HD DVD and Blu-ray releases on March 11th, 2008
by Ben Drawbaugh 
posted Mar 10th 2008 at 9:17AM
HD DVD had quite a run there for the past three weeks, but now it's over as Blu-ray has an impressive list of new releases and catalog titles. The biggest title this week is easily No Country for Old Men, with its impressive 8.5 IMDB score, and sweeping the Academy Awards a few weeks ago taking just about everything including Best Picture. From our perspective this is one of the best weeks for catalog titles Blu-ray has had in some time, with classics like Gattaca, Dogma and Independence Day. But HD DVD fans do get a good catalog title this week as well, as the hilarious Fletch is released from Universal. This is Universal's second to last title, with Atonement coming out next week. HD DVD was supposed to also get the Bee Movie today, but we know how Dreamworks rolls. Warner, who is the exact opposite continues its red-delay, but like we saw in last week's Nielsen numbers, not many are rewarding Warner for its dedication. We'll have to wait until the Friday after next to see how this slate does, but we'd bet it'll break all the records as Blu might get it's first +90 percent share.HD DVD 407 vs Blu-ray 471*
Blu-ray
- Appleseed Ex Machina (Warner)
- August Rush (Warner)
- Dan in Real Life (Walt Disney)
- Dogma (Sony)
- Gattaca (Sony)
- Hitman (Fox)
- I, Robot (Fox)
- Independence Day (Fox)
- No Country for Old Men (Walt Disney)
- Sleuth (2007) (Sony)
- Fletch (Universal)
- In the Valley of Elah (Warner)
- Michael Clayton (Warner)
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Kiwi616 @ Mar 10th 2008 10:42AM
Can't wait till we see the little asterisk next to HD-DVD saying that this doesn't include previous release of anything anymore!
Mr. E @ Mar 10th 2008 11:00AM
Nielsen number post, January 2009
HD DVD 0* vs. Blu-ray 752
* HD DVD total does not include 410 titles that were previously available.
Larry @ Mar 10th 2008 3:40PM
HD-DVD has been outselling Blu-Ray on Amazon.com and Amazon.de for the last week.
After a peak 3 weeks ago, Blu-Ray sales are falling.
So what's this 90%+ market share bull?
Killer @ Mar 10th 2008 5:01PM
Why are we still fighting over who's going to sell more than the other format? It just seems pointless seeing that the war has been over for about ~3 weeks now.
The question I have is why is Fox the only Studio that makes great Audio and Re-masters of all their movies? I don't get why Disney and Sony (even on new releases) use PCM all the time. What's the excuse? Are they just lazy and Fox actually wants to give the consumer the VERY BEST video and sound?I'll take DTS-HD anyday, I just wish other studios would do what Fox does. At least I can expect Band of Brothers with DTS-HD. Right, Paramount, Dreamworks, HBO, and Mr. Spielberg? Make it happen all ready, I'm tired of waiting not only for that series, but a whole mess of movies.
Ben @ Mar 10th 2008 5:04PM
Killer,
What are you talking about?
The sound track on Hitman and the one from No Coutry for Old Men are both losless and both 48Hz/24bit.
If anything Fox is making most listen to old School DTS, because there are so few DTS-HD MA supported setups out there. While the PCM, is the EXACT same quality and works on every player.
Killer @ Mar 10th 2008 7:24PM
@Ben
I can tell you their DTS is not old DTS. I have the Panasonic BD30K and an Onyko TX-SR875 hooked up to JBL speakers. You can tell the considerable difference between PCM and DTS-HD (TrueHD as well). I have an HD DVD (Faceoff/Paramount played on an A35) that has 6.1 old DTS and you can tell the difference between that DTS and DTS-HD. I don't want my reciever to have to convert the uncompress audio to another format.
Also Hitman is "English DTS-HD Lossless Master Audio"
No Country for Old Men is "English Uncompressed PCM 5.1 Surround"
I understand the idea that, yes they are both 48Hz/24bit, but its the format itself. There is a difference between Uncompressed and DTS-HD/TrueHD with the right reciever. It just bothers me that Blu-ray has been touting this 7.1 surround sound, yet where is it? I'm hooked on HD movies I just want the very best, because this is suppose to take over for DVD. I want more of a difference then just uncompressed audio 5.1 slaped onto a 1080p movie.
