A pair of reviews have been published today on HighDefDigest, which go into great detail about the soon to be released Blu-Ray and HD DVD versions of the “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix” DVD. Both reviews highlight each of the edition’s features as well as note the technical specs that enhance the viewing experience. Common with both editions is the quality of the enhanced picture, according to these reviews. Noting a ‘picture window effect’ which gives viewers ‘some of the most three-dimensional images’ the reviewer has ever seen, the review goes on to state of the visuals:
‘Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix’ is certainly a flagship next-gen title for Warner. The film is debuting on both Blu-ray and HD DVD day-and-date with the standard DVD version, and though there are some notable differences in terms of audio and extras, the one area where both high-def editions match up is this 1080p/VC-1 encode (framed at the film’s original 2.40:1 theatrical aspect ratio). Warner has certainly delivered the goods, and even with the startling number of reference-quality high-def titles I’ve reviewed in recent weeks, ‘Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix’ easily stands tall, boasting yet another a five-star video presentation.
The review also details the platform specific special features each disc contains as well as an overall summary of the DVD as a whole. Wrapping up the reviews, each platform’s DVD is said to be ‘an excellent start, boasting exceptional video and audio.’ The article notes however, the Blu-Ray seems to be ahead with the standard extras while the HD DVD gets points for its ‘unique In-Movie Experience track and several web-enabled features.’
I dunno, I’m not a big fan of blue-ray dvds at all. It’s like you have to buy all this other stuff just to watch the movie. Old fashioned dvds are by far the best.
Posted by Doctorwhoaddict on December 05, 2007, 08:35 PM
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I have bought the normal DVD. I don’t want to buy a new player right now… And if I buy it someday, I’m sure that there will be something new straight away ¬¬
Posted by Bonnie Radcliffe on December 05, 2007, 09:17 PM
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This is so frustrating! I own a standard television and DVD player, and it’s so annoying that the HD and Blue ray DVD’s get more than an hour of bonus features. I am a movie fanatic and always love the extra’s and commentaries, and I can’t stand that companies are starting to distribute DVD’s with extras only on HD and Blue ray. I feel like starting a petition.
Guys is ok to have a regular DVD player but for those who want to upgrade by own mean feel free, i am sure they work hard for want they want, if i could i get the the blue-ray but i am pretty good with my regular for now.
Yeah, but the industry is going to a higher definition video format. Blu-ray or HD-DVD will win.
Just like VHS gave way to DVD, so too will DVD fall to one of the new formats. Personally, I prefer Blu-Ray. Technically it is the superior format as it can hold twice as much stuff as the HD-DVD.
But, sadly, it will cause growing pains for everyone not yet upgraded. But, honestly, once you see it High Definition – it’s reeeeeally hard to go back to standard definition.
Posted by the laughing Man on December 05, 2007, 09:54 PM
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I agree, Will. It’s obviously a ploy to get consumers to spend even more money. Annoying doesn’t begin to cover it. The thing is, the “war” between Blu-Ray and HD players is at a stalemate. I don’t want to choose one only to have it become obsolete in a few months. So for now I’ll just stick with the standard player. Or maybe the best bet will be to get a dual HD/Blu-Ray player at one point? It’s frustrating that the studios are using these tactics to push people into getting these upgrades.
I love Blu-Ray. If you are picky and really want the top-quality picture (like me) then this is the way to go. If you already have the High Def TVs at home to support it then I think it’s a waste just to get the regular DVD versions. You’re not getting the full utilization out of your TVs! The players do cost a lot but in the future everything is going HD and/or Blu-Ray so prices will drop. But if you’re not picky at all then don’t waste the money! Find a friend who has the HD or Blu-Ray versions. Markets will always be competing, that’s just the way our capitalist society is. Yes a lot of people complain about capitalism but srsly, where would our media-driven society be without it?
Oops. I should probably have mentioned that I am using the Sony Playstation 3 as my Blu-Ray player. Haha. I definitely wouldn’t have bought a separate player just for Blu-Ray, knowing I could use my PS3 for it.
blu-ray will win the war between blu and hD DVD, so far bluckbuster will only distribute Blu, blu has more capabilty and will store more than HD DVD, plus quality even a little better Blu is on top.
And if you have play station 3 then you’re set, that is like having a blu-ray player.
Let’s not try and confuse the consumers. This isn’t about HD DVD or blu-ray, this is about HARRY POTTER!!!. Let the fans decide if they want the blu-ray version which has HD extras but no Interactivity (Community viewing, PIP commentary) or the HD DVD version with the HD Interactivity but not HD extras (extras in SD). I won’t lie though. As far as the format war goes, which side of Harry Potter people choose will be important.
Call me an ignorant but what’s the difference between blu ray, HD DVD and a normal DVD?
What’s the difference between the Harry Potter blu-ray, HD DVD and the normal DVD?
And can I watch a HD DVD in a normal DVD player
Just because bluray disc are bigger doesn’t make them better. Thats like saying my car is faster than yours so mine must be better. Picture Quality and Sound Quality is the same on both formats. The main difference is that Bluray is not a finished format. They are just now talking about coming out (in 2008) with profile 1.1. (bluray players out now are 1.0 profile) All HD DVD players will work with all features that the movie has no matter if you buy one today or over a year ago. If you are looking to get into Highdef there is only 2 things you should be looking at. Price and what movies do you like on each format. IF you pick Bluray then go with the PS3. Its the only player worth getting (all those other players out there bluray is telling them to just buy a new one when the new profile comes out). If you pick HD DVD then you will be happy with any player you pick.
Just a little addendum to the comments regarding Sony’s Playstation 3 and playing BD (blu-ray) discs. If indeed you own a PS3 and have the capability of connecting it to the internet, you will be able to receive software updates online. The software updates the player to be able to “up-rez” (up the picture quality resolution) of SD (standard DVDs) to near high definition quality. Note I said “near” because there is nothing like an actual BD or HD disc but there is a noticeable visual picture quality improvement when playing SD discs on the PS3.
The HD DVD version is the better version. I’m getting it.