View Full Version : UK HD-DVD Launch Looking Shakier by the Minute?
irascian
20-10-2006, 18:21
With Blue Ray players allegedly in the shops this week, I can't help thinking that the format, and Toshiba in particular, has scored one heck of an own-goal with a very poor launch in the UK.
- the initial launch titles (all seven of them) are pretty lacklustre and have been available as special edition DVDs for some time now
- the launch date of the XE1 player which yesterday was "just a couple of weeks away" now looks to have slipped to after Christmas (Amazon have emailed anybody who pre-ordered to say it's now not expected until mid-January and a Toshiba dealer has said he's been told not to expect the player until December 27th at the earliest)
- the XBox HD-DVD player date seems to keep slipping week by week. We're currently being told December but my guess is "only for a lucky few"
- the specialist XBox 360 stores seem to know nothing about the HD-DVD drive or how to pre-order one.
Given that the format seemed to be beating Blu-Ray hands down in the States I don't understand how Toshiba could have made such a big lash-up of the launch here. Missing "holiday season" is a major lash-up in my view and looks rather dumb given all the sarcasm being thrown at the Blu-Ray camp when it was announced that in Europe the PS3 had slipped from before Christmas to March next year.
Am I being too pessimistic or are Toshiba and the rest going to get their act together in the next few months so that we DON'T have to rely on US imports to get the hardware and software for the format?
thescrounger
20-10-2006, 18:39
I don't think think anybody in the UK will be buying Bluray players in droves. Apart from being completely underwhelmed by a Bluray demo I saw earlier today, the machine cost £1200.
jon smith
21-10-2006, 10:34
The Blu Ray launch only featured 4 titles and at £1000+ i don't think there will be much of a rush. The XE1 has always been planned for late December onward (same as the US version). It's the cheaper player that will be out here and the US next month.
Odd isn't it.........
HD-DVD was MILES and MILES ahead of BluRay some time ago.
It's like they have almost deliberatly held up it's release till Sony caught up with them.
All very odd.
thescrounger
21-10-2006, 11:14
Have they caught up though?
Have they caught up though?
Well, I did not think so (but then again, I've noot been looking out for them)
Just responding to the original posters comment.
I thought HD-DVD was literally months ahead of BluRay, and by now we've have many many titles out for sale.
It all seems very lack lustre. and not at all a STRONG PUSH by the manufacturers.
It's almost as if, they don't want to let the public know.
Perphaps it's cos they know they've got bugger all films out there, that doing a BIG launch would be pointless right now.
Grandmaster
21-10-2006, 13:31
In the greater scheme of things, the key battle is in the USA and whoever wins there dictates who will win here.
PS3 is the single biggest weapon in the BD armoury and as we know we won't be seeing that until March next year, if we're lucky. That leaves us with BD players that are horrifically over-priced with mostly lacklustre software.
I don't think HD DVD has too much to worry about right now, but I do think that getting the 360 add-on out there is key to their success as it makes an investment in the HD format low enough for many "suck it and see" customers. Such as myself ;)
In the greater scheme of things, the key battle is in the USA and whoever wins there dictates who will win here.
PS3 is the single biggest weapon in the BD armoury and as we know we won't be seeing that until March next year, if we're lucky. That leaves us with BD players that are horrifically over-priced with mostly lacklustre software.
I don't think HD DVD has too much to worry about right now, but I do think that getting the 360 add-on out there is key to their success as it makes an investment in the HD format low enough for many "suck it and see" customers. Such as myself ;)
Yeah, funny isn't it..........
We've had year of waiting for this to arrive, and It almost now looks like it's going to be a battle of the Game's Consoles as much as a Battle of the Formats.
Both consoles are going to be the Major Reason why people get HD players into their homes in the very near future.
Gonna be interesting how this all pans out.
According to some US based customers, Best Buy and Circuit City are slimming down or removing their HD-DVD displays and bigging up Blu-ray displays instead. Looks like Sony has been doing some bribes! :thinking:
thescrounger
21-10-2006, 16:22
Probably because they have loads of unsold backstock and want to get rid of it.
Probably because they have loads of unsold backstock and want to get rid of it.
No, i'm talking about big displays with newer releases from the week too.
Well, I did not think so (but then again, I've noot been looking out for them)
Just responding to the original posters comment.
I thought HD-DVD was literally months ahead of BluRay, and by now we've have many many titles out for sale.
