Best value Blu-Ray player?

[nburcombe]

Some wild speculation that PS3 will be about $499, this is some way cheaper than the recently announced dedicated players that seem to be coming in at $999. Can't wait.

http://news.spong.com/article/9854

[smokedog]

It probably will be the best value Blu-Ray player when its released. But console have never been able to touch the quality of a dedicated player.

The DVD playback on the PS2 was shocking.

[SAH]

But DVD playback was a tagged on extra.

PS3 is being marketed with BR at it's heart, plus HD games etc.

There will always be bigger and better players, but I think we can be more hopefull for PS3 playback quality, compared to previous consoles.

[BadAss]

Thats right their shouldnt be any draw backs like their use to be now cpu's are so more powerful. Now we don't rely on Digital to Analog Converters we get a fresh signal at the display end. Fingers crossed.

[Likvid]

Blu-Ray player will not play SACD/DVD-A discs.

That's a big advantage to HD-DVD, Blu-Ray is just the black sheep in this field and i don't beleive it will succeed.

[SAH]

How many people own SACD/DVD-A............1% of consumers?

HD-DVD will probably be a succes, but BR, IMO, has already made it as it is standard on the PS3.

2 years down the line I can see consumers buying a mixture of HD-DVD/Blu-Ray discs, and playing them on their dual HD-DVD/BR players.

[nburcombe]

You say that about dedicated players, but PS3 is a very powerful bit of kit. The software decoding on the PS2 DVD player was indeed not really up to it, but the Cell processor is plenty to do 1080p and all below it (obviously). Most games should be in 720p and 1080i, but blu-ray movie playback should be capable of 1080p/25 or 30 playback at least. The Cell should make mince meat of HD bandwidth requirements.

[shaithis]

Saying now that the PS3s BR playback will be good is EXTREMLY speculative.

In fact it has to break the trends that every DVD-playing console to-date has set: Bad playback control and poor PQ.

[BadAss]

Saying now that the PS3s BR playback will be good is EXTREMLY speculative.

In fact it has to break the trends that every DVD-playing console to-date has set: Bad playback control and poor PQ.

But technology has moved on. Codecs, decoders, Dacs have all made massive strides since the PS2 came out.

The PS3 is targeted at those people with upto 50" screens anyone who starts to complain about the PQ after that should have a Projector or a plasma. Now if they can afford a 50" plus plasma then it makes sence to pay more for a decent BD player.

[danvitale]

Regardless of how good the BR-DVD playback of the PS3 will be, or how bad DVD playback was on the PS2, the fact the Playstation 2 HAD a DVD player helped establish the format BIG TIME.

That establishment allowed the makers of DVD players drop the prices of the standaline players a hell of a lot so you could get quality playback without using the PS2. What is there stopping this from happening again with the PS3 and BluRay?

[richard plumb]

You say that about dedicated players, but PS3 is a very powerful bit of kit. The software decoding on the PS2 DVD player was indeed not really up to it, but the Cell processor is plenty to do 1080p and all below it (obviously). Most games should be in 720p and 1080i, but blu-ray movie playback should be capable of 1080p/25 or 30 playback at least. The Cell should make mince meat of HD bandwidth requirements.


wasn't there a demo last year of CELL decoding 12 HD streams in realtime? I think they were MPEG2, but thats still a lot of poke.

[Randell]

Blu-Ray player will not play SACD/DVD-A discs.

That's a big advantage to HD-DVD, Blu-Ray is just the black sheep in this field and i don't beleive it will succeed.

PS3 will play SACD, why not other blu-ray players?

http://www.ps3land.com/ps3specs.php

[JamesL]

Codecs, decoders, Dacs have all made massive strides since the PS2 came out.
I think loads of people are going to be real disappointed when the PS3 arrives. Don't get me wrong - it's going to be a superb games console - but all those who are expecting it to really make the grade as a BluRay player might be for a bit of a shock.

Now the PS3 is a powerhouse - nobody doubts that - but lets just run a few issues by the forum here:

1) MPEG4 Hardware Acceleration. Will it even have it? AFAIK the 360 doesn't because it can do it all in software. Why should the PS3 be different? Lets assume it is though - who is providing the graphics? Nvidia. Well both they and ATI have had some pretty poor attempts at hardware acceleration for video. And that was with MPEG2 which was well established. Are they really going to get it so right for MPEG4 this early in the game?

