Summary article

[navychop]

This article pretty much summarizes the situation to date, except for noting the large increase in the weekly sales by Blu-ray for the week ending 4/29/07. Some tidbits:

It’s interesting to note that even though HD on disc has been available since April of 2006, more than half of the discs were purchased during the last of the four quarters that ended in March. HD on disc is catching on much faster than did DVD.

Unfortunately the [LG dual format player] has some severe limitations, particularly in its support of advanced audio CODECs. And by now you’re probably aware that it does not fully support HD DVD’s interactivity; HD DVD navigation is through simple text menus and iHD features will not work. So if you really want to get into both formats, my recommendation would be to buy the new $600 Sony BD player (which should street for about $464) and, since they are still available, also buy a first-generation Toshiba HD DVD player, the HD-A1 (current street price is about $300). ...the combined street price will be lower than the street price of the LG Electronics combo player and you’ll have advanced audio internal decoding support and as good if not better video performance.

...lies, damned lies, and statistics.

 

[JoeSp]

That is actually some pretty good advice for those looking at a combo player.

 

[navychop]

Yes. Even though I posted a possible interest in a combo in another thread, two better players for less makes sense. Except I may run out of inputs and have to upgrade the receiver ahead of schedule- something unlikely to happen due to other expenses. I assume a dual format player still has all output go thru the same set of outputs, so you only need wire it up once.

 

[Paradox-SJ]

My rack is full.... :-(

How about a XBOX BD add on.....I have room for that...

 

[CochiseGuy]

Yes. Even though I posted a possible interest in a combo in another thread, two better players for less makes sense. Except I may run out of inputs and have to upgrade the receiver ahead of schedule- something unlikely to happen due to other expenses. I assume a dual format player still has all output go thru the same set of outputs, so you only need wire it up once.

Yeah, the LG combo doesn't make a lot of sense; more expensive with less features than two separate players. Hopefully the Samsung dual player due out Q4 will be lower priced with better features.

As I mentioned in the BR thread, I'm looking at adding a BR player to go with my HD DVD. I'd have to use 5.1 analog audio out to get the HD PCM tracks on BD disks. My 6 yr. old receiver has only one set of 5.1 analog in. I'm guessing I can use a "Y" jack, but the idea of yet another 6 cables behind my setup drives me nuts.

There's a lot of buzz about the new Onkyo TX-SR605 receiver due out in mid May. MSRP $499 :
- Full A/V Processing via HDMI 1.3a (2 in 1 out)
- 7.1 Multichannel Inputs for PCM Delivery of Hi-Def Audio Sources
- DOLBY Decoder - PLIIx, DD, DD-EX, TrueHD
- DTS Decoder - DTS, ES, NEO6, 96/24, HD Master Audio

Expected to street price for under $450. :

It never ends . . . .

 

[navychop]

Yes, that receiver sounds good. I've been waiting on the Denon to hit the streets (in July?). But I really don't plan on replacing my JVC receiver until next year.