Why I don't like Blu ray!

[Acehit]

Since I feel really strongly about this, I just googled where I can write my opinions and see what other people think. This is the best place where I can express myself I think.

For reasons mentioned below, I am not a fan of the whole HD format and here's why,

1. Most releases at this point are not taking full advantage of the space available on bd. For example some films released on blu ray either have limited or no special features compared to the dvd. Some movies have more features on the dvd than the blu ray despite the massive size difference on the discs. To add to this, the whole idea of bd is the HD bonus content, yet most bd releases have little or no hd bonus content whatsoever.

2. According to the reviews on blu ray digest, some movies are not touched up for blu ray, they are just simply transferred from another format, i.e. dvd. Almost as if it has been just slapped on. Upon close analysis, the older films especially are had to differienciate between dvd and blu ray.

3. All you are paying is finer picture detail, but exactly how detailed do we want the picture? I am personally satisfied if the picture is adequate, I don't want to see the hairs in the ears and the nostrils, the paws on the faces etc. I am not going to replace all my media just for the sake of picture quality, especially if the blu ray has nothing new to offer in terms of extras compared to the dvd versions.

4. The special editions, collectors and directors cuts that were available on dvd are absent on the blu rays, again not taking full advantage. The lethal weapon film is a classic example of this, the dvd is the directors cut, whilst the blu ray contains these extra scenes as a seperate entity. Yet you would've thought with the amount of space on the disc, they would've put both versions of the film on.

5. Again we have region coding. A, B and C, (probably more to come) There was a massive dispute over this with dvd, and it looks like no one has listened with the hd formats.

6. Just like on dvd, films are released on blu ray and then released again on blu ray for money making purposes. Classic example of this is the Terminator 2 film. It was released and then released again on Skynet edition.

Okay we have had vhs, then dvd, now HD. What's next HDDD? and then HDDDDD!! When does it stop? In my opinion it's just another money making con. Don't get me wrong I appreciate the quality of the high definition format, but I just feel that blu ray isn't taking full advantage of itself. Many of the discs are only using up half the space. If a lot of the films had something to offer that was non-existent on dvd, and increased its content I could see the value in buying blu ray movies, but right now I just can't see the point.

Obviously this is my opinion, but will be interested to hear your thoughts!

[LordCrumb]

Originally Posted by Acehit

Since I feel really strongly about this, I just googled where I can write my opinions and see what other people think. This is the best place where I can express myself I think.

For reasons mentioned below, I am not a fan of the whole HD format and here's why,

1. Most releases at this point are not taking full advantage of the space available on bd. For example some films released on blu ray either have limited or no special features compared to the dvd. Some movies have more features on the dvd than the blu ray despite the massive size difference on the discs. To add to this, the whole idea of bd is the HD bonus content, yet most bd releases have little or no hd bonus content whatsoever.

Not all films require 50gb. Blockbuster titles and new release films will most likley have 50gb, but smaller titles there isnt the demand quite yet, and 25gb is suffient. hell ive seen 13gb films that look amazing. the whole idea for BD is not bonus content, its to improve picture and audio quality. bonus features are just that, a bonus.

2. According to the reviews on blu ray digest, some movies are not touched up for blu ray, they are just simply transferred from another format, i.e. dvd. Almost as if it has been just slapped on. Upon close analysis, the older films especially are had to differienciate between dvd and blu ray.

Indeed, some BD are just the previously scanned film for DVD. It is still a vast improvemnt over DVD, as the video is compressed and image size shrunk.

3. All you are paying is finer picture detail, but exactly how detailed do we want the picture? I am personally satisfied if the picture is adequate, I don't want to see the hairs in the ears and the nostrils, the paws on the faces etc. I am not going to replace all my media just for the sake of picture quality, especially if the blu ray has nothing new to offer in terms of extras compared to the dvd versions.

if you want to watch a soft image on a large tv, thats for you to decide.

