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Hi-Def Media Lovefest: The war is over and we can all go home.

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Alcibiades

Alcibiades

Member
Although I didn't really need to, I just bought an HD-A3 for $174 from amazon.com promotion (free shipping + 10 movies).

I got A Mighty Heart, Bruce Almighty, and 2001 as my 3 movies to ship with the player, and will probably sell off most of the rest (will sell my combo 300 and keep the one included in the box, and will sell Bourne Identity since I already own it).

I already have an HD-A2, but considering the movies I'll be getting and the money I'll get from selling the mail-in ones I get, it'll come out to having paid about $100 for it, and I'll be able to have a player in college and leave one back home for convenience.
 
B

B-Ri

Member
i got the 40gb. Although it did cost more i figured if the blu-ray market should crash (and i mean as unlikely and likely as it is), the 40gb ps3 will have MUCH better resale value then a stand alone player.
 
P

Pristine_Condition

Member
1st season of Greek, Greek - Chapter One, was just announced on DVD :

6uo2eci.jpg


...no word yet on a Blu-ray version yet, but I'd buy it if it happens. It's a Disney - Buena Vista release, so there's some glimmer of hope of a Blu-ray release, I suppose.

Spencer Grammer and Dilshad Vadsaria in 1080p? DO WANT!
 
fatty

fatty

Member
Okay so I finally got around to watching my first HD-DVD: Bourne Ultimatum.

The player (Tosh HD-A2) froze three times!! Stupid '408bc5004' error. Did a search and it looks like a very common problem.

The first couple of times it kicked me back to the menu but the last time it completely froze. Wouldn't respond to any buttons, not even Eject and had to end up unplugging it.

This was my first HD-DVD, what is that?!? And on a brand new disc with no scratches to boot.

If these problems are going to continue to be pretty common then I hope HD-DVD fails.

Before I purchased a HD-DVD player I was worried because I heard they had a problem reading discs with scratches but this takes the cake. It appears like the problem is more common to combo discs (though not exclusive) and even happens after upgrading the firmware. This sucks. And it doesn't help that the dang player takes so long to load.
 
N

Nicodimas

Banned
Before I purchased a HD-DVD player I was worried because I heard they had a problem reading discs with scratches but this takes the cake. It appears like the problem is more common to combo discs (though not exclusive) and even happens after upgrading the firmware. This sucks. And it doesn't help that the dang player takes so long to load.
Click to expand...

Never had this happen to me.. Does take forever to turn on.
 
The Main Event

The Main Event

Member
fatty said:
Okay so I finally got around to watching my first HD-DVD: Bourne Ultimatum.

The player (Tosh HD-A2) froze three times!! Stupid '408bc5004' error. Did a search and it looks like a very common problem.

The first couple of times it kicked me back to the menu but the last time it completely froze. Wouldn't respond to any buttons, not even Eject and had to end up unplugging it.

This was my first HD-DVD, what is that?!? And on a brand new disc with no scratches to boot.

If these problems are going to continue to be pretty common then I hope HD-DVD fails.

Before I purchased a HD-DVD player I was worried because I heard they had a problem reading discs with scratches but this takes the cake. It appears like the problem is more common to combo discs (though not exclusive) and even happens after upgrading the firmware. This sucks. And it doesn't help that the dang player takes so long to load.
Click to expand...

You have the latest firmware update? 2.7?
 
B

Bebpo

Banned
Strangely enough, I too just watched my first HD-DVD in like 12 months? Last one I watched was umm, Casino when it came out, though I bought Eternal Sunshine and never got around to watching it.

Great, great PQ & movie. It ran nice perfectly fine on my X360 add-on. Good times.
 
C

Cosmic Bus

pristine morning snow
8ehlhso.jpg


HD-DVD and Blu-Ray: 2/26/08 (three weeks after the DVD release, strangely). No extras save for a 30 minute documentary that's exclusive to the high def releases; HD has DD+, Blu gets a basic 5.1 track. Both versions are an appealing $24.99 MSRP, so hopefully this is a sign of lower prices to come from WB.
 
D

DC R1D3R

Banned
Cosmic Bus said:
8ehlhso.jpg


HD-DVD and Blu-Ray: 2/26/08 (three weeks after the DVD release, strangely). No extras save for a 30 minute documentary that's exclusive to the high def releases; HD has DD+, Blu gets a basic 5.1 track. Both versions are an appealing $24.99 MSRP, so hopefully this is a sign of lower prices to come from WB.
Click to expand...

I've heard that this is a decent film. If the price is indeed the same for both formats, I'll be picking up the HD DVD version.
 
