Which is better Blu-Ray DVD player or HD- DVD player?

Question

Im trying to find the best DVD player out thier and thier are 2 different types.

Answer 1

Blu-Ray will output at 1080p resolution, HD-DVD will only output at 1080i, although HD-DVD will probably release a 1080P sometime next year.

The difference is that Blu-Ray will be able to hold more data, and therefore, more movies, extras, subtitles, outtakes, etc. You can also hold several movies on a Blu-Ray disc, and Blu-Ray will be more widely available despite it came into the market after HD-DVD.

Companies that support HD-DVD:

Microsoft
Intel
Toshiba
Sanyo
NEC

Media Outlets: HBO, New Line Cinema, Paramount Home Entertainment, Universal Studios Home Entertainment and Warner Home Video.


Companies that support Blu-Ray:

Dell
Hewlett-Packard
Sony
Panasonic
Philips
Samsung
Sharp
Pioneer
LG Electronics.

Media Outlets: Electronic Arts and entertainment companies Twentieth Century Fox, Vivendi Universal and Walt Disney.

Although it is rumored that Disney is on both teams.

The difference between the two? Blu-ray uses Sun Microsystems' Java software for built-in interactive features, whereas HD DVD uses a technology called iHD that Microsoft and Toshiba have worked on.

So Blu-Ray is more interactive. I'd go Blu-Ray if I was buying this year.

Hope that helps! :)

Answer 2

Your question is: which is better? Well all reports are they are essentially identical in terms of video and audio performance. Sure there are differences, but there is more variation in the quality of the disks than in the players. The big difference is in the price. Blu-Ray is significantly more expensive (See the first link), with HD-DVD players most likely to drop below the rumoured "magic" $200 price point where consumers are supposed to stop waiting and grab their Mastercards and run to stores to replace their trusty DVD players. There are differences in some of the extra features. The technical specs for HD DVD require the ability to connect to the Internet while Blu-Ray's spec (even when final .. probably in November 2007) does not. By the way, the current incomplete Blu-Ray spec (2nd link) doesn't support features like picture-in-picture (while HD-DVD does), which is why some studios are holding off on releasing some films in Blu-Ray format. You didn't ask, but disks of both formats, while capable of excellent video and audio and fancy extra features, are all too often relatively poorly done. Reading reviews it appears that all too frequently there are few extras, have little support for the newer HD formats yet, and poor mastering (See 3rd link) Given the still high prices, immature technology and all to frequent "incomplete" disks I advise waiting 6-12 months before buying. The truth is that despite the great picture and sound possibilities of HD DVD and Blu-Ray most of us do not have equipment that would allow us to realize the benefits. All too often diplays in big box stores are incentives not to upgrade since the picture from the HD DVD or Blu-Ray disk doesn't look any better than a normal DVD on the lilttle (40-50") screen. In addition to consumer caution not to get sucked into an unecessary format war the fundamental problem for the manufacturers is that unlike DVD vs VCR, HD disks vs DVD doesn't give a compelling reason to upgrade .... and sales of normal DVD players and disks continue to exceed HD player and disk sales by better than 10:1. HD will eventually come, but until HDTVs are the norm they won't be mainstream. At this time I would suggest focussing on your display device (TV, projector) so that when the players and disks have matured, prices have come down, and (maybe) there is a clear format "winner" you will be able to benefit. Personally, I suggest considering an HD front projector since that will allow the big picture and immersive experience that will show off the benefits of HD.

Answer 3

Practically speaking they are more or less equivalent (although Blu-Ray players are twice as expensive as HD-DVD). The difference is more in the available disks, with HD-DVD being closer to their potential. (See link 1 for a current assessment)

But, rather than talk about differences, let me take a different approach to answering your question than most of the other responses here and note that the real question is whether either format is worth the money. Or at least is either a wise purchase at this early point, before the technology has matured, and while most consumers do not have equipment elsewhere in their systems which will allow more than a marginal benefit (Most consumers with small (under ca. 45") HD display will not see any significant difference between the picture form an upconverted DVD (red laser) and an HD-DVD or Blu-Ray disk (blue laser)).

A bit of an exaggeration maybe, but it could be stated that HD disk players are an expensive, half baked solution looking for a problem.

Many "experts" are advising that -- except for early adopter (i.e. "bleeding edge") videophiles who have money to burn -- most consumers should delay purchasing either format player until either a winner in the format war emerges, or at least until the technology mature and prices come down.

One possible exception is someone who needs to buy a replacement DVD player. In this case the basic Toshiba HD-DVD player may be an option since it is available for under $500 and has been reported widely as an excellent upconverting player for conventional DVDs (despite the claim in another response that only Blu-Ray players are backward compatible), that also plays HD-DVDs.

There has even been speculation that HD disks of either format are dead end technology since they will be fairly quickly superceded by holographic storage or alternate techniques such as video on demand, and at best will remain marginal, particulalry if content providers limit or discontinue support. (See link 1 and 2)

Remember the lessons of VHS vs Beta and SACD (and DVD-A) vs MP3 .... the first was that technological superiority will lose to broader content (and player) availability and the latter shows that excellent technology and great sound is not as important as convenience to the average consumer (who, unlike the videophile or audiophile) really determine what succeeds).

The same basic drivers are likely to impact HD-DVD and Blu-Ray. Buy (now) at your own risk....!

If you want a DVD player now consider the OPPO OPDV971H upconverting DVD player -- under $200 -- and judged the best video player out there over DVI output (See link 3)

Answer 4

A Blue-ray player displays 1080 progressive resolution and HD-DVD plays 1080 interlaced.Your TV should be able to support 1080p otherwise it down converts the display to to 1080i
A Blue- ray discs are recorded in 1080p and cannot be played on HD DVD whereas a Blue -ray player can play HD discs as it is backward compatible

Answer 5

The good news is, it might not matter.

I've read where a chipset has been made that will enable a single player to display Blu-ray and HD-DVD disks. I've also read of a process that will allow a single disk to contain a Blu-Ray version and HD-DVD version of recorded material.

Answer 6

It's really tough to say since the technology is so new. Here's
some info to help you make the best decision for you...

The Blu-Ray offers the highest resolution (1080p), but the HD
DVD has less bugs -although there still are bugs to work out.

H a p p y
V i e w i n g !

Answer 7

Blu -Ray right now is the superior format right now, and here is the reasons why.
1. Blu-Ray is backwards compatible, meaning it will also play your old or std. DVDs, HD will not.
2. In the future Blu-Ray will have more HD-DVD titles available than HD-DVD, right now Blu-Ray has more studios supporting Blu-Ray than HD.

Answer 8

Right now HD-DVD is better in most cases, but neither has reached its capability as far as picture quality is concerned. Both formats will output 1080p. Both have the potential for high quality. But Blu-ray isn't there yet and it has disappointed many in its performance. See this article:
\http://www.projectorcentral.com/blu-ray_2.htm

Answer 9

the quality is the same! 1080p resolution.
the difference is that blu-ray is available from sony, panasonic, samsung, pioneer, etc. etc.
hd-dvd is toshiba only, and is ultimately going to face the same fate as "beta" did in the '80s - stick with blu-ray.

Answer 10

blu-ray = better
hd-dvd = cost less

probably won't notice the difference either way.