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Ron's HD DVD Review - Page 3

post #61 of 126
7/11/06 at 4:28am

Re: Ron's HD DVD Review

Quote:
I have a 6 year old Pioneer Pro-510 HD RPTV that has been ISF calibrated every two years and am very curious to see how a HD DVD would look on it.

Andy,

Well, join the club.

My Toshiba is 5-6 years old.

I saw a significant improvement through my component connections.
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post #62 of 126
7/11/06 at 7:07am

Re: Ron's HD DVD Review

Quote:
Originally Posted by Alan Kurland
How do your regular DVD titles look on the player?
excellent... see many posts on the topic.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Alan Kurland
Do you think the firmware is going to fix the long start up time and not starting the movie from the beginning when you stop it?
Boot time w/ v1.3 (which is what mine shipped with) IMHO is a non-issue. Boots faster than my laptop or HTPC and my projector. Plenty of time to put in the disc, get seated, grab a drink or whatever. Obviously it's not designed for a kids playroom

What is frustrating however IMHO is if your HD-A1 is off and you just want to eject the disc (that requires almost a full boot to do and you're probably standing there waiting), so you really should EJECT the disc before shutdown if you don't anticipate watching the same disc next time you boot.

My Zenith 318 was annoyinly laggy doing the same chores though (on ebay this week). I never understood why it took 20 seconds or more to power on and eject a dvd.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Alan Kurland
Is anyone else bothered by these niggling issues, or does the picture quality and better menu system weigh more heavily for you? C'mon, I might just get one of these puppies this week! Currently playing on an Electrohome Marquee 8500 with a 78 inch 16:9 screen
PQ is mindboggling, menu is awesome and Netflix has a few dozen available with more coming each week. Overall this is the best DVD player i've ever owned and it also plays HD-DVDs
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post #63 of 126
7/11/06 at 8:15am

Re: Ron's HD DVD Review

Welcome to HD-DVD AaronSCH!
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post #64 of 126
7/11/06 at 12:00pm

Re: Ron's HD DVD Review

One of the things that Ron mentions in his review concerns me. Well quite a few things concern me but this particular one hasn't been discussed before to my knowledge so here goes:

When describing the new menu system on HD-DVD he says that the movie just starts when you insert the disc (i.e. no main menu as we currently know it) and that all video/sound options are altered by calling up a pop-up screen. You mean if you want to watch a film in, say, DTS, you can't select the DTS option until after the film has started playing? This would absolutely SUCK if true! Surely this can't be true...? Have I misinterpreted your description in some way?

John
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post #65 of 126
7/11/06 at 12:06pm

Re: Ron's HD DVD Review

John, while I haven't read Ron's review I'll answer from experience. The audio options will vary from studio/HD-DVD title. Warner Bros. appears to prefer that the movie starts immediately. Universal appears to prefer to let the viewer decide what to do first which is the way you (and I) prefer. I hope this helps.
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post #66 of 126
7/11/06 at 12:24pm

Re: Ron's HD DVD Review

Quote:
Originally Posted by GeorgeM
John, while I haven't read Ron's review I'll answer from experience. The audio options will vary from studio/HD-DVD title. Warner Bros. appears to prefer that the movie starts immediately. Universal appears to prefer to let the viewer decide what to do first which is the way you (and I) prefer. I hope this helps.

It does. Thanks. I guess that's like Warner's early DVDs which just start. Starting on the cuff if DD5.1 is the only option is fine, but with all these new-fangled sound formats coming out, plus regular old DTS5.1, I certainly won't appreciate having to interrupt the movie (and that includes the opening studio logos, etc) just to set the sound up.

