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[OokieSpookie]

I read a quote yesterday, from an interview specifically to ask Kmart to clarify its position, and the answer was, Kmart is not carrying Blu-ray hardware. Only HD DVD hardware due to the affordability, which matches their audience.

So Kmart = HD DVD hardware and software, as well as Blu-ray software.

And the PS3


Something odd at Moviestop today, and that is that they already have in the movies for Tuesday. I tried to talk them into giving me Oldboy and Ratatouille early but no go.

 

[OokieSpookie]

I'd settle for a nice showing, near 50/50. Spidey came out, remember, and Blu-ray has been enjoying a nice lead from the PS3 Effect all year long.

I believe it's enough for HD DVD to begin closing the gap here, because studios would prefer an install base built on standalone players rather than a game console.

It is a hard week to read.
Those who bought the A2 and A3 at Best Buy get the two movies of their choice still, so depending on how they chose it will give a solid boost to something.
I would have to lean to many taking Transformers again for their main, the other is a toss up.
The A3 comes with Borne and 300 if I am not mistaken in the box, so it wouldn't be 300.

On the other hand BD has Spiderman 3 and the Spiderman trilogy which could actually work against the sales numbers with people choosing between them or it could lead to two solid rankings.
You have to remember that Spiderman 3 also comes with the 40 gig so people that picked that up would be adding to those sales.

 

[jobber]

I was trying to update my player's firmware via download and it kept getting stuck at 7.

So I burned the ISO on a DVD+R and I got a cannot read dvd message.

I break out a CD-RW and installed the new firmware.

I put the DVD+R back in to see if it would read it now....and of course it can!

It even played a burned movie on a DVD+R


Transformers is kinda neat. Until today, I didn't know HD movies were letterboxed. I also liked that RPG layout crap you download with the backgorund info.

I'll watch Clerks 2 tomorrow. I've had it on DVD since the release date and still haven't watched it all the way through.

 

[BoboBrazil]

If hd-dvd doesn't win this week they format has no hope. Think about it...How many players did they sell today? 500k across the us for this sale? Most of those people should buy atleast one movie....This holiday is really hd-dvds last stand...

 

[Diatribe1974]

Get that shit out of this thread, seriously. Toshiba is having a firesale and is dumping most of their A2 units, which is actually illegal in some states.

There are two obvious reasons why Toshiba is doing this, a) mainly to clear out units for the A3 since the A2 stock won't be replenished and b) out of desperation for the holiday season.

The main point I was making in my post here, is that in this heated debate of loyalties between the 2 different High Def camps, every time something "Pro" comes out for one side (regardless of how important it is), there's always the other side coming out with something extremely derogatory in an attempt to downplay whatever it is. Good week for Blu-Ray? Some HD-DVD troll comes out and dishes some crap in an attempt to somehow lessen the good news. Got something good to say about HD-DVD? The Blu-Ray folks come out in droves and hijack threads. It goes both ways. If you want to talk crap about a rival format, expect someone to sling your own poop back at you. And don't bitch if something hits you upside the head in return.

Is the current good news for the HD-DVD camp (re: Wal-Mart selling out all over the place of their Toshiba A2's) a bad thing? Nope. Is it Toshiba "dumping" a failing product? Can go both ways I guess. Was it already cheap to begin with and not that much of a far stretch? No, not really. But what prompted my comments was the 6 year old mentality comments coming from certain blu-camp fanboyisms here.

What I think it boils down to, is fear in the Blu-Ray loyalists camps in what this could possibly do for their format of choice. All along, I've said that the side that gets in Wal-Mart with the cheapest mass-market/consumer impulse shopper friendly player, will *win* this "format war". Period. And having potentially anywhere from 100,000-250,000 machines of a rival format hitting the market (thus potentially influencing format neutral movie studios to finally chose a side that's *not* Blu-Ray) is what scares or even upsets/pisses off, folks like that.

