http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/03/hd-dvd-and-blu-ray-releases-on-december-4th-2007/ Engadget HD Comments for HD DVD and Blu-ray releases on December 4th, 2007 http://hd.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://hd.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/03/hd-dvd-and-blu-ray-releases-on-december-4th-2007/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/03/hd-dvd-and-blu-ray-releases-on-december-4th-2007/
With Harry Potter 1-5 and Lost on BD next week, it doesn't look any better.

At any rate, looks like the best releases for both formats have been saved for the end of year.]]>Dec 3rd 2007 9:38AMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/03/hd-dvd-and-blu-ray-releases-on-december-4th-2007/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/03/hd-dvd-and-blu-ray-releases-on-december-4th-2007/
This will be a bad week for HD DVD - the BSG set will sell well, but each $70-$100 purchase of the set will only count the same as a $24.99 purchase of POTC. And obviously, POTC has a heavier appeal than BSG (mainly because most people see the name and the network, and ignore one of the best shows on television).

I'd encourage anyone who likes War Dramas or Sci-Fi to pick up Battlestar Season 1 - you'll be glad you did.]]>Dec 3rd 2007 9:49AMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/03/hd-dvd-and-blu-ray-releases-on-december-4th-2007/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/03/hd-dvd-and-blu-ray-releases-on-december-4th-2007/Dec 3rd 2007 12:01PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/03/hd-dvd-and-blu-ray-releases-on-december-4th-2007/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/03/hd-dvd-and-blu-ray-releases-on-december-4th-2007/
At least with the Independence Day release it was a QA issue and not a delay for marketing reasons. I guess they knew that they needed to not screw up on that release because it is bound to be one of those index titles that people use to show off their systems. Anyone notice that for Blu Ray, the Harry Potter collection has been consistently outselling the individual movie while on HD DVD the individual movie has been outselling the collection? That seems a little odd, but I think it was the same for some other dual format releases as well.]]>Dec 3rd 2007 10:06AMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/03/hd-dvd-and-blu-ray-releases-on-december-4th-2007/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/03/hd-dvd-and-blu-ray-releases-on-december-4th-2007/Dec 3rd 2007 10:10AMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/03/hd-dvd-and-blu-ray-releases-on-december-4th-2007/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/03/hd-dvd-and-blu-ray-releases-on-december-4th-2007/Dec 3rd 2007 10:10AMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/03/hd-dvd-and-blu-ray-releases-on-december-4th-2007/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/03/hd-dvd-and-blu-ray-releases-on-december-4th-2007/Dec 3rd 2007 10:18AMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/03/hd-dvd-and-blu-ray-releases-on-december-4th-2007/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/03/hd-dvd-and-blu-ray-releases-on-december-4th-2007/Dec 3rd 2007 10:20AMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/03/hd-dvd-and-blu-ray-releases-on-december-4th-2007/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/03/hd-dvd-and-blu-ray-releases-on-december-4th-2007/Dec 3rd 2007 10:25AMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/03/hd-dvd-and-blu-ray-releases-on-december-4th-2007/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/03/hd-dvd-and-blu-ray-releases-on-december-4th-2007/Dec 3rd 2007 10:36AMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/03/hd-dvd-and-blu-ray-releases-on-december-4th-2007/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/03/hd-dvd-and-blu-ray-releases-on-december-4th-2007/
"The pathetic arrogance of the HDM extremists is all based on the encoding of a 12cm piece of plastic. It only makes sense that they also argue about something as petty as the display of the logo."

I hope your not inferring that I am a HDM extremist... If you are its interesting you would jump to that conclusion based on 2 1/4 lines of text... who would be the pathetic one?]]>Dec 3rd 2007 10:47AMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/03/hd-dvd-and-blu-ray-releases-on-december-4th-2007/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/03/hd-dvd-and-blu-ray-releases-on-december-4th-2007/Dec 3rd 2007 10:49AMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/03/hd-dvd-and-blu-ray-releases-on-december-4th-2007/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/03/hd-dvd-and-blu-ray-releases-on-december-4th-2007/
No, no, I wasn't including you. MAK's response linked the two of them together. Since the HDM extremists are apparently beyond the ability for rational thinking, it only makes sense that if they're going to argue about an encoding type that they'd also argue about something as superficial as the disc logo if they think that it will put the other side down.

