People need to face it, both formats are here to stay. Sony and BDA have claimed how many times now that they won the format war and yet, HD-DVD is still around.
Dual format players are going to be the way to go for most people. Only one player needed and then you can buy all the HDM movies in confidence. They just need to drop below the cost of buying both formats players, $500-$600 now, but they will need to hit $200-$300 to get more people to jump aboard.
I'm perfectly happy with DVD. I can rip copies onto a NAS at home, and keep the originals safe from damage. The resolution is fine, even at 100' projected in my basement sitting 7-10 feet away. I know HD would look better, but not $5000 better. My projector, DVD player and surround sound system cost less than $800.
Well, if you only spent $800 for your projector, DVD player and surround system, you not exactly in the demographic for HDM. Especially since your projector, considering what you probably paid for it, is most likely not even HD. With out a HD display, there really is no point in a HDM player.
However, someone with a HD display. A $99 HD-DVD player is more than a sound investment to get the best possible picture you can get. Especially if you are talking a projector on a larger screen, which most people push their projector beyond their limits (like the el cheapo infocus x1, x2 and x3... should never be pushed much past about 80", let alone 100"), the added detail is only going to help (as long as it is a HD projector and not a ED or SVGA).
Jason; If you think it still takes $5000 to go HD, then 2003 called and want their prices back. Seriously. It's hard to believe that someone that visits this site can be THAT out of date with their pricing knowledge.
A very nice Epson 720p projector can be had for $1300. Add an HD video player with 10 movie free deal and you're getting great HD for $1500. HD flat panel displays can be had for even less.
Frankly, I don't get what the big deal is. It'll be like VHS vs. BETA - they'll both be used for a while, then one of them will just fade out. I don't see why all the one-up-manship is necessary.
As for HD quality, I really can't see that much difference between 720p and 1080i, and barely any difference between 1080i and 1080p. I mean, come on, there's a point where it just gets ridiculous.
I suppose they stayed DEADLY silent over if existing players would play the new 51GB HD DVD discs. The cynical people are saying the $99 fire sale was to get rid of 50,000 incompatible players..
I'm sure neither side will mind if we end up with dual-format outcome, since royalties will be paid to both sides. The people that will pay are the consumers.
The reason you can't hardly see the difference between 720p vs 1080i and 1080i vs 1080p is because there really isn't one. You, and most people, most likely won't see one unless they are side by side. 720p is going to look slightly better at some fast motion stuff, having less blur and artifacting. While 1080i is going to have slightly sharper detail. But over all, they booth look good and the difference is minor. As for 1080i vs 1080p, it is even less because there is no information difference between the two. 1080p is just going to handle motion a little better due to it being progressive, but other than that, there is no major difference. Companies like Sony would like you to believe so, hence the marketing BS phrase of 1080p being true HD. Not to mention the FUD of the BD fanboys and zealot of 1080i not being worth it and only cheap HD-DVD players having it.
But you will always have those people that believe there is a huge difference and that they can easily distinguish between the formats. This BD vs HD-DVD is almost as fun as the 720p vs 1080i arguments of the past and now the 1080i vs 1080p arguments. Us geeks will continue to argue about our technology preferences and opinions.
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People need to face it, both formats are here to stay. Sony and BDA have claimed how many times now that they won the format war and yet, HD-DVD is still around.
Dual format players are going to be the way to go for most people. Only one player needed and then you can buy all the HDM movies in confidence. They just need to drop below the cost of buying both formats players, $500-$600 now, but they will need to hit $200-$300 to get more people to jump aboard.
I don't see the value HD-DVD or BR provide.
I'm perfectly happy with DVD. I can rip copies onto a NAS at home, and keep the originals safe from damage. The resolution is fine, even at 100' projected in my basement sitting 7-10 feet away. I know HD would look better, but not $5000 better. My projector, DVD player and surround sound system cost less than $800.
@Jason
Well, if you only spent $800 for your projector, DVD player and surround system, you not exactly in the demographic for HDM. Especially since your projector, considering what you probably paid for it, is most likely not even HD. With out a HD display, there really is no point in a HDM player.
However, someone with a HD display. A $99 HD-DVD player is more than a sound investment to get the best possible picture you can get. Especially if you are talking a projector on a larger screen, which most people push their projector beyond their limits (like the el cheapo infocus x1, x2 and x3... should never be pushed much past about 80", let alone 100"), the added detail is only going to help (as long as it is a HD projector and not a ED or SVGA).
Jason; If you think it still takes $5000 to go HD, then 2003 called and want their prices back. Seriously. It's hard to believe that someone that visits this site can be THAT out of date with their pricing knowledge.
A very nice Epson 720p projector can be had for $1300. Add an HD video player with 10 movie free deal and you're getting great HD for $1500. HD flat panel displays can be had for even less.
Frankly, I don't get what the big deal is. It'll be like VHS vs. BETA - they'll both be used for a while, then one of them will just fade out. I don't see why all the one-up-manship is necessary.
As for HD quality, I really can't see that much difference between 720p and 1080i, and barely any difference between 1080i and 1080p. I mean, come on, there's a point where it just gets ridiculous.
I suppose they stayed DEADLY silent over if existing players would play the new 51GB HD DVD discs. The cynical people are saying the $99 fire sale was to get rid of 50,000 incompatible players..
I'm sure neither side will mind if we end up with dual-format outcome, since royalties will be paid to both sides. The people that will pay are the consumers.
@Phaedrus
The reason you can't hardly see the difference between 720p vs 1080i and 1080i vs 1080p is because there really isn't one. You, and most people, most likely won't see one unless they are side by side. 720p is going to look slightly better at some fast motion stuff, having less blur and artifacting. While 1080i is going to have slightly sharper detail. But over all, they booth look good and the difference is minor. As for 1080i vs 1080p, it is even less because there is no information difference between the two. 1080p is just going to handle motion a little better due to it being progressive, but other than that, there is no major difference. Companies like Sony would like you to believe so, hence the marketing BS phrase of 1080p being true HD. Not to mention the FUD of the BD fanboys and zealot of 1080i not being worth it and only cheap HD-DVD players having it.
But you will always have those people that believe there is a huge difference and that they can easily distinguish between the formats. This BD vs HD-DVD is almost as fun as the 720p vs 1080i arguments of the past and now the 1080i vs 1080p arguments. Us geeks will continue to argue about our technology preferences and opinions.
I paid I think about $800 for my Infocus SP5000 that is 720p native. Great projector!