Personally.....I've yet to buy a High-Def player. I'm waiting on the prices of a couple HD TV models to either come down in price (or get replaced with new models with same features, but lower prices) before I take the plunge. Plus I'm also willing to wait till the dust settles so I can make the choice of which format to pick as there'd only be one by then.

 

[karasu]

Wrong! Because people outside of JP settle for inferior quality and I'm sick of that!

That's...kind of the same thing.

 

[Argyle]

Is the current good news for the HD-DVD camp (re: Wal-Mart selling out all over the place of their Toshiba A2's) a bad thing? Nope. Is it Toshiba "dumping" a failing product? Can go both ways I guess. Was it already cheap to begin with and not that much of a far stretch? No, not really. But what prompted my comments was the 6 year old mentality comments coming from certain blu-camp fanboyisms here.

I went format neutral today - stood in line at 6:15am to get one of the A2's. I have no intention of ever buying any HD DVD discs, instead I will take my free movies and rent the exclusive titles on Netflix.

There's really no other way to interpret this other than a clearance event. Whether HD DVD is failing or not I leave for others to debate, but this is a discontinued model and its successor is already on store shelves. And for those who doubt that these were being sold under cost - in Wisconsin, where state law prohibits dumping, these players were priced at $185...interpret that as you will.

It's a smart move for Toshiba to be sure, but I don't think this will move the needle much in the overall fight. If this site is accurate (http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Wal-Mart_Stores) Wal-Mart has "over 2500 stores" and I'd estimate the average store had about 20 units for sale. (The store I went to had no more than 12, but I've heard of other stores having 25 or even 50 for sale.) I'd estimate about 60-70K units were sold by Wal-Mart today - a good number, but probably not enough to tip the format war in their favor.

 

[lupin23rd]

"how is the PQ on Oldboy?"

Hey that's a valid question! But it's an insta-buy anyways.

 

[Beer Monkey]

There's really no other way to interpret this other than a clearance event. Whether HD DVD is failing or not I leave for others to debate, but this is a discontinued model and its successor is already on store shelves. And for those who doubt that these were being sold under cost - in Wisconsin, where state law prohibits dumping, these players were priced at $185...interpret that as you will.

Why is it OK for vendors like Sony and Microsoft to sell game consoles below cost in these anti-dumping states?

 

[OokieSpookie]

The main point I was making in my post here, is that in this heated debate of loyalties between the 2 different High Def camps, every time something "Pro" comes out for one side (regardless of how important it is), there's always the other side coming out with something extremely derogatory in an attempt to downplay whatever it is. Good week for Blu-Ray? Some HD-DVD troll comes out and dishes some crap in an attempt to somehow lessen the good news. Got something good to say about HD-DVD? The Blu-Ray folks come out in droves and hijack threads. It goes both ways. If you want to talk crap about a rival format, expect someone to sling your own poop back at you. And don't bitch if something hits you upside the head in return.

Is the current good news for the HD-DVD camp (re: Wal-Mart selling out all over the place of their Toshiba A2's) a bad thing? Nope. Is it Toshiba "dumping" a failing product? Can go both ways I guess. Was it already cheap to begin with and not that much of a far stretch? No, not really. But what prompted my comments was the 6 year old mentality comments coming from certain blu-camp fanboyisms here.

What I think it boils down to, is fear in the Blu-Ray loyalists camps in what this could possibly do for their format of choice. All along, I've said that the side that gets in Wal-Mart with the cheapest mass-market/consumer impulse shopper friendly player, will *win* this "format war". Period. And having potentially anywhere from 100
,000-250,000 machines of a rival format hitting the market (thus potentially influencing format neutral movie studios to finally chose a side that's *not* Blu-Ray) is what scares or even upsets/pisses off, folks like that.

Personally.....I've yet to buy a High-Def player. I'm waiting on the prices of a couple HD TV models to either come down in price (or get replaced with new models with same features, but lower prices) before I take the plunge. Plus I'm also willing to wait till the dust settles so I can make the choice of which format to pick as there'd only be one by then.