2) Software Player. Regardless of the power of the PS3 the performance of it will come down to the quality of it's software player. The Xbox 360 is living proof that, however powerful the console, load it with a rubbish softwrae DVD player and it gives awful perfomance - the 360 is only marginally better than the PS2 as a DVD player. Bar a few highend, home cinema orientated releases, software DVD players are fairly rubbish.

3) Sound. Until HDMI v1.3 receivers that can handle the new audio formats come along (probably several years before they reach the £1000 standard level) they you will need a player that outputs multi-channel audio via analogue outputs. I doubt the PS3 will have any option for this.

4) Interface. Will the PS3 interface be optimised for playing movies? I would guess not - but this is a wait and see issue. I assume a remote control will be available as an accessory for those that don't want to use a gamepad!

5) Multi-Region. We know BluRay is adopting region coding: R1 for US/Canada/Japan, R2 for Europe, R3 elsewhere. What we don't know is how easy this will be to hack. Probably quite easy as it's not part of AACS. But will the same apply to the PS3? I would suggest not as hacking a software player inside custom hardware is much harder than a single chip on a circuit board. I'm sure it will be cracked but it will take longer...until then PS3 users will be restricted to the (probably) derth of UK BluRay software.

...of course we don't know anything for certain yet. But there is a real core of users suggesting the new 'digital age' brings a level playing field are misguided at best. :god:

[chestnut]

Hi

I'm sure if sony put there mind to it they could make good use of all that processor power to make a great DVD player. The question is, do they really want to gimp the sale of there stand alone players?

Time will tell.

Chestnut

[SAH]

No ones claiming the PS3 will be this super, uber Blu-Ray player, but if it can play discs to an acceptable standard for the average Joe that will be good enough.

In time most people will have half a dozen BR/HD-DVD capable drives in their houshold, just like DVD.

[BadAss]

I think loads of people are going to be real disappointed when the PS3 arrives. Don't get me wrong - it's going to be a superb games console - but all those who are expecting it to really make the grade as a BluRay player might be for a bit of a shock.

Now the PS3 is a powerhouse - nobody doubts that - but lets just run a few issues by the forum here:

1) MPEG4 Hardware Acceleration. Will it even have it? AFAIK the 360 doesn't because it can do it all in software. Why should the PS3 be different? Lets assume it is though - who is providing the graphics? Nvidia. Well both they and ATI have had some pretty poor attempts at hardware acceleration for video. And that was with MPEG2 which was well established. Are they really going to get it so right for MPEG4 this early in the game?

2) Software Player. Regardless of the power of the PS3 the performance of it will come down to the quality of it's software player. The Xbox 360 is living proof that, however powerful the console, load it with a rubbish softwrae DVD player and it gives awful perfomance - the 360 is only marginally better than the PS2 as a DVD player. Bar a few highend, home cinema orientated releases, software DVD players are fairly rubbish.

3) Sound. Until HDMI v1.3 receivers that can handle the new audio formats come along (probably several years before they reach the £1000 standard level) they you will need a player that outputs multi-channel audio via analogue outputs. I doubt the PS3 will have any option for this.

4) Interface. Will the PS3 interface be optimised for playing movies? I would guess not - but this is a wait and see issue. I assume a remote control will be available as an accessory for those that don't want to use a gamepad!

5) Multi-Region. We know BluRay is adopting region coding: R1 for US/Canada/Japan, R2 for Europe, R3 elsewhere. What we don't know is how easy this will be to hack. Probably quite easy as it's not part of AACS. But will the same apply to the PS3? I would suggest not as hacking a software player inside custom hardware is much harder than a single chip on a circuit board. I'm sure it will be cracked but it will take longer...until then PS3 users will be restricted to the (probably) derth of UK BluRay software.

...of course we don't know anything for certain yet. But there is a real core of users suggesting the new 'digital age' brings a level playing field are misguided at best. :god:

I'm actualy prepared to wait until November to find out, then in 2007 i'll probably buy a dedicated player if the difference in PQ/features warrants the extra cash. If the PS3 plays HD as good as my PC does then I'm prepared to buy another PS3 to play GT5 and BD on my PJ.

[DanielTS]

5) Multi-Region. We know BluRay is adopting region coding: R1 for US/Canada/Japan, R2 for Europe, R3 elsewhere. What we don't know is how easy this will be to hack. Probably quite easy as it's not part of AACS. But will the same apply to the PS3? I would suggest not as hacking a software player inside custom hardware is much harder than a single chip on a circuit board. I'm sure it will be cracked but it will take longer...until then PS3 users will be restricted to the (probably) derth of UK BluRay software.

