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[Christoff Yurievich]

It's been close to 8 weeks now, and I still don't have my free Blu-rays. This is getting very frustrating. I called Archway and they say my order is still processing. WTF?

To all you Blu-ray/HD-DVD buyers, my advice to you is go for the deals that give you the discs asap, because as far as I'm concerned, these mail offers are garbage.

it took exactly 10 weeks for me to receive my free discs so you've got awhile yet.

 

[RaidenZR]

It's been close to 8 weeks now, and I still don't have my free Blu-rays. This is getting very frustrating. I called Archway and they say my order is still processing. WTF?

To all you Blu-ray/HD-DVD buyers, my advice to you is go for the deals that give you the discs asap, because as far as I'm concerned, these mail offers are garbage.

I just got mine the other day. It took a while, about 9-10 weeks in total. You can check your status here: http://disneydvd.disney.go.com/tracking_mailoffer.html

Protip: Use your phone number. Anytime I entered the address it never brought up my info.

 

[StoOgE]

It's been close to 8 weeks now, and I still don't have my free Blu-rays. This is getting very frustrating. I called Archway and they say my order is still processing. WTF?

To all you Blu-ray/HD-DVD buyers, my advice to you is go for the deals that give you the discs asap, because as far as I'm concerned, these mail offers are garbage.

Im right at 4 weeks for my 5 free HDDVDs.

 

[Jeff-DSA]

I just ordered/preordered:

Ocean's Trilogy [HD DVD]
Harry Potter Years 1-5 Limited Edition Gift Set [HD DVD]
The Simpsons Movie [Blu-ray]
The Bourne Trilogy [HD-DVD]
Stardust [HD DVD]
Pirates of the Caribbean - At World's End [Blu-ray]

I can't wait!

 

[BenjaminBirdie]

You almost had me, HD-DVD. But DVD won me back today when I went to pick up The Futurama Movie (I think that's what it's called).

Anyway. I'm back to the Neutral Planet.

 

[maynerd]

I just ordered/preordered:

Ocean's Trilogy [HD DVD]
Harry Potter Years 1-5 Limited Edition Gift Set [HD DVD]
The Simpsons Movie [Blu-ray]
The Bourne Trilogy [HD-DVD]
Stardust [HD DVD]
Pirates of the Caribbean - At World's End [Blu-ray]

I can't wait!

May I ask why you would go HD-DVD on format neutral titles?

 

[Jeff-DSA]

May I ask why you would go HD-DVD on format neutral titles?

I prefer it.

 

[maynerd]

I prefer it.

Yeah? I've really not seen much difference between the two formats. What do you prefer about it?

 

[Jeff-DSA]

I like the HD-DVD tech better. I like that they launched a complete product instead of gimping their initial run of players, I hate Java, and my parents, brother, and all my friends with 360s also have HD-DVD so we can share movies.

I have nothing completely against Blu-ray, I just don't like how they STILL have an incomplete format (in regards to specs). When there's a choice, I go with HD-DVD, but I won't pass on Blu-ray out of any other reason.

 

[maynerd]

I like the HD-DVD tech better. I like that they launched a complete product instead of gimping their initial run of players, I hate Java, and my parents, brother, and all my friends with 360s also have HD-DVD so we can share movies.

I have nothing completely against Blu-ray, I just don't like how they STILL have an incomplete format (in regards to specs). When there's a choice, I go with HD-DVD, but I won't pass on Blu-ray out of any other reason.

Do you have a stand alone player or the add on for the x360?

 

[Jeff-DSA]

Do you have a stand alone player or the add on for the x360?

I have an add-on and an A20. For Blu-ray, I use my PS3.

 

[yacobod]

Im right at 4 weeks for my 5 free HDDVDs.

its funny it took me like 2 months or more for my free HDDVDs, but i got my 5 free blu rays in like 2 weeks

this was during the summer tho

 

[Ignatz Mouse]

I didn't get five free anything. But then again, I was an early early adopter.

 

[mrklaw]

73:27 in Europe:

Of the high definition movie discs bought by consumers so far this year in Europe, 73 percent were in the Blu-ray Disc format and 27 percent were HD DVD, according to sales data provided by Media Control Gfk International.

