Topic: The War Begins...

[pchin]

Nice...35k in Hong Kong is considered reasonable (and very cheap if compared to our local stores)

Not bad with the free 3 games. Very tempting 

[et414]

Yup tyempo tyempo lang nga baka out of stock sila. for 35k pwede ka ng pumunta dun just to buy one instead of getting  it locally(50-60k) may ps3 ka na nakapasyal ka pa hehe

[Mouldingo]

Wow...this is the first BD animation na nakakuha perfect five star na video sa highdefdigest.com, can't wait for it to be released

"'Open Season' is a bright, pleasant-looking movie that has obviously been engineered to delight the eyeballs of all those under the age of seven years old. And for whatever reason, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment has chosen this title as their first on Blu-ray to feature a AVC MPEG-4-encoded 1080p transfer. The results appear to support the decision, with a wonderful presentation that is just about flawless, so much so that I can't help but give it a rare five-star video rating.

A direct-to-digital conversion, the image looks perfect. Unlike many recent all-CGI animated films, which often employ digital tweaks to look more "film-like" (fake grain, blurred out backgrounds, etc.), 'Open Season' doesn't bother with any false appearances. It's super-sharp, with most wide shots completely in focus, which lends it a real crayon-and-construction paper look. Many close-ups of animal fur and skins are breathtaking, and I could count the individual strands on the backside of Boog. Colors are very bright, if intentionally lacking the fine gradations of, say, a Pixar effort. Yet even with such huge, smooth areas of solid color, I don't think I've yet seen an animated feature on either Blu-ray or HD DVD that looks so consistently smooth and free of noise. Even some very dark nighttime scenes, which are flush with deep blues, hold up well in the shadows, with depth and detail remaining impressive. I can't say that 'Open Season' is a masterpiece of animation style, but in sheer technical terms, this transfer is without fault."

[av_phile1]

sa hongkong 34-35k lang ang 60gig version ng ps3 may kasama ng 3 games and 2 controllers. not bad na rin given it's capablities para ka lang bumili ng htpc(w/c it sort of is). blueray pa risk lang nga dun pag nagkaproblema sony philippines can't help you

Just saw a PS3 at SM appliance Sucat.  Tag price: 75T.    Also with free 3 games.

[av_phile1]

Disney is also a BD supporter because of BD's (supposedly) "more secure" copy protection in the form of BD+ which is even more restrictive than the AACS used by HD DVD.  This is also why Fox is BD exclusive as the DVD Forum wouldn't accomodate (or give in to, depending on who you ask) Fox's request/demand for stronger copy protection.

Based on what I've read so far, not a single BR disc has BD+ as it has never been implemented, nor its specs even finalized.  Too bad, with BD also hacked, this is the time to prove their BD+ is working.

[et414]

holy cow that's just crazy! over 100% markup! hiway robbery!

[av_phile1]

Yep, my fingers crossed! It's very frustrating esp to see some of our favourite movies are being released in the opposite format.  Hmm...unless the PS3 price will drop to an incredible low level, then I might consider getting one...by then whichever format wins, I've no worry noh?? 

PS3 prices in Japan are being slashed because of non-moving inventories.

PS3 sales in Japan haven't cooled off, they've frozen. Consoles sit on shelves as gamers wait it out: Waiting for actual games to appear or prices to drop. Retailers, on the other hand, are an impatient lot. Retailers are also buying "used" PS3s at much lower prices than previously, paying well under the original sticker price. Just look at how the Don Quijote in Akihabara is slicing 20 percent off the 20GB PLAYSTATION 3. Nice 20-20 irony. The 20GB version originally books at 49,980 yen (US $412), but is being offered for 39,980 yen ($329) in a sale ending February. The shop is knocking a flat 10,000 yen ($82) right now. Japanese bulletin board 2chan reports that this at other Don Quijotes as well. It's interesting to check out the PS3 vibe at 2chan; Reasons for not buying go from "there are no games I want" to "video stores don't rent Blu-ray movies." Well, not yet that is. Brian Ashcraft

http://kotaku.com/gaming/top/japanese-stores-slashing-20gb-prices-230297.php

If not mistaken, Japan, US and Southeast Asia belong in the same Region 1 for blu ray, so you may want to consider getting a 20Gb ps3 in Japan for a measly $329 (about P16,000).  Just hand carry it and give something to customs when you get back.    You have until end of Feb to visit the land of the rising sun and falling ps3 prices. 

[iampoch]

PS3 prices in Japan are being slashed because of non-moving inventories.

PS3 sales in Japan haven't cooled off, they've frozen. Consoles sit on shelves as gamers wait it out: Waiting for actual games to appear or prices to drop. Retailers, on the other hand, are an impatient lot. Retailers are also buying "used" PS3s at much lower prices than previously, paying well under the original sticker price. Just look at how the Don Quijote in Akihabara is slicing 20 percent off the 20GB PLAYSTATION 3. Nice 20-20 irony. The 20GB version originally books at 49,980 yen (US $412), but is being offered for 39,980 yen ($329) in a sale ending February. The shop is knocking a flat 10,000 yen ($82) right now. Japanese bulletin board 2chan reports that this at other Don Quijotes as well. It's interesting to check out the PS3 vibe at 2chan; Reasons for not buying go from "there are no games I want" to "video stores don't rent Blu-ray movies." Well, not yet that is. Brian Ashcraft

http://kotaku.com/gaming/top/japanese-stores-slashing-20gb-prices-230297.php

If not mistaken, Japan, US and Southeast Asia belong in the same Region 1 for blu ray, so you may want to consider getting a 20Gb ps3 in Japan for a measly $329 (about P16,000).  Just hand carry it and give something to customs when you get back.    You have until end of Feb to visit the land of the rising sun and falling ps3 prices. 

I've heard of this, and it's already been marked as inaccurate. The actual story is that only Japan's equivalent of a Wal-Mart had such a sale. The store's name is Don Quixote. The store's been known to do those kinds of sales to a lot of items. Unfortunately, they only do this for a limited stock and as of last week, they're ran out of the promotional stock. So, no hope of us ever getting to buy it at that price anymore, unless we wait a year from now. No other retail stores put the PS3 up for sale, and as opposed to those being circulated, PS3 sales are actually quite healthy in Japan. It's being sold at a steady and healthy pace, but not at a rate initially expected. Kotaku's been known to be biased, and the fact that they've left out many of these details left a bitter taste in a lot of the readers.

[av_phile1]

I don't know about Kotaku's bias, but they did say Don Quijote at Akibahara and other branches are doing the price slashing.  Good news for those who want to get their hands on the PS3. Don Quijote is one major retailer with more than 100 outlets all over Japan said to carry the discounts as well.   And if the sale goes until end of Feb, there must be stocks in their inventory.  But if they're gone by now, too bad for those wanting bargains on this.  So Pchin,   sorry if there are no more stocks.   

Obviously retailers are free to set their prices and do whatever discounting they want.  And I couldn't care less why.

[pchin]

No worry, there's no rush naman  to get a PS3. Guess I'll have to sit tight & wait patiently to see what will happen next.

Meanwhile, I'll enjoy my HD-DVD while it lasts... 

[iampoch]

No worry, there's no rush naman  to get a PS3. Guess I'll have to sit tight & wait patiently to see what will happen next.

Meanwhile, I'll enjoy my HD-DVD while it lasts... 

Yup, the earliest that you'd want a PS3 is by March or April, as better games other than Resistance will be coming out by then. April would be a much better idea however. By then, some retailers would've come to their senses (hear that, Toy Kingdom??) and start selling the units at much reasonable prices. Then again, you'd find reasonable prices for the PS3 right now if you know where to look. Even then, it's admittedly a pricey hardware. You can go for the much cheaper 20GB version. Hard drives are user-upgradable anyway and if you don't care much about WiFi the more sensible the 20GB version will be.

[pchin]

Yes agree Hopefully by then, our local shops will carrying "modified" PS3 to accept "cheaper" games. The current game price is also way too high around $55

So far, is there any major glitches or concerns reported for the PS3 as a HD player?

[Clondalkin]

Ma-bisita nga Don Kamote this weekend.  

It's not at all surprising if Don Kamote (as my wife calls that store) offers the PS3 for 39K.  They are one of the biggest "super discount" stores in Japan of almost anything you can think of under the sun.  However in my observation, the most interesting section in Don Quixote Akihabara, especially for first time visitors in Tokyo is the "adult" section.   .   So don't miss it.   Dati nasa tabi lang ng games and toys section yon until the store management probably noticed that children and minors tend to drift to the "off-limits" section, instead of spending quality time at the toy section.   

One thing for sure, it is now very easy to acquire a PS3 in most of the major electronic stores at the suggested retail price, but it is still easier to get an Xbox360 in Japan    Wii-chan is the real winner so far.

Yeah, problems of PS3 are lack of new game titles and BD movies for rent/sale.  That will be rectified eventually.

[av_phile1]

No worry, there's no rush naman  to get a PS3. Guess I'll have to sit tight & wait patiently to see what will happen next.

Meanwhile, I'll enjoy my HD-DVD while it lasts... 

Sure thing.  Just thought the information I got from other forums was worth sharing here for those who want to enjoy both formats today.  That sale thing from Don Quijote in Japan was a real value.  Imagine a PS3 at the price of a PS2 last year!!  And a high def player besides.   

[Clondalkin]

If there were like at least 500 "worth collecting" BD titles now and new movies in BD were getting released "regularly" instead of catalogue titles, I would have run to Akihabara right this very moment.  In the meantime, hintay-hintay muna and hintay-hintay rin (impatiently) for more HD DVD releases. 

[av_phile1]

Yes agree Hopefully by then, our local shops will carrying "modified" PS3 to accept "cheaper" games. The current game price is also way too high around $55

Unlike PS2 games which can be "pirated"  I'm afraid there'd be no such thing with the PS3 as the games are encoded in Blu ray which is as yet "non-piratable"   I doubt if there'd be pirated PS3 games soon.  I don't know if games also use AACS or BD+ or ROM Mark, but even so, blank BDs are still too expensive for pirates to bother making.  And I am not sure if PS3 can be modified to accept pirated PS2 games. 

[av_phile1]

So far, is there any major glitches or concerns reported for the PS3 as a HD player?

Based on what I've read in other AV forums, the PS3 is the best BD player out there in terms of features, like true BD-Java. 

And the cheapest.   Thus, it offers the best price performance value as a BD player. 

Surprising for me, as I never had any confidence on game consoles as a music or video-only playback device.  THe PS3 is apparently an exception.

[pchin]

AH..here's some good news for HD-DVD supporters  

Universal Studios Home Entertainment Fuels HD DVD Momentum with More Than 100 HD DVD Offerings Planned for Release in 2007. Thursday January 25, 9:14 pm ET  

Dynamic Line-Up Includes New and Classic Film and Television Favorites Such As Scarface, 40-Year-Old Virgin, Brokeback Mountain and Battlestar Galactica S1

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Bringing further heat to the burgeoning HD DVD format, Universal Studios Home Entertainment (USHE) will release more than 100 new film and television titles in 2007. Perennial favorites such as Scarface and instant classics like 40-Year-Old Virgin, Battlestar Galactica S1 and Oscar®-winning Brokeback Mountain will be joined by dozens of new titles released day and date with the DVD.

Since the format's inception in April 2006, USHE has released 60 titles on HD DVD, and currently boasts four of the top 10 best-selling HD DVDs year-to-date, including Casino, Serenity, Fearless and Miami Vice.

Tapping into the studio's vast library, the 2007 slate kicked off on January 18th with the release of The Mummy Returns, followed by Brokeback Mountain, starring Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal on January 23, 2007. Following shortly thereafter will be such day-and-date new releases as Golden Globe®-nominee Hollywoodland on February 6. More than 90% of the planned 2007 Universal titles will be released as combo discs - which feature an HD DVD version and a standard DVD version of the movie on the same disc.

Full article: http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/070125/20070125006192.html?.v=1  

[DVD_Freak]

Yes agree Hopefully by then, our local shops will carrying "modified" PS3 to accept "cheaper" games. The current game price is also way too high around $55

That is inevitable.  Though don't expect it in the next couple of years.  But eventually, it will happen.

[iampoch]

Based on what I've read in other AV forums, the PS3 is the best BD player out there in terms of features, like true BD-Java. 

And the cheapest.   Thus, it offers the best price performance value as a BD player. 

Surprising for me, as I never had any confidence on game consoles as a music or video-only playback device.  THe PS3 is apparently an exception.

True. i never used my PS2 or even my XBOX as a DVD player and this is the first time im seriously considering using one as a media player. Don't have a BR Disc, though and I want an HD TV to fully appreciate it 

[Munskie]

AH..here's some good news for HD-DVD supporters 

Universal Studios Home Entertainment Fuels HD DVD Momentum with More Than 100 HD DVD Offerings Planned for Release in 2007. Thursday January 25, 9:14 pm ET 

Dynamic Line-Up Includes New and Classic Film and Television Favorites Such As Scarface, 40-Year-Old Virgin, Brokeback Mountain and Battlestar Galactica S1

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Bringing further heat to the burgeoning HD DVD format, Universal Studios Home Entertainment (USHE) will release more than 100 new film and television titles in 2007. Perennial favorites such as Scarface and instant classics like 40-Year-Old Virgin, Battlestar Galactica S1 and Oscar®-winning Brokeback Mountain will be joined by dozens of new titles released day and date with the DVD.

Since the format's inception in April 2006, USHE has released 60 titles on HD DVD, and currently boasts four of the top 10 best-selling HD DVDs year-to-date, including Casino, Serenity, Fearless and Miami Vice.

Tapping into the studio's vast library, the 2007 slate kicked off on January 18th with the release of The Mummy Returns, followed by Brokeback Mountain, starring Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal on January 23, 2007. Following shortly thereafter will be such day-and-date new releases as Golden Globe®-nominee Hollywoodland on February 6. More than 90% of the planned 2007 Universal titles will be released as combo discs - which feature an HD DVD version and a standard DVD version of the movie on the same disc.

Full article: http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/070125/20070125006192.html?.v=1 

they should release fast and soon.......until i see actual release dates there, I wont start dancing.  Until then, ill be waiting for my wife's gift......oh september pa pala...

[pchin]

Until then, ill be waiting for my wife's gift......oh september pa pala...

Before there's a fire, there must be some smoke first right? Lately, we have been hearing so many "BOLD" stories from the BD camp on its release so it's refreshing for a change that we, HD-DVD supporters deserve some good news hehe

Oh..a new gift is coming in September? Pls Anakin..I beg you not to jump/turn to the Dark Force... 

[Munskie]

Oh..a new gift is coming in September? Pls Anakin..I beg you not to jump/turn to the Dark Force... 

Its a gift...how can I resist?  I m just human.....not a Jedi....hahahaha 

[pchin]

Anakin is a jedi...he's a human too 

You lucky lucky dude...very lucky indeed for having such an understanding wifey! 

[Mouldingo]

Here's the partial list of Universal HD-DVD releases for 2007 (90% of which are combos). No Spielberg movies in the near-future, but that's hardly a shock or unexpected! More than 100 titles are promised by year's end and these are apparently earmarked for the first half of '07 (plus day-and-date of whatever new release Universal has for theatricals released this year):

Brokeback Mountain
Hollywoodland
Children of Men
The Good Shepherd
Smokin' Aces
Scarface
The 40-Year-Old Virgin
Bruce Almighty
The Bourne Identity
Meet the Fockers
American Pie
Inside Man
Pride & Prejudice
The Big Lebowski
Liar Liar
Lock, Stock & Two Smoking Barrels
Brazil
Erin Brockovich
Shaun of the Dead
Dawn of the Dead
Slap Shot
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
Battlestar Galactica (Season 1).

[john5479]

just got a ps3 for blu ray, a 60gb at that. got kingdom of heaven and black hawk down I still have more hd dvd titles though.

[av_phile1]

Congrats, you're now a fully bonafide high definition early adopter of both formats.   

[pchin]

No Spielberg movies in the near-future, but that's hardly a shock or unexpected! More than 100 titles are promised by year's end...

Hmm...I'm not so excited with the current list. Hopefully more attractive tittles will appear soon. 

Congrat john5479, another winner of the HD war & truly an early adopter. 

[john5479]

i would definitely get scarface and the inside man great films worth owning in hd

[nels76]

john5479,

where and how much?
How long is the warranty?