It all seems very lack lustre. and not at all a STRONG PUSH by the manufacturers.
It's almost as if, they don't want to let the public know.
Perphaps it's cos they know they've got bugger all films out there, that doing a BIG launch would be pointless right now.Well the most telling thing today was that i popped in HMV in STRATFORD!! and they had 4 blue-ray titles for sale at £17.99 each and not a HD-DVD in sight.
You can say HD-DVD is out-selling Blue-Ray until your blue in the face (pun not intended) but in the shops you can only get Blue-Ray and people are going to start wondering how to play THESE discs not HD-DVD (mostly becuase if they not avaiable how is Jo public going to know about them?)
Well the most telling thing today was that i popped in HMV in STRATFORD!! and they had 4 blue-ray titles for sale at £17.99 each and not a HD-DVD in sight.
You can say HD-DVD is out-selling Blue-Ray until your blue in the face (pun not intended) but in the shops you can only get Blue-Ray and people are going to start wondering how to play THESE discs not HD-DVD (mostly becuase if they not avaiable how is Jo public going to know about them?)
Oh yes, Indeed.
HD-DVD "MUST" get player and LOTS of actual movies into the shops.
People are going to look at how many movies they can see in front of them, and buy a player (little bit in the future of course)
Once they have a player the decision has been made.
Let's see who makes the BIGGEST cock up launching their product, as I'd say it's all a pretty much clean start right at the moment.
Of course, SONY have a nice high street presence.
thescrounger
21-10-2006, 20:59
Well the most telling thing today was that i popped in HMV in STRATFORD!! and they had 4 blue-ray titles for sale at £17.99 each and not a HD-DVD in sight.
You can say HD-DVD is out-selling Blue-Ray until your blue in the face (pun not intended) but in the shops you can only get Blue-Ray
A bit like UMDs. People all rushed out and bought a PSP so they could play them...not.
You can say HD-DVD is out-selling Blue-Ray until your blue in the face
They are. In America. Why are you in denial about this fact?
You think people in HMV are going to pick up a Bluray film and then stick a £1200 BD player in their basket on the way to the till?
You think people in HMV are going to pick up a Bluray film and then stick a £1200 BD player in their basket on the way to the till?
£1200? Couldn't see HMV doing them for less than twice the price of anywhere else!
A bit like UMDs. People all rushed out and bought a PSP so they could play them...not.
They are. In America. Why are you in denial about this fact?
You think people in HMV are going to pick up a Bluray film and then stick a £1200 BD player in their basket on the way to the till?
Why are you getting so funny about it? :oh-hum:
Spooky_uk
22-10-2006, 00:47
media and players on the high street is not going to make any difference right now. Either format is not going to be mass market for some time if at all. Early adopters and techno gadget geeks will be sourcing hardware and software on the net and importing (just as in the early days of DVD) so HMV having 4 BR discs on the shelves will make diddly squat difference to anything. :nuts:
A bit like UMDs. People all rushed out and bought a PSP so they could play them...not.
Admittedly UMD's had a strong presence from the start in shops like GAME. But in HMV they were stuck at the back (I own a PSP). The difference here is the Blue-Ray discs were right at the entrance so it was the first thing that everybody saw when they walked in, HMV are pushing this. They were quite a few people picking these up and looking at them (me included).
You think people in HMV are going to pick up a Blue-ray film and then stick a £1200 BD player in their basket on the way to the till?By the time both sets of players are out they'll be cheaper, and lets forget the mentality of Jo Public, they are going to get what’s available, I personally think HD-DVD is winning in America because it was first out the door over there. But over here it's Blue-Ray. next year, it's march, little Johnny being asking for a PS3, and HD-DVD doesn't play on this things. The only cock-up Sony can make now is not letting people know about HD format and bang on about the PS3 playing Blue-Ray and only Blue-Ray when it's released. I think if Sony play there cards right they could still pull one out of the hat.
media and players on the high street is not going to make any difference right now. Either format is not going to be mass market for some time if at all. Early adopters and techno gadget geeks will be sourcing hardware and software on the net and importing (just as in the early days of DVD) so HMV having 4 BR discs on the shelves will make diddly squat difference to anything. :nuts:
It's got nothing to do about selling units at the moment, it's about public awareness. It doesn't matter at this point weather they take the disc to the till or not. It doesn't even matter if they know what Blue-Ray is, The public now knows there this thing called Blue-Ray out there and knows nothing about HD-DVD.