John
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post #67 of 126
7/11/06 at 2:21pm

Re: Ron's HD DVD Review

Ron's review is not really applicable to most titles.

but it's not that hard to press the MENU button as all the intro screens appear and change things. it's not like the "movie" starts immediately (ie. most laserdiscs).
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post #68 of 126
7/11/06 at 6:30pm

Re: Ron's HD DVD Review

WB discs start as soon as the intro demo is over, but pressing the menu button automatically highlights "pause movie" at the left end of the menu bar across the bottom of the screen. Mash the "ok" button at this time (can be done while the WB logo is still on), then proceed to navigate the menu and make your selections.

Universal discs start with a menu that "grows" out of the left side of the screen, the movie does not start automatically. On the 25th we'll get to see what Paramount discs do!
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post #69 of 126
7/11/06 at 7:14pm

Re: Ron's HD DVD Review

I've enjoyed my A1 thus far ...what little I've used it! Need more titles to choose from but I know they are coming (Blade Runner please!)...I've only experienced a few audio drop outs on one disc (Bourne Supremacy) but played fine the second time. Once I was rewinding and it wouldnt stop! Had to litterally unplug it. But the pic quality has been enough to forgive all that and I'm only watching on an Infocus 4805 via component. I'm here to tell ya that 1080i still looks gorgeous on a 480 projector even though its nowhere near up to its full potential. I just got the new IN76 though so so moving up to 720 soon...I just ordered the latest firmware update on CD over the phone last week but still hasnt arrived. Has anyone else ordered theirs and how long did it take to arrive?
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post #70 of 126
7/11/06 at 8:49pm

Re: Ron's HD DVD Review

You'd think they could email the firmware to you with instructions to burn to CD...it can't be that large, right?
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post #71 of 126
7/11/06 at 8:58pm

Re: Ron's HD DVD Review

Quote:
Originally Posted by jim.vaccaro
You'd think they could email the firmware to you with instructions to burn to CD...it can't be that large, right?

The latest firmware 1.4 is like 52MB. You can download versions 1.2 and 1.3 here http://www.1080x1920.net/index.php?o...gid=4&Itemid=5 then using Nero burn an image file to CDR.
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post #72 of 126
7/11/06 at 9:01pm

Re: Ron's HD DVD Review

My A1 starts up faster since loading firmware 1.4.

Cool.
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post #73 of 126
7/11/06 at 9:51pm

Re: Ron's HD DVD Review

I just got 1.4 in the mail, tomorrow she gets upgraded.
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post #74 of 126
7/11/06 at 10:13pm

Re: Ron's HD DVD Review

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ron-P
I just got 1.4 in the mail, tomorrow she gets upgraded.

Can you time the boot up time of your HD-DVD player after the 1.4 upgrade? So let's say, from turning the player on to when the player says "no disc" and from when you pop in a disc until you get the FBI warning from the movie.

I would like to know if boot up time is improved with v1.4.
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post #75 of 126
7/12/06 at 2:39am

Re: Ron's HD DVD Review

Guys,

I apologize that my review lacks information on menus through
various studios.

To date, I only own WB titles. Have yet to see Universal title
and I'm curious to see what they do as far as a main menu.

It does seem pretty obvious to me that this new technology
lets you switch audio formats on the "fly" without having to
interrupt the movie or go to a main menu. Of course, I'll depend
on the members to correct me if I am wrong.
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post #76 of 126
7/12/06 at 5:08am

Re: Ron's HD DVD Review

Dan:

I called and requested my 1.4 on June 30th from Tosiba. I called the customer support yesterday (7/11) and was told that the new allotment of discs had not yet arrived @ Toshiba, so mine had not been sent to me yet and they couldn't give me an ETA.
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post #77 of 126
7/12/06 at 9:10am

Re: Ron's HD DVD Review

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ronald Epstein
It does seem pretty obvious to me that this new technology lets you switch audio formats on the "fly" without having to
interrupt the movie or go to a main menu. Of course, I'll depend
on the members to correct me if I am wrong.

Well, unless I'm very much mistaken, SD-DVD already lets you change audio formats on the fly. You simply have to toggle through the options by clicking the "Audio" button repeatedly.

