HD Dvd & Blu-ray?

tferia74

Hi, I have 2 main questions.....
1. Who do you think will win the race between HD Dvd and Blu-ray, and why? Who's winning so far?
2. Why are Blu-ray players so expensive vs. HD dvd players are so cheap?
I just bought an HD dvd player and I hope I made the right choice. Thanks.

Answer
Sorry to say, but Blu-ray Disc is the winning format.
Recently the HD DVD promotional group had a major blow just before the CES 2008, when Time Warner, including Warner Brothers, New Line Cinema and HBO said that they would be supporting Blu-ray Disc exclusively from May 31st 2008.
This means, that Blu-ray Disc has 70% of the market share of Hi-def discs being sold, with HD DVD having only 30%.

For you interest the studios supporting Blu-ray Disc are
Warner Brothers, New Line Cinema, HBO, 20th Century Fox, Buena Vista (Walt Disney, Pixar Animation, Miramax, Touchstone Pictures, Hollywood Pictures), Sony Pictures (Columbia, Tristar, ScreenGems), MGM and Lionsgate.

While HD DVD has only Universal Studios, Viacom Paramount (Paramount Studios, Dreamworks, Dreamworks Annimation, MTV), and some other minor companies.

Also now, the average sales in the US, since this for Blu-ray is 83% of the market, with recent statistics saying around 93% of recent hardware sales were Blu-ray Disc players, since the Time Warner move, excluding the world's best, most upgradable Blu-ray Player, the Playstation 3, which many people buy.

Also in Japan 90% of people, are with Blu-ray, and 95% in Australia, and around 80% (I think) in Europe.

Also video rental chains Video Ezy in Australia, and Blockbuster stopped HD DVD rentals, and Target are now also Blu-ray Exclusive. You should see the Blu vs HD clips on Youtube, there was a hilarious based on Hitler, on the fall of HD DVD.

Now, HD DVD is really falling into the Betamax pit, especially, as not many companies endorsed HD DVD, like the Betamax, unlike Blu-ray and VHS, which have a lost of licensies. Although HD DVD has the backing of the DVD Forum, the Blu-ray Disc Association is now equaly as powerful, and large as DVD Forum now, with major electronics giants like Sony, Phillips, Panasonic, Hitatci, JVC, Dell, HP, Sharp, and LG supporting it.

In the Betamax/VHS wars, VHS started it's winning streak when it had around 70% of the market, which now Blu-ray has since Warner desicision.

Now based on reports, Intel(R) Supports both formats, and Microsoft still hasn't denyed the possibility of including an external Blu-ray Disc drive for the XBOX 360,instead of HD DVD.

When another major company drops, it will be the final death blow to HD DVD.
"The Future is Blu"

And about the prices of Blu-ray, it's only expensive as it's a new technology, like DVD was when it was released. Anyway Blu-ray is a far better technology, and the Blu-ray Disc Association don't have to rely on cheap players of the mass market adoption of Blu-ray Disc.

What should i get a blu-ray dvd player or a hd dvd player?

Robert

Answer
I am assuming you have an HDTV so Blu-Ray is really the only choice to make. At this moment there is not even 1 Studio who is HD DVD exclusive anymore. Paramount and Universal have commitment to keep supporting HD DVD in previously planned HD DVD promotions so they aren't abandoning it yet but as of yesterday Variety reported that both are no longer exclusively HD DVD. Meanwhile Blu-Ray enjoys exclusive support from Sony, Disney, Fox, Lionsgate and Warner sister companies New Line and HBO are also shifting allegiance to Blu-ray.
The war is only over when Toshiba says so but retailers may force the their hand. They're unlikely to keep devoting premium shelf space to a dying format, and at this point, the odds are not in HD DVD's favor.

Powered by Yahoo! Answers

Blu-ray????