Why, yes, I *am* sick and tired of these pathetic fanboys who are acting like 4-year-olds in a sandbox. Why do you ask?]]>Dec 3rd 2007 10:58AMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/03/hd-dvd-and-blu-ray-releases-on-december-4th-2007/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/03/hd-dvd-and-blu-ray-releases-on-december-4th-2007/Dec 3rd 2007 11:05AMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/03/hd-dvd-and-blu-ray-releases-on-december-4th-2007/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/03/hd-dvd-and-blu-ray-releases-on-december-4th-2007/Dec 3rd 2007 11:14AMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/03/hd-dvd-and-blu-ray-releases-on-december-4th-2007/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/03/hd-dvd-and-blu-ray-releases-on-december-4th-2007/Dec 3rd 2007 1:56PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/03/hd-dvd-and-blu-ray-releases-on-december-4th-2007/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/03/hd-dvd-and-blu-ray-releases-on-december-4th-2007/Dec 3rd 2007 2:46PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/03/hd-dvd-and-blu-ray-releases-on-december-4th-2007/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/03/hd-dvd-and-blu-ray-releases-on-december-4th-2007/Dec 3rd 2007 3:13PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/03/hd-dvd-and-blu-ray-releases-on-december-4th-2007/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/03/hd-dvd-and-blu-ray-releases-on-december-4th-2007/
Actually, I prefer the packaging of both formats over standard DVD- its quite space saving by comparison. Now I just need some new shelves for them. Anyone know if there's any high-def media friendly storage units out there?]]>Dec 3rd 2007 12:01PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/03/hd-dvd-and-blu-ray-releases-on-december-4th-2007/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/03/hd-dvd-and-blu-ray-releases-on-december-4th-2007/
I don't consider myself an HD-DVD supporter, just someone who likes watching movies in HD. I'll take it any way I can get it...]]>Dec 3rd 2007 12:28PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/03/hd-dvd-and-blu-ray-releases-on-december-4th-2007/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/03/hd-dvd-and-blu-ray-releases-on-december-4th-2007/Dec 3rd 2007 1:58PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/03/hd-dvd-and-blu-ray-releases-on-december-4th-2007/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/03/hd-dvd-and-blu-ray-releases-on-december-4th-2007/
This week marks the release of one of the few HDDVD titles that I am actually envious about: Battlestar Galactica. I guess I will have to settle for up converting my DVD copy because I don't think it is worth spending money to buy a HDDVD player just for BSG...I hope they show them on UniversalHD anyway.

By the way, My Dad ordered a Samsung BDP-1400 on amazon for $339 + free shipping + 7 free movies. That apparently was his price point. Bluray player prices keep coming down and they're starting eliminate that price barrier....]]>Dec 3rd 2007 12:42PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/03/hd-dvd-and-blu-ray-releases-on-december-4th-2007/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/03/hd-dvd-and-blu-ray-releases-on-december-4th-2007/Why wouldn't you just buy a cheap HD DVD player now and get the HD DVD movies you want as well as your PS3?
I mean, WTF, why not, my preference is HD DVD, but in a flash i would buy a cheap BR player if they were available, I would love too be format neutral if it was cheap enough.
Geez, you can get a A3 with 10 movies from amazon for about $200, not much more than half a dozen blu ray movies!!]]>Dec 4th 2007 5:04AMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/03/hd-dvd-and-blu-ray-releases-on-december-4th-2007/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/03/hd-dvd-and-blu-ray-releases-on-december-4th-2007/
For those that are not in the HD movie market yet or are thinking about jumping on both sides, Wal-Mart is selling both at a discount this Friday in their secret sale:

Toshiba HD DVD Player (HD-A2) with 10 movies (5 instant/5 mail-in) - $198

Toshiba HD DVD Player (HD-A3) with 12 movies (7 instant/5 mail-in) - $298

40GB PS3 with $50 Wal-Mart Gift Card]]>Dec 3rd 2007 1:07PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/03/hd-dvd-and-blu-ray-releases-on-december-4th-2007/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/03/hd-dvd-and-blu-ray-releases-on-december-4th-2007/Personally, I think they should include a maximum of 2 movies and make the players a lot cheaper.
I think there is more impact at $99 or even $129 with 2 movies then $200 with 10 movies.
All tosh are doing is stopping a lot of people from purchasing movies as they come with a library included!
I think cheaper hardware prices with maybe a half price movie offer/BOGOF would sell more hardware and improve Nielsen rankings at the same time.]]>Dec 4th 2007 5:17AMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/03/hd-dvd-and-blu-ray-releases-on-december-4th-2007/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/03/hd-dvd-and-blu-ray-releases-on-december-4th-2007/Dec 3rd 2007 1:26PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/03/hd-dvd-and-blu-ray-releases-on-december-4th-2007/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/03/hd-dvd-and-blu-ray-releases-on-december-4th-2007/
I'm kinda disappointed though because I wanted BSG for Blu-Ray but I'll mostly likely settle for the DVD version and pick up the final PotC installment along with Superbad.]]>Dec 3rd 2007 1:32PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/03/hd-dvd-and-blu-ray-releases-on-december-4th-2007/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/03/hd-dvd-and-blu-ray-releases-on-december-4th-2007/
/sarcasm/]]>Dec 3rd 2007 1:30PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/03/hd-dvd-and-blu-ray-releases-on-december-4th-2007/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/03/hd-dvd-and-blu-ray-releases-on-december-4th-2007/Dec 3rd 2007 1:47PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/03/hd-dvd-and-blu-ray-releases-on-december-4th-2007/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/03/hd-dvd-and-blu-ray-releases-on-december-4th-2007/
Wouldn't the extra shipping you pay for those Int'l versions kind of negate the lower cost of the player? Just pondering...

