What's needed for Hi-Def DVD?

[outshined]

I want to watch Hi-Def DVD in my theater.

My Yamaha DSP-A1 does not have HDMI ins/outs. But, I figure I can connect a Hi-Def out from a DVDP to my HDTV. Use the TV's input selector...

Which video connection is HD?

I think the industry (and the public) is going to settle on Blu-Ray discs, what do you think? I don't want to buy both players or formats!

Is my Yamaha OK for HD, with respect to audio? It, of course, does DD, DTS, etc...

Do I need a SACD player for surround sound of DD encoded CD's?

All these alphabet soup products have me a little confused. A lot of questions, but maybe you guys can get me going with the basics of what I need for DVD HD playback :scratch2:

Thanks!

[botrytis]

HDMI is usually encoded so you can't copy it. I think you may need a decoder.

Dave

[outshined]

HDMI is usually encoded so you can't copy it. I think you may need a decoder.

Dave

Thanks. Do you mean copy a disc?
I have no plans on copying a disc. Did I catch your drift?

[Duffinator]

My Yamaha DSP-A1 does not have HDMI ins/outs. But, I figure I can connect a Hi-Def out from a DVDP to my HDTV. Use the TV's input selector...

Which video connection is HD?Does it have component inputs? Your projector displays 720P right? Both HD and BD DVD players will output 1080i or 720P via component (I think they will do 1080P over HDMI only). It's the software that is the limiting factor. I have a Toshiba A2 HD DVD player and use the component inputs into my Denon 3805 and then into my Toshiba HDTV. No HDMI on the receiver or TV and it works fine at 1080i. I've watched close to 30 movies with mine and they all output 1080i.

[outshined]

Does it have component inputs? Your projector displays 720P right? Both HD and BD DVD players will output 1080i or 720P via component (I think they will do 1080P over HDMI only). It's the software that is the limiting factor. I have a Toshiba A2 HD DVD player and use the component inputs into my Denon 3805 and then into my Toshiba HDTV. No HDMI on the receiver or TV and it works fine at 1080i. I've watched close to 30 movies with mine and they all output 1080i.

My Samsung 5265 accepts 1080p from HDMI 1080p output sources, which I understand is true HD.

It will also do 1080i without HDMI. I'm going for true HD from HD DVD sources.

[NeedForSpeed]

An Hd-DVD/Blu Ray combo player is on the way, Sony, Pioneer, LG, are a few companies on the case. No, It won't be cheap. I've been waiting to see how it shakes out, I currently use my PS3 for Blu Ray play back.

Your Componet Video Cable is your best option sense you have no HMDI. The signal is HD, No matter what you choose behind the TV.

Yes Your AVR is ok for the Audio side.

Yes you need a source player for SACD. The HD player you choose may decode multi-channel Audio.

[Duffinator]

My Samsung 5265 accepts 1080p from HDMI 1080p output sources, which I understand is true HD.

It will also do 1080i without HDMI. I'm going for true HD from HD DVD sources.So what's the point of your original question then?

BD has not won and this format war is far from over.

[outshined]

An Hd-DVD/Blu Ray combo player is on the way, Sony, Pioneer, LG, are a few companies on the case. No, It won't be cheap. I've been waiting to see how it shakes out, I currently use my PS3 for Blu Ray play back.

Your Componet Video Cable is your best option sense you have no HMDI. The signal is HD, No matter what you choose behind the TV.

Yes Your AVR is ok for the Audio side.

Yes you need a source player for SACD. The HD player you choose may decode multi-channel Audio.

Thanks.
I planned on buying a Blu-Ray dvd player. It would be interesting to see how the combo BR and HD DVD shake out.

Or maybe wait 'till the format war is over, and get whichever one wins out (my $$$ is on BR) and buy one a lot cheaper than the $5-600 they cost now.

I would like to see a SACD, BR player! I dunno if that'll happen, unless you know something I don't? :yes:

[outshined]

So what's the point of your original question then?

BD has not won and this format war is far from over.

I was wondering just where the HDMI fit into the scheme of things, that's all.

I don't have a HD player yet. Sorry for any confusion :thmbsp:

I was wondering about the format war as well. Where/when will it end? As I said, I don't want to invest in both, not at the price.

Thanks for your response :yes:

[Duffinator]

I was wondering about the format war as well. Where/when will it end? As I said, I don't want to invest in both, not at the price.

Thanks for your response :yes:Got it. If I was betting I'd bet on BD but I've always had my toe across the line in the HD camp, mainly because of cost. Let's face it, regardless which may have a better technology, you won't be able to tell the difference in picture quality. Neither format will ever be used for backup purposes as hard drive space is now too cheap and much faster than burning a disc.