Blu-ray Content Management :
. AACS, including managed copy once AACS group enables its use

. BD+ effectively combats hacks by only addressing those players operating with known hacks.
Entirely transparent to end users using legitimate players – does not require internet connectivity to function and is on a separate layer and does not interfere with AACS.

. BD ROM-Mark is a mass replication piracy prevention measure that is completely transparent to the end user.
(Blu-ray Disc Association, Format & Product Status, Hannover, Germany: 9th March, 2006)

Hacking a player to play another region would set off the SPDC alarms and turn your player into a pumpkin.
(Stacey Spears)
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=6007037#post6007037

… each title carry its own security logic, policies, and countermeasures …
http://www.cryptography.com/technology/spdc/white_papers.html

[BenchyUK]

Before this evening i was pretty set on HD-DVD cos it' cheaper and plays current DVD's but after seeing the Gadget show tonight i have not forgotten about Blue-Ray altogther. They expalined it well and saying that HD-DVD is improvving on current DVD where as blue-ray can read it's discs far better than HD-DVD due to having less protection coating.

Not surprisingly, they sai the best format was Hard Drive :smashin:

I am still set on HD-DVD as what i'll invest in but i am still wondering so many companies are opting for blue-ray instead, it's seems to be simply the fact that they can hold more

[JamesL]

They expalined it well and saying that HD-DVD is improvving on current DVD where as blue-ray can read it's discs far better than HD-DVD due to having less protection coating.
No offence but they clearly didn't explain it that well. ;) HD DVD is built upon existing 0.6mm technology just like current DVD is. This means a HD DVD is roughly as durable as a standard DVD (although obviously more sensitive to marks/scratches on the disc).

BluRay, however, uses 0.2mm which means the disc is considerably more prone to damage than HD DVD. To counter this a protective coating, either in chemical form (as on TDK scratchproof discs) or as a plastic caddy (as on some DVD-RAM), are added to the discs. How this will perform in the 'real' world is yet to be seen: DVD-RAM is great inside caddies but the 'special' coatings devised for bare discs are not ideal. And a DVD-RAM is 10 times less prone to damage than a BluRay. Time will tell on that one.

[Nic Rhodes]

Regardless of how good the BR-DVD playback of the PS3 will be, or how bad DVD playback was on the PS2, the fact the Playstation 2 HAD a DVD player helped establish the format BIG TIME.



Do you really think so? My experiece is VERY different with many PS2 owners buying a disc and saying, what is all the fuss about. I ran many demos like this for PS2 owners who thought their DVD players in their PS2 were the Bees Knees. The reality is they sucked at DVD, just like latest X Box 360 (especially 50Hz stuff) but made a good games machine. It is a long way off the mark for DVD player performance, a very long way. I can't see PS3 suddenly changing the way ALL consoles have worked, especially not in 50Hz land.

[SAH]

But there have only been 3 consoles released with movie playback and all, including the 360, were tagged on extras.

PS3 is the first machine were movie playback is integral to the machine, almost more important than the games.

There will always be better players, but not to the same extent as PS2.

[BadAss]

The PC was never built as a DVD player either but that has evolved into a formidable DVD/scaler. Why can't a console follow suit?

[BenchyUK]

But there have only been 3 consoles released with movie playback and all, including the 360, were tagged on extras.

PS3 is the first machine were movie playback is integral to the machine, almost more important than the games.

There will always be better players, but not to the same extent as PS2.

It's a shame that the PSone and PS2 have prided themselves on being a games console where as the PS3 is a cheap movie player rather than a games console. This is where i see the XBox 360 winning the console war. SONY seem for concerned about Blue-Ray rather than the games they want to do for the console

[Nic Rhodes]

Just because a box 'can' doesn't make it any good. Currently the PS3 is a unknown quantity and history is not on their side. Frankly if BR on a PS3 is anything like DVD on PS2 / Xbox I would rather not have it. Do it properly or not at all.

[BadAss]

Just because a box 'can' doesn't make it any good. Currently the PS3 is a unknown quantity and history is not on their side. Frankly if BR on a PS3 is anything like DVD on PS2 / Xbox I would rather not have it. Do it properly or not at all.

Even if the PS3 playback is pap, I still think it will be a big step up from a stand alone DVD player, which will still make it worth using.

[boksbox]

Regardless of how good the BR-DVD playback of the PS3 will be, or how bad DVD playback was on the PS2, the fact the Playstation 2 HAD a DVD player helped establish the format BIG TIME.

That establishment allowed the makers of DVD players drop the prices of the standaline players a hell of a lot so you could get quality playback without using the PS2. What is there stopping this from happening again with the PS3 and BluRay?

