Major idiot here, new to Blu-ray. - Blu-ray Forum

Justokath · 11-11-2008, 02:22 AM

Hello one and all, no idea what I'm doing so bear with me. Interested in getting a Blu-ray but don't know anything about it. At the moment I'm still with my 10+ year old TV and the "new" dvd player I got from a friend doesn't record anymore. Thus the reason for wanting to upgrade. Thing is I got like 60-70 DVD+RW cd thingies also a hand-me down and I'd hate to see them go to waste. Anyways, question is, is there a blu-ray player/dvd+rw recorder out there I can get or am I just screwed out of using those CDs again unless I buy a plain dvd recorder?

Also will a blu-ray work on a 10+ year old TV? For the dvd player I got, had to get a converter thingy to use it. Guess I gotta get something like that too for blu-ray?

crackinhedz · 11-11-2008, 02:25 AM

you can connect a bluray player to any TV.

Composite, S-video, Component, HDMI...

as far as benefit? only you could make that call. But once you own a bluray player, I think you'll end up wanting to upgrade the TV!

doctorsteve · 11-11-2008, 02:29 AM

Click here to see examples of the cable types Crackinhedz mentioned...

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/d...name=c00396708

and don't worry if you CAN'T go new TV shopping yet, I used to watch my Blu's (via a playstation 3) on a 27" tube TV and things were definitely sharper - but get this...

I was stuck in Dover Delaware for 3 months with only a 13" tube TV and I STILL saw a difference! So Yes Virginia, it IS ok to watch Blu's on an "old" TV using "old" cables (non HDMI). (but you WILL pee your pants when you get a nice flat screen 1080p set, or even a 720...but I'd go for the 1080p)

Cheers, Doc.

Germtop · 11-11-2008, 02:30 AM

There are no blu-ray recorders on the US market yet. They do have them in Japan and they'll presumably bring them to the US eventually, possibly in 2009.

As far as a blu-ray player working on an older TV, here's the thing: the whole point of blu-ray is to watch movies in hi-def. If you're TV is not 1080 then it's pointless.

I also had a 10-year-old TV but it was a Samsung 1080i and it made blu-rays look stunning. The connections on that TV were component, which is not bad but not as good as HDMI.

So, if I were you I would get a DVD recorder until I can get an HDTV to watch blu-rays.

andyman1970 · 11-11-2008, 02:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Germtop

As far as a blu-ray player working on an older TV, here's the thing: the whole point of blu-ray is to watch movies in hi-def. If you're TV is not 1080 then it's pointless.

To say that if someone doesn't have a 1080 HDTV then Blu-Ray is pointless is crazy. I have a 720p and I love my Blu-Rays and they look incredible. ANY HDTV is going display Blu-Ray just fine.

doctorsteve · 11-11-2008, 02:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Germtop

As far as a blu-ray player working on an older TV, here's the thing: the whole point of blu-ray is to watch movies in hi-def. If you're TV is not 1080 then it's pointless.

Please ignore the above quote, please reread my previous post. Yes, the picture may not be in Hi-Definition format, but it DOES, ABSOLUTELY DOES, make the picture on a Standard definition TV look better, even if it's only because they cleaned up the movie (giving brighter, sharper colors, and reduced dirt and haze to the actual picture) before pressing it to Blu-ray.

The best way to prove it is to see for yourself. A DVD copy, and a Blu copy. Watch it in motion, watch it in freeze frame. I did this with The Last Waltz, a 30 year old concert movie, and Reservoir Dogs. I was able to see a difference on a frikken 13" standard definition TV. So I

STRONGLY

but respectfully - disagree with those that say there is no point to watching Blu on a standard-def set.

So there.

Doc

hoogoosedmoose41 · 11-11-2008, 02:53 AM

the question is which of the following is going to look better to joe average consumer.
1. a blu-ray disc played on a standard televison
2. a standard dvd played on a 1080p HDTV
if it was my money and I couldnt afford both at the same time id get the TV first.

doctorsteve · 11-11-2008, 03:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hoogoosedmoose41

the question is which of the following is going to look better to joe average consumer.
1. a blu-ray disc played on a standard televison
2. a standard dvd played on a 1080p HDTV
if it was my money and I couldnt afford both at the same time id get the TV first.

Which is cheaper, a player or a TV?

Which takes up more space and has more wow factor in your living room?

