What makes Blu-Ray and HD DVD so much better, and do I need an HDTV for it?

That's the question that a lot of people are asking. Why are the new technologies so expensive?Well a typical DVD disc can only hold 4.7 GB of information, which is why there are so many movies that offer special editions utilizing a second disc - there's not enough information to keep the resolution of the movie, and high fidelity sound at their highest output, so a second disc is required. But you can hook a DVD to practically any television.When it comes to Blu-Ray and HD DVD players they are similar in that they will both output a High Definition image from a disc, but differ in many other ways. Blu-Ray and HD DVD discs first off can hold up to 10 times more information that a typical DVD so now you can have tons of extras on a disc (commentaries, deleted scenes, games, behind the scenes, easter eggs, etc), while having up to 1080p lines of resolution and up to 8 channels of surround sound - a typical DVD can not do this.Between the two formats you will hear many people picking one over the other, I personally prefer Blu-Ray because more movie studios are backing it, and the disc has more capacity (Blu-Ray up to 50GB, HD DVD up to 25/30 GB). There will be more Blu-Ray movies, and more Blu-Ray compatible players, as well as the Playstation 3 that offers Blu-Ray as well.The price is high at the moment because it is new, as was DVD. I paid $600 for my first DVD player, and now I could walk in and get the current generation unit for $120, and other brands for $40 - $70. Blu-Ray and HD DVD will drop, technology always does. First thing you should do is get an HDTV, then decide which of the High Definition Disc formats is right for you.

I hope this helped.

What are some good movies to demo my system with?

It just depends on what you want to test, and if you want to just play particular scenes for demo, or if you want an entire move with effects throughout. Here's a few recommendations and what scenes are best for particular demos.1 - U571 - if you play the Depth Charge scene you will be able to test the Dynamic Range of your system. Meaning the ability to handle very quiet sounds (whispers, talking, water) at the same time hearing extremely loud booms (explosions, metal breaking, glass breaking, etc).2 - Dragonheart - for directivity. There's a scene where Draco the dragon, and Dennis Quaid's character are talking, and the Dragon flies in circles around Quaid as he talks, and you can hear the voice coming from different speakers, and the wings in different speakers.3 - 3 Doors Down Live Away from the Sun - Great for live performance, probably one of the only DVDs that were recorded in a live audience that gives you multiple aspects of sound. Can listen in DTS from the stage so you hear what the band hears, or you can listen in Dolby Digital from the crowd or the stage for another live experience. The disc also has digital music files of each song too for your ipod or computer.4 - Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets - The Quiddich Match with the Rogue Bludger. This scene is one of the best ever for full on surround sound. There's a ton of bass from the bludger, a ton of directivity from the kids on the brooms flying around, the Snitch is awesome flying around you can actually here the wings flapping. Amazing demo.5 - King Kong - when we goes crazy in the streets. One of my favorite scenes to demo to show how sound moves around you, and changes with perspectives. If you watch the scene and pay attention to the camera angles for Kong, you will hear his breathing, and grunting move to where they should be, plus when the cars crash and things break they aren't overdone like newer movies they do a great job of keeping the sound accurate to that time period.6 - Fast and the Furious - First race with Paul Walker. Engines, Music, Tons of surround effects, sub kicking like crazy.

There's a lot more, but these are the one's that I use the most for my trainings that I do.

The picture from my DVD Player is PINK! How do I fix this?

This question was posted on an answers site:
The picture from my DVD Player is PINK! How do I fix this?

My Response:
Couple of things to check:
1. If using component video, then somewhere in the mix it is very possible to have switched one of the connections by mistake, this happens a lot. Check to make sure that the plugs are where they are supposed to be, and that may fix it.2. If the cables aren't the problem then it could be the output on the DVD player is not set to match your TV - if you have a progressive scan DVD player, and your TV is not an HDTV, you may need to deactivate the progressive scan.3. Could be a bad cable. This happens as well, more so with S-Video than any other, but S-Video would probably show up in black and white.Check the cables, then check the DVD player video settings to make sure that they match your television.