Blu Ray the NEW Standard

[imported_TheCookieFamily]

If you've seen the news lately, Blu Ray won the format war between HD DVD and Blu Ray.

Do you think it's worth it? I mean, I've never personally used either, but I have used regular DVDs. Lots, in fact. Does that mean no more DVDs or what?

Because I still have VHS Tapes and regular DVDs. http://boards.stratics.com/php-bin/shared/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

I wish they would find something and stick with it. I don't like changing formats! Because that means we have to shell out more money to Sony (whom makes the Blu Rays, I think) for Blu Ray players, which is hard for some of us. And my TV is still the old style, but it's flat. It doesn't pick up digital channels.

I guess I'm just a horrible person for being so far behind http://boards.stratics.com/php-bin/shared/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

[calvinscreeksim]

I think all blue ray systems work with regular dvds because everyone knows they had them way before the blue ray anyway so it would **** alot of people off if they had to go and rebuy $500 worth of dvds.

The change honestly does not bother me because technology is and always will be changing, you get that brand new top of the line tv from Best Buy and by the time you get to your car theres something bigger and better to buy. The price of the blue ray really turns me off though, but I mean here it went from $1100 when it first came out to now $600 but its still really pricy for the average person at least I think lol

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If you've seen the news lately, Blu Ray won the format war between HD DVD and Blu Ray.

Do you think it's worth it? I mean, I've never personally used either, but I have used regular DVDs. Lots, in fact. Does that mean no more DVDs or what?

Because I still have VHS Tapes and regular DVDs. http://boards.stratics.com/php-bin/shared/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

I wish they would find something and stick with it. I don't like changing formats! Because that means we have to shell out more money to Sony (whom makes the Blu Rays, I think) for Blu Ray players, which is hard for some of us. And my TV is still the old style, but it's flat. It doesn't pick up digital channels.

I guess I'm just a horrible person for being so far behind http://boards.stratics.com/php-bin/shared/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

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eell by next year your tv eill have to be changed because thats when everything will be transmitted in hd. as far as dvds there wil always be regular and hd, but who knows maybe soe years down the road regular dvds migt just start to be phased out too.

HD dvd is definitely better, but if u dont have to, which u don't right now, i'd wait for prices to drop before going to hd.

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eell by next year your tv eill have to be changed because thats when everything will be transmitted in hd. as far as dvds there wil always be regular and hd, but who knows maybe soe years down the road regular dvds migt just start to be phased out too.

[/ QUOTE ]Just wanted to clear up a few miconceptions:

On February 2009, nearly all terrestrial television signals will be digital-only. There is, however, no requirement for any of it to be HD. Which leads to my next point:

Digital Television (DTV) will come in basically two flavors: SD (standard definition) and HD (high-definition).

SD is basic 4:3 aspect ratio (the dimensions of your regular TV set) and broadcast at 480 lines of resolution (480i/480p -- 480i is the resolution of current NTSC video, 480p is the non-interlaced version). SD can also have 16:9 widescreen aspect ratio, though this is generally only used on DVDs. Much of your over-the-air and network television will be broadcast at 480p.

HD is typically 16:9 aspect ratio, and can be broadcast at 720p, 1080i, or 1080p. Broadcast television shows advertised as being "in HD" will be typically at 720p. A few HD networks such as ABC, ESPN, and HBO will broadcast at 1080i. The ATSC digital channel spectrum bandwidth is too limited for 1080p broadcasts, making HD-DVD and Blu-Ray DVD the only common source of 1080p video.

Dispelling one more myth: Analog televisions will not drop dead after February 2009. If you currently have cable or satellite television service, you may already be receiving digital service. Your cable or satellite box acts as the digital-to-analog conversion for your older TV. For those not receiving cable or satellite, you can still use your older TV in conjunction with a set-top box - basically an ATSC tuner that receives the digital signal and converts it to analog for your TV.

Confused yet? You can read more details about Digital Television here (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_television)

To get back on topic: Do I consider Blu-Ray worth spending the extra bucks on the Blu-Ray Disks and the player to play them? No, not really. In fact, unless your TV is over 50" or you are sitting really close to the screen, you will be hard-pressed to see any significant difference between them and legacy SD DVDs. That's assuming you've connected your DVD player to your TV using HDMI, S-Video, or YPbPr (component) cables.

Ive seen commercials on tv for vouchers for older ppl (I think) to receive to get the box to use on the older non cable tvs. If I see the commercial again, I'll post more info.

[TomCullen1]

Our Blu Ray refines our older non-BR discs to HD clarity. This is how the contest was won.

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Ive seen commercials on tv for vouchers for older ppl (I think) to receive to get the box to use on the older non cable tvs. If I see the commercial again, I'll post more info.

[/ QUOTE ] There is a website to sign-up for $40 vouchers towards the purchase of the converter box, 2 per household limit. TV Convereter Box Coupon Program (https://www.dtv2009.gov/)

I think the link above covers it but here's bit more info I found on my local News website: Digital Conversion Info (http://www.nbc10.com/digital/index.html)

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Dispelling one more myth: Analog televisions will not drop dead after February 2009. If you currently have cable or satellite television service, you may already be receiving digital service. Your cable or satellite box acts as the digital-to-analog conversion for your older TV. For those not receiving cable or satellite, you can still use your older TV in conjunction with a set-top box - basically an ATSC tuner that receives the digital signal and converts it to analog for your TV.

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I'm assuming that the set-top box won't be as expensive as buying a whole new TV, but where do you get one? I've never seen them but maybe I'm not looking for the right thing...what's the technical name for it?

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I'm assuming that the set-top box won't be as expensive as buying a whole new TV, but where do you get one? I've never seen them but maybe I'm not looking for the right thing...what's the technical name for it?

[/ QUOTE ]Set-top box, converter box... More answers here (http://www.dtvanswers.com/dtv_converterbox.html).

And, yes, it's a LOT cheaper than buying a new TV... and the Government is even subsidizing it!

You know.. the more I think about it the more that bothers me. If the govt is paying out $40/household for that converter box.... and the commercials and their air time.. can you imagine what they are going to be putting out? Geesh... that is a ton of money.