300 in Toshiba HD DVD bundle drops DVD side
by Darren Murph 
posted Sep 23rd 2007 at 3:50AM
Here's an interesting one. Reportedly, the copy of 300 that comes bundled alongside the Bourne Identity in any of Toshiba's third-generation HD DVD players completely omits the DVD side found on the traditional combo disc. Granted, the content on the HD DVD side remains exactly the same, but since the vanilla DVD held exclusive audio commentary, it seems that this particular disc adds "its own exclusive picture-in-picture video commentary" to compensate.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
JeffDM @ Sep 23rd 2007 9:03AM
That doesn't make sense. I thought the standard HD-DVD had a picture in picture video commentary. I hope Warner got a lot for the special favors, given that they might be giving up a lot of future sales on this movie if it's bundled with a player.
RockinOscar @ Sep 23rd 2007 12:09PM
do you know if they will keep releasing 300 without the dvd side from now on? because then i will feel ripped off from getting the combo format...
Nate the Prophet @ Sep 23rd 2007 1:42PM
That's exactly what's wrong with the combo format! If it costs more, it's not percieved as a "good deal," that's all there is to it.
The combo disc is a great idea in theory, the the average consumer doesn't think that way. Either HD DVD needs to release a combo disc version AND a regular HD DVD version of each movie (so that those who want only the HD DVD don't have to pay more than Blu Ray versions) or--better stilll--they simply lower the cost of the combo disc.
If the HD DVD / DVD combo discs cost the same as BluRay movies, that would be a MAJOR advantage.
As for me, I'm leaning towards getting a PS3 so it wouldn't matter to me, I'd always get the cheaper version.
Devils Advocate @ Sep 23rd 2007 1:53PM
Why should they bundle a combo version in an HD-DVD player?
Kumar @ Sep 24th 2007 8:49AM
My thoughts exactly. If you're buying the hd player, you don't need the reg dvd side. That just means a few extra bucks savings on amazon in a month or so I figure.
Nfinity @ Sep 23rd 2007 5:59PM
@Nate the Prophet
That's exactly what has happened. New upcoming movies like Ocean's 13 from Warner which will be on HD DVD as combo and on Blu-Ray will cost the same. Warner will lower their combo discs to $34.99, $5 lower then older combos and increase the Blu-Ray version to $34.99 $5 more then $29.99 a price of some older releases. This will make it an even playing field. It actually helps HD DVD shine because HD DVD version will have more interactivity, features and same quality, meaning that most dual format people will prefer HD DVD version over Blu-Ray as it gives them more value for the money.
300 only on HD DVD makes sense for this promotion as it is most likely a deal with Warner. I think that this is one of the reasons why Warner will go HD DVD exclusive as well. This deal is huge. 300 with HD DVD player..Warner must be VERY happy.
zik @ Sep 23rd 2007 2:32PM
The 300 combo disk I have does have picture-in-picture commentary on the HD side. I've never once played the SD side. What's engadget talking about here?
Asterra @ Sep 23rd 2007 3:04PM
Until there's a clarification of info here, just remember that the agenda of this blog has always leaned towards HD-DVD FUD. I mean, when sporadic observations of a 12 inch shift in shelving space in Target stores is a good enough reason to poke HD-DVD yet again, what other conclusion can one draw? (Besides the fact that one must have to dig pretty deep to find "bad news" for the format.)
Nfinity @ Sep 24th 2007 5:25AM
Are you like new here? Engadget HD being HD DVD biased..L-O-freakin-L. This is news as it says that HD DVD version of 300 comes as non-combo with new HD DVD players. What exactly is uncertain here? This information has been out for a while. The new players come with 300 and Bourne Identity.
Engadget is completely Blu-Ray biased site. Even ocassional news are blah at the most.
shawnmos @ Sep 23rd 2007 4:25PM
i'm not even sure why this is news
GamerGuyX @ Sep 23rd 2007 7:17PM
It's a big deal because it allows people that don't support combo discs (like me) to actually buy the movie now on HD DVD. Granted, I have the Blu-ray version that is (obviously) a non-combo but it lacks the IME of the HD DVD version.
thrlride @ Sep 24th 2007 8:06AM
If you're referring to Asterra you ought to read his reply again. He is agreeing in his opinion that Engadget is Blu biased.
Mick @ Sep 24th 2007 5:30PM
HD dvd or Blu, I couldn't stand the feminist bitch wife in the flick. She was hot, but too mouthy.