4. The special editions, collectors and directors cuts that were available on dvd are absent on the blu rays, again not taking full advantage. The lethal weapon film is a classic example of this, the dvd is the directors cut, whilst the blu ray contains these extra scenes as a seperate entity. Yet you would've thought with the amount of space on the disc, they would've put both versions of the film on.

Blu-Ray is certainly not a 'definitive' release of a film, just because BD is out, doesnt mean studios want to stop making money. you'll still have multiple releases.

5. Again we have region coding. A, B and C, (probably more to come) There was a massive dispute over this with dvd, and it looks like no one has listened with the hd formats.

Region coding is a problem? it will eventually fail just like DVDs when more machines come out, especially cheaper multizone japanese/chinese models. Sony once told me 'now we can do it right' when it came to BD region coding. Its still going to eventually fall.

6. Just like on dvd, films are released on blu ray and then released again on blu ray for money making purposes. Classic example of this is the Terminator 2 film. It was released and then released again on Skynet edition.

Ummm yep, its called making money. Studios are not your friends. If they only ever released one version of a film, they wouldnt make crap all.

Okay we have had vhs, then dvd, now HD. What's next HDDD? and then HDDDDD!! When does it stop? In my opinion it's just another money making con. Don't get me wrong I appreciate the quality of the high definition format, but I just feel that blu ray isn't taking full advantage of itself. Many of the discs are only using up half the space. If a lot of the films had something to offer that was non-existent on dvd, and increased its content I could see the value in buying blu ray movies, but right now I just can't see the point.

Obviously this is my opinion, but will be interested to hear your thoughts!

VHS - Laser Disc - DVD - BD - Digital Copies most likely. if you want to sit back and wait for a definitive format, give up now, cause it aint gonna happen. Using up 'half the space'? not really, you have 25gb discs and 50gb discs, 25gb movies are generally cheaper for that reason, so they are not wasting a 50gb disc.

Don't get me wrong I appreciate the quality of the high definition format,

well quite clearly you dont... "I am not going to replace all my media just for the sake of picture quality, especially if the blu ray has nothing new to offer in terms of extras compared to the dvd versions."

I had a 700+ dvd collection when blu-ray came out, sure, i was gutted im eventually going to be buying them all over again, but hell man, its worth it. You never bought a CD when you had the same album on cassette or LP?

well, maybe not LP cause LP rocks!!!

[RiseDarthVader]

First things first:
DVD:
720 x 480 with a total pixel count of 345,600
about 9GB of storage
lossy compressed audio

35mm film:
scanned in for editing at 4096 x 2160 or 2048 x 1080(over 90% of movies scanned in at this resolution) with a total pixel count of 8,631,360 or 2,157,840
4K scans requiring terabytes of storage
audio recorded and mixed in 24bit/48Khz PCM

Blu-ray
1920 x 1080 with a total pixel count of 2,073,600
dual layer discs hold 50GB of data.
audio stored in 24bit/48Khz PCM or other lossless audio compression codecs.

1. Most releases at this point are not taking full advantage of the space available on bd. For example some films released on blu ray either have limited or no special features compared to the dvd. Some movies have more features on the dvd than the blu ray despite the massive size difference on the discs. To add to this, the whole idea of bd is the HD bonus content, yet most bd releases have little or no hd bonus content whatsoever.

yes while alot of us here would of liked for the studios to also port the extras over from the DVD's the studios assume for older releases people already have the DVD's and see no point in giving us the same extras twice. Also the reason for not much HD bonus content is because of DVD extras being filmed in 480i it is stuck at that resolution and being a relatively new format behind the scenes extras are only starting to be recorded at 1080i/p.

2. According to the reviews on blu ray digest, some movies are not touched up for blu ray, they are just simply transferred from another format, i.e. dvd. Almost as if it has been just slapped on. Upon close analysis, the older films especially are had to differienciate between dvd and blu ray.

