Thursday, August 3, 2006
At Last: a True Blu-ray vs. HD-DVD comparison
Posted by Damion Chaplin in "HARDWARE" @ 08:31 PM
"With the release today of 'Training Day,' 'Kiss Kiss Bang Bang' and 'Rumor Has It...' on Blu-ray, Warner Home Video has become the the first studio to unleash the same movie titles on both formats, following their debut on HD DVD last month. Finally, after months of apples-to-oranges comparisons between the two formats via different discs from differing studios, a direct head-to-head analysis can now be made using identical source material. As the first Warner Blu-ray titles hit stores, we at High Def Digest are proud to roll out the web's first in-depth comparisons of all three discs. In each review, we take a comprehensive look at how each disc on both formats stacks up, in terms of video and audio quality, depth of supplemental content, and overall ease of use and menu navigation. In some cases, the results were surprising, and sure to generate continued debate. You can read the reviews here: 'Training Day,' 'Kiss Kiss Bang Bang' and 'Rumor Has It....'"
At last we have a head-to-head Blu-ray vs. HD-DVD comparison. High-Def Digest thoroughly compares some of the first movies to be released on both formats. Their tests give HD-DVD the clear victory. A snippet of the Training Day review: "In our first head-to-head comparison, we found the HD DVD to be superior. The unfortunate cropping of the Blu-ray image, coupled with more noticeable compression artifacts and an overall darker cast, can't compete with the more consistently pleasing presentation of the HD DVD." Unfortunately, since the player selections are rather limited at the moment, it's hard to tell whether the format or the player is to blame. So while this may give us our first hard evidence, it's still too early to tell in my opinion. And remember the Betamax lesson: a superior format does not necessarily mean a successful one. :wink:
At last we have a head-to-head Blu-ray vs. HD-DVD comparison. High-Def Digest thoroughly compares some of the first movies to be released on both formats. Their tests give HD-DVD the clear victory. A snippet of the Training Day review: "In our first head-to-head comparison, we found the HD DVD to be superior. The unfortunate cropping of the Blu-ray image, coupled with more noticeable compression artifacts and an overall darker cast, can't compete with the more consistently pleasing presentation of the HD DVD." Unfortunately, since the player selections are rather limited at the moment, it's hard to tell whether the format or the player is to blame. So while this may give us our first hard evidence, it's still too early to tell in my opinion. And remember the Betamax lesson: a superior format does not necessarily mean a successful one. :wink:
