Question about HP Order of the Phoenix HD DVD

[Guest]

[kbmum]

I really want to get the HD version, but does anyone know if it contains the second disc with all of the extra features?

[Bryanjs14]

Well yes and no. It will have all the special features, but it will be a single disc. HD Dvd's can hold 3x-6x as much data as a normal dvd (depending on whether it is a single or dual layer) so everything can be fit on to one disc usually. Definetly check the back of the package though, usually now HD and Blu Ray are getting a couple extra features than the normal DVD too.

[kbmum]

Thank you!  Here's another question.  Can an HD DVD be played on a regular TV?

[Bryanjs14]

of course, you are just not going to get the high def quality obviously.

the only problem you MIGHT face is having to buy a cable that will work with your tv. Usually High def dvd players (HD-DVD or Blu Ray) come with high def cables to connect to the tv and I can't imagine a normal tv having the right jack to plug it into.

[rns91294]

We use our PS3 to watch Blu-Rays, but we do not have an HD tv either. We didn't have to buy a special cable, but I guess it depends on what you are using to watch the disc.

[Bryanjs14]

Yeah the PS3 comes with the right cables, but I cant imagine a stand alone HD-DVD player coming with the old red yellow white componant cables.

[Kelly]

Cindy, do you have a HD player?  Does anyone know if you can even play the HD dvd's on a regular player?  I know the upconvert DVD players will play them, but on a regular tv you still won't get HD quality picture.

[kbmum]

Phooey.   We have an HD TV, but our DVD player is a regular one.  Looks like I have to get the regular widescreen version.  As you can tell, I can use my computer, but my knowledge of technology doesn't go much beyond that.

[Raj]

All tellys from the last 5 years should have SCART connections and I imagine that HD DVD players will have have at least 1 SCART connection.  If the HD DVD players don't have a SCART connetion, I imagine you can get HDMI to SCART converters.

[sfmuggle]

Cindy, do you have a HD player?  Does anyone know if you can even play the HD dvd's on a regular player?  I know the upconvert DVD players will play them, but on a regular tv you still won't get HD quality picture.

My understanding is that normal DVD players (and up-conversion players too) and even HDMI DVD players will not play HD DVD or Blu Ray discs at all (they can't read the discs).  The "hybrid" discs (and I'm not certain if these actually exist commercially) will play on a standard DVD player but, obviously, you won't get the HD benefits.

I own the OoTP Blu Ray version but not the HD DVD version, but I imagine that both box sets are identical in terms of features.

[kbmum]

Talk about an AAARRRGGGHHH moment!  A week or so before Christmas, I happily bought the widescreen 2-disc version.  I opened the package, played part of the movie, then put it away until after Christmas (we visited my parents for the week).  What did my husband do during our vacation?  He went online, ordered an HD DVD player, and then asked me if I'd already purchased OOTP! 

[mcgonagall]

well two copies is never a bad thing

[kbmum]

  True!  We belong to an online DVD rental club.  My husband felt bad, so he put the OOTP HD version at the top of our list so I can at least see the difference between the one I own and the HD version.