What sort of numbers do you base that on?, I've never come across anyone who uses a games console for watching DVDs I suspect their number is low compared to stand alone players. I doubt the PS3 will have any significant effect on High Def film sales.
I get the impression that some people think that they might get a cheap or subsidized Blue Ray player in a PS3, I can't see that happening myself.

The PS3 still seems to be a long way off, I'll never own one so I've no particular interest, I've been around for long enough to see promises come and go when it come to electronic devices, I don't see the pattern being any different now.
I waited last time round (post first DVD player in 1998) for a dual DVD-audio SACD player, the wait wasn't worth it as the software never arrived in numbers.
I can see people holding off long enough from BR and HD-DVD in order for a 3rd solution to win out, namely high speed download/streaming.

[BenchyUK]

Even if the PS3 playback is pap, I still think it will be a big step up from a stand alone DVD player, which will still make it worth using.

It jus seems to me that the majority of people wanting a PS3 wants it as a cheap movie player instead of a games console which in that case, say the PS3 BD playback is alright but nothing great, then surely it will be better to spend another £50-£100 and get a dedicated HD-DVD player instead

[Nic Rhodes]

Even if the PS3 playback is pap, I still think it will be a big step up from a stand alone DVD player, which will still make it worth using.


I don't. I prefer standard DVD to 'pap' HD but HD done well is cool. They need to do it correctly or not at all. and there have been some dire HD hardware and software already.

[BadAss]

It jus seems to me that the majority of people wanting a PS3 wants it as a cheap movie player instead of a games console which in that case, say the PS3 BD playback is alright but nothing great, then surely it will be better to spend another £50-£100 and get a dedicated HD-DVD player instead

I'll never buy a HD-DVD player because I like to watch The Fifth Element in HD and Sony will never release it on HD-DVD.

[shaithis]

Already have 5th Element in 1080p and it is quite nice :grin:

[BadAss]

Already have 5th Element in 1080p and it is quite nice :grin:

Me too, along with Gladiator and lots of others. But the fact is I want a dedicated player for my HD movies. Therefore I need to buy it on Blue-Ray, those who buy into HD-DVD wont have the choice.

[JamesL]

Me too, along with Gladiator and lots of others. But the fact is I want a dedicated player for my HD movies. Therefore I need to buy it on Blue-Ray, those who buy into HD-DVD wont have the choice.
Just like BluRay owners won't have the choice of Universal's fantastic archives: Apollo 13, 12 Monkeys, End of Days, Waterworld, Spy Game and Pitch Black are all titles that are excluded from BluRay in the initial launch. And TV classics such as Rome will appear on HD DVD long before BluRay...

...ultimately neither HD DVD or BluRay offers a complete solution. And even where studios offer 'dual' support it is looking very much like it won't be equal support. Warner expects HD DVD to outsell BluRay 4:1 hence why more releases are scheduled for HD DVD.

[BadAss]

Universal will sell BR titles, that I have no doubt of what so ever. But Sony will never, ever release their titles on a rival format.

[shaithis]

Universal will sell BR titles, that I have no doubt of what so ever. But Sony will never, ever release their titles on a rival format.

You seem to know a lot......or are talking complete bull

Where did you get your crystal ball? I need to be able to see into the future as well.....

Tell me....Why would sony never release anything on HD-DVD if BluRay flops? We all know Sony are out to make money and if HD-DVD wins this format war, Sony will almost certainly release HD-DVD titles, claiming otherwise if pure stupidity.

[BadAss]

Have you ever seen Gran Turismo on any other format apart from PS?

[Sniper]

What ppl seem to not see is how silly & expensive this move from Sony actually is.

The PS3 (like Xbox360) is 'heralding' the HD gaming era (at least on consoles). This HD picture will be carried to your HD screen via component or DVI/HDMI (only on the PS3).

BluRay (& HD-DVD) wants you to be able to view your HD movie only via digital connections (hence HDCP) - with a 480p/576p version of the film going to the analog outputs.

So: Sony wants to sell an HD games console to anyone with an HDTV, but with it's BluRay playback capability only available to the ppl with a modern HDCP capable HDTV !!! Any idea how many ppl (especially in USA) have analog only HDTVs (and projectors). It's just plain stupid!

[Nic Rhodes]

Don't knock them, they are good at stupid ;)

[shaithis]

Have you ever seen Gran Turismo on any other format apart from PS?

Grats on comparing the console market to the film industry.....that does not compute.

