New video formats - what's your take?

[Andrew]

AVSA May 2007, Cover story: Samsung's BD-P1000 Blu-ray player.

So what is your take on the new formats, Blu-ray and HD-DVD?

Do you have any particular favourites based on what you have read or possibly experienced so far?

Do you have faith in the new formats or do you suspect that possibly they'll head the same way as SACD and DVD-A?

What do you see as the pros and cons of the new formats?

[skinnyfat]

Too expensive ATM and choice is limited ITO titles. The only way i would end up with a True HD source for now would be when I get a PS3, but that would be more for gaming than for BR.

I think the formats need time to settle and the consumer needs time to accept them esp after the re-writeable format debacle and DVD is currently just too cheap. Upscaling DVD players (while not perfect HD - Read my Coke analogy on that ) is simply more user friendly ATM

Just my thoughts

[chris]

That sums it up for me 2

[Antman]

I'll be happy when we can get plain DTS on regular DVD's!!!! 

[Johan]

I'm fairly exited about the new format, it brings new possiblities and at least the fact that the quality might improve is something to get me exited - although i won't be able to afford one for the first couple of years (and looking at the price of a blue-ray disc) be willing to fork out such an amount if the rest of my gear isn't up to scratch. Even so i'll wait for the dust to settle before making a decision.

But for now my Marantz DVD player is my favourite!

[skinnyfat]

You can read my Coke analogy here http://www.avforums.co.za/index.php/topic,761.msg7162.html#msg7162

[skinnyfat]

Have you also noticed how slowly hardware support is rolling out, with each major brand manufacturer only really releasing one model maybe 2 (generalizing here) which to me highlights the tentative approach being taken not only by consumer but by manuf. as well - not a good sign.

I also read somewhere that one of the reasons Betamax (remember that) failed was because Sony refused to allow porn to be released on the format but JVC did on their VHS format could this be the same for B/Ray . Amazing what determines the success of a format - SMUT ROFL

[rohan]

Dont you think that they are trying to get the copy protection 100%? The HDMI outs are being equiped with IDIT (or something) control so you can't connect the DVD out to a recorder.

[skinnyfat]

Dont you think that they are trying to get the copy protection 100%? The HDMI outs are being equiped with IDIT (or something) control so you can't connect the DVD out to a recorder.

I dont think they will EVER prevent copying or Firmware hacks

[Andrew]

I also read somewhere that one of the reasons Betamax (remember that) failed was because Sony refused to allow porn to be released on the format but JVC did on their VHS format could this be the same for B/Ray . Amazing what determines the success of a format - SMUT ROFL

Interestingly enough, I read in a sci-tech article that the adult industry is backing HD-DVD because their royalty fees are far lower than what Sony is demanding for the use of Blu-ray.

[skinnyfat]

Interestingly enough, I read in a sci-tech article that the adult industry is backing HD-DVD because their royalty fees are far lower than what Sony is demanding for the use of Blu-ray.

So my point has just been proven

[Andrew]

Indeed! It'll be interesting to see which way things go - Sony claims a pretty overwhelming domination of the Japanese market for Blu-ray. I think it's something like over 80%. But the porn industry is big in America, so it'll be interesting to see if it causes a more even battle there between the two formats.

I've only managed to see Blu-ray in action so far, via the Samsung and a PS3. Awesome stuff, but I'm unlikely to be in the financial position any time soon to be able to get a Blu-ray player and a high def screen in order to enjoy the format at home...

[skinnyfat]

Maybe not affecting SA so much because of our abysmal broadband situation but certainly in US and EU where bandwith is cheap and often free locally d/loading content from stores like iTunes and the like could make for stiff competition to the formats. D/load onto onto a few TB HDD HTPC and you need never worry about a HD source player again ??!!

[Andrew]

Say that again in English? 

[Viagara]

Yeah Skinny, that Durban Poison is having adverse effects on your communication skills