Blu-ray’s “Big” little secret

[HD Goofnut]

Originally Posted by Musicguy

Unless you have a big screen tv you can't really see much difference in Blu-ray vs DVD. Many people do not have large screen TVs - which is also why Blu-ray hasn't taken off like the studios originally though it might and why people see no need in switching formats.

Once you buy a large screen TV and see a blu-ray and then the DVD you will most likely go out and buy a blu-ray player otherwise there isn't much difference.

But if you have a large Screen TV and a Blu-ray - WOW! like going to the movies

Absolutely false. My main PC monitor (also 3D) is 23" and I sit about 2' from it. At that distance I could distinguish 8K.

[blonde_devil]

Originally Posted by Robert George

I work in the AV business, and this is indeed true. Most people simply don't know you can play a DVD, or a CD for that matter, on a Blu-ray player.

I have advocated a simple solution. Market Blu-ray players as "DVD / Blu-ray players" and stop making DVD-only players.

But that is the stupidity of people. I worked retail, don't know how many times people bought games for the wrong system and then were surprised when it didn't play and when they couldn't return an opened game. If you are looking into buying a blu-ray player, shouldn't that be the first question you ask? It is just people not using their brains - they see on the blu-ray that it says it won't play on a regular dvd player and assume the dvd won't play on a blu-ray when there is nothing to support that. Besides, you don't need to market them as "dvd/blu-ray" when most say right on the box they will play blu-rays, dvd and cds. Once upon a time these issues may have been true but that was several years ago - once upon a time it would cost you a small fortune to buy a big-screen tv but that isn't the case today anymore and anyone who thinks so needs to get out a little.

[Lemmy Lugosi]

Originally Posted by HD Goofnut

Absolutely false. My main PC monitor (also 3D) is 23" and I sit about 2" from it. At that distance I could distinguish 8K.

2"?!?

[Scarface32]

Originally Posted by chip75

As most BD players have only HDMI outputs on them, I think they need to sell DVD players as they have a few more connection options but most can be connected to a HDTV if the buyer chooses.

I don't think I've heard anyone in the UK say they didn't know that BD plays played DVDs but most I've talked to say they can't see the point or difference in picture quality.

I have 4 BD players in my house, only 1 of them is HDMI-only.

[Scarface32]

Originally Posted by bigdaddyhorse

My TV will not allow "zoom 1" through HDMI, so I have to use my old dvd player running component to fill my screen with non-anamorphic WS movies. I do like the move picture feature though and can still see the subs for 2.35 flicks (Star Wars originals) when I move the movie to the top of the screen. Not so good for 1.85 or 1.78 subs though.

My BD player has a setting for "fixed" or "full" aspect ratio. When not fixed, it will stretch 4:3 movies to fill the screen. When putting in a DVD that is 4:3 letter boxed, I just take it off fixed.

[chip75]

Originally Posted by bigdaddyhorse

My TV will not allow "zoom 1" through HDMI, so I have to use my old dvd player running component to fill my screen with non-anamorphic WS movies.

You can't use the BD player's zoom or the TV's? If your BD player prohibits it, you need to change the Video settings on it's menu. My Samsung player won't allow any change with screen size either but you can change the settings to wide for 4:3 content then use the TV's zoom functions.

My TV only prohibits PC and SCART zoom functions. I can't get Screen-Fit with SCART and my PC is limited to 16:9 and 4:3 options.

[Scarface32]

Originally Posted by HD Goofnut

Absolutely false. My main PC monitor (also 3D) is 23" and I sit about 2" from it. At that distance I could distinguish 8K.

Do you have any idea how close two inches is? I highly doubt you sit that close to your monitor.

[HD Goofnut]

Originally Posted by Lemmy Lugosi

2"?!?

Yeah, maybe 3' at times when I lean back in my office chair. Meant to say feet instead of inches.

[chip75]

Originally Posted by HD Goofnut

Then they are legally blind or sitting 15' away from their 40" display.

I think there's misconception to what they expect from HD movies. I'm sure some people expect to read licence plates on cars 2 miles in the distance when watching Blu-rays ...

Originally Posted by Scarface32

I have 4 BD players in my house, only 1 of them is HDMI-only.

Here in the UK if you look at this years players, at the entry level £50-80, then HDMI is the only output, you'll be lucky to find digital optical or coaxial, the phono and component outputs are rare finds these days.

[zman73]

Originally Posted by AnamorphicWidescreen

Hey guys - just to throw in my opinion re: past experience on trying to make a non-anamorphic print fit the screen: from what I've seen when I've done this in the past, the picture will look stretched out, and also the PQ suffers as a result. That being said, it is nice to have the picture fill out the screen, especially if you have a large, widescreen set.

Also note that from what I've seen, if you set your TV to compensate for a non-anamorphic print like this, you will have to go back and re-set this the next time you play a film/TV show that is anamorphic....

Just my .02...

From someone who collected dvds religiously back in the 90's this is common knowledge amongst collectors, we would always groan and complain when a film was not released in anamorphic widescreen... we'd complain more if it was released only in "fool" screen...

Last film I watched this way? The original version of Star Wars... Lucas being the ass he is, finally caved in years ago in releasing the original films unaltered, but as a final FU to us didnt make them anamorphic... on my 82" tv, it took a lot away from my enjoyment of the film

[HD Goofnut]

Originally Posted by Scarface32

Do you have any idea how close two inches is? I highly doubt you sit that close to your monitor.

See above.

