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.

[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

[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?

[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.

[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.