Resolution of Blu-ray movies on PC? - Blu-ray Forum

Mibs · 05-23-2008, 07:00 AM

I have a 22" monitor that has a native resolution of 1680x1050. As we all know in the HDTV world "full hd" or 1080p is a resolution of 1920x1080, meaning 1080 vertical lines. I recently bought an internal Pioneer BD-ROM and I've watched a couple blu-ray movies (Crank, National Treasure 2) and they look pretty sweet. I'm using the latest version of PowerDVD software. When PowerDVD opens the movie it is in a small window. So when I set it to fullscreen what resolution is it playing at? Since my monitor isn't big enough for 1080p is it playing at 720p and scaling down? Or is all that not important on a monitor and its just playing at 1050p? I've been searching the web and these forums trying to find some info and there are various opinions. Talking about monitors vs. HDTVs is a little different I think. I purchased this monitor about 6 months ago before I even considered "going blu" with my pc since it's mostly used for gaming. So should I be kicking myself for not getting a 24" or bigger to get the 1080p resolution? I have nothing else to compare to so I don't really know just how good the picture quality is. I guess I should get a blu-ray version of a dvd I already own and compare.

Deciazulado · 05-23-2008, 07:32 AM

Well if the software were doing everything correctly you should be watching the 1080p image scaled down to 945p (945 x 1680 pixels, 1.78). You could try check with the Sony monoscope test pattern in Sony discs (enter 7669 when in the main manu) or other test disc's patterns and read how many actual lines it ultimately shows when on full screen.

JESSE-INTERACTIVE · 05-23-2008, 08:06 AM

For your 22' monitor it is definately scaled down...720p I guess. but playing a blu-ray movie on a monitor that small (although 22' is huge for the normal PC user), the human eye wouldn't know the difference...it still looks fantastic. I guess with anything over 32', one should be concerned about 1080p.

I recently upgraded my PC monitor from a 22' to 26' and now am running at 1080p. I don't see any PQ difference now then when I watched it scaled down on my old 22'. The PQ is still there. It's a matter of what size monitor you wish to enjoy the hi-def experience in. By the way, for you computer folks out there, if you have the extra money to spend on a new monitor, check out the Samsung 2693hm 26' (actually 25.5') ....it's huge and blu-ray movies look awesome right in front of you at your computer desk.

Mibs · 05-23-2008, 08:42 AM

Great thanks for the responses. I guess you are right Jesse I mean I am no expert on this stuff and I definitely don't have the most keen eye when it comes to PQ. I think my 720p or 945p or whatever resolution it is at is great. The size is great for me and the situation I am in now. However a much bigger HDTV will definitely be in order at some point down the road.

maxmcleod · 05-23-2008, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JESSE-INTERACTIVE

For your 22' monitor it is definately scaled down...720p I guess. but playing a blu-ray movie on a monitor that small (although 22' is huge for the normal PC user), the human eye wouldn't know the difference...it still looks fantastic. I guess with anything over 32', one should be concerned about 1080p.

I recently upgraded my PC monitor from a 22' to 26' and now am running at 1080p. I don't see any PQ difference now then when I watched it scaled down on my old 22'. The PQ is still there. It's a matter of what size monitor you wish to enjoy the hi-def experience in. By the way, for you computer folks out there, if you have the extra money to spend on a new monitor, check out the Samsung 2693hm 26' (actually 25.5') ....it's huge and blu-ray movies look awesome right in front of you at your computer desk.

you won't notice a difference from 720p and 1080p on a monitor that small anyway
i would venture to say that 480p would probably be the same as 720p on a 40+ inch screen....

if you're below 40 inch, 720p is pretty much all you'll need

srjj1 · 05-29-2008, 04:53 AM

I also have a 1680 x 1050 PC, and yes it does look great. PowerDVD would scale it down into 720p, as it does with trailers. Anyway comparing screenshots from Blu ray.com at 720p they were identical, so it should go to 720p.

