Blu-Ray or HD-DVD

[dorian gray]

Personally I got tired of all the upgrade games over the years in electronics. Having sold them over a decade ago, I had some pretty high end systems early on. I got so jaded that I even ditched my surround rig last winter and now run my LCD ... well ... hooked up only to my DVD.

Yeah, same here dude. I now run my movies through my TV. The surround speakers are in a closet somewhere. It's all a very deliberate marketing/profiteering strategy. There's no engineering involved. All this shit was developed decades ago.

 

[General Zod]

It's all a very deliberate marketing/profiteering strategy. There's no engineering involved. All this shit was developed decades ago.

I hear the government has alien bodies hidden in a secret lab in the Nevada desert.

Zod

 

[dorian gray]

My brother is actually stationed at that base, btw. Creech AFB.
Hangar 18 is a real unit at Wright Patterson AFB in Dayton, OH. I can't verify the existence of the aliens though. Alas.

But seriously, this audio/video technology isn't new. LCD is ancient by tech standards and the laser technology of DVD has been around since the early 1980s. All "modern" technology like HD and Blu-ray is just built upon a few basic concepts, it's not cutting-edge engineering.

 

[JayKeeley]

By the way, for anyone who cares, I bought the 60GB PS3 for $500 today. A few reasons for this decision...

1. The format war may take a few years before it's over. If Blu-Ray loses, I'll be able to pick up a quality HD-DVD player for $200 by that time. In the mean time, I can watch HD movies, in the superior format.

2. Even if Blu-Ray loses the format war, at least I'll be left with the superior gaming system.

3. For $500, the PS3 represents the best value as a pure Blu-Ray player. In tests, even against $1,200 units, it compares favorably. Plus, it now upconverts regular DVDs.

Just watched Aeon Flux on Blu-Ray... the picture quality was just ridiculous.

Zod

That makes sense, but you also have an X Box 360, right? Or did you get rid of it? And if so, why? And have you ever been inside a turkish prison?

 

[lurch70]

i still want to know when all the networks and cable channels will get on board and broadcast in HD ... I am sure their prices went down as well.

let's get on board fuckos

 

[JayKeeley]

aliens vs predator 2

 

[General Zod]

But seriously, this audio/video technology isn't new. LCD is ancient by tech standards and the laser technology of DVD has been around since the early 1980s. All "modern" technology like HD and Blu-ray is just built upon a few basic concepts, it's not cutting-edge engineering.

Regardless of the age of the technology, the difference between SD and HD is tremendous. And I feel about High Definition like I do about compact discs; they can come out with something better, but it will never sell.

With CDs, the level of distortion is so low, it's not audible to the human ear. Which is why disc technologies superior to CD have never taken off and never will. Similarly, HD looks like you're looking through an open window. There isn't going to be another technology, that will represent a large enough leap from HD (like HD is from SD) that people will actually pay for.

That makes sense, but you also have an X Box 360, right? Or did you get rid of it? And if so, why?

I'm suppose to be selling it to a friend for $200. Why? Because I never play it.

And have you ever been inside a turkish prison?

Only in Turkey.

Zod

 

[JayKeeley]

With CDs, the level of distortion is so low, it's not audible to the human ear. Which is why disc technologies superior to CD have never taken off and never will. Similarly, HD looks like you're looking through an open window. There isn't going to be another technology, that will represent a large enough leap from HD (like HD is from SD) that people will actually pay for.

what about the holo-deck from Star Trek: The Next Generation?

 

[dorian gray]

Regardless of the age of the technology, the difference between SD and HD is tremendous.

This here be true

 

[General Zod]

what about the holo-deck from Star Trek: The Next Generation?

The only generation I ever watched was the original TV show (in reruns). All others are shit. Granted, I never watched them, so I can say for sure that they are shit. However...

Kirk >>> All Other Starship Captains

Zod

 

[Captain Beard]

I still wish they presented more channels IN HD. The only thing stopping me other than the still slightly prohibitive cost is that some of my favorite channels are HD capable (some Science channel shows on dish network) but aren't fully HD yet.

 

[d1c1ple]

How was Aeon Flux? Did not see it yet? Worth renting?

 

[Sadguru]

By the way, for anyone who cares, I bought the 60GB PS3 for $500 today. A few reasons for this decision...

1. The format war may take a few years before it's over. If Blu-Ray loses, I'll be able to pick up a quality HD-DVD player for $200 by that time. In the mean time, I can watch HD movies, in the superior format.

2. Even if Blu-Ray loses the format war, at least I'll be left with the superior gaming system.

3. For $500, the PS3 represents the best value as a pure Blu-Ray player. In tests, even against $1,200 units, it compares favorably. Plus, it now upconverts regular DVDs.

Just watched Aeon Flux on Blu-Ray... the picture quality was just ridiculous.

Zod

Well done.

 

[General Zod]

How was Aeon Flux? Did not see it yet? Worth renting?

Solid. I suspect my perspective is skewed a bit, because I was busy being blown away by the picture.

Zod

 

[General Zod]

I still wish they presented more channels IN HD. The only thing stopping me other than the still slightly prohibitive cost is that some of my favorite channels are HD capable (some Science channel shows on dish network) but aren't fully HD yet.

DirecTV's current HD line-up:

* 70/509 - HBO HD
* 71/543 - Showtime HD
* 72 - ESPN2HD
* 73 - ESPNHD
* 74 - Universal HD
* 75 - TNT HD
* 76 - Discovery HD Theater
* 77 - National Geographic Channel HD (Only available for a Sneak Peak; NGCH is not available 24/7)
* 78 - HDNet Movies
* 79 - HDNet
* 93 - HD Special Events
* 94 - HD Special Events
* 95 - HD Special Events
* 99 - Pay-Per-View HD
* 101/334 - The 101

DirecTV is scheduled to add the following channels by year end, most in September (rumor is, on September 7th):

* A&E
* Animal Planet
* Bravo
* Big Ten Network
* Cartoon Network
* Chiller
* CNBC
* CNN
* Discovery Channel simulcast
* Food Network
* FX
* HGTV
* MHD
* National Geographic HD
* NFL Network
* Nickelodeon/Nick At Nite/Nick Jr [citation needed]
* Sci Fi Channel
* Speed Channel
* Starz Comedy
* Starz E/W feeds
* Starz Edge
* Starz Kids & Family
* TBS
* The History Channel
* The Movie Channel
* The Science Channel
* The Tennis Channel
* The Weather Channel
* TLC
* USA Network
* Versus HD

By Early 2008 DirecTV will also have these Disney Networks in HD

* ABC Family HD
* Disney Channel HD
* ESPNEWS HD
* Toon Disney HD

Zod

 

[lurch70]

Solid. I suspect my perspective is skewed a bit, because I was busy being blown away by the picture.

Zod

... yeah, this happens a lot with crappy movies on HD ... you end up still watching them because of the pretty visuals

 

[General Zod]

Watched 300 on Blu-Ray last night.... wow!

Zod

 

[Thanatopsis123]

I'd like a get a PS3 and some kind of HD TV when I get home but I know nothing about TVs. Any recommendations for various price ranges? And I've heard some things about some TVs these days being more susceptible to burn-in. Which ones are those?

 

[General Zod]

I'm quite happy with my purchase. I bought a Samsung 40" LCD. It's the top rated LCD on CNET. Cost was $1,500.

Zod

 

[Captain Beard]

Oh, thats not bad. You said 1080i? Or is it 720?