A few months ago I got my HD player for $199 delivered from Crutchfield on a mistake on their part. I plan on selling my five free HD DVD's for $80 so I'll only be into the player for $120. That's the amount I was going to pay for an upscaling DVD player for my 45" sharp LCD that only accepts 1080i. My bet is the lower priced Sony BD player will be $300 after the holidays as they blow them out when the new models arrive. I might pick one up then.

[outshined]

"My bet is the lower priced Sony BD player will be $300 after the holidays as they blow them out when the new models arrive. I might pick one up then."

Good point. This is always the case, especially with stuff that's the first of its' kind. (CDP was $1k when they hit the street!)

Seems a good idea to wait to buy a HD player. I don't know when the format war will be over, but I think we'll see where it's going a few months into the new year.

[Jack G]

The "war" won't be over for a long time. Both formats are going to coexist for quite a while yet. If you want to "wait it out", Its going to be a long wait. I own players for both formats.
There are dual format players from LG, and there will be one from Samsung. There are new blu-ray players coming, but they will range from $500 to $2000. More HD DVD players will be coming soon, starting at $200, and going up fom there. Look for sales, Q4 will be competative.
They both look very good.
Jack

[outshined]

The "war" won't be over for a long time. Both formats are going to coexist for quite a while yet. If you want to "wait it out", Its going to be a long wait. I own players for both formats.
There are dual format players from LG, and there will be one from Samsung. There are new blu-ray players coming, but they will range from $500 to $2000. More HD DVD players will be coming soon, starting at $200, and going up fom there. Look for sales, Q4 will be competative.
They both look very good.
Jack

I suppose I can go with a dual format player. Hey, life is short :sigh:

But, tell me, is it really worth it to get into HD DVD :scratch2:

Most of my DVD's look pretty good to me, and they'll be upscaled with a new HD player anyway.

I guess if I already have the player, I should go HD. Long as the discs don't cost much more than a non HD disc. (and, if they'll be available for rent!)

[Jack G]

If you have a decent sized HDTV or a good projetor, the difference is quite noticable. Netflix has both HD DVDs and Blu-ray discs for rent. The discs aren't cheap, but that's where Amazon is your friend. They also go on sale regularly.
Jack

[outshined]

If you have a decent sized HDTV or a good projetor, the difference is quite noticable. Netflix has both HD DVDs and Blu-ray discs for rent. The discs aren't cheap, but that's where Amazon is your friend. They also go on sale regularly.
Jack

Yeah, I shop at CD Now all the time.
I just bought the Heaven and Hell DVD and CD, which has a SACD layer with extra bonus vid/pics.

But, I have no way of playing the SACD layer. I need a player:yes:

[mhconley]

An Hd-DVD/Blu Ray combo player is on the way, Sony, Pioneer, LG, are a few companies on the case.

I know LG has a dual disc player now - unfortunately it is crippled by not playing CD/SACD, not supporting HD-DVD's interactive menus and only outputting 1080p at 24 fps which few TV's accept.

I would be VERY surprised to see Sony cave in and release a combo player as they are the force behind Blu-ray.

Pioneer on the other hand is an interesting possibility - they mastered LD/DVD/CD combo players. I'd love to see a Pioneer Elite truly universal disc player capable of playing CD, SACD, DVD-A, DVD, HD-DVD and Blu-Ray discs.

Martin

[Duffinator]

If you have a decent sized HDTV or a good projetor, the difference is quite noticable. Netflix has both HD DVDs and Blu-ray discs for rent. The discs aren't cheap, but that's where Amazon is your friend. They also go on sale regularly.
JackYep. I'm not buying any new discs for either format, just renting through Netflix. They don't charge extra for either HD format. :thmbsp:

[Jack G]

I know LG has a dual disc player now - unfortunately it is crippled by not playing CD/SACD, not supporting HD-DVD's interactive menus and only outputting 1080p at 24 fps which few TV's accept.

I would be VERY surprised to see Sony cave in and release a combo player as they are the force behind Blu-ray.

Pioneer on the other hand is an interesting possibility - they mastered LD/DVD/CD combo players. I'd love to see a Pioneer Elite truly universal disc player capable of playing CD, SACD, DVD-A, DVD, HD-DVD and Blu-Ray discs.