It's about branding and getting the name in people’s heads. So far, Blue-Ray is out and HD-DVD is playing catch-up
virtually every store i go in that sells them, the PSP section is about 3-4 times bigger than the Nintendo DS section. Yet every article I read says the DS is outselling the PSP by several times. Sony seem to be able to do store placement right at least
Spooksta
22-10-2006, 09:23
Its funny how 2 new Video formats are getting people so wound up. You expect it with 2 new consols. Spectrum vs C64. Atari vc Amiga. Playstation vs Sega. PS2 vs Xbox.
Why would DVD formats get people taking sides :shrug:
But then they are linked to the consols so ive answerd my own question. But do people who support the PS3 support Blu-Ray for the sake of it and the 360 camp support the HD-DVD for the same reason. Or do they have real reasons. :)
I just support the cheapest when there is no advantage in the more expensive. In a year when Blu-Ray 50G discs are put to good use then the price should be equal to HD-DVD by then anyway.
Sorry im just running on but my point is i always somtimes feel Blu-Ray supporters are Playstation Fans (or anti Microsoft) and HD-DVD supporters are 360 fans (or anti Sony). Im sure its not but its how it comes across :)
Is the thread starter a PS3 fan?
I personally think the "war" is all good fun and will help prices fall quickly in the short term.
AndyWilson
22-10-2006, 09:34
It's down to software in the end - I can't see the point of buying a HD player of either flavour if it won't be able to play half of the HD releases.
I can't understand how most people here seem to be basing their buying decisions on price, video quality or techical superiority when the fact is that however cheap, high quality and/or technically superior a player may be it's useless without software. You've only got to read other threads here to see how early adopters are buying any old crap on HD-DVD or watching total tosh on Sky-HD just because it's HD. Sorry, but for me the main purpose of a DVD player is to watch films - not to get a hard-on over the picture quality.
Sony seem to be able to do store placement right at least
Sony seem to pay way more for better product placement.
jon smith
22-10-2006, 12:59
Well the most telling thing today was that i popped in HMV in STRATFORD!! and they had 4 blue-ray titles for sale at £17.99 each and not a HD-DVD in sight.
HD-DVD isn't launched til next month so not that surprising...
Spooky_uk
22-10-2006, 14:39
It's got nothing to do about selling units at the moment, it's about public awareness. It doesn't matter at this point weather they take the disc to the till or not. It doesn't even matter if they know what Blue-Ray is, The public now knows there this thing called Blue-Ray out there and knows nothing about HD-DVD.
It's about branding and getting the name in people’s heads. So far, Blue-Ray is out and HD-DVD is playing catch-up
so reading between the lines and with the evidence we already have - you see a scenario where BR becomes dominant in the UK (due to "public awareness" whereas HD-DVD is dominant in the USA (and if you take your BR tinted spectacles off for a moment ;) its a one horse race right now over there) :nuts:
whichever format wins over there we get. end of. does not matter at all how much public awareness there is of either format in the UK. the battle will not be fought here in Europe.
Must admit all these posts of 360 v PS3 and HD-DVD v BR are getting tired. everyone has there opinions and at the end of the day in this particular argument at least half of the people will be :( at the end of the day.
2 Things:
1: Most people are Stupid.
2: Most people are Sheep.
They will buy whatever they SEE in the shops the most, and appears to be in ample supply with most choice, and also will buy what other people they know already have.
Hence - Get the products in the chain store shops on BIG displays all over the place.
Hiding in a corner of a specialist shop, saying "I'm Better" will get you nowhere.
thescrounger
22-10-2006, 16:07
and
3. Most people, will just keep on buying DVDs.
irascian
22-10-2006, 16:11
Its funny how 2 new Video formats are getting people so wound up. You expect it with 2 new consols. Spectrum vs C64. Atari vc Amiga. Playstation vs Sega. PS2 vs Xbox.
Why would DVD formats get people taking sides :shrug:
I think it's just people trying to make the RIGHT decision. People are passionate about movies or TV shows on Hi-Def and so make a choice and then a commitment and want to prove their allegiance. It's there in everything from football clubs to those poor souls who delude themselves that old vinyl sounds better than any more recent digital format.
Is the thread starter a PS3 fan?
Absolutely not. I have a STRONG bias against Sony - the result of years of crappy products which invariably break down just outside warranty. DAT players, video recorders, Aibo and most recently a laptop (two TFT screens and now the most recent one has just died and I'm typing this on a laptop that HAS to be connected to a CRT display to be usable) but other than that I'd typically go for the "superior" format.
