Blu Ray

[Razor X]

I'm going to be getting a new high definition LCD TV soon and I'm wondering if I should also consider getting a Blu Ray player at the same time.  I would wait, but I know there are a few DVD releases that I'm going to buy in the next few months.  While the Blu Ray discs seem to be somewhat overpriced, I'm wondering if I should just bite the bullet now, so to speak, instead of increasing the size of my "regular" DVD collection.  Is Blu Ray worth it?  Does anyone have any recommendations regarding specific brands or models?

[IRDSM]

Blu ray, like it or not, has pretty much beat HD DVDs now. So I think you will likely have to upgrade sooner or later. Me, I have a PS3 which plays blu ray as well as my video games, and normal DVDs so I'm all set. If you are into gaming at all maybe consider a PS3 because they can be cheaper than a new blu ray player, but it isn't an ideal media center (it works, but you'll have to buy a remote or use the playstation controller to control it, and that can be kinda clunky for watching movies)

Dan

[champ007]

RazorX,
I recently did some research for my dad on LCD/Plasma/DLP tv's because he asked.. lol, but on one of my tech sites I am a member of for work, there was a great debate over Blu Ray and DVD. They had different people from the entertainment areas and "techies" that discussed it and bench-marked several areas using different platforms of tvs and players. Bottom line is, for me I do not own a LCD tv yet, but will this week  , and most liekly I will not be able to tell the difference between a blue ray disk or a DVD, because I am not used to watching a LCD TV with HD. My mortal combat original DVD will most likely blow me away on the LCD, simply because I am use to the boob tube. Another thing is the hype, they are telling you it blows DVD out of the water and alot of people out there will believe it mainly because they are ignorant and believe anything.
Take for example the PS3, I played sonic on it and the graphics sucked on a LCD, people are raving over this game system but I believe they fall in that category I previously mentioned because the graphics match the xbox360.... difference is alot of hype and $300.00!!
Could be I have old eyes now, but I say wait until the price drops to a DVD... won't be long in this economy and they are full of crap that is cost alot more to make the disk, basically I see it as mpeg4.

This is only my opinion as I do not own one, maybe someone who does can give their opinion   

[IRDSM]

RazorX,
I recently did some research for my dad on LCD/Plasma/DLP tv's because he asked.. lol, but on one of my tech sites I am a member of for work, there was a great debate over Blu Ray and DVD. They had different people from the entertainment areas and "techies" that discussed it and bench-marked several areas using different platforms of tvs and players. Bottom line is, for me I do not own a LCD tv yet, but will this week  , and most liekly I will not be able to tell the difference between a blue ray disk or a DVD, because I am not used to watching a LCD TV with HD. My mortal combat original DVD will most likely blow me away on the LCD, simply because I am use to the boob tube. Another thing is the hype, they are telling you it blows DVD out of the water and alot of people out there will believe it mainly because they are ignorant and believe anything.
Take for example the PS3, I played sonic on it and the graphics sucked on a LCD, people are raving over this game system but I believe they fall in that category I previously mentioned because the graphics match the xbox360.... difference is alot of hype and $300.00!!
Could be I have old eyes now, but I say wait until the price drops to a DVD... won't be long in this economy and they are full of crap that is cost alot more to make the disk, basically I see it as mpeg4.

This is only my opinion as I do not own one, maybe someone who does can give their opinion   

It's not that blu ray is that much better, it has WON. It holds about twice what an hd dvd will hold, which makes it better for gaming, but other than that the difference isn't that remarkable. EXCEPT that it has WON

In January 2008, a day before CES 2008, Warner Brothers, the only major studio still releasing movies in both HD DVD and Blu-ray Disc format, announced it would release only in Blu-ray Disc after May 2008. This effectively included other studios which came under the Warner umbrella, such as New Line Cinema and HBO, though in Europe HBO distribution partner the BBC announced it would, while keeping an eye on market forces, continue to release product on both formats. This led to a chain reaction in the industry, including major U.S. retailers such as Best Buy, Wal-Mart, and Circuit City dropping HD DVD in their stores. A major European retailer, Woolworths, dropped HD DVD from its inventory. Netflix and Blockbuster, major DVD rental companies, said they would no longer carry HD DVDs. Following these new developments, on 19 February 2008, Toshiba announced it would be ending production of HD DVD devices,[34] allowing Blu-ray Disc to become the industry standard for high-density optical disks. Universal Studios, the sole major movie studio to back HD DVD since inception, shortly after Toshiba's announcement, said "while Universal values the close partnership we have shared with Toshiba, it is time to turn our focus to releasing new and catalog titles on Blu-ray Disc."[35] Paramount Studios, which started releasing movies only in HD DVD format during late 2007, also said it would start releasing in Blu-ray Disc. Both studios announced initial Blu-ray lineups in May 2008. With this, all major Hollywood studios now support Blu-ray.[36]

Games over, pretty much no debate. Blu Ray is the new standard, and DVD will likely fall out of use. BTW, All sonic games released since the ps1 have pretty much sucked.