I never expected to see Sony fanoi-ism in the film industry :D

[BadAss]

People who want a HD capable console buy a matching HD display.

Those who dont want to play in HD can use one of the other connections.

Wheres the problem?

[BadAss]

Grats on comparing the console market to the film industry.....that does not compute.

I never expected to see Sony fanoi-ism in the film industry :D

Erm, Sony owns a Movie Studio, Sony Owns a Sofware Studio, Sony Makes BD players, Sony makes Consoles.

Sony doesn't release its Games for rival Consoles, Sony doesn't release its movies for rival HD players.

Do things compute now or are we a few transisters short of a pocket calculator?

[matt_p]

Sony doesn't release its Games for rival Consoles,

You're completely missing the point(s) that others are making. They are saying that if Blu-Ray flops, Sony will undoubtedly release their movies on HD-DVD.

You say "do we see Gran Turismo on other consoles"? Well, no, but Playstation hasn't flopped. At the height of Sega's popularity, you would have never thought that Sonic would appear on other formats. But lo and behold, when the Dreamcast died, Sega released Sonic on pretty much all formats.

If HD-DVD becomes the clear market leader, all studios will release their movies on it. It is basic common business sense. To say that that they will never be released on HD-DVD is utterly daft.

[WillBowling]

Already have 5th Element in 1080p and it is quite nice :grin:
how do you watch in 1080p as the tv listed in your signature can only display 768x1366 so a max of 720p? not even a 1080i resolution. i presume you have seen it somewhere else or you have new equipment not listed on your signature?

[JamesL]

Universal will sell BR titles, that I have no doubt of what so ever.
Only if Microsoft decides to cave in on it's BluRay position (unlikely given it's interface is powered by arch-rival Java). Ultimately Microsoft has too much to lose by allowing BluRay dominance - by ensuring a format war they will open the way for video downloads which is where they see the future. Be under no illusion - Universal are as entrenched in HD DVD and Sony is in BluRay.

...and as I commented earlier we already have one Sony title on HD DVD: Resident Evil. :)

[Sniper]

People who want a HD capable console buy a matching HD display.

Those who dont want to play in HD can use one of the other connections.

Wheres the problem?

That's exactly the problem & that's what Sony wants ppl to do! They want ppl to change perfectly good analog HD capable displays, with the excuse that it's better. When in fact what they mean is - better for their profit margins.

Now don't get me wrong - I like games on whatever platform, and I'm no anti-Sony fan. I would like the PS3 more if Sony woke up tomorrow, scrapped the BluRay drive shoved in an £5 dvd-rom and started selling it for some £150 cheaper then it will sell !!! And i'm sure loads of ppl agree.

[BadAss]

You're completely missing the point(s) that others are making. They are saying that if Blu-Ray flops, Sony will undoubtedly release their movies on HD-DVD.

You say "do we see Gran Turismo on other consoles"? Well, no, but Playstation hasn't flopped. At the height of Sega's popularity, you would have never thought that Sonic would appear on other formats. But lo and behold, when the Dreamcast died, Sega released Sonic on pretty much all formats.

If HD-DVD becomes the clear market leader, all studios will release their movies on it. It is basic common business sense. To say that that they will never be released on HD-DVD is utterly daft.

Its more daft to talk about the death of a format six months before its birth.

As for RE coming out on HD-DVD read this...

http://www.heise.de/english/newsticker/news/71650

[JamesL]

As for RE coming out on HD-DVD read this...

http://www.heise.de/english/newsticker/news/71650
Not sure what point you're trying to make with the link? As it says Resident Evil (a Sony title) is available on HD DVD rather in contradiction to the bold (and incorrect) presumptions you have been making as if they were fact. The fact it mentions they have static menus has also been widely discussed - the vast majority of the reaction to which is "so what?". Ulitmately we are buying these new films - whether on HD DVD or BluRay - for the enhanced picture and audio quality. Not for the menus! I'm sure both BluRay and HD DVD menus will start very vanilla but soon grow to be as complex, animated and (quite frankly) as annoying as those on SD DVD.

[Sniper]

So what if both formats are accepted!? In that case the customers' pov will be one of indifference - i.e. as long as it's HD - who cares what format, and anyway you'll have no format choice, as 1 film is on BD and another is on HDvd.

We'll want players cabable of playing both standards. What's the use of having a BluRay price-inflated-delayed console, which cannot play all the available movies. Does not make sense to pay such a premium to shave half your beard!

I get the feeling Sony are too afraid to step back & say "oi - we f*ed up" - here's your console with DVD.