But I am a huge movie fan and want to upgrade to hi-def (I don't watch TV - TV is through a crappy analog only NTL signal here and my flat has trees in the way such that I can't upgrade to Sky Digital). Trying to make sense of what's going on HD-DVD in the States seems to be winning and has the better titles, better picture, better facilities (no silly restriction on what region your Hi Def disks are bought in). But Blu-Ray has more potential. I
I would have said HD-DVD was the clear winner in the States but they really do seem to be screwing things up over here - hence my post. Realistically I should wait another year and see where we are then. But I want hi-def software NOW. I've gone HD and pre-ordered some titles from the States because I don't want to find as we get to Christmas that all the suppliers get a sudden rush. I've got both an XBOX 360 HD drive on order and a Toshiba XE-1, even though I don't have am XBox 360 and wouldn't be buying one otherwise as I have little to no interest in games (I DO have an interest in using the XBox 360 as a media extender though).
I DON'T agree with those posting here that the States will determine the winner. I can quite easily see a situation where one format is predominant in the States and another is predominant in Europe. And I guess that's what I'm most worried about since I'm now investing in an HD format that may become obsolete. Toshiba seem to have screwed up the European launch, where Blu-Ray seem to have learnt from the mistakes made with their US launch. at least in terms of getting publicity, getting machines in stores and getting the media reporting on them.
and
3. Most people, will just keep on buying DVDs.
Indeed.
Though to be honest, I'm not buying any new ones now.
Browsing the Car Boot sales for cheap deals now ;)
Problem is, (like many here) and thousands worldwide (or even tens of thousands) in 8 weeks time I will have a HD-DVD player (ala 360 add-on)
But where are all the movies?
Spooksta
22-10-2006, 16:36
But where are all the movies?
Here (http://www.dvdworldusa.com/hddvdlist.asp?)
:)
Here (http://www.dvdworldusa.com/hddvdlist.asp?)
:)
Cheers for that.
Nice sized starting lineup.
If they had all those on a rack in store, with the players and a big (Impressive) display next to the HD flatscreens then they may start shifting.
jon smith
22-10-2006, 16:45
Toshiba seem to have screwed up the European launch, where Blu-Ray seem to have learnt from the mistakes made with their US launch.
I just don't get the concern... Blu-Ray has launched and there are 4 movies available in total and the player is £1000 (this is almost double the US price - much more if you count the recent discounting in the US).
HD-DVD isn't even launched for another month, when it does launch there will be more presence - and discs in HMV. Blu-Ray will do nothing in the UK until the PS3 launches.
thescrounger
22-10-2006, 16:49
Cheers for that.
Nice sized starting lineup.
If they had all those on a rack in store, with the players and a big (Impressive) display next to the HD flatscreens then they may start shifting.
I assume that will be the plan for next months launch.
irascian
22-10-2006, 21:12
I assume that will be the plan for next months launch.
Hardly!
That list is an IMPORT list from the States.
In the UK we have a pitiful seven titles: Apollo 13, Bourne Supremacy, Doom, Jarhead, King Kong, Serenity and Van Helsing.
Spectre07
22-10-2006, 22:37
HD-DVD isn't even launched for another month, when it does launch there will be more presence - and discs in HMV.Which is when the **** will hit the fan as people start buying HD DVD discs and try to play them in their DVD players.
Which is when the **** will hit the fan as people start buying HD DVD discs and try to play them in their DVD players.I never thought of that! :lol:
I wonder if that will result in a backlash?!
thescrounger
23-10-2006, 00:31
I never thought of that! :lol:
I wonder if that will result in a backlash?!
I dunno, you can throw a party if it happpens though. Because surely it would mean the death of HD-DVD. :nuts:
Spooksta
23-10-2006, 08:44
Hardly!
That list is an IMPORT list from the States.
In the UK we have a pitiful seven titles: Apollo 13, Bourne Supremacy, Doom, Jarhead, King Kong, Serenity and Van Helsing.
I think we can complain about the numbers of disc in the UK once the machine is in the shops along side the discs.
The IMPORT discs are not region coded and pop through your door 7 days after ordering at the cheap rate.
If there are only 7 discs in the UK on December the 7th ill eat my hat. :p
irascian
23-10-2006, 12:12
I think we can complain about the numbers of disc in the UK once the machine is in the shops along side the discs.
