If you are considering switching to high definition to watch movies, here are a couple of tips:

1) Movie quality
I made a couple of comparisons between a movie in normal DVD and the same movie in Blue Ray or HD-DVD. Most of the time high-definition format really is better than the normal DVD format. In some other cases, it is more subtle and difficult to notice. Generally speaking, the high definition DVD gains in quality, color and sharpness, especially during fast action scenes (no jigger effect), as well as during night scenes or when you have close-up shots on the characters. There are a couple of fantastic scenes on the Heroes HD-DVD which I particularly recommend. However, I would not recommend buying the movie that you already have at home on DVD again unless it is clearly specified that the new movie uses a new master or unless there is a new special edition. For example, you might want to consider the new definitive edition of Blade Runner. This is the final shot we have been waiting for the past 20 years.

2) Format war
This is a tricky one. Do not ask me which standard you should go for between HD-DVD and Blue Ray! For the time being, the consumer is the loser and the industry is once again taking benefit of our poor hostage situation. Should you want to watch Heroes or Transformers, get it on HD-DVD. Should you want the latest James Bond or Nip Tuck Season 4, go for the Blue Ray. This is unacceptable, but we do not have a choice. Some editors will publish movies on both formats and in that case, I would naturally recommend you to go for Blue Ray (more storage capacity than HD-DVD therefore, higher quality).

3) Player
You have two options: you can either go for a dedicated player or go for the integrated PS3 or XBox 360 DH pack. I would really recommend you to go for the video game solution (BRD or HDVD based on your choice) because it gives you more flexibility; because the HDMI standard is not properly implemented yet; because the amplifiers which take benefits of True Dolby are not popular yet; because the quality of the pictures is really good; because the result of the format war is not decided yet. But do not get me wrong, PLEASE go for a standalone player in the future. You will really gain in terms of pictures, sound and versatility. For the time being, as I believe we should promote High Definition, you can just go for one of those video game stations. On top of that, it gives you a great option to play games. Halo 3 is just released on XBox360, Lair and Warhawk on PS3 with Grand Turismo coming sooooooon…

4) Receiver
Hmm….720p, 1080i, 1080p, 24fps, LCD, Plasma, Projector…??? The poor consumers. Well, the best option is to go for a full 1080p video projector with HDMI and DVI connections. But do me a favor: do not go for the cheapest one. There is no point in going for high-definition in that case. Between LCD and Plasma, well, I tend to go for Plasma that gives a warmer and natural picture. The LCD has a tendency to produce halos on some pictures that I really do not like. For the high end models, just compare them and choose the one you like. Make sure the salesman tunes all settings back to factory setting when you are at the point of sales. Otherwise, the pictures might have been enhanced. Then, if you want to ensure your investment is safe for the future, you should go for a 1080p TV. Limit the 1080i or 720p for the limited investment (like if you really have no other choices).

5) Watching TV in HD?
Forget it unless you are currently living in the USA or Japan. The bandwidth that is currently set to display high-def TV is not properly done to ensure a good quality viewing. Forget as well about a proper up-scaling (improving) of the quality of your current VCR or DVD to high def. The best is to watch the BRD or HD DVD in high-def directly.

High-def gives you a real opportunity to enjoy a movie closer to what you would experience in a cinema. If you are already satisfied with the DVD picture quality, wait and see which format will eventually win. However, should you be a big movie fan, then go for it.