You could argue either way for days...

I'm saying - keep the TV for now, you can still see the difference.

Driver_King · 11-11-2008, 03:04 AM

You can have a 2" TV and still enjoy the benefits of Blu-ray. They'd just be really small video wise.

It's all about the audio!

doctorsteve · 11-11-2008, 03:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Driver_King

It's all about the audio!

Color me unsurprised...

dgator783 · 11-11-2008, 03:12 AM

anytime is a great time to start a bluray collection regardless if u have a hdtv right now or not, why spend money on dvd when the superior format is availble now, and by the time you get a new tv, the only thing u can choose from is HD.....I would def recommend 42" or above ....u can get 42" 1080p HDTVs right now for only a few hundred dollars (might not be "name" brands but they do the job, I do have a Samsung and love it, if u have some extra cash, I would go with a Sammy or a Sony), and with Black Friday coming up, how about treat urself to a little early xmas if u know what I mean

....anyways, player prices are dropping and right now is a great time to pick up a bluray player on the cheap....itll play all ur old dvds, even the burned ones.....

Midnightsailor · 11-11-2008, 09:33 AM

It's true that Blu-ray audio is just as much an improvement over dvd as picture quality.

However, I'd personally upgrade the tv first.

Justokath · 11-11-2008, 07:06 PM

Thank you for all the replies, it helped greatly.

Getting the dvd recorer and waiting for the blu-ray recorders seems the best option to go with currently. And yeah probably going to get the new TV first, the current ones keep turning off randomly or losing color heh.

crackinhedz · 11-11-2008, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Justokath

Thank you for all the replies, it helped greatly.

Getting the dvd recorer and waiting for the blu-ray recorders seems the best option to go with currently. And yeah probably going to get the new TV first, the current ones keep turning off randomly or losing color heh.

black friday will have all sorts of TV's on sale. Good time to buy one.

Teabaggins · 11-11-2008, 08:55 PM

buy a new TV first, it will change the quality of life!!!!!!!!!

coolmilo · 11-11-2008, 09:28 PM

I recommend putting together a budget. Then we can help you prioritize your purchases and make sure that you will be purchasing equipment that you will be pleased with for years to come. There is good stuff in every price range.

If you decide to purchase Blu-ray, count on adding the following items to build a home theater (not in any order):

1. Good interconnect cables
2. Home Theater Receiver or Pre/Pro
3. 5.1 or 7.1 Speaker system
4. Power conditioner
5. Blu-ray player
6. Universal Remote
7. Equipment rack or stand
8. Theater seating

My guess is once you get a HT configured, you will be very happy with the PQ and SQ that Blu-ray delivers.

11-11-2008, 02:22 AM	#1
Justokath New Member Member since:Nov 2008	Major idiot here, new to Blu-ray. Hello one and all, no idea what I'm doing so bear with me. Interested in getting a Blu-ray but don't know anything about it. At the moment I'm still with my 10+ year old TV and the "new" dvd player I got from a friend doesn't record anymore. Thus the reason for wanting to upgrade. Thing is I got like 60-70 DVD+RW cd thingies also a hand-me down and I'd hate to see them go to waste. Anyways, question is, is there a blu-ray player/dvd+rw recorder out there I can get or am I just screwed out of using those CDs again unless I buy a plain dvd recorder? Also will a blu-ray work on a 10+ year old TV? For the dvd player I got, had to get a converter thingy to use it. Guess I gotta get something like that too for blu-ray?

11-11-2008, 02:29 AM	#3
doctorsteve Blu-ray Samurai Member since:Apr 2007 Location:Tonawanda, NY Home Theater Gallery:15 Blu-ray collection:188 Blu-ray reviews:16	Click here to see examples of the cable types Crackinhedz mentioned... http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/d...name=c00396708 and don't worry if you CAN'T go new TV shopping yet, I used to watch my Blu's (via a playstation 3) on a 27" tube TV and things were definitely sharper - but get this... I was stuck in Dover Delaware for 3 months with only a 13" tube TV and I STILL saw a difference! So Yes Virginia, it IS ok to watch Blu's on an "old" TV using "old" cables (non HDMI). (but you WILL pee your pants when you get a nice flat screen 1080p set, or even a 720...but I'd go for the 1080p) Cheers, Doc. Last edited by doctorsteve; 11-11-2008 at 02:34 AM. Reason: Spellling...

