Short answer - pick a format, not really much in it, so it appears

Very nice read Mark, well thought out and I found it very helpful. I downloaded lists of available Blu-Ray and HD-DVD tiltles and checked off the titles I would probably be interested in buying. The score was 29 to 34, (some available on both formats) not enough difference to make me jump at this point unless there was a top notch combi player with full feature capability for both formats (although I could care less about interactive features - a good transfer from a good master and the typical bonus features are all I want).

I recently purchased a Pioneer Elite Pro-FHD1 monitor I'm using with a $200 OPPO 981. The picture quality is so good I'm hard pressed to believe either HI-Def format could be significantly better and without a side by side comparison... for the time being I'm very content with the "old" technology and it's like watching many of my old standard def DVD's for the first time. 

I hope to be able to get a good combi player by year end. For me it's not a matter of cost, I could buy one of each but then there's extra cables, I'll need an HDMI switch box, (and I'm told the good one's are expensive), I like to keep things as simple as I can. Simple solutions are always the more elegant.

It's also seems to me that both Hi-Def formats, especially Blu-Ray, were rushed to market incomplete and with bugs and shortcomings. I haven't read enough about the second generation machines to feel confident that they have all the software issues and mechanical quirks resolved satisfactorily.

Anyway, your post has helped me get my thought processes around the heart of the matter and I found myself in agreement with your conclusions about the differences and what they are worth in the bigger picture.

Thanks for the effort.

well let's wait and see much a "Total HD Disc" will cost...then i think i'll be able to make up my mind...

Very nice write-up Mark.  I got into the high-def formats a little earlier.  I bought a Toshiba HD-XA1 in June and Sony PS3 in December of 2006.  Since then, I have not looked back.  I've accumulated over 150 HD DVDs and close to 90 Blu-ray discs.  I've stopped buying regular DVDs altogether.  I've found that with the current release schedules, I have plenty to watch (my to watch pile is at around 50 discs).

I think the difference in PQ or AQ matters more on quality of the master used than on any inherent weakness or strengths of the format.  It doesn't matter that Blu-ray has a larger capacity or higher bandwidth.  It seems that for movie reproduction, HD DVD has enough of both.

For those of you who are wondering if high def is going to make a difference in your setup, easy way to tell is by looking at the difference between your upconverted DVD and broadcast HD.  If you can see a difference, best in optical high-def is going to look better than the very best broadcast HD (video for video, and film for film).

Another nice reason to go in might be with the next blockbuster which is going to be released in both formats, 300.  You can get the Blu-ray version for same price as the SD DVD or you can opt for HD DVD combo for $3 more and get both HD DVD and DVD versions in addition to exclusive interactive bonus contents.

300 is now available for preorder in both Blu-ray and HD DVD formats from Columbia House.

HD-DVD is backed by the porn industry... that'll be esy then   

Calling the Fifth Element the "first next-gen double dip" is stretching it.

If you are going to buy it twice, you're an idiot since Sony is replacing it free of charge,

I sent in my disc, today I recieved a brand new copy factory sealed in a new case. Now, I have the old case to stare at with the new case.

They also sent it out 2 day FedEx. Sparing no expence to make things right. Definately NOT a double dip.

News

The Fifth Element Exchange Program
Posted June 14, 2007 by Josh

When Blu-ray first launched, there were great expectations for the titles released. That was especially true for 'The Fifth Element', which had been a home theater enthusiast favorite on DVD. Unfortunately, the results were less than stellar, but Sony is here to atone! Those who purchased 'The Fifth Element' in its current form can exchange the disc for the new, cleaned up version of the film, due out July 17th.

The disc will come as a BD-50, encoded with AVC, and have two lossless/uncompressed audio tracks: the same PCM track from the original release (which was quite excellent) and a 20-bit Dolby TrueHD track. The extras remain the same, but the film has been remastered for a cleaner/crisper video experience.

Right now, Sony is taking down your name, mailing address, and phone number and will contact you closer to the release of the remastered version on how to exchange your disc. When you call, have that information ready, or if you are emailing, make sure to place it in your message. Here is the contact information:

Phone: 800-860-2878
Email: consumer@sphecustomersupport.sony.com