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Why I choose HD DVD over Blu-ray
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DVD Profiler Unlimited RegistrantMark Harrison
I like IMDB
Registered: March 13, 2007
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This is very long.  So I hope you find it interesting.  And if it helps just one person off the fence (to either side to be perfectly honest), then it was worth my time to type it.

I followed the HD wars for over a year before jumping in.  I’ve tried my best to examine the pros and cons of each side and base my decisions based off that.  I don’t claim that all my facts are correct, but getting the “truth” hasn’t exactly been easy.  In the end, you have to do the best with what you have.  And keep in mind that this is my opinion.  I don’t claim that my decisions work for everyone out there.  Just that this is what is important to me.  So I’m not looking for rebuttals to me reasoning.  I’ve made my choice.  You’re welcome to point out any “flaws” you’d like, but don’t expect an answer.

1)  I’ll start with the big one.  Please excuse the size, but I think this was the biggest factor I looked at when choosing.  HD DVD has a maximum of 30GB and Blu-ray has a maximum of 50GB.  At first glance, this seems a huge advantage for Blu-ray.  What I’ve discovered however is that 30GB seems completely adequate at this point.

The reason I say this is I’ve seen multiple threads where people have tried to hash out which format has the best picture quality.  The method they usually seem to use is to take a small portion of a freeze framed image and blow it up 200x to compare to something similar on the other format.  You’d think at this point the differences would reach out and punch you in the nose.  But in every single thread, the results are hotly debated.  I finally decided that if these people, who are fanatical about picture quality, can’t pick a clear winner at this point, then there must not be enough of a difference to get worked up about.  As for myself, I usually watch my movies, not stare at freeze frames blown up 200x.  Plus my eyes aren’t nearly as well trained as those doing the tests.  I typically don’t see compression artifacts, edge enhancement, mosquito noise, macro-blocking, etc.  And that’s fine with me.  I can see that stuff if I try, but I’d rather not train my eyes to pick out all the blemishes.  I’d rather just enjoy the show.

Furthermore, I’ve watched King Kong on HD DVD.  That’s not considered the best movie on HD (most would say Pirates of the Caribbean currently holds that crown), but it’s among the very best HD has to offer on either side.  And it looks fantastic to me.  Since it’s over 3 hours long, I’m not concerned that HD DVD has a mere 30GB.  In fact I think that will be adequate for most anything to come along.

Now, I’ve seen posts on Blu-ray sites (yes I’ve followed both sides in this war) and I usually see comments about how HD DVD folks are simply worrying about now and don’t consider how giving up 20GB will affect us in the future.  We’re being short-sighted.  It’s a fair statement, but what does it really mean?  It’s true that in 5-10 years the epic movie could make a comeback and we’ll start see 6-8 hour movies that won’t fit on a single HD DVD.  But I very seriously doubt it. Besides, how important is it that the entire movie fit on 1 disc once you reach a certain point.  I’ve seen purists who argue that any split in the movie isn’t representing the “actual” theatrical experience.  But most people take a more realistic approach.  So I don’t think it’s the feature length we need to be concerned about here.  If HD DVD can do 3+ hours, that will cover 99.9% of what’s out there that I’m interested in.  Some Microsoft guys told me HD DVD could do Lord of the Rings: Return of the King (4:23) on one disc.  Maybe they can, maybe they can’t.  All I know is I can’t watch all that in one sitting anyway, so I don’t really care if it’s 1 or 2 discs.

Bonus material doesn’t count either.  It’s already the norm for 2-disc sets on DVD and we’ve already seen 2-disc sets on HD DVD and Blu-ray.  I don’t think anyone cares that there isn’t that additional 20GB on the main disc for bonus material.  It can easily go on a second or third disc.  So there’s no space disadvantage there either.