Q. What is it? How do you use it? Do you need a special device to play it? Help I am so confused!

Answer
Blu-ray is one of two candidate technologies for a new design for next-generation DVD discs, for both high definition movies, as well as ultra high capacity computer data discs. Blu-ray is named because the lasers used in the drives operate in the 'blue' portion of the light spectrum. They can provide 25 GB (single layer) or 50 GB (2-layer.)

You can buy Blu-ray drives for your PC, but they are very limited (if even available) for videos. The drives are costly because the production volumes are not very large and there is not a lot of competition.

The other disc technology candidate is HD-DVD, which will also play regular DVD discs. (Blu-ray discs are not compatible with either HD-DVDs or regular DVDs.)

Blu-ray discs provide significantly higher capacity and don't need to be flipped over to play the 2nd side, like HD-DVD discs need to. (Or else the HD-DVD player needs two sets of laser heads to read both top and bottom sides.) HD-DVD supports only 15 GB per side, with a max of 30 GB.

The computer and movie industries are divided about which next-gen DVD to support. There are companies supporting one, but not the other, and the big stumbling block is the movie industry, which doesn't want to make 2 versions of every HD movie.

Apple, Dell, Hitachi, HP, JVC, LG, Mitsubishi, Panasonic, Pioneer, Philips, Samsung, Sharp, Sony, TDK and Thomson are in the Blu-ray camp.

Toshiba leads the HD DVD consortium, which also includes consumer electronics manufacturers Sanyo and NEC. Entertainment companies on board are HBO, New Line Cinema, Paramount Home Entertainment, Universal Studios Home Entertainment and Warner Home Video.

How do you get HBO go on a onkyo Blu-ray player?

Scrolling

Answer
First off you must have a cable or disc network provider and also pay for the HBO service. But your blu ray disc player will only streamline movies from netflex etc. Hope this will help you out.

Powered by Yahoo! Answers

How do I get HD clairty on my HD set?

Q. I recently purchased a Emerson 40" TV From Walmart and set it up with a blu-ray player with HDMI and a HD DVR using a DVI to HDMI connection. Using HD programming (USA and HBO) and a Blu-Ray movie (Avatar special edition) and the picture looks like I am watching it on a normal standard def TV. Compared to my father's HD set where it looks hyper-realistic this is no good. What can I do to get the clarity I am looking for?

Answer
Without a HD set you are wasting your time it's not possible.

Streaming device for live television (Superbowl, Oscars, etc.)?

Q. I will be renting an apartment starting in January and wanted to consider my options when it comes to cable. I primarily need cable to watch local news and sports and for big events like the Superbowl and the Oscars. I have Netflix and Amazon VOD accounts that I stream through my blu-ray player, and I have HBO GO that I stream on my laptop.

Do any of the streaming devices out there today stream live programming from the networks (NBC, CBS, ABC)? Is there a way for me to get around buying a cable subscription but still be able to watch what I want?

Thanks in advance.

Answer
I don't know about streaming particular events live, but the networks do indeed stream video, just go to their website.

"Is there a way for me to get around buying a cable subscription but still be able to watch what I want?"

There is. Maybe.

This works for me with Comcast:

Instead of connecting your cable provider's cable to their box and then to your tv, connect the cable directly to your tv. I do, and have all the networks and my local stations in HD. I have NO cable tv package from Comcast, I get internet only from them. I don't know if this works with other cable providers, but it does with Comcast. If it works for you, consider buying a splitter and an A/B switch. Using those you can have your tv hooked up both ways(receive the cable tv you pay for, or if you wanna be an outlaw, watch the HD they're delivering free of charge), and can switch back and forth between what your provider wants to give you, and the HD they're hoarding.

Splitter:

http://www.amazon.com/RCA-DH24SPR-Two-Bi-Di-Splitter/dp/B0018BQR84/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1356106877&sr=1-1&keywords=cable+splitter

A/B switch:

http://www.amazon.com/Cables-Go-41015-Isolation-Switch/dp/B0002J2P2A/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1356106942&sr=1-2&keywords=cable+a+b+switch

I LOVE beating the cable companies at their own game.

Powered by Yahoo! Answers

What should i get a blu-ray dvd player or a hd dvd player?

