New to Blu-ray, still seeing blurry images - Blu-ray Forum

TheLibrarian · 09-19-2015, 04:28 PM

Hi all,

Just recently bought my first Blu-Ray player, and a few titles.

So far I have only watched Rocky III and Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory and whilst I can see the difference between DVD and Blu-Ray there are still some blurry scenes here and there. It's not even the whole frame, generally a character's facial features are clearly defined but the background would be messy.

Is this normal? Could it be to do with my TV settings? Maybe it's to do with the transfers and the effort the studios put into them?

I have a 32" (which is 720p), but probably won't be buying anything larger soon as my masters tuition fees are what's most important now.

Also, this might be a silly question so I apologize in advance but is it possible if I play my blu-rays too much on a 720p TV the disc content will be compressed to the point they will never play in 1080p on a full HD TV?

Also mods, if this thread is in the wrong forum feel free to move.

Groot · 09-19-2015, 04:36 PM

Hi!

Older films can still have artifacts and blurry parts because of the source material itself, so as you guessed it's the transfers itself. Play a new release and the issue should be non-existent.

Playing your blu-rays on a 720p television will have zero effect on the disc itself.

Enjoy your new HD gear!

CharlieBarkin · 09-19-2015, 04:50 PM

Enjoy your first foray into HD territory.

1.) Disc transfers can be the reason for blurry backgrounds. If you buy anything from Pixar you'll be most impressed!

2.) Digital content and playing 1080 in 720 TV's won't affect your TV. Burn-in or ghosting used to be a problem a long time ago, but that was because of static images (like a news logo in the same spot).

Geoff D · 09-19-2015, 05:39 PM

Heh. I've had this conversation many a time over the years. Usually it stems from people thinking that every part of the frame will magically become blisteringly crisp and sharp in HD, when in reality there's these things called focus and depth of field which govern how clear any given movie's background is. Bless.

Dylan34 · 09-19-2015, 05:53 PM

the picture won't be quite as sharp as a 1080p tv because with 720p, you're losing like 1.3 million pixels. But, that has nothing to do with images being blurry. Like Geoff said, it has to do with source material. The way it was lensed and what type of film the DP used will have a dramatic impact.

TheLibrarian · 09-19-2015, 06:47 PM

Thanks for all the advice, really appreciate all of it.

I do plan on investing in some Pixar titles/ newer releases in the next while, so looking forward to that.

tezster · 09-19-2015, 07:40 PM

There are other variables that come into play as well, such as the output settings of your blu-ray player, whether you're connecting via HDMI cable or some other method, if you're TV display settings have been adjusted using a calibration disc.

m3racer123 · 09-19-2015, 08:01 PM

As Geoff D said, this is an intended effect called 'depth of field' - you can research it if you want. Basically, the background is blurred out to draw attention to the subject in the foreground, which is nice and sharp.

Coenskubrick · 09-19-2015, 11:30 PM

I was tempted to make a little mocking comment, my dark side coming out I suppose, I find it hard to believe that people are not familiar with depth of field by look if not by name but I guess I have to understand there are some things I have somehow not been aware of as well and everyone has to learn things first eventually.

Have you ever seen a film in cinemas? The backgrounds are blurred there in most shots as well, because there is only so much in focus. There is a scientific explanation to this and it relates to the size of the opening the light passes through to create the image. The larger the opening, the more blurry the out of focus areas. It's not just with movies either. This happens in real life. Try this, especially in a darkish environment. Stick your finger in front of you close to your eye. Look at the background around your finger, your finger will be blurry. Try to focus on your finger. Now your finger will be sharp but the backgrounds blurry.

This is used for dramatic effect in filmmaking, to allow the viewer to focus on certain aspects of the image while not noticing others, to create mystery in the out of focus areas, to make pretty blurry lights in the background, to show a character's disorientation and lack of focus, etc.

I hope that was informative for you, and I hope you enjoy your blu-rays, just remember, sharpness is not always the intended effect for everything, but it's the parts that are sharp (and the generally higher quality of the video) that will show you the advantage of blu ray.

Derb · 09-20-2015, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheLibrarian

Hi all,

Just recently bought my first Blu-Ray player, and a few titles.

