Just having the ethernet connection as a requirement is enough to turn me off of this technology. Even if the players are cheaper. I think it should be an option that you can use if you want added features. Not a requirement. To use the term "matched by Blu-Ray" makes it seem like the connection is a good feature and that Blu-ray is missing out.

Web content.. come on... I don’t use it at all with my Toshiba A30. Like I want to sit there with a remote and browse web content. I've I wanted to browse I’d do it on my computer that’s at least half arss user friendly. Another worthless "add-on" to try to sell the technology. I want them to focus on the movie first, spend more time getting it in 7.1 lossless sound format.

So that equals out to 200 owners total? :)

If you live out in the boonies and have no internet access have fun trying to watch some movies lol.

Blu-ray does not have this problem which requires you to have an internet connection.

Lot's of Mumbo Jumbo about nothing. If those
Idiots think that Web content is going to sell
their players they are dumber than a box of
Rocks. 30%, that means the other 70% didn't
waist their time, ah Hello. If HD-DVD really
wants to win the battle than they might as well
just get serious and sell their players for
$ 99.00. That's about the only way their going
to win. Otherwise plan on a duel format forever
cause Blu-Ray is very strong. The last numbers i
heard was Blu-Ray 3-1 over HD-DVD.

blue ray is not missing out.
Most DB players are PS2 and PS3 already has wireless connection to your wireles internet router or ethernet. How hard is it to add a java program on the blue ray disc to access that?
It's just so easy ...just that some moron click on the extra feature to test it out does not mean you can make money off it.

The requirement only states that it has to have an ethernet port, not that it has to be connected to the internet for the player to work

"Ironman' shouldn't comment when he does not know what he is talking about...weather you have an internet connection or not...you can still watch movies...it does not prevent you from watching them...the connection is for extra features...inform yourself before you comment!!

It doesn't say that end-users are required to connect their HD-DVD players to a broadband internet connection - it only says that players are required to have an RJ-45 connector so that end-users can connect... Of course, it's only a matter of time before the DRM/bean-counters decide to require end-users to connect since that will be necessary in order to marry discs to individual players (and charge you extra if you want to play them in another player). If history is any indicator, SONY is more likely to have their rooms full of DRM/bean-counters working towards that end though.

/Flash

The Ethernet connection is standard on HD-DVD players, making use of it is purely optional. You don't need it to watch or enjoy movies, but it allows those who want to try it and those studios that want to push the envelope to do so. Before long, there will likely be a 'killer app' for this feature, such as tying into social networking (try to tell me facebook and myspace havent turned everything they touch to gold). When that happens, HD-DVD owners will be glad they don't have an obsolete player.

It is misleading, IF you want to access the internet content, you have to have an internet connection.

You are still able to watch movies without it.

Do you guys really believe that they would do that?

Reading the comments at the top now tells me what it takes to become a Sony fanboy butthugger. Complete ignorance and lack of information.

HD-DVD players require an ethernet port. Where in that do you see playing HD-DVD's requires a network connection?

Even if you only use that connection to get firmware updates then it's all worth it. Can't say that for the poor bastards that got a blu-ray player (other than PS3) that will not play the latest blu-ray standard because the firmware is out of date.

Firmware updates are very easy via ethernet; even a child can do it.

Doing a firmware update on Blu-Ray requires an ISO burn...your average consumer can't do it.

These players all require constant updates, ESPECIALLY samsung Blu-Ray players.

Why not just put the contents on the HD DVD if this new format is to offer higher capacity over DVD?

Downloading speed is terrible sometimes and you need tyo store them on the HDD if you are using the XBox 360 which wasted a lot of previous space.

re: tleavit
The truth of not having 7.1 lossless in HD DVD is because, this would sacrifice the video quality as the data transfer rate is just not high enough (Blu-ray is capable though).

"Do you guys really believe that they would do that(require Internet connection to play movies)?"
--dude

My response.

You mean you don't?
---------------
No matter how crazy anything seems, if someone can make money off of it then it will happen.

No matter how bad an idea it is for the consumer, if it is a required standard, then they will buy it.

I recall reading about a format which would have required an Internet connection to view a disc more than once after you bought it at a store. Then you had to either further "rent(24-hours)"($) or "buy"($$$) the content if you wanted to see it again.