This leaves interactive content.  And this is where the Blu-ray folks have a valid argument.  That extra 20GB on Blu-ray has the potential to be put to good use.  Now remember, this is my opinion and my opinion only.  But I don’t really care.  I have over 700 movies on DVD and I’ve watched every single bonus feature, trailer, read all the text stuff, listened to all the commentaries and I’m done.  I’m burned out.  I no longer care.  I’ve seen the interactive stuff and it’s really cool.  It’s fun to demonstrate to my friends.  They ohh and ahh over it.  But at the end of the day, I just don’t care.  When I watch my movie, I don’t want stupid crap popping up.  And when I want to watch bonus material, I have no desire to have the movie playing in the background distracting me from trying to see what’s in that tiny picture-in-picture box off to the side.  I’ve heard rumors that Blu-ray might be able to show the bonus stuff in the main window and stick the movie in the small pip window.  And I still don’t care.  I know it’s a huge selling point on both sides, but it’s pointless to me.  So if that 20GB means I’ll be missing some cool interactive feature, so be it.  I won’t miss it.

End result: 30GB is plenty of space for my needs.

2) First impressions.  I know it’s wrong to go off first impressions, but I can’t help it.  HD DVD did a super job from day 1.  There were problems here and there, but they still did very well.  Blu-ray made a horrible first impression with me.  Their movies looked like crap, they couldn’t get their 50GB discs going, and on and on and on.  For what it’s worth, Blu-ray still hasn’t finished a few things up.  In particular their interactive stuff is still not ready.  That’s holding up releases.  Their copy protection still isn’t complete.  That’s holding up releases.  Now those are two features I don’t care about, but it certainly makes the other side look better when they had their act together from day 1.  Plus it inspires more confidence about how well my platform will be supported in the future.

3) While we’re on the topic, HD DVD mandated that certain hardware requirements be met from day 1.  Like an internet connection for example or their interactivity software.  As a result, content producers can go to town with stuff.  On the Blu-ray side, you never know what features will be present on the hardware, so you either risk some users not being able to take advantage of all the features on your title, you dumb things down to the lowest common denominator or you just wait.  Warner is doing a lot of waiting because the interactive features aren't there yet.  Fox is doing a lot of waiting because the copy protection isn't fully in place yet.  That’s why HD DVD users can buy The Matrix today and Warner is holding off on Blu-Ray (along with many other titles).

4) Next up is region coding.  HD DVD doesn’t currently use it.  Blu-ray does (on some titles).  I’ve heard it said that HD DVD could turn it on at some point.  I’m not sure if that’s true or not.  But what I do know is that they don’t use it today and Blu-ray does.

5) Hardware Costs.  I paid $250 for my HD player.  Blu-ray simply can’t touch that at this point.  That made it a very easy choice for me.

6) Software Costs.  I’ve heard that Blu-ray discs are cheaper than HD DVDs.  That may or may not be true, but I feel it’s a silly thing to argue about.  Prices will come down eventually.  Plus I’m not stupid enough to pay full retail.  And if I just have to have it, I can afford those few extra dollars.  This is a total non-issue for me.

7) How about exclusive studios?  I’ve seen all kinds of crap on this one.  The truth of the matter is both sides have movies I want to see.  And both have material you couldn’t give me.  At this particular point in time, HD DVD has more titles that interest me.  But that’s a stupid way to make a decision.  The gap may continue to widen or it might not.  Both sides have a story to tell, but in the end, no one can predict the future.  So I didn’t let this affect my decision.  Only a fool would believe that he can say with any certainty exactly how things will look a year from now.

8) Here’s a fun one.  First of all, not all Blu-ray advocates are idiots.  I’ll admit that up front.  But I’ve seen a few here and there that like to talk about how Blu-ray has three layers of copy protection and HD DVD has only one layer.  After picking myself up off the floor, I have to wonder who these people work for.  By and large, copy protection is a benefit to the content owner and a hindrance to the user.  The user has nothing to gain from copy protected computer software, video games, CDs, MP3’s, DVDs, etc.  In what insane universe can copy protection be considered a benefit for the user?  THIS IS NOT A “FEATURE”!!! I guess it’s true that if you tell a lie enough times, people will start believing you.    