Robert

Answer
I am assuming you have an HDTV so Blu-Ray is really the only choice to make. At this moment there is not even 1 Studio who is HD DVD exclusive anymore. Paramount and Universal have commitment to keep supporting HD DVD in previously planned HD DVD promotions so they aren't abandoning it yet but as of yesterday Variety reported that both are no longer exclusively HD DVD. Meanwhile Blu-Ray enjoys exclusive support from Sony, Disney, Fox, Lionsgate and Warner sister companies New Line and HBO are also shifting allegiance to Blu-ray.
The war is only over when Toshiba says so but retailers may force the their hand. They're unlikely to keep devoting premium shelf space to a dying format, and at this point, the odds are not in HD DVD's favor.

I'm looking for advice on Blu Ray Players?

Thomas

Can anyone recommend a Blu Ray player with an optical output, and also supports apps such as Amazon Instant Video, Netflix, HBO go ? Not worried about price, just want some suggestions on whats good.

Thanks!

Answer
Well - I am a bigger fan of the small media servers like the WD TV Live box or Roku rather than a BluRay player. The apps are usually better and you usually get more of them.

Check that the BD player has wireless built in. The dongle to make my Panasonic player wireless was $90 and gave me 8 apps. The WD TV Live box cost $99 and had 24.

Almost everything runs Netflix. I found a list of devices that support Amazon On Demand. I am not sure of HBO go.

Powered by Yahoo! Answers

when will benjamin button show on premium cable?

blu ray player hbo go image

p1n0yb4ll3

the dvd came out may 5 of last year ('09) and i still havent seen it show on hbo, cinemax, encore ,etc. does anybody know when it will start showing on any of these channels? i've seen the movie and own the blu-ray, but its just nice when movies you forget about or that you like, show on tv. its different then putting it in the player and watching it

Answer
Nothing seems to be scheduled. The movie's length (2 hours, 40 minutes) might make it hard to fit into the schedule.

There's no accurate way to predict - they just recently started showing "The Spirit" from 2008, which I'd been waiting for.

If you check the film's IMDB page, they sometimes post when a film is airing on premium cable or broadcast cable.

Can I get rid of cable and still get HD channels with my HDTV?

Maria

I have Comcast as my cable provider and we rarely watch tv mostly using the internet service and Netflix. We have a Sony Bravia 1080p 60 hz 42" HD TV and we'd like to save some money by getting rid of our cable service. Would I need to buy a special antenna or does my tv have a built in tuner? Also would you know the best blu ray dvd player that streams netflix? thanks

Answer
Yes get a professional outdoor antenna installer so he can determine
what outdoor antenna is the best for your situation, where you live and
what direction the HD channels come from. It can cost 500 maybe more
for it installed, maybe even 2 antenna's (for 2 cities) and amplifier's, mounting
and grounding. But it's a one time fee and you get free HD forever. Cable is
like 100 dollars a month so 5 months it will pay off its self, only movie channels
like HBO, or Discovery HD etc you wont get.

Powered by Yahoo! Answers

What kind of package do I have on Comcast?

blu ray player hbo go image

Lily

I have Comcast and I would like to know what kind of package I have on it. I have disney channel and disney channel HD. I also have HBO. I'm asking this because I found Disney Junior, but it said I wasn't subscribed to it? WHat kind of package would I need for Disney Junior? Thanks!!:)

Answer
You have a rip-off package. Call comcast with your question and get a real answer instead of using this forum.

My real answer is this: Comcast is ripping off everyone who is not streaming content to their tv. A cheap way to stream is through your wifi capable blu ray player or from streaming players like Apple TV, WD Live, or Roku boxes. Right now I pay $21.00 a month for Comcast to keep my local and public channels on. If you want to do as I did, disconnect the cable coming in from the wall to Comcast's box, and connect it directly to your tv. Voila, now you have your local channels (plus a few more) in HD, whereas Comcast would love to charge you up the butt for ANY Hi Def channels. Seriously, streaming your choice of content is the only way to go. You need HBO and Disney? It's out there for free, all you have to do is put it on the tube.

P.S. No more enduring 16 minutes of commercials to an hour of programming when you stream your own content.

How do you get HBO go on a onkyo Blu-ray player?

Pcons

Answer
First off you must have a cable or disc network provider and also pay for the HBO service. But your blu ray disc player will only streamline movies from netflex etc. Hope this will help you out.

Powered by Yahoo! Answers

How do I get HD clairty on my HD set?

blu ray player hbo go image

Sean L

I recently purchased a Emerson 40" TV From Walmart and set it up with a blu-ray player with HDMI and a HD DVR using a DVI to HDMI connection. Using HD programming (USA and HBO) and a Blu-Ray movie (Avatar special edition) and the picture looks like I am watching it on a normal standard def TV. Compared to my father's HD set where it looks hyper-realistic this is no good. What can I do to get the clarity I am looking for?

Answer
Without a HD set you are wasting your time it's not possible.

Streaming device for live television (Superbowl, Oscars, etc.)?

Brittany

I will be renting an apartment starting in January and wanted to consider my options when it comes to cable. I primarily need cable to watch local news and sports and for big events like the Superbowl and the Oscars. I have Netflix and Amazon VOD accounts that I stream through my blu-ray player, and I have HBO GO that I stream on my laptop.

Do any of the streaming devices out there today stream live programming from the networks (NBC, CBS, ABC)? Is there a way for me to get around buying a cable subscription but still be able to watch what I want?

Thanks in advance.

Answer
I don't know about streaming particular events live, but the networks do indeed stream video, just go to their website.

"Is there a way for me to get around buying a cable subscription but still be able to watch what I want?"

There is. Maybe.

This works for me with Comcast:

Instead of connecting your cable provider's cable to their box and then to your tv, connect the cable directly to your tv. I do, and have all the networks and my local stations in HD. I have NO cable tv package from Comcast, I get internet only from them. I don't know if this works with other cable providers, but it does with Comcast. If it works for you, consider buying a splitter and an A/B switch. Using those you can have your tv hooked up both ways(receive the cable tv you pay for, or if you wanna be an outlaw, watch the HD they're delivering free of charge), and can switch back and forth between what your provider wants to give you, and the HD they're hoarding.

Splitter:

http://www.amazon.com/RCA-DH24SPR-Two-Bi-Di-Splitter/dp/B0018BQR84/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1356106877&sr=1-1&keywords=cable+splitter

A/B switch:

http://www.amazon.com/Cables-Go-41015-Isolation-Switch/dp/B0002J2P2A/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1356106942&sr=1-2&keywords=cable+a+b+switch

I LOVE beating the cable companies at their own game.

Powered by Yahoo! Answers

I'm looking for advice on Blu Ray Players?

blu ray player hbo go image

Thomas

Can anyone recommend a Blu Ray player with an optical output, and also supports apps such as Amazon Instant Video, Netflix, HBO go ? Not worried about price, just want some suggestions on whats good.

Thanks!

Answer
Well - I am a bigger fan of the small media servers like the WD TV Live box or Roku rather than a BluRay player. The apps are usually better and you usually get more of them.

Check that the BD player has wireless built in. The dongle to make my Panasonic player wireless was $90 and gave me 8 apps. The WD TV Live box cost $99 and had 24.

Almost everything runs Netflix. I found a list of devices that support Amazon On Demand. I am not sure of HBO go.

Do you need a 3d movie to watch 3d on a smart sharp tv with glasses?

Kendall

My mom just purchased a smart Sharp tv and ive tryed 3d several times on hbo movies and i know tht in 3d images appear closer well in my case nothing. Soon as possible please. Thank you

Answer
You cannot play a standard movie in 3D. You need a 3D specific movie to be able to play it in 3D. You also need a Blu Ray player with 3D capabilities and an HDMI cable that is 3D ready (newer ones usually are).

Powered by Yahoo! Answers