]]>Dec 3rd 2007 1:59PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/03/hd-dvd-and-blu-ray-releases-on-december-4th-2007/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/03/hd-dvd-and-blu-ray-releases-on-december-4th-2007/Dec 3rd 2007 2:01PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/03/hd-dvd-and-blu-ray-releases-on-december-4th-2007/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/03/hd-dvd-and-blu-ray-releases-on-december-4th-2007/
http://www.amazon.de/Fantastic-Four-DVD-Michael-Chiklis/dp/B000UP7SIM

Shipping runs around $10-15

you can find a lot of Blu-ray exclusives and you'll rarely pay more than $60-65 a piece after shipping

]]>Dec 3rd 2007 2:59PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/03/hd-dvd-and-blu-ray-releases-on-december-4th-2007/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/03/hd-dvd-and-blu-ray-releases-on-december-4th-2007/Dec 3rd 2007 2:00PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/03/hd-dvd-and-blu-ray-releases-on-december-4th-2007/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/03/hd-dvd-and-blu-ray-releases-on-december-4th-2007/Dec 3rd 2007 2:19PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/03/hd-dvd-and-blu-ray-releases-on-december-4th-2007/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/03/hd-dvd-and-blu-ray-releases-on-december-4th-2007/Dec 3rd 2007 2:18PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/03/hd-dvd-and-blu-ray-releases-on-december-4th-2007/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/03/hd-dvd-and-blu-ray-releases-on-december-4th-2007/Dec 3rd 2007 2:23PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/03/hd-dvd-and-blu-ray-releases-on-december-4th-2007/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/03/hd-dvd-and-blu-ray-releases-on-december-4th-2007/Dec 3rd 2007 2:32PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/03/hd-dvd-and-blu-ray-releases-on-december-4th-2007/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/03/hd-dvd-and-blu-ray-releases-on-december-4th-2007/Dec 3rd 2007 2:33PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/03/hd-dvd-and-blu-ray-releases-on-december-4th-2007/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/03/hd-dvd-and-blu-ray-releases-on-december-4th-2007/Dec 3rd 2007 3:27PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/03/hd-dvd-and-blu-ray-releases-on-december-4th-2007/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/03/hd-dvd-and-blu-ray-releases-on-december-4th-2007/Dec 3rd 2007 4:22PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/03/hd-dvd-and-blu-ray-releases-on-december-4th-2007/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/03/hd-dvd-and-blu-ray-releases-on-december-4th-2007/
THIS IS NOT INTENDED AS AN ATTACK ON BLU:

Devils Advocate posted a couple of links over the weekend under Ben's post, "How many HD DVD players does Toshiba need to sell to just break even?", to push his point on the picture quality of special features on the Blu edition of the new Harry Potter. I pointed out that he didn't mention the sound quality. HD-DVD is offering Dolby Digital (PCM 5.1), Digital Plus and True HD, while Blu is only offering Dolby Digital (PCM 5.1).

So I decided to take a closer look at the site. Here's the link for cover art of all titles and from there you can go to its home page:

http://dvd.themanroom.com/dvd-covers.php

According to its website, the new Pirates release will only play in Dolby Digital (PCM 5.1)!!! Disney's Meet the Robinsons in PCM 5.1! Terminator 3 is only PCM 5.1 on Blu (website did mix up the info between that and The Game Plan). Oddly, Spiderman 3 is not listed but I understand that it at least has Dolby True HD (please confirm). I find this shocking, especially considering how so many times Red is getting pounded over the head with arguments on lossless audio. We all know that the studios can re-master the sound quality of these movies to an advanced format like Dolby True HD and DTS-HD. Can anyone think of an HD-DVD THEATRICAL release that didn't have at least Dolby True HD?

It appears that releases going forward like Superbad, The Simpsons Movie, Sunshine and The Brave One will have at least Dolby True HD and probably DTS-HD.