S

StoOgE

First tragedy, then farce.
Cosmic Bus said:
8ehlhso.jpg


HD-DVD and Blu-Ray: 2/26/08 (three weeks after the DVD release, strangely). No extras save for a 30 minute documentary that's exclusive to the high def releases; HD has DD+, Blu gets a basic 5.1 track. Both versions are an appealing $24.99 MSRP, so hopefully this is a sign of lower prices to come from WB.
Click to expand...

I'll probably blind buy this, as I meant to see it in theaters.
 
S

StoOgE

First tragedy, then farce.
fatty said:
Okay so I finally got around to watching my first HD-DVD: Bourne Ultimatum.

The player (Tosh HD-A2) froze three times!! Stupid '408bc5004' error. Did a search and it looks like a very common problem.

The first couple of times it kicked me back to the menu but the last time it completely froze. Wouldn't respond to any buttons, not even Eject and had to end up unplugging it.

This was my first HD-DVD, what is that?!? And on a brand new disc with no scratches to boot.

If these problems are going to continue to be pretty common then I hope HD-DVD fails.

Before I purchased a HD-DVD player I was worried because I heard they had a problem reading discs with scratches but this takes the cake. It appears like the problem is more common to combo discs (though not exclusive) and even happens after upgrading the firmware. This sucks. And it doesn't help that the dang player takes so long to load.
Click to expand...


you have to update your firmware. That player has updated alot of things since Toshiba put them in their boxes, and a brand new movie is going to make use of more bells and whistles than older ones, thus lock up more.
 
S

Solo

Member
Cosmic Bus said:
8ehlhso.jpg


HD-DVD and Blu-Ray: 2/26/08 (three weeks after the DVD release, strangely). No extras save for a 30 minute documentary that's exclusive to the high def releases; HD has DD+, Blu gets a basic 5.1 track. Both versions are an appealing $24.99 MSRP, so hopefully this is a sign of lower prices to come from WB.
Click to expand...

Oh hell YES! My favorite film of 2007 so far. Thank god Warner regained sanity and decided to release this on HD DVD.
 
S

StoOgE

First tragedy, then farce.
Solo said:
Oh hell YES! My favorite film of 2007 so far. Thank god Warner regained sanity and decided to release this on HD DVD.

EDIT: Oh hell no! I looked this up on DVD Active, and the HD DVD looks to be a flipper or something. Ill have a PS3 by then, so looks like Ill be getting the BRD for this one.
Click to expand...

DD5.1 versus DD+. I wouldn't worry about the flipper, plus according to "insiders" the combos will be the same price.
 
S

Solo

Member
Yeah, hence my attempted stealth edit :lol . I thought the movie was split on both sides of the disc. Once I actually read a bit closer, I realized it was HD on one side, DVD on the other.

Reading FTW!
 
S

StoOgE

First tragedy, then farce.
So, best buy has a buy2get1 free HDDVD deal going on. I decided to hit this up, since clearly we dont deserve BOGO's on this side of the war. Anyway, after picking the three movies, and seeing the final price... I went to Amazon and checked it out without the sale.

BestBuy was 3 dollars cheaper. 3 dollars. On a buy2get1 sale. Guess who didnt buy 6 movies he was about to.
 
D

DarkJediKnight

Member
Warner's DD+ are 640k. There is no difference in the Blu-ray version. I swear, Warner is the master of the double dip. They'll release their 640k movies with True HD in a year, watch!
 
G

gkryhewy

Member
DarkJediKnight said:
Warner's DD+ are 640k. There is no difference in the Blu-ray version. I swear, Warner is the master of the double dip. They'll release their 640k movies with True HD in a year, watch!
Click to expand...

Why wouldn't they just advertise the BR version as DD+ as well then? If nothing else, it looks more favorable on the box. Makes no sense.
 
S

StoOgE

First tragedy, then farce.
DarkJediKnight said:
Warner's DD+ are 640k. There is no difference in the Blu-ray version. I swear, Warner is the master of the double dip. They'll release their 640k movies with True HD in a year, watch!
Click to expand...

DD+ at 640k isnt the same as DD5.1 at 640k.

gkrykewy said:
Why wouldn't they just advertise the BR version as DD+ as well then? If nothing else, it looks more favorable on the box. Makes no sense.
Click to expand...

because, DD+ is different than DD. Its much more efficient, so you cant just slap it on the box if it isnt true.
 
S

StoOgE

First tragedy, then farce.
DarkJediKnight said:
Yes it is. I have spoken to Dolby insiders about this. DD+ 1.5k is superior to DD5.1 though.
Click to expand...

umm.. no. Dolby Labs has been quoted as saying that the format maxes out around 640k. They thanked Uni for giving them 1.5MB to "match" DTS bitrate, but said it wasnt necessary as the format really had declining returns after 640k.
 
