Blu ray or HD DVD?

Regarding the Paramount/Dreamworks move to HD DVD ...

Irrespective of the rumoured "payoff" by Microsoft/Toshiba -- which might or might not have been part of the deal -- this was a logical move by a studio who recognized that Blu-ray has been a problematic format since day one. Despite a rosy picture painted by the Blu-ray Disk Association, behind the scenes there is disorder and major problems...

- Unlike for HD DVD disks, there is little disk reproduction capacity, especially for 50 GB dual layer disks (until recently only Sony had a functioning plant)

- Disk replication costs are higher than for HD DVD (at one point the figures $6 vs $1.50 were reported).

- Programming of extra features in BD-java is complex, costly and clunky (unlike HDi used on HD DVD)

- sales of most Blu-ray (and HD DVD) disks are low ... typically under 2000 copies worldwide (not enough to make a profit)

- Unlike HD DVD where comprehensive technical requirements were defined and unchanged from day one, there is no stable and universal standard for Blu-ray, rather it is a "work in progress". As a result each player has different capabilities and studios literally don't know what to program for. As a result they have taken to not including many extra features since most players can't play them. Even when present they are frequently poorly implemented.

I can't comment on the final statement "Blu ray (sic) exclusives ... but HD DVD players are not restricted on playing them as Blu ray (sic) can't." ... since I don't know what it means.

It appears to refer to studios who support exclusively one format or the other, but since Blu-ray exclusives are NOT found on HD DVD in different regions (in any way I understand anyway), I'm lost.

Overall many experts consider Blu-ray to be technically more advanced, BUT poorly implemented.

Given that audio and video quality are the same, movies fit with advanced audio and extras on disks of both format, Blu-ray has no practical advantages (The vaunted extra capacity on Blu-ray is unnecessary and unused), and with the addition of a 51 GB version of HD DVD no longer even a theoretical advantage.

On the other hand unlike HD DVD Blu-ray is cluttered with DRM and region coding. HD DVD players are generally superior upscaling DVD players relative to Blu-ray players. All HD DVD players play CDs, while many Blu-ray players don't. As stated: BD-java sucks relative to HDi as a programming tool for extras; the BD spec is still incomplete; almost all current players are unable to play many extra features; Internet connectivity is (unlike HD DVD) not required; and, yet prices for these less functional Blu-ray players is higher.

For some reason many consumers have been convinced Blu-ray is superior despite all evidence to the contrary. All I can say is this is a testament to the gullibility of most people and to the power of advertising.

As to which will "win" ... probably neither since the majority of consumers are sticking with DVD. For proof one need only note that DVD sales of one recent blockbuster movie (Transformer) exceeded TOTAL sales of ALL Blu-ray and HD DVD disks in the last 18 months, and in the week ending November 24 in the US 600,000 DVD players were sold in comparison to 57,000 Blue-ray and HD DVD players ... and this after $multimillion spent advertising "next generation" HD players.

The bottom line is less than 20% of consumers can benefit from Blu-ray or HD DVD .... so in answer to "Blu ray or HD DVD?" my answer is neither -- at least for now ... stick with DVD and move to HD disks later (if you can benefit and are willing to pay the higher cost) once the dust settles.

Frankly, we should all know that The whole HD craze, whether it's Blu Ray or HD DVD, is only there for all the major studios to make even more money on you than they have already. This has nothing to with one being better quality than the other. Its about Money, Moola, Cash, Profit! They both look fantastic! But so does a DVD... unless you own a 45in LCD screen. Think of it this way people; Lets say you are a Film collector who owns 300 DVD's? Well now you own all your favorite movies, and there's no reason for you to buy any more except for the occasional new film that strike you as a classic keeper. So the studios have lost you as a client. And what would be their best way to gain you back? How about tell you, "Your current Format is old and crappy and basically unwatchable if you're a 'real film buff'. So buy this new HD Format!". But how can we get people to buy these new DVD's? the studios ask. How about selling 48 inch TV's for a price that everyone can pay so there current Collection looks like crap? Booya! Phase 1. We've seen it before with Beta and VHS, VHS and DVD. And now DVD to HD. The only difference between Bluray and HD DVD is who will be the company that gets to milk you for all your worth, and in this case the winner seems to be Sony. Just wait for it. The next move, everyone will need to purchase an HD cable terminal to get a nice resolution for their football and hockey games/Wife Swap. Stay with the 30 in television and keep your DVD's! Why do we need to see the nose hairs on Marlon Brando's face anyways? It's story, direction, production and acting that make a movie great. Don't buy in to this crap.

I agree with the first post blu ray sucks. Its doesnt have as many studios as HD and hd has more experience and sony has just been making real problem prone stuff lately.

Blue ray is the beta of the 2000's

Did you know that Michael Bay he has blu-flu? Did you know that he told Paramount Pictures to stop supporting HD-DVD? If Paramount Pictures if they continue supporting HD-DVD, he will not make Transformers 2? What a dick & stupid

Did you know that next year, Scarface,Indiana Jones Collection,Hero Season 2,Beowulf,Bee movie & ect. Will be release "ONLY" HD-DVD format. Also Tera Patrick Collection HD-DVD. : )

HD DVD decks are less expensive than Blu Ray decks and are able to give better picture quality for even standard DVDs. This makes them versatile and useful.

Personally Im for Blu-Ray.

A) Im a Apple fanboy, they've announced support for that in the future, and

B) I see blu-ray going farther despite the above.

right now it looks like blue ray is taking the upper lead, but you never know this crap.

you need remember there's more studios and companies backing blue ray than hd dvd

also rumor says warner is throwing their support behind blue ray.

HD! BLUE RAY SUCKS!