I read this several years ago at about the same time the current HD formats were being created. The idea was far too radical for consumers and polls pointed it it failing, so nothing ever came of it.

One, maybe two, format generations from now(certainly within my lifetime) I expect an Internet connection to be mandatory for watching movies.

Who today wants to be forced between locating their entertainment center close to a router or stringing a trip-prone cable over to it? I really like the ease of getting online firmware updates (it was the first thing I did when I plugged in my Toshiba player and, in fact, there was an update available.)

However, now that I've got all my components set up, away from the router, future updates will be more problematic.

They should include a wireless connection like with the Wii and PS3 and price it $30 more. Then, I suspect, they would get more than 30% using it.

They do have extra content on the disc. It's probably some content that you would get on a "special edition" that you don't have to buy for another duplicate movie.

Firmware upgrade is alot easier than going thru Blu-ray's

Since they approved triple layer HD DVDs (51 GB), there probably will be 7.1s on HD DVD.

what do they think people are thinking. "HMM I CAN'T WAIT TO GET MY HDDVD PLAYER HOME SO I CAN HOOK TO THE INTERNET AND BIG BROTHER CAN WATCH MY EVERY CLICK OF THE REMOTE"

I can't believe anyone would even connect their player to the internet unless they had to. You take the unit out of the box and connect it to the TV. Hooking it to the internet means running a Cat 5 cable to your entertainment center. Not happening. Even if they have a network cable there for their PS3 etc they would have to use a router and crap.

How often does a disc "Update itself"? This is why it does not go on the disc. They can have the storage to it without a problem. The point is, newer and more updated material would be available. Besides, why waste the space on the disc if obviously only 30% of the people actually care? The internet is an amazing technology. Maybe Sony should realize that with their precious Blu-ray players.

Given the current state of the world, most people do not have an internet connection near their TV.

If you factor in who does and does not have internet, then even less people have the ability to access internet content from their TV.

Once that changes, I could see new formats of movies requiring an internet connection.

However, I would still see a different format supported that does not require an internet connection.

Within my lifetime, I still see a version of a movie that will not require an internet connection.

Read it carefully. You dont need to be on the internet to watch your movies. Its an option that they include with your HD DVD player. All this spin that = nothing. This isnt a new feature, remember The matrix had web access content? who used it?

You guys know what I find interesting, is that even though HD DVD is said to have less space and internet, the movies released today still have more on-disc features than Blu-Ray. Go Figure. Then add internet features on top of that and you've got the best format available: HD DVD. Hands down best.

Go flog yourself this very instance!

But I would agree and the wireless guys aren't making it any easier. You need at least one ethernet connection by you TV. I just installed 2 after moving to a new house. One for TiVo and one for a Soundbridge. I didn't want to have to worry about another switch and 2 wires are just about as easy as one. I even ran Cat6 so I could take advantage of gigabit and beyond in the future.

With the possibilities of streaming video now a reality (and sucking on wireless, yes even on N) you need to get a hardwire to your TV/stereo/bathroom sink (actually the tub for a set-top and LCD TV, but in another year or so).

HD-DVD is taking advantage of what some people already have and others will be getting soon. If you don't have it, you can still use a wireless bridge or powerline networking, but if the jack isn't on your player, you get squat in any scenario.

Of course you don't have to have an HD-DVD player plugged into the Internet to watch movies, and you NEVER will.

How do you people function in the world without basic reading comprehension skills?

I do not have an ethernet cable by my TV. My house is 20 years old, and I do not want to spend money rewiring my house. I could go wireless, but I don't care that much. If I wanted to hook up my TV to the internet I COULD.

Now, I have in-laws out in the country. They have satellite. So if all new movies would require an internet connection, then when it storms out they couldn't even watch a movie. Which is exactly what they do during a storm. That sounds like a great sell.

Which is why my point is that no matter what, you will never require an internet connection to watch movies. There will always be a format that one can buy that will not require it.

Note: I am not saying they couldn't make a format like that, but that there would be a format still available without an internet connection requirement.

Most people can't afford a new house let alone wiring up a brand new one with Cat6 and such.

Nope, actually, most people don't. A much higher majority of people don't use Tivo, soundbridge, etc, since alot of these features they offer come straight from their provider. Why have wires running all over the house when wireless is easier? HD-DVD having an ethernet port on the back of it is a nice feature, but also a big hassle. I would commend them if it could connect wirelessly.