What HiFi and HD DVD

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I read the last issue of the mag recently (Blu Ray Vs HDDVD) and was pretty amazed at what I read. The whole format war thing in the magazine seems pretty unfairly skewed towards BluRay. For instance, in that issue there was a supertest of LCD TV's. Two "Tested with" were a recommendation of BluRay discs to get the best from the set. Where were the HD DVD's for testing. In one review the standard def Batman Begins was used as an example. C'mon guys there is an HD DVD exclusive of that very disc available. There is also HDDVD's of Shooter, Hot Fuzz, Blades of Glory and Blood Diamond. If I didn't know better i wouldn't have had a clue that any of these titles were on HD DVD.

Next up in this issue, I found no mention of the deal which was struck with Paramount and Dreamworks regarding HDDVD exclusivity from now on starting with Shrek 3 and Transformers. Surely this news is important enough to report?

The new movie section was yet another omission for HDDVD. The mag mentions Flags of our Fathers (Blu Ray) as a great way to showcase your surround system. Where were the new HDDVD titles such as 300, Shooter, and hugely, The Complete Matrix Trilogy?

Then onto the main test between both formats players. One HDDVD player?? What's going on? The PS3 was reviewed, so where was the 360 add on? Where was the HD E1? A little bit more balance would have been better methinks. Any punter on the street would think that was all that was available to him, and therefore (wrongly) get into BluRay.

So what do you guys think?

Oh, and just to let you know, I'm not a fanboy for the HDDVD cause, as I have both formats at home, I'd just like to see a bit more balance in the specialist press. Jeez even Empire magazine and DVD Review are giving up on HDDVD.

Dee

 

[Clare Newsome]

Simple answer to many of your questions is one on timing.

The current (october) issue was sent to the printers on 8th August (with subscribers 17 August, on sale 23rd August). The Paramount/Dreamworks deal was only announced on the 20th August - obviously far too late to get in that issue! We did, however, write about it at length here.

It's the same situation with all the other discs you mention (many of which are featured in our new issue out next week, actually), plus the latest HD DVD add-on to the X-Box Elite (also coming up). I mean the Matrix Trilogy only came out this week!!! (And yes, we have a copy, and yes it's going to be heavily featured).

We only featured the one Toshiba player in that test as we knew the other models were being discontinued to be replaced by the new players covered here and here. Again, as soon as we get the players, we'll test them.

As I say in the editorial of the October issue, we're frustrated at how neither format is totally 'there' yet, and we don't back one or the other - our test simply highlighted the very best HD disc player you can currently buy, period.

I'm just hoping these new LG and Samsung hybrid players are mighty fine, then we can advocate them and all get back to enjoying anything we want to watch, rather than what the studios dictate.

 

[Anonymous]

Hi Clare,

wow, thanks for your quick reply. Just one thing I'd like to add. HD DVD players at the moment are region free, (has that featured in the magazine?) so it's possible to visit sites such as Movietyme, DVDWorld USA and Play.com to pick up titles before they hit our shores. I've had the Matrix discs and Flags of our Fathers since May, 300 since July, and have had no problems running any of them on my UK spec HD E1 (they're fantastic!) Another thing about using these sites is the fact that they are so much cheaper than using retailers on the high street. For example; Blades of Glory £17.99 on the internet, compared to £23.95 from the high street. Big difference!

Anyway rant over, thanks again for getting back to me, HD DVD Special next issue??

Dee

 

[D.J.KRIME]

Also good news for the HD-DVD camp that Paramount has gone HD-DVD only.

 

[Anonymous]

The disks are still way too expensive though. It's basically the same film just mastered at a higher resolution and with better sound. Why should the disks cost so much. Ok I can think of all manner of reasons. But it would be NICE if they were cheaper! Where's the best place to buy them cheap anyone?

 

[Clare Newsome]

Play.com isn't bad for selection, and typically beats Amazon on price....

 

[D.J.KRIME]

There is allways www.movietyme.com not only are they cheeper but you tend to find the American reliese is out way before here in the UK.

 

[Anonymous]

As DJ Krime says movietyme is very good for price and latest releases. The only thing I would say against Play.com is their latest HDDVD Releases and Region 1 stuff is Canadian, which has dual french/english covers. Also has french on the spine of the dvd, so a bit unsightly in amongst your collection.

DVDWorldUSA.com are also very good, most titles are £17.99 with free delivery, but they have some bargain titles also. Looking forward to Transformers HDDVD (October 16th) and Ultimate Blade Runner HDDVD(on 5 discs!) at the start of December.

Dee