Blu Ray or HD?

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  • Ron-P
    Ron-P Posts: 8,520
    edited February 2008
    ND13 wrote: »
    Ron,

    I watch all my movies in "state-of-the-art" 2.1, so all the fancy, pantsy audio formats are lost on me.:p I don't even own an AVR.

    Sorry to hear you're missing out on so much Noel.
    If...
    Ron dislikes a film = go out and buy it.
    Ron loves a film = don't even rent.
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  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited February 2008
    Mike Kozak wrote: »
    I really just wanted to know if I should buy HD or Blu ray, guess I will make my own decision

    Blu-Ray.
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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  • Emlyn
    Emlyn Posts: 4,535
    edited February 2008
    Mike Kozak wrote: »
    I really just wanted to know if I should buy HD or Blu ray, guess I will make my own decision

    At this point, I'd recommend Blu-ray over HD-DVD. I've had three HD-DVD players, and each of them has frozen, stuttered, or skipped while playing some HD-DVD discs and some standard DVD's, usually having more trouble with combo discs (DVD one side, HD-DVD the other). A user shouldn't have to wash a disc before putting it in the machine, and keep fingers crossed hoping the movie will play all the way through and not embarass the owner. I was hoping the playback issues would decrease over time. They haven't for me. Firmware updates did nothing to fix this, and some made the problems worse.

    Blu-Ray players just seem to be more stable playing back movies to me. I've had zero problems with my Panasonic.
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  • jdhdiggs
    jdhdiggs Posts: 4,305
    edited February 2008
    Emlyn wrote: »
    At this point, I'd recommend Blu-ray over HD-DVD. I've had three HD-DVD players, and each of them has frozen, stuttered, or skipped while playing some HD-DVD discs and some standard DVD's, usually having more trouble with combo discs (DVD one side, HD-DVD the other). A user shouldn't have to wash a disc before putting it in the machine, and keep fingers crossed hoping the movie will play all the way through and not embarass the owner. I was hoping the playback issues would decrease over time. They haven't for me. Firmware updates did nothing to fix this, and some made the problems worse.

    Blu-Ray players just seem to be more stable playing back movies to me. I've had zero problems with my Panasonic.

    My experience has been 100% the opposite. I guess neither format is 100% bullet proof. I would recommend waiting, and if you can't wait, go blu-ray. Although, getting a new HD-DVD player for $130 with 7 movies is hard to beat...
    There is no genuine justice in any scheme of feeding and coddling the loafer whose only ponderable energies are devoted wholly to reproduction. Nine-tenths of the rights he bellows for are really privileges and he does nothing to deserve them. We not only acquired a vast population of morons, we have inculcated all morons, old or young, with the doctrine that the decent and industrious people of the country are bound to support them for all time.-Menkin
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  • fatchowmein
    fatchowmein Posts: 2,637
    edited February 2008
    I have the A2 and a PS3. I prefer the navigation menu on HD. The PS3 loads much quicker but it's louder. The A2 is more forgiving in terms of dirty discs. The PS3 isn't so forgiving. My wife left a thumb print on one of the movies (Superman Returns I think) and the entire player stopped. Eject, clean, and everything was back to normal. Other than that, I've had zero problems with lockups or skipping on either unit.

    My recommendation would be for a PS3 for upgradability. HD-DVD, while not dead, is severely in trouble. They'll have to come up with a miracle like $59.99 players and I'm not even sure that will help now.
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  • Sherardp
    Sherardp Posts: 8,038
    edited February 2008
    I do both and love it, love the sweet sounds they whisper in my ear. The stunning PQ is breathtaking. Ummm time to go watch a movie..............On a serious note you cant go wrong either way. HD DVD is very cheap to get into though the market does favor Blu at the moment. Still I say cant go wrong either way.
    Shoot the jumper.....................BALLIN.............!!!!!

    Home Theater Pics in the Showcase :cool:

    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showcase/view.php?userid=73580
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  • Rike255
    Rike255 Posts: 131
    edited February 2008
    Profile 2.0 is not something to worry about if I were you. However, there are a lot of new Blu-Ray players coming out this year and many of them look very nice. If I were you I'd go Blu-Ray and wither get a PS3 or wait for some of the new players to come out (that way you can make sure the war is actually over too...it pretty much is but who knows, maybe Microsoft or Toshiba will buy a studio and we'll be right back where we were).

    Go Blu!
    Polk Audio RTi8 Fronts
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    Onkyo TX-SR805
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  • danger boy
    danger boy Posts: 15,722
    edited February 2008
    buy both... prices are so dang cheap on HD DVD. why not just buy both?
    PolkFest 2012, who's going>?
    Vancouver, Canada Sept 30th, 2012 - Madonna concert :cheesygrin:
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  • Mike Kozak
    Mike Kozak Posts: 931
    edited February 2008
    danger boy wrote: »
    buy both... prices are so dang cheap on HD DVD. why not just buy both?

