Paramount and Dreamworks Go HD-DVD Exclusive

[Groundbeef]

So, I'm thinking, maybe a PS3 for the living room, and an HD-DVD for the bedroom. Or, should I go with an (Xbox + add on) in the living room and a BR for the bedroom. Hmmm...
Plan A seems to cost a little less.

Does it? You can get a premium 360 for $349 + $179(HD-DVD) = $528. Plus 5 free movies and the King Kong HD-DVD with the add-on player for the 360. Composite cable included for HD video. Only has 20 gig HardDrive though, thats a little sad. 360 will run with any standard IR remote or universal remote. Harmony also makes a 360 specific remote.

PS3. 60 gig, w blu-ray on sale for $499 (until the 60 gigs run out. Then price jumps to $599 for the 80 gig hard drive). You get 1 movie, and no freebies. Plus you're on the hook for HDMI cable. If not, you can use the yellow video cable they provide for free (execellent HD playback I hear). Also, you can't use an IR remote control with your PS3, so forget about your fancy universal remote. Have to be satisfied with using your controller.

Add all the extras for the PS3, and its really no bargin.

[GMichael]

Does it? You can get a premium 360 for $349 + $179(HD-DVD) = $528. Plus 5 free movies and the King Kong HD-DVD with the add-on player for the 360. Composite cable included for HD video. Only has 20 gig HardDrive though, thats a little sad. 360 will run with any standard IR remote or universal remote. Harmony also makes a 360 specific remote.

PS3. 60 gig, w blu-ray on sale for $499 (until the 60 gigs run out. Then price jumps to $599 for the 80 gig hard drive). You get 1 movie, and no freebies. Plus you're on the hook for HDMI cable. If not, you can use the yellow video cable they provide for free (execellent HD playback I hear). Also, you can't use an IR remote control with your PS3, so forget about your fancy universal remote. Have to be satisfied with using your controller.

Add all the extras for the PS3, and its really no bargin.

But an HD-DVD player cost less than a BR player. I haven't crunched the numbers yet, but my first impression was that this would make the bigger difference.

[Groundbeef]

But an HD-DVD player cost less than a BR player. I haven't crunched the numbers yet, but my first impression was that this would make the bigger difference.

Well, i suppose if you bought HD-DVD that will run you about $300. Lowest price PS3 $499, total cost about $799. Plus cables.

360 + HD-DVD addon, $528. Lowest Price Blu-Ray $449. Almost $1000. Yes, in that instance your first scenario would be less expenisve.

Then you need to also factor in some features. The 360 does have a robust d/l feature as far as films. and other video content. If that figures in, the 360 would still be the best console to buy. Also depends upon the games. Sony has some good ones, but I'm somewhat more partial to the MS system.

[GMichael]

Then you need to also factor in some features. The 360 does have a robust d/l feature as far as films. and other video content. If that figures in, the 360 would still be the best console to buy. Also depends upon the games. Sony has some good ones, but I'm somewhat more partial to the MS system.

This would be my first dip into the whole gaming thing. I know nothing about who has the best games, other than hearing that Wii is top of that class. But I do know what I like. Who has the better racing games of the two?

[Groundbeef]

This would be my first dip into the whole gaming thing. I know nothing about who has the best games, other than hearing that Wii is top of that class. But I do know what I like. Who has the better racing games of the two?

I'm sorry, but the Wii is crap. Its strictly SD, with no DVD support. The graphics are dated, and with the lowest price of the 360 at $279, the $249 Wii is no bargin.

What kind of racing games do you like? Arcade or realistic? Forza 2 is really hot for the 360, as well as Colin McRea (DIRt). I have Dirt, and it's pretty cool. The first time I went off the track, and my windshield exploded all over my co-pilot I about crapped my pants. This was after I buried my front end in a tree at about 60 mph on dirt.

The buggy races are cool, but online is time trials, and kinda sucks actually.

Project Gotham Racing is also a pretty good game, but I haven't played it. Stay away from the Need for Speed series unless your strictly arcade.

Forza, and Dirt can get technical if you are a gearhead, and like to play with suspensions, gear ratios, and other details. I just use stock ratios, but you can really spend some time if you are into it.

[PeruvianSkies]

Wow, this thread is so...so....so.....


EPIC!

[GMichael]

I'm sorry, but the Wii is crap. Its strictly SD, with no DVD support. The graphics are dated, and with the lowest price of the 360 at $279, the $249 Wii is no bargin.

I only know that they sell more. But I have seen people say that although they are SD, that they have the "best" games that have the "most" fun. Don't worry, HD is a priority for me. Wii is out of the running no matter what the numbers say.

What kind of racing games do you like? Arcade or realistic? Forza 2 is really hot for the 360, as well as Colin McRea (DIRt). I have Dirt, and it's pretty cool. The first time I went off the track, and my windshield exploded all over my co-pilot I about crapped my pants. This was after I buried my front end in a tree at about 60 mph on dirt.