Blu-ray said the best selling titles were 300, Spider-Man 3 and Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End.

Home Media Research said in October Blu-ray Disc DVD titles had outsold rival HD-DVD titles by almost two-to-one in the first nine months of the year in the United States

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20071127/tc_nm/bluray_sales_dc

 

[maynerd]

73:27 in Europe:



http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20071127/tc_nm/bluray_sales_dc

OUCH

 

[dallow_bg]

I like the HD-DVD tech better. I like that they launched a complete product instead of gimping their initial run of players, I hate Java, and my parents, brother, and all my friends with 360s also have HD-DVD so we can share movies.

I have nothing completely against Blu-ray, I just don't like how they STILL have an incomplete format (in regards to specs). When there's a choice, I go with HD-DVD, but I won't pass on Blu-ray out of any other reason.

I see you ordered the Harry Potter set on HD DVD.

Hope you know that on one of the movies (5th I think), the extras are in SD as opposed to in HD on the Blu-Ray version.

This is assuming you care about extras.

 

[DarthWaiter]

I really wish the format war would be over...i'd really like to get into hi-def movies

 

[maynerd]

I really wish the format war would be over...i'd really like to get into hi-def movies

Don't we all. You are preaching to the choir my friend.

 

[HyperionX]

I really wish the format war would be over...i'd really like to get into hi-def movies

Just get Blu-ray. Barring any suicidal moves to undercut the competition on the part of Toshiba, it's not look up for HD-DVD.

 

[VanMardigan]

For Warner Brother movies, I'll go with HD DVD if there are special features on it that aren't on BR, or if they're identical. This is because I'll have a 2nd HD DVD player well before I have a second Blu Ray player. So I'll have more options with my HD DVD's.

Plus, if they're identical and the HD DVD version is a combo, I'll pay the extra $5 and get the max value from my movie purchase. Portable dvd player, car dvd player, and the ability to rip the files and put them on my PsP/PocketPC are worth the extra $5 imo. If the Blu Ray version is better, I'll just go with that, though.

btw:

Netherlands imports (remember that all HD DVD players/movies are region free):

 

[dallow_bg]

For Warner Brother movies, I'll go with HD DVD if there are special features on it that aren't on BR, or if they're identical. This is because I'll have a 2nd HD DVD player well before I have a second Blu Ray player. So I'll have more options with my HD DVD's.

Plus, if they're identical and the HD DVD version is a combo, I'll pay the extra $5 and get the max value from my movie purchase. Portable dvd player, car dvd player, and the ability to rip the files and put them on my PsP/PocketPC are worth the extra $5 imo. If the Blu Ray version is better, I'll just go with that, though.

btw:

Netherlands imports (remember that all HD DVD players/movies are region free):

http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showpost.php?p=8733267&postcount=21566

Assuming you care about HP.

 

[DarkJediKnight]

For all dual format titles, I try to stay blu-ray because my PS3 is a better player than my A30. Also, at this point of the game, HD DVD has yet to make any dent in Blu-ray's lead; couple that with the 1.1 profile titles announced, 1.1 players out and coming soon, which leads me to believe Warner's decision might go towards Blu-ray. In that case, there will be no dual format titles, safe for some independent titles.

 

[VanMardigan]

http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showpost.php?p=8733267&postcount=21566

Harry Potter is also the one that has all the web enabled stuff on the HD DVD version. Not that it matters to me, since I'm not picking that movie up on either format.

 

[Ignatz Mouse]

3:1 in Europe sorta kills off all that PR from this Summer about how well HD-DVD was doing over there.

 

[Ignatz Mouse]

Harry Potter is also the one that has all the web enabled stuff on the HD DVD version. Not that it matters to me, since I'm not picking that movie up on either format.

I'm not questioning, I just don't remember--

Other than the across-the-net syncrhonous playback, what did it have?

This will be the first disc I buy that's missing something over the HD-DVD version, and I'm wondering if it's something I might care about.

 

[VanMardigan]

This will be the first disc I buy that's missing something over the HD-DVD version, and I'm wondering if it's something I might care about.

