Has anyone already tried WinDVD 9...

[Inspector 2211]

...specifically the playback of HD-DVDs and BluRays?

Unfortunately, the trial version of WinDVD 9 doesn't support HD-DVDs and BluRays.

Has anyone already shelled out the $99 and given it a spin?

Plusses / minusses compared to PowerDVD?

I'm reluctant to drop $99 on WinDVD 9 before I hear some positive comments about it.

[CruNcher]

http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?t=134944

didn't test the basic functionality yet but that's upcoming :)

also updateing to PowerDVD 8 results

[envagyok]

I heard it is a buggy "beta state" programm.

From scene :
"*Note*

Setup wont install, prog wont run and crashes on lots of systems :/
Welcome in the new Alphatester-world! "

[KoD]

I don't know about HD discs, but it crashes on one of the DVDs I tested when enabling hardware acceleration.

[appyton]

It installed fine on Vista 32
Works fine too
The upscaling of DVDs is actually good, although sharpness can be a lil too much.