Early Adopters Give High-Def DVD High Marks Despite Limited Software Selection
Posted Thu Apr 27, 2006 at 10:55 AM PDT by
Reuters handed out report cards to early adopters this week to grade the launch
of HD-DVD, with most
returning
high marks for the format's quality and value, despite complaints of poor
initial software selection.
"I'm thrilled with that result," James Stevenson, a 22-year-old freelance
journalist, told Reuters. Though "dismayed" by the dearth of studio
support with new disc titles for the launch, Stevensen says he bought the cheaper
of the first two Toshiba next-gen decks for $499 because the Lincoln, Nebraska
native "wanted to get a head start on the next-generation DVDs and give
my HD-starved TV more content."
Lars Peterson, 29, of Cape Girardeau, Missouri, also found HD-DVD's quality
"breathtaking," despite so few titles on store shelves. He also praised
the "upconversion" capabilities of the first next-gen players on standard
DVD. "This is a huge plus, considering the lack of HD movies to currently
choose from," he said. "[And] I have owned at least ten DVD players
over the last eight years, and I can honestly say the Toshiba player is the
best."
Price also appeared to be one of the determining factors in the choice of many
of the early adopters interviewed to take a chance on HD-DVD so
early in the high-def DVD format wars -- which could prove a serious stumbling block for Blu-Ray, whose first-gen decks are expected to retail starting at a premium
$1000.
"Honestly, I am turned off by the higher price tags [of Blu-Ray],"
said Bryan Ferriera, 33, of Peabody, Massachusetts."Now that HD-DVD is
out, why would anyone want to pay at least double the price of the [cheaper
Toshiba] HD-A1 to get the same quality?"