OK, OK, nuff already bout the format war!!! One thing that is never covered is dual format players. I never understood why consumers care about a particular format if all the players avaiable can play all formats. The way it looks, SONY PS3 gamers decided on the next gen format. Doesn't make any sense. Example. HTPC with a dual format player adds minimal cost to a PC ($200 - ROM). With the correct HW, (i.e. sound card, AV receiver) you can get all the benefits of the HD optical DISC. Most if not all the latest gen graphics cards support HD DISC HW acceleration. Personally, I think the BLU-RAY has little incentive to improve on it's BETA status. What did the end of HD DISC format war do? Lower costs? Improve HD DISC penetration? Improve HD DISC development? If all format players were cheaper and more manufacturer support, that is what consumners would have preferred. There is little difference in user experience when you insert a HD-DVD or BLU-RAY DISC into your dual format player.
For the small, loud, vocal minority that preferred one format: 1. Do you own a dual format player? 2. Can you visibly tell the difference? 3. How much different better is the user experience? My personall experience with the above questions 1. Yes 2. No. 3. Little difference.
I've never owned a dual player, but I really like the experience of the user interface of the ps3. I know its not for everyone, but its very "fun", without owning a single game.
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OK, OK, nuff already bout the format war!!! One thing that is never covered is dual format players. I never understood why consumers care about a particular format if all the players avaiable can play all formats. The way it looks, SONY PS3 gamers decided on the next gen format. Doesn't make any sense. Example. HTPC with a dual format player adds minimal cost to a PC ($200 - ROM). With the correct HW, (i.e. sound card, AV receiver) you can get all the benefits of the HD optical DISC. Most if not all the latest gen graphics cards support HD DISC HW acceleration. Personally, I think the BLU-RAY has little incentive to improve on it's BETA status. What did the end of HD DISC format war do? Lower costs? Improve HD DISC penetration? Improve HD DISC development? If all format players were cheaper and more manufacturer support, that is what consumners would have preferred. There is little difference in user experience when you insert a HD-DVD or BLU-RAY DISC into your dual format player.
For the small, loud, vocal minority that preferred one format:
1. Do you own a dual format player?
2. Can you visibly tell the difference?
3. How much different better is the user experience?
My personall experience with the above questions
1. Yes
2. No.
3. Little difference.
I've never owned a dual player, but I really like the experience of the user interface of the ps3. I know its not for everyone, but its very "fun", without owning a single game.