The point of my post was that there was disinformation implying there would be over 100 titles in the shops at launch. I'd like to share your optimism about the number of disks but given that most sites get several weeks lead on what titles that are going to be released and there's been a deafening silence apart from the seven titles mentioned I don't share your optimism.
The IMPORT discs are not region coded and pop through your door 7 days after ordering at the cheap rate.
How is that relevant to a discussion as to how many titles would be visible in stores at launch?
My experience with importing DVDs has been as follows (10 days after ordering titles from three differenc companies):
US Direct (has a UK address but 3 days after ordering emailed me to say titles would be shipped from the States in the next day or two - they aren't going to arrive within 7 days)
DVD Pacific. Three days after order confirmation got an email saying I need to fax a copy of credit card front/back and a utility bill for the delivery address before they could even consider processing the order. Persuading my employer to give me one of their utility bills is proving a little bothersome.
DVD Empire. Same as DVD Pacific except they asked for the same information despite the fact I'm already registered with them and have many orders from them in the past. Sent them the information required (decided I'd just have to use home address rather than work) on Friday. Still waiting to hear back.
If there are only 7 discs in the UK on December the 7th ill eat my hat. :p
If we're talking mainstream releases I think you'll be eating your hat. How many titles (available in stores not on import) have the Blu-Ray players launched with? I'd like to believe HD-DVD will be a lot different but I'm seeing no signs at all to that effect, other than a very low-key announcement of the first seven lacklustre titles.
For what it's worth - Im over on the States at the moment - I've been here for about a week and have driven through 5 states to date. I've been stopping off at every Walmart and Best Buy I've seen along the way.
Apart from the general 'creepiness' of every single store looking exactly the same, down to the layout, and special offer banner positioning, the situation here is:
Racks and racks of DVD's (obviously), hidden amongst these racks is a metre wide section of 9 shelves. 7 of them contain HD-DVD and the bottom 2 feature BR. There is no signage indicating what they are other than the packaging.
In fact one local guy looking at them next to me asked me why these discs were in smaller packaging.
'they are hi-def' I said. He walked off.
Spectre07
23-10-2006, 12:30
I never thought of that! :lol:
I wonder if that will result in a backlash?!Which is precisely why I think HD DVD and BR have come along too soon. It's bad enough there's two competeing HD formats but with DVD far from dead it'll just cause further confusion. It was easy for people to see that a DVD wasn't going to play in a VCR and they'd have to buy a DVD player; but you try telling people a HD disc isn't going to play in their DVD player and they'll have to buy another piece of kit. The HD discs will just stay on the shelf or rather you'll get a lot of ****** off ill-informed members of the public abusing HMV staff.
Spooksta
23-10-2006, 14:12
Wait till recordable HD-DVD / Blu-ray comes next year ;) Then it will get confusing.
I dont want to argue about how many discs are/will be about just think nothing that has happend so far is any surprise. New formats always drip feed in.
I just want my 360 HD-DVD so i can play my Serenity HD-DVD on my PJ. In a year ill want a Blu-Ray machine to get STTNG Box set on 50GB discs that will spread each season over 2 discs instead of 4 on HD-DVD and 6 on DVD. Nothing to do with picture quality as it was filmed in 4:3 in 1987 :p
and then the dual sided 100GB Blu-Ray discs will come with a player that has 2xheads so you dont have to turn the disc over or wait 7 seconds for the head to swap sides like my 925 Laser disc player.
and i hear 4 layer 100GB discs are working and 8 layer 200GB discs are on the way. :nuts:
Nebiroth
24-10-2006, 12:58
and i hear 4 layer 100GB discs are working and 8 layer 200GB discs are on the way. :nuts:
And will no doubt be plagued with problems, they can't even make reliable four-layer (two each side) standard DVD discs at the moment.
Plus, with these massive capacity discs, it's gonna be tragic when you scratch one and say "ooops, there goes two seasons of TNG"
I shouldn't think for one moment that a season of TNG would be much cheaper (particularly with the new price re-issues coming out) no matter how they cut down the number of discs.
xraystan
24-10-2006, 14:17
I always laugh at these "the general public" type of comments. Granted there are some people who won't grasp the new technology, just yet, but to imply that there will be masses of people buying HD and BluRay disks to play in there DVD players is a tad concieted.
Do people on here think they part of some elite uber group who know everything about everything and people who don't spend a lot of time on forums like this one, instantly know nothing?
