I've noticed that the new sophisticated video codecs really do like dual core CPUs. Before this January I was using an Intel 3.73ghz single core cpu - the fastest single core they ever made. And I could not play back 1080p Quicktime movie trailers at all well - whever it got to an action packed scene (higher bitrates) the CPU would max out at 100% and video would stutter badly. 720p was OK. I suspect HD-DVD and Blu-ray playback would have been pathetic.

Now I'm using an Intel quad core @ 2.93ghz and the system loafs playing the very same 1080p Quicktime files I've never seen more than 27% CPU utilization during the most complex scenes.

Oh, and with the Core CPUs you could probably get away with 1.83ghz...

I'm so out-of-date on PC processors these days I hate the thought that I should go buy another PC just to watch HD-DVDs. I've seen some HD-DVD players marked down to the $499/$449 price range lately. The second I see one for $299 I'll buy it and scrap the idea of trying to make my old PC do the work. Then again, if I could just swap out the processor in my PC for a faster one that would do the trick I'd jump on it. Geeze I feel old!

"Upgradability" is and always has been a marketing myth... sure, you can shuffle between a few different speeds in the same family, but whenever there's a new generation, even if it's pin compatible with the one one, you inevitably need a new motherboard and new memory, and frequently a new video card, new hard drive, new power supply... :-)

In another thread it is mentioned that you can get 5 HD-DVD movies with the purchase of their HD-DVD player. Sad thing, though, is that of the movies on the "free" list there is not a single one I've not already seen. When will every new DVD release be done with the same (new) movie being released on HD-DVD and/or blu-ray? Then when will I be able to pick from THOSE movies for my free five? At $25ish per HD-DVD, the additional $125 savings from five HD-DVDs would almost make a $499 HD-DVD player worth it ($375ish), IF I really wanted the five HD-DVDs.

the list isn't updated, they also won't offer for free anything good.

Those of you that have both an HD-DVD player and a DVD player that will upscale standard DVDs to 1080anything, do you feel the added real resolution of the HD-DVD justifies buying HD-DVD copies of older DVD movies you already own?

I've got three 1080 HDTVs in my house, and am sure I'll eventually put a HD-DVD or BluRay player with each of them. I don't plan on buying any HD-DVD movies that I already own as DVDs though.

I don't have HD DVD. But I am guessing it is the same as BD. The answer is an easy yes. I did it on a few already. In the end it depends if you think a movie is worth having or not. There are very few movies I have watched at home on DVD since I got my BD player and I am not planning to watch/buy any that could be available on BD.

It all depends how much you like the movie, and how much money you want to spend replacing stuff you've already bought. For many comedies and family flicks that I already own, the DVD is good enough.

For favorite movies, action/sci-fi/adventure titles, or titles where the DVD quality just isn't very good (ie. older releases), I feel it's worth re-buying them in high definition.

I currently have the new Samsung Blu Ray player and although it does a really nice job upconverting SD DVD's it's hard to go back after watching the BD's. I am using an inexpensive 720p projector.

Even so, I don't think I will be replacing movies I already own except for a few like the Star Wars, maybe the new transfer of The Fifth Element to show off, and maybe the Spidey movies.

I have to agree. I own very few comedies anyway. Action/sci-fi/adventure titles is what I tend to buy and own. Especially what I call "ride" movies. The picture and mostly the sound take you for a ride. Jerry Bruckheimer is a producer/director that makes "ride" movies.
I tend to buy classic B&W movies as well. Cassablanca is the only B&W HD-DVD done so far, that I know of. For those kind of movies a standard DVD might be as good as it ever gets.
Oh, and for the record I now own 56 HD-DVD's.

I've been buying most DVDs that promised good action, some sci-fi, and a great surround track. Lately, though, I've been most impressed and moved by "musicals", or movies with a strong musical thread running through them. "Happy Feet" is a good example. I just rented "the Fountain" and was dissapointed. "Stomp the Yard" was entertaining.

So if you look at your "owned" collection, what's the ratio of
"musicals" (as I've defined them) to anything else? Just curious.

So how do you know if a DVD is going to be released in High Def. There are several DVD purchases I would make. But I don't want to make it again in say 6 months to a year. Most of the sites only go 3 or 4 months on titles to be released.
I've double and triple dipped in the past.

hard to say, it is not an exact science. Smaller (international) studios that are not releasing on HD are the ones I am more interested. The large Hollywood studios I go with the assumption that they will re-release in HD. The larger the studio the more important the movie the bigger the chance that there will be a re-release. So for example when Maurice Richard came out, I ran out and bought it, maybe one day it will be available on BD, but it was a movie I wanted and am not willing to risk that it won't. I have been caught in the past waiting a bit too much to buy the local movie's DVD. On the other hand I did not buy Cars even though it is a movie I want, I think there is a god chance that Disney will sooner or later put it on BD.

Let's see...I stopped buying DVDs a year before HD DVD/BD came out in preparation for the new formats.

I'm using Netflix for those movies that I want to see, but don't plan on purchasing right away. However, I have:

52 HDDVD
12 BD

But have more on order.

Cars is scheduled for BD release in June, I believe.