No Country: SD to HD Upgrade Value?

[Glow007]

I have not even seen this movie yet on either format and I can tell you the Blu will blow it away. I have NEVER seen a Blu/DVD comparison in which the DVD was better. I have double dipped on several DVD/Blus and its been worth it to me everytime.

If you want good enough keep the DVD, if you want stunning keep the Blu!

[BanjoBob]

Originally Posted by BStecke

Didn't the DVD come with a $10 off coupon for buying the Blu-ray? If you can unload the DVD for a decent buck, then that justifies the upgrade even more.

Thanks for all the replies...

Couldn't resist, tore the package open and put it in the player... then put in the SD DVD for comparison... and D'OH, ran into said coupon. I am going back to Wal-Mart today with the BD, shrinkwrap and coupon and getting that $10.

Thanks again, and all hail King Blu...

[HeavyHitter]

Originally Posted by Glow007

I have not even seen this movie yet on either format and I can tell you the Blu will blow it away. I have NEVER seen a Blu/DVD comparison in which the DVD was better. I have double dipped on several DVD/Blus and its been worth it to me everytime.

If you want good enough keep the DVD, if you want stunning keep the Blu!

Agreed.

[BanjoBob]

Final word/verdict...

I just got back from Wally World and they honored the $10 coupon from the SD DVD on my opened Blu-ray. Picked up 2001: ASO and the Shining for $19 each at Costco (both upgrades again; needed to for the FF Shining SD DVD) on the way home. Got back, played NCFOM, and it is indeed fantastic. SOLD!

And I guess I agree with the sentiment of an earlier response, saying that given the nature of these forums being Blu-Ray forums, I am bound to get exclusively pro-upgrade responses.

But, thanks again guys and gals... signing off.

[Beta Man]

Originally Posted by BanjoBob

Final word/verdict...

I just got back from Wally World and they honored the $10 coupon from the SD DVD on my opened Blu-ray. Picked up 2001: ASO and the Shining for $19 each at Costco (both upgrades again; needed to for the FF Shining SD DVD) on the way home. Got back, played NCFOM, and it is indeed fantastic. SOLD!

And I guess I agree with the sentiment of an earlier response, saying that given the nature of these forums being Blu-Ray forums, I am bound to get exclusively pro-upgrade responses.



But, thanks again guys and gals... signing off.

Having Double dipped on a few (and not others) myself.... I have about 1,100 Standard DVDs...... and The Shining, Clockwork Orange, and Full Metal Jacket (remastered) are ALL WELL WORTH the upgrade..... I've held back on the Terminator flicks etc. b/c I heard the transfer wasn't that great.

You'll be AMAZED at how well those older films can look!!!!!!!!!!!

Don't forget to pick up Blade Runner it's AMAZING as well.

[LainHK]

Does anyone else notice judder on this title more than others?I have a sony bravia KDL 40v3000 and this movie really stands out in the judder department, especially in the first 20 mins where it's all sunny outside

[bkbluray]

I can't say anything about the BD, but the DVD picture quality was bad, even for DVD. Judging by how well this Blu-ray has been received, I would DEFINITELY upgrade.

[tobyg]

Originally Posted by Belloche

I don't have it yet(on the way), but I can tell you that this is not the place to go to get both sides of the argument. You will find Blu-ray supporters here and most of them are pretty millitant about it.
Your best bet is to develop your own formula for double dipping based on all the reviews you can get a hold of.I also have a large DVD collection and I don't automatically buy everything on Blu based on the cost mostly.
Having said all that NCFOM was an incredible film and I would need to buy it on Blu.

Anyone who says a cinematic movie on DVD is "good enough" is legally blind. I know you didn't say that but *of course* people on this forum or any other HD forum would say "upgrade!" It's not favoritism that drives that opinion.

First rule of thumb is don't buy any SD ever again (duh). Next rule is that if it's not cinematic, like comedies, upgrade it last. Animation, like Disney, Pixar or PDI, does not benefit from Blu-ray as much as film does. From there you start with your favorites, or anything new.

[Grubert]

Originally Posted by LainHK

Does anyone else notice judder on this title more than others?I have a sony bravia KDL 40v3000 and this movie really stands out in the judder department, especially in the first 20 mins where it's all sunny outside

No judder with a PS3 and Sony VW50 projector at 1080p24.

What you're seeing may be the short exposure times due to the brightly-lit exteriors. You get less motion blur, but frames don't blend so well into each other.

[Joe Cain]

Originally Posted by tobyg

Animation, like Disney, Pixar or PDI, does not benefit from Blu-ray as much as film does.

Umm...no. A couple little Pixar efforts called Cars & Ratatouille have been widely acclaimed for exceptional audio and reference-quality picture. I've seen Cars on both DVD & BD and the difference is night & day; Ratatouille looks better in my home than it did at the theatre when I saw it opening weekend.

As for traditional hand-drawn Disney animation---well, that argument will be put to bed with Sleeping Beauty this fall. Meanwhile I'm sure many people will continue to maintain that a more detailed & accurate representation of a piece of visual artwork can do nothing to enhance the viewer's experience...because that only makes sense, right?

[Grubert]

Originally Posted by Joe Cain

As for traditional hand-drawn Disney animation---well, that argument will be put to bed with Sleeping Beauty this fall.

It can be put to bed right now - the HD DVD of Adventures of Robin Hood includes a couple Merrie Melodies classic cartoons in hidef. Katnip Kollege is a revelation.

From a site review:

The Merrie Melodie Katnip Kollege, as well as the Looney Tunes Rabbit Hood and Robin Hood Daffy are compressed with VC1 and presented in HD that looks nearly as good as the feature. The HD allows a crispness of line and a brilliance of color, while still keeping the delicate watercolor backgrounds intact. It's a real pleasure to see these cartoons looking so gorgeous. It makes one hungry for an HD release of the Looney Tunes Golden Collections.

[Joe Cain]

Originally Posted by Grubert

It can be put to bed right now - the HD DVD of Adventures of Robin Hood includes a couple Merrie Melodies classic cartoons in hidef. Katnip Kollege is a revelation.

From a site review:

I have read about these; sadly I lack an HD DVD player.

I've heard from Ernest Rister & elsewhere that Mars and Beyond is also quite impressive, included as HD bonus material on Disney's Roving Mars. (I own the DVD...likely to double-dip-up next time I find the title on sale).

Somehow discussing cartoons in a No Country thread feels...wrong.
(Oo, I wonder if the Coens have ever considered making an animated feature...)

[tobyg]

Originally Posted by Joe Cain

Umm...no. A couple little Pixar efforts called Cars & Ratatouille have been widely acclaimed for exceptional audio and reference-quality picture. I've seen Cars on both DVD & BD and the difference is night & day; Ratatouille looks better in my home than it did at the theatre when I saw it opening weekend.

Animation absolutely looks better on Blu-ray than on dvd, that's not what I'm saying. I'm saying that live-action film has more to lose by being seen on dvd than does animation. There's more detail in live-action film than in animated features, so there's more to be gained by getting it on Blu-ray. 2D animation has even less to gain than 3D / Pixar style, with large areas of solid color, only the outlines are improved in Blu-ray.