But you need to understand, there is NO fear in the bluray camp.
For some reason hd people have some hard on to think so, but it is not the case.
It has been said a million times by many different people in this thread (and ignored) but it does not make it less true...bluray followers have seen and heard this all year.
You can even go back and look at the same people who pop up with the same shit slinging every time.

0) Blu PQ sucks on early titles, HD is better PQ and people think Blu is dead before it is out the door.
1) HD price will win ( 599 PS3 vs 299 hd players).... did nothing
2) 300 superior features on HD, will definitely beat blu and show the world...did nothing blu version won.
3) Fox going to go neutral because some guy in avs said so..never happened and support never been stronger.
4) Disney going to go neutral because some guy in avs said so ..never happened and support never been stronger.
5) Paramount going HD will change the world, HD wins! Nothing happened, Spielberg even cock blocked his movies from being part of the deal.
6) Transformers will definitely win, huge movie, no big blu releases that week hahah...nothing happened and blu pulled out the week.
7) Warner calling press conference to go HD exclusive on 10/31 because some guy in AVS said so..all of the usual trolls and asshats came running in to gloat and sling shit...it never happened and Warner committed to neutrality in an interview on 11/01
8) Free Heroes and two movies of your choice with HD add on, or two movies of your choice with any other hd-dvd player + second week Transformer legs...still couldn't win the week.


You have to understand Blu supporters have seen and heard it all before.
The SAME people come running in every time there is some press, and a bunch of noobs come in also some out of interest and some to troll and then nothing changes and they disappear again.
No bitter tears, no fear, no concern.
It has been a year now since blu locked in the lead and they have an amazing line up to end the year.
If this sale DID change anything who cares?
It would be for a week and Blu would do something to counter and then what?
What card does HD have to play if this doesn't work?
There is no fear on the blu side just cautious optimism that this may all be over soon.

 

[Argyle]

Why is it OK for vendors like Sony and Microsoft to sell game consoles below cost in these anti-dumping states?

That's a good question, but since I don't live in one of these states, I'm not familiar with all the quirks of the law

 

[C4Lukins]

If hd-dvd doesn't win this week they format has no hope. Think about it...How many players did they sell today? 500k across the us for this sale? Most of those people should buy atleast one movie....This holiday is really hd-dvds last stand...

I doubt they did anywhere near 500K. I doubt there were even half that many of the 99 dollar version out there. And when you are talking 50/50 60/40 even 70/30, no one week is going to determine anything. If the HD-DVD camp had won with 60/40 on Transformers week, it would not have meant the platform is suddenly a million times more viable. This was also Spider-Man week, and probably the biggest release for BR for the year. It should do incredibly well, and I would not at all be surprised if it is the biggest HD seller of the year between the bundle and the standalone.

 

[OokieSpookie]

Why is it OK for vendors like Sony and Microsoft to sell game consoles below cost in these anti-dumping states?

Actually they usually use gimmicks like rebates or instant rebates.
Alot of stores pull the "buy this 360 or PS3 and get a $50 instant gift card!"
I also think there is a percentage margin they are allowed to play with in the 5-10% range.

 

[Diatribe1974]

OokieSpookie:

The point you still completely missed was this: While both sides have insanely immature, idiotic, and/or blind fanboy loyalists, and often act like 6 year olds saying who's got the tougher dad, it's generally been the Blu-Ray camp who has been the most vocal of the bunch. On top of this, any perceived threat to any kind of lead also triggers the standard, cue-card reading, "My dad is tougher than your dad...." (or in this case: "My ep33n is bigger than yours....").

For some of the Blu-Ray camp, you've got some who are only behind it, because it's in their PS3 and "Sony says it's good." <--- To them, that's all that matters, they're truely brainless tools and are simply sheep amongst the wolves. But with those very same folks, they've got a degree of hatred of anything "Microsoft Supported" (i.e. HD-DVD) because of the console race/wars currently playing out as well. With the Playstation brand dragging well enough behind Nintendo and Microsoft, they're already on the defensive and are quick to react and....well....act like 6 year olds.

