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post #31 of 50
9/7/07 at 8:39pm

Re: Neutral as of tonite. Opinions needed for 1st HDdvd viewing experience...

Question for the neutral owners out there. How do you make a decision on all the Warners releases? A curious inquiry from a poor decision maker...

I'm thinking I'll go neutral as well like Dave, but I'm sort of curious how you guys make decisions on the neutral releases (assuming all things equal when it comes to what's included on the disc).
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post #32 of 50
9/7/07 at 9:09pm

Re: Neutral as of tonite. Opinions needed for 1st HDdvd viewing experience...

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ivy Mike
Question for the neutral owners out there. How do you make a decision on all the Warners releases? A curious inquiry from a poor decision maker...

I'm thinking I'll go neutral as well like Dave, but I'm sort of curious how you guys make decisions on the neutral releases (assuming all things equal when it comes to what's included on the disc).

I started out with HD DVD so basically I'm buying blu-ray only if its not on HD DVD. If the blu-ray version had something interesting (special features or what not) that was NOT on the HD DVD then I would lean that direction.

Doug
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post #33 of 50
9/7/07 at 9:25pm

Re: Neutral as of tonite. Opinions needed for 1st HDdvd viewing experience...

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ivy Mike
Question for the neutral owners out there. How do you make a decision on all the Warners releases? A curious inquiry from a poor decision maker...

I'm thinking I'll go neutral as well like Dave, but I'm sort of curious how you guys make decisions on the neutral releases (assuming all things equal when it comes to what's included on the disc).

i have an xa1 and a ps3.

i decide blu first because of the ease of use and quickness of the ps3 compared to xa1.

then i go to true hd for xa1 as i dont have pcm or uncompressed sound ability from ps3.

then i go features.

whichever has better features.

i'm considering 300, i'll pick hd dvd for that due to 1. true hd abiility and then pip bluescreen feature not on the blu version.

if all is equal i go blu.
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post #34 of 50
9/7/07 at 9:41pm

Re: Neutral as of tonite. Opinions needed for 1st HDdvd viewing experience...

Quote:
Question for the neutral owners out there. How do you make a decision on all the Warners releases? A curious inquiry from a poor decision maker...

I'm thinking I'll go neutral as well like Dave, but I'm sort of curious how you guys make decisions on the neutral releases (assuming all things equal when it comes to what's included on the disc).

I've taken a look at both formats and came to a conclusion that one had more advantages that would translate to long term viability.

On the other hand, I actually like the ergonomics and operational qualities of the other format better.

So basically I have to choose between one format that I honestly think will be around longer, vs one format that I enjoy playing the media on more.

But then here is something else to consider. Let's say I amass a sizable collection of software on one format. Then for one reason or another I end up bricking my player. Which player from which format would be more painless to replace so I could just go back to watching my content?

For these reasons, I lean towards one format more heavily, but I still buy some dual format titles on the other...just because I can.
And because I want to make sure there is an incentive to keep both players active and their purchase justified
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post #35 of 50
9/7/07 at 10:46pm
Thread Starter 

Re: Neutral as of tonite. Opinions needed for 1st HDdvd viewing experience...

good question on the wb releases...

I do have to say that after 2 nites with both, the PS3 seems much faster, more responsive and less quirky than the hd-a2 as far as the mechanics go. PQ and AQ are stellar but when you're used to the PS3 and the truly instant response to say hitting the FF button, it's a bit weird even though the a2 seems like more of a dvd player and less of a "game" machine.
It took me hours to figure out the "can not find server" quirk was because it needed to reboot and rest while I was trying to upgrade the firmware. The PS3 connects to the net so effortlessly it's child's play. I finally burned an ISO image to a CDR and was still getting the error message when upgrading. I did a search for hd-a2 can not find server and found a review where the writer had the same issue and advised powering down for 10 minutes. It worked, firmware is upgraded but it just seems like the player itself will have quirks.

Good question though as far as which format.

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post #36 of 50
9/7/07 at 10:51pm

Re: Neutral as of tonite. Opinions needed for 1st HDdvd viewing experience...

The PS3 really is a great Blu-ray machine even if many find it unconventional. I try to base my decision on differences between releases...audio options, special features, etc. After that, it sometimes comes down to the best deal i can find. I also have more local friends who have HD DVD so I sometimes go red to loan to them. That is what made my Planet Earth decision.
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post #37 of 50
9/8/07 at 1:09am

Re: Neutral as of tonite. Opinions needed for 1st HDdvd viewing experience...

Everyone has made excellent recommendations. Here are three of my favorite HD DVD releases, "Last Samurai" awesome, "Matrix Trilogy" speaks for it's self, and finally "V for Vendetta" which has to be one of the most impressive HD DVD releases to date. It's hard to pick a bad one with what everyone here recommended.You may not like some of the films,but, you'll love how they look and sound.
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post #38 of 50
9/8/07 at 7:18am

Re: Neutral as of tonite. Opinions needed for 1st HDdvd viewing experience...

Grand Prix. In terms of visuals, the most impressive HD title released.
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post #39 of 50
9/8/07 at 8:07am

Re: Neutral as of tonite. Opinions needed for 1st HDdvd viewing experience...