[matt_p]

Its more daft to talk about the death of a format six months before its birth.

Quite.

But no-one has actually mentioned the death of either format.... so... yeah.

I'd love to know what brand of monitor you're using, because it seems to be seriously distorting what you're reading compared to what I'm reading. :confused:

[BadAss]

Quite.

But no-one has actually mentioned the death of either format.... so... yeah.

I'd love to know what brand of monitor you're using, because it seems to be seriously distorting what you're reading compared to what I'm reading. :confused:

Come on, you said flop of BD, I daid death, stop being picky.:rolleyes:

[JamesL]

So what if both formats are accepted!? In that case the customers' pov will be one of indifference - i.e. as long as it's HD - who cares what format, and anyway you'll have no format choice, as 1 film is on BD and another is on HDvd.
I think this is probably what will happen TBH. As with high def audio, where DVD-Audio and SACD co-exist, the same will be true of the two video formats. A small number of studios and companies will stick dogedly to single format but the vast majority will adopt a multi-format policy. The fact that several companies - LG and Samung - are already mooting this means it is almost certain to happen.

[Sniper]

I think this is probably what will happen TBH. As with high def audio, where DVD-Audio and SACD co-exist, the same will be true of the two video formats. A small number of studios and companies will stick dogedly to single format but the vast majority will adopt a multi-format policy. The fact that several companies - LG and Samung - are already mooting this means it is almost certain to happen.

which IMO is another dent in Sony's BluRay-by-force policy!

[welwynnick]

Mod Comment:

Some of the remarks in this thread are becoming more than discourteous. Not taking any sides, here, but guys, will you please express your opinions AS opinions, and not as facts, which is just going to lead to an increasingly unpleasant escalation.

thanks, Nick

[BadAss]

Mod Comment:

Some of the remarks in this thread are becoming more than discourteous. Not taking any sides, here, but guys, will you please express your opinions AS opinions, and not as facts, which is just going to lead to an increasingly unpleasant escalation.

thanks, Nick

OK, i'll start, it is in my opinion, Resident Evil:Apocalypse is one of the worse movies ever made. In fact If I had made it I'd be giving it away too!:smashin:

[richard plumb]

...ultimately neither HD DVD or BluRay offers a complete solution. And even where studios offer 'dual' support it is looking very much like it won't be equal support. Warner expects HD DVD to outsell BluRay 4:1 hence why more releases are scheduled for HD DVD.

Warner publically saying they expect HDDVD to outsell bluray 4:1 is as much about them trying to influence consumers and other studios as it is about accurate, objective market analysis.

Simple fact is they, and other studios will quickly change their minds if one format or the other starts to make headway - look at how quickly studios fell into line with UMD (and stopped again!). The big studios may have a vested interest in preferring one format over another, but the bottom line is their final measurement, and they'll follow where the money is.

[BadAss]

Out of interest did Universal ever release any UMD titles?

[JamesL]

Warner publically saying they expect HDDVD to outsell bluray 4:1 is as much about them trying to influence consumers and other studios as it is about accurate, objective market analysis.
Indeed - I don' think anyone denies that - but by the same token if that is true and they are trying to push one format then their support for both is unlikely to be equal.

Simple fact is they, and other studios will quickly change their minds if one format or the other starts to make headway - look at how quickly studios fell into line with UMD (and stopped again!).
Didn't Sony offer financial incentives for studios to release titles on UMD? Regardless you arer quite right - if a format stops selling - as UMD Video certainly has - then it will be dropped. Can't see that happening with either HD DVD or BluRay though: there are too many of us who want high def video!

Resident Evil:Apocalypse is one of the worse movies ever made
Personnally I quite enjoyed it - a simple popcorn movie. Anyway it's Resident Evil 1 that is being given away at this stage :grin:

[shaithis]

how do you watch in 1080p as the tv listed in your signature can only display 768x1366 so a max of 720p? not even a 1080i resolution. i presume you have seen it somewhere else or you have new equipment not listed on your signature?

My TV scales it, but I also have a Dell 2405FPW which does 1920x1200.....have watched it on both and TBH it does look better on the plasma as you can't tell much difference in detail levels due to the 24" size restriction of the monitor.

The point was: You can watch it from HD movie channels, so don't neccessarily have to buy either HD-DVD or BluRay to watch it ;)

[SAH]

It's a shame that the PSone and PS2 have prided themselves on being a games console where as the PS3 is a cheap movie player rather than a games console. This is where i see the XBox 360 winning the console war. SONY seem for concerned about Blue-Ray rather than the games they want to do for the console

I don't believe thats true for one minute.

