Please explain why Blu-ray is only marginally better than DVD on my display.

[Jar Jar Stinks]

I can't notice a huge difference between the DVD and Blu-ray of the same movie. As a test, I've played both discs of several movies simultaneously, switching back and forth to view the same scenes. For example, "Planet of the Apes" (1969) looks virtually the same. Even "Empire Strikes Back" wasn't greatly different.

Here are my questions:

1. Could it be that when the aspect ratio is too wide, the benefits of the higher resolution aren't as noticeable?
2. I sit about 10 feet from the screen. Is my display too small?
3. Is my DVD player and/or my TV doing such a fantastic job upscaling that differences between the DVD and Blu-ray are not that evident?

Here's my setup:

• Display: Panasonic VIERA TC-P42ST30 42-Inch 1080p 3D Plasma HDTV.
• DVD Player: Philips DVP5990 DVD/DivX player with HDMI output and 1080p upconversion
• Blu-ray Player: Panasonic DMP-BDT110

[ZIPPO]

Is your DVD player set for 480i/480p output resolution? If your DVD player is upscaling to 1080p, the difference won't be as great.

[My_Two_Cents]

Just waiting for someone to inevitably post a picture of the infamous TV size / Viewing Distance chart.

With a 42" TV at 10', you may have somewhat of a hard time distinguishing DVDs upscaled to 1080p and true 1080p content. Assume you see a difference when you move closer?

[djkest]

Simple.

Your TV is too small for the distance you are sitting from it. (10').

A 55" or 60" TV would be better.

[kpkelley]

As the previous poster's have mentioned, you are sitting too far away for that size television. The appropriate distance would be within 6 feet.

That being said, you should still see improved contrast and color gradation, ntm better sound.

[Mr Kite]

Originally Posted by Jar Jar Stinks

I can't notice a huge difference between the DVD and Blu-ray of the same movie. As a test, I've played both discs of several movies simultaneously, switching back and forth to view the same scenes. For example, "Planet of the Apes" (1969) looks virtually the same. Even "Empire Strikes Back" wasn't greatly different.

Here are my questions:

1. Could it be that when the aspect ratio is too wide, the benefits of the higher resolution aren't as noticeable?
2. I sit about 10 feet from the screen. Is my display too small?
3. Is my DVD player and/or my TV doing such a fantastic job upscaling that differences between the DVD and Blu-ray are not that evident?

Here's my setup:

• Display: Panasonic VIERA TC-P42ST30 42-Inch 1080p 3D Plasma HDTV.
• DVD Player: Philips DVP5990 DVD/DivX player with HDMI output and 1080p upconversion
• Blu-ray Player: Panasonic DMP-BDT110

Please post your tv settings?

[Nick4Blu_81]

Originally Posted by Jar Jar Stinks

I can't notice a huge difference between the DVD and Blu-ray of the same movie. As a test, I've played both discs of several movies simultaneously, switching back and forth to view the same scenes. For example, "Planet of the Apes" (1969) looks virtually the same. Even "Empire Strikes Back" wasn't greatly different.

Here are my questions:

1. Could it be that when the aspect ratio is too wide, the benefits of the higher resolution aren't as noticeable?
2. I sit about 10 feet from the screen. Is my display too small?
3. Is my DVD player and/or my TV doing such a fantastic job upscaling that differences between the DVD and Blu-ray are not that evident?

Here's my setup:

• Display: Panasonic VIERA TC-P42ST30 42-Inch 1080p 3D Plasma HDTV.
• DVD Player: Philips DVP5990 DVD/DivX player with HDMI output and 1080p upconversion
• Blu-ray Player: Panasonic DMP-BDT110

Are you using HDMI on both BD and DVD player? I ask this because I see customers all the time with the same complaint and they are only using composite cables(Red/White/Yellow) and wondering why HD doesnt look any better.

[crazyBLUE]

Originally Posted by Ricshoe

Just waiting for someone to inevitably post a picture of the infamous TV size / Viewing Distance chart.

With a 42" TV at 10', you may have somewhat of a hard time distinguishing DVDs upscaled to 1080p and true 1080p content. Assume you see a difference when you move closer?

I sit 9 feet from my 106" screen

[Jar Jar Stinks]

Originally Posted by Nick4Blu_81

Are you using HDMI on both BD and DVD player? I ask this because I see customers all the time with the same complaint and they are only using composite cables(Red/White/Yellow) and wondering why HD doesnt look any better.