Yes their is no reason to go for 1080p, as in the shop you have to really look hard to notice the 1080p features, since the screens are so small. However DVD and 720p is a large step, no longer do the heads look like clay!!!! When I first got Blu-ray and then compared it side by side (window and window) with the DVD, I was blown away on how bad DVD looked like!!!!

05-23-2008, 07:00 AM	#1
Mibs Junior Member Member since:May 2008	Resolution of Blu-ray movies on PC? I have a 22" monitor that has a native resolution of 1680x1050. As we all know in the HDTV world "full hd" or 1080p is a resolution of 1920x1080, meaning 1080 vertical lines. I recently bought an internal Pioneer BD-ROM and I've watched a couple blu-ray movies (Crank, National Treasure 2) and they look pretty sweet. I'm using the latest version of PowerDVD software. When PowerDVD opens the movie it is in a small window. So when I set it to fullscreen what resolution is it playing at? Since my monitor isn't big enough for 1080p is it playing at 720p and scaling down? Or is all that not important on a monitor and its just playing at 1050p? I've been searching the web and these forums trying to find some info and there are various opinions. Talking about monitors vs. HDTVs is a little different I think. I purchased this monitor about 6 months ago before I even considered "going blu" with my pc since it's mostly used for gaming. So should I be kicking myself for not getting a 24" or bigger to get the 1080p resolution? I have nothing else to compare to so I don't really know just how good the picture quality is. I guess I should get a blu-ray version of a dvd I already own and compare.

05-23-2008, 08:06 AM	#3
JESSE-INTERACTIVE Active Member Member since:Mar 2008	For your 22' monitor it is definately scaled down...720p I guess. but playing a blu-ray movie on a monitor that small (although 22' is huge for the normal PC user), the human eye wouldn't know the difference...it still looks fantastic. I guess with anything over 32', one should be concerned about 1080p. I recently upgraded my PC monitor from a 22' to 26' and now am running at 1080p. I don't see any PQ difference now then when I watched it scaled down on my old 22'. The PQ is still there. It's a matter of what size monitor you wish to enjoy the hi-def experience in. By the way, for you computer folks out there, if you have the extra money to spend on a new monitor, check out the Samsung 2693hm 26' (actually 25.5') ....it's huge and blu-ray movies look awesome right in front of you at your computer desk. Last edited by JESSE-INTERACTIVE; 05-23-2008 at 08:09 AM.

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05-23-2008, 07:32 AM	#2
Deciazulado Site Manager Top contributor Member since:Aug 2006 Location:USiberia Home Theater Gallery:6 4K collection:1160 Blu-ray collection:7047 DVD collection:4044	Well if the software were doing everything correctly you should be watching the 1080p image scaled down to 945p (945 x 1680 pixels, 1.78). You could try check with the Sony monoscope test pattern in Sony discs (enter 7669 when in the main manu) or other test disc's patterns and read how many actual lines it ultimately shows when on full screen.

05-23-2008, 08:42 AM	#4
Mibs Junior Member Member since:May 2008	Great thanks for the responses. I guess you are right Jesse I mean I am no expert on this stuff and I definitely don't have the most keen eye when it comes to PQ. I think my 720p or 945p or whatever resolution it is at is great. The size is great for me and the situation I am in now. However a much bigger HDTV will definitely be in order at some point down the road.

05-29-2008, 04:53 AM	#6
srjj1 Junior Member Member since:Jan 2008 Blu-ray reviews:12	I also have a 1680 x 1050 PC, and yes it does look great. PowerDVD would scale it down into 720p, as it does with trailers. Anyway comparing screenshots from Blu ray.com at 720p they were identical, so it should go to 720p. Yes their is no reason to go for 1080p, as in the shop you have to really look hard to notice the 1080p features, since the screens are so small. However DVD and 720p is a large step, no longer do the heads look like clay!!!! When I first got Blu-ray and then compared it side by side (window and window) with the DVD, I was blown away on how bad DVD looked like!!!!

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