Next-gen DVD players unveiled at CES

[Geoffcin]

LOS ANGELES - Warring factions in a battle for control of next-generation DVDs on Wednesday unveiled products at wildly varying prices, reflecting their views on what it takes to jump-start an multibillion dollar industry.

Full story;

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10710173/

[GMichael]

LOS ANGELES - Warring factions in a battle for control of next-generation DVDs on Wednesday unveiled products at wildly varying prices, reflecting their views on what it takes to jump-start an multibillion dollar industry.

Full story;

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10710173/

Thanks Geo. Very interesting.

[Geoffcin]

Thanks Geo. Very interesting.

"Blu-ray member Pioneer said it planned to offer a Blu-ray player in May, priced at $1,800."

"Toshiba (HD-DVD) said it would offer the first high-definition players in March, priced at $799 and $499."

Huge price difference.....

What's up with that?!

[ericl]

Apparently HD-DVD doesn't support 1080p, Blu-Ray does. if it stays that way, Blu-Ray is officially the superior format. Not to mention, nearly ALL the CE companies are backing BluRay (panasonic, sony, pioneer, philips, the list goes on) while Microsoft and Toshiba are the only ones really touting HD-DVD. Blu-Ray is more expenisve, but they currently have the edge.

[Sir Terrence the Terrible]

Apparently HD-DVD doesn't support 1080p, Blu-Ray does. if it stays that way, Blu-Ray is officially the superior format. Not to mention, nearly ALL the CE companies are backing BluRay (panasonic, sony, pioneer, philips, the list goes on) while Microsoft and Toshiba are the only ones really touting HD-DVD. Blu-Ray is more expenisve, but they currently have the edge.

You know Eric,
BluRay was superior on paper before we even saw a model. Personally hope BluRay wins. When it does, I will purchase a player regardless of price.

[Groundbeef]

Apparently HD-DVD doesn't support 1080p, Blu-Ray does. if it stays that way, Blu-Ray is officially the superior format. Not to mention, nearly ALL the CE companies are backing BluRay (panasonic, sony, pioneer, philips, the list goes on) while Microsoft and Toshiba are the only ones really touting HD-DVD. Blu-Ray is more expenisve, but they currently have the edge.

The problem lies not with who is more technicaly superior, but how it is presented to the general public. The folks who read this board and other technical boards will fully understand the difference. Where it really comes into play is when Mr and Mrs Jones go into a Big Box retalier. After they plunk down 2-5K for a HDTV, they will be interested in a new DVD player. Ok, here are your choices...ANOTHER $1800 for this model, or this model for $499-799. Plus don't forget your monster cable that we get huge margin off. So if you get the lower priced model, you can spend more on these hugely overpriced cables so I get a better mark as a salesperson.

Just because you are better and more expensive doesn't mean in the eyes of the public you will win. Not everyone drives a Porche or Caddy. There are pleny of Hundayi drivers out there also who just want low price, quality be damned.

[Sir Terrence the Terrible]

The problem lies not with who is more technicaly superior, but how it is presented to the general public. The folks who read this board and other technical boards will fully understand the difference. Where it really comes into play is when Mr and Mrs Jones go into a Big Box retalier. After they plunk down 2-5K for a HDTV, they will be interested in a new DVD player. Ok, here are your choices...ANOTHER $1800 for this model, or this model for $499-799. Plus don't forget your monster cable that we get huge margin off. So if you get the lower priced model, you can spend more on these hugely overpriced cables so I get a better mark as a salesperson.

Just because you are better and more expensive doesn't mean in the eyes of the public you will win. Not everyone drives a Porche or Caddy. There are pleny of Hundayi drivers out there also who just want low price, quality be damned.

Sorry Mr Beef, but joe six pack doesn't drive new formats out into the market. Spec concious and tech savvy early adopters do. Joe six pack thinks that DVD as it stands is just fine. Most don't even know what HD DVD or BluRay is. It is only when Joe six pack stumbles onto a forum like this, or visits an early adopter with a great system that they get into the equation. I was into my third DVD player before my best friend had his first. He was still satisfied with LD, a format I introduced him to some years earlier. Before LD he was relishing the VHS hifi format. The folks that just want low price and quality be damned, they will stay with SD DVD and completely avoid all of the upgrades cost, and hassles of putting it all together.

[HT BUFF]

I assume this basically means we would have to buy the new generation DVD player, new HD DVD discs and also new tv's to deliver that type of picture, everyone has 1080i or 720p currently and they would not be compatible??
Am I correct here?

[Smokey]

I assume this basically means we would have to buy the new generation DVD player, new HD DVD discs and also new tv's to deliver that type of picture, everyone has 1080i or 720p currently and they would not be compatible??

You are right on the first and second count, but on the third count if your HD TV (1080P, 1080i, 720P) have HDMI digital connection, then you are compatible and don't need new TV

[HT BUFF]

You are right on the first and second count, but on the third count if your HD TV (1080P, 1080i, 720P) have HDMI digital connection, then you are compatible and don't need new TV

Thanks for your input, any idea how this new HD DVD Player may differ from an upconversion dvd player such as my Denon 1910 or a Samsung 850 as they appear to perform the same function of showing the DVD @ 1080i?

[shokhead]

Well the next format is already being worked on so my friend says who works at Samsung,3D tv.
Really,i pretty happy with high quality DVD and will just stick with it for a few more years. I think i'll skip this next format and save some money

[Sir Terrence the Terrible]

Thanks for your input, any idea how this new HD DVD Player may differ from an upconversion dvd player such as my Denon 1910 or a Samsung 850 as they appear to perform the same function of showing the DVD @ 1080i?

Not quite. Your upconverting DVD players are taking a 480P signal and upcoverting(scaling) to either 720P or 1080I. Its not true HD as you original source is 480P. HD DVD starts at 1080i so there is no need to upconvert anything. On my television I could do pixel for pixel with 1080i, no need for scaling of any kind.