You don't need a brand new transfer most of the time. If the DVD transfer was originally scanned at 2K for the DVD master you don't need to go back and re-scan the 35mm source again at 2K because you most likely won't be retrieving any more picture quality or information. Also you gotta think about the condition the older movies are in. And you will never find trouble finding the difference between an older movies DVD and Blu-ray. There is such a huge leap in resolution you will be able to see things you never saw before.

3. All you are paying is finer picture detail, but exactly how detailed do we want the picture? I am personally satisfied if the picture is adequate, I don't want to see the hairs in the ears and the nostrils, the paws on the faces etc. I am not going to replace all my media just for the sake of picture quality, especially if the blu ray has nothing new to offer in terms of extras compared to the dvd versions.

As I pointed out at the top of this post watching a Blu-ray is almost like watching the original 2K Digital Intermediate. You are seeing basically exactly what you saw at a digital cinema presentation or a brand new 35mm print. So to complain about how you don't want that much detail is silly when your seeing it at the cinema in the first place.

I can't answer question 4 as I have had no experience with this.

5. Again we have region coding. A, B and C, (probably more to come) There was a massive dispute over this with dvd, and it looks like no one has listened with the hd formats.

Some studios like Universal and Warner Bros. have NO region coding. And there will NOT be any new regions. The region specs are FINAL. and region coding is not a simple issue as "oh why do they have it when everyone hate it on DVD." Some films such as The Incredible Hulk have 2 studios distributing with Universal doing the US and Paramount doing Australia. They both have contracts that do not allow each other to sell into each others areas.

6. Just like on dvd, films are released on blu ray and then released again on blu ray for money making purposes. Classic example of this is the Terminator 2 film. It was released and then released again on Skynet edition.

Terminator 2 had a new transfer for the Skynet edition because of all the hate when it was first released. That was the main reason for the re-release. Also the Skynet edition now has all versions of the movie.

Okay we have had vhs, then dvd, now HD. What's next HDDD? and then HDDDDD!! When does it stop? In my opinion it's just another money making con. Don't get me wrong I appreciate the quality of the high definition format, but I just feel that blu ray isn't taking full advantage of itself. Many of the discs are only using up half the space. If a lot of the films had something to offer that was non-existent on dvd, and increased its content I could see the value in buying blu ray movies, but right now I just can't see the point.

1. I hate when people say things like what I bolded.
2. There will always be a new format every 10-15 years there is nothing you or I can do about it. It is simple technology advancing.
3. And Blu-ray is taking advantage of itself. The quality of transfers and lossless audio is matching the quality of the studio 35mm Digital Intermediates.

Also 1 question. Do you actually own Blu-ray movies or watch them? It seems like your post is filled with the sort of stuff someone that doesn't own Blu-ray and doesn't want to switch to it would say.

[Got2LoveGadgets]

AceHit come round my house (im free most nights next week) I will stick on a few blus Dark Night, Monsters Inc all the good ones whack the volume up to 11 if your jaw doesn't hit the floor I will pay for your taxi home

[assydingo]

I don't care much about extras. I just want to see a movie looking as close to the original source as I can. To me that's worth it.

[bhampton]

Quote "Obviously this is my opinion, but will be interested to hear your thoughts!"

My thoughts... I think it's great.

Sorry, you don't like it. Everyone doesn't like the Beatles either. Different strokes for different folks I guess.

-Brian

[Chordata]

Originally Posted by bhampton

Sorry, you don't like it. Everyone doesn't like the Beatles either. Different strokes for different folks I guess.

Those people should be shot.

On topic, though, everyone's entitled to their opinion. If you don't like BD, don't buy it. Stick to your DVDs.

I'll keep buying, however, because the PQ and AQ is RIDICULOUSLY better than the DVDs I have.

[broganreynik]

Originally Posted by O_V_N

Those people should be shot.

On topic, though, everyone's entitled to their opinion. If you don't like BD, don't buy it. Stick to your DVDs.

I'll keep buying, however, because the PQ and AQ is RIDICULOUSLY better than the DVDs I have.

