[beonecenry]

Here's a somewhat different thread for you all, particularly those of you with HD-DVD players.

I've got an HD-DVD drive for my Xbox and I'm pretty pleased with it in general. With the departure of WB and now New Line from the HD-DVD camp, what do you think an HD-DVD drive owner who wants movies from those studios should do? The format appears to have basically been slain but that doesn't mean the movies available for it look any worse, just that they soon might not be readily available.

Here's the dilemma. There are a number of movies that I would like to own in HD-DVD format. Warner movies in particular. Should I get them before they're gone or should I hold out until they're no longer available and hope that they'll be sold for cheap (possibly used by people abandoning HD-DVD)?

[HQTheodore]

How does your luck generally run?

I've always thought about the "hold on and wait it out" way for things, but it never works out that way for me.

Just curious, why don't you get a Blu-Ray? I'm not saying "OMG, STOOPIDZ!! HDDVDz r ded, bl00-rye 4ev4!!", I'm honestly just curious. Hell, I'm still on normal DVDs.

[Skete]

I would keep a close eye on how many they have in stock in nearby stores and for store sales as well. Something like this I think is all about timing and dependent upon the area.

[Adeniinteme]

I'm actually in the same position as you at the moment.

I'm wondering whether it is worth investing into the 360 add-on as I REALLY want to get Transformers. Plus the free 5 DVDs is quite a tempting offer.

It sorta pays for the HD-DVD drive itself if you take into account that the drive itself is £100, and if you roughly estimate each DVD to be around £15-£20, then you're really paying like £20-£30 for the drive.

[Maryjasmine]

Inept, I can't decide for you, but I will relay my recent experience:

On Friday, after hearing the news, I went to Best Buy and partook in their Buy 3 Get 2 Free HD-DVD sale. And yes, even one of those titles was a WB release. To quickly get to the point, I am still going to continue purchasing HD-DVDs. I have an HD-DVD player, and the movies I have on that format aren't going to wilt up and blow away. The great thing about HD-DVD vs BD is that neither format has the superior picture IQ. My HD-DVDs will continue to look fantastic, even moving forward into the future.

As HD-DVD begins to go the way of the dodo I will invest in a Blu-Ray player. Ideally, I want to purchase a combo player, so that I may continue to enjoy my HD-DVDs without worrying about having multiple components hooked up at the same time. Currently, though, $800 is far too much money to spend on a combo player.

I don't feel like I made a mistake purchasing my HD-DVD player. I received the player for a meager $99.99 and have been able to enjoy some amazing movies in HD. This will not change anytime in the immediate future, either. [xmascandle]

[YTmWSOA5]

It you're buying a combo or Blu-ray player (while keeping your HD DVD player) later on, then buy HD DVDs.

/ Warner and New Line will support HD DVD till the end of May.

[beonecenry]

I guess it's just too hard to predict what will happen to movie prices. It's possible that demand will slump and that HD-DVD owners will choose to part with their movies, thus creating depressed prices and good deals to be had. There is the alternate possibility that people will choose to retain their HD-DVD equipment and movies and that movies no longer in production will escalate in price.

Perhaps the best plan is to just assume a wash and buy what I want.

[Maryjasmine]

Perhaps the best plan is to just assume a wash and buy what I want.

I agree wholeheartedly. Samsung just announced a dual-format player that's $200 cheaper than other manufacturer's units. Toshiba may take this news and start manufacturing combo players, as well, thus at least still keeping HD-DVD owners from enjoying their movies.

I will not be purchasing a Blu-Ray player any time soon, though. The 2.0 profile just hit, with a lot of players still only being 1.1 profile compliant, and then BD-Live has just hit, with plenty of players missing that functionality, too. The Blu-Ray player mess, to me, is more confusing than having two formats. Until Sony can get a true, finalized spec, then there's no sense in me wasting my money only to have to upgrade later.

[beonecenry]

I will also not be purchasing a Blu-Ray player what with the high prices, the unfinalized specifications and half-capable devices, the region coding and the simply inferior "user experience" features. Also I hate Sony.

I'll buy one only when I can't avoid it any longer.

[QbCp7LaZ]

I have HD DVD, like you with the 360 addon. I am gutted that WB is leaving, im just hoping they release "I am Legend" (USA import of course) before they leave the family.

I looking forward to the cheap bargains im going to be able to get, admitily, there not going to be top new release titles, but as you said, with all the riff raff on Blue Ray spec, im gonna hold out for a while longer on that one.

[mazabotman]

Got my HD-DVD 360 add on for Christmas, Ive not even got a single film for it yet so to say I feel like I've been bought a lemon is an understatement. One thing I will say about it though is that it upscales normal DVD's to near HD quality, they look superb.

Im sure it wont be long before MS announce a BR drive for the 360 though, damn Sony

[Poll Pitt]

Im sure it wont be long before MS announce a BR drive for the 360 though, damn Sony

I personally don´t think thats gonna happen.

[fameintatenly]

I'm in the same situation. I've got the HD-DVD player for the 360. I'll keep buying them for a while. My BR player will most likely be a PS3 in a about 6 months.

However for now, Netflix is keeping me happy as they've got a good selection of movies in HD-DVD so I can enjoy them. Eventually the movies will be released as BR if HD-DVD truly dies. It'll be a while before that happens though.

[sbrscnds]

I have HD DVD, like you with the 360 addon. I am gutted that WB is leaving, im just hoping they release "I am Legend" (USA import of course) before they leave the family.

I looking forward to the cheap bargains im going to be able to get, admitily, there not going to be top new release titles, but as you said, with all the riff raff on Blue Ray spec, im gonna hold out for a while longer on that one.

I wouldn't hold out hope for 'I am Legend' since it is still in the cinema. On the bright side, Paramount and Universal are releasing quite a few interesting movies in 2008. Like Indiana Jones, Star Trek and that new movie that looks a bit like Godzilla.

[QbCp7LaZ]

I wouldn't hold out hope for 'I am Legend' since it is still in the cinema. On the bright side, Paramount and Universal are releasing quite a few interesting movies in 2008. Like Indiana Jones, Star Trek and that new movie that looks a bit like Godzilla.

Still in cinema UK side, but as you know, films get released to DVD quicker in the USA... I brought Heroes HD box set months before it came here in the UK,..... The same with transformers....

Hopefully soon [surrender]

[xochgtlm]

I own the add-on and a ps3, and I'm not going to buy another HD DVD movie. I'm glad I only own 5 or so the way it is.

Just a waste of money, IMO paramount and universal will be blu exclusive and the war will be completely over within the next 6 months.

[QbCp7LaZ]

I want to cry

[Mmccqrtb]

i bought 2 today, i dont give a ****, i'll enjoy them until i cant[surrender]

[Maryjasmine]

Just a waste of money, IMO paramount and universal will be blu exclusive and the war will be completely over within the next 6 months.

I can't figure out this argument. You've been the most vocal on these forums concerning this, but you know what? Your HD-DVDs are not going to automatically disappear. Guess what? Yep, look there in a year and they'll still be present in reality, not transcending into some ethereal world. Combo players FTW.

[Skete]

I can't figure out this argument. You've been the most vocal on these forums concerning this, but you know what? Your HD-DVDs are not going to automatically disappear. Guess what? Yep, look there in a year and they'll still be present in reality, not transcending into some ethereal world. Combo players FTW.

I was just thinking the same thing. I have roughly 25 movies on each format and although HD DVD is most likely going down I don't see how I wasted any money whatsoever as I will hold on to them and enjoy them for years to come.