If I wanto watch movies in HD should I wait until films come out on Blue Ray?

Question

My point is that while my old disks will might be playable on a Blue Ray machine it won't be HD

Answer 1

Simple question .. not so simple to answer.

Note that in my response I refer to "blue laser based DVD players" to include both HD-DVD and Blu-Ray. As noted by others the two are incompatible regarding their native disk formats .... but both will play normal DVDs in a pseudo-HD manner (upscaled to HD resolution but not true HD).

Not mentioned is that both technologies are still under development (for example, dual layer Blu-Ray disks are not yet available, and HD-DVD doesn't yet support 1080p (not that it matters much since only a minute fraction of consumers could benefit from it yet)) and that even if a movie is available in HD -- there is no assurance either format will ever be as widely available as normal DVDs -- because different movie studios support specific formats it will only be available in one or the other format, not both. Therefore you will need to purchase BOTH formats to have the best chance of seeing a movie in HD (and even then no assurance since it may simply not be available yet ... or ever)

The first requirement to be able to view movies in HD is a good HD display device (e.g. HDTV, monitor, projector). Second is for an HD source for the movies (e.g. HD cable or satellite receiver, blue laser based DVD player).

In my view there is no point in buying a blue laser DVD player unless you have at least a 40", and preferably larger, display device on which to show it. Smaller than that there is not enough difference between an upscaled DVD and a true HD DVD to justify the cost of the blue laser DVD player and the higher cost of the HD DVDs. And, it is questionable whether for most people there is sufficient benefit even on larger displays.

So, recognize that at least for the forseeable future (and possibly ever) you can expect to -- at best -- be able to play a select few movies in native HD format via a blue laser DVD player (See link for current stats). Given the intransigence of the two camps (HD-DVD and Blue-Ray) -- including the prohibition on dual format players written into the licensing agreement for Blue-ray at least -- it is highly likely neither will achieve critical mass before being overtaken by some other approach to distribution of HD programming (e.g. holographic storage, some form of HD video on demand).

I have no doubt that HD-DVD and Blu-Ray can look great under the right conditions, but I personally, like the vast majority of consumers, am quite happy with the quality of image I get from my upsampling DVD player (I use and Oppo 971 and display on a 100" screen via an HD front projector) and have no intention to buy either HD-DVD or Blue-Ray for at least a year or so ... and possibly never. The benefit to cost ratio is just too small in my view.

So, my long answer (sorry!) boils down to -- based on the foregoing and your reading elsewhere -- you have to decide based on your priorities.

But personally, I'd recommend you resist buying now and plan to wait at least a year (or even 2) to see what happens.

The only exception I would make to that is, IF money is not an issue AND you have an HD display bigger than 40" AND you need a new DVD player ... buy an HD-DVD player now. They are under $500 and are excellent upscaling players for your existing DVDs and will allow you to play the more popular HD-DVD disks. (See link)

Hope this answers your question.

Answer 2

As far as I am aware you can't play normal DVD's or HD DVD's on a blue ray player and you can't play blu ray on a normal dvd player so it's up to you. I have HD and although I don't have any HD films yet I think it'll be worth it. I think Blu Ray will be very expensive for a long time yet.

Nope sorry ignore that. I just read up on it and it isn't anything I said. It's around the same price as HD DVD's and you can play it on a normal telly and you can play regular dvd's on it.

Some blu ray discs will be done in HD.

Answer 3

correct, the movie must be on a blue ray disc, if you play a regular dvd it won't be HD

Answer 4

Hmmmm even as depressed - Shawshank redemption/the golf eco-friendly mile even as offended - strive against club/American heritage X/The football production unit even as chuffed - The Blues Brothers - it really is going to be a regulation that everybody has to work out this movie a minimum of once.

Answer 5

blu ray will be very expensive when it comes out, you wold be better off getting sky plus hd.

that way you can watch and record hd movies either from sky movies or box office.