 

[YYZ]

OokieSpookie:

The point you still completely missed was this: While both sides have insanely immature, idiotic, and/or blind fanboy loyalists, and often act like 6 year olds saying who's got the tougher dad, it's generally been the Blu-Ray camp who has been the most vocal of the bunch. On top of this, any perceived threat to any kind of lead also triggers the standard, cue-card reading, "My dad is tougher than your dad...." (or in this case: "My ep33n is bigger than yours....").

For some of the Blu-Ray camp, you've got some who are only behind it, because it's in their PS3 and "Sony says it's good." <--- To them, that's all that matters, they're truely brainless tools and are simply sheep amongst the wolves. But with those very same folks, they've got a degree of hatred of anything "Microsoft Supported" (i.e. HD-DVD) because of the console race/wars currently playing out as well. With the Playstation brand dragging well enough behind Nintendo and Microsoft, they're already on the defensive and are quick to react and....well....act like 6 year olds.

I think it's time for you to submit that thesis, lol.

 

[pel1300]

I went format neutral today - stood in line at 6:15am to get one of the A2's. I have no intention of ever buying any HD DVD discs, instead I will take my free movies and rent the exclusive titles on Netflix.

There's really no other way to interpret this other than a clearance event. Whether HD DVD is failing or not I leave for others to debate, but this is a discontinued model and its successor is already on store shelves. And for those who doubt that these were being sold under cost - in Wisconsin, where state law prohibits dumping, these players were priced at $185...interpret that as you will.

It's a smart move for Toshiba to be sure, but I don't think this will move the needle much in the overall fight. If this site is accurate (http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Wal-Mart_Stores) Wal-Mart has "over 2500 stores" and I'd estimate the average store had about 20 units for sale. (The store I went to had no more than 12, but I've heard of other stores having 25 or even 50 for sale.) I'd estimate about 60-70K units were sold by Wal-Mart today - a good number, but probably not enough to tip the format war in their favor.

umm..wouldn't it have been smarter for you to just buy an hd dvd player from costco for $250, keep it for close to 3 months while renting hd dvds from netflix, then returning it?

I mean, if you're reason for getting the player was so you could rent certain hd dvds...might as well save the $99 and "rent" the hd dvd player for nearly 3 months.

 

[B-Ri]

i think the funnier thing is that it goes both ways, even more so for the numerous people who want to bash sony for absolutely everything they do.

Ill have to submit the counter thesis then.

 

[OokieSpookie]

OokieSpookie:

The point you still completely missed was this: While both sides have insanely immature, idiotic, and/or blind fanboy loyalists, and often act like 6 year olds saying who's got the tougher dad, it's generally been the Blu-Ray camp who has been the most vocal of the bunch. On top of this, any perceived threat to any kind of lead also triggers the standard, cue-card reading, "My dad is tougher than your dad...." (or in this case: "My ep33n is bigger than yours....").

For some of the Blu-Ray camp, you've got some who are only behind it, because it's in their PS3 and "Sony says it's good." <--- To them, that's all that matters, they're truely brainless tools and are simply sheep amongst the wolves. But with those very same folks, they've got a degree of hatred of anything "Microsoft Supported" (i.e. HD-DVD) because of the console race/wars currently playing out as well. With the Playstation brand dragging well enough behind Nintendo and Microsoft, they're already on the defensive and are quick to react and....well....act like 6 year olds.

No offense but you completely lose all credibility with that part.
There are just as many who hate sony and support HD just because it is against Sony and many who are very open and blatant about it.
Every one of your arguments can easily apply to the other side also
We will have to agree to disagree.

 

[Diatribe1974]

No offense but you completely lose all credibility with that part.
There are just as many who hate sony and support HD just because it is against Sony and many who are very open and blatant about it.
Every one of your arguments can easily apply to the other side also
We will have to agree to disagree.