    I do not have unlimited funds, especially after having found out about the great Polk sound!!!;)
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  • dephinistr8
    dephinistr8 Posts: 61
    edited February 2008
    Mike Kozak wrote: »
    I do not have unlimited funds, especially after having found out about the great Polk sound!!!;)

    hehe..good point
    If you're looking for the best performance for the price right now, HD-DVD is probably the way to go. Good players are cheap, and there are all sorts of movie bundles available to help kick-start the collection.

    Unfortunately, that doesn't look like it will be the format that sticks around for the long haul.
    The Home Theater Setup:

    Fronts: Polk RTi6
    Center: Polk CSi5
    Surrounds: Polk FXi3
    Rears: Polk FXi3
    Sub: Polk PSW125
    AVR: Denon 3808CI
    TV: Mitsubishi 65" Diamond DLP (WD-65833)
    Game Console: Xbox360
    Game Console/Blu-Ray: PS3
    Satellite: DirecTV HD-DVR (HR21)
    HD-DVD: Toshiba HD-A35
    Remote: Logitech Harmony 890 Pro

    2 Channel Setup

    AVR: Pioneer VSA-910
    Speakers: Klipsch KG4 (from 1985)
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  • shawn474
    shawn474 Posts: 3,052
    edited February 2008
    You could get the A-2 off of e-bay for between 60 and 90 dollars. I speak from experience when I say that you will get the itch to go blu-ray as soon as you get it. The PQ and SQ on both are equally impressive, but blu-ray seems to be the format that will stick around.

    Shawn
    Shawn
    AVR: Marantz SR-5011
    Center Channel: Polk LsiM706c
    Front: Polk LsiM703
    Rear: LSI fx
    Subwoofer: SVS 20-39pci
    Television: Samsung UN58NU7100FXZA
    DVD Player: Sony PS4
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited February 2008
    Go Blu Ray. What little air is left in HD DVD's sails won't last long. There's no way 7 major studio's will all of a sudden do a 180 and go back to HD DVD--it just isn't gonna happen. They've lost too much money already, waiting for this thing to air out.

    Not a "fanboy" just trying to pass on some solid advice.
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • Mike Kozak
    Mike Kozak Posts: 931
    edited February 2008
    Thanks, Blu is the way to go!!!!!
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited February 2008
    Mike, I've been very happy with my Panasonic DMP-BD30k. Loads as quickly as my Denon DVD player did (2910), and the 1.4 firmware coming in March will clear up issues with "Resident Evil Evolution" and "Sunshine."

    I have had zero issues with the 14 BluRay movies I have watched on mine so far, and my firmware upgrade to 1.3 went flawlessly.

    NOTE: This issue doesn't affect me, but I hear that the LFE channel is down 5dB through HDMI, and from what I understand, Panasonic has no plans to address this because it would involve hardware changes in the player. This only affects LFE thru HDMI. See the AVS forum for more details as I am "surround sound dumb." I run my audio via Toslink to my DAC.
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited February 2008
    UPDATE: Per the AVS forum, Panasonic IS looking into a fix for the LFE issue with HDMI.
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • mantis
    mantis Posts: 17,201
    edited February 2008
    steveinaz wrote: »
    UPDATE: Per the AVS forum, Panasonic IS looking into a fix for the LFE issue with HDMI.

    I didn't notice this problem with this player. 5db is alot. I'm thinking of claibrating with this player up maybe 3 to 4 db to try and balance out systems and not over do the sub. I'll have to play around with some setups with it.
    Huh, Hell I have been so Impressed with it's load time I haven't noticed this. Usually I pick up on things like this right away. I will test it out next one I do.

    **** I'm gonna set it up in the store and get to the bottom of this...

    Thanks for the new task:mad:;):confused:
    Dan
    My personal quest is to save to world of bad audio, one thread at a time.
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  • lancer
    lancer Posts: 26
    edited February 2008
    Blu-Ray, but I'm going to wait. Prices will probably go down considerably and preformance of the players should go up.
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  • millerman 3732
    millerman 3732 Posts: 1,488
    edited February 2008
    mantis wrote: »
    I didn't notice this problem with this player. 5db is alot. I'm thinking of claibrating with this player up maybe 3 to 4 db to try and balance out systems and not over do the sub. I'll have to play around with some setups with it.
    Huh, Hell I have been so Impressed with it's load time I haven't noticed this. Usually I pick up on things like this right away. I will test it out next one I do.

    **** I'm gonna set it up in the store and get to the bottom of this...

    Thanks for the new task:mad:;):confused:

    From what I've read over at AVS this issue affects LFE on PCM tracks through HDMI only, TrueHD, DTS HD and the other that are decoded in the AVR or Pre-amp are not affected, that might be why you haven't noticed it.
    Casey
    H/T: Epson 6500ub
    Sony UBP-X800
    Toshiba HD-XA2 (HD-DVD, CD)
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    Outlaw 7125
    Polk RTi 10 (bi-amped)
    Polk CSi5 (bi-amped)
    Polk RTi6
    SVS PB 12 plus/2
    Velodyne SMS-1

    TV Rig: Samsung 50'' 4k display
    Polk Signa-1 Surround bar
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  • DesertPilot
    DesertPilot Posts: 57
    edited February 2008
    I currently own a Samsung 1200. This one will move to the bedroom (although it has worked very well). I am looking very hard at upgrading to the Denon BR player due out this month. It is pricy but I have always been impressed with Denon equipment. I may wait for their Gen 2 player (probably a year or two). See reasons below.

