I've been trying to decide between a PS3 and a Xbox 360 for my son (see other thread https://www.scionlife.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=189439).
Anyhow, a big factor in my decision will be the ability to play either Blu-Ray in the PS3 or HD-DVD in the Xbox 360 with the optional $170 player. The problem is, there still doesn't seem to be a clear winner in the format war. I know Block Buster has announced that they will drop HD-DVD and go exclusively with Blu-Ray. That is certainly that type of thing that will turn the tide, but nothing's for sure yet. Has anyone heard or read anything reliable about new developments in this battle?

 

The whole Michael Bay thing. Paramount and Universal decided to go exclusive with HD-DVD. Bay had a hissy fit saying that he wants his movies to be released in the best format possible (don't know if that was a plug for Blu-Ray or both)

Today, he says HD-DVD is the way to go (I guess the HD-DVD consortium cut him a big enough check)

It's really up in the air. Everytime BD jumps ahead, HD gets right back in there.

Blockbuster is having their own problems, studios (with the exception of Sony) are seeming to back HD.

It's gonna be a while until anything solid happens. I sold my HD player just because I didn't want to keep spending money on a format that might not make it.

Did you ever get into Postapolooza v4.0?

 

It was for a while only Blu-Ray was getting backing from studios.

Blu-ray basically is the same technology as current DVDs just a bigger storage space.

HD-DVD uses a better quality compression that has less off a quality loss (thus in my mind is better) and If I had to pick it would be HD-DVD. Now how do I get a good HD-DVD player into my car... hmmm..

 

Neither Blu Ray or the HD-DVD camp is winning. It's way too early to claim a winner. Things are just heating up, for example Toshiba just announced a pricedrop in their HD DVD Player. It was $299, but now sells for $249 online and at retailers like Costco and Best Buy and come with a 5 HD DVD movie mail in rebate. However, if you want to get into number stats then Blu-Ray is winning because of all the PS3 solds. Myself, I didn't want to purchase either camp until the LG Super Blu DVD machine came down in price. The LG player can play both Blu Ray and HD DVD but is $1200. I'm taking my ___ to Costco this Friday and getting the Toshiba for $249.99 plus my 5 HD DVD mail in rebate. Once, Blu Ray gets a player this cheap, I'm gonna have to get one as well.

 

It's way too early for someone to be winning, which sucks for the consumer. The PS3 is the only reason BD has a chance, because the PS3 probably makes up 75% of the BD player sales. HD-DVD doesn't have as much support however, but it is much cheaper to buy a player. I'm not even going to bother with any of it, I'll just get a PS3 when it drops more in price and prob just get a dual format player when they plummet in price. Right now the only one (I think it's the only one) is an LG which goes for $999 @ Best Buy. Unless you're looking to spend a hefty amount to be able to watch BOTH movie types (in order to be able to watch any available HD movie), I suggest you just wait for more price drops. Give it a year and things will cost half of what they do now, plus the players will have faster/quieter drives with more options.

 

See, that's the thing...I'm really not all that worried about having a High-Def DVD player yet. I already have a good Sony DVD player that upscales regular DVDs to 1080i. The main reason I'm trying to figure out an advantage between Blu-Ray and HD DVD is because that will probably be the deciding factor on which game system I get for my son.

 

if that's the case, then i would ask gamers...since the dvd playback isn't much of an issue as the gaming is to your son. high def is here to stay. look at the dvd-r and dvd+r war. both formats are still around..i would look around on gaming forums and see what people prefer the 360 or ps3. i'm not a gamer so i can't give you my .02

 

Believe me, I have asked gamers. There still doesn't seem to be a clear winner between Xbox 360 or PS3. Xbox has an advantage in the number of games available, but my son only ever plays the sports games (football, basketball, baseball..etc). Since those are available for both systems, game selection isn't really a factor. The Xbox is less expensive, but it has been plagued with reliability problems. The back and forth just goes on and on. I've kind of decided that HD movie playback will be an important factor (for me). I just need to decide between HD DVD and Blu-Ray!!

 

If game selection is about the same, I would say go down to your retailer and look at Blu Ray and HD DVD side by side, and get the one you think is better. Also, check out the DVD selection of both formats. I've been a member at DVDTALK.COM for years now and they have basically banned bashing on either Blu Ray and HD DVD. Instead, they have taken the approach of pick a format and just enjoy the technology. Like I said, I'm going to Costco this week and picking up that HD DVD player, I can't pass up on $249.99 Good Luck on either Blu Ray or HD!! Enjoy that Hi Def.

 

For games blueray is far superior. It's got more storage space. That's all there is to it. Neither disc is "faster" than the other. HD-DVDs are cheaper so they're fine for movies since there isn't all that much data you need to throw on there. As long as it's got the movie and some outtakes/bloopers on the disc I'm happy. The rest is crap that I don't care about. It's worthless filler to make you think you got more than you paid for.

 

The true story is that both formats will eventually be losers. The future will be HD downloads direct to your TV. The best value right now is the PS3 as you get the game player and the DVD player in one. Otherwise hold off.......

 

Yeah, I figure it's kind of a bonus for either system. If I buy a PS3 for $500, it has a Blu-Ray player built in. If I buy him an Xbox 360 for $350, the HD DVD player add-on is another $180 so it would total $530. So the way I see it, if I'm going to buy him some ridiculously over-priced gaming system anyhow, I might as well get a High Def DVD player out of the deal. I'm just trying to see in to the future.

 

^ Just do what I did. Get both systems, then realize that you like the Wii better

 

Wasn't saying that the discs themselves were faster, the HD-DVD players are faster. That's why the PS3 has horrific loading times, a massive disc full of nothing but space filler and a slow drive.

 

I don't think that both formats are "losers". It's what is currently available on the market. HD is here to stay, it's not like D-VHS which in my opinion was definitely a loser. VHS tried to make a comeback with their Hi Def tapes but no one was interested. Blu Ray and HD DVD are here and perhaps neither will "win" the format war. I wish their were only one format, but thats not the case. They can co-exist all they want...more HD material for me. Lastly, I didn't know the exact prices of the 360 and the HD DVD attachment but since it's more than the Sony, I would go with the PS3.

 

lol thats a lot of feddy to spend to figure out you like the least expensive one

 

It's more, but only by $30. At that price range I wasn't going to let $30 one way or the other be the deciding factor if one format had a clear advantage. It doesn't sound like either one does.

 

yeah your right..i just took a look again at the prices. it sounds like everyone likes the 360 more than the ps3 in your other thread...

 

if you're looking for the better game selection then go with the 360 or wii.. the wii is alot of fun.. especially for the kids.. depending on the kid... now if you want to watch dvds with a lot of interaction like in movie trivia, etc and stuff like that then go with the ps3... but in my personal opinion i would go 360, wii, then ps3... if you don't believe that the wii is more fun than the ps3 watch this..
http://youtube.com/watch?v=MFoyp71xw3w

 

That settles it...I'm getting the Wiiiiiiiiiiiii! LOL