I will agree to disagree with you.

P.s. My dad can beat up your dad.

 

[XMonkey]

it's generally been the Blu-Ray camp who has been the most vocal of the bunch.

Ya... don't think so.

 

[Diatribe1974]

Ya... don't think so.

Don't visit the AVS forums much, do you?

 

[Narag]

I picked up Sleepy Hollow on HD-DVD today at the Wal-Mart sale. They also had 15 A2s still sitting there at 8:30 am. It'll be nice when this thread gets back to movie discussion like I assume it once was but I could be mistaken.

 

[XMonkey]

Don't visit the AVS forums much, do you?

I do actually, and I don't see how you could possibly qualify such a statement like "the Bluray camp is the most vocal".

 

[OokieSpookie]

I will agree to disagree with you.

P.s. My dad can beat up your dad.

My dad is dead

Spoiler

I kid

 

[OokieSpookie]

I picked up Sleepy Hollow on HD-DVD today at the Wal-Mart sale. They also had 15 A2s still sitting there at 8:30 am. It'll be nice when this thread gets back to movie discussion like I assume it once was but I could be mistaken.

Great great movie, and while it will not receive any major PQ praise it is a nice step up from dvd all around.

 

[Snah]

I read a quote yesterday, from an interview specifically to ask Kmart to clarify its position, and the answer was, Kmart is not carrying Blu-ray hardware. Only HD DVD hardware due to the affordability, which matches their audience.

So Kmart = HD DVD hardware and software, as well as Blu-ray software.

1. So K mart isn't selling PS3s?

2. Do you honestly think K mart is a big deal, given that they essentially went out of business almost?

I'd settle for a nice showing, near 50/50. Spidey came out, remember, and Blu-ray has been enjoying a nice lead from the PS3 Effect all year long.

I believe it's enough for HD DVD to begin closing the gap here, because studios would prefer an install base built on standalone players rather than a game console.

edit: Not sure it's been mentioned, but I read at AVS that Wal-Mart's secret sale is being extended through the 4th. So anything they have stock on, you can still get for the sale price.

I picked up two movies, Casino and Sleepy Hollow, and may go back tomorrow for Lucky Number Slevin.

Studios don't care about the standalone/gameplayer debate. All they care about are sales. End of discussion.

But you need to understand, there is NO fear in the bluray camp.
For some reason hd people have some hard on to think so, but it is not the case.
It has been said a million times by many different people in this thread (and ignored) but it does not make it less true...bluray followers have seen and heard this all year.
You can even go back and look at the same people who pop up with the same shit slinging every time.

0) Blu PQ sucks on early titles, HD is better PQ and people think Blu is dead before it is out the door.
1) HD price will win ( 599 PS3 vs 299 hd players).... did nothing
2) 300 superior features on HD, will definitely beat blu and show the world...did nothing blu version won.
3) Fox going to go neutral because some guy in avs said so..never happened and support never been stronger.
4) Disney going to go neutral because some guy in avs said so ..never happened and support never been stronger.
5) Paramount going HD will change the world, HD wins! Nothing happened, Spielberg even cock blocked his movies from being part of the deal.
6) Transformers will definitely win, huge movie, no big blu releases that week hahah...nothing happened and blu pulled out the week.
7) Warner calling press conference to go HD exclusive on 10/31 because some guy in AVS said so..all of the usual trolls and asshats came running in to gloat and sling shit...it never happened and Warner committed to neutrality in an interview on 11/01
8) Free Heroes and two movies of your choice with HD add on, or two movies of your choice with any other hd-dvd player + second week Transformer legs...still couldn't win the week.