Sony see the PS3 as being a HD hub, the centrepiece of your living room.

The public know what they are getting games wise, but need to be educated about HD in general, and BR specifically.

The majoirty of PS3 news has been hardware related, so the HD element will obviously have been the major talking point.

Games wise we know what to expect, bigger, flashier, louder.

Add HD and online to that and its looking good.

[lfletcher]

I tend to agree with BadAss on some of his Sony comments. It will be a cold day in hell before Sony release on HD-DVD, Blu Ray will have to be very very dead before it happens. But they will do it if Blu Ray doesnt survive, they cant afford not to.

Can anyone tell me what the link between Universial and Microsoft is that someone hinted to earlier? If BD gains some popularity I can see Universial supporting it quite quickly.

Anyone have a link to Warners 4:1 statement?

The reason that Resident Evil is released in Japan on HD-DVD is because it isnt distributed by Sony there. Doubtless you will see quite a few releases around the world by different distributors. For instance we know that Kill Bill is a Disney film and is heading for US BD release. However the Japanese release was by Universial, so they might be able to release a HD-DVD version there. Same for things like Jurassic Park. Universial in the US, but Sony got the rights to release a Superbit version in Japan.

One other thing why do people see this as a Sony Vs Toshiba fight? It isnt, most of the major manufacturers are Blu Ray supporters. Yes, Sony might be the biggest advocators, but its Sony/Pioneer/Panasonic/Samsung Vs Toshiba/Nec

[WillBowling]

My TV scales it, but I also have a Dell 2405FPW which does 1920x1200.....have watched it on both and TBH it does look better on the plasma as you can't tell much difference in detail levels due to the 24" size restriction of the monitor.

The point was: You can watch it from HD movie channels, so don't neccessarily have to buy either HD-DVD or BluRay to watch it ;)
i still dont understand, the panasonic th-50phd8 does not accept a 1080p signal. it will only accept a 1080i or 720p for hi def. also on a 24" you would have to be very close to see any of the detail wouldnt you?

[shaithis]

i still dont understand, the panasonic th-50phd8 does not accept a 1080p signal. it will only accept a 1080i or 720p for hi def.
Well, it most definatly shows up in all software that I have opened it with as 1080p....and I played it on my plasma via the XBox360 streaming from an MCE PC.

also on a 24" you would have to be very close to see any of the detail wouldnt you?
Thats what I basically said about why I prefered it on the plasma.

EDIT: Just checked the PHD8 manual and it does accept 1080/25p and 1080/30p....

[Soldier_I]

Originally Posted by WillBowling
i still dont understand, the panasonic th-50phd8 does not accept a 1080p signal. it will only accept a 1080i or 720p for hi def.


I have the same panel (check sig) as shaithis and can confirm that it does accept 1080p resolutions.

Tony. :)

[dermot360]

I cannot see how the likes of samsung and pioneer make HUGE ugly players selling for approx $1000 and sony can make the PS3 at at least half that cost with it as an extra to the fact it will be a game console. Something has to be wrong with this?
I am sure, like the 360 and the ps2 that video playback will be average at best and that the noise of the unit (fans etc) will ruin the experience further.

Sony have already lost with the UMD format - the ps3 has a lot to make up for.

I await the cost of the ps3 and will not rule out HDDVD just yet.

[BadAss]

I have the same panel (check sig) as shaithis and can confirm that it does accept 1080p resolutions.

Tony. :)

According to many webistes like this one it doesn't.

http://www.plasma-screen.co.uk/new_page_18.htm

Resolution: 1366*768

[davsdu]

According to many webistes like this one it doesn't.

http://www.plasma-screen.co.uk/new_page_18.htm

Resolution: 1366*768

It accepts 1080p but downscales it to 1366x768

[NicolasB]

I cannot see how the likes of samsung and pioneer make HUGE ugly players selling for approx $1000 and sony can make the PS3 at at least half that cost with it as an extra to the fact it will be a game console. Something has to be wrong with this?No. :)

Stand-alone disc players are sold to make a profit. Games consoles are sold to make a loss. The same capability in the two devices will result in very different prices to the end-user.

[shaithis]

According to many webistes like this one it doesn't.

http://www.plasma-screen.co.uk/new_page_18.htm

Resolution: 1366*768

Click on the TV name in my sig, it will load the PDF manual for you...Page 44 lists the availbale modes and entries 11 and 12 list the 2 1080p modes.

