…Are you saying DVDs are shitty?
Heh, thank you for reminding me that I am skipping a generation of audio/video media. I meant that the shittier format won the tape format war.
And really, the discernible differences between VHS and Betamax were MUCH larger than the discernible differences between Blu-Ray and HD-DVD. I suppose HD-DVD backers, armed with something that at least appeared equivalent to Blu-Ray superficially, figured the lower price would be their ace in the hole.
Actually, the difference between the two in terms of PQ and AQ is discernable, if you look at the very best each format has offered so far (let’s say The Prestige on BD and Transformers on HD DVD; neither is technically the best, but both are very close to it). The problem lies in that people have been using dual-format titles as their basis for comparison to make things “fair.” The problem is that many dual-format releases just use the same transfer for both discs to cut costs and save time, so they in fact do look and sound the same on each format. They are not, however, at all indicative of the maximal PQ or AQ of each format. At most, they should allude to the maximal output of the weaker format: HD DVD.
Anyway, there will of course be a ton of people who will still consider upscaled SD DVD “good enough” for the time being, but I imagine most of them haven’t actually watched an HDM disc at home. To many of us, there really is no going back after you’ve seen the new stuff, and I would have reluctantly gone to HD DVD if it ended up being the winning format.
They are now.
Going by what I’ve seen in store displays (where equipment and lighting are used to exaggerate the jump in quality from SD to HD), I don’t imagine I’d be any more impressed at home. Sure, it definitely looks and sounds better, but it’s not even close to the quantum leap from VHS to DVD. People aren’t missing out on much by biding their time and waiting for Blu-Ray prices to drop–or for direct downloads to be implemented in the mainstream.
Watching a standard dvd on an hdtv looks very limited especially after watching broadcast hd-content.
The leap isn’t HUGE, but it’s noticeable. So many differences in colors and textures between Ratatouille on DVD and Blu-Ray that I started to pick up as I watched, I just kind of felt bad for the DVD because it still looks good on an SDTV, but when you switch to HD, the difference is there. Also, 2D animation on DVD doesn’t upscale so well to HD.
And on a good note for the SDTV crowd, you’ll all be upgrading to HDTV soon because cable TV is making that switch all over America. Mandatory HD by the end of 2009. The dude at Circuit City even tried selling me the line filter for it.
Like I said, you’ve not seen it for yourself at home, on your own TV. Store displays just don’t sell you the whole picture, as they aren’t always calibrated, they don’t give you the controls so that you can experience all the features at your leisure, they don’t really give you the opportunity to watch the whole movie (or choose which movie to watch), and they are setup in areas not conducive to movie watching in the first place. Those things don’t impress me either.
But when you buy into the medium, bring it home, and then watch it without all of the problems associated with store displays, the experience is amazing. The picture/audio quality jump, you’ll see, is actually GREATER than that from VHS to DVD.
Actually the requirement is that all broadcast signals be digital not specifically hd.
Floor model televisions are usually specifically calibrated to perform under the harsh lighting of a store or a showcase. While I agree that it’s hardly a situation to sit down and experience a movie in, it is good enough to gather some first impressions.
Here’s something I’ve noticed: when you go into a Best Buy (or a Circuit City or whatever), ask them to demonstrate the differences between SD and HD to you. Pay attention to the model of the DVD player and the title used to demonstrate the differences. Older model DVD player? Usually. DVD with middling transfer quality? Typically. Of course Blu-Ray is going to look a lot better by comparison. It doesn’t take much.
You don’t usually see a standard DVD with a sweet transfer with progressive scan equipped, compared to a Blu-Ray of the same title. With upconversion technology, SD DVDs actually look pretty good–good enough to convince the majority of consumers to hold off from upgrading their home entertainment setups for now, at least.
Incidentally, I’ve also heard the occasional tale of stores deliberately miscalibrating the television set with the standard DVD to make it look that much worse in comparison to high-def DVD formats, but I’m going to assume this isn’t a widespread practice.
I find that extremely difficult to believe, considering that I did not need to take DVD at home and give it a thorough inspection before deciding to adopt it. The realization of its superiority to VHS was instantaneous in every situation that I viewed it in. Blu-Ray looks and sounds like a clearer version of DVD. VHS looks like DVD smeared in a thick layer of petroleum jelly and sounds like the speakers are playing from under water.
:u: But until you actually do it, you’ll never know and won’t be able to speak from a seat of experience.
i know this is old news to most but this deal is too sweet so i have to post it again. Toys’R’us is having a bogo on Dinsey Blu-rays. Check in the video game section they just restocked most stores.
i went on sunday and bought pirates 1 and ratatouille (only ones left) for 17.09
i went again today and bought pirates 2 and cars.
Now use these coupons cause they’ll deducted after
you can use 2 of these $5 dollar disney coupons (it’s an .exe file you have to install and u can only print 2 of these from 1 computer)
http://dvd.disneyemailcenter.com/functions/message_view.html?mid=1521370&mlid=72002&siteid=13493&uid=ccf4e8ecba
if u are getting pirates 3, you can use this coupon and it’ll work on top of everything!! WTF!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v468/71Makaveli96/Save10.png
I checked my local TRU last night, and the whole rack was stripped, save for a few copies of Open Season and High School Musical 2. I’m not sure whether to be happy that BD sold so well or annoyed that I couldn’t partake in the BOGO.
I can speak from experience.
Even upscaling DVDs to 1080p doesn’t do it for me, and I have a pretty sweet set-up for the price.
^i just went today and it was fully stocked at my store. it was empty on sunday except for the 2 movies i bought. i think they keep reloading.
i heard on sunday most stores only had 2 copies of each. when i went today, there was at least 5 of each title sitting there.
hope u can partake on this deal… it’s too good with all those coupons working.
now I know this might sound stupid as I asked b4 but would you guys consider keeping blade runner if you purchased it or return it? Im having a hard time as it is as i thought the movie was meh the first time i saw it a few years back. it just doesn’t appeal to me despite being well received/known amongst sci fi aficionados
i put my collection up after looking at yours.
http://sunoco.dvdaf.com/owned/blu-ray
picture of my collection
http://img145.imageshack.us/img145/6363/photolk5.jpg
http://epp1e.dvdaf.com/owned
and a pic http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g249/Rozardo/bdcollection.jpg
Hopefully my collection will multiply around my birthday.
Anywho, I’ll probably update one of the first posts sometime with collection links.
just to let you know best buy has some deals on blu-ray. there is also a new coupon for $20 off 3 blu rays that expires at 1/14/08 (old one expired last week).
14.99 movies (that i can remember)
Beerfest
Goodfella
Scanner Darkly
Blood Diamond
Training Day
March of the Penguins
Terminator (not sure)
million dollar baby
with the coupon that’ll make a movie around $9 a movie.
there were a couple more at 19.99
the fountain
superman returns
more but i don’t remember.
Lethal Weapon is also on that list. And the Fugitive. I picked up Lethal Weapon and Goodfellas the other day. Tomorrow I’ll be getting The Rock.