Blu-ray v. HD-DVD

There’s a new tech trend breaking into the mainstream, and NCC’s Kristen LaVerghetta found out that in this crystal clear and crisp HD world, high definition movies have consumers a bit confused.

HD-DVD and Blu-ray are both high definition movie formats, and they are competing for market control. To the average consumer these formats may look the same, but there are some major differences. And these differences are giving Blu-ray a leg-up in the industry.

“Blu-ray is better than HD because it can operate at 10-80 P, which is 10 hundred and 80 pixels on the screen verse high definition, which can only do 720 pixels. So it’s a step above and beyond what high definition TV can display at.” Explained Brian Venuti, a technology enthusiast and former Best Buy employee. David Baselli, a home theater specialist, says that the audio capabilities on Blu-ray also exceed those of HD-DVD.

With 75 percent of the movie studios backing Blu-ray, this format also offers consumers more movie choices. However, the advanced performance and variety comes with a higher price tag. Blu-ray players cost about $400, and the average cost of a movie, is between $25 and $40. HD-DVD technology is less expensive. HD-DVD players cost around $150, and the movies cost between $20 and $30.

Robert Thompson, Director of the Bleier Center for Television & Popular Culture at Syracuse University, questions whether or not either format will be relevant in the near future. He says that people will soon be able to download content directly from their computer to their television.

However, Thompson believes that DVD’s, in one format or another, will probably always exist. “DVD’s are really interesting fetish objects… I think there is still going to be this desire for these thing that we can put on a shelf”

So what should high def craving consumers do when it comes to movies? Baselli says that purchasing a combination player is a safe investment for consumers. These players are compatible with both Blu-ray discs and HD-DVDs.

Combo players are not cheap! They can cost as much as $800. If you’re not quite ready to make that type of investment, you might want to wait. In a high-def industry on the cutting edge of change, experts say something even BETTER could be just a day...or a download away.