive hardware just to get higher resolution images. Of course I will upgrade in the future, because technology does move on and I will eventually need a new TV etc. However, it's just too soon for another format. I really can't see it having the same appeal as DVD. I was a relatively early adopter ('99) and I was extremely interested in the format. I don't have any real interest in the new format, and I edit a DVD website. If that's indicative of the average consumer, they could have a problem.

Given that Blu-Ray/HD-DVD players will likely enter the market place at around the £1000 mark, (that's a rough guess based on Pioneers Elite Blu-Ray player at $1800) and be too expensive for most peoples pockets, it will be interesting to see what impact the PS3 will have on the early adopting of the new format (as it will have the capability to play Blu-Ray discs) A PS3 will be a far cheaper way of getting Blu-Ray into peoples homes and could jump start the move to Hi-Def by being a more affordable option.

Forgive my ignorance. What does OEM stand for?

Thanks fo that info. I have to admit it, I think Blu-Ray will win the so called format war over HD-DVD. I was kind of against it as a format because early on, the discs themselves were reported to have to be in a protective caddy before going into the player. Because of this I feared there would be no backwards compatibility with regular DVD. We did a show for Columbia a couple of years ago which showed prototypes for these caddy's which would have needed a completely new disc tray or slot. Not to mention the fact that the new players would be built around blue laser technology. Now it appears that the discs can be loaded much the same as DVD's and the players will indeed play regular DVD's. This compatibility has (in the end) won me over. Sorry HD-DVD. Your going to have to go some to still get a piece of the HiDef pie. As an aside, does anyone know if the blue laser will be reading regular DVD's or will there be an additional 'red' laser to do the job?  

One of the biggest changes to the menu system (for BR at least) seems to be that you will be able to access it while the film is still playing. Whether that proves to be just a gimmick, time will only tell. It is a concern that Sony would seem to be in sole control over the whole HiDef market (if they end up winning over the public) with BR. They'd have a virtual monopoly which doesn't seem right. An electronics company that also happens to own film and TV divisions owning the rights/licences to the system that will be the means by which people watch it's own (and everyone else's) content. So part of me would like to see the HD-DVD camp win out but it seems to have assumed the role of underdog at present. Either way, it will be a good 18-24 months or more before this new gear will be affordable to me and by then the situation will hopefully be less muddy than it is at present.