In blind survey, 92% of participants pick Blu-ray

[Batman1980]

A whopping 92% of the participants in a blind test recently held by the CEDIA association picked Blu-ray over a hidef iTunes movie download. Twenty-five participants were asked to look at two identical 40-inch LCD displays showing the movie 'Twilight', one from an iTunes 720p download and the other from 1080p Blu-ray. Participants didn't know which display was Blu-ray.

The survey was given to 21 women and four men, and took place March 27 in the headquarters of CEDIA. The displays were non-calibrated 40-inch LCDs on movie mode with identical movie mode settings, and connected to the source with high-quality 5-meter HDMI cables. The lights were dimmed in the front of the room towards the displays and on in the back.

This is not considered to be a highly scientific study, but it is nonetheless significant, as it confirms the notion that not only can consumers tell standard definition (480i/480p) from high definition, but they can also tell highly-compressed, lower resolution HD from high-bitrate, high-resolution HD.

https://www.blu-ray.com/news/?id=2698
Ha ha poor itunes.

[dialog_gvf]

It's interesting the sample was so heavily skewed towards women (21:4).

There are plenty anecdotal stories of women not seeing the differences in resolution between one format and another, but are the theoretics?

Gary

[Blu Titan]

Well, it was a blind survey, but the people were NOT blind!

[P@t_Mtl]

Originally Posted by Blu Titan

Well, it was a blind survey, but the people were NOT blind!

you said it before me

[P@t_Mtl]

It's a pretty interesting test considering we keep hearing how digital download is just as good as any BD.

I am sure some expert will be able to say that it prove's nothing of course

[Sonny]

nice test. no need for an expert to cut it down.

[dialog_gvf]

Originally Posted by P@t_Mtl

It's a pretty interesting test considering we keep hearing how digital download is just as good as any BD.

I am sure some expert will be able to say that it prove's nothing of course

Whenever any study or major article arrives, I like to look at who is involved. Frequently, it is someone with a strong vested interest in a particular outcome pushing that outcome.

CEDIA is the industry group representing home theater designers and installers. So, they have a vested interest in quality, but I would think they would find they could get much better margins offering media servers over Blu-ray players.

Gary

[Monkey]

I could think of a few people at AVSforums who this surely pisses off, lol

[dadkins]

Originally Posted by Monkey

I could think of a few people at AVSforums who this surely pisses off, lol

Ya think?

[jtconnolly]

I am a huge blu fan but this survey does not tell us anything. A survey of 25 people is not enough to represent the population. Really stupid survey. Should have consisted of at least 5,000 people for it to be somewhat legitimate.

[aygie]

Originally Posted by jtconnolly

I am a huge blu fan but this survey does not tell us anything. A survey of 25 people is not enough to represent the population. Really stupid survey. Should have consisted of at least 5,000 people for it to be somewhat legitimate.

I agree totally, when i saw 92% i was immediately impressed, when i saw 27 (?) people i thought cop out.

Do a broader test.

[gandley]

Originally Posted by Blu Titan

Well, it was a blind survey, but the people were NOT blind!

well 8% seemed to be on there way to blindness

[Terjyn]

I wish they'd do it with more people, but my guess would be out of the 25 people 4 or so couldn't tell a difference and so guessed, with 2 getting it right and 2 getting it wrong.

Some people's eye-sight really isn't acute enough to tell the difference, I just don't think it's anywhere near the percentage some want to think it is.

[Afrobean]

Originally Posted by jtconnolly

I am a huge blu fan but this survey does not tell us anything. A survey of 25 people is not enough to represent the population. Really stupid survey. Should have consisted of at least 5,000 people for it to be somewhat legitimate.

Sample sizes needn't be that large, but I will admit 25 is rather small.

So yeah, the specific statistics might not be so valuable with such a small sample, but it would still be foolish for someone to argue that a better sample size would flip the numbers upside down (i.e., to favor iTunes rather than Blu-ray). Basically, even though the stats aren't useful, they are indicative of the fact that average people are able to tell the difference in quality, and honestly, I'd be wary of any study that would indicate otherwise. I know there are plenty among us with poor eyesight, but I wouldn't guess that there are enough of us to figure that iTunes download movies are supposed to be comparable in quality to Blu-ray.

[ranma]

Originally Posted by Blu Titan

Well, it was a blind survey, but the people were NOT blind!

looks like 2 people in that group (8%), has no good sight as others.

[Uniquely]

Originally Posted by P@t_Mtl

It's a pretty interesting test considering we keep hearing how digital download is just as good as any BD.

I am sure some expert will be able to say that it prove's nothing of course

I don't think many people will say it's just as good.... but many people may be willing to settle for some quality degradation for the convenience factor of it. I have no problem with streaming a movie or two when there is nothing on my shelves I want to watch. Of course as time goes by and networks become more and more capable.... it will be just as good.

[benzgrl]

Originally Posted by dialog_gvf

It's interesting the sample was so heavily skewed towards women (21:4).

There are plenty anecdotal stories of women not seeing the differences in resolution between one format and another, but are the theoretics?

Gary

In general, women are said to be more detail-oriented and maybe being asked to participate in a survey caused them to be more careful or take longer in their decision. Or possibly the movie subject being 'Twilight' caused more women to be interested. Could be a lot of factors, I guess.

[Luis_A51]

Originally Posted by dialog_gvf

It's interesting the sample was so heavily skewed towards women (21:4).

There are plenty anecdotal stories of women not seeing the differences in resolution between one format and another, but are the theoretics?

Gary

I dont think its so much that the anecdotal evidence shows women cant see the difference as much as it is that they usually dont care.

Besides, if the anecdotal evidence was true, wouldnt that suggest the difference is that much greater?

[Elandyll]

As said already, a sample of 25 is quite small.

I don't think it's possible to call this a "definitive result", but given the overwhelming dominance of one side, it definitly shows a clear tendancy imo (that will not surprise anyone who knows HD in general)


Pull out a 500 people minimum testing (I don't think we need something as large as 5000), then we'll have a definitive result

[Beta Man]

A few things would need to happen to get the best possible results (legitimate that is)

1) The sample size would need to be bigger

2) The test subjects would have to be told they were being shown HD material from two competing Cable Networks/satellite providers

3) Candidates should be pre-screened for what they own, and all HD DVD, and Blu-ray owners should be removed.....


#1 is obvious....

#2, and #3 would help ensure biases weren't brought in..... if there is someone who is against Blu-ray because they want to see Downloads succeed, or VOD, or Upconversion, or whatever it is.... or because they invested a lot in HD DVD and are just angry/anti-Blu now..... they can probably guess that the "Test" is based on Blu-ray/non-blu ray, whether it be streamed, Upconverted, etc... and they may not answer honestly.....


Either way.... it's at least good news in the end