You don't own 300 or Blood Diamond?

Anyway, on Harry Potter, the big difference is obviously the long distance viewing party feature. Other than that:

other content exclusive to the HD DVD of 'Order of the Phoenix' includes a "Behind the Screen: Focus Points" picture-in-picture video commentary, additional downloadable material including screensavers and ringtones, plus a custom bookmarking function.

btw, 3-1 in Europe is bad. I wonder how that breaks down in the different parts, like if it's unanimously so or if there's a part with significantly higher percentage that pulls the numbers in that direction. Also would be nice to know the actual figures. But we don't get them here in the US either. In any case, Toshiba has its work cut out for it.

 

[orio7]

Harry Potter is also the one that has all the web enabled stuff on the HD DVD version. Not that it matters to me, since I'm not picking that movie up on either format.

Seems everyone able to choose would pick HD extras over being able to vote in polls, download trailers or whatever HD DVD web features do.

 

[Elios83]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20071127/tc_nm/bluray_sales_dc

A few datas about Blu Ray in Europe.

BR has outsold HD-DVD 73:27 in movie sales.
Movie disc sales during 2007 = 1 million
20 million PS3 game discs.

On a side note SCEE is planning a new PS3 bundle, PS3 40GB+ Harry Potter Order of Phoenix BR at 399€ to be released in January.

 

[StoOgE]

Just bought resivour dogs. 30 bucks shipped.

 

[123rl]

The web-enabled stuff for Harry Potter sounds absolutely terrible. Possibly the worst marketing gimmick I've for HD media so far :lol

It's good to hear about some new releases though. I'll get Reservoir Dogs if there's no forced subtitles and Saw 4 as it'll probably be cheaper than the Bluray version (since Fox like to rape Europe with Bluray prices)

 

[kIdMuScLe]

is the resevoir dogs (HD-DVD) IQ the same as the blu-ray? if it is, i will picked this movie up.

 

[Oni Jazar]

For all dual format titles, I try to stay blu-ray because my PS3 is a better player than my A30. Also, at this point of the game, HD DVD has yet to make any dent in Blu-ray's lead; couple that with the 1.1 profile titles announced, 1.1 players out and coming soon, which leads me to believe Warner's decision might go towards Blu-ray. In that case, there will be no dual format titles, safe for some independent titles.

FYI 1.1 profile players are already out.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage...BD30+&lp=1&type=product&cp=1&id=1186008217564

edit: My bad I didn't see the "out" part.

 

[VanMardigan]

FYI 1.1 profile players are already out.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage...BD30+&lp=1&type=product&cp=1&id=1186008217564

edit: My bad I didn't see the "out" part.

Is there something in the description that would clue me in to the fact that's the player is 1.1?

 

[Ignatz Mouse]

You don't own 300 or Blood Diamond?

Anyway, on Harry Potter, the big difference is obviously the long distance viewing party feature. Other than that:

Thanks for the info. PiP would be nice. I can live without the rest.

No, I don't own 300 or Blood Diamond. Never saw the latter, saw the former in Imax and thought it was a pretty bad movie (which I fault the source material for-- hoping for much better with Watchmen).

300 is just a crummy movie. The parts I keep hearing that people want to skip-- the politics back home-- were some of the better parts, IMHO. The contunual "Freedom!" stuff coming from a bunch of slave-owners and the gross caricatures of everybody bad really annoyed me. Felt like I was watching propaganda.

Frank Miller Jumped the Shark a long, long time ago. Sin City was better, but I don't own that either.

Edit: Wasn't Res Dogs released domestically on HD-DVD already? I could have sworn I saw it back when I picked up my copy on Blu-Ray. Anyway, it was one of my best early experiences with the format, enjoy. Awesome movie, still Tarantino's best.

 

[OokieSpookie]

Seems everyone able to choose would pick HD extras over being able to vote in polls, download trailers or whatever HD DVD web features do.

I don't know, I prefer having my extras in hd instead of sd.
Beats the hell out of polls in my mind.

 

[Oni Jazar]

Is there something in the description that would clue me in to the fact that's the player is 1.1?

1.1 is now called "Final Standard Profile" or "Bonus View".

