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Posted by Joe Murphy Jr on January 10, 2007 at 08:34:32:
^^^^shows that the "tenchnical superiority" of BD is little more than PR Hype.
Lossless audio: HD DVD -- show me the money!!!
(Wait. Listen for the pindrop.)
It just doesn't deliver. Granted, video quality has been consistent and, for the most part, very good, but video is only 1/2 of the movie experience. HD DVD can't compete with Blu-ray in the audio department.
And before you use the "red herring" argument, I have always made it clear that lossless audio was needed for any next generation format. My main gripe with the format in its early development was the fact that they believed DVD's Dolby Digital was good enough audio to go along with a High Definition format. WTF? Dolby Digital doesn't provide enough audio quality for DVD, much less an HD format! They eventually came around, but -- giving credit where credit's due -- the HD DVD side's use of a lossless codec is what pushed them in that direction. Ironically, it's something the HD DVD format has a problem dealing with. The person that really pushed for its inclusion for HD DVD, Amir from Microsoft, didn't understand how the data stream works with regard to bandwith and the parallel streams required for accessibility. Thankfully, Blu-ray doesn't have this problem (at least not to the extent that HD DVD does).
And, while Blu-ray has the ability to demonstrate its superiority with additional and interactive content due to a less restrictive bandwidth, I actually couldn't care less for it. I'm strictly a "best audio and best video" kind of guy. Well, throw in the movie trailer and I'm happy. All of that extra stuff is wasted on people like me. It was the same with DVD's extras.
1)They actually put out the titles announced
2) They make a STAND ALONE player with a decent price/preformace.
Once actual dates are put to titles (and the lists I've seen have actual dates, not just quarter or month), they're almost 100% certain to be released. That doesn't mean the occassional pushed back or delayed title, but they'll be released.
What's wrong with the PS3? Is the fact that it has gaming capability such a "hinderance/stigma"? I think the present capability of this product really surprised the HD DVD side ("What? A game console for movies? The PS2 was a crappy DVD player and the PS3 will be a crappy Blu-ray player as well." Ooops! That's not quite how it turned out, now did it.) and I'm sure some of the Blu-ray side as well. It's going to rock even more in the very near future (March) and don't think that there aren't some more surprises in the PS3 world down the line.
Right now, there isn't anything on Blu-ray I really want,but that may change.
There are 5 Blu-ray exclusive studios and all-but-one of the rest support both formats: there has to be something out there that you like. Universal is the only holdout re: Blu-ray and I'm sure you've read the rumors as to why they were a no-show at CES (2008 or sooner they'll release on Blu-ray -- unconfirmed, of course.).
...while BD loses due to high price of stand alone players.
You might want to check out the prices of Toshiba players compared to Blu-ray players in Europe: you'll notice that they're pretty much equal. Now, what does that tell you about the prices of Toshiba players in the US? Can you say "subsidized"? The Blu-ray players, except for the PS3s, are not subsidized anywhere and Toshiba doesn't subsidize in Europe. Therefore, the Toshiba prices in the US are artificially low. Definitely good for the consumer, but a fact that's almost always left out of the HD DVD/Blu-ray player pricing argument.