[Intrepid Homoludens]

Nice try, Catbert, but I personally prefer to just game on my 360 and do work on my laptop (and a bit of gaming pending). It's much better suited for my life right now.

[insane_cobra]

Originally Posted by Spiwak

You make it sound like that's not a big deal.

Is it? I don't think so. We'll see.

[Intrepid Homoludens]

It wouldn't be a big deal if you don't give a damn about overall picture and sound quality and whatever else. Many people really don't, however the industry tends to condition them into wanting the hardware so that they feel they have to make it a big deal.

[Catbert]

Originally Posted by Intrepid Homoludens

Nice try, Catbert, but I personally prefer to just game on my 360 and do work on my laptop (and a bit of gaming pending). It's much better suited for my life right now.

Everytime you buy a console, a 30 seconds old chinese baby gets employed at a chip factory.

[Spiwak]

Better picture and sound quality, for movies, is in fact a big deal. It's possible to get through watching VHSes or VHS rips, but dear God I'd much prefer DVD because of the better quality and not because of the other benefits. Watching the movie closer to how the director intended is always a good thing.

[Lucien21]

Originally Posted by squarejawhero

Really? Gamestation has both.

Eurogamer says "well-informed retail sources have been suggesting that Sony won't release the lower spec model in the UK at all. "

Besides strange they only released one UK price

http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=64848

[tabacco]

Personally, unless a DVD is really badly mastered, I find that it's good enough quality. I don't find myself sitting there watching a DVD and saying "Well, it's pretty good... but I really with there were 3 more audio channels!"

I'm happy with current bitrates and dolby digital.

[insane_cobra]

Originally Posted by Intrepid Homoludens

It wouldn't be a big deal if you don't give a damn about overall picture and sound quality and whatever else.

I do, but what we currently have is more than good enough. Yes, I've seen HD content. No, it's not worth $1000+.

[Intrepid Homoludens]

Originally Posted by Spiwak

Watching the movie closer to how the director intended is always a good thing.

Which is why I see movies like Girl With A Pearl Earring in the theatre.

[Spiwak]

Well obviously the theatrical experience is really the ultimate. But in this day and age home viewing is the norm, and it should be possible to experience the film as close as possible to the awesome theatrical experience, although it will never touch the theater.

[tabacco]

You could just buy yourself a 35mm projector and a dolby processor

Seriously, though, I hate the movie theatre. Seeing film is nice, but mostly by the time I see it the print is dirty and scratched, and the theatre is full of other people, most of whom seem intent on ruining my experience. Also, there's the ever-increasing price of admission.

[Intrepid Homoludens]

Originally Posted by Spiwak

Well obviously the theatrical experience is really the ultimate. But in this day and age home viewing is the norm, and it should be possible to experience the film as close as possible to the awesome theatrical experience, although it will never touch the theater.

Personally if it's really a movie that's good, is supposed to have excellent cinematography, and that I'm interested in, I'd prefer to see it first in the theatre. And if I fall in love with it and want to see it again and again, I would definitely want it on DVD and if it comes in HD and I have the hardware, that's great.

Otherwise I'm not that demanding.

[insane_cobra]

Originally Posted by tabacco

Seriously, though, I hate the movie theatre. Seeing film is nice, but mostly by the time I see it the print is dirty and scratched, and the theatre is full of other people, most of whom seem intent on ruining my experience.

Really? Most good movies in Croatia attract very little audience. If you opt for an afternoon projection, you usually get to be one of maybe twenty people in the theatre, most of which are cute girls. Living here doesn't always suck.

[Intrepid Homoludens]

I almost always go to the matinee show on a weekday. It's about 1/2 the price and the theatre is almost empty. I also wait at least a week or so after the initial release.

Back on topic: I got my Xbox360!! w0000t!!

[RLacey]

Originally Posted by tabacco

Also, there's the ever-increasing price of admission.

So true. By the time it reaches the stage that I can buy a year-old DVD of a film I didn't get to see for less than the price of going to the cinema I have very little incentive to sit in the movie theatre .

[insane_cobra]

I don't know, I love going to the cinema, both in company and all by myself. It's a very different experience than watching a movie at home or at your friend's place. Not better or worse, just different. That's one of the reasons I can't wait to return to Zagreb, the last cinema in Virovitica went under a couple of years ago.

[Intrepid Homoludens]

I love the cinema too, though I rarely ever go anymore. But when I do go I always have a great time. It's such an event, that's why. I rarely go anymore because I have no friends here to go with. The last movie I went to go see was Silent Hill, and before that, Memoirs Of A Geisha. Both just had to be experienced in a big dark theatre, IMO. But most other big hit movies, particular ones that don't focus so much on cinematography, aren't worth it for me and I'd prefer them on DVD at home.

Anyway, back on topic: I'll wait til there's a very substantial number of games out for PS3, and even then I'll wait til the price drops to $300 or below.

[Spiwak]

So what are the chances MS will drop the price of the 360? Everyone thought they would before E3, but no one's really brought it up since then. I was relaly hoping they would, because then I'd be all over it, but I guess with the PS3 so ridiculously MS probably doesn't feel the need to.

[Intrepid Homoludens]

There's still a bit of a chance for a [slight] price drop for the 360 for the holidays. I've read at least a couple of news sources (CNET, New York Times, etc.) citing analysts' speculations. But even if MS didn't lower the price their console would still have the advantage, at least in terms of the more mainstream, price conscious crowd (i.e., parents, grandparents getting Christmas gifts for the kids). Thing is, Sony seems to be relying [a bit too heavily] on their brand recognition.

Of course, the Wii may be an even better choice in price and in more family oriented games.

[insane_cobra]

One thing has to be given to Sony, they're basically doing what everyone said MS should've done with their launch. Only it makes more sense if you're the first console on the market. You see, the high price lowers the chance of console shortages and the hard core Sony fan(boy)s will still gobble what's available up like candy. Later, when they manage to produce enough units, and possibly drive the production costs down, they'll lower the prices. It seems like a good approach, but the catch is Xbox 360's price will also go down quite a bit till then.