So far I have only watched Rocky III and Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory and whilst I can see the difference between DVD and Blu-Ray there are still some blurry scenes here and there. It's not even the whole frame, generally a character's facial features are clearly defined but the background would be messy.

Is this normal? Could it be to do with my TV settings? Maybe it's to do with the transfers and the effort the studios put into them?

I have a 32" (which is 720p), but probably won't be buying anything larger soon as my masters tuition fees are what's most important now.

Also, this might be a silly question so I apologize in advance but is it possible if I play my blu-rays too much on a 720p TV the disc content will be compressed to the point they will never play in 1080p on a full HD TV?

Also mods, if this thread is in the wrong forum feel free to move.

If ya have manual, check resolution settings. Your tv may accept 1080interlace. That'll put some shine on your films except Rocky 3.

chip75 · 09-20-2015, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheLibrarian

So far I have only watched Rocky III and Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory and whilst I can see the difference between DVD and Blu-Ray there are still some blurry scenes here and there. It's not even the whole frame, generally a character's facial features are clearly defined but the background would be messy.

You can replicate the effect yourself if you have a nice camera at home, focus in on something foreground and you should see the background go out of focus, the focus on something in the background and the opposite will happen. Film cameras have precise focus, you've probably seen special features where you see crew members measures distances between the objects they're going to film and marks on the floor for actors to stand at the correct distance during filming.

Anthony P · 09-20-2015, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chip75

You can replicate the effect yourself if you have a nice camera at home, focus in on something foreground and you should see the background go out of focus, the focus on something in the background and the opposite will happen. Film cameras have precise focus, you've probably seen special features where you see crew members measures distances between the objects they're going to film and marks on the floor for actors to stand at the correct distance during filming.

it depends on the lenses some have a wide focal range while others have a narrow one. But the simple fact is that if , like the OP stated, you see something well focused (like the main character) and something else out of focus (people in the background) that is taken that way for a reason and it is not a mistake or the limitations of tech. What I mean is imagine a scene in a restaurant, if it is empty (you don't want people in the background) it will look odd or artificial (why is no one else there?) so you add people in the background, but if you don't want the people in the background to steal the show you then blur it up so the person sees it is a normal restaurant scene but he is forced to focus on the main actor/action.

I KEEL YOU · 09-21-2015, 01:23 PM

Sometimes, older films are just shot in a soft way, so they won't get any sharper like newer movies. It can be an artistic decision and intentionally shot that way.

Other times, if an older movie was restored, the quality of the restoration elements can vary. Some of it might be from the original camera negatives while others can be from third generation prints, like the examples below which were taken from sources of different qualities:

09-19-2015, 04:28 PM	#1
TheLibrarian Member Member since:Sep 2015 Location:Ireland Blu-ray collection:252 DVD collection:59	New to Blu-ray, still seeing blurry images Hi all, Just recently bought my first Blu-Ray player, and a few titles. So far I have only watched Rocky III and Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory and whilst I can see the difference between DVD and Blu-Ray there are still some blurry scenes here and there. It's not even the whole frame, generally a character's facial features are clearly defined but the background would be messy. Is this normal? Could it be to do with my TV settings? Maybe it's to do with the transfers and the effort the studios put into them? I have a 32" (which is 720p), but probably won't be buying anything larger soon as my masters tuition fees are what's most important now. Also, this might be a silly question so I apologize in advance but is it possible if I play my blu-rays too much on a 720p TV the disc content will be compressed to the point they will never play in 1080p on a full HD TV? Also mods, if this thread is in the wrong forum feel free to move.

09-19-2015, 07:40 PM	#7
tezster Expert Member Member since:Dec 2013 Location:Canada Home Theater Gallery:9 4K collection:135 Blu-ray collection:593 DVD collection:19	There are other variables that come into play as well, such as the output settings of your blu-ray player, whether you're connecting via HDMI cable or some other method, if you're TV display settings have been adjusted using a calibration disc. Last edited by tezster; 09-19-2015 at 07:41 PM. Reason: typo

09-19-2015, 04:36 PM	#2
Groot Banned Member since:Aug 2015 Location:Thanos Cock Trading Score:14	Hi! Older films can still have artifacts and blurry parts because of the source material itself, so as you guessed it's the transfers itself. Play a new release and the issue should be non-existent. Playing your blu-rays on a 720p television will have zero effect on the disc itself. Enjoy your new HD gear!

