News - Toshiba to launch Blu-ray player by the end of 2009?

[HEXUS]

Toshiba, principle supporter of the ill-fated HD DVD format, looks set to finally concede to Blu-ray.

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[Jay]

Even though I like HD content I have to say its over rated. Sony are very smug, that puts me off as well.

[neonplanet40]

I don't think its overrated to be honest. If you have the home cinema to take advantage of it it's miles better than DVD. More expensive yes, but so was dvd when it came out.

As for Toshiba. It had no choice. Only so long you can bury your head in the sand.

[AGTDenton]

This was always going to happen. Toshiba just needed time to grieve.

I have Batman Begins, Batman Dark Knight and Transformers on both Blu-Ray and DVD. I personally cannot tell much visual difference especially as my DVD player upscales. The main difference for me was sound quality. I feel more in the movie when the explosions and fight scenes are going on.

I wouldnt buy a comedy/TV series/Drama in Blu Ray. Seeing someones face just a tiny bit clearer isnt going to change or emmerse you any further into the story line.

[Brewster0101]

Even though I like HD content I have to say its over rated. Sony are very smug, that puts me off as well.

I agree, HD content is not that impressive. You get some people who have cheap ass DVD players and compare them to SKY HD and think its ace.

One high quality DVD player with a good upscaler is close to HD content, but without the Blue ray costs.

One thing Blue ray does do well and that sound quality, it does rule over DVD.

But if only a blue ray disc didn't take over 60 seconds to load. Hear people say, that's better than 3 minutes.... I am sorry but its not better than 5 second DVD players.....

I want to watch a DVD now, not tomorrow

[muddyfox470]

What a complete **** he thinks he is standing on very high ground doesn't he?

I honestly don't know why Blu Ray won; the thing that eventually swung it was the movement of Warner and the likes. Despite Blu Rays technological advantage, HD DVD was a complete technology, HDi, pop up menus scene by scenes, way before Blu Ray had possibly thought of it; plus initially the HD players had better spec sheets than their blu rivals.
Plus the fact that HD DVD had adopted the original DVD logo rights you would have expected it to be the normal progression for the majority of uses. It was unfortunate, but I've benefited no end from it; so have others.

Toshiba were unfortunate; Sony Lucky - I don't think there is any better way to say that.

As for my experience.

I find it difficult to go back to DVD; tho whole experience is so much better, not least the sound, but picture quality (to me) is phenomenal, yes there are some bad transfers, but you notice so much more, better colour range, more vivid scenes and better finer detail. One thing that always gets me is the difference between text / logos and warnings at the start of the film - they are just so sharp compared to the blurred ones on the DVD.

[Jay]

To be fair to blu-ray, if you do want to be amazed then watch sunshine on DVD and then again on blu-ray... there is a big difference.

Also if you have Sky-HD watch the simpsons in HD, it will blow your socks off.

[Funkstar]

For those that aren't impressed by HD: what size of screen are you using, and it is full HD?

I know I was blown away when I first watched NatGeo HD and Discovery HD on either a 42" or 50" plasma a few months back.

[C_D]

Just a matter of time when all manufacturer will be making Blu Ray Player along with those that backed the HD DVD.
I seen the picture quality on a full HD tv which is so awesome.
Still think the price is still too high for the player. Guess i wait a few more years till it drops to the DVD player nowaday ;p

[Brewster0101]

Just a matter of time when all manufacturer will be making Blu Ray Player along with those that backed the HD DVD.
I seen the picture quality on a full HD tv which is so awesome.
Still think the price is still too high for the player. Guess i wait a few more years till it drops to the DVD player nowaday ;p

Price isn't an issue for me, its speed of the drives and time it takes to load disc's. I hate the fact that most drives take a minutes just to turn on and load a disc, and with audio CD's they are slow too. I think the software needs improving too be quicker and the hardware needs to fall in line.

[shaithis]

The problem with HD is that most will not be "blown away" by it.

It is a big jump in clarity but people seem to accept it as "normal" and it isn't until they have been watching HD for a while and then go back to watching SD that they truely appreciate it.

As for the BluRay/HD-DVD war.....it came down to money and LOTS of it. Sony had lost every single format war going back many years and didn't want to lose another.....so threw money at the film companies to become BluRay exclusive

The big joke is, it was probably the worst format war to win because it does not offer enough over DVD for the mainstream to mass adopt it....