D

dallow_bg

nods at old men
StoOgE said:
umm.. no. Dolby Labs has been quoted as saying that the format maxes out around 640k. They thanked Uni for giving them 1.5MB to "match" DTS bitrate, but said it wasnt necessary as the format really had declining returns after 640k.
Click to expand...
Try listening to the legacy DD5.1 on Transformers and then the DD+5.1 1.5Mbps track.
 
S

StoOgE

First tragedy, then farce.
dallow_bg said:
Try listening to the legacy DD5.1 on Transformers and then the DD+5.1 1.5Mbps track.
Click to expand...

I'm not sure what that would prove, We would need something encoded at 640k DD+ versus DD+ 1.5MBs, which will almost surely not happen. Comparing a lower encode DD5.1 to a higher encode DD+ 1.5 is also apples to oranges, which forces us to take Dolbys world for it.

I'm just paraphrasing Dolby Labs (and their website). When someone claims something from "insiders" that directly contradicts everything that has been said publicly, it raises eyebrows.
 
D

DarkJediKnight

Member
StoOgE said:
umm.. no. Dolby Labs has been quoted as saying that the format maxes out around 640k. They thanked Uni for giving them 1.5MB to "match" DTS bitrate, but said it wasnt necessary as the format really had declining returns after 640k.
Click to expand...

I have spoken to Roger Dressler of Dolby Labs. He's been doing this for 24 years. The diminishing returns part is correct. In the DD+ compression algorithm, on a technical note, 750kbps+ is where you start to see differences. Thus, at DD+ 640k, there is virtually nothing to be gained over DD. The benefit of DD+ comes at 1.5mbps or technically, once you're in the 750kbps zone.

Heck, MI3 on Blu-ray is at 640k and the HD DVD one is at 1.5mbps. There is a difference, but it's ever so slight. No where near the jump of 640k vs PCM/Lossless.

IMO, DD+ should be relegated to digital delivery, not for HD home movies. We have True HD, DTS MA. Studios like Warner and Paramount really need to get their act together in terms of audio.
 
S

StoOgE

First tragedy, then farce.
DarkJediKnight said:
IMO, DD+ should be relegated to digital delivery, not for HD home movies. We have True HD, DTS MA. Studios like Warner and Paramount really need to get their act together in terms of audio.
Click to expand...

Im looking for a Dressler quote where he basically says that there is no reason for DD+ to even hit 1.5MB/s that came out late last year. Something to the effect of saying DD+ really maxes out at 5.1 around 768k, and unless you get into 7.1 or more, it doesnt really help. He was jokingly thanking Uni for matching DTS bitrate, but said it was a waste of space.

I'm with you on this.. and to be completely honest, I think in a blind listening test, most people would have a hard time even picking a lossless format versus a well encoded "lossy" format. I've been interested in doing one to see if people can actually pick out which track is which. I think the only real difference that I can tell is on the low end of the spectrum (the sound you feel rather than hear) that seems to be much stronger on TrueHD tracks. But I doubt most people have subs that hit 16hz like I do.

Considering the AVS double blind speaker tests with cheapies vs. super expensive ones, my gut tells me most people cant really tell the difference between the two when played at identical DB levels.
 
D

DarkJediKnight

Member
StoOgE said:
Im looking for a Dressler quote where he basically says that there is no reason for DD+ to even hit 1.5MB/s that came out late last year. Something to the effect of saying DD+ really maxes out at 5.1 around 768k, and unless you get into 7.1 or more, it doesnt really help. He was jokingly thanking Uni for matching DTS bitrate, but said it was a waste of space.

I'm with you on this.. and to be completely honest, I think in a blind listening test, most people would have a hard time even picking a lossless format versus a well encoded "lossy" format. I've been interested in doing one to see if people can actually pick out which track is which. I think the only real difference that I can tell is on the low end of the spectrum (the sound you feel rather than hear) that seems to be much stronger on TrueHD tracks. But I doubt most people have subs that hit 16hz like I do.

Considering the AVS double blind speaker tests with cheapies vs. super expensive ones, my gut tells me most people cant really tell the difference between the two when played at identical DB levels.
Click to expand...

Did you also read his one post where someone asked why no studio puts True HD track and a 1.5mbps DD+ track on the same disc, and he answered with a ;)

I wonder what that means. I think sometimes we forget that this is a business, that Dolby wants DD+ as well as True HD out there for market penetration. And for one not to kill off the other.
 
D

DarkJediKnight

Member
Days like these... said:
Sorry to interrupt the current topic but has anyone seen Pan's at BB yet or do I really have to wait till Wednesday?
Click to expand...

I went this morning to my Best Buy and they didn't have it. Said to come back Wednesday.
 
S

StoOgE

First tragedy, then farce.
DarkJediKnight said:
Did you also read his one post where someone asked why no studio puts True HD track and a 1.5mbps DD+ track on the same disc, and he answered with a ;)

I wonder what that means. I think sometimes we forget that this is a business, that Dolby wants DD+ as well as True HD out there for market penetration. And for one not to kill off the other.
Click to expand...

I think ultimitely DD+ is designed to be their "broadcast TV format" of the future. DD+ can include a "core" DD encode (which is how BRD handles the format), which makes it very backwards compatable. And from what Ive heard at very low bitrates that you are likely to get over a cable box (240k) DD+ blows away DD.

TrueHD is obviously their format that is being pushed on HDDVD and now BRD with increasing success. Winning over BRD studios instead of PCM was a real coup for them.

and I would assume the wink means 1 of 2 things.

1) TrueHD sounds alot better and makes DD+ sound bad.

2) The difference isnt that big between DD+ 1.5 and TrueHD, and they dont want that getting out either.
 
S

StoOgE

First tragedy, then farce.
OokieSpookie said:
Unbreakable hits blu in April
Didn't really like it the first time I saw it, but after the second I guess I "got it" more and liked it.
Click to expand...

this is actually the M Night Schamalamadingong movie that I like. Which is funny, because its the one people hate (outside of lady in the water, which is just horrid).
 
D

dallow_bg

nods at old men
I'm sure most people wouldn't be able to tell.
But that isn't the point.

Every movie should have a 24bit lossless track by now.
There's enough of space for it.
 
The Main Event

The Main Event

Member
DarkJediKnight said:
http://boxingday.redflagdeals.com/images/flyers/walmartonbw/walmart_bw_04.jpg[img]

Heads up to Canadians on Boxing Day. Walmart has a Blu-ray/HD DVD sale.[/QUOTE]

Yeah I saw that too yesterday. I wonder if the sales are limited to the studios showing on that pic.
Click to expand...
 
F

Fëanor

Member
OokieSpookie said:
Unbreakable hits blu in April
Didn't really like it the first time I saw it, but after the second I guess I "got it" more and liked it.

1852.jpg
Click to expand...

Another one I can't have *sigh*

Stupid format war.:lol
 
O

OokieSpookie

Banned
For Miike fans..

pa.115667.1.jpg


Original Name Sukiyaki Western Django
Release Date Feb 20, 2008
Starring Hideaki Ito, Koichi Sato, Yusuke Iseya, Kaori Momoi, Yoshino Kimura, Teruyuki Kagawa, Masanobu Ando
Director Takashi Miike
Screen Format Cinemascope
Audio English Dolby TrueHD 6.1ch, Japanese Dolby TrueHD 6.1ch
Subtitles Japanese
Year 2007
Running Time 121 Minutes
Genre Japanese Movie
Version Japan
PAX-Code PAX0001966628
Catalog No. BRS-53096



I really hope this ends up having english subs also, I hate dubs.
 
G

Greatness Gone

Member
OokieSpookie said:
For Miike fans..

pa.115667.1.jpg


Original Name
Release Date Feb 20, 2008
Starring Hideaki Ito, Koichi Sato, Yusuke Iseya, Kaori Momoi, Yoshino Kimura, Teruyuki Kagawa, Masanobu Ando
Director Takashi Miike
Screen Format Cinemascope
Audio English Dolby TrueHD 6.1ch, Japanese Dolby TrueHD 6.1ch
Subtitles Japanese
Year 2007
Running Time 121 Minutes
Genre Japanese Movie
Version Japan
PAX-Code PAX0001966628
Catalog No. BRS-53096
Click to expand...
Audition in Blu-Ray, PLZ.
 
C

Cosmic Bus

pristine morning snow
StoOgE said:
So, best buy has a buy2get1 free HDDVD deal going on. I decided to hit this up, since clearly we dont deserve BOGO's on this side of the war. Anyway, after picking the three movies, and seeing the final price... I went to Amazon and checked it out without the sale.

BestBuy was 3 dollars cheaper. 3 dollars. On a buy2get1 sale. Guess who didnt buy 6 movies he was about to.
Click to expand...

I don't see what the issue is. $3 is still $3, and last I checked, Amazon doesn't give you anything back, whereas Best Buy has the free Reward Zone card. Now I'm far from the biggest fan of Best Buy, but it's sort of hard to argue this one.

And for what it's worth, they're doing a buy-3-get-2 sale for HD-DVD starting on the 30th. Since gift cards are likely tomorrow, I'll probably spring for a handful next week. There are a number of lower-price tiered HDs I wouldn't mind picking up.
 
O

OokieSpookie

Banned
Ignatz Mouse said:
I got Pan's Labyrinth at Best Buy today... if it's not too late, you might go check (or call).
Click to expand...

I almost picked it up on friday, but I am so backed up on movies that I am waiting until this friday to grab it
 
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