9) This one is another hugely personal opinion, but I hate Sony.  Now I’ll agree that none of the corporations in this little war have clean hands.  In fact the whole lot of them have such dirty hands that they’re barely recognizable as hands any longer.  But I dislike Sony more than the rest.  Now, this has nothing to do with anything.  If Blu-ray was my format of choice, I’d suck it up and deal with it.  But that’s not the case so at least it makes me feel better.

10) I’ve heard some say that the lossless sound on Blu-Ray is better than the lossless sound on HD DVD.  That just sounds like complete crap to me.  If no bits have been thrown out during the compression stage, then you have the exact same soundtrack when it’s uncompressed.  I’ll admit that I don’t know enough about this to speak intelligently on the topic, but at the end of the day, that sounds like a bunch of crap to me.  And like picture quality, I’m not into it enough to compare and contrast different soundtracks to find the “perfect” one.  When the movie is playing, I’m too into the story to notice minute differences.  I say both sides have awesome potential.  When quality sound tracks are created in the first place, then it’s all good to me.

11) 5 free movies from Toshiba from now until the end of July.  The choices are limited, but you can't beat free.

12) Blu-ray movies are supposed to have a protective coating to help prevent scratches.  HD DVD doesn't.  That's a very nice Blu-ray feature.

Anyway, that just about sums up my feelings.  I can’t say which side is “better”.  I can only try to separate the facts from the crap the studios are feeding us and decide what’s important for me.  I've done so and hope you find this valuable as you ponder your decision.
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 Last edited: by Mark Harrison
DVD Profiler Unlimited RegistrantStar Contributorbob9000
safety word?
Registered: March 13, 2007
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Thanks for your thoughts. I haven't made up my own mind yet, but its good to know what others are thinking.
Invelos Software, Inc. RepresentativeKen Cole
Invelos Software
Registered: March 10, 2007
United States Posts: 4,282
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Nice writeup, Mark.  My reasons for going HD DVD are a bit simpler.  My current best guess is that both formats will survive for a long time and that universal players will be the norm within 18 months.  With that in mind, HD DVD is clearly cheaper to get a player now and start enjoying HD content while I wait for a reasonably priced universal player.  Here's hoping Samsung delivers on this for the holidays!  Then, I'll have a grand old time buying all the BluRay titles I missed.
Invelos Software, Inc. Representative
 Last edited: by Ken Cole
DVD Profiler Unlimited RegistrantStar Contributorruineddaydreams
Registered: Dec. 2, 2002
Registered: March 14, 2007
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very nice post in deed Mark - in fact... it's the best argument for hd-dvd i've ever heard. it makes me feel a bit better about getting into the next gen game... i've found myself in an interesting situation - i honestly feel that Blu-Ray is the superior technology long term (size has to matter... i think of regular single layer vs double layer dvds), i also think that the studio support is much better on Blu-Ray... 

however I work the retail side of Consumer Electronics... and I won an HD-DVD player... it's on its way, due to arrive some time this month. I also thought i would be in this game much sooner, and on the other side... but i got cold feet on Blu-Ray at first because of the crappy Fifth Element transfer (soon to be re-released as a new mastered version... first next gen double dip - mark your calenders), and the fact that while i love Samsung tv's - i've had bad experiences with their dvd players... I would have preferred to win the sony blu-ray player... but thats life.

my solution so far is to only buy universal titles, as those are HD-DVD exclusive... ill be picking and buying my first during this weeks Deep Discount 20% off sale - i never pay retail either... 

unfortunately for hd-dvd... one of the "hands" in this... also owns the rights to such movies as Spiderman and James Bond... at this point i must agree with Ken... they will both survive... or... they may both fail... but neither one will win... this is a stalemate. my hope is for a quality universal player soon... because i wouldnt want to exclude my new hd-dvd's from my new blu-ray player.
-JoN
DVD Profiler Unlimited Registrantgraymadder
Registered: March 13, 2007
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That was a nice read. Most of what you said is the same philosophy that I use to make decisions. I tend to be a little more on the tech spec side (bigger is better, more power is better, etc) but that may only influence my decision and not make it. I was on Blu-ray side from the get go at least right before launch time. I remember reading, don’t quite remember the exact verbage, but both sides decided to try and see if they could make one format. Well not long after that both sides said they couldn’t come to an agreement.

