Why High-Definition DVD Won’t Make It
Fri May 12, 2006 11:32AM EDT
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I'm normally deeply skeptical of opinion columns with titles like "Why the World Doesn't Need Hi-Def DVDs." They're usually written by old men with vinyl record and 8-track tape collections who're just upset they have to buy their media—again—in another format. You got a lot of this during the rise of DVD ("VHS is fine! We don't need DVDs!"), but today no one would question the vast superiority of the DVD over crummy old videotape.
The New York Times' David Pogue, however, makes a very strong case against upgrading to HD-DVD, the new high-definition optical disc format that is just now arriving on the market. It's not just theoretical complaints. He watched six HD-DVD movies and lived with the equipment personally. And while he admits you can't argue with the superiority of the HD-DVD's picture quality, actually getting your system to produce that level of detail might be a different matter altogether.
Read the story for Pogue's full impression of HD-DVD. My favorite complaint: The first-generation Toshiba player takes over a minute to actually turn on, and 45 more seconds for a DVD to reach the FBI warning. That's worse than a PC.
There's also the issue of Blu-Ray, Sony's competing technology that should arrive this fall, and which isn't compatible with HD-DVD. Vendors are split down the middle over who they support, and a VHS vs. Betamax redux is clearly getting started. However this is a war that may have no winner. As for me, I'm sticking with good old DVD. Call me old fashioned, but this is one battle I'm happy to sit out. At least for now.
Anyone out there in Yahoo!land planning to make the great leap to HD-DVD? Spill your guts in the comments.
Comments on Why High-Definition DVD Won’t Make It
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2 Posted by z28in813 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:58PM EDT Report Abuse
Sony is going to shoot themselves in the foot again with their reluctant and stubborn attitude. Remember the MiniDisc revolution that fell flat on its' face. Superior product but poor management of the technology and it failed. Just like Blu-Ray will, it will go by the wayside while HD-DVD takes the prominance in the marketplace. I could honestly care which one has more quality, blah blah blah. They both are excellent formats but Sony mindset will kill Blu-ray before it starts.
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3 Posted by hectorpolina on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:17PM EDT Report Abuse
There is nothing like HD, it takes your breath away, I'm pretty sure that ones people see HD-DVD, they will be in love with it; Yes, I am moving into HD-DVD!!!!
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4 Posted by seamusfurr on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:10PM EDT Report Abuse
So is it the *format* that makes that HD-DVD player slow to boot up, or the current player technology? Will the same HD-DVDs be as easy as DVDs are now on the next generation of players? I've always thought early adoption is for suckers. But those suckers finance the 2nd and 3rd-gen technologies that actually work for a good price.
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5 Posted by ytech_robinraskin on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:58PM EDT Report Abuse
I think Pogue missed it on this one. He's fine with Apple creating a new OS every now and then but has a habit of riding consumer electronics hard. I checked with my DVD expert today and she reminded me that the format came out in 1997. Seems like time for a change. I wonder who will want physical media, though. Why not just download? --Robin
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6 Posted by c99e99n99 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:16PM EDT Report Abuse
I believe the success of HD-DVD and/or Blu-Ray will actually be decided by more powerful segments of the market, like the PC and gaming industries. For those of us that store vast amounts of multimedia on our PCs, any substantial increase in storage media capacity is cause to celebrate. Gamers are early adopters out of competitive necessity, so they're easy prey as well. Other things to consider will be how content protection is implemented and how fast will multi-format drives get to the market. Of course I'm still holding out hope for a combination of better compression and sturdier media...
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7 Posted by nookiew2002 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:40PM EDT Report Abuse
Well looking at the prices, comparing the capabilities of both formats, and how many companies are actually willing to pay alot to go with the blue-ray. I'm going to upgrade to the HD-DVD.
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8 Posted by dawheat7 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:38PM EDT Report Abuse
With Sony's Blu-ray players rumored to be twice as expensive as the HD-DVD players (around $800?), it's hard to justify that type of price and hard to see wider early acceptance of the format over HD-DVD. I do have to admit that watching the demo players at my local Best Buy were impressive- the level of detail on faces and such were really amazing. Things like the slow boot-up and terrible remotes are first-gen issues which I'm glad to let others work out. Count me on board for the next round of HD-DVD players, hopefully closer to $300.
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9 Posted by plaga_nerezza on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:14PM EDT Report Abuse
Blu-Ray wont be adopted by the gaming industry to produce titles. Sony is trying to hold hostage media formatting and anytime that happens the sector tends to alienate you ala Nintendo. Sony's management on a very personal note is very concerning and I would be cautious about placing any trust in there vision and products.
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10 Posted by scootertip on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:08PM EDT Report Abuse
I was one of the "early adopters", and I love my HD-DVD. I am a fairly new convert (.5 years) to high end audio/video. I'm on my 3rd HDTV, and have upgraded my Audio system 3 times. You learn what you like through trial and error. Anyway, one of the reason's I was so excited about the Toshiba HD DVD player's was the audio innards. In order to accomadate the new Dolby Digital Plus and DTS HD codec's on the HDDVD movies, they had to put high end processor's in it. I was hoping that it's CD playback would be good so I didn't have to spend 5 Grand on a high end CD player. I was wrong-it's not good. It's incredible! The 24/192khz DAC chips are world class, as are the 4 DSP's (Digital Signal Processor's). These are the type's of chips that are used in CD player's that you don't find at BB or CCity. There is a whole world of high end A/V out there and Toshiba let's you in at a very low entry fee-$500. I use it for 90% music, and 10% movies. And now I can't watch "regular" DVD's anymore. The quality and the interface (menu) is so phenomenal I'm spoiled. Just like I never watch "regualr" TV anymore. And I'm not in such a hurry that I can't wait 60 seconds for it to boot up or 45 sec to load a movie. Who cares? I find that an amazingly shallow criticism. It is a computer after all! It gives me a chance to hug my loved one's and settle in for a real treat-HD DVD. Blu-ray will not have the same audio capabilities. All the movies scheduled for release so far don't even have HI-Def Audio-just the old Dolby Digital. Sony didn't make it "mandatory" like the HD DVD Forum did. If you love HDTV, you will love these new format's.
1 Posted by bengrafati on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:05PM EDT Report Abuse
I'll be upgrading to both HD and BD through Xbox 360 and PS3, respectively. It's sad that the manufacturers could not come up with one format but, with so little HD content available now, I can't wait to get HD movies and games. And in a huge bonus, Netflix will carry both HD and BD movies - I've had my 52" DLP for well over a year and nothing has changed for HD content, sans the Xbox360 - which is awesome btw. Comcast offers the same exact channels they did over a year ago and in their On Demand service they offer free HD movies like Anaconda and The Fifth Element - not exactly awesome HD movies. I don't even watch "regular" 480i TV anymore - it looks terrible on my DLP anyway. Bottom line is that ANY new HD content will be gobbled up immediately for us early adopters - and it can't come soon enough...there's only so much Sunrise Earth on Discovery HD Theater a man can take...