Many consumers are looking to take the plunge into next-generation DVDs, specifically HD DVDs and Blu-ray DVDs. While it may be tempting to buy one of these players and start building a new DVD collection, it may be best to wait a few more months. Right now, a format war is taking place within the industry between HD DVD and Blu-ray, much like the format war between VHS and Betamax during in the 1980s. After VHS took over the industry, the technology of the earlier Betamax adapters became obsolete. The same thing is likely to happen, and to an extent has already begun, in the next-generation DVD market.
While there is a huge difference between regular DVDs and the new formats, there is little difference between the two different types of next-generation DVDs. Regular DVDs are standard definition and can hold about three hours worth of video. HD DVDs are full high definition in 720p, 1080i, or 1080p and can hold about five hours of hi-def video. Blu-ray discs are also capable of full hi-def and can hold about eight and a half hours of hi-Def video. Most customers will not notice a difference between HD DVD and Blu-ray. The audio and video capabilities of the two versions are identical, so one will not sound or look better than the other; the only noticeable difference is the storage capacity, and thus, the price. The increased storage capability usually translates into Blu-ray discs costing a few dollars more than HD DVDs.
In early 2007, it appeared as though this format war would never end and that movies would keep coming out on either HD DVD or Blue-ray, forcing consumers who wanted the capability to watch any movie to invest in either two separate players or a player that could play both. The two formats were neck and neck, each with three of the major six studios on its side. Several weeks ago, however, Warner Brothers, which had been releasing its movies in both formats, decided to exclusively produce Blu-ray DVDs.
This announcement severely tilted the scales in Blu-ray's favor. Not long after the announcement, the price of HD DVDs dropped a few dollars, and the price of HD DVD players dropped by almost 50 percent. If you are going to invest in one of these DVD players, you may want to consider buying either an Xbox 360 or a Sony PS3 instead of a standalone player. If you already have an Xbox 360, purchasing a Microsoft external HD DVD drive that plugs into your 360 will allow you to play HD DVDs.
The benefit of using an external drive is that it can also function as an HD DVD computer drive. At a price of about $150, the Xbox HD DVD drive costs about the same as any low-end HD DVD player.
Currently, the least expensive standalone Blu-ray player costs about $400. For this same price, you could buy a Sony PS3, which contains a built in Blu-ray player. If you are planning to buy a Blu-ray player in the near future, you might as well purchase a PS3 and essentially get the video game capability of the machine for free.
Many people suspect that this is the beginning of the end for the HD DVD format and are finally deciding to invest in a Blu-ray player. Personally, I agree with the belief that HD DVDs will eventually become the Betamax of our generation. I am in no rush, however, to purchase a Blu-ray player just yet, and I plan to wait until the HD DVD is gone for good before investing in the new technology. Nothing could be worse than picking one side, buying a DVD player for several hundred dollars, creating a new DVD collection, and finding out the format has become obsolete a few months down the road.
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