The most probably winner is the one that the porn industry picks up on. It happened with VHS and it started the whole media delivery of the internet. Before people realised you could get dirty movies over the internet, the world wide web was just full of coders home pages, and university websites.
Some sales info from play.com via the register
The numbers are based on pre-orders made via the website. Hardware sales favour HD DVD 2:1, while content favours the Toshiba-led format 3:1.
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/10/24/brits_spend_more_on_hddvd/
AdsterUK
24-10-2006, 14:29
Do people on here think they part of some elite uber group who know everything about everything and people who don't spend a lot of time on forums like this one, instantly know nothing?
Given that this is a dvd forum I'd be surprised if the general level of understanding here of the various formats wasn't well above the norm.
neilalford
24-10-2006, 14:51
The most probably winner is the one that the porn industry picks up on. It happened with VHS and it started the whole media delivery of the internet.
I believe the first adult titles are already out on HD-DVD, don't believe there are any Blu-Ray blue movies yet.
I always laugh at these "the general public" type of comments. Granted there are some people who won't grasp the new technology, just yet, but to imply that there will be masses of people buying HD and BluRay disks to play in there DVD players is a tad concieted.
Do people on here think they part of some elite uber group who know everything about everything and people who don't spend a lot of time on forums like this one, instantly know nothing?
I dunno. Having worked in a video store, i'd say there are a large amount of ignorant people out there.
Gems I remember include the Dreamcast being the PS2, but then Sony realised it was rubbish so gave it to Sega while Sony made a different one.
You can play DVD's through any old CD player so long as it has an output for a tv set. If it doesnt, you can just get an adaptor.
DVD's are just Video Cd's and you can play them through the Philips CD-I.
A few times, not just the once, people would rent a DVD and then return it because they wanted the DVD and hadnt noticed, until they got home, that I had rented them a CD.
etc..so i'd imagine a lot of people are going to be confused when HD DVD takes off. I pity the poor staff at Blockbuster more than anything else.
A few times, not just the once, people would rent a DVD and then return it because they wanted the DVD and hadnt noticed, until they got home, that I had rented them a CD
It's funny coz it's real :)
I always laugh at these "the general public" type of comments. Granted there are some people who won't grasp the new technology, just yet, but to imply that there will be masses of people buying HD and BluRay disks to play in there DVD players is a tad concieted.
Do people on here think they part of some elite uber group who know everything about everything and people who don't spend a lot of time on forums like this one, instantly know nothing?I think you over-estimating the "the general public". They are lowest common dinomiator and can be pretty stupid, when i was working at Dixons DVD's have been out for about 4 years and a vast majorty of people didn't know anything about them.
I think you over-estimating the "the general public". They are lowest common dinomiator and can be pretty stupid, when i was working at Dixons DVD's have been out for about 4 years and a vast majorty of people didn't know anything about them.
Yep they're a stupid bunch those general public types, although I much prefer to poke fun at people who can't spell or use grammar properly in a post. Not that there are any of those types around here ;)
My DVD player is skipping from time to time.
Do you think I need to go into Currys and ask for a new stylus?
I was asked only recently how you rewind a DVD.
======= EDIT ========
Just to clear up for any comments I may make.
I don't think people are stupid. It's just cos they don't know, and perhaps don't want to know.
I know sod all about flowers, whereas some old boy could prob name any flower you put in front of him.
People just know "Different" things.
99% of people are sheep though (myself at times I guess) and tend to buy what everyone else appears to be buying.
99% of people are sheep though (myself at times I guess) and tend to buy what everyone else appears to be buying.
Exactly, look at the Ipod. Far from being the best, or cheapest MP3 HD player, it managed almost perfect product placement, making all the other players seem like knock-offs. We'll have to wait and see how the marketing for the HD formats goes.
Yep they're a stupid bunch those general public types, although I much prefer to poke fun at people who can't spell or use grammar properly in a post. Not that there are any of those types around here ;)i'm a bit dislxyic, and i don't always have time to use the spell checker. still want to poke fun at me?
thescrounger
24-10-2006, 19:54
I just want my 360 HD-DVD so i can play my Serenity HD-DVD on my PJ. In a year ill want a Blu-Ray machine to get STTNG Box set on 50GB discs that will spread each season over 2 discs instead of 4 on HD-DVD and 6 on DVD. Nothing to do with picture quality as it was filmed in 4:3 in 1987 :p
I'm afraid TNG is likely to be reconstructed from the original film negatives and made into proper HD, potentially in 16:9 as the film stock was not exclusively 4:3 either. So you'll be looking at a 5-6 disc set at least for BD.