Other convenient features include final standard profile, picture-in-picture and HDMI 1.3B Deep Color

 

[BotoxAgent]

Thanks for the info. PiP would be nice. I can live without the rest.

No, I don't own 300 or Blood Diamond. Never saw the latter, saw the former in Imax and thought it was a pretty bad movie (which I fault the source material for-- hoping for much better with Watchmen).

300 is just a crummy movie. The parts I keep hearing that people want to skip-- the politics back home-- were some of the better parts, IMHO. The contunual "Freedom!" stuff coming from a bunch of slave-owners and the gross caricatures of everybody bad really annoyed me. Felt like I was watching propaganda.

Frank Miller Jumped the Shark a long, long time ago. Sin City was better, but I don't own that either.

Edit: Wasn't Res Dogs released domestically on HD-DVD already? I could have sworn I saw it back when I picked up my copy on Blu-Ray. Anyway, it was one of my best early experiences with the format, enjoy. Awesome movie, still Tarantino's best.

Blood Diamond was a great flick! And the PQ is very good as well, although some reviewers think otherwise :-/

I was watching Kingdom of Heaven last night. Definitely one of the best Blu-Rays I own...a definite must buy if you don't own it.

 

[Naked Snake]

Blood Diamond was a great flick! And the PQ is very good as well, although some reviewers think otherwise :-/

I was watching Kingdom of Heaven last night. Definitely one of the best Blu-Rays I own...a definite must buy if you don't own it.

Kingdom of Heaven is an incredibly beautiful film, when I was watching the Director's Cut on DVD I remember thinking "Damn, this will look godly on bluray".

 

[123rl]

I don't think there was ever going to be any doubt about it, but POTC: At World's End looks gloriously good in high definition!

I'm pissed off that the US versions of the POTC are better than the European ones though. I only found out recently that the US ones are 20bit PCM (6.9mbps audio) and the UK ones are 16bit PCM (4.8mbps) because the Euro discs also have DTS HD soundtracks in Italian/German as well as the English PCM. POTC: ATW has DTS HD for Spanish/French...which contradicts the other two films and makes no sense (in other words, they wasted space on unnecessary foreign language soundtracks instead of maximising the English language soundtrack!)

 

[DarkJediKnight]

I don't think there was ever going to be any doubt about it, but POTC: At World's End looks gloriously good in high definition!

I'm pissed off that the US versions of the POTC are better than the European ones though. I only found out recently that the US ones are 20bit PCM (6.9mbps audio) and the UK ones are 16bit PCM (4.8mbps) because the Euro discs also have DTS HD soundtracks in Italian/German as well as the English PCM. POTC: ATW has DTS HD for Spanish/French...which contradicts the other two films and makes no sense (in other words, they wasted space on unnecessary foreign language soundtracks instead of maximising the English language soundtrack!)

I hope you don't buy Warner titles then. Everything is 16bit - lossy or lossless.

 

[Cosmic Bus]

It's been close to 8 weeks now, and I still don't have my free Blu-rays. This is getting very frustrating. I called Archway and they say my order is still processing. WTF?

Been waiting about 27 weeks for my HD-DVDs.

As for that Lord of War import, it's in the cropped 1.85:1 ratio instead of the theatrical 2.35:1.

 

[dallow_bg]

If anyone was wondering, that Children of Men Blu-Ray is indeed region free.

 

[Gary Whitta]

You almost had me, HD-DVD. But DVD won me back today when I went to pick up The Futurama Movie (I think that's what it's called).

Anyway. I'm back to the Neutral Planet.

Isn't everything that's on that Hot Fuzz DVD already on the HD-DVD?

 

[Christoff Yurievich]

http://bluray.highdefdigest.com/1133/paprika.html

The Video: Sizing Up the Picture

'Paprika' is presented with a vibrant 1080p/MPEG-2 transfer that generally looks very good. The palette is gorgeous and tossed enough primaries at the screen to make my eyes water. The color fills are stable and never bleed through the linework, resulting in an image doesn't waver or shake, even when thousands of butterflies stream across the screen. Contrast is vivid and comfortable, blacks are perfect, and the source isn't bogged down by compression artifacts or other blemishes. Best of all, this is the first anime I've seen where the traditional animation blends almost seamlessly with its CG elements. Aside from the usual differences in the frame rates, the CG has been meticulously designed to match the hand drawn characters, allowing the the two animation styles to peacefully coexist, even under the increased scrutiny that comes with a high definition transfer such as this.

