Should you replace your DVDs with Blu-ray?

[Roland1919]

Originally Posted by owa

I'm trying to replace all the DVDs that I can but I doubt some of the ones I have on DVD will ever be released on blu-ray (i.e. a lot of the low-budget horror movies).

my sentiments exactly. Some would not be worth replacing like anything in B/W...

[Beta Man]

Originally Posted by Roland1919

my sentiments exactly. Some would not be worth replacing like anything in B/W...

I agree that some won't be available, but I think Clerks would look "cleaner" even if it is in black and white, but i'm not going to replace it on Blu anytime soon. The fact that all Blu-Players play standard DVDs makes the "NEED" to upgrade to Blu rays a non-factor, so I expect some of the low low low budget flicks that went from VHS to DVD, to not make the next leap.

[Yeha-Noha]

I have all of the LOTR, Star Wars, and Indy films on DVD as well as many others that aren't yet slated for BD transfers. Would I replace them with Blu-ray, if they ever get transferred to BDs? If bees like honey, I will.

However, I still watch the DVDs because the PQ and AQ aren't everything. The story, characters, costumes, acting, etc all count for something. These are great movies regardless of PQ and AQ!

But BDs are the icing on the cake and well worth the expense making good movies even better and enhance the experience. But I will not hastily run out and buy blindly. There are good transfers to BDs and bad ones out there. If bad, I'll keep the DVDs.

[landry_p2000]

Are there any media stores that allow store credit or cash for sd dvd trade-ins? If so, that would be a way to unload alot of the 'duds" that have been purchased, and use the credit/ cash for blu-ray discs?. Out of my 650+ sd dvds, I can think of several that I can unload. Can anybody name a few stores that will do the trade-ins?

[EvolutionCherry]

I only would if one of my DVDs was damaged(which actually happened. ) or what I called favorites WORTHY for BD upgrade(which will be few). Other then that, no I am not replacing my DVDs for BDs since my PS3 can play my DVDs.

[BirdManJr]

Originally Posted by landry_p2000

Are there any media stores that allow store credit or cash for sd dvd trade-ins? If so, that would be a way to unload alot of the 'duds" that have been purchased, and use the credit/ cash for blu-ray discs?. Out of my 650+ sd dvds, I can think of several that I can unload. Can anybody name a few stores that will do the trade-ins?

theres a store close to me where i trade my dvds in for cash or store credit towards there blu rays....try this website and see if theres a store by you.

www.discreplay.com

[Blaumann]

Originally Posted by Blu-Ray Hunter

I have a fairly sizable collection of DVDs (~400). Back in Jan, I took a gamble on Blu-ray and bought a Sony BDP-S300. Then, the war between Blu-ray and HD-DVD wasn't completely decided, however I got a sweet deal. I got the player and 10 free movies (five instant in-store selections and five through the mail). I tried to pick titles that I didn't already have on regular DVD. I've now got around 30 titles on Blu-ray.

I find myself really questioning which Blu-ray disks to purchase. Some titles I'll buy without question (i.e. Lord of the Rings, any Pixar releases, etc.). I really hate spending the extra money on a Blu-ray disk for something I already have on regular DVD, especially if the quality is not worth the extra price tag. For example, my Blu-ray player will up-convert (to 1080i) all of the regular DVDs I have. So the real question is, why spend $30 (or more) on a Blu-ray disk when I can get the same title at Wal-Mart in the $7.50 bin on DVD? Or, why replace a DVD that I already own with Blu-ray if the quality is not immediately noticeable? For example, I already own the movie Castaway on DVD. In looking at the Blu-ray version, I can't tell a noticeable difference in the picture. You can in the sound, but not the picture.

I buy Blu-ray disks for one reason, quality. How can you tell (from the back of a Blu-ray case or another method) if an older movie was shot in HD quality? What's going to make me run out and buy "American Graffiti" on Blu-ray when I know the movie wasn't shot in HD? I have the double-throw-down-anniversary version of the movie Jaws on DVD. I'll have to think twice about replacing it with a Blu-ray, if/when it comes available.

Thoughts?
[...]

The thing about film being shot on film has already been covered in other replies in this thread. So i can only recommend that you use reviews to judge the quality of the transfer. With time you'll learn who to trust with reviews and who not to trust/take advise with grain of salt from.

Even better is renting first, if possible. So you can see with your own eyes.

If a Blu gets good reviews, i tend to replace my DVDs. If the Blu pq is only mediocre and the DVD upscales nicely, i'll very likely pass on the Blu or only pick it up during a good sale. What could still swing me is the better audio, but i value pq more than aq.

[landry_p2000]

Originally Posted by BirdManJr

theres a store close to me where i trade my dvds in for cash or store credit towards there blu rays....try this website and see if theres a store by you.

www.discreplay.com

Thanks BirdmanJr. I am in Memphis Tennessee, and all of those stores are up north. I did a little research and found a store called FYE ( For Your Entertainment). The lady I talked to said they give credit for dvds, games, and cds. I may check them out this weekend. I wish I were near a Discreplay store so I could do a comparison of the two.

[BirdManJr]

they pretty much give you 7 or 8 dollars a dvd....and they also will buy anything old you have like...NES....nintendo 64...all that...they also have used blu rays there and used ps3 games you can put your store credit towards...or you can take cash its less but i usually take the cash and put it towards a blu ray.

[landry_p2000]

Out of my 600 something movies, I am sure ther are a few I can live without. Especially blind buys. I will end up keeping most of my animated, Disney, and boxed set dvds and everything else will be Blu-ray.

[Beta Man]

I threw around the idea of selling my DVDs (1,100+) and when reality struck, and I found they weren't worth a crap in re-sale value, I decided I'd keep them, and continue to enjoy them. I haven't even gotten rid of the ones I double dipped on! (I have 6 standard Versions of Reservoir dogs, and got the Blu, and I have The Kubrick films, and The Last Waltz, Blade Runner, etc... all on standard and Blu)

I have more in my collection that are "double-dips" than I have new titles (Like NCFOM) but that was never the intent!