Dan

[robo21]

I bought a Blu-Ray when I got the big screen for downstairs.  I got a good deal on it by buying it with the HD TV.  I agree about thinking it is overpriced but if you are getting a TV with HD it is a must have IMO. 

[Mikekoz13]

Razor..... the Blu-Ray will also still play your standard def DVDs. It will actually upconvert them for an even better picture.

[BaldRob]

DVDs are not going anywhere anytime soon...  BluRay is the standard for High Def viewing, but it will be years before the DVD is phased out completely.

Razor, another (much cheaper) avenue that you can go is to get an upconverting DVD player.  It takes the standard output of a DVD and upconverts it to 720P, 1080I, or 1080P.  I have one for each of my HiDef TVs and the picture is great!!  Just make sure that you get an HDMI cable (and don't buy into the salesman's pitch of buying a "quality" cable for $70+... the $14 one at Wal-Mart is just as good)

http://reviews.cnet.com/hdmi-guide/?tag=pm

I'll get a BluRay eventually, but I'm not in any hurry...

[D.A.L.U.I.]

As explained to me by the installer of my HD, the Blue Ray is the only player that will actually provide 1080p programing, everything else is either 1080i or 720p.  I got mine, a Sony, for $299, because of a "no lower price" policy at Best Buy when a local dealer had that as an advertised price--they weren't too pleased to honor it I can tell you because they didn't give the 5 blue ray discs that came at the full asking price!  It's remarkable to watch the Blue Ray, and I think it makes our other disks better, but not the mind blowing clarity of the blue ray format.  Unless you get a good deal buying one at the same time, I'd wait for a sale.  The pricey item was the HHMI cables, nearly $7 a foot, and we put the screen at the other end of the family room from the "boxes!"  I've never seen the cables on sale.  There are also different and improving "versions" of the Blue Ray players coming out, each with new bells and whistles--so if you like bells and whistles it may also pay to wait and do some serious research depending on your personal demands.

[Razor X]

Thanks, guys.  It's amazing how complicated this stuff has become.

[MagmaBabe]

Thanks, guys.  It's amazing how complicated this stuff has become.

sometimes, it's better not to ask!! lol

(I'd go with a PS3!) 

[Tyler]

I went with the PS3 and I'm happy with it.  Like Dan said, the remote aspect is kinda lame, but other than that, you get a game console, a Blu Ray player, and it up converts your old DVDs.

[SonOfKrypton]

Seriously, get a PS3.  Don't waste your money on any other Blu ray player.  PS3> All.

Oh, and for everyone with a PS3, my PSNID= P3aceIsWar . Please add it.  Post yours up.

[Razor X]

DVDs are not going anywhere anytime soon...  BluRay is the standard for High Def viewing, but it will be years before the DVD is phased out completely.

Razor, another (much cheaper) avenue that you can go is to get an upconverting DVD player.  It takes the standard output of a DVD and upconverts it to 720P, 1080I, or 1080P.  I have one for each of my HiDef TVs and the picture is great!!  Just make sure that you get an HDMI cable (and don't buy into the salesman's pitch of buying a "quality" cable for $70+... the $14 one at Wal-Mart is just as good)

http://reviews.cnet.com/hdmi-guide/?tag=pm

I'll get a BluRay eventually, but I'm not in any hurry...

Thanks for the info.  I just found an upconverting DVD player on Amazon that I'm going to order.  I didn't even know that there was such a thing -- or that they were so reasonably priced.

[RICKYBOBBY74]

yeah i got an upconverting toshiba for about $40 it works for me. i've got a vizio lcd and cant see the diff. between my hddvd and reg. dvd. i also have the hddvd player for xbox360

[DJ_Bald]

OK RazorX--Heres the deal.
Along with many other interests I am a serious technology guy. 
If you are getting a really nice LCD that you are dropping a few grand on (samsung,sony,sharp)
than you WILL see a big difference in blu ray vs ANY upconverting DVD player. 
As far as the player to get... Playstation 3...hands down.  I think the cheapest one can be had for 299-399.
Heres why its the best....

Future proof...
Ethernet jack...If a new standard comes out for blu ray you can just download it--most other blu ray players are outdated if a new firmware comes out.
Games....if you play them...if you dont your kids probably will .
Media center......you can put music on it and have it act as a DJ for parties...
Down the road they are talking about making it have DVR functionality which would make it like a TIVO.

Once you start watching things in HD or on blu ray you wont want to watch regular tv or probably even DVD's///  Its like Cassettes vs CD's
Now all of this applies if you are getting a big high end lcd tv. (46 inches or better...samsung or sony...even sharp)

Think of it this way...would you buy a 2000.00 stereo system and play casettes on it ?   same concept.

Now--If you are getting a 37" Vizio(vizio is fine...its just not as high end as sony/samsung)  than you dont need blu ray and you really dont even need a upconverter...regular dvd player will do you fine.
Hope this helps...