[Yojimbo68]

Originally Posted by zman73

From someone who collected dvds religiously back in the 90's this is common knowledge amongst collectors, we would always groan and complain when a film was not released in anamorphic widescreen... we'd complain more if it was released only in "fool" screen...

Last film I watched this way? The original version of Star Wars... Lucas being the ass he is, finally caved in years ago in releasing the original films unaltered, but as a final FU to us didnt make them anamorphic... on my 82" tv, it took a lot away from my enjoyment of the film

Yeah. He just ported over the laserdisc transfer.

[Musicguy]

Originally Posted by HD Goofnut

Absolutely false. My main PC monitor (also 3D) is 23" and I sit about 2' from it. At that distance I could distinguish 8K.

Yes - but the average viewer won't notice. The difference is there but not enough to warrant buying a player. On a large screen there's no contest and you almost have to buy a blu-ray player if you want a good picture

Also 2' is pretty close to watch TV especially with a room full of people - you're going to burn your eyes out!

[HD Goofnut]

Originally Posted by Musicguy

Yes - but the average viewer won't notice. The difference is there but not enough to warrant buying a player. On a large screen there's no contest and you almost have to buy a blu-ray player if you want a good picture

Also 2' is pretty close to watch TV especially with a room full of people - you're going to burn your eyes out!

It's my display when the kids go to bed. I also do all of my PQ research on it.

[AnamorphicWidescreen]

Originally Posted by zman73

From someone who collected dvds religiously back in the 90's this is common knowledge amongst collectors, we would always groan and complain when a film was not released in anamorphic widescreen... we'd complain more if it was released only in "fool" screen...

Last film I watched this way? The original version of Star Wars... Lucas being the ass he is, finally caved in years ago in releasing the original films unaltered, but as a final FU to us didnt make them anamorphic... on my 82" tv, it took a lot away from my enjoyment of the film

When I first got my DVD player in 2003, I was also irritated by this. However, since I was watching DVD's on an old Cathode Ray Tube (CRT), it didn't matter as much since the screen was relatively small.

However, this non-anamorphic issue is much more pronounced on a large widescreen TV & I agree, it makes films pretty much unwatchable...

And, yes, the 2006 Original Trilogy Star Wars DVD sets include (on a bonus disk) the "original" 1997, 1980, and 1983 prints of the films. However, the PQ is horrible & they're non-anamorphic. I wish they would clean these up and re-release them, but at this point I doubt it will happen. This is getting way OT, but at this point are now actually four different versions of these films:

1977, 1980, & 1983 Original prints; The 1997 Special Editions; The 2004 DVD releases; and, the 2011 Blu-ray releases.

Note that each release is slightly different & has added changes/edits/addition/subtractions. It's also interesting that the 1997 Special Editions have never been released to DVD, just VHS tape.

And, the 1977-1980 films have never been released on home video in anamorphic widescreen...

[Brett C]

Originally Posted by jscoggins

The first Samsung BD player couldn't play CDs.

It is debatable as to whether that first Samsung could play anything - it was garbage!

[bigdaddyhorse]

Originally Posted by Scarface32

My BD player has a setting for "fixed" or "full" aspect ratio. When not fixed, it will stretch 4:3 movies to fill the screen. When putting in a DVD that is 4:3 letter boxed, I just take it off fixed.

Next time you're in Ann Arbor, MI. pm me, I owe you a beer. Found something similar that works. Thanks for the suggestion!

I'm half posting this as a future reminder for myself:

Under the settings for my player, Output Video Format - HDMI resolution -
Auto = upscale anamorphic dvds (leave it unless)
Original = non-anamorphic disc look right with TV at 16X9/Just Scan, anamorphic dvds correct ratio but not upscaled.

[OneWayFilms]

It just blows my mind how SOME people are still OK with poor quality that looks like a 5th generation of VHS with poor tracking, and they don't care, as long as they can watch the movie.

My wife was like that before I bought bluray and an HD TV. She was really frustrated with me for spending the money on something she saw no value to at all.

UNTIL......

I popped in her favorite movie and all of a sudden, her jaw fell agape and she muttered softly, "OH!" I almost peed myself laughing.

[Jar Jar Stinks]

Here's one: Check out how many people have cable without the HD box. For whatever reason, the SD feed looks even worse on a flat screen than it did on on a tube television. My cousin had his $1500 TV mounted on the wall for football and I was "What the f*ck is this?" Horrible blurry picture. I pleaded with him, "For the love of God, if you're not gonna spring for the HD box at least put up an antenna. This shit is unwatchable." Exact same thing at my dad's house.

[KubrickKurasawa]

The industry should ALWAYS include an HDMI cable! Do they?

I know Time Warner Cable only gives out component cables with HD DVR's. I know the PS3 I own never came with an HDMI cable, and same goes with Sony Blu-Ray players. I doubt Dish or Direct TV give out HDMI cables with their boxes to their customers. It wouldn't surprise me if not 1 Blu Ray disc player sold in retail comes with an HDMI packed in, or HDTV set has an included HDMI cable. If one exists it has to be very rare because I have yet to see it done!

Therefore people use whatever cable they have, old composite cables. My SONY PS3 came bundled with composite cables LOL!

The industry (they're trying to push to the forefront) imho has let the consumer down in that regard. It's difficult to imagine this, but as far as I know it is a fact these companies endorse worldwide.

Think of all the KIDS!! the CHILDREN!! who get these game consoles like XBOX and PS at Holiday season and get no HDMI cables. Wow! Yeah that is a conspiracy theory for HD confusion in itself. If the kids are the future....well we're kinda bleeeped.