The One Thing That Can Save HD DVD

[cracula]

is being region free. I have found a ton of movies not released in the U.S on HD DVD. This may be a workaround for HD DVD if it is marketed right. Another plus is some of the movies i found are cheaper than the ones in the U.S

[louthewiz]

Link?

[cracula]

Link?

BINGO!! http://xploitedcinema.com/catalog/index.php

[Krispy Kritter]

HD-DVD is not currently enforcing region coding for HD-DVD disc playback (it is enforced on SD discs), it's been this way since day one. Region free is a non-issue for most users of HD discs. It is a matter of what content is available in HD-DVD versus Blu-Ray. The "war" is being won by quantity and quality of content.

[cracula]

HD-DVD is not currently enforcing region coding for HD-DVD disc playback (it is enforced on SD discs), it's been this way since day one. Region free is a non-issue for most users of HD discs. It is a matter of what content is available in HD-DVD versus Blu-Ray. The "war" is being won by quantity and quality of content.

And that's the benfit of being region free. There are some titles that can only be played on certain region blu ray players. There are some titles that are not available in the U.S for HD DVD that you can find in other regions and play thus increasing quantity. The quality is pretty much the same on both players with a few bells and whistles on each side.

[MOVIEGEEK]

Region coding is probably what sold the studios to go with Blu-Ray....that and lots of $.

[Marty2003]

The Majority of Blu-Ray discs are region free so I can hardly see this as being something that will save HD DVD. http://bluray.liesinc.net/

Besides, Region-free Blu-Ray players are bound to turn up eventually when BD becomes the norm, just like they did with DVD.

[Rich86]

HD-DVD is not currently enforcing region coding for HD-DVD disc playback (it is enforced on SD discs), it's been this way since day one. Region free is a non-issue for most users of HD discs. It is a matter of what content is available in HD-DVD versus Blu-Ray. The "war" is being won by quantity and quality of content.

Yes - and the quantity and quality of content in each format is being orchestrated by the movie studios forcing the format of their choosing on the public . . .

[Rich86]

Region coding is probably what sold the studios to go with Blu-Ray....that and lots of $.

Region coding - BD+ DRM restrictions - and the almighty $$$$ony . . .

[hanugro]

Well I think the obvious limitation for HD-DVD is the capacity. Computer user will always choose bigger capacity. Sure they make it 3 layers but a 3 layers Blu Ray will beat them again (if necessary). That with content and PS3 (volume) make it hard for HD-DVD.

I personally don't buy HD yet. My LCD TV is not full HD yet. I will wait until it really settle but I might buy PS3 anyway for my kid this year.

[yoda313]

I don't understand the quality issue. Other than fully uncompressed audio aren't BLURAY and HDDVD technically identical in terms of picture quality? I guess the only edge bluray has in picture quality is a higher maximum bitrate from what I understand. Besides BOTH do 1080p so that is a non issue.

But since indications are pointing to a screeching death of HDDVD in the next month or so the point is rather moot.

[Krispy Kritter]

HD-DVD is dead as of this morning.

[ntscuser]

HD-DVD is dead as of this morning.

And as the original poster pointed out, those of us who rely on imported titles have been left completely in the cold