    There should be no difference in PQ or AQ between HD and BD. Each format simply has a different methodology for getting BITS of data converted to analog and out to your tv as 1080p. A lot more important are the DACs and other internal processing electronics that each manufacturer includes in their player. But, 1080p is 1080p.

    With Warner (and New Line Cinema) going BluRay exclusive, many folks think the format war is essentially over. I think Paramount is just about the only studio left that is HD exclusive.

    Why wait for Gen 2? I am looking for a player with ethernet (or wireless) for automatic upgrades over the internet. I would like early adopters to work out the bugs. Gen2 is likely to include SACD playback (according to a Denon rep).

    marcus
    LSi9 + LSiC + LSiFx
    dual PSW 505
    Integra DHC 80.2 Pre-Amp
    Outlaw 755 Amp
    OPPO BDP-93 universal player
    BENQ W6000 Projector
    Da-Lite120 inch diag screen.
    BlueJeans Cables all around.
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  • mantis
    mantis Posts: 17,201
    edited February 2008
    millerman 3732 wrote: »
    From what I've read over at AVS this issue affects LFE on PCM tracks through HDMI only, TrueHD, DTS HD and the other that are decoded in the AVR or Pre-amp are not affected, that might be why you haven't noticed it.

    I think you have a point. I only have Installed it with HDMI 1.3 receivers.

    Dan
    Dan
    My personal quest is to save to world of bad audio, one thread at a time.
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  • bykes
    bykes Posts: 132
    edited February 2008
    Go with blu-ray. There is more industry support for the format. There are rumors floating about that towards the end of March big box retailers will be dropping HD DVD quietly. Just a rumor though.
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  • Deadof_knight
    Deadof_knight Posts: 980
    edited February 2008
    Sony Playstation 3 and get Blu-ray too boot for the same price as a blu-ray!

    I almost bought a hd-dvd player because of price and the fact they are putting some many in laptops now. but bang for buck ps3 was my way to play !
    :cool: " He who dies with the most equipment wins Right ? "

    Denon 3300 Adcom 535 BBe w/sub out 1 pr 4.6s 2 pr of 4 jrs Recent additions Samsung Lns-4095D LCD, Samsung hd-960 DVD, Monster HT-5000 Power center    ,HPSA-1000 18" sealed DiY home sub.:D
    Black Laquer 1.2tl's w/ upgraded x-overs and Tweets BI-Amped with 2 Carver tfm-35's Knukonceptz 10ga cables
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  • cheddar
    cheddar Posts: 2,390
    edited February 2008
    Mike Kozak wrote: »
    I really just wanted to know if I should buy HD or Blu ray, guess I will make my own decision

    Mike,

    If you buy HD-DVD you really need to do your research to know what you're getting into. Yes, the players are cheaper, great deals...but the format may not be around that long and it will get harder and harder to buy the movies you want on it.

    Looks like it will even be difficult to rent titles in the format...Netflix is dropping HD-DVD...

    http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/02/11/netflix-picks-blu-ray-good-luck-renting-an-hd-dvd-soon/
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  • bobman1235
    bobman1235 Posts: 10,822
    edited February 2008
    Netflix goes exclusively Blu-Ray.

    Which basically means the last place you could rent HD discs is now gone.

    Sigh.

    (link found through Gizmodo)

    EDIT : Bah, Cheddar beat me by a minute. :)
    If you will it, dude, it is no dream.
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  • fatchowmein
    fatchowmein Posts: 2,637
    edited February 2008
    If this is true...

    http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/film/news/e3ib77125d96b22e860b14b889b10defb59
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  • cheddar
    cheddar Posts: 2,390
    edited February 2008
    I don't think Toshiba will have much choice soon, with players like Wal-Mart jumping ship and going blu-ray exclusive by the summer.

    http://www.highdefdigest.com/news/show/High-Def_Retailing/Wal-Mart/Wal-Mart_to_Go_Blu-ray_Exclusive/1469
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  • cheddar
    cheddar Posts: 2,390
    edited February 2008
    The other rumor tidbit today is that Toshiba will be producing blu-ray players by the summer as well.

    http://www.1080living.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=30

    Again, not much choice for the company if it wants to sell any high-def players at all in markets like Japan. It's already starting two years behind all the other major hardware players who supported blu-ray years ago.
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  • polkatese
    polkatese Posts: 6,767
    edited February 2008
    Now what's going to be interesting: A new (reality) cycle of current owners of HD-DVD collection who will have to replenish theirs in the next couple years (again) with BD version.

    So far, for the same movie, the cycle has been : VHS -> SD DVD -> Superbit (for some) -> HD-DVD -> BD. That's pure profit cycle for the studios and retailers. Imagine the excitement of the New (re-release) of Ben-Hur launch by Warner in 2009.:rolleyes:
    I am sorry, I have no opinion on the matter. I am sure you do. So, don't mind me, I just want to talk audio and pie.
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