Blu-ray vs. HD DVD: War without end

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif.--What if somebody started a format war and nobody came?

That was the question posed at the opening session of the DisplaySearch's 5th Annual HDTV Conference here. The much-hyped battle between opposing next-generation packaged media formats HD DVD and Blu-ray Disc still has no clear winner. Each of the panelists onhand to hash out the question of which side will prevail predictably had an agenda--to explain why his camp will win.

While there was no answer, several things became more clear: Studios have learned some lessons over the past year, and both sides are still essentially guessing as to what will be most compelling to consumers. Adoption of next-generation players and media is still low compared with standard-definition fare, though consumer recognition of all things high-definition is growing, which should benefit both sides.

Talk of this so-called war isn't new. But as more consumers buy high-definition television sets, and as the prices of next-generation set-top boxes and players come down and more people are exposed to the marketing push for high-definition discs from movie studios, retailers and hardware makers, they will be faced with a choice. Remaining neutral, though, is still what many are choosing.

Since this time last year, there's been some shift in the landscape of high-definition media. One of the most highly publicized changes was Paramount's decision to back off its Switzerland-like approach of offering its content on both formats and focus exclusively on HD DVD. The shift had a significant impact--at the very least on the perception of the format war, which up until that point appeared to be favoring Blu-ray.

"We can use HD discs to train consumers to move into digital, but it's a transition."

--Dan Silverberg, vice president of high-definition media development, Warner Bros.

For the record, Paramount Executive Vice President Allen Bell said the decision "didn't have much to do with the format war," but rather observations of the industry dynamics. (However, The New York Times reported that Paramount and Dreamworks Animation had both been paid off to choose HD DVD.)

"Up until (the) launch of two formats you could do an analysis and it was fundamentally a PowerPoint deck...more or less a white paper," Bell said. "We were the first company that went ahead and said, we're going to try both. A year later...does it become a good consumer proposition?" Compatibility, as well as consistency of the players from competing manufacturers and content availability led the studio to HD DVD, he said.

Though Paramount might think it has picked a winner, consumer polling by The NPD Group doesn't back up that decision. There are still plenty of factors holding up the next-generation packaged media industry as a whole.

Though NPD is forecasting that more than 1 million next-generation players will be sold and 400 movie titles released next year, there still doesn't appear to be a stated demand from consumers for high-definition DVDs. According to an NPD poll, 66 percent of respondents said they're not likely to buy a high-definition player in the next six months. "We've been seeing this over and over and over again," said Russ Crupnick, a senior industry analyst for NPD.

Besides intent to buy being low, standard-definition DVDs are just fine with most consumers. "Unfortunately, we developed the perfect product (with the DVD)," Crupnick said. "We've got to overcome the fact that we're competing against a wonderful product that's in 80 percent of households." Upconverting DVD players--players that translate standard-definition discs to output them in high-definition--cost significantly less (around $60) than HD DVD and Blu-ray players, which go for between $200 and $800.

But DVD wasn't a perfect product in the beginning, which several of the panelists were quick to point out. In fact, it was the one thing they could all agree on.

"When DVD first launched it was anything but the perfect product," recalled Andy Parsons, a Pioneer executive and chairman of the Blu-ray Disc Association. "There were many doubters that said there was little chance of overtaking VHS."

As HDTV adoption continues to creep up (8 out of 10 television purchases last month were high-definition sets, according to NPD), the number also represents potential consumers of next-generation players, because they have the displays to take advantage of high-definition content. But how to persuade consumers, first, to decide to buy a next-generation player and, second, to choose a side?

[richto]

Toshiba HD DVD Player Number Three on Most Wanted Christmas List!

The Toshiba HD DVD Player is number 3 on the Best Selling Gadgets in the run up to Christmas according to this evenings TheLondonPaper

Figures from Comet.

Number one is the iPod touch 8GB.
Number two is the Carlsberg DraughtMaster

[jflowrey]

Its not rocket science

1-Price- get to the lowest price for the hardware fastest.
2-Content- You have to have the movies that people want to watch.

Way too simple

[richto]

HD DVD ahead then,,,

1. HD DVD wins hands down. Players are half the cost of Blu Ray.

2. Seems pretty even really.

[gnutux]

Cost of player is not the problem

Just like having cheap printers, it can be cheap itself, but the ink is expensive. Same thing with HD media, sure the player is still expensive than DVD players, but the discs themselves are still expensive. They haven't lowered the media cost, they only lowered the machine price. Until they lower it more, I won't be buying a HD-DVD drive/player, let alone a Bluray drive/player (I don't support BD).

[umbrae]

A lot of HDDVD content $19.95

Newer content is more expensive, but HDDVD usually has more content then same priced Special Edition DVDs.

I agree, though, that if all studios made their DVD/HDDVD combo disks the same price as DVD's, and stopped releasing the DVD-only combo, HDDVD would win within a year.

[GSRich78]

bluray disc on sale at fry's

Hurry while supplies last. 2 for $20 on selected sony and 2 for $27
on selected disney movies(online only). DVD prices for HD content.
competition is good for the consumer

[timothywmurray]

I'm not paying for DRM

I am sure that the entire premise of this article is nonsense. Consumers (me) won't spend money for devices that make DVDs disposable. I might buy metro card with limited value and throw it away when it is used up. But I'm not going to spend hundreds of dollars for a player and then each time I have new content for the player there are a limited number of times I can transfer it from device to device in my home before it becomes a coaster. thats just wrong. And I won't spend money for it.

The future of home entertainment is a hard drive that can be played in many rooms on many screens. Hard drive fail and hard drives need to be backed up and the hard ware that hard drives are attached to become obsolete. If I want to rent content I will rent it. DRM is not something I plan to pay for.

[umbrae]

DRM for Blu-Ray and HDDVD already broken

You only need a PC player and burner.

[ceebee23]

it is not just DRM

For prospective HD users outside the US the issue is not only DRM but also region coding.

Nearly half of my dvd collection is Region 1 (ie US) because so much material is simply only available from the US.

It is not the big films (eg Casino Royale was released here a week after its US release) but the smaller or older films that simply are not available outside the US.

For this reasonI will NOT purchase a DVD or hi def DVD player that cannot play disks from any region.

I am not talking about illegal copies but legitimately purchased DVDs.

Whilst HD DVD does not have zones Blu Ray does. For this reason alone I hope HD DVD wins this "format war".

And as for the absurd DRM scenario where it is necessary to update firmware on a regular basis ...well consumers will simply not accept this stupidity.

So maybe the consumers are not so foolish after all...maybe the DRM model for both HD DVD and Blu Ray has to be far more consumer friendly beofre either format will succeed.

And maybe someone can explain why a HD dvd player that retails in the US for $300 costs nearly $1000 here?

[timaeus77]

It's NOT a format war!

This is a CONTENT war, not a format war. We are being asked to
choose between two incompatible bodies of content - movies.
This is different than VHS vs. Beta, a true format war. There both
hardware formats had virtually the same set of available movies
to watch. We simply watched whatever movie we wanted,
regardless of format.
Now we are being asked to choose one group of movies and
exclude the other. Worse, we have no idea what desirable
movies are going to be made & released in the future- much
lees on which format.
Who cares, or even knows, which studio is going to relelease
which movie in which format - Blu-Ray or HD-DVD; we just want
to watch whichever movie we like. Trying to force consumers to
reject one group of movies by accepting the other group
because the players are incompatible is not a war that is
winnable by either side. We'll just continue to watch SD-DVD.
Unless, like me, you just bought an LG combo player thaqt plays
both formats.

[richto]

Hope you didnt...

Hope you didnt buy the crappy LG BH100 for $1000 when the LG BH200 HD DVD player was just released for $500...

[bobby_brady]

These formats are infested with tons of DRM, stay away

It's best if the studios just eat it on this format. Way too much DRM for me. Any suckers who want to buy into the hype and crap, well go away and waste your money. The quality isn't that big of a difference and as I stated, the DRM issues.

[Ikthog]

And that matters why?

If you're someone who wishes to buy a movie and watch it, and not make copies (which, by the way, is virtually everyone), DRM makes zero difference. And if you aren't able to understand why Blu-ray and HD-DVD are better, you're obviously not the audience they're aiming for, so why do you even care?

[xanadul]

Its all stupid

Just greedy corp. ppl want ppl to buy both players or buy a duel one since they don't know which will win. If i get one anytime soon ill just get a duel one so it no problem. Its truly unfair for ppl who don't know better and buy a blue ray but there favorite movie is HD-DVD it would be enough to just hate the movie companies as much as I hate the RIAA

[markdoiron]

There's a Risk in Dual-Format Players

I agree that dual-format players should be the answer. But I haven't made that leap yet because there's a risk: Suppose one format eventually wins? Then what happens to the other format content that you own? Will you still be able to buy a player for it? Or will you need to purchase that content all over, yet one more time.

I'm waiting on the sidelines, especially since my std def DVDs look truly stunning already, and for most of my TV watching (95%) are plenty satisfying to meet my needs.

--mark d.

[clarencephil]

HD vs Blu-Ray

These companies should know better. They only have to look back to the VHS vs Beta debacle.
Until they finish playing their little game, I'm not buying !

[BassBinDevil]

It's very stupid, but yet not as stupid

With physically incompatible formats like Beta & VHS there was no hope of a dual format player. But since BluRay and HD DVD are so physically similar, there are few obstacles to making a reader that is compatible with both. I think the format distinction could become meaningless once Walmart sells a dual format player for $99.

[OS11]

Until Apple sets the STANDARD, nobody goes forward.

I've been watching the Blue/HD standard debate for 2 years, but people forget, Apple sets these kinds of standards, and so far they have been SILENT.

So until Apple makes their final choice, nobody can move forward.

Chances are high the PLASTIC CD/DVD/HDDVD is Dead!

Just like Apple created and killed the Floppy & CD for PCs, they are about to kill the last vestige of spinning PLASTIC and go directly to WIRELESS.

No need for a rotating PLASTIC Disk in this age.

THINK about it!

So Apple may have already played its cards, thus no format will survive going forward.

Only Apple has enough market power to decide this debate, and "silence" spells "wireless".

End of GAME

-

[xanadul]

????

Just like Apple created and killed the Floppy & CD for PCs ???? I still use both not floppy as much but still handy when you need a boot disk.

so im not sure how they killed it but whatever.

also I never buy anything apple no ipod no iphone say no to apple hehe :)

Also I won't buy either player till this war is solved

[yipcanjo]

Boy, you're right!

They *really* set the standard with those PowerPC chips...

They *really* set the standard with those one-button mice....

They *really* set the standard with the Nubus slot...

They *really* set the standard with Safari...

They *marginally* set a standard with firewire...

Now, as late adopters, they are using Intel chips, with PCI/AGP/PCI-express slots, 5-button mice (by default), and most everything connecting via USB!

I think I'll wait for Apple to choose HD-DVD or Blu-ray...... or not.....

[dabest4me]

Uh, I hate to tell you...

but Apple has already made their decision. Mr. Jobs is a Blu-Ray supporter and that's who Apple is backing.

[gnutux]

Why does it care if Apple chooses?

Even though Apple Inc. is a BD supporter, why does it matter if they set a "standard"? Actually, I have yet see Apple set any major standards, other than IEEE 1394 and AAC. I myself is a Mac user, but I don't see how Apple is that significant. Their significance reduce even more when they moved over to Intel (imho, stupid move, should've kept it with PowerPC), so I don't see how Apple can do anything. Maybe if this was the 1980s, then ya, Apple had a lot of power, now they barely got any ever since IBM stole the desktop concept and created the IBM-PC.

[Seaspray0]

Apple DOES NOT set standards

standards are set by intenational organizations such as IEEE and ISO. The only standard Apple has set is the FANBOY like youself.

[thrca]

more ???

Are you smoking crack?

[donmas]

Huh?

They clearly set the standard for desktop computers with their whopping 5% market share.

However, they sure do seem to set the standard for iSheep, who shrilly bleat out ill-informed opinions deep w/in their own echo chamber.

Hysterical...

[cnet-sucks]

Yeah, apple sets the standard. Hohohoho!

You mean like iPod? Yeah. Sets the standard for DRM, iTunes, and overall poor battery and sound quality. I had MP3 players for jogging 5 years before the iPod existed. Lame.

[t8]

DiVx is the best format.

It just works on my DVD player and computer.

No issues, no annoying nag screens, and no zones to worry about.

It works, it's good enough and that is all I need.

[this1!]

yea...

word

[hddvdGuy]

300 2 - 1 ?

I wanted a copy of 300 the day it came out on HD-DVD, unfortunately it was sold out everywhere! There were plenty of Blu-Ray copies, though. I couldn't find a copy for almost 2 weeks. It only sold 2 - 1 on Blu-Ray because the big name stores didn't have enough of 300 on HD-DVD in stock.

[sabot96]

I am an early adopter and I will not buy either

I refuse to buy a technology that is broken from the box. If it does not put out maximum resolution from each of it's video ports it is broken.

[ev61]

Broken?

Alright, I will sell you an HDMI output only BluRay player, which fits your criteria for not being broken. It is not possible to send the highest quality digital signal across an analog signal. Sorry, but that is technology!

[ikbradley]

North America... WAKE UP!

This fight is absurd. Since when did Toshiba become anything other than a third-tier electronics manufacture? They are the only producer of HD-DVD, unless you feel like counting Venturer and LG's dual-player.

Toshiba did one thing right and that was to create a final specification. The BDA has fallen down by failing to require full BD+ Java support and ethernet. However, the product itself is superior. Each layer holds more and the actual discs themselves are higher quality. Aside from the Prestige incident, the discs are nearly indestructable, unlike HD-DVD. The scratch resistent coating is a big plus.

Overall the studios supported by Blu-ray are just better. More action movies and then there are some of the classics like Bergman. Aside from Bourne Trilogy and Transformers, there isn't too much to miss on the action front. Without the okay of Spielberg, Coppola, and Ridley Scott, HD-DVD is missing out on a lot of great action directors.

[zgreenwell]

Scratch resistent coating

This coating that they use on BluRay could actually be used on any disk, including HD-DVD. They could use it on CDs if they wanted to. The reason they use it on all BluRay is because the data on those disks is very close to the surface and therefore scathing would be a major problem if the disks weren't protected.

[cross platform]

Except For....

Battlestar Galactica, Heroes, Star Trek etc. One of the reason I did choose HD DVD is the content. They had more stuff on their side that I wanted than Blu-ray. The only thing I'm crying about right now is CE3k!

[FutureGuy]

you get the crown

...the the fanboy crown that is.

[meh130]

The key differentiator would be a single format

This format war is asinine. The video industry should know better.

Ultimately, cable-based video on demand might be the ultimate winner. Remember that old Quest commercial, where they guy checks into the motel, and asks the clerk what was available on the room TVs?

"All rooms have every movie ever made in every language anytime."

In another few years, Comcast and the rest of the cable vendors will have that. And the idiots at Blu-ray and HD-DVD will have blown their chance by stalling their market.

[Penguinisto]

Answer: Neither of 'em.

The vast majority of people still have the old plain-jane vanilla DVD players... good luck trying to convince 'em to give that up, what with the vast majority of folks also watching those movies on tube-based television sets.

No, the convincing will have to be done of the early-adopter set... not "consumers", who couldn't care less about which format to use until they finally decide to start buying 'em.

It was the same way with VHS vs. Beta... most people didn't care because they didn't have a VCR. When the bulk of consumers finally decided to buy one, the format wars were over as far as tapes were concerned.

/P

[godlessnovel]

Good Point

You make a good point about the VHS/Beta issue. Here is another thing to consider. NO ONE had to buy a new TV for their VCR--even in the case low-end or B&W TV, all you had to do is get one of those adapters for your uhf. I think most VCRs even came with those.

I'm playing around with the XB360 option right now because the thing is going to cost me $150 bucks and I'll get 6 free movies. I can buy the combo disks as well, even before I decide to buy it. So, if that format loses... really, no sweat off my ass since I already own the 360. By the time a format has won the war, a dual player will be completely affordable.

[Darthorious]

not too mention

You have to buy both to be able to watch all the movies.

Screw that I can watch whatever I want on DvD no need to pay 1500 bucks for a diffrent player to do the same.

Not to mention my DvD player hooked up to my Hi-Def TV looks better and sounds better than any movie theaters within a 300 mile radius.

[tqat25]

Why Are People Not Adopting High Definition Dvds

In the article the comment is made that the reason people aren't adopting the new high definition formats is because people are satisfied with dvd and it's a perfect product. I don't believe that's the reason at all. The price and the fact that consumers have to choose between 2 formats, one of which may become obsolete is the reason. If you give the consumer a reasonable price and 1 format that is supported by all movie studios, dvd would quickly become a thing of the past, because standard dvd is inferior to high definition. People are always looking for the next best thing, but you have to make it a no brainer and right now it's far from that. It really bugs me when articles like this always seem to slant the blame toward the consumer for lack of sales. I think people would very much like more hd content, but not by the rules they have to play by now. Change the rules, make this a no lose situation for the consumer, and they will come in droves. Unfortunately for the consumer, there are millions, perhaps billions of dollars at stake here for these companys. So neither one, Blue-ray or Hd Dvd is going down silently. That's really the bottom line as to why there is this format war and the majority of consumers are not biting. There really needs to be no more analysis then that. Too much money is at stake, and in the mean time the vast majority of consumers lose. So in my opinion at some point there is going to have to be some sort of compromise by the greedy manufacturers of these formats, or everyone will lose.

[N7783]

I agree

I agree with tqat25. At some point the simple idea of "Options" isn't the only thing that drives consumers. The only reason I am using blu-ray is that I bought a PS3 and it has a player right out of the box. I refuse to go the Sega route and buy peripherals for a system, hence why I am not buying a HD-DVD expansion for my 360.

Some people forget that the DVD Function of the PS2 helped drive sales of DVD's and the PS2.

Also the idea that one will loose is what made me wait to even buy the movies for my PS3, but the fact that Blu-Ray is superior technology AND the fact I bought a ton of movies for $9.99 and $14.99 and inexpensive box sets, such as the Spider-Man box set.

Ultimately, it might not be porn, but kids that help decide. The fact Disney (with help of having Steve Jobs on the board) is going Blu-Ray only, and is re mastering all their classics for Blu-Ray (something my wife is excited about and mentioned buying a second PS3 for our bedroom) might help push Blu-Ray farther.

[geoffrey in Oz]

HD DVD . . . will win, eventually .

HD DVD has no region coding. This *is* very importantant for the non-USA consumers.

HD DVD costs less to manufacture.

HD DVD is better picture quality. BluRay is still doing MPEG2. HD DVD is doing VC1 or H264 (but support MPEG2 as well).

HD DVD is better sound quality. Decode of lossless Dolby HD is mandatory for HD DVD (not so for BluRay). Dolby Digital Plus is 3 Mbps for HD DVD, 1.7 Mbps for Bluray.

I still won't buy anything until I see a winner emerge (these things don't always go the way logic suggests they should). But I doubt anyone outside the USA is hoping for a BluRay win.

[samkass]

You are misinformed

Blu-Ray discs, on average, cost less than HD DVDs... who cares
how much it costs to manufacture them?

Blu-Ray supports the exact same video codecs that HD DVD
does: MPEG2, VC1, and H264.

HD DVD and Blu-Ray have exactly the same audio codecs
available, but Blu-Ray makes a couple of them optional for low-
end players.

It's pretty clear Blu-Ray is way, way ahead. My Blockbuster is
one of the ones that got "grandfathered in" and rents both Blu-
Ray and HD DVD (most just rent Blu-Ray). I never see any of the
HD DVD ones rented, while about 10% of the Blu-Ray titles are
regularly gone. Our Borders also sells both, and the salesman
says he's never seen anyone buy an HD DVD. And you can look
on this site:

<a class="jive-link-external" href="http://www.eproductwars.com/dvd/" target="_newWindow">http://www.eproductwars.com/dvd/</a>

and see that HD DVD hasn't outsold Blu-Ray on Amazon more
than a few days of the year.

A format war, no matter what the few differences between them,
doesn't help anyone. It's time for the HD DVD camp to stop
being bribed and just acquiesce.

[IMDADING]

wrong wrong wrong and wrong

1)Blu-ray has no region coding
2) You have no idea what production costs are for HD DVD or Blu-ray.
3)HD DVD and Blu-ray have identical picture quality.Both use VC1 or H264.
4) Blu-ray and HD DVD have equal sound quality.

Blu-ray discs have the double the storage capacity,allowing potential for much better picture quality. Blu-ray video processors have a higher bandwidth.

The public has spoken: Blu-ray outsells HD-DVD 60-40 since inception.

[sasper]

No way HD-DVD is going to win the war

How many movies studio did Sony own and also PS3 w/blue-ray built in. That is at lease 40% of the movies that will never release on HD-DVD. If Sony did not own any movies studio it will make a lot different.

[David Kelson]

I BOUGHT BOTH !!

Simple-I bought both formats and I am enjoying a constant stream
of movies in high-definition. By the time the dust settles my
machines will have paid for themselves many times over and they
will probably be worn out and need to be replaced anyway. Best
regards, David

[richvero]

I'll be buying both!

I have my Toshiba HD DVD and when the price drops for the Blu-ray and they stop making mpeg 2 movies I will also get the Blu-ray. Unless a hybrid comes with a low enough price.

[ronch79]

Simple answer

With regards to the last question in the article, whether people woule even care going up to HD and then deciding which format to adopt, the answer is... most people don't really care. I see average consumers who are not really into electronics peruse items at an appliance store. What they want to know is, "Will this player be able to play discs I rent from the video rental?" See, it's like the fight between DVD-R/RW and DVD+R/RW. Eventually, nobody wins. Electronics companies have to support both formats. Does anybody care whether they use +R or -R? No. Will anybody care if the movie they're watching is HD or BD? No. People just aren't as geeky as those who invented these technologies, well-intentioned as they may be. They don't care if DVD is not perfect. Who cares! As long as they watch their movie, that's it! What they care about is renting a great movie and having some popcorn to go with it. DVD is already so good anyway. (Remember Betamax? If you do, you can't complain about DVD.) The benefit is there. The human need is addressed. The HD and BD camps are just pushing their stuff because they invested so much money in them and they just couldn't simply back down. Why is this format war still raging after years? Because there's no clear winner. Both are good. Both will give the consumer what he/she wants. The main problem? As I've said, "Will this disc play on my player?"

And that, my friends, will eventually lead to all manufacturers producing players supporting BOTH formats. There's JUST NO OTHER WAY, or a way either camp will get a clear victory. Right now multi-format players may be pricier, but we all know the end of this story, don't we?

Unless they think of and come up with something *really* revolutionary, convincing people next time to replace their "outdated" BD and HD players will be even tougher.

[kinowerken]

It's OVER:Blu-Ray Has Won

Why is CNET writing such crap? This over, done,
finished. Toshiba and pals aren't players in anything consumer
that matters.

[Sharkster]

Based on...

Based on what, exactly? One ill-informed person blogging on a C|Net site, with no facts, figures, or even semi-intelligent argment to back his/her opinion. Gee, I'm convinced, wow. Oh, and I'm not being sarcastic if you're not gullible.

[cnet-sucks]

Yeah, and Sony is? Can u say PS3? Gimme a break!

How did this Sony fanboy get on here? Isn't there a fanboy filter for cnet registrations?! :/

[Heebee Jeebies]

Well...

I am hoping Blu-Ray wins. However, I will not be buying anything until the two sides get off the fence and come together. Both sides know that having a format war like that of VHS and Beta and more recently Circuit City's Divx and DVD is not a good thing for the consumer.

I refuse to play there little games and I will not reward either side with my money or support. Yes, I have a 56" HDTV, Direct TV HD programming and while the extra resolution is ok, it certainly isn't enough of a difference to warrant dealing with the studios and electronics makers petty little pissing matches.

Add to that the increased copy protection, add in all of the promises about the wow capabilities for both formats that will like DVD which also had a number of wow features never be used. We were promised rich movie experiences at home with multiple angles and more. So far the only people making any kind of use of such features is the porn industry.

No it is time consumers stop jumping off the cliff like lemmings and make it clear that if these companies want our time and money they need to get the stuff coming out of their poo holes together.

Robert

[Understarsidream]

I'm not buying EITHER one...

Let me think.. I have to choose a format. I choose my standard
DVD. I've seen the difference between all three formats and it's
not worth it (to me anyway) to pay that much more money for
such a minor difference. I can pick up a regular DVD release for
about 15 dollars and the hidef release is 30-40. I'm sorry but
the answer is no.

And that's not counting any of the older movies transferred from
film - from DVD to Hidef isn't going to improve much of
anything. Over all it's just not worth the money and I think a lot
of people realize this.

[David Kelson]

You must not have a Hi-Def television

If you can't see the difference you must not have a hi-def
television. Also renting standard def or high-def/blu-ray discs
cost's the same. Regards, David

[Sparky650]

Eh

I'm with you there. I'm not much into watching television anyway. I also noticed on friends HDTV that one could see pores, pock marks, and wrinkles on stars that I once thought was very sexy on a regular tv. Eh please keep me blind in a fantasy world for a while longer!

[shamon85]

the hd war

i only have blu-ray but i now see how dirty some movie studio's play this is not really a war but more of which can make the most money and i do believe in the end both will come out a winner in some way. i do plan to buy a hd- dvd sixaxis layer because they have more movies over blu-ray