Blade Runner - Help me pick a format.

[Knightshade Dragon]

I must chose...help me select this wonderful present to myself.   Please justify your answer and show your work.


HD-DVD Version - http://hddvd.highdefdigest.com/bladerunner.html

Blu-Ray Version - http://bluray.highdefdigest.com/bladerunner.html

[CeeKay]

Go with the one that doesn't suck.


oh, wait.


 

[Knightshade Dragon]

Go with the one that doesn't suck.


oh, wait.


 

Got that one out of the way.  Mitch, you are up next.

[Soulchilde]

HD-DVD RULEZZZZZZZ   Blue ray sucks!!!!   

[whiteboyskim]

Go with the one that doesn't suck.


oh, wait.


 

Got that one out of the way.  Mitch, you are up next.

Nah, Ceekay pretty much covered it for me.

[Creepy_Smell]

Can we ask you questions first to determine which is best for you?

1) Describe in single words only the good things that come into your mind about... your mother.



 

[PeteRock]

I have heard that Blu-Ray picture quality is a little better than HD-DVD, but I can't comment on anything first-hand.  I've noticed HD and Blu-Ray DVDs playing at Best Buy, but I've paid them little attention as I have no plans to upgrade my DVD setup anytime soon.  With over 400 DVDs in two 400-disc changers it would be grounds for divorce to even suggest an intent to upgrade.  So I've instead completely ignored both formats for fear of inevitably wanting both formats, taking an "out of sight, out of mind" approach.

But based on ramblings of others, I get the impression that Blu-Ray provides a slightly better picture. 

[wonderpug]

Wouldn't the differences between the two versions be indecipherable if they're both using the same video encoding?

[rickfc]

Since you have the choice of which format to buy, then you have a player for both formats.  That being said, if you had to pick between your HD-DVD player or your Blu-Ray player, which one would it be?  Once you decide that, then what format you buy the movie on should be an easy decision. 

I don't have either, so I can't be of much help.  Though this is pretty enticing

[Simon]

It's BLADE RUNNER, not BLADE RUNNER!

[javahead]

HD-DVD -- two words: root kit

[CrayolaSmoker]

Blue Ray. 'cause you're more likely to still have its player in your entertainment center in 2 years.

[Thin_J]

Wouldn't the differences between the two versions be indecipherable if they're both using the same video encoding?

Exactly. Check out HD-Digest if you want further examples. 99% of the movies that have shown up on both formats have hit with the exact same codec and transfer being on both. If it's encoded with MPeg4 on the Blu-ray, it's almost always encoded in Mpeg4 on the HD-DVD too, and from the exact same digital transfer. There are exceptions in some of the older releases, but lately dual format titles have been this way. You're not gaining anything picture quality wise picking one over the other.

If this turns out to be the case for Blade Runner, which I'd say is likely, your choice should probably be made based on any special features differences that might show up.

[CeeKay]

Nah, Ceekay pretty much covered it for me.

HIGH FIVE!!!!!!!

[Nth Power]

and you may want to double check on what extras are where, if you're concerned about that stuff. 

Here's a tidbit of lameness about extras between two formats (taken from DVDBeaver):

The differences between HD DVD and Blu-ray boil down to two issues.  From a software standpoint, HD DVD is superior to Blu-ray, but from a capacity standpoint, Blu-ray is superior.  I know that the HD DVD camp has talked about a triple-layer 51-gig disc, but until that becomes a reality that can be purchased by consumers, that configuration is as much of a pipe dream as the Blu-ray camp’s claims about improved security via BD Java.

 We’ve seen these problems elsewhere.  The 300 HD DVD relegates the joint audio commentary to the SD DVD side, which means that those of you with the non-combo disc lose the audio commentary.  Meanwhile, the 300 Blu-ray has the audio commentary but does not have the IME video commentary offered by the HD DVD.  The Blood Diamond HD DVD has an IME track; the Blu-ray forces you to watch featurettes independent of the movie.  The Terminator 3 HD DVD has an IME track; the forthcoming Blu-ray uses the brute force of its extra storage space to create a fake IME track (the picture-in-picture frame is simply hard coded in addition to the movie without the PIP).  Blu-ray doesn’t even have the theatrical cut of Troy because of the IME problem.  The A Clockwork Orange HD DVD release is a two-disc affair while the Blu-ray is a one-disc affair.  As Warner pushes both formats to their limits, one can see how wasteful and idiotic it was for the two camps to refuse to create a single product that combines the best of both worlds.

[GuidoTKP]

I pre-ordered the HD-DVD version cuz that's what I got!   

I like IME extras.  There will be no difference in the video transfer.  There may be a light difference in the audio encoding, but generally I've been hearing that nobody is really winning in that department.

Since it is a multi-disc setup, I don't anticipate that there will be a major difference in extras (e.g., Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, there is a difference in the encoding of the extras between BR and HD-DVD, but it's a single disc package).