HD TV- What DVD format?

**DRTH VTR** · 10-21-07, 05:58 PM

We just bought a Sony 40" LCD 1080P television. I am planning on buying the HD programming from the local cable company, as we already have cable for TV and internet. What is the best format to buy to play DVD's?

**Gorgon** · 10-21-07, 07:13 PM

Originally Posted by DRTH VTR

We just bought a Sony 40" LCD 1080P television. I am planning on buying the HD programming from the local cable company, as we already have cable for TV and internet. What is the best format to buy to play DVD's?

Are you talking about DVD? Or HD DVD or Blu-Ray?

DVD has resolution of 480p and will not look that fantastic on a 1080p set. You can either look at an upconverting DVD player or into the more expensive Blu-Ray/HD DVD options which have fantastic pictures but also cost a lot more for players and media and I don't believe you'd be able to rent movies in these formats.

BTW, enjoy the new set. I bet it looks fantastic.

Leon

**DRTH VTR** · 10-21-07, 08:32 PM

Originally Posted by Gorgon

Are you talking about DVD? Or HD DVD or Blu-Ray?

DVD has resolution of 480p and will not look that fantastic on a 1080p set. You can either look at an upconverting DVD player or into the more expensive Blu-Ray/HD DVD options which have fantastic pictures but also cost a lot more for players and media and I don't believe you'd be able to rent movies in these formats.

BTW, enjoy the new set. I bet it looks fantastic.

Leon

What I am asking is which HD format is better for DVD, Blu-Ray or HD DVD. Any opinions?

**Gorgon** · 10-22-07, 07:07 AM

Both formats over full HD support for resolutions of 720p, 1080i and 1080p. The problem is that different studios are supporting different formats so one of your favorite movies may come from Universal supporting one format while Sony studios supports another. Look at this comparison here:

http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-13817_7-6462511-1.html

This is just VHS vs BetaMax all over again and one standard will come out on top. Personally I will wait for one format to become the standard before adopting. There are combo players but they are crazy expensive and since I don't buy movies I don't need an HD player until Blockbuster and Netflix start carrying the new formats. And I don't think they will adopt until a standard is defined. Otherwise they would have a store full of movies in different formats depending on the studio that released the movie.

Looking at the specs I like Blu-Ray only because of the extra capacity that the disc holds. This would allow better picture quality without the need for higher compression when the movies start getting really long. I can't wait for them to finally get a standard defined. For now I would just look at an upconverting DVD player and enjoy the picture that develops until this settles out.

**DRTH VTR** · 10-22-07, 08:04 AM

Thanks, Leon. That was very useful.

**ricersvette89** · 10-22-07, 09:39 AM

I bet you love watching football in HD! I love our new Samsung 50 inch 1080p LED DLP (wow a mouthful lol). I would go for Blu-Ray just cause of the extra space and that the PS3 has it.

**DRTH VTR** · 10-22-07, 12:00 PM

I just finished hooking up the cable HD box. The picture is amazing!

**Scissors** · 10-22-07, 12:20 PM

VHS is where it's at.

**Gorgon** · 10-22-07, 01:00 PM

Originally Posted by DRTH VTR

I just finished hooking up the cable HD box. The picture is amazing!

I agree. I have an older Toshiba 46" HD rear projection CRT that was just used for standard cable and DVDs. When the HD box came in and you really could see the full HD capabilities it is amazing. With fixed pixel technology finally getting to 1080 scan lines it's almost time to get a new set.

Sony makes some impressive displays.