In an attempt to purchase Full Metal Jacket in the letterboxed format, I went to Warner Bros. online site and found it available in widescreen in HD DVD. I didn't know what this meant, so I ordered the film. Imagine my surprise when it wouldn't play.
After some investigation, I discover the powers that be (including Congress) are pushing this next step in technology. At present, a HD DVD player costs $1,000.00 and will play the HD DVDs. The picture quality is superior, but they're trying to force us to repurchase DVDs we already have. No way for me (until prices come way down), and then I can see FMJ in all its glory. A film of this quality demands immediate viewing. Go to WB's site and raise hell with them. Maybe they'll relent and give us FMJ in the present format.

Full Metal Jacket, along with a number of other great films, definitely deserve to be shown in their original format. It's too bad that many films get rushed onto DVD in their pan-and-scan versions without giving thought to the director's vision of the film -- on top of the fact that many older films have yet to be digitally remastered for redistribution.

In any case, the Blue-Ray vs. HD DVD war is pointless and certainly doesn't cater to the consumer. I was looking at a Blue-Ray player at Best Buy and the selection of films alone was a mockery. I'm sorry to Black Crowes fans, but I can think of a number of other concert films I'd rather upgrade to DVD.

Many people already store movies on their computers in digital format, just like music, anyway. I really don't see why companies are so hellbent on creating HD DVD players when they could be releasing affordable terabyte hardrives that I could burn my current DVDs to before they get scratched.

DVDs are destined to go the way of the CD -- so, why even invest in HD DVD technology?

Go and read Amazon's editorial review. He says it's up to the Kubrick estate. Well, someone authorized the widescreen version for HD DVD FMJ and I doubt it was Kubrick's widow. I've bought a fairly expensive region free DVD player and emailed them about modifications, but they respond not possible and provided me with a lengthy expository on the process (which I poorly understood). I am aware of this HD v. Blue-ray competition. You seem to have a very good grasp of the technology and maybe could enlighten me a little more. My present DVD player provider says the HD tech. is really two to three years down the road. Is this correct?

I'm sorry to bother you again, but at this point in time, I'm strictly buying DVDs instead of using a computer to store films as you do. I understand that, since everything is digital, in downloading to a computer you lose nothing in either sound or visual quality. Is this correct? What about the 5.1 SS? And, what about films from other regions (or PAL)? Wouldn't access still be a problem?