Ben @ Mar 10th 2008 7:28PM
I know that DTS-HD MA is much better than DTS. What I meant was that most don't have a setup that supports DTS-HD MA, and since these movies don't also include PCM, they are stuck with the core DTS in the DTS-HD stream.
As for DTS-HD MA vs PCM, they are both losless, so as long as they are the same number of channels and the same sample rate etc. There is no reason why they shouldn't sound absolutely identical.
In fact the only real reason to use DTS-HD MA or TrueHD over PCM, is to save space.
Either way, I understand your desire to use the features of the hardware you've already bought.
Ben @ Mar 10th 2008 11:02AM
Actually I'm leaning towards removing HD DVD completly after Atonement is released.
jason w @ Mar 10th 2008 11:13AM
You will need to wait a little longer than after "Atonement" since WB ist still going to release titles. They are even adding more as of last week.
What really sucks being a HDDVD owner is buying all these movies to put next to my PS3 player for so cheap. Ive bought 18 in the last week for less that $150.00. Man it sucks getting all these movies now for cheap and getting the others ones for my game system when they come out later. boo hoo
Ben @ Mar 10th 2008 11:15AM
The only titles left after Atonement are ones that are already available on Blu-ray, and judging by how badly they are selling, I don't see the point.
I'll keep an eye on the Nielsen numbers and if the Warner titles move some titles,, then maybe we'll keep covering HD DVD here until May.
Leonardo DiCrapio @ Mar 10th 2008 11:49AM
Warner is running a Buy 2, Get 1 Free on Hi-Def titles until the end of March. I am thinking of picking up Michael Clayton, In the Valley of Elah, and I Am Legend on HD DVD for $54. I'm cancelling my Blockbuster Total Access account next week (but will continue to watch movies for a few weeks after cancelling) and will save $30+ from February 20th (when I cancelled my Netflix account) until I re-subscribe to one of the two (probably not until the end of April). I'm going to resell all three movies and expect to conservatively recoup at least $30-$40 from the sales (I expect to actually get $45-$60 from the sales).
Siva @ Mar 10th 2008 11:50AM
I love ID4, iRobot and Gattaca but unless I can get them on sale, I am not biting. I just don't have the money to pay $25+ for a title. I got spoilt by the BOGOs from Amazon back in December and January. I got four harry potter titles for less than $40.
jason w @ Mar 10th 2008 11:58AM
I feel the same way you do but im affraid I am going to buy Arnold and Sly's stuff in the future. Its just a personal thing.
PS
Atonement is not the last HDDVD release. Please read even Ben said it wasnt. He just didnt feel that the others since they are dual format releases are worth mentioning.
CharlieX @ Mar 10th 2008 1:18PM
Well what did you expect? Anyone who buys a half decent HDTV and a half decent Blu Ray player cannot be terribly concerned with the cost of ownership
brokenman(dible) @ Mar 10th 2008 11:33AM
Is that the real cover of the disc? Because the actors names aren't under their respective pictures. Weird. TLJ is on the right, but his name is on the left and vice versa with Brolin.
Mr Stevo @ Mar 10th 2008 11:44AM
That's a common practice. Sometimes the names above the movie title may reflect who got paid the most. In the picture, it may reflect who the main characters are, which sometimes is the opposite to salaries. Unless you don't know who the actors are, you shouldn't have problem with the names and actors' pictures being out of order.
jason w @ Mar 10th 2008 11:41AM
I think I am legend will sale well and im interested in Justice League (not as much after renting it on live though). If this is an HD form discuss HD. If it is a Bluray form change the name to EndadgetBluray or something.
I at least apperciate the tone of this page more than highdefdigest and other forms.
Like I said I have both players but want info on both formats.
