Support NeoGAF

[newsguy]

My boss was telling me about this deal today. Is it true that the A2 is only 720p or 1080i? Sorry, I haven't followed HD DVD much since I got BR, but for transformers this is awesome.

 

[VanMardigan]

Regardless of what player Wal-Mart is backing, they don't carry shit in terms of software selection for EITHER format. So the thrifty Wal-Mart shopper is going to mosey on into the movie aisle with player under their arm and find the latest from Ice Cube and Norbit.

And promptly BUY THEM. That's the stuff they like, or do you believe the Wal Mart crowd likes 2001 and Lost in Translation? Seriously, though, the attempts to downplay this news are getting more pathetic by the hour.

 

[OokieSpookie]

And Acer makes an HD DVD laptop. How deep is this rabbit hole????

So you don't think that would be big news?

Considering WM just recently signed with Dell also not likely.
You know what I meant anyway :lol

 

[VanMardigan]

They don't have to give me money I will take one of the Halo 3 moneyhat review score bags please.

Those were awesome. And unnecessary. The game certainly would've gotten high scores regardless. Still, I wouldn't have returned it if I'd gotten one for the site I write for.

 

[Kolgar]

My boss was telling me about this deal today. Is it true that the A2 is only 720p or 1080i? Sorry, I haven't followed HD DVD much since I got BR, but for transformers this is awesome.

Yes it is, but if you have a decent 1080p TV, the image will look spectacular and no one will know you only paid ninety-eight bucks. :lol

Seriously, I've got an A2 and a PS3 connected to a 61" Samsung 1080p DLP, and I couldn't tell you which one puts out the better image because I've seen amazing things on both.

 

[RaidenZR]

That is a point I acknowledge, VanMardigan.

And I wasn't downplaying the news at all, so don't put words into my mouth. The move is downright smart-ass business and Toshiba's going to move some major units/software because of it. I never said otherwise in my one post on the subject.

Why's everyone in here so quick to friggin' pounce on one another?

 

[jjasper]

The Walmart crowd is going to be pissed when they get home and hook up their new fancy player and it looks just like a DVD.

 

[Chumly]

Ok so i feel retarded asking all these questiosn but so

Does the 100$ hd-dvd player upscale regular dvds?
And also does hollywood video rent hd-dvds? Since i believe blockbuster is just blueray.

 

[VanMardigan]

The Walmart crowd is going to be pissed when they get home and hook up their new fancy player and it looks just like a DVD.

Then, when they sell it back and buy a Ps3 for Blu Ray...............it looks like a dvd as well!!!

See what I did there??

Spoiler

they both come with composite cables, one cost 4 times as much

Does the 100$ hd-dvd player upscale regular dvds?
And also does hollywood video rent hd-dvds? Since i believe blockbuster is just blueray.

Yes, through HDMI. And no idea about the other, though both BB Online and Netflix offer HD DVDs.

Raiden, fine, my bad. But.......what WAS your point?

 

[aaaaa0]

Does the 100$ hd-dvd player upscale regular dvds?

Yes it does, and it's got a pretty good upscaler.

And also does hollywood video rent hd-dvds? Since i believe blockbuster is just blueray.

Don't know. Blockbuster still has HD DVDs on their web site, and some store still carry them.

 

[jjasper]

Then, when they sell it back and buy a Ps3 for Blu Ray...............it looks like a dvd as well!!!

See what I did there??

Spoiler

they both come with composite cables, one cost 4 times as much

Yeah and it fucking sucks for both. But it is funny when someone truly believes they are watching something in HD when they are using composite.

Also I don't really think what I said will effect anyone since I believe 0% of people buying the 2A tomorrow will Walmart regulars.

 

[Kolgar]

Ok so i feel retarded asking all these questiosn but so

Does the 100$ hd-dvd player upscale regular dvds?
And also does hollywood video rent hd-dvds? Since i believe blockbuster is just blueray.

A2 does upscale and it does so quite nicely. In my own experience, I've found the upscaling of the A2 to be at least as good as the Sony upscaling player I bought holiday 2006. I currently use my A2 when watching standard DVDs as it does a good job and I'd prefer to save the PS3 for games and Blu-ray movies. Be aware that the more expensive Toshibas (A20, XA2) do contain better upscaling hardware, but as I said, they're more expensive.

I don't think Hollywood rents HD DVDs but you'll want to visit their website or a local store to be sure.

 

[RaidenZR]

Raiden, fine, my bad. But.......what WAS your point?

