But new HDTVs can display up to 1080 scan lines, a technology that provides startling detail and clarity, especially on large screens.
Although HD sets will do their best to display a signal from a standard DVD player, these movies often look worse on HD sets than they did on old-fashioned analog TVs. One solution to this problem is a so-called "up-converting" player - a standard machine designed to provide a better picture on HDTV with traditional DVDs.
These work very well, and for many casual viewers, an up-converting player may be enough, especially since they are available for $100 or less.
High-definition DVDs and players were designed to provide the dense HD data stream required to make recorded movies look as good as the best HDTV broadcasts, or even better. In fact, they're spectacular. And these players are the only source of images that take full advantage of the detail in high-end 1080p HDTV sets.
What if I bought an HD DVD player? Am I out of luck?
First, like any piece of technology, an HD DVD player will do whatever it was designed to do until the day it breaks down and you can't fix it any more. So it will play whatever high-def titles you've acquired. But given Toshiba's abject surrender, you won't find many new HD DVD titles coming out, and I wouldn't invest in them at anything but bargain-basement prices.
The good news: Your HD DVD player will still function perfectly well as an up-converting player for your old-fashioned DVD collection. Those old movies will look great on your HDTV set. So don't throw it out. Swallow your pride, wait a few months and buy a Blu-ray when prices come down.
If I buy a Blu-ray player now, can I still use my old DVDs?
Absolutely. In fact, most high-definition players (Blu-ray and HD DVD) will do an excellent job of up-converting standard DVD signals on HDTV sets.
Should I buy Blu-ray now, or wait for prices to come down?
When I checked the big-box retailers yesterday, they were charging $400 and up for Blu-ray players in-store, with Sony's entry-level model available online at Wal-mart.com for $374. That compares with $120 or less for a progressive-scan, up-converting standard DVD player.
In fact, the best deal may be a Sony PlayStation 3 game console for $400, which has a built-in Blu-ray DVD player. That will make you a real hero if there are young people in the house.
Otherwise, I'd suggest waiting. With more manufacturers jumping onto the Blu-ray standard, prices are likely to plummet over the next six months. Also, the Blu-ray standard - which involves all sorts of goodies, including great interactive content - is evolving. Not all of today's machines support all these features. Wait a while, and you'll get a better machine for the money.
If you're a film buff who absolutely has to have new, high-def movies the day they are released - and you don't mind spending extra for a gadget to play them - go right ahead. Now that the fight is over, your investment will be a safe one.
mike.himowitz@baltsun.com
