Which is better Blu Ray or HD DVD, and also.. Can HD DVD play normal DVDs in HD resolution?

Question

Can HD DVD play all types of DVDs in HD resolution, and in 1080p?

Answer 1

Blu-Ray pros:
Potentially stores more (50GB dual-layer vs HD-DVD's 30GB dual-layer).
More studios have given exclusive support to it (Disney, Sony/Columbia, Fox).

Blu-Ray cons:
Launch was plagued with problems--the Samsung Blu-Ray player was the only one out for a while, and suffered from picture quality issues. The other first-generation Blu-Ray consoles are just coming out now.
Players cost twice as much as some HD-DVD players. The cheapest Blu-Ray player is the 20GB PlayStation 3, which hasn't been easy to find this holiday season.
Because of its delayed launch, there are fewer titles available.
Most titles out right now are single layer while most HD-DVD titles out are dual-layer, which means that despite the format's *potential* for storing more, the majority of Blu-Ray discs actually hold LESS data than the majority of HD-DVD's.

HD-DVD pros:
Players are more affordable.
The players are now entering their second generation, which means that the kinks from the original launch machines have had time to be worked out.
"Combo" discs that are playable on regular DVD players are available.
Exclusive support from Universal, and because of this, despite Blu-Ray having more studios exclusive to it, HD-DVD's potential library is actually larger.
The manufacturing process is comparatively easier and cheaper than Blu-Ray.
More titles are available, and are generally less expensive than their Blu-Ray counterparts.
XBox 360 owners can pick up an HD-DVD player add-on for $200.
It's emerging as the more popular format (for now).

HD-DVD cons:
No Disney (including Touchstone and Miramax), Sony (MGM, Columbia, etc) or Fox titles available.
Low-end HD-DVD players only output in 1080i (though this really isn't an issue if one's 1080p TV upconverts properly).


Anyway, to answer the second part of your question, HD-DVD's can upconvert DVD's to play at 1080i or 1080p (if your HD-DVD player is 1080p). However, while the signal is 1080i/p, there's only so much good upconverting can do when the original source is 480p; an HD-DVD will still look better than an upconverted DVD of the same title (note that standalone Blu-Ray players--not the PS3--can upconvert, too).

Answer 2

For those of you that can remember Betamax, you are better off waiting to see who wins this battle! I think it will be HD DVD, even though Sony is pushing the Blu Ray with their PS3's.

Answer 3

It quite relies upon on the action picture. I consistently study comments of the Blu-ray launch (some great comments on Amazon) before identifying to purchase. i'm going to alert you that Christmas holiday wasn't to any extent further powerful, and neither replaced into 5th element. residing house of Flying Daggers replaced into electrifying and T-2 replaced into surprising.