So, since there seems to be no end to the Blu-ray vs. HD DVD battle, I asked myself what would motivate me to buy either or both players. And, besides a better price, the main motivator for me would be titles available. I've spent more than $10,000 at Deep Discount, so I just read through nearly 20 pages of all available (through DD) Bluy-ray titles and the same number of pages of all of DD's available HD DVD titles.

I found nine Blu-ray titles I'd buy, all of which I already have in standard format DVD.
I found thirteen HD DVD titles I'd buy, again all of which I already have in standard format DVD.

Of those titles, four are available in both formats, leaving just five unique Blu-ray titles and eight unique HD DVD titles.

I have more than 275 titles on my wish list, but not one of them seems available in high definition, either format.

The Searchers was the oldest title among the Blu-ray discs. It was also available on HD DVD. I like older movies; I'm a classic film fan (see my collection). There were a few older titles available in HD DVD, dating back to the Adventures of Robin Hood, Casablanca, and a personal childhood favorite, Forbidden Planet.

If I were tempted to buy one format over the other, HD DVD has a few more that I am interested in, but having just thirteen titles that I would ever buy seems very weak to spend the money on a player and each of these discs at $20 to $30 each. I do not play video games, so buying a game box with either Blu-ray or HD DVD would be an even greater waste of my money.

Both need titles other than last year's blockbusters and special effects films before I will consider thinking that HD discs are the format for me. They have a long way to go.

Sorry.

Quoting VibroCount:

Quote:
The Searchers was the oldest title among the Blu-ray discs. It was also available on HD DVD. I like older movies; I'm a classic film fan (see my collection). There were a few older titles available in HD DVD, dating back to the Adventures of Robin Hood, Casablanca, and a personal childhood favorite, Forbidden Planet.

If I were tempted to buy one format over the other, HD DVD has a few more that I am interested in, but having just thirteen titles that I would ever buy seems very weak to spend the money on a player and each of these discs at $20 to $30 each. I do not play video games, so buying a game box with either Blu-ray or HD DVD would be an even greater waste of my money.

Both need titles other than last year's blockbusters and special effects films before I will consider thinking that HD discs are the format for me. They have a long way to go.

Sorry.

Blockbusters are a must for any format launch, Cliff.  A necessary evil.  You need a blend of awful blockbusters, decent blockbusters, and classics.  IMO HD DVD does the best job of spreading this out, but I don't want to have Ascended_Saiyan on my back

More new/old classics will come... The Road Warrior in a few days (hey, a modern classic), The Cowboys, Rio Bravo, Serpico, The Graduate, Ran, Three Days of the Condor, etc.

- - -

<juanell> when will you release noth by northwest in hi-def?

<WARNER> We have to remaster the whole film all over again as the gorgeous SD DVD
was done from a 1080i master, and we have to start all over again. Probably will be in 2009
for the 50th anniversary.

<WARNER> DELIVERANCE 35th anniversary will be released later this year, newly remastered lots
of extras SD DVD, HD, and Blu Ray. Robert Redford has recorded a commentary for THE CANDIDATE.
And we hope to have THE MAN THAT WOULD BE KING under special treatment procedures shortly.

<WARNER> We've created no hype for POLTERGEIST, so we don't know how to answer you,
except to say that we have a stunning new transfer, great 5.1 mix, great new extra content, and a
simultaneous release in SD DVD, HD DVD, and Blu Ray. We will be releasing THE HAND this year,
and are at work on a special edition of CRUISING directly with William Friedkin. ZABRISKIE and
THE DEVILS are still planned.

<WARNER> Yes you will see more Kubrick on HD DVD and Blu Ray before the year is over.

<WARNER> Yes, we have been talking about re-doing all the Hammer films, especially
for both HD and SD. The first group came out during a period here when proper care wasn't
taken with classic titles. You remember those days? Happily they're over, and we know we
need to fix our sins of the past. Be Patient, but we promise results.  Also both Dark Shadows
movies will be fresh new 16x9 transfers from newly restored film elements. They'll look great!

Actually Warner Bros. owns the rights to all MGM films prior to 1986 (give or take a couple of years, not exactly sure) with the exception of the James Bond franchise.

Quoting dkny:

Quote:
Actually Warner Bros. owns the rights to all MGM films prior to 1986 (give or take a couple of years, not exactly sure) with the exception of the James Bond franchise.

That is dead on correct.  Of course when you simply talk about "classics", one could easily argue either way depending on how one defines "classics".  Although I wouldn't say someone arguing that the post 1986 stuff is "classic" is necessarily correct of course.

Quoting Ascended_Saiyan:

Quote:
Quoting Mark Harrison:

Quote:
Quoting dkny:

Quote:
Actually Warner Bros. owns the rights to all MGM films prior to 1986 (give or take a couple of years, not exactly sure) with the exception of the James Bond franchise.

That is dead on correct.  Of course when you simply talk about "classics", one could easily argue either way depending on how one defines "classics".  Although I wouldn't say someone arguing that the post 1986 stuff is "classic" is necessarily correct of course.

Actually, to be dead on correct, Turner Broadcasting (which was bought by Time Warner) owns the MGM films prior to 1986.  Warner Bros was also acquired by Time Warner but almost operates as an independent.  Therefore, Warner Bros. does not own MGM titles prior to 1986...Time Warner/Turner Broadcasting  does.  But, the point is they would come to both HD formats if/when Time Warner allows Warner Bros to have access to those titles.

http://www.cjr.org/_deprecate/timewarner-timeline.asp

Blah, blah, blah, blah...

I've already scheduled Tuesday off and ordered my HDMI cable.   By this time next week I should have an HD-A2.

Quoting Ascended_Saiyan:

Quote:
Actually, to be dead on correct, Turner Broadcasting (which was bought by Time Warner) owns the MGM films prior to 1986.  Warner Bros was also acquired by Time Warner but almost operates as an independent.  Therefore, Warner Bros. does not own MGM titles prior to 1986...Time Warner/Turner Broadcasting  does.  But, the point is they would come to both HD formats if/when Time Warner allows Warner Bros to have access to those titles.

http://www.cjr.org/_deprecate/timewarner-timeline.asp

To be dead on correct...MGM titles owned by Time Warner, are distributed by Warner Bros. Entertainment. 

Quoting lyonsden5:

Quote:
Quoting Mark Harrison:

Quote:
I've already scheduled Tuesday off and ordered my HDMI cable.   By this time next week I should have an HD-A2.

Congrats Mark! 

Yep,  Enjoy HD DVD while you can!