Firewall HD DVD/DVD combo review
By Richard Lawler 
posted Jun 6th 2006 6:52PM
posted Jun 6th 2006 6:52PM
With the news that 16 Blocks is being released next week on the hybrid HD DVD/DVD format, we thought it might be a good idea to take a look at how its two predecessors have fared. Mark Zimmer over at digitallyOBSESSED published a review of Firewall today, and came away impressed. He had no notable complaints about the audio or video transfer for either version, giving them an A and A- grade, respectively. That's a welcome result for the HD DVD camp considering the same reviewer criticized Rumor Has It for problems with the video and sound and lack of extras. Still, even on Firewall the bonus features are only contained on the SD side of the disc, requiring a flip to view them on your HD DVD player. Any HD DVD owners or future HD DVD owners taken advantage of these discs yet? Alternatively, do you view combo discs as a problem since early adopters have to pay extra (so far about $3 over other new titles) for an SD DVD copy they probably won't ever view?
I would buy it because I am (will be) a early adopter (Blu-ray) and not everyone will have a Blu-ray Disc player at start. So I would not like, NOT be able to play the disc in a regular DVD player. Plus my notebook will not have a BD-player for years.
Dude Blu-Ray doesn't have any hybrid discs coming. You gotta get hip and get with the "right" format in HD DVD.
The only reason I can think of to own a hybrid disc is if you have multiple dvd players in the house and only one of them will play HD DVDs. I find the Toshiba does a good job of upconverting SD dvds over HDMI. Good enough that I don't feel pressured to replace my existing collection. I'd prefer to buy new releases in the HD DVD format though (like Underworld - Evolution, released today). I'm not holding my breath Unfortunately, most of the movies I'd like to see in HD are going to be released on Blu-Ray first.
Beware. Apparently these HD DVD hybrids are only single-layer (i.e. 15GB instead of 30GB), so they're not going to be representative of true HD DVD quality.
#4, That depends on the length of the film.