It will take at least a few years work to make TNG ready for an HD release, so hang on to those DVDs. ;)
tecnobabble
24-10-2006, 20:31
etc..so i'd imagine a lot of people are going to be confused when HD DVD takes off. I pity the poor staff at Blockbuster more than anything else.
I remember having to explain what widescreen was to customers, it was a nightmare, then explaining what 5.1 is and what the difference between DTS and Dolby Digital.
I think alot more staff in blockbuster are aware of the fomats coming purely because of the launch of the xbox 360 and launch shortly of the PS3.
I am firmly in the camp of HD DVD personally.
Spooksta
24-10-2006, 20:50
I'm afraid TNG is likely to be reconstructed from the original film negatives and made into proper HD, potentially in 16:9 as the film stock was not exclusively 4:3 either. So you'll be looking at a 5-6 disc set at least for BD.
It will take at least a few years work to make TNG ready for an HD release, so hang on to those DVDs. ;)
Im gana hold you to that :thumbs:
Spectre07
24-10-2006, 20:55
Exactly, look at the Ipod. Far from being the best, or cheapest MP3 HD player, it managed almost perfect product placement, making all the other players seem like knock-offs. We'll have to wait and see how the marketing for the HD formats goes.A collegue of mine bought an Ipod for his daughter as a surprise. He bought it into work with 5 CD's and asked me to burn them to the Ipod for him on my pc at home.
i'm a bit dislxyic, and i don't always have time to use the spell checker. still want to poke fun at me?
Nah I was just kidding hence the smilie, the wife is dyslexic too and actually has a higher IQ than me! :thinking:
aliman5000
24-10-2006, 21:14
I simply cannot believe in this day and age we are actually discussing a war between two formats that ultimately do the same thing, how this has even been allowed to happen is beyond me.
My opinion? Call them Joe Public if you like but I really can't see a winner in this one, the two organisations that are pimping these technologies are acting like spoilt children and whilst they continue to throw virtual insults at each other I, and Joe Public, will be looking/waiting for a player that can sit in the TV stand and play BOTH formats - two fingers to the both of them.
Therefore IMO the eventual winner of this frankley pathetic battle will be the first company to offer a decent, value for money, duel player.
My 2 pence and all that...
:)
Just to clear up for any comments I may make.
I don't think people are stupid. It's just cos they don't know, and perhaps don't want to know.
Yeah, I should perhaps add that disclaimer to mine. Lots of people who came in my shop just didnt want to know about new formats, they just wanted to rent **** films to watch on a friday night. More power to them for not caring about 5.1 etc. The odd people who rented DVD's and returned them because they were CD's had just read something in some tabloid supplement about DVD videos being better than plain ol' videos. Its kind of understandable. And you'll never in a million years get them to be interested in HD whatever the format and like it or not, it was those people that got DVD to be as established as it was.
bernie1687
25-10-2006, 12:05
Released 24th november, confirmed from Amazon, but only those who preordered it when it was open for preorders a few weeks ago. New batch 8th december... Confirmed from their supplier.
UK HD DVD launch shaky no more (lets hope so)! :shrug:
irascian
25-10-2006, 12:10
Released 24th november, confirmed from Amazon, but only those who preordered it when it was open for preorders a few weeks ago. New batch 8th december... Confirmed from their supplier.
UK HD DVD launch shaky no more (lets hope so)! :shrug:
Time will tell. In the meantime I'm stocking up on the "best" (at least according to various review sites) since the seven UK titles hold zero interest.
I can see the whole world rushing to do the same thing once the hardware actually ships and people realise how poor the UK titles are, but am not convinced the American suppliers are geared up for any kind of demand plus the post at Christmas is always a nightmare.
Time will tell. In the meantime I'm stocking up on the "best" (at least according to various review sites) since the seven UK titles hold zero interest.
Which ones are the "best"?
irascian
25-10-2006, 19:23
Which ones are the "best"?
Well I'm using a combination of the HD-DVD picture quality ratings over at www.dvdtown.com and www.dvdreview.com and the film ratings at imdb.com
"Batman Begins", "Serenity" and "The Searchers" have certainly been mentioned on several sites as being outstanding, as have "Polar Express" and "Corpse Bride". Some of the other titles are getting a distinctly "luke warm" reception indicating there's little improvement over the standard DVD.