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11-11-2008, 02:25 AM	#2
crackinhedz Super Moderator Member since:Feb 2007 Home Theater Gallery:10 Blu-ray reviews:8 Trading Score:19	you can connect a bluray player to any TV. Composite, S-video, Component, HDMI... as far as benefit? only you could make that call. But once you own a bluray player, I think you'll end up wanting to upgrade the TV!

11-11-2008, 02:30 AM	#4
Germtop Active Member Top contributor Member since:Jan 2008 4K collection:121 Blu-ray collection:720 DVD collection:10 Trading Score:1	There are no blu-ray recorders on the US market yet. They do have them in Japan and they'll presumably bring them to the US eventually, possibly in 2009. As far as a blu-ray player working on an older TV, here's the thing: the whole point of blu-ray is to watch movies in hi-def. If you're TV is not 1080 then it's pointless. I also had a 10-year-old TV but it was a Samsung 1080i and it made blu-rays look stunning. The connections on that TV were component, which is not bad but not as good as HDMI. So, if I were you I would get a DVD recorder until I can get an HDTV to watch blu-rays.

11-11-2008, 02:53 AM	#7
hoogoosedmoose41 Senior Member Member since:Feb 2008 Blu-ray collection:308 DVD collection:103	the question is which of the following is going to look better to joe average consumer. 1. a blu-ray disc played on a standard televison 2. a standard dvd played on a 1080p HDTV if it was my money and I couldnt afford both at the same time id get the TV first.

11-11-2008, 03:04 AM	#9
Driver_King Blu-ray Ninja Top contributor Member since:Jan 2008 Location:Tampa Bay, Florida Home Theater Gallery:96 Blu-ray collection:28 Trading Score:10	You can have a 2" TV and still enjoy the benefits of Blu-ray. They'd just be really small video wise. It's all about the audio!

11-11-2008, 03:12 AM	#11
dgator783 Blu-ray Samurai Member since:Feb 2007 Location:Lakeland,FL 4K collection:377 Blu-ray collection:1521 Blu-ray reviews:11 Trading Score:14	anytime is a great time to start a bluray collection regardless if u have a hdtv right now or not, why spend money on dvd when the superior format is availble now, and by the time you get a new tv, the only thing u can choose from is HD.....I would def recommend 42" or above ....u can get 42" 1080p HDTVs right now for only a few hundred dollars (might not be "name" brands but they do the job, I do have a Samsung and love it, if u have some extra cash, I would go with a Sammy or a Sony), and with Black Friday coming up, how about treat urself to a little early xmas if u know what I mean ....anyways, player prices are dropping and right now is a great time to pick up a bluray player on the cheap....itll play all ur old dvds, even the burned ones.....

11-11-2008, 09:33 AM	#12
Midnightsailor Special Member Member since:Jan 2008 Location:Los Angeles, CA Blu-ray collection:32 Blu-ray reviews:1	It's true that Blu-ray audio is just as much an improvement over dvd as picture quality. However, I'd personally upgrade the tv first.

11-11-2008, 07:06 PM	#13
Justokath New Member Member since:Nov 2008	Thank you for all the replies, it helped greatly. Getting the dvd recorer and waiting for the blu-ray recorders seems the best option to go with currently. And yeah probably going to get the new TV first, the current ones keep turning off randomly or losing color heh.

11-11-2008, 08:55 PM	#15
Teabaggins Blu-ray Samurai Member since:Aug 2008	buy a new TV first, it will change the quality of life!!!!!!!!!

11-11-2008, 09:28 PM	#16
coolmilo Blu-ray Guru Member since:Jan 2007 Location:Silicon Valley Home Theater Gallery:16 Blu-ray reviews:2 Trading Score:2	I recommend putting together a budget. Then we can help you prioritize your purchases and make sure that you will be purchasing equipment that you will be pleased with for years to come. There is good stuff in every price range. If you decide to purchase Blu-ray, count on adding the following items to build a home theater (not in any order): 1. Good interconnect cables 2. Home Theater Receiver or Pre/Pro 3. 5.1 or 7.1 Speaker system 4. Power conditioner 5. Blu-ray player 6. Universal Remote 7. Equipment rack or stand 8. Theater seating My guess is once you get a HT configured, you will be very happy with the PQ and SQ that Blu-ray delivers.

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