So I guess what I'm asking is WHY? Despite what Blu and Red fanboys believe, why would Blu NOT offer Dolby True HD and DTS-HD on their audio tracks?
Is it because of Profile 1.0 and it could be corrected until Profile 1.1 was confirmed?
Is Blu cutting mfg. cost at the expense of its supporters?
Why haven't any of the fanboys here ever complained about it?

SERIOUS REPLIES ONLY, SO NO BLU OR RED TROLLING B.S.

]]>Dec 3rd 2007 4:22PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/03/hd-dvd-and-blu-ray-releases-on-december-4th-2007/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/03/hd-dvd-and-blu-ray-releases-on-december-4th-2007/
Harry Potter on Blu-Ray has UNCOMPRESSED PCM 5.1, this is lossless audio.
Same thing with all 3 Pirates movies.
Spidey 3 has Dolby TrueHD AND UNCOMPRESSED PCM. Both lossless formats, where TrueHD is a compressed lossless format.
Terminator 3 BD only had Dolby Digital (@ 640Kbps), although the HD-DVD has Dolby Digital Plus for T3, it's also @ 640Kbps. So there is no difference in audio.]]>Dec 3rd 2007 4:34PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/03/hd-dvd-and-blu-ray-releases-on-december-4th-2007/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/03/hd-dvd-and-blu-ray-releases-on-december-4th-2007/
http://www.highdefdigest.com/news/show/Joshua_Zyber/High-Def_FAQ:_Blu-ray_and_HD_DVD_Audio_Explained/1064

DTS 5.1 is the audio codec used for standard DVDs. You can up the bitrate to 1.5 Mb/s, but it's still lossy. You should notice no difference between TrueHD and Uncompressed PCM. Both will decode to the same thing. The advantage with TrueHD is that it consumes less space on the disk, while it requires more processing power to decode.]]>Dec 3rd 2007 4:28PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/03/hd-dvd-and-blu-ray-releases-on-december-4th-2007/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/03/hd-dvd-and-blu-ray-releases-on-december-4th-2007/
Thanks for the weblink. Great article. I have to admit though that I prefer to listen to DTS at home, regardless of the technical standard pointed out in the article. Sometimes Dolby Digital is just TOO familiar.
]]>Dec 3rd 2007 4:56PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/03/hd-dvd-and-blu-ray-releases-on-december-4th-2007/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/03/hd-dvd-and-blu-ray-releases-on-december-4th-2007/
Good to know. But for that kind of money, wouldn't you want Dolby True HD instead?]]>Dec 3rd 2007 4:38PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/03/hd-dvd-and-blu-ray-releases-on-december-4th-2007/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/03/hd-dvd-and-blu-ray-releases-on-december-4th-2007/
DTS-HD MA is the biggest problem so far since no player can decode it, you need a player that can bit stream it to a receiver that can decode DTS-HD MA, this adds on too much cost to decode DTS-HD MA. So it's better to have PCM or TrueHD cause it's most economical.]]>Dec 3rd 2007 4:42PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/03/hd-dvd-and-blu-ray-releases-on-december-4th-2007/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/03/hd-dvd-and-blu-ray-releases-on-december-4th-2007/
Not to twist what you wrote but if this is an economical issue for the consumer, then why choose Blu over Red?]]>Dec 3rd 2007 4:57PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/03/hd-dvd-and-blu-ray-releases-on-december-4th-2007/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/03/hd-dvd-and-blu-ray-releases-on-december-4th-2007/
You're welcome, I'm glad it came in useful :). With my current receiver, I'm stuck with either DTS 5.1 or 2-channel PCM, but I have no complaints... but at least I know that if I really wanted it, all I would have to do is buy a new receiver that has HDMI inputs.]]>Dec 4th 2007 1:23AMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/03/hd-dvd-and-blu-ray-releases-on-december-4th-2007/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/03/hd-dvd-and-blu-ray-releases-on-december-4th-2007/
But DTS-HD MA isn't just a blu-ray thing. It's also on most, if not all, European HD-DVD imports. Again, you'll need a player that bit streams out DTS-HD MA and then a receiver that can decode it. I guess you're screwed either way lol]]>Dec 3rd 2007 5:00PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/03/hd-dvd-and-blu-ray-releases-on-december-4th-2007/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/12/03/hd-dvd-and-blu-ray-releases-on-december-4th-2007/
Uncompressed PCM is (in theory) the best sound experience that can be offered, since its basically the same thing as the studio master.

From my understanding is that any reciever than can handle 5.1 plus through HDMI can handle uncompressed PCM.


Also, I do have to wonder what the purpose of putting a TrueHD track and uncompressed PCM on the same is.]]>Dec 3rd 2007 8:19PM