The buggy races are cool, but online is time trials, and kinda sucks actually.

Project Gotham Racing is also a pretty good game, but I haven't played it. Stay away from the Need for Speed series unless your strictly arcade.

Forza, and Dirt can get technical if you are a gearhead, and like to play with suspensions, gear ratios, and other details. I just use stock ratios, but you can really spend some time if you are into it.

I like them to be as realistic as possible. If I had my way, they'd have flight simulators for me to sit in so I could feel every bump. I'd like to be able to have the car skid around a right hand turn so much that I'd have to look left to see where I'm going. I'd like to smell the fuel and the burnt oil. They can keep the dust though.
Sounds like there is no shortage of driving games to choose from. Something that reacts as close to the real thing as possible would be great. I might enjoy the picking out of gearhead equipment, but the real joy is in the driving fast as h.ll without getting a ticket.

[Groundbeef]

I like them to be as realistic as possible. If I had my way, they'd have flight simulators for me to sit in so I could feel every bump. I'd like to be able to have the car skid around a right hand turn so much that I'd have to look left to see where I'm going. I'd like to smell the fuel and the burnt oil. They can keep the dust though.
Sounds like there is no shortage of driving games to choose from. Something that reacts as close to the real thing as possible would be great. I might enjoy the picking out of gearhead equipment, but the real joy is in the driving fast as h.ll without getting a ticket.

Well if money is no object get your ear on the phone and dial this outfit out. You really cant get more realistic without the car than this for your 360!!

http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/costs-mor...ity-269325.php

Or perhaps this setup would better fit your budget:

http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/someone-h...tup-263810.php

You may want to see if some video stores in your area rent machines (PS3, 360) and try them out for a week.

Also, if you like realistic the PS3 flagship racing game Gran Tourismo is long on pretty, short on realistic. Apparently they cant show damage modeling on the cars, (something to do with mfgs of the car not wanting damage...I'm not making this up). So if you hit a wall at 175mph, you just bounce.

The 360 doesn't have the same damage constraints as the PS3 for some reason. I find it a bit more realistic in that fashion.

Forza 2...hit a wall at 175, you'll be ejected as your car splinters around you. Same with DIRt. Check out the video here:

http://xboxmovies.teamxbox.com/xbox-...lay-Trailer-2/

Its impressive in the box, but if you d/l and watch full screen its even better. Then imagine with surround sound. If you are in car, you can hear the rocks hitting the undercarrige.

[Woochifer]

But an HD-DVD player cost less than a BR player. I haven't crunched the numbers yet, but my first impression was that this would make the bigger difference.

I think that Blu-ray could afford to sit on a price premium because of their superior studio support. But, with Paramount dropping Blu-ray, the justification for Blu-ray players costing upwards of ~$200 more than HD-DVD players has waned considerably.

Of course, one potential reason why HD-DVD players have been so cheap is because Toshiba reportedly was taking a loss on each player sold in order to maintain market share. With the studio support now less of a disadvantage to HD-DVD, will Toshiba continue to drive hardware prices down as loss leaders? Or will they stay at the current price points for the time being and wait for the Blu-ray price drops to catch up? Blu-ray player prices were already projected to drop down to around $300 by the end of the year (current list prices are around $500), and Paramount's action very well could force the price drops to accelerate.

[GMichael]

I think that Blu-ray could afford to sit on a price premium because of their superior studio support. But, with Paramount dropping Blu-ray, the justification for Blu-ray players costing upwards of ~$200 more than HD-DVD players has waned considerably.

Of course, one potential reason why HD-DVD players have been so cheap is because Toshiba reportedly was taking a loss on each player sold in order to maintain market share. With the studio support now less of a disadvantage to HD-DVD, will Toshiba continue to drive hardware prices down as loss leaders? Or will they stay at the current price points for the time being and wait for the Blu-ray price drops to catch up? Blu-ray player prices were already projected to drop down to around $300 by the end of the year (current list prices are around $500), and Paramount's action very well could force the price drops to accelerate.

I have two HT rooms with projectors. I was trying to hedge my bets by putting one gamer in the living room (with an HD player of one kind) and then a stand alone player (of the other format) in the bedroom. Picking out which room gets what format is what's on my table.
Is it better to go with a PS3 in the living room and HD-DVD in the bedroom?
Or is an Xbox with HD-DVD add on in the living room, and a stand alone BR in the bedroom a better way to go?
I was leaning to choice number one because it seems that this combination costs a little less.
Games and ease of use should be determining factors but I don't know which games are "better" or which units are easier to operate.
A plus for choice number two would be that if BR wins out in the end, I may be able to add another BR to the Xbox to replace the HD-DVD add on unit.

Maybe a couple more months will bring the picture into focus better. But, it could become as clear as mudd, as you can see from current events.