HD DVD Shopping Guide

DVD Talk is committed to 100% coverage of HD DVD Releases and are pleased to bring you this guide on getting started with HD DVD and picking out some of the key titles for the format.

Getting a Player

Getting an HD DVD player is neither a very complicated nor expensive endeavor. HD DVD is already in its second generation of players and bargain hunters can pick up the first generation: Toshiba HD-A1 HD DVD Player [Review | Price Search] or the HD-XA1 at pretty amazing prices. Both these players have had firmware upgrades and have been road tested by the DVD Talk reviewing staff.

For not much more money you can hop on the second generation HD DVD players from Toshiba including the HD-A2 (the replacement/upgrade to the A1) or the HD-XA2 (designed for the high end enthusiast).

If you already own or are planning on buying an Xbox 360 then it's a no-brianer. Pick up the add on the Xbox 360 HD DVD Player which hooks right in to your existing Xbox 360 system and enables you to be ready to go to enjoy HD DVD (no worries about running any new wires or anything).

One of the great things about HD DVD is that players are easy to find and very affordable, so you get top quality high def entertainment without having to pay an arm or a leg for it.

Recommended HD DVDs
Once you've geared up (and if you haven't... WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR!?!) there are already almost 100 HD DVD titles already on the market. Many of the titles selling at major retailers for as low as $20! We've gone through all the HD DVDs out on the market to bring you a list of the ones you should be picking up to start your HD DVD collection

	The Adventures of Robin Hood Classic movie lovers should be thrilled with this release of The Adventures of Robin Hood, which features an amazing restoration for the movie that looks terrific in HD, as well as an astounding wealth of bonus features. Warner even went to the extra effort of restoring the Merrie Melodies/Looney Tunes cartoons into HD. The Adventures of Robin Hood is truly a package for collectors and easily merits our highest rating. Review
	Batman Begins Batman Begins is an intense, mature film that benefits from an effective blend of action and strong storytelling, a talented cast, and a director who's more concerned about filmmaking than merchandising. The HD DVD features Warner's 'In Movie Experience' - interviews and behind-the-scenes footage play in a picture-in-picture window over relevant stretches of the movie. Review Highly Recommended.
	The Bourne Supremacy One of Universal's showcase titles The Bourne Supremacy features one of the next generation of bonus materials; "Bourne Instant Access" shows off HD DVD's potential showing behind-the-scenes footage in the corner of the screen while the movie is playing. An enormously fun movie with eye-popping HD picture, great sound, and innovative extras, The Bourne Supremacy HD DVD has got a little of everything you could want in home video entertainment. Highly Recommended. Review
	The Corpse Bride The Corpse Bride HD DVD has reference quality visuals. The image is startlingly sharp and detailed, and every object on the screen is bolstered by such fine textures that they almost seem tactile. This is the type of sterling presentation that would magnify even the smallest blemish, and it's all the more impressive that there isn't a single perceptible flaw in any of the characters or sets. Review Highly Recommended.
	Mission: Impossible III Mission: Impossible III is a pretty good action movie that goes a long way toward redeeming the franchise from the ridiculous excess of John Woo's second installment. The High-Def video quality is fantastic and demonstration-worthy. Paramount has also taken a big step in providing most of the bonus features in HD resolution and features an array of HD DVD easter eggs. Mission: Impossible III is also an example where the HD DVD edition exceeds the picture quality of any competing format. [Review]
	The Searchers The Searchers is an undeniably important film and widely considered to be among the very best the Western genre has to offer. That alone would make it worthy of a purchase, but the disc is further bolstered by a solid assortment of extras, and it's startling how a film shot fifty years can look this spectacular in high-definition. The Searchers an essential purchase. [Review]

Notable HD DVD Coming Soon
With almost 100 HD DVD titles already in the market HD DVD is just getting going. There are a ton of notable HD DVDs which have been announced which you should put on your holiday wish list:

Conclusion
DVD Talk will continue its 100% coverage of HD DVD and update you on all the titles you should be adding to your collection. Join the discussion about HD DVD in our HD Talk Forum and share your thoughts on the next generation of home entertainment.

Be sure to enter the DVD Talk Mega HD DVD Giveaway for your chance to win some of the great HD DVD products mentioned in this guide.