FWIW, this is exciting for me, not because of the threat to Sony, or the PS3 or BD, but that HDM has a consumer level entry price. More players of either format mean lower media costs.

I agree with The Foot, the new HDM costs are a little pricey for me.

Sony should probably be worried. The Wal-Mart crowd is pretty much dosen't know that much about technology and are looking for bargains. By seeing a name brand at such a low price they are likely to get it. Couple that with the fact that Wal-Mart is stocked with a bunch of budget HDTVs, you're looking at a high potential for HD adoption for the holidays by the not so tech savvy. It has potential, but it depends on how they advertise it in store.

Keep in mind, this is just to clear out existing stock of that particular model. Once they're gone, they're gone. Other models still retain their higher price.

It's enough to make a significant impact. People will buy these up, then their friends will see the HD-DVD awesomeness go buy HD-DVD players. Not blu-ray.

Price is not the problem, but rather the titles available on HDdvd and Bluray. If you look at the lord of the rings trilogy, the bluray version is the only one that has all the extended features and specials. Paramount is only having their films come out on bluray, where as, some of the other studios right now are either neutral or all bluray in their releases.

Add to the fact that netflix is HDdvd only and Blockbuster is Bluray only, its more a matter what you want. Sadly, people are being forced to get both bluray and HDdvd if they wish to enjoy the best films out there in high rez.

HD dvd was dying until microsoft with toshiba made a few exclusive deals, thus cutting whats available to consumers in half. This move hurts us more than helps.

Bluray is still the superior format, though I believe the only reason some are against it is because they associate it with Sony instead of the 180 companies backing it.

quick question, i've been wandering this for some time, how superior is blue ray to hd dvd, i mean if it's more expensive and just a tad bit better, i don't really see the point, hd dvd is a lot better than regular dvds and i find it absoloutly amazing quality, i just find it hard to believe that something's better than it(i know it is, you don't have to say that).....but how much better?

It's not noticeably better to 90% of the population. I am a very picky person, especially about my sound (being a musician). There is not a big enough difference to justify the price. If Blu-Ray was cheaper I still wouldn't buy it, I just can't stand proprietary formats.

I hate Walmart, and I refuse to shop there. Not because of what they sell, but how they make it. Walmart, McDonalds are plagues on the world. They rely on their low prices to keep them in business as they dispense death to people, by killing local stores, or by making food that can cause heart attacks, AKA Super Size Me (Documentary Movie).

I have to agree as this being a possible nail on the Blue Ray coffin, but I think 2008 will be the deciding year, both HD and Blue Ray are just too new to the market. I'd prefer both remaining, a monopoly would only lead to lack of options. For example... Can the DVD player you buy record as easily as a VHS player?

How are they plagues on the world? People CHOOSE to work and buy there. Plagues, people have no choice.
If I buy something I want help and support with, I go local. If I want cheap, I go larger. No contest.
I know McDonalds is bad for me, I still go there every now and then.
If I had a Walmart, I would shop there.
So are you saying you wouldn't buy something from there even if it was cheaper?
All businesses depend partly on their prices to keep them in business!
They don't dispense people to death, for god's sake.. have a look.. people go there by choice.

Netflix does both.

Blockbuster offers only Blu-Ray in their stores, but both formats online.

oh snap.

sony obvoiusly ain't gonna die though, big compny.

prbly effect sales of the ps3 though, yeah.

According some analysis done at HD digest, the current catalog of reviews shows HD-DVD have a nearly 1.5:1 advantage on additional content. BD having about a 10-12% advantage on the audio component, HD-DVD having about the same advantage on the video component.

Part of the problem with BD has the been the so-so BD-Java API, it's been a moving target, many players missed the Profile 1.1 spec and the HD development system is much faster, less bug prone for development. HD (w/HDi) had a better minimum spec for their 1st gen players (and earlier HD-D movies use a much better CODEC though now BD has caught up in that capacity).


Agreed. That's why I have a UP5000 on order (though I might not be able to pass this deal up as a 2nd player). It offers Dolby True and DTS HD & Master decoding, 7.1 analog output, full interactivity with both formats, and an amazing Reon HQV upscaling processor.

Right now I want the remastered/reshot OST Trek, BSG and Pirates (x3) - that means supporting both formats!

When I watch my co workers eat one candy bar after another I question if they have any will power. You make it sound easy, but people look at me like a freak because I choose to avoid junk food. I'll have to argue they are addicted, and the way the corporations slant things people will continue down that path without even questioning why. There's no way such an insane system could last forever. I really feel they do it because they are conned into it, the same way a drug dealer gets people to buy drugs.

Much thanks to Spyro, I think I'm going to wade into Walmart tomorrow, see how things shake down. The Free 5 is still going for this through Feb, it's one of those choose one each from 5 groups, some are terrific (Full Metal Jacket) others not so much, but not aweful (just not on my "must have" for HD list).

~DT

I understand with was some kind of metaphor for "the evil corporate machine" or something, but we eat super healthy too, and the only comments I ever get are "OMG, I thought you were 10 years younger"

No transfats, no HFCS, low sugar, nothing processed, etc., and I feel great (and the food we make is tremendous).

ahaha BluRay is down the drain.

Sweet, got to Wallymart about 8:40a, got in the line - about 20 people in front of me but most were buying the cheap notebook on sale. The line was SLOW. The guy in front on me said he saw about 10 on the DVD aisle up high in the overstock area, plus there were like 6 on a handtruck right at the counter. I felt like a Day of the Dead zombie w/o coffee, shuffling in line for consumer products...

$99 and I'm HD! Er, not sure about the dual format I had on order, seems pricey at this point, maybe I'll cancel and wait till after Christmas to worry about that. Picked up a copy of Transformers, since it's *the* HD-DVD exclusive this year (plus I dug on it).

I think I'm going to