HD-DVD launches (a few days early)

[Vandenh]

Looks like people are buying HD-DVD players and movies right now a few days before the official launch. HighDefDigest (http://www.highdefdigest.com/news/show/Best_Buy/Universal/Warner/Toshiba/Hardware/Early_Adopters_Report_Retail_Leaks_of_First_HD-DVD_Players,_Discs/34) has the scoop.
With HD-DVD's official launch now looks certain to go off as scheduled beginning tomorrow, don't expect the online fan frenzy to die down anytime soon. Many of the enthusiastic forum posters have also already uploaded detailed analyses of their new purchases, many including extensive pictures of the HD-DVD products in action. Attentions will now be turning to how well these first-gen HD-DVD products meet expectations.

[Borys]

I've seen tests of HD-DVD equipped *laptops* on polish (!!!) TV.

[Vandenh]

Well in Japan HD-DVD desktops have launched about a month ago I think.

[bapenguin]

Call me when it matters. :)

[bKangy]

"Online fan frenzy"? Clearly I've gone deaf and blind...

[Vandenh]

>"Online fan frenzy"? Clearly I've gone deaf and blind...

I think in the audio/video community not in the gamers community. I didn't know these people would be so eager to jump on, but apparently the world is bigger than our little EA nest here ;) Some people are actuallly very excited over this ;)

[EvilBob46]

I see how this is useful if you need to backup a lot of data.

But jumping on the HD-DVD backwagon this early in the game because of movies, when everything could happen in this format war? Too much money if you ask me.

[Serapth]

Heres hoping everyone says no. Not so much to HD-DVD/B-Ray... but to HDMI. If ever I wanted the consumer to vote with their dollars... its now.

On the bright side, nobody seems to care sofar.

[bapenguin]

>"Online fan frenzy"? Clearly I've gone deaf and blind...

I think in the audio/video community not in the gamers community. I didn't know these people would be so eager to jump on, but apparently the world is bigger than our little EA nest here ;) Some people are actuallly very excited over this ;)

If you head on over to Avsforum there's like a 75+ page thread in the passed couple of days of people who have picked up a player.

[Borys]

Are there any recorders out yet?

BTW here's the link (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=667248&page=1&pp=30.) bap mentioned.

I can't see much difference betwen that (probably BR too) and DVD :(

[Roc Ingersol]

meh. early adopters make inefficient purchases by definition.

[camberiu]

I truly believe that both HD-DVD and Blue-Ray will go the way of the Sony MD. It is an improved media when compared to DVDs, but it is not the quantum leap that it was to move from VHS to DVDs. And with the online media distribution model coming in, it seems that HD/Blue-ray face the same challenges that the Sony MD faced as the MP3 format took off in the late 90s.

[fitbabits]

Call me when it matters. :)
Oooooh! Would that be round the time of the PS3 launch? :D

[bapenguin]

Oooooh! Would that be round the time of the PS3 launch? :D

No, closer to when there's one format out there and there's no ridiculous DRM restrictions on everything.

[Schnoogs]

Are there any recorders out yet?

BTW here's the link (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=667248&page=1&pp=30.) bap mentioned.

I can't see much difference betwen that (probably BR too) and DVD :(

Wow...had your eyes checked recently?

[Vandenh]

>Oooooh! Would that be round the time of the PS3 launch?

I think for most of us that will be in 5 years time when "next gen" storage is cheap and the format wars are over. Heck maybe we won't ever buy Bluray/HD-DVD.

I, for one, am going to stick to DVDs for a few more years. Probably until next console cycle rolls in again.

[Magnanimous Gnome]

Call me when it matters. :)

Don't worry about being anywhere near your phone then.


No, closer to when there's one format out there and there's no ridiculous DRM restrictions on everything.


Actually, just unplugg your phone and cancel your service altogether. ;)


I personally won't be partaking in this "next-gen" silliness. DVD 2.0 does nothing for me. It's the same thing that we have now, but a little shinier. Kind of reminds me of another "next-gen" in another market...

[Steele Johnson]

"think in the audio/video community not in the gamers community. I didn't know these people would be so eager to jump on, but apparently the world is bigger than our little EA nest here Some people are actuallly very excited over this "

The hype machine generates other things besides consoles and games. Personally, I can't wait to record my home movies in HD and be able to burn them to a DVD.

[Cubfan]

Wow...had your eyes checked recently?

Where are the comparison shots?

[Goronmon]

I can't see much difference betwen that (probably BR too) and DVD :(
Well, there is definately more room for improvement over DVD on a HD monitor, but I'll have to actually use my TV to get a good comparison. Its tough to tell with a screenshot on a computer.

[Schnoogs]

Where are the comparison shots?

First off anyone who thinks you can snap a photo of a TV to highlight quality probably wont notice the difference to begin with! ;

I've seen in person the difference between DVD and various HD formats and its stunning to say the least. These HDDVDS looks fantastic even at only 720p.

You'd have to be blind to not notice the difference.

[Chalex]

I've seen in person the difference between DVD and various HD formats and its stunning to say the least. These HDDVDS looks fantastic even at only 720p.

You'd have to be blind to not notice the difference.
I went to Best Buy yesterday and saw that they had a HD-DVD player set up running Serenity so I immediately ran over to check it out, and I couldn't tell any difference. 'course it didn't help that there was so much glare on the screen that I couldn't see anything other than the actors faces.


If they want to move these things they need to set them up somewhere nice and dark and have the regular DVD running on a tv right next to it so people can actually tell that it isn't just another DVD player.

[Chalex]

Maybe it didn't really matter:

Of all the four initial HD-DVD titles released at launch, 'Serenity' may be the least visually impressive. Not that it's the fault of the HD-DVD format, but rather indicative of the style of the film itself. A rough, oftentimes grungy-looking movie, 'Serenity' is not supposed to look totally polished, which means it is not quite ideal home theater demo material. Highly stylized with a processed veneer, the look of 'Serenity' sometimes varies wildly, with some shots looking almost crystal clear, and others heavily sprinkled with film grain, pumped-up colors and bleached out whites that make it appear as if the film was left out in the sun too long. Maybe its a bit schizophrenic, but it can sure look cool.

That said, this HD-DVD release certainly looks more detailed than its standard DVD counterpart. Despite the all the technical trickery, the overall depth and clarity of the image is considerable, especially during the cleanest-looking sequences in the film. Colors are also a bit more stable than the standard DVD, with less apparent noise on the most vibrant hues. I also felt the blacks where a tad bit more robust, and shadow delineation improved -- in some of the darker moments, such as the opening action scene, I could clearly make out fine details in the dimmest areas of the picture that weren't discernible at all on the standard DVD release. However, overall, someone who pops this one in as their first taste of HD-DVD may come away wondering what all the fuss is about.

http://hddvd.highdefdigest.com/serenity.html

that's disappointing :(