+1

[Lord_Stewie]

You don't like BD then thats your opinion and it is respected. However, when you say there is no need for the technology to advance then thats a problem.

[Steve]

OP you came to the wrong forum to explain all the reasons you don't like blu-ray and then expect anyone to side with you. Surely you had to know before typing that post that not a single person here would agree with you on much of anything.

[Chordata]

Originally Posted by fireman325

OP you came to the wrong forum to explain all the reasons you don't like blu-ray and then expect anyone to side with you. Surely you had to know before typing that post that not a single person here would agree with you on much of anything.

Maybe he's not looking for teammates. Maybe he's looking for our viewpoints on his questions/problems with Blu-ray.

Look at this as a chance to enlighten him so he can enlighten others.

You know, the whole "spread the good word!" thing.

[Afrobean]

I realize my post overlaps a little with material covered by the other responders, but I want to give my own response as well.

Originally Posted by Acehit

1. Most releases at this point are not taking full advantage of the space available on bd. For example some films released on blu ray either have limited or no special features compared to the dvd. Some movies have more features on the dvd than the blu ray despite the massive size difference on the discs. To add to this, the whole idea of bd is the HD bonus content, yet most bd releases have little or no hd bonus content whatsoever.

It's unfortunate that some releases don't contain all available features from previous DVD releases, but simply put: most films don't require to fill the full 50 GB available.

Many shorter films can easily fit on a 25 GB and still look and sound great even.

As for extras being in SD, sometimes that's because that's all they exist in. The materials might have been made in SD, not knowing they might be useful in HD later on. Or maybe the studio just doesn't want to waste disc space on a 5 minute video of the composer talking about the score in HD. If it makes the difference between having the extra or not having it, I'd much rather have it in SD and not make it an affront to the main feature's quality just to have it.

2. According to the reviews on blu ray digest, some movies are not touched up for blu ray, they are just simply transferred from another format, i.e. dvd. Almost as if it has been just slapped on. Upon close analysis, the older films especially are had to differienciate between dvd and blu ray.

Some BDs (especially older releases of catalog titles) are sourced from DVD transfers, but they are not "FROM DVD". When the transfer for the DVD was made, they would have transferred at 1080p, so that the transfer could be used for HD broadcast in 1080i or 720p (or maybe even for striking new film prints). It's not as though they take the video originally present on the DVD and blow it up to 1080p, it always existed in 1080p and the DVD you previously saw was scaled down.

All new releases and plenty of catalogs these days don't suffer from this though. A rare example of one which does is Gladiator, and people tore that one apart for not being as stunning as Braveheart is (Gladiator has particularly bad DNR and EE due to being from an old transfer).

3. All you are paying is finer picture detail, but exactly how detailed do we want the picture? I am personally satisfied if the picture is adequate, I don't want to see the hairs in the ears and the nostrils, the paws on the faces etc. I am not going to replace all my media just for the sake of picture quality, especially if the blu ray has nothing new to offer in terms of extras compared to the dvd versions.

Higher resolution picture isn't the only thing you pay for. Also higher resolution sound (plus 7.1 when available). And better programmed menus (like being able to access the menu while the movie is playing). And more robust software structure all-around (like softcoded pillarbar graphics as seen on Pinocchio), not to mention online capabilities or picture-in-picture control.

And if you don't like seeing the fine detail, you can always go back to DVD. Or set a "noise reduction" setting in your TV or player that will soften the image. Or you could set your player to output at a lower resolution. Or view from a further distance. Whatever it is, that's on you.

4. The special editions, collectors and directors cuts that were available on dvd are absent on the blu rays, again not taking full advantage. The lethal weapon film is a classic example of this, the dvd is the directors cut, whilst the blu ray contains these extra scenes as a seperate entity. Yet you would've thought with the amount of space on the disc, they would've put both versions of the film on.