You have to understand Blu supporters have seen and heard it all before.
The SAME people come running in every time there is some press, and a bunch of noobs come in also some out of interest and some to troll and then nothing changes and they disappear again.
No bitter tears, no fear, no concern.
It has been a year now since blu locked in the lead and they have an amazing line up to end the year.
If this sale DID change anything who cares?
It would be for a week and Blu would do something to counter and then what?
What card does HD have to play if this doesn't work?
There is no fear on the blu side just cautious optimism that this may all be over soon.

Great post. Fully agreed.

OokieSpookie:

The point you still completely missed was this: While both sides have insanely immature, idiotic, and/or blind fanboy loyalists, and often act like 6 year olds saying who's got the tougher dad, it's generally been the Blu-Ray camp who has been the most vocal of the bunch. On top of this, any perceived threat to any kind of lead also triggers the standard, cue-card reading, "My dad is tougher than your dad...." (or in this case: "My ep33n is bigger than yours....").

For some of the Blu-Ray camp, you've got some who are only behind it, because it's in their PS3 and "Sony says it's good." <--- To them, that's all that matters, they're truely brainless tools and are simply sheep amongst the wolves. But with those very same folks, they've got a degree of hatred of anything "Microsoft Supported" (i.e. HD-DVD) because of the console race/wars currently playing out as well. With the Playstation brand dragging well enough behind Nintendo and Microsoft, they're already on the defensive and are quick to react and....well....act like 6 year olds.

Huh? Many blu-ray only supporters own xbox 360's. We're not anti 'Microsoft at all'. We're just individuals who support a format we believe will win. And yes, I support it because 'it's in the PS3'...if it wasn't in the PS3 I wouldn't be supporting ANY format right now.

I don't understand the context of your argument.

 

[Chumly]

Well I went to walmart this morning to trying and get the 100$ HD-DVD player but they were all sold out. I couldnt get there till 10 but I guess people had them snapped up by 8:30 at two different stores.

Will it ever be 100$ again or are there any other super-cheap sales going on? Reading this clusterfuck of a thread is a pain.

 

[Narag]

Great great movie, and while it will not receive any major PQ praise it is a nice step up from dvd all around.

Yeah, I was a bit disappointed by the picture quality. It was a good price to upgrade from the DVD though.

 

[M3wThr33]

I wonder what chunk of people that bought those Walmart players don't usually go into a Walmart, therefore selling them to people that aren't going to go back to the store.

 

[Alcibiades]

Well I went to walmart this morning to trying and get the 100$ HD-DVD player but they were all sold out. I couldnt get there till 10 but I guess people had them snapped up by 8:30 at two different stores.

Will it ever be 100$ again or are there any other super-cheap sales going on? Reading this clusterfuck of a thread is a pain.

Up until tomorrow tonight (Saturday 11/3), Best Buy will still be selling the HD-A3 for $199 and it comes with 4 movies (Bourne Identity and 300 packed in + 2 pick your choice at the store).

On top of that you can get 5 movies through mail-in rebate form.

I would say that's almost a good a deal as the HD-A2, possibly even better considering you can get 4 good movies)

 

[thaivo]

Well I went to walmart this morning to trying and get the 100$ HD-DVD player but they were all sold out. I couldnt get there till 10 but I guess people had them snapped up by 8:30 at two different stores.

Will it ever be 100$ again or are there any other super-cheap sales going on? Reading this clusterfuck of a thread is a pain.

Circuit City has the A2 presently for $129, which is a great, great deal.

http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Toshiba-HD-DVD-Player-HDA2/sem/rpsm/context/99001555/oid/169466/catOid/-12872/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do

I bought the player sometime ago, and love it.

On movie news, I wanted to get The Shining in before Halloween, but it came today from BB online. Watched about an hour of it. I never knew the movie was so unbelievably beautiful.

Love him or hate him, Kubrick sure knew how to capture beautiful pictures. The picture in this film is astounding. I think a lot of these older movies are really surprising to me, mainly because I got a first taste of them on VHS, or a TV station. I'd probably picked this one up next year before Halloween.