Mr. E @ Mar 10th 2008 11:51AM
They're going to have to take HD DVD off life support soon. Since Atonement is the last HD DVD exclusive, it make sense to me to pull the plug at that point. For the future, HD media on disc IS Blu-ray. All of the prepackaged high def news going forward is going to be Blu-ray related, so you'll need to get used to it sooner or later. There's no point in crying "bias" against HD DVD any longer, because being pro high-def packaged media and being pro-Blu-ray are now one and the same.
DrXym @ Mar 11th 2008 5:26AM
I don't understand why I Am Legend continues to get such shoddy treatments. The book is pretty good and would make a good basis for any movie without too much deviation from the plot.
jason w @ Mar 10th 2008 11:43AM
sell not sale. Man i hate this laptop.
foxb @ Mar 10th 2008 1:19PM
I second to remove HD-DVD from the chart. I'd suggest replace it with SD DVD so that we can see how good (or bad) Blu Ray releases are compared to its true competor, SD DVD over the time.
Prey521 @ Mar 10th 2008 1:48PM
Comparing HD to SD would be a joke.
Spiza @ Mar 10th 2008 3:00PM
A more sensable one would be blu-ray vs HD VOD.
foxb @ Mar 10th 2008 3:13PM
Prey521,
In order for Blu Ray to survive, it has to gain substaintial market share over SD DVD. Otherwise, we maight just call it quit for HDM in general.
JeffDM @ Apr 5th 2008 9:38AM
foxb, I don't think Blu-Ray has to have a huge market share, it doesn't need to beat DVD either. I think the LaserDisk market showed that, it coexisted with VHS for nearly 20 years with a market share that's probably lower than Blu-Ray has right now, even with the awkward side changes, disk changes and I think a higher price difference too. I don't mind Blu-Ray being a niche, though more popular would be better to ensure that more movies make it out.
carlsheldon @ Mar 10th 2008 1:01PM
but we know Dreamworks rolls = but we know *how* Dreamworks rolls?
not many are rewarding Warner for its dedicated = not many are rewarding Warner for its *dedication*?
RCMe @ Mar 10th 2008 2:22PM
At this point, it is not about HD-DVD vs. Blu-Ray, it is about the most cost effective way to watch HD movies. I recently purchased an HDTV and had been "sitting on the fence" wrt the best way to start watching HD movies. Given the current prices for HD-DVD players and movies, I am seriously thinking about going with HD-DVD.
It's simple economics. If one has around $300 to spend, this is cost of just a Blu-Ray player and 0 Blu-Ray movies, however, for $300, I can buy an HD-DVD player and 15-20 HD-DVD movies -- HD-DVD FTW!! Also, right now, HD-DVD movies are at least 1/2 (many even 1/3) the cost of Blu-Ray movies.
Sure the HD-DVD format "lost", but this is not about winning or losing, its all about value. Right now, HD-DVD is the best value (great HD movies for a fraction of the cost of Blu-Ray). HD-DVD is the best option to be able to start watching great HD movies now, while waiting for Blu-Ray player prices and Blu-ray movie prices to come down to reasonable (i.e. affordable) levels.
LiQuiD_FuSioN @ Mar 10th 2008 3:51PM
Yeah, everything is cheap right now because everyone that was supporting HD-DVD has basically jumped the ship. Toshiba has decided to quit making players, a lot of film studios dropped HD-DVD in favor of Blu-Ray, so basically the format is dead. Whatever movies are out now, they are probably the only ones you'll ever get to buy.
http://www.engadget.com/2008/02/19/official-hd-dvd-dead-and-buried-format-war-is-over/
http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/22/blu-ray-players-grab-93-percent-of-market-after-warner-went-blu/
DEEZNUTZ @ Mar 10th 2008 4:45PM
Honestly, if cost is your concern, then I would suggest that you just wait a bit longer and save up. By summer, some better BD players should be out... by holiday, prices will be cheaper on hardware and movies as well. You'll have more than $300 to spend by then I'm sure. I imagine DVD's and HD on cable or Sat can hold you off a bit longer...
Either way, enjoy your new TV!