I'm using HDMI cables for both the DVD player (which upscales to 1080p) and for the Blu-ray player. I'm not complaining about the DVDs - they look great. I haven't compared any 16:9 Blu-ray discs against their DVD counterparts yet - I imagine the distinction might be greater with those discs.

[Badas]

Originally Posted by crazyBLUE

I sit 9 feet from my 106" screen

Ditto

I sit 9 feet from my 110". Basically the same. Can't watch DVD anymore. Huge difference. Even with the best DVD upscalling it won't come close.

Ta Dono

[Jar Jar Stinks]

Originally Posted by Badas

Ditto

I sit 9 feet from my 110". Basically the same. Can't watch DVD anymore. Huge difference. Even with the best DVD upscalling it won't come close.

Ta Dono

So I need to sit 3.5 feet from my display then?

[jd_from_da_80s]

Originally Posted by Jar Jar Stinks

So I need to sit 3.5 feet from my display then?

LOL I don't think so, I'm about 12' from my 47" & the Mrs mistakenly put in The Incredibles DVD & I knew immediately. You did try with older movies, maybe, maybe that has something to do with it also (even though I doubt it)

[nremdn]

This is a tough one. You may be sitting far enough away where it's hard to distinguish the increase in resolution, but it would still be very hard to miss the big increase in colors and clarity.

[Rz_Samurai]

I think it mainly has to do with:

1. Type and model of TV you have.
2. The Transfer they gave the blu ray disc (Movie).

[growler]

Have you calibrated your Display?

Do the test with BDs which are 4.5 or 5 rated (on this site) PQ.

When was your last eye exam? (Not kidding)

Do you notice a difference in AQ? Do you have an AVR & 5.1 speakers & subW good enough to hear the difference between lossy vs. lossless Audio?

A good check would be to bring a DVD & BD of the same movie (hopefully one with excellent reviewed PQ/AQ) in to a Best Buy or other store & ask to see these movies on one of their high end systems. Tell them you are considering upgrading your TV & sound system. (Which you may well be considering)

If you sit ~10 feet away from a 60" HDTV & listen to a high end sound system & STILL you cannot see much difference between the same scene on your DVD vs. your BD. It is your eyesight. If you see a huge difference then you need to check your home equipment.

Good luck.

https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Digit...s-Blu-ray/551/

https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?t=32738

How far to sit? Various info available, I don't think 10 feet is bad in your case although closer would be better for a 42", IMO:

http://calculators.dynawebdesigns.com/tv-size.htm

"So with HDTVs, the rule tends to be you can sit anywhere from 1.5 to 3 times the screen size (in inches) for the best experience."

http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.htm...cId=1000021501

[Clark Kent]

The viewing distance is a problem as others have mentioned. You should try and start with the absolute best-looking discs first, like the ones on this list:

http://www.avsforum.com/t/1168342/th...#post_16943367

If you can't see a difference after viewing the best titles, either something in your system is set-up incorrectly or you need glasses.

[Jar Jar Stinks]

Originally Posted by growler

Have you calibrated your Display?

Do the test with BDs which are 4.5 or 5 rated (on this site) PQ.

When was your last eye exam? (Not kidding)

Do you notice a difference in AQ? Do you have an AVR & 5.1 speakers & subW good enough to hear the difference between lossy vs. lossless Audio?

A good check would be to bring a DVD & BD of the same movie (hopefully one with excellent reviewed PQ/AQ) in to a Best Buy or other store & ask to see these movies on one of their high end systems. Tell them you are considering upgrading your TV & sound system. (Which you may well be considering)

If you sit ~10 feet away from a 60" HDTV & listen to a high end sound system & STILL you cannot see much difference between the same scene on your DVD vs. your BD. It is your eyesight. If you see a huge difference then you need to check your home equipment.

Good luck.

https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Digit...s-Blu-ray/551/

https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?t=32738

How far to sit? Various info available, I don't think 10 feet is bad in your case although closer would be better for a 42", IMO:

http://calculators.dynawebdesigns.com/tv-size.htm

"So with HDTVs, the rule tends to be you can sit anywhere from 1.5 to 3 times the screen size (in inches) for the best experience."

http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.htm...cId=1000021501

Great links! Thanks! I haven't had time to test yet, but discovered that 24p wasn't enabled on my BD player. Would that have made a difference?