Just because it doesn't do it as a native resolution, doesn't mean it wont do it. You might want to read what "HD Ready" means.

[Soldier_I]

Originally Posted by BadAss
According to many webistes like this one it doesn't.

http://www.plasma-screen.co.uk/new_page_18.htm

Resolution: 1366*768

I think you need to read peoples posts properly and learn a bit more about the subject before you start questioning peoples equipment

As i said:

Originally Posted by Soldier I
I have the same panel (check sig) as shaithis and can confirm that it does accept 1080p resolutions.

Tony. :)


I wrote that the panel "accepts" a 1080p resolution. It then scales it to fit my panel resolution of 1366x768.

It not that hard is it?

More proof for ya:
http://www.av-sales.co.uk/Panasonic-TH42PHD8-33-16.htm

:)

[BadAss]

Well thats a bit missleading saying it accepts 1080p when it can only display 768p. Why not just say it can can downscale a 1080p signal to 768p as davsdu has already pointed out?

[Nic Rhodes]

No, it is the norm. Input resolutions bar no relation to panel resolution. No different from the 768p panel accepting 576p and scaling up rather than down.

[silkyandy x]

Well I would say 360 playback is actually pretty good. much better than PS2 and Xbox so I think PS3 will be pretty good also. Compared to most standalone Prog scan DVD players the 360 looks great on my panel. (JVCDS6)

[BadAss]

Just because it doesn't do it as a native resolution, doesn't mean it wont do it. You might want to read what "HD Ready" means.

No I think you need to go back to school. Like Nic said panel resolution and input resolution are two different things. Who cares what the input resolution is, if your display has to downscale it signal theirs no point mentioning it. If I threw a Reliant Robin out of the back of a plane, I wouldn't then try and sell advertising it with a maximum speed of 200mph.

[Nic Rhodes]

I thought the 360 DVD play sucked!! Especially on 50Hz stuff.

[shaithis]

No I think you need to go back to school. Like Nic said panel resolution and input resolution are two different things. Who cares what the input resolution is, if your display has to downscale it signal theirs no point mentioning it. If I threw a Reliant Robin out of the back of a plane, I wouldn't then try and sell advertising it with a maximum speed of 200mph.

I get the impression you have a problem with me.....Just live with the fact you have been shown to be wrong and stop trying to clutch at straws to have a go back at me.

The panel accepts the signal and displays it, thats how the whole "HD Ready" spec works, else virtaually no HD panel ever sold could be HD based on your "go back to school" bull. If you want to argue that, I suggest you head over to the Plasma (http://www.avforums.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=82) or HDTV (http://www.avforums.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=104) forums :)

Deal with the fact you were wrong please.

[BadAss]

shaithis, I haven't got a problem with you or anyone on these Forums. It wansn't me who started questioning what you meant, that was some one else. It was WillBowling that said i still dont understand, the panasonic th-50phd8 does not accept a 1080p signal. it will only accept a 1080i or 720p for hi def. The way he understood 'accept' was the same way I did and I'm sure most others did. davsdu puts the matter straight It accepts 1080p but downscales it to 1366x768 You and Soldier_I then carry on the arguement when the matter had been put straight.

Who cares what the input signal to a display is, its makes no odds if the signal is then downscaled to your displays native resolution.

So carry on and on if you will, every one else understands where the missunderstand is.

[davsdu]

I get the impression you have a problem with me.....Just live with the fact you have been shown to be wrong and stop trying to clutch at straws to have a go back at me.

The panel accepts the signal and displays it,

The panel does not display the 1080p signal. It scales it down to 1366x768 and then displays that. Very big difference!!

[mgillespie]

Blu-Ray player will not play SACD/DVD-A discs.

That's a big advantage to HD-DVD, Blu-Ray is just the black sheep in this field and i don't beleive it will succeed.

Then your a fool. Every PS3 shipped will be Blu-Ray capable, creating a massive userbase. HD-DVD is dead in the water because of this. Even HD-DVD camps are realising this, and getting desperate and releasing all sorts of crazy press releases, giving people the false impression that there will be £300 HD-DVD players on the streets before the middle of the year...

[BenchyUK]

I have been thinking really hard about what format i MIGHT be tempted to go for.

HD-DVD sounds great as it plays Standard DVD's, is cheaper and everything else basically says to go for one of these BUT i don't want to have something that MIGHT be obsolite in the future ehich is why i might buy a PS3 aswell if the playback is really good and then buy a cheap HD-DVD player

[BadAss]

The BD players will play SD DVD as well.

[BenchyUK]

Good to know :smashin: