Josh Zyber's Combo Discs Commentary

[jed]

Some call it HD DVD's secret weapon in the High-Def format war. Others see it as an albatross. In his latest commentary, Josh Zyber takes a hard look at the HD DVD/DVD Combo disc, and weighs in on whether its benefits really outweigh the downsides.

Full story:
http://www.highdefdigest.com/news/show/894

[Blurry]

Well, I have known that Josh Z has had a bias against combos for some time (which he has expressed both here and on AVS). Personally I think it is purely an issue of opinion in this case and I personally have no problem with them other than for price - I do not think we should penalized in price for combo discs because that morally takes away any advantage it has.

As far as problems, I think far fewer suffer from problems with them than some of the more vocal detractors make out. According to insiders the studios get far fewer complaints about them (other than for Children of Men) than HD DVD detractors would like us to believe - and I assume they must be aware of return rates as well to stores, so those rates must not be very much out of the ordinary.

I personally never had particular problems with them, not even with Children of Men.

[pkremer]

Another fantastic article by Josh. I really enjoy his reads, as I agree with him in just about everything he writes. I will say that I have NEVER had a playback issue with a combo disc, and the concept does not bother me...but I do not want to pay extra for them. It is clear the strategy is not working.

Either commit to the strategy or dump it...this lukewarm approach is really hurting HD-DVD.

[Cochise]

Josh is dead-on target here.

The combos cause playback issues for far too many people. Oddly for me, I never had any problems with the Universal combos, but have with several of the Warner combos on my XA1. My replacement disc of Happy Feet still locks up at that much documented point where they dive under water.

The combos give Blu-ray a price advantage for the Warner releases. Warner should at least price them the same, but if the combo disc & SD content is really that much higher cost than the BD, do away with the combo.

The combos don't work as a 'Trojan Horse'. I have one friend who bought a couple at first, buying into the "future proofing" idea when he upgrades his TV & player to HD. But then he gave up, telling me "You know - it costs me $10-$15 more to buy the combo at Best Buy. I might as well just buy the DVD and when I upgrade I'll sell the DVD and the HD DVD will be be cheaper by them".

I am an enthusiastic HD DVD supporter. But, when I still had my PS3, I was buying the BD version of Warner releases - if specs were equal - to avoid getting ripped off for the more expensive combo and potential playback problems.

That's what combos have achieved.

[alintel]

I say:AMEN!!!!!!
Combo discs-RIP!

[HD NOW]

I haven't had any problems with them, so I don't think it's everyone by any means.

However, I think that "Twin Disc" is about to take the place of the Dual-Sided combos now, anyway.

The three-layer Twin Disc allows both DVD and HD DVD on the same side of the disc, and uses the same manufacturing process as TL51.

I suspect that Twin Disc will be cheaper than Combos, and that Twin Disc will lead the way for production capacity that can be used for TL51 too.

[xrose]

Personally I think the only way for a combo to be effective, as far as sales go, is to not offer the title on DVD also. Imagine Tranasformers only coming out as combo disc. It would be funny that Blu-Ray owners who wanted this movie would HAVE to buy the HD DVD.

But really, I just prefer my HD movies to not be combos. The only time I use the DVD side is for comparison, so I could see how much better it is on HD.

[dalamchops]

Originally Posted by Blurry

Well, I have known that Josh Z has had a bias against combos for some time (which he has expressed both here and on AVS). Personally I think it is purely an issue of opinion in this case and I personally have no problem with them other than for price - I do not think we should penalized in price for combo discs because that morally takes away any advantage it has.

this isn't a perfect world, u can't expect to get something for nothing. Either u want to pay the extra and support the combo, or pay as much as the BD version and go without the flip side.

[KaneRobot]

I've yet to have any issues with combo discs. That said, I can't stand them. While they aren't "killing HD DVD," they certainly aren't helping.

It's time for companies who subscribe to the combo disc to shit or get off the pot. Go combo only, or go HD DVD with separate DVD only.

The last two editorials have been very well done. Nice job.

[1080p]

I never had one issue with an HD DVD combo.
I did have issues with a couple of flip sided standed DVD's a few times though through the years and they still make them.

[Blurry]

Originally Posted by dalamchops

this isn't a perfect world, u can't expect to get something for nothing. Either u want to pay the extra and support the combo, or pay as much as the BD version and go without the flip side.

I don't want to support it by paying a higher price (though I end up buying them anyways), I would simply rather see them as a strategic advantage at the same price. However, I would rather they did away with them than charge more for them - except kids movies, I still want to be able to play movies for my kid in the car or in a portable DVD player.

[Legobricke]

Couldn't agree more....

I mean, I haven't any issues so far with combo titles with my A1, but I assume only because I have been lucky.

Sooner or later, that luck will run out....

So, if COMBO are going to stay, don't gouge the consumer. Price it accordingly to the Blu counterpart...

Or....... Just drop the thing....

I for one will start looking at other regions for a non-combo version.

Lego

[art vandalay]

While i havent had any issues with any combos i have, i sure as hell dont think i should be paying more for them. If there was a choice between combo and non-combo, i'd get the non-combo. I can certainly understand why people with both formats would buy blu-ray if the HDDVD option was a combo.

[joeymac]

Great article... Let's hope some people who can do anything about the problem actually read it.

[xrose]

I had a problem with my first copy of Children Of Men. I ended up having to switch it over to the SD side to finish it (which pissed me off). And after all the frustration and finally just flipping the disc over, there was only about 2 minutes more left on the movie.