Non-Blu Ray Grainy?

[New Blu]

Just hooked up my new Sony Blu-Ray BDP-S301 and LOVE how Blade Runner (Blu-Ray) looks! UN-believable picture! BUT, I just put in few other discs that aren't Blu-Ray like Unforgiven and Stardust and I was disappointed in how it looks. Very grainy and seems even pixelated. I read that Blu-Ray was actually supposed to enhance non-BR discs. Could it be that I need to upgrade my HDMI cables? Change my settings?

Thanks for any help that you might be able to provide!

[turboedguy]

Blu-ray won, if thats any help.

[FilmmakingFiasco]

People say that upconverting looks better but I really don't see much of a difference. Upconverted DVDs will not be anywhere near what you're going to get from a Blu-ray.

[Marcusarilius]

Originally Posted by turboedguy

Blu-ray won, if thats any help.

Grain Gooooood.

[Blu-Beard]

Originally Posted by turboedguy

Blu-ray won, if thats any help.

+1

[WriteSimply]

Originally Posted by New Blu

BUT, I just put in few other discs that aren't Blu-Ray like Unforgiven and Stardust and I was disappointed in how it looks. Very grainy and seems even pixelated.

By other discs I assume you mean DVDs? If that's the case, then it can't be helped. Considering that DVDs are Standard Definition and BDs are HD, you're not going to get as wonderful a video as BD. Why? The data is simply not there to support a blown-up (upconverted) video.

I read that Blu-Ray was actually supposed to enhance non-BR discs. Could it be that I need to upgrade my HDMI cables? Change my settings?

Blu-ray players MAY upconvert but upconversion does not perform miracles. Upconversion is still based on SD source. The Blu-ray format doesn't guarantee consumers that their DVDs will look as great as HD video/BD; it does guarantee that their DVD collections can play on the BD player.

Changing your setting may help a little. Learn about calibrating your HDTV. But don't expect miracles.


fuad

[MOONPHASE]

film grain is the director's intent to have it on like for an example 300. 300 is grainy on dvd, blu-ray, and hd-dvd because the director wanted it on. high definition doesnt mean no grain will be put on the movie. and yes BR does enhance the non Blu-Ray discs aka dvds but its not as great as what you would see on a Blu-ray disc

[emacs]

Originally Posted by New Blu

Very grainy and seems even pixelated.

you are seeing the limitation of photographic film. the emulsion contain bits of photosensitive chemicals and have been in use for over 110 years. nowadays, those grains are particles of silver halide. you never really noticed them before because standard definition media lacked the resolution to reveal them so clearly.

[Marcusarilius]

Originally Posted by emacs

you are seeing the limitation of photographic film. the emulsion contain bits of photosensitive chemicals and have been in use for over 110 years. nowadays, those grains are particles of silver halide. you never really noticed them before because standard definition media lacked the resolution to reveal them so clearly.

Yes. I created a thread yesterday revealing grain on a DVD movie I was watching. The picture is so piss poor compared to BD, its almost not visible. You can see it but it is so soft that the eye dosn't really acknowledge it consciously. I was watching for just that very thing.

[blindcat87]

Try turning the sharpness down to 0 on your display. Sharpness adds artificial data to the image to make it appear sharper. This can, in fact, cover up real detail.

In the case of BDs, it can ruin fine detail and enhance grain. You want the amount of grain the director intended and not more. On upconverted material, it can not only enhance grain, it can enhance artifacts, dirt, and other little video gremlins you don't want to see.

Sharpness was important in the days of analog SD video. Given how many people end up with their picture degraded by that setting being over used, I often wonder why they still include it. I guess because some people would miss it or because some people still use their HDTVs for SD more than HD.

Also, use the calibration patterns included on Sony Blu-Rays to calibrate your set. Most people have their brightness and/or contrast pumped way too high. If there is a contrast boost setting, turn it off and turn off any DNR settings as well. All of these little handy image enhancers usually do more harm than good.

Consider buying the Digital Video Essentials Blu-Ray edition coming out in March. It is a good calibration tool.

Chris

[Marcusarilius]

Originally Posted by blindcat87

Try turning the sharpness down to 0 on your display. Sharpness adds artificial data to the image to make it appear sharper. This can, in fact, cover up real detail.

In the case of BDs, it can ruin fine detail and enhance grain. You want the amount of grain the director intended and not more. On upconverted material, it can not only enhance grain, it can enhance artifacts, dirt, and other little video gremlins you don't want to see.

Sharpness was important in the days of analog SD video. Given how many people end up with their picture degraded by that setting being over used, I often wonder why they still include it. I guess because some people would miss it or because some people still use their HDTVs for SD more than HD.

Also, use the calibration patterns included on Sony Blu-Rays to calibrate your set. Most people have their brightness and/or contrast pumped way too high. If there is a contrast boost setting, turn it off and turn off any DNR settings as well. All of these little handy image enhancers usually do more harm than good.

Consider buying the Digital Video Essentials Blu-Ray edition coming out in March. It is a good calibration tool.

Chris

Hi Chris. Will all this help to get rid of those annoying Black Bars as well?

[richard lichtenfelt]

Originally Posted by emacs

you are seeing the limitation of photographic film. the emulsion contain bits of photosensitive chemicals and have been in use for over 110 years. nowadays, those grains are particles of silver halide. you never really noticed them before because standard definition media lacked the resolution to reveal them so clearly.

Great answer. I see grain in the cinema too, whenever I'm looking for it.

[Blu-Beard]

Originally Posted by richard lichtenfelt

Great answer. I see grain in the cinema too, whenever I'm looking for it.

Is that why it always looks like it's snowing?

[blindcat87]

Sorry, no. But I have great news for you.

The Ronco BBB, short for Black Bar Buster will get rid of those pesky little devils for you.

Just go to Ronco.com and do a search or go to widescreenbarssuck.com and get a 5% discount for first time customers.

Chris

Disclaimer: In case anyone out there has no sense of humor or lost it in the recent format war, the preceding is a work of fiction, created from a combination of the author's demented imagination and an excess of repetitive newbie black bar threads.
.

Originally Posted by Marcusarilius

Hi Chris. Will all this help to get rid of those annoying Black Bars as well?

[blindcat87]

No. To take care of that, you need to switch to a new shampoo.

Chris

Originally Posted by Blu-Beard

Is that why it always looks like it's snowing?

[Blu-Beard]

I don't even know if Mr. Popeil could defeat those troublesome black bars

[Blu-Beard]

Originally Posted by blindcat87

No. To take care of that, you need to switch to a new shampoo.

Chris

Which kind?

[blindcat87]

Why the kind in the blue bottle of course.

Chris

Originally Posted by Blu-Beard

Which kind?

[Blu-Beard]

Originally Posted by blindcat87

Why the kind in the blue bottle of course.

Chris

And do I just put it on the screen? Do I have to have the TV turned off to do it?

[blindcat87]

Actually, I think the preferred method is to get a sponge and sort of dab it until you have a consistent thin covering.

Chris

Disclaimer: Author is not responsible for any damage done to equipment that may or may not be a result of following this method of snow removal.

Originally Posted by Blu-Beard

And do I just put it on the screen? Do I have to have the TV turned off to do it?