At first it didn’t change my mind, but the more I thought about it I started to change my mind. I was also following the next gen consoles as well (360 and PS3). I was so for the PS3. Of course a lot changed in the following months. PS3 was delayed…and delayed..and delayed. Most of what I read all pointed to the holdup as blu-ray issues. I think Sony has no business in the delivery systems of DVDs. It seems to be a conflict with Sony owning a movie studio and rights to movies. Didn’t Paramount get in trouble for owning venues and only allowing their venues to play their movies? In fact it went to the Supreme Court. Not that this is the exact same case, but it does ring a bell. That really got to me. They also decided to use the PS3 as a huge delivery system for Blu-ray. People who don’t like gaming might buy a PS3 because it would be a cheap blu-ray system. Win win for Sony. This is when I began to get a bad taste for Sony. Then like what you said about the launch of Blu-ray and some of the bad transfers. Only added to the taste.

If Sony was independent from the film industry I think we may not have ever entered into a format war. Ok enough on Sony. All in all I think they both offer a great product. I think the differences are minimal at best. It comes down to preference. Chevy or Ford? PC or Mac? Pepsi or Coke? There is no RIGHT choice. Until the war is over and only then will there be a RIGHT choice.
 Last edited: by graymadder
DVD Profiler Unlimited Registrantstefc
Registered: March 14, 2007
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Spot on Mark and Ken, my exact same reasons for my choice. The 360 add-on now presented me a small price entry point, my real cash is waiting for a proper universal player, with blu-ray region coding defeated, and multi region dvd.
DVD Profiler Unlimited RegistrantMark Harrison
I like IMDB
Registered: March 13, 2007
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I forget point 11.  5 free movies from Toshiba through the end of July.

Anyway, I agree that on paper, Blu-ray is superior.  But when it hit the market, they were a long way from meeting the specs.  They've come a little way but they're still not there yet.  They certainly have more potential, but they've not fully realized that potential yet.  They're as much to blame for this war going on this long as anyone else.  If they would have had their act together from day 1 like Toshiba, I don't think we'd be having this conversation now.  I think Toshiba forced their hand before they were ready.

I think the latest deals from Toshiba are helping breath life into HD DVD.  I too think there won't be a winner any time soon if at all.  The scary thing is it all hinges on a single studio at this point.  If Universal caves, I think it will be game over.  At that point you can get Blu-ray and have all the major studios or HD DVD without Disney, Fox and Sony.  That would be a no brainer and I can't forsee a way that Toshiba could hang on at that point.  Plus it would just strengthen the Blu-ray exclusive studios.  If Blu-ray looses a studio, it would weaken them, but not really take them out.

Anyway, going off the graphs in DVD Profiler, I can most certainly get by without Sony movies.  I have a lot more Disney.  But the real killer for me is Fox.  That's where this war is hitting me the most.  Fox and Warner are probably my two biggest studios (hard to tell from the graphs Ken  ). 

Anyway, if Blu-ray can get to the $250-300 range, I might jump aboard.  I doubt a combo player will hit that range for a while yet.  They'd have to take a loss on the Blu-ray hardware and the HD DVD hardware.  And I'm not sure a stand-alone will get there anytime soon either.  Until then, I'll just make due with what I have.  Or I'll just convince my wife that our 10 year old (in 9 days) needs a PS3 at Christmas.