Alas, there are a couple of imperfections to report. First off, although line work is generally crisp and the image well-rendered, there are a few random shots that look a tad hazy, as if the picture was slightly out of focus. To clarify, I'm not complaining about any of the intentional softness used by Kon to enhance the film's dream sequences. Instead, the particular breed of softness I'm referring to seems to be a technical artifact of the transfer itself. For quick reference, watch Dr. Shima closely in the first act and compare the clarity of his close-ups over the course of several scenes. Secondly, like most traditional animation, the picture falls victim to persistent color banding.

Although these minor issues prevent 'Paprika' from soaring to quite the same heights as other high definition anime releases like 'Tekkon Kinkreet,' make no mistake -- all in all, 'Paprika' looks very good.

The Audio: Rating the Sound

'Paprika' features a pair of English and a Japanese language Dolby TrueHD 5.1 surround tracks (48 kHz/ 16-Bit/ 3.0 Mbps) that weave a convincing atmosphere for the startling dream realities of the film. The surrounds are used aggressively and are peppered with the slightest audible details. The dream parade extends across the entire soundfield, pushing every last tink and rattle through the rear speakers. Pans are swift and characters cleanly whoosh across the front of the soundscape. Accuracy is spot-on as well, and the effects placements create a convincing space for all of the sound elements to inhabit. Best of all, the dialogue is crisp and clear, offering two nice mixes that will please both dubbers and subbies alike.

The only downside to both TrueHD mixes is a by-product of the otherwise engaging musical soundtrack. When a melody is blazing along, it sounds great, using thumping, low-end bass hums and shrill, stable treble tones to establish a bizarre cacophony of sound. But when any character opens their mouth to speak, the volume of the music is drastically reduced. Whether intentional or not, the end result is distracting. Instead of relying on proper prioritization, the sound designers seem to scramble to reign in the music. Every time it happened, it completely pulled me out of the otherwise immersive soundfield.

 

[Raistlin]

73:27 in Europe:





http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20071127/tc_nm/bluray_sales_dc

So ... almost 3:1 in Europe.

lolz

 

[dallow_bg]

Isn't everything that's on that Hot Fuzz DVD already on the HD-DVD?

This is the newly released 3 disc special edition of Hot Fuzz.

 

[michaeld]

Is there a trick to getting the update on the toshiba A2 over ethernet to work? It always says it can't find the server. Also, do all A2's take forever to boot up or is it just mine? I am pretty sure my 360 addon was much faster, I am seriously considering swapping for one again.

 

[Raistlin]

btw, 3-1 in Europe is bad. I wonder how that breaks down in the different parts, like if it's unanimously so or if there's a part with significantly higher percentage that pulls the numbers in that direction. Also would be nice to know the actual figures. But we don't get them here in the US either. In any case, Toshiba has its work cut out for it.

The fact that PS3 seems to be gaining momentum in Europe makes things all the worse for Toshiba.

 

[123rl]

Is there a trick to getting the update on the toshiba A2 over ethernet to work? It always says it can't find the server. Also, do all A2's take forever to boot up or is it just mine? I am pretty sure my 360 addon was much faster, I am seriously considering swapping for one again.

My HD-E1 doesn't update either. I've tried it a hundred different ways and it just won't work at all

 

[maharg]

Is there a trick to getting the update on the toshiba A2 over ethernet to work? It always says it can't find the server. Also, do all A2's take forever to boot up or is it just mine? I am pretty sure my 360 addon was much faster, I am seriously considering swapping for one again.

I couldn't do the ethernet update for the initial one. I think there was a problem with it in the current shipped batch. I think it works ok now, though.

I just leave my HD-A2 on all the time. Apparently it's basically a linux box, so it has to do a full bootup before it can acknowledge the outside world.