This is unfortunate that some films only include the theatrical cut when an extended or director's cut is available on DVD already, but it's not something that afflicts all releases. When Bladerunner came out on BD for example, it came with every imaginable cut available, including a previously unavailable workprint cut.

5. Again we have region coding. A, B and C, (probably more to come) There was a massive dispute over this with dvd, and it looks like no one has listened with the hd formats.

Region isn't as bad for BD as it was for DVD, but you're right in a way. But even so, companies own specific distribution rights for certain regions and its not terrible for them to want to protect their investment.

6. Just like on dvd, films are released on blu ray and then released again on blu ray for money making purposes. Classic example of this is the Terminator 2 film. It was released and then released again on Skynet edition.

The first release of T2 wasn't very good (lacked extended cuts as you mentioned above, not to mention lossless sound). Hell, the second release isn't even the best it could be (less than ideal picture quality and probably less extras than have been available on DVD).

Nearly every double dipped BD that's come has been justified in one way or another. Sometimes it's been just about adding extra features that were left off for some reason, other times it's to fix a technical fault such as poor picture or audio quality.

Okay we have had vhs, then dvd, now HD. What's next HDDD? and then HDDDDD!! When does it stop?

BD is pretty much the end of the road. What is encoded onto a BD is roughly the highest fidelity possible. Movies these days are created at 2K and 2K is basically the same as 1080p. And even if a higher resolution standard came along, there would be no visible difference for anyone watching on a normal sized set (i.e., would probably require 100+ inch diagonal to have any effect). Most people don't even make full use of the 1080p they have.

If anything else DOES come along, it won't really look or sound any better.

In my opinion it's just another money making con.

I think the term you mean is "technology driven business". If BD were possible back in 1996, they would have released it instead of DVD. But it wasn't technologically or economically feasible at the time. And yes, they are trying to make money. That's the nature of the capitalist world. You can't be mad at a company for trying to make a profit.

[bhampton]

Originally Posted by Acehit

1. Most releases at this point are not taking full advantage of the space available on bd....

2. According to the reviews on blu ray digest, some movies are not touched up for blu ray, they are just simply transferred from another format, i.e. dvd. Almost as if it has been just slapped on. Upon close analysis, the older films especially are had to differienciate between dvd and blu ray.

3. All you are paying is finer picture detail, but exactly how detailed do we want the picture? ...

4. The special editions, collectors and directors cuts that were available on dvd are absent on the blu rays, again not taking full advantage. The lethal weapon film is a classic example of this, the dvd is the directors cut, whilst the blu ray contains these extra scenes as a seperate entity. Yet you would've thought with the amount of space on the disc, they would've put both versions of the film on.

5. Again we have region coding. A, B and C, (probably more to come) There was a massive dispute over this with dvd, and it looks like no one has listened with the hd formats.

6. Just like on dvd, films are released on blu ray and then released again on blu ray for money making purposes. Classic example of this is the Terminator 2 film. It was released and then released again on Skynet edition.

Ok... My try to make a serious answer....

1) I had cassettes that didn't use the whole tape...This makes no difference really. Look at what is there. That's the stuff.

2) If a poor job is done on a Blu Ray you have the option to reject it. This is no different for any medium. Conversely there are fantastic jobs done on many Blu Ray releases.

3) As much as possible, that's how much detail I want.

4) So some editions don't exist on Blu Ray... not a real reason to not like Blu Ray. Don't buy the ones that don't exist... works for me.

5) Region coding doesn't bother me at all. The studios excersize control of how they market movies,.. without region coding some things just would simply not be released. Back when HD DVD was around some studios would just hold back releases until they were ready to distribute them worldwide because of the lack of region coding. Region coding is a plus. If I want to I can pick up a second player for discs from another region as well.

So ... there,... I've had my coffee and this is my nicer and honest answer to your concerns. Look again at Blu Ray and I think you will find a lot more to like about it than to dis-like.

-Brian

[kris26]

let me conclude this way....