Martin
LG is coming out with a second generation dual player, supposedly much better than the first. Samsung is coming out with a dual player in October.
Sony won't ever. The ARE Blu-ray. pioneer won't either.
Onkyo is coming out with an HD DVD player in a Q4. So is Intergra.
Be aware, that Blu-ray is changing its specs November 1, so any player initially shipped after that date will have to be able to have certain interactive features. Older players won't be able to access them. There will be some people in for a surprise down the road. :tears:
Regardless, people need to do alot of research before buying.
Jack

[outshined]

LG is coming out with a second generation dual player, supposedly much better than the first. Samsung is coming out with a dual player in October.
Sony won't ever. The ARE Blu-ray. pioneer won't either.
Onkyo is coming out with an HD DVD player in a Q4. So is Intergra.
Be aware, that Blu-ray is changing its specs November 1, so any player initially shipped after that date will have to be able to have certain interactive features. Older players won't be able to access them. There will be some people in for a surprise down the road. :tears:
Regardless, people need to do alot of research before buying.
Jack

This sounds messy.
I don't like to buy in to new formats and the hardware until the prices comes down, and the features go up :no:

And doing so in the middle of a format war makes it all the more unlikely that I'll be buying anytime soon.

Guess I'll be watching "standard" def DVD for a while, which ain't bad. :thmbsp:

[uofmtiger]

Be aware, that Blu-ray is changing its specs November 1, so any player initially shipped after that date will have to be able to have certain interactive features. Older players won't be able to access them. There will be some people in for a surprise down the road. :tears:
Regardless, people need to do alot of research before buying.
JackThe new Blu-Ray features that may* not work in the future with older machines are interacting online with the movie and picture in picture commentary. (http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,130452-c,dvddrivesmedia/article.html) If these features are really important to you, then you should wait for the updated players.

*Sony has not determined whether the PS3 is able to take advantage of these features at this time. Although, according to the article, the PS3 meets the specs for BD Live.

[Jack G]

The new Blu-Ray features that may* not work in the future with older machines are interacting online with the movie and picture in picture commentary. (http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,130452-c,dvddrivesmedia/article.html) If these features are really important to you, then you should wait for the updated players.

*Sony has not determined whether the PS3 is able to take advantage of these features at this time. Although, according to the article, the PS3 meets the specs for BD Live.

Old article.

They WILL NOT work on current stand alone players. They are only video 1.0. The PS3 should be upgradable, but we'll see.
The problem isn't just wait untill the BDA get its act together, the problem is that most people buying these (stand alone) players don't know, and aren't being told that these players don't meet the specs of video 1.1. That's all of them out now, plus the new Sony s500, and the 3 new Sammys coming out in October. Do you think people are being told that? I got a Sammy 1200, but I knew it wasn't 1.1 compliant. That's OK, I'll use my HD DVD player for that.
Most people don't have the advantage of knowing about the BDA video profiles when they buy a player-they are uaually at the mercy of a Best Buy sales cluck. Since Blu-ray is, and has been advertising these features for a while now, its a safe bet some if not most people will think they have them. What are they going to do when they find out that in order to access the extras or interctivity on the upcoming Disney movies ('08), they will have to replace the $500 BD player they just bought?
There is a potential PR disaster in this.
Jack

[uofmtiger]

Old article.

They WILL NOT work on current stand alone players. They are only video 1.0. The PS3 should be upgradable, but we'll see.
The problem isn't just wait untill the BDA get its act together, the problem is that most people buying these (stand alone) players don't know, and aren't being told that these players don't meet the specs of video 1.1. That's all of them out now, plus the new Sony s500, and the 3 new Sammys coming out in October. Do you think people are being told that? I got a Sammy 1200, but I knew it wasn't 1.1 compliant. That's OK, I'll use my HD DVD player for that.
Most people don't have the advantage of knowing about the BDA video profiles when they buy a player-they are uaually at the mercy of a Best Buy sales cluck. Since Blu-ray is, and has been advertising these features for a while now, its a safe bet some if not most people will think they have them. What are they going to do when they find out that in order to access the extras or interctivity on the upcoming Disney movies ('08), they will have to replace the $500 BD player they just bought?
There is a potential PR disaster in this.
JackThe new technology is in trouble if the PS3 is not upgradable.* They have not sold enough of the stand alone units to make it more than a blip on their radar. Technologies change all the time. I have a DVD player that came before DTS, so I was left out until I upgraded. I also have a HDTV that is 720p and I have owned a 1080i HDTV in the past. If you want 1080p, you have to upgrade. If you have an older HDTV and want to take advantage of HDMI, you have to upgrade. Once again, changes to technology that people live with all the time. (actually, it would be easy to write a novel on this issue - computers, Windows, cell phones, home theater receivers, gaming machines, etc....)

The new changes to BD should not be a big concern because they will still play movies. I would guess that is the reason most people buy stand alone players to begin with. If they want an interactive experience, my guess is that they can find that on the internet pretty easily. Most movies have websites devoted to them. In fact, I probably have tons of DVDs that will do that now if I slip them into the computer...I have never been compelled to do so.

*If the PS3 is not upgradable, the technology itself will be obsolete until a lot more stand alone units with the new specs are sold. What studio will be wasting money on these features that most of the audience doesn't want and can't play?