09-19-2015, 04:50 PM	#3
CharlieBarkin Active Member Member since:Sep 2015 Location:U.S.A. Blu-ray collection:84 DVD collection:57 Digital collection:1 Trading Score:10	Enjoy your first foray into HD territory. 1.) Disc transfers can be the reason for blurry backgrounds. If you buy anything from Pixar you'll be most impressed! 2.) Digital content and playing 1080 in 720 TV's won't affect your TV. Burn-in or ghosting used to be a problem a long time ago, but that was because of static images (like a news logo in the same spot).

09-19-2015, 05:39 PM	#4
Geoff D Blu-ray Emperor Top contributor Member since:Feb 2009 Location:Swanage, Engerland 4K collection:1348 Blu-ray collection:2525 Blu-ray reviews: 6 Trading Score:33	Heh. I've had this conversation many a time over the years. Usually it stems from people thinking that every part of the frame will magically become blisteringly crisp and sharp in HD, when in reality there's these things called focus and depth of field which govern how clear any given movie's background is. Bless.

09-19-2015, 05:53 PM	#5
Dylan34 Blu-ray Samurai Member since:Jun 2014 Location:Houston, TX Blu-ray collection:529 DVD collection:138	the picture won't be quite as sharp as a 1080p tv because with 720p, you're losing like 1.3 million pixels. But, that has nothing to do with images being blurry. Like Geoff said, it has to do with source material. The way it was lensed and what type of film the DP used will have a dramatic impact.

09-19-2015, 06:47 PM	#6
TheLibrarian Member Member since:Sep 2015 Location:Ireland Blu-ray collection:252 DVD collection:59	Thanks for all the advice, really appreciate all of it. I do plan on investing in some Pixar titles/ newer releases in the next while, so looking forward to that.

09-19-2015, 08:01 PM	#8
m3racer123 Senior Member Top contributor Member since:Jan 2014 Blu-ray collection:220 DVD collection:22	As Geoff D said, this is an intended effect called 'depth of field' - you can research it if you want. Basically, the background is blurred out to draw attention to the subject in the foreground, which is nice and sharp.

09-19-2015, 11:30 PM	#9
Coenskubrick Blu-ray Guru Member since:Apr 2015 4K collection:3 Blu-ray collection:558	I was tempted to make a little mocking comment, my dark side coming out I suppose, I find it hard to believe that people are not familiar with depth of field by look if not by name but I guess I have to understand there are some things I have somehow not been aware of as well and everyone has to learn things first eventually. Have you ever seen a film in cinemas? The backgrounds are blurred there in most shots as well, because there is only so much in focus. There is a scientific explanation to this and it relates to the size of the opening the light passes through to create the image. The larger the opening, the more blurry the out of focus areas. It's not just with movies either. This happens in real life. Try this, especially in a darkish environment. Stick your finger in front of you close to your eye. Look at the background around your finger, your finger will be blurry. Try to focus on your finger. Now your finger will be sharp but the backgrounds blurry. This is used for dramatic effect in filmmaking, to allow the viewer to focus on certain aspects of the image while not noticing others, to create mystery in the out of focus areas, to make pretty blurry lights in the background, to show a character's disorientation and lack of focus, etc. I hope that was informative for you, and I hope you enjoy your blu-rays, just remember, sharpness is not always the intended effect for everything, but it's the parts that are sharp (and the generally higher quality of the video) that will show you the advantage of blu ray.

09-21-2015, 01:23 PM	#13
I KEEL YOU Blu-ray Samurai Top contributor Member since:May 2011 4K collection:67 Blu-ray collection:458 DVD collection:42	Sometimes, older films are just shot in a soft way, so they won't get any sharper like newer movies. It can be an artistic decision and intentionally shot that way. Other times, if an older movie was restored, the quality of the restoration elements can vary. Some of it might be from the original camera negatives while others can be from third generation prints, like the examples below which were taken from sources of different qualities:

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