Quote:
Question for the neutral owners out there. How do you make a decision on all the Warners releases? A curious inquiry from a poor decision maker...

I'm thinking I'll go neutral as well like Dave, but I'm sort of curious how you guys make decisions on the neutral releases (assuming all things equal when it comes to what's included on the disc).


Well ever since I went format free I've gone with the Blu-Ray version. The response time and speed of the PS3 over the XA2 is one reason. Also playback reliability on my PS3 has been flawless. I've had a handful of minor hiccups and burps with the XA2, which were a little annoying but forgivable - thankfully no grand mal seizures i.e. titles that refused to play.

Two things I prefer with the XA2 is the front panel readout (lacking on the PS3) and that I can keep my wood/glass cabinet closed when using the XA2, something I can't do when playing a Blu-Ray as I have to remember to keep the cabinet door open when using the PS3 because of the amount of heat it generates.

Also the combo vs. non-combo releases make my decisions more palatable.
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post #40 of 50
9/8/07 at 8:09am

Re: Neutral as of tonite. Opinions needed for 1st HDdvd viewing experience...

Oh and the recommended HD DVD title for Dave............The Thing.
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post #41 of 50
9/8/07 at 11:03am
Thread Starter 

Re: Neutral as of tonite. Opinions needed for 1st HDdvd viewing experience...

Thanks Jim. LOVE that film. I remember seeing it opening weekend in NYC.
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post #42 of 50
9/8/07 at 11:35am

Re: Neutral as of tonite. Opinions needed for 1st HDdvd viewing experience...

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ivy Mike
Question for the neutral owners out there. How do you make a decision on all the Warners releases? A curious inquiry from a poor decision maker....

I´m still quite early in the "neutral" game, but generally I probably still prefer Blu-ray. Still from now on, additional extras and perhaps even 640kbps vs 1.5mbps will play their role when I choose the format.. And like others have noted, PS3 has been pretty much flawless so far in the playback-issues. I also want "non-combo"-releases (one reason why I got e.g. "Children of Men" from Australia (sale going on here: http://www.ezydvd.com.au/promo.zml?p...&dsal=1&dper=1 ).
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post #43 of 50
9/8/07 at 5:10pm

Re: Neutral as of tonite. Opinions needed for 1st HDdvd viewing experience...

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ivy Mike
Question for the neutral owners out there. How do you make a decision on all the Warners releases?
I've generally been purchasing the HD DVD editions for Warner & Paramount (pre-exclusivity) titles - with Warner, it has tended to get me Dolby Digital Plus or TrueHD versus Dolby Digital, maybe some extra goodies (like the PIP commentary on MI:3) and since I am my family's and friends' video library, the combos are something that can get used.

Plus, I got the HD DVD player first, so it's hooked up in a more straightforward manner. Also, the color of all my WB/Paramount boxes match.

(Of course, that same rationale means I get my Magnolia discs on BD, since there was a Landmark/Samsung/Magnolia offer for five free discs earlier in the year)
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post #44 of 50
9/12/07 at 6:20pm

Re: Neutral as of tonite. Opinions needed for 1st HDdvd viewing experience...

Happy Birthday, Mack Daddy!
(I wont mention its the BIG 4 - 0 ;-) )
And many more!!!
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post #45 of 50
9/12/07 at 8:50pm

Re: Neutral as of tonite. Opinions needed for 1st HDdvd viewing experience...

hey yeah, happy happy
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post #46 of 50
9/12/07 at 9:35pm

Re: Neutral as of tonite. Opinions needed for 1st HDdvd viewing experience...

With the exception of Superman Returns all of my Warner and pre-exclusive Paramount discs have been HD DVD. I've had occasion to lend combo discs to friends who did not yet have HD players, so they don't bother me nor have I had any playback issues with them.
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post #47 of 50
9/13/07 at 4:30am

Re: Neutral as of tonite. Opinions needed for 1st HDdvd viewing experience...

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ivy Mike
Question for the neutral owners out there. How do you make a decision on all the Warners releases? A curious inquiry from a poor decision maker...

I'm thinking I'll go neutral as well like Dave, but I'm sort of curious how you guys make decisions on the neutral releases (assuming all things equal when it comes to what's included on the disc).
I have opted for the HD DVD versions. The Warner releases have consistently had the better audio tracks and more features on HD than BD, and there are still many HD DVD 'only' Warner titles. But I tend to think a lot of the decision has to do with what camp you were in before going neutral.
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post #48 of 50
9/13/07 at 3:22pm
Thread Starter 

Re: Neutral as of tonite. Opinions needed for 1st HDdvd viewing experience...

very true.
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post #49 of 50
9/15/07 at 7:26am

Re: Neutral as of tonite. Opinions needed for 1st HDdvd viewing experience...

Quote:
Originally Posted by Dave Mack
Thanks Jim. LOVE that film. I remember seeing it opening weekend in NYC.
I don't think you'll be disappointed, Mack. One of my favourite discs on either format.

Being dual-format feels so liberating, doesn't it?
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post #50 of 50
9/15/07 at 1:36pm
Thread Starter 

Re: Neutral as of tonite. Opinions needed for 1st HDdvd viewing experience...

tremendously.

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