Is It Worth It???

[Bob Walters]

Folks,
Are HD-DVD or Blue-Ray players worth the investment when your monitor outputs only 1080i/720p???? DVD looks real good, can I expect more from HD-DVD??????
Thanks.

[LXIX]

In a word, yes.

I have connected Blu-Ray players to standard def TV's and the picture is better than DVD because I see less macro-blocking noise. I also feel that the color saturation is much better.

On any HDTV, regardless of input resolution the difference is substantial.

Finally, with prices of HD-DVD below $300 and Blu-Ray below $500 ($600 if you buy the Panasonic with 5 free discs) it is now at a price that makes it worth buying so that you can see what your HDTV can really do.

[JerryDelColliano]

ABSOLUTELY YES!!!!!

Smaller flat pannels might not be able to resolve the FULL resolution of Blu-ray and HD DVD however you will NEVER EVER see your set look better than with the less compressed HD that comes from HD disc formats.

[Bob Walters]

OK Guys,
That's all the support I needed. I swore I would NOT join the format war[I DID with the SACD/DVD-A fiasco] but "here-I-go-again" Thanks for the subtle kick-in-the-a__!!!!!!!!!!!

[kennyt]

FWIW Bob,

I also own several players in both formats, you are not alone in despising a format war, but you will love either format you DO buy!

KT

[Texaswheel]

So has anyone decided which format is the VHS and which one is the BETA yet ?

I will wait another 6 months to a year before I spend $600 on something that may or may not last a couple of years or be the industry standard to come.