As one of us just mentioned he saw the lcd in blockbuster and went crazy
well he can't go crazy in the store the only place with getting into troubleis in the forums
AND

he just want to pull the chains and enjoy

we get these folks very often

one person doesn't like it at all means nothing bluray goes on.... and it still rocks until they gave birth to new format

we need and will educate the people that are willing to learn

[Steve]

Originally Posted by O_V_N

Maybe he's not looking for teammates. Maybe he's looking for our viewpoints on his questions/problems with Blu-ray.

Look at this as a chance to enlighten him so he can enlighten others.

You know, the whole "spread the good word!" thing.

You have a good point.

[DonRSD]

this thread feels like a ps3 vs 360 thread

let the 'cheap people' not enjoy bluray

i rebought all the movies i wanted for one reason.............LOSSLESS AUDIO

[popcornninja]

I used to be a non-believer in Blu-Ray. Then I started to actually watch some at my friends house. Then the rest was history.

I think the OP has some good points but they seem like they are aimed incorrectly.

For instance, you shouldn't take it out on Blu-Ray format that there is re-releases of certain titles. That has been going on for ages, with VHS and DVD, and it's the studios doing that, not the format.

IMO The video and audio (on most Blus) I've seen and heard are so much better. There's no doubt that I'm getting a higher quality experience.

[supersix4]

Originally Posted by KaiGusto

Ummm yep, its called making money. Studios are not your friends. If they only ever released one version of a film, they wouldnt make crap all.

Agreed lol they've been re-releasing movies on a format since vhs

http://pics.hoobly.com/full/JFOKU1BWOIOW5OUH52.jpg

http://www.jawscollector.com/Book%20...1980video1.jpg

http://www.caryn.com/biz/movies/hall...mages/jaws.JPG

http://www.unm.edu/~unmvclib/moviesw...mages/jaws.jpg

Originally Posted by popcornninja

IMO The video and audio (on most Blus) I've seen and heard are so much better. There's no doubt that I'm getting a higher quality experience.

Yep, I'm not one that thinks every movie needs to be perfect just better then what is currently out, and so far of all my movies, only two I felt weren't on par with my expectations lethal weapon 1&2, everything else has had at least one part where I said "wow I never saw that before", or "oh man look at that detail".

[toef]

It's unfortunate that many of the responses to the guy who started this thread generally include that he's stupid, or he's too poor to buy BDs, when we don't know anything about him.

It's not like he made a thread and posted "i hate blue rays, they're stupid. you guys are dumb. p.s. i work at wal-mart for $7 an hour." and ran away.

This might come as a surprise to some people, but:

-Some people don't care that much about movies, to care if it looks and sounds better.

-Some people might actually really care about movies, but overlook the picture and sound qualities, and focus on the story, the direction, the acting, etc.

So this guy has an opinion that differs from most people on this forum. Big deal. As OVN said, if you disagree with him, at least be helpful and try to address his questions. If you instead just start insulting him, it just makes you look like an idiot. Nobody thinks you're cool because you "get" what BDs are about, or own a lot of them, or make fun of people who don't "get" it.

[Q?]

Originally Posted by toefer

It's unfortunate that many of the responses to the guy who started this thread generally include that he's stupid, or he's too poor to buy BDs, when we don't know anything about him.

It's not like he made a thread and posted "i hate blue rays, they're stupid. you guys are dumb. p.s. i work at wal-mart for $7 an hour." and ran away.

This might come as a surprise to some people, but:

-Some people don't care that much about movies, to care if it looks and sounds better.

-Some people might actually really care about movies, but overlook the picture and sound qualities, and focus on the story, the direction, the acting, etc.

So this guy has an opinion that differs from most people on this forum. Big deal. As OVN said, if you disagree with him, at least be helpful and try to address his questions. If you instead just start insulting him, it just makes you look like an idiot. Nobody thinks you're cool because you "get" what BDs are about, or own a lot of them, or make fun of people who don't "get" it.

+1

p.s. I wasn't thinking...