Grandmaster
26-10-2006, 11:49
Not sure if this has been posted but is certainly interesting. Play.com (http://www.thedvdforums.com/jump2.php?url=http://playcom.at/thedvdforums) is saying that people are buying HD DVD players over BD ones by a factor of 3:1.
While this doesn't take into account PS3, software sales are interesting too - 3:1 in favour of HD DVD.
Source: http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/10/24/brits_spend_more_on_hddvd/
I'm wondering whether the momentum building up around HD DVD will simply die off next March when PS3 appears, or whether the underdog really is going to come out on top.
xraystan
26-10-2006, 11:56
A lot of people are looking at this from a purely console point of view. But a lot of people don't play games and wouldn't want to buy a PS3, or a 360 with external drive. I think these are the people who will be deciding what "wins" and not us Geeks. The smallest and most importantly cheapest player on the market will win the "war"
Spooksta
26-10-2006, 16:49
I can see the whole world rushing to do the same thing once the hardware actually ships and people realise how poor the UK titles are.
Yes once the hardware actually ships which surprisingly :eek: is when the software starts to be released.
UK HD-DVD (http://www.thedvdforums.com/jump2.php?url=http://playcom.at/thedvdforums?DURL=http://www.play.com/DVD/HD%20DVD/STCS/5-/ComingSoon.html)
Its a start :)
irascian
26-10-2006, 19:23
Now that list looks a lot healthier :) Especially nice to see some titles that in the US were those hideous HD-DVD/DVD combo things selling at inflated prices for the pleasure.
But I still think they're releasing too many of those titles too late in the day to make hay for the CHristmas market which is the one they were shooting for.
Surprised no announcement on these new titles over at DVD Times.
Grandmaster
26-10-2006, 19:43
Interesting that you can get Mission: Impossible 3 for £24, but the 1, 2 and 3 boxset for £36 :thinking:
Spooksta
26-10-2006, 20:24
Superman II end of November (http://www.dvdtimes.co.uk/content.php?contentid=62863)
Exotic Saltwater Aquarium (http://www.thedvdforums.com/jump2.php?url=http://playcom.at/thedvdforums?DURL=http://www.play.com/DVD/HD%20DVD/RCS/3-/3250147/Exotic_Saltwater_Aquarium/Product.html) - only £7.99!
Presumably this is some sort of continuously running underwater film - that could be pretty neat, like having a high def aquarium in your living room :lol:
aliman5000
27-10-2006, 12:37
Exotic Saltwater Aquarium (http://www.thedvdforums.com/jump2.php?url=http://playcom.at/thedvdforums?DURL=http://www.play.com/DVD/HD%20DVD/RCS/3-/3250147/Exotic_Saltwater_Aquarium/Product.html) - only £7.99!
Presumably this is some sort of continuously running underwater film - that could be pretty neat, like having a high def aquarium in your living room :lol:
Search hard enough and you can find a fireplace too ;)
MR.COATES
29-10-2006, 20:21
Must say this whole BluRay disc pricing has been blown out of the water.
Even HMV (http://www.thedvdforums.com/jump2.php?url=http://clkuk.tradedoubler.com/click?p=18710&a=60823&g=280345&url=http://www.hmv.co.uk/hmvweb/navigate.do?ctx=-1;5;-1;-1&pPageID=2040)
have got the titles at £13.99 delivered - and a couple I would actually genuinely want to buy too.
The HD-DVD lot will certainly have to address the amount of titles available in the UK as there were plenty in the US.
:thinking:
Must say this whole BluRay disc pricing has been blown out of the water.
Even HMV (http://www.thedvdforums.com/jump2.php?url=http://clkuk.tradedoubler.com/click?p=18710&a=60823&g=280345&url=http://www.hmv.co.uk/hmvweb/navigate.do?ctx=-1;5;-1;-1&pPageID=2040)
have got the titles at £13.99 delivered - and a couple I would actually genuinely want to buy too.
The HD-DVD lot will certainly have to address the amount of titles available in the UK as there were plenty in the US.
:thinking:
Well, at the end of the day, perhaps this is the one GOOD thing (for consumers) that's going to come out of this dam silly two formats coming out.
A Price War :clap:
Spooksta
29-10-2006, 21:08
Ye apparently they are "end of line" sales :D
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