System-
Toshiba A30 with 1.3v Firmware (Latest)
Samsung BD1400 with 1.2 v Firmware (Latest)
1080p60 HDMI BenQ W10000 on Matte white 92" wide screen
I own the HD DVD version, it came with the player. I rented the BluRay version from Blockbuster.
Sound DD5.1 Fiber Optic cable fed from player to receiver on both.
BlueRay version:
PQ or image quality: visual smooth quality with identical color as HD DVD. Picture is noticeable softer than HD DVD in side-by-side scene for scene throughout.
Features: Typical featurettes offering as seen on the SD disk.
HD DVD version:
PQ of HD DVD version offers more detail in particular a more obvious film grain and more defined skin pores, abrasions and flaws. Hair detail in darker parts seems to be better than BluRay version.
Features: Offers a game, blue screen PIP with interactive scenes, additional information detail on the production. Offers web access features.
Audio- identical sound quality to both. comparing DD5.1 and DD truHD available on both. PCM 5.1 extra on BluRay
Flaws or defects- With updated firmware I played both with no issues and all navigation was equally perfect on both
Time to load from tray in to first image-
HD DVD- 28 seconds
BluRay- 30 seconds
IMO- I give this title to HD DVD as you get more bang for the buck both in image quality and additional features and a more sophisticated application of the additional features such as the PIP.
Note- I was really surprised about the image quality. I would have expected it to be identical but the difference was obvious. And, after the award given to BluRay for best image quality, maybe the judges preferred a softer picture lacking resolution of detail in the BluRay version. While this may be desirable to some, I do believe it represents a lower resolution.
Also, the comments here are to be extrapolated to this title only for comparing the two formats. I hope others will not use this title evaluation to mean it is typical of all titles on both formats.
Toshiba A30 with 1.3v Firmware (Latest)
Samsung BD1400 with 1.2 v Firmware (Latest)
1080p60 HDMI BenQ W10000 on Matte white 92" wide screen
I own the HD DVD version, it came with the player. I rented the BluRay version from Blockbuster.
Sound DD5.1 Fiber Optic cable fed from player to receiver on both.
BlueRay version:
PQ or image quality: visual smooth quality with identical color as HD DVD. Picture is noticeable softer than HD DVD in side-by-side scene for scene throughout.
Features: Typical featurettes offering as seen on the SD disk.
HD DVD version:
PQ of HD DVD version offers more detail in particular a more obvious film grain and more defined skin pores, abrasions and flaws. Hair detail in darker parts seems to be better than BluRay version.
Features: Offers a game, blue screen PIP with interactive scenes, additional information detail on the production. Offers web access features.
Audio- identical sound quality to both. comparing DD5.1 and DD truHD available on both. PCM 5.1 extra on BluRay
Flaws or defects- With updated firmware I played both with no issues and all navigation was equally perfect on both
Time to load from tray in to first image-
HD DVD- 28 seconds
BluRay- 30 seconds
IMO- I give this title to HD DVD as you get more bang for the buck both in image quality and additional features and a more sophisticated application of the additional features such as the PIP.
Note- I was really surprised about the image quality. I would have expected it to be identical but the difference was obvious. And, after the award given to BluRay for best image quality, maybe the judges preferred a softer picture lacking resolution of detail in the BluRay version. While this may be desirable to some, I do believe it represents a lower resolution.
Also, the comments here are to be extrapolated to this title only for comparing the two formats. I hope others will not use this title evaluation to mean it is typical of all titles on both formats.