That I wish Wal-Mart would stock a nicer moderately acceptable selection of HD-era movies, since I live 5 minutes walking distance from one.

 

[HyperionX]

Wow, $100 HD-DVD players. Didn't I once say they'd be give these away soon?

 

[VanMardigan]

That I wish Wal-Mart would stock a nicer moderately acceptable selection of HD-era movies, since I live 5 minutes walking distance from one.

Well, they'll pretty much have to now, won't they? Overnight, they'll become the #1 supplier of HD standalones in the country. Their movie selection will have to grow along with that. It's a good start that they're having a huge sale on HD DVD's tomorrow, with a decent selection. Just like the ton of players they got, I expect them to receive a ton of movies as well. I'm pretty confident this marks the beginning of a wider selection of titles from them. We'll see. I don't have one near me, so let me know if my prediction holds true.

 

[Maxwell House]

Is it true that Wal-Mart is subsidizing part of the cost with these HD-DVD players? If so, that is a pretty damn big indicator that Wal-Mart is pushing hard for the HD-DVD side.

 

[Chumly]

lol one more question am I going to need any extra cables to hook it up?

 

[Maxwell House]

BTW, I have seen the Wal-Mart hd-dvd TV commercial like 5 times tonight. Wal-Mart seems to be pushing this hard.

 

[VanMardigan]

lol one more question am I going to need any extra cables to hook it up?

Yes, HDMI or component depending on your tv. Also, an optical cable if your receiver doesn't support HDMI.

 

[jjasper]

lol one more question am I going to need any extra cables to hook it up?

Yes component or HDMI

 

[OokieSpookie]

A2 does upscale and it does so quite nicely. I've heard people say it's about equivalent to PS3 in upscaling (and the PS3 is supposedly very good). In my own experience, I've found the upscaling of the A2 to be at least as good as the Sony upscaling player I bought holiday 2006. I currently use my A2 when watching standard DVDs as it does a good job and I'd prefer to save the PS3 for games and Blu-ray movies. Be aware that the more expensive Toshibas (A20, XA2) do contain better upscaling hardware, but as I said, they're more expensive.

I don't think Hollywood rents HD DVDs but you'll want to visit their website or a local store to be sure.

Wow...
No.

Chumly, google Toshiba A2 review and go from there.
You will not get an honest answer in here.
Make your own decision.

 

[Chumly]

Yes component or HDMI

I have HDMI ports so how much extra would good/decent cables for that cost.

 

[jjasper]

I have HDMI ports so how much extra would good/decent cables for that cost.

www.monoprice.com

 

[Kolgar]

Wow...
No.

Chumly, google Toshiba A2 review and go from there.
You will not get an honest answer in here.
Make your own decision.

So you're calling me dishonest?

I'm relaying information based on both my personal experience and what I've heard. Personally, when I spent a half hour checking out the PS3's upscaling capabilities, I was not blown away. It looked good... but I honestly didn't give it a rigorous examination.

Perhaps you'd like to share YOUR experience? Maybe I should be using MY PS3 to watch standard DVDs. What do you think?

 

[The Main Event]

www.monoprice.com

Better deal here

http://www.amazon.com/HDMI-Feet-Super-Resolution-Cable/dp/B0002L5R78/ref=pd_bbs_1/103-9208444-4552631?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1193973359&sr=8-1

 

[XMonkey]

Oh ffs. Have you ever actually watched SD content on a laptop monitor? Their native resolution is very often *higher* than even the highest end TVs. Not to mention that if you're watching it on a laptop screen, you're watching it close, and imperfections will be glaring.

Not saying I think a lot of people will buy HD-DVDs (or BR -- remember Apple being all gung ho about bluray? I remember some OMG APPLE AND DELL ARE ON BOARD zaniness in this thread) for their laptops, but to dismiss the very concept as ridiculous is just plain silly.

Ya I have, and obviously there is a difference. But I, and a lot of other people I would think, want that movie theater experience with HD movies and a ~15-17" screen isn't going to deliver that, no matter how sharp it looks compared to SD content.

My main contention with that article is the correlation between HD-DVD being put into laptops and a noticeable boost for HD-DVD software sales. I don't see that happening, on either format. I don't believe I intimated that the idea was "ridiculous" at all, either.

 

[Chemo]

and what if it does, what are you blu-ray supporters going to say?

I've already said I don't care which one wins as long as one wins.

I guess this time around no one has an answer. No surprise there, I guess.

 

[Shao Kahn Brewing a Stew]

So you're calling me dishonest?

I'm relaying information based on both my personal experience and what I've heard. Personally, when I spent a half hour checking out the PS3's upscaling capabilities, I was not blown away. It looked good... but I honestly didn't give it a rigorous examination.

Perhaps you'd like to share YOUR experience? Maybe I should be using MY PS3 to watch standard DVDs. What do you think?

*slowclap*

 

[OokieSpookie]

So you're calling me dishonest?

I'm relaying information based on both my personal experience and what I've heard. Personally, when I spent a half hour checking out the PS3's upscaling capabilities, I was not blown away. It looked good... but I honestly didn't give it a rigorous examination.

Perhaps you'd like to share YOUR experience? Maybe I should be using MY PS3 to watch standard DVDs. What do you think?

I can understand the personal experience thing, and if I misjudged your intentions with the post I do apologize.

The PS3 used to have no upscaling but now it is considered one of the better upscalers out there (something to do with chip usage).
I know that some of the higher end toshiba's have the newer Reon chip which is supposed to be exceptional at upscaling, unfortunately the A2 was left without it.

Honestly though I think it is moot since without HDMI nothing really upscales, so hopefully people read the manual a bit so they can get the most out of their purchase.

 

[Kolgar]

I can understand the personal experience thing, and if I misjudged your intentions with the post I do apologize.

The PS3 used to have no upscaling but now it is considered one of the better upscalers out there (something to do with chip usage).
I know that some of the higher end toshiba's have the newer Reon chip which is supposed to be exceptional at upscaling, unfortunately the A2 was left without it.

Honestly though I think it is moot since without HDMI nothing really upscales, so hopefully people read the manual a bit so they can get the most out of their purchase.

Yeah, well, shit, I'm Googling around and seeing things that suggest the PS3's upscaling is

Spoiler

pretty good

or something. So, cool. Apologies if I mis-spoke, I'll go back and edit that out of my post.

Sometimes, guys, what we need to do more of here is HELP each other rather than cockpunch each other, because this stuff can sometimes be complicated and none of us has all the answers.

*Edited and spoilered because I don't have all night to research the PS3's upscaling capabilities and I don't want to leave any more ill-informed statements on the subject.

 

[OokieSpookie]

Yeah, well, shit, I'm Googling around and seeing things that suggest the PS3's upscaling is more comparable to an XA2 or something. So, cool. Apologies if I mis-spoke, I'll go back and edit that out of my post.

Sometimes, guys, what we need to do more of here is HELP each other rather than cockpunch each other, because this stuff can sometimes be complicated and none of us has all the answers.

Very much agreed.
Much respect.
Last note on the upscaling, there was a pretty decent thread in the off topic forum not terribly long ago but the search seems to be buggered up at the moment

 

[Zoe]

BTW, I have seen the Wal-Mart hd-dvd TV commercial like 5 times tonight. Wal-Mart seems to be pushing this hard.

Yet none of them mention the model or price. Do they really expect to appeal to the masses by forcing them to go to the website?

 

[Maxwell House]

Yet none of them mention the model or price. Do they really expect to appeal to the masses by forcing them to go to the website?

I'm sure its because their prices will vary over the holiday season, and they plan to run the commercials throughout. They don't want it to be locked into one specific price.

 

[Zoe]

I'm sure its because their prices will vary over the holiday season, and they plan to run the commercials throughout. They don't want it to be locked into one specific price.

There are two portions to the commercial though, which is pretty common. One which is expected to last indefinitely, and another that references the exact sale. They should have made the sale portion about the player if they really wanted to maximize it, but instead they're pushing the laptop.

 

[Scottlarock]

I've already said I don't care which one wins as long as one wins.
I guess this time around no one has an answer. No surprise there, I guess.

..............................................
edit:
..............................................

 

[Kolgar]

There are two portions to the commercial though, which is pretty common. One which is expected to last indefinitely, and another that references the exact sale. They should have made the sale portion about the player if they really wanted to maximize it, but instead they're pushing the laptop.

A few states (like Utah, Wisconsin, Hawaii) have laws that prohibit WM from selling the A2 at $98, so they probably chose not to produce a part of the commerical they couldn't use in all markets.

I'm guessing about the latter part. Who knows.

edit: Damn, my avatar is mesmerizing.

 

[Beer Monkey]

My Wal-Mart has a pile of A2s just waiting for tomorrow AM!

 

[Chemo]

..............................................
edit:
..............................................

What? What the fuck is your problem?

Go back to my god damned posts in this thread. Ask anyone who actually USES this thread. Don't act like you know my stance just because I'm supporting Blu-ray.

 

[Snah]

This is not a proper interpretation of the data, and I've even posted it here. Furthermore, BR is once again losing ground on the standalone battle. After tomorrow, there will be no more battle in that regard. HD DVD will walk out of this year with the standalone crown, so the only question is whether it will have an effect on software sales. Or, at least enough of an uptake to convince Warner to come back to its HD DVD only roots.

Also, I'm really proud that nobody took the Bill Hunt bait. I know he's already lost most of his credibility, but now whatever little was left of it was shredded. I swear he's a neogaf poster, I just haven't figured out which.

And is that cnbc article suggesting that Wal Mart may have an HD DVD exclusivity announcement on the way? Just look at the excitement in this thread from folks who've never posted here, and the level of vitriol from some BR folks, and you just KNOW this is big.

The standalone battle is a battle for irrelevancy when the PS3 is essentially:

1. The best blu-ray player on the market.

2. The cheapest blu-ray player on the market.

'Attach rate' is an irrelevant figure. Total software being sold is the best indicator of strength.

Also, Bill Hunt's article was 100% spot on, and many people agree with his position.

 

[Scottlarock]

The standalone battle is a battle for irrelevancy when the PS3 is essentially:

1. The best blu-ray player on the market.

2. The cheapest blu-ray player on the market.

'Attach rate' is an irrelevant figure. Total software being sold is the best indicator of strength.

Also, Bill Hunt's article was 100% spot on, and many people agree with his position.

...............................

 

[Beer Monkey]

I'm glad you feel that way, and that's fine, I just beg to differ. I do not want to have to bother with multiple players and multiple formats when I know that blu-ray is going to win. I would absolutely hate to have to convert all of my previously purchased HD discs into Blu-Ray.

It doesn't matter. You won't have to convert your previous discs, just buy a combo player. Hell, SACD and DVD-A were nothing in terms of market penetration compared to BD and HD-DVD, and it's plenty easy to buy a player that handles both.

Also, Bill Hunt's article was 100% spot on, and many people agree with his position.

Bill Hunt is smart enough to own both players so he can play any high-def movie! :lol :lol :lol If he thinks I should own only BD, he's a goddamn hypocrite.

 

[Scottlarock]

The standalone battle is a battle for irrelevancy when the PS3 is essentially:

1. The best blu-ray player on the market.

2. The cheapest blu-ray player on the market.

'Attach rate' is an irrelevant figure. Total software being sold is the best indicator of strength.

Also, Bill Hunt's article was 100% spot on, and many people agree with his position.

okay quickly
1. LOL
2. sad/ 399 vs 98
3. ... whatever makes you look good.

 

[Snah]

It doesn't matter. You won't have to convert your previous discs, just buy a combo player. Hell, SACD and DVD-A were nothing in terms of market penetration compared to BD and HD-DVD, and it's plenty easy to buy a player that handles both.



Bill Hunt is smart enough to own both players so he can play any high-def movie! :lol :lol :lol If he thinks I should own only BD, he's a goddamn hypocrite.

Err...that's kind of a big deal....and may never even become viable. Plus, I already own a PS3 and have no intention of picking up yet another player.

 

[favouriteflavour]

The standalone battle is a battle for irrelevancy when the PS3 is essentially:

1. The best blu-ray player on the market.

Still? WTF? Even Sony's other players are worse? Thats just dumb Sony.

 

[OokieSpookie]

okay quickly
1. LOL
2. sad/ 399 vs 98
3. ... whatever makes you look good.

No offense, but if you are just in here to post alot of periods and to try and stir things up we do not need that here there is enough of it.

 

[BoboBrazil]

Still? WTF? Even Sony's other players are worse? Thats just dumb Sony.

I think playback quality on the bdp-s300 is the same as the ps3. However the ps3 has the quickest startup time of ANY hd player...Plus the ps3 is the most forward upgradeable for any new features that might come out...

 

[Mefisutoferesu]

Sorry to butt in, but does anyone know HOW they're selling an HD-DVD player at hundreds less than the cheapest blu-ray? Are they losing money on each unit or is there really that great a processing discrepancy between the two formats?

 

[Beer Monkey]

Err...that's kind of a big deal....and may never even become viable.

You run around saying that is a fact that BD is going to win. Let me tell you, my fact that combo players will be plentiful is far more factful than your nonsense.

 

[BoboBrazil]

Toshiba is bleeding money in hopes that their precious format takes off and they can get royalties...

 

[bishoptl]

...............................

...