 

[Chumly]

Up until tomorrow tonight (Saturday 11/3), Best Buy will still be selling the HD-A3 for $199 and it comes with 4 movies (Bourne Identity and 300 packed in + 2 pick your choice at the store).

On top of that you can get 5 movies through mail-in rebate form.

I would say that's almost a good a deal as the HD-A2, possibly even better considering you can get 4 good movies)

How much better is the A3 over the A2? Yea 4 good movies would rock but 200 is pushing my budget maybe I can get my GF to pitch in.

 

[Tyrannical]

Get that shit out of this thread, seriously. Toshiba is having a firesale and is dumping most of their A2 units, which is actually illegal in some states.

There are two obvious reasons why Toshiba is doing this, a) mainly to clear out units for the A3 since the A2 stock won't be replenished and b) out of desperation for the holiday season.

It's not a fire sale. Toshiba has partnered with Wal-Mart, and this is the year that HD-DVD is really being pushed.

You need to do a little research on what dumping is and when it actualy is illegal before you start spewing shit.

Just because you probably have a blu-ray player, and the tide might be turning against it is no reason to throw little baby temper tantrums.

 

[SlaughterX]

I don't see how anyone can be a fanboy of a movie format, I mean that's even worse than console fanboys... Anyway the $100 price drop for the HD-DVD players is great news, the more people to adopt some type of next gen video format the better. At $100 an HD-DVD player (even a 720p/1080i one) is a no brainer, I mean hell, most people buy upconverting DVD players at that price. Hopefully the price will stay low (they should keep the A3 at $200) so more people can get an actual HD video player for a decent price...

 

[OokieSpookie]

It's not a fire sale. Toshiba has partnered with Wal-Mart, and this is the year that HD-DVD is really being pushed.

You need to do a little research on what dumping is and when it actualy is illegal before you start spewing shit.

Just because you probably have a blu-ray player, and the tide might be turning against it is no reason to throw little baby temper tantrums.

Some pot kettle stuff there that I just can't place my finger on...

 

[OokieSpookie]

I don't see how anyone can be a fanboy of a movie format, I mean that's even worse than console fanboys... Anyway the $100 price drop for the HD-DVD players is great news, the more people to adopt some type of next gen video format the better. At $100 an HD-DVD player (even a 720p/1080i one) is a no brainer, I mean hell, most people buy upconverting DVD players at that price. Hopefully the price will stay low (they should keep the A3 at $200) so more people can get an actual HD video player for a decent price...

Mainly because many including myself believe that it is bad for both formats and HD media in general if one does not win out soon but as it has been discussed at least two thousand and thirty three times in this thread there really is no reason to do so again.

 

[thaivo]

I don't see how anyone can be a fanboy of a movie format, I mean that's even worse than console fanboys... Anyway the $100 price drop for the HD-DVD players is great news, the more people to adopt some type of next gen video format the better. At $100 an HD-DVD player (even a 720p/1080i one) is a no brainer, I mean hell, most people buy upconverting DVD players at that price. Hopefully the price will stay low (they should keep the A3 at $200) so more people can get an actual HD video player for a decent price...

I agree. The only people that are taking this move negatively are BD fanatics. Who in their right mind would complain about getting a quality player like the A2 for $98?:lol

 

[Shepherd]

Circuit City has the A2 presently for $129, which is a great, great deal.

http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Toshiba-HD-DVD-Player-HDA2/sem/rpsm/context/99001555/oid/169466/catOid/-12872/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do

I bought the player sometime ago, and love it.

On movie news, I wanted to get The Shining in before Halloween, but it came today from BB online. Watched about an hour of it. I never knew the movie was so unbelievably beautiful.

Love him or hate him, Kubrick sure knew how to capture beautiful pictures. The picture in this film is astounding. I think a lot of these older movies are really surprising to me, mainly because I got a first taste of them on VHS, or a TV station. I'd probably picked this one up next year before Halloween.

That looks great. I may buy 'The Shining' next.