In the meantime, I have a nice little collection of HD DVDs.  I bought 3 with the player.  Getting the 5 from Toshiba.  Got in on the $20 Matrix collection from Circuit City.  And picked up a few from Deep Discount (mainly to get my wife Planet Earth since that will win her over ).  But I'm really thinking hard about doing something like Netflix.  I feel good with my player purchase, but not good enough to sink thousands into more discs when it could all fall down like a house of cards.  Maybe by Christmas I'll feel a little more confident if things keep looking good.  Until then, I probably have enough DVDs backed up to keep me occupied for a very long time.  Probably about 60-70.  And I'm sure there will still be future DVD purchases in my future for a little while.
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DVD Profiler Unlimited RegistrantStar Contributorruineddaydreams
Registered: Dec. 2, 2002
Registered: March 14, 2007
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mark - im so annoyed about that matrix thing... i missed it by a few hours max... because i was working... i would have been all over that deal... and speaking of deals

columbia house announced today that they will carry both formats in the fall...
-JoN
DVD Profiler Unlimited RegistrantStar ContributorDaddy DVD
Lost in Translation
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And here's a link to the Review of the Toshiba HD-A2 for those who are interested on CNET.
Martin Zuidervliet

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DVD Profiler Unlimited RegistrantStar Contributorsurfeur51
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Quoting Ken Cole:
Quote:
...  My current best guess is that both formats will survive for a long time and that universal players will be the norm within 18 months...


Universal players will probably make war last for a longer time. But when one of the two formats will die, all universal players will disappear for costs reasons, and the collections of the dead format will become very quickly obsolete. Knowing that, most of people won't choose now and will wait (as I do).

In fact I think both formats might soon disappear, because mass public will not follow, and a third unique one might take their place in a few years.
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DVD Profiler Unlimited RegistrantStar ContributorErik
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Registered: March 13, 2007
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Quoting surfeur51:
Quote:
Knowing that, most of people won't choose now and will wait (as I do).

In fact I think both formats might soon disappear, because mass public will not follow, and a third unique one might take their place in a few years.

Yeah, the "waiting and see" people have been mentioned several times as a "problem" for the HD formats...

While the 'war' that could/will take years to end (people forget that DVD wasn't an "insant hit") goes on, I'm personally enjoying my HD films
Erik

"Has it ever occurred to you, man, that given the nature of all this new stuff, that, uh, instead of running around blaming me, that this whole thing might just be, not, you know, not just such a simple, but uh - you know?" -- The Dude, The Big Lebowski

DVD Profiler Unlimited RegistrantBattling Butler
Registered: March 13, 2007
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Thanks Mark for the nice write up and post 
DVD Profiler Unlimited RegistrantMark Harrison
I like IMDB
Registered: March 13, 2007
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Quoting Erik:
Quote:
Yeah, the "waiting and see" people have been mentioned several times as a "problem" for the HD formats...




I've seen it all.  Those who choose HD DVD or Blu-ray are evil for dragging this war out.

Those who won't choose are evil because they could help end this but won't jump in.

I've even seen those who buy both are evil.  They point to the hi-def audio formats (SACD and CD-A was it?) as the problem here.  When you choose both, neither wins and both will die.

No matter what you do, there's a group out there that will declare you're part of the problem.
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DVD Profiler Desktop and Mobile RegistrantDr. Killpatient
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Registered: May 19, 2007
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Quoting jbartlett777:
Quote:
I've even seen those who buy both are evil.


I'm one of these evil people.  I have the ability to play both formats so I'm not limited in my choice of which format to use.  The way I see it, I'll win no matter who wins the format war since I don't see both sides dieing unless a 3rd and far superior format is introduced.
 Last edited: by Dr. Killpatient
DVD Profiler Desktop and Mobile RegistrantDr. Killpatient
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Damn double post
 Last edited: by Dr. Killpatient
DVD Profiler Unlimited RegistrantRifter
Reg. Jan 27, 2002
Registered: March 13, 2007
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Quoting Erik:
Quote:
Quoting surfeur51:
Quote:
Knowing that, most of people won't choose now and will wait (as I do).

In fact I think both formats might soon disappear, because mass public will not follow, and a third unique one might take their place in a few years.

Yeah, the "waiting and see" people have been mentioned several times as a "problem" for the HD formats...

While the 'war' that could/will take years to end (people forget that DVD wasn't an "insant hit") goes on, I'm personally enjoying my HD films


There was a lot of DVD stuff going on behind the scenes though, and while it got a slow start, it caught up to and ran right on past VHS in short order.  Hit the saturation point quite a bit sooner as I recall.
John

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