The idea of not being able to set up a movie the way you want it until AFTER the movie has actually started is really bad and TOTALLY unacceptable to me. It's like going back to the very early days of DVD, circa 1997 and 1998. I don't care if you can switch options while the opening WB pictures logo is still on the screen, that's still part of the movie (and often there's music over the logo which would have to be interrupted).

I thought all of these whizzy new features where supposed to ENHANCE the movie watching experience, not disrupt it!

John
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post #78 of 126
7/12/06 at 9:18am

Re: Ron's HD DVD Review

EDIT: Nevermind. I believe I mis-interpreted John's post.

- Walter.
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post #79 of 126
7/12/06 at 10:05am

Re: Ron's HD DVD Review

Quote:
Originally Posted by John H Ross
Well, unless I'm very much mistaken, SD-DVD already lets you change audio formats on the fly. You simply have to toggle through the options by clicking the "Audio" button repeatedly.

Yes and no. Some SD-DVD's do not allow you change audio on the fly by pressing the "Audio" button on your remote. Example: Terminator 2, Spy Game, etc.
Where as in HD-DVD you can switch on the fly with ALL HD-DVD movies by either pressing the "Audio" button or going into the menu. So now you have 2 options LOL.
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post #80 of 126
7/12/06 at 10:34am

Re: Ron's HD DVD Review

Quote:
Originally Posted by Harminder
Where as in HD-DVD you can switch on the fly with ALL HD-DVD movies by either pressing the "Audio" button or going into the menu. So now you have 2 options LOL.

So everything except what most serious film watchers would actually want?

John
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post #81 of 126
7/12/06 at 10:55am

Re: Ron's HD DVD Review

Quote:
Originally Posted by John H Ross
So everything except what most serious film watchers would actually want? John
some people complain water is too wet.

serious film watcher was saying they just want the movie to start.

pressing a button upon boot is a non-issue. it's not like you can't change audio until after the credits roll.
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post #82 of 126
7/12/06 at 11:45am

Re: Ron's HD DVD Review

Quote:
Originally Posted by Glen C
some people complain water is too wet.
serious film watcher was saying they just want the movie to start.
pressing a button upon boot is a non-issue. it's not like you can't change audio until after the credits roll.

Taking your eyes off the screen, looking for the remote, fumbling round to put the audio onto, say, DTS and then (presumably) suffering a slight dropout while the audio changes, and putting the remote back down could potentially distract you from the start of movie for a good 5 seconds or more. And yes, again, the logos and credits ARE part of the movie.

Are you suggesting that the opening credits aren't an important part of the movie and, as such, can be interrupted without concern? I do hope not...

This is one of those instances rare where Universal seem to have things spot on whereas Warner has screwed the pooch (along with their, apparently, rather low volume levels).

John
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post #83 of 126
7/12/06 at 11:52am

Re: Ron's HD DVD Review

Quote:
Originally Posted by John H Ross
Taking your eyes off the screen, looking for the remote, fumbling round to put the audio onto, say, DTS and then (presumably) suffering a slight dropout while the audio changes, and putting the remote back down could potentially distract you from the start of movie for a good 5 seconds or more. And yes, again, the logos and credits ARE part of the movie.

Are you suggesting that the opening credits aren't an important part of the movie and, as such, can be interrupted without concern? I do hope not...

John
again i'm saying this is done long before the opening credits role.

we all have remotes which we have memorized the "menu" button... we understand it's a pet peeve of yours but it's an authoring issue chosen by the studio.

i really like it.
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post #84 of 126
7/12/06 at 11:54am

Re: Ron's HD DVD Review

Quote:
Originally Posted by Glen C
again i'm saying this is done long before the opening credits role.

At what point exactly? Maybe I'm being stupid but surely you can only engage DTS tracks, commentary tracks or whatever after the actual movie has started if there's no Main Menu to select them from? You can't, for example, engage them during the copyright warning because those alternate audio tracks don't exist at that point on the disc?

John
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post #85 of 126
7/12/06 at 12:07pm

Re: Ron's HD DVD Review

Quote:
Originally Posted by Glen C
we understand it's a pet peeve of yours but it's an authoring issue chosen by the studio.

Pet peeve? Hardly! I just posted a question and nobody's given me a final, definitive answer yet so I'm trying to get more info.

And who's this "we" business?

John
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post #86 of 126
7/12/06 at 12:13pm

Re: Ron's HD DVD Review

Quote:
Originally Posted by RobertDW
The latest firmware 1.4 is like 52MB. You can download versions 1.2 and 1.3 here http://www.1080x1920.net/index.php?o...gid=4&Itemid=5 then using Nero burn an image file to CDR.


I am quite happy with Tosiba's commitment to HD DVD especially with the firmware upgrades.

I do think they could make it more user friendly (I have been getting the CD's in the mail)

My previous DVD player was from Oppo, they just post the firmware upgrades to their websight with download, burning to CD and installation intstructions. Very nice indeed, maybe Tosh will start doing this (it saves them the cost of shipping and the blank CD)

Regarding changing audio options, there is no reason why one can't pause the movie upon startup then choose your preferred audio selection, then start the movie from the beginning.

I actually prefer the WB titles that just start the movie to the Uni titles with the "old fashion" DVD style menu
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post #87 of 126
7/12/06 at 12:19pm

Re: Ron's HD DVD Review

Quote:
Originally Posted by Hayes Preston
Regarding changing audio options, there is no reason why one can't pause the movie upon startup then choose your preferred audio selection, then start the movie from the beginning.

OUCH!!

Quote:
Originally Posted by Hayes Preston
I actually prefer the WB titles that just start the movie to the Uni titles with the "old fashion" DVD style menu

Isn't this a case of technology overtaking art, not to mention common sense? There's absolutely nothing wrong with "old style" DVD menus, they certainly provide a more modern and sophisticated way of watching a movie than having to start it twice!!! Main Menus serve a very basic and logical purpose unlike, say, endless forced trailers, anti-piracy messages, copyright warnings, etc etc. To mess around with something that works just because something more glitzy comes along strikes me as a case of "Just because you CAN do a thing doesn't necessarily mean you SHOULD do that thing!"

Warner's early DVDs (and I think also Paramount's?) went straight to the movie and they eventually realised their mistakes, so hopefully history will repeat itself. Until then this is a serious NO SALE issue for me.

John
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post #88 of 126
7/12/06 at 12:22pm
Thread Starter 

Re: Ron's HD DVD Review

Quote:
Originally Posted by John H Ross
Until then this is a serious NO SALE issue for me.

John

Then perhaps you won't mind my suggesting that you steer your posts away from this part of the forum which is supposed to be for HD DVD owners.

- Steve
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post #89 of 126
7/12/06 at 12:27pm

Re: Ron's HD DVD Review

Quote:
Originally Posted by Steve Tannehill
Then perhaps you won't mind my suggesting that you steer your posts away from this part of the forum which is supposed to be for HD DVD owners.

- Steve

I thought it was an area for asking HD-DVD owners practical questions about hardware functionality and performance, etc (as per the forum description)? And that's precisely what I'm doing, specifically in response to Ron's review. Okay, forget the "no sale" bit, I don't want that to cloud the important questions I was trying to ask with regards to menu screens and audio switching.

John
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post #90 of 126
7/12/06 at 12:40pm

Re: Ron's HD DVD Review

John, I'm with you. I haven't figured out a way to set up these WB discs before the main feature actually starts. It's not just audio, but if you want to watch any special features you have to choose them while the main feature is playing. Really dumb authoring decision, and it pisses me off too. Not enough to throw in the towel on HD-DVD, though...pic quality is just too great to ignore
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