RCMe @ Mar 10th 2008 8:17PM
Thanks!
HD via cable is not currently an option. I had a TWC HD DVR and returned it since in my area the few HD channels (beyond what I currently get OTA) were not worth the added cost. Also, HD movies via cable, Dish networks, or legal downloads (i.e. Apple TV), don't provide the same PQ as movies on disk. All my TV watching is done with an HTPC, and thanks to CableLabs, they have made HD cable via HTPC a non-starter (not going to buy a new HTPC just to watch/record a few HD cable channels).
I looked into getting a Blu-Ray drive for my HTPC (it has enough CPU/Video to playback Blu-Ray), but the cost of the Blu-Ray drive and required software are still close to $300.
I could wait, but why wait for Blu-Ray? I would miss out on great HD movies over the next 6-12 months. The HD-DVD path provides a great low-cost stop-gap to still be able to watch great HD movies while waiting for the cost of Blu-Ray to become affordable. And with HD-DVD players at $80 or less and HD-DVD movies at or approaching the cost of SD-DVD movies, why not? I have read that some HD-DVDs even include the SD-DVD. The HD-DVDs will still be playable and provide great HD movies even after Blu-Ray becomes affordable.
1stGreg @ Mar 10th 2008 4:10PM
As long as you know that you will not get any new movies after March (save the odd Warner title until May, and nothing after), if you plan on getting a unit that will be mostly used for DVD playing and the few HD DVDs you will have, sure.
It is beyond (or under? ;) ) the scope of HD talk though, as you are basically buying a non - HD unit basically (concerning new titles).
Unless you consider, like Toshiba, that upscaled DVDs are -as good as- HD DVDs that is ;)
RCMe @ Mar 10th 2008 8:42PM
I am not certain of your point with the comment: "It is beyond (or under? ;) ) the scope of HD talk though..."
HD movies are HD movies, whether available on HD-DVD or Blu-Ray (or some other format, download or whatever). Even though the HD-DVD format has been discontinued, the HD movies on HD-DVD disks are still the same HD movies, and will still be playable and provide great HD experience long after Blu-Ray becomes affordable.
Granted, at some point in the near future, new HD-DVD titles won't be available, but with over 400 HD movies already available on HD-DVD, that leaves a lot of HD movies to watch. When Blu-Ray players and movies become affordable, I will buy Blu-Ray, until then HD-DVD can provide a great value for watching HD movies.
HD DVD Profile 1.0 @ Mar 10th 2008 3:57PM
Well initially it may be a joke, but I'd also like to see how the Nielsen numbers look for BD vs DVD, as it's really the next battle in packaged media, now that HD DVD has lost. It's(HD) clear, but Blu-Ray just..............
HDpurist @ Mar 11th 2008 2:11AM
Um excuse me, but HD-DVD is gone BYE BYE.
HD-DVD life: 1.9 years. haha...just horrible. What a complete failure. Probably THE worst technology ever available on a mass market.
DrXym @ Mar 11th 2008 5:23AM
Toshiba's marketing was horrible. Their attempts to capture the market with massive subsidies was horrible. Their lack of industry support was horrible.
The HD DVD tech itself wasn't horrible. Aside from the physical storage medium and interactive menus it was little different from Blu Ray. It had more in common than it had differences.
Joe T. @ Mar 11th 2008 9:03AM
Finally, after weeks of nothing worth more than a rental(if even that) there's two titles worth buying (No Country, Fletch). But WTH-- one of them's HD DVD?
jason w @ Mar 11th 2008 9:20AM
Why would someone buy a brand new HDDVD right now? Wait a week and it will be 1/2 off. Ive bought 25 HDDVDs in the last week for less than 150 bucks. Why would I spend $30.00 on a new movie?
Before the flames start I have BR too and still buy those movies but they are on the back burner with all these sales on HD right now. Like I said why pay 25 or 30 when I can get 3 for that price. Its not like they look any different.
Joe T. @ Mar 11th 2008 1:18PM
I pre-ordered Fletch for under $20-- if it would've been list price, I wouldn't've touched it.