 

[Shepherd]

I don't see how anyone can be a fanboy of a movie format, I mean that's even worse than console fanboys... Anyway the $100 price drop for the HD-DVD players is great news, the more people to adopt some type of next gen video format the better. At $100 an HD-DVD player (even a 720p/1080i one) is a no brainer, I mean hell, most people buy upconverting DVD players at that price. Hopefully the price will stay low (they should keep the A3 at $200) so more people can get an actual HD video player for a decent price...

Just got the A3 and it is doing a great job upconverting. Regular DVDs look so much better than I could have hoped. I am loving HD-DVD.

 

[thaivo]

That looks great. I may buy 'The Shining' next.

Yeah, it went from a rent to a buy after my recent viewing. There are scenes where the camera pans over the country side while tracking the care driven by Nicholson's character that take your breath away.

Then there are some of the interior scenes of the hotel, that make you feel like you were there. Amazing! The scene where Nicholson's character goes to investigate the room... damn freaky in HD..

I hear 2001 has amazing visuals as well. I'm not as much of a fan of that film though, but then again, maybe it was because when I saw it, I was 13.

 

[Shepherd]

Yeah, it went from a rent to a buy after my recent viewing. There are scenes where the camera pans over the country side while tracking the care driven by Nicholson's character that take your breath away.

Then there are some of the interior scenes of the hotel, that make you feel like you were there. Amazing! The scene where Nicholson's character goes to investigate the room... damn freaky in HD..

I hear 2001 has amazing visuals as well. I'm not as much of a fan of that film though, but then again, maybe it was because when I saw it, I was 13.

I am going to go broke if you keep posting pics of movies . Now I will have to get 2001.

 

[WORLDWIDEWII]

I got mine. Will pick up some more HD-DVDs tomorrow.

edit: $199 at Best Buy.

300 and bi are both packin with the a3 models right?

 

[thaivo]

I am going to go broke if you keep posting pics of movies . Now I will have to get 2001.

:lol Welcome to HD DVD, it'll make you broke... I've been taking it easy on buying movies, and I already have nearly 20 titles. :lol
Let us know what you think when you get 2001.

300 and bi are both packin with the a3 models right?

Yep. The A3 comes with those films (both are excellent), and 5 more can be ordered via mail-in.

 

[XMonkey]

2001 is so beautiful

 

[Vard]

2001 is amazing. So is The Shining. <3.

DVDBeaver has some great comparison shots over here.

 

[Diatribe1974]

Wow...they did a great job on the movie PQ cleanup. Comparable with stuff from today (or speaks poorly of some of todays offerings).

 

[thorns]

I am thinking of buying a HD DVD player.. But I only have a 32" LCD TV, is it worth it?

 

[Snah]

I am thinking of buying a HD DVD player.. But I only have a 32" LCD TV, is it worth it?

depends on your viewing distance. how far away do you sit?

anything greater than 8-10 feet, probably not worth it.

 

[Diatribe1974]

Anyone got a link of some reviews of High Def TV's that a Mom would be interested in? (In this case, my Mom). While I can tell her ALL DAY of what features to be looking for (and can even point to the very same TVs in places like Circuit City), she's the kind of person that loves to spend weeks (months) worth of review reading. I've currently got her holding off on the whole HD-DVD/Blu-Ray debate till a winner is decided. But TV's, she's ready to get one in a couple months.

 

[Snah]

Anyone got a link of some reviews of High Def TV's that a Mom would be interested in? (In this case, my Mom). While I can tell her ALL DAY of what features to be looking for (and can even point to the very same TVs in places like Circuit City), she's the kind of person that loves to spend weeks (months) worth of review reading. I've currently got her holding off on the whole HD-DVD/Blu-Ray debate till a winner is decided. But TV's, she's ready to get one in a couple months.

There's a promo going around where you buy a Sony HDTV and you get a free PS3.

Not sure how much she's willing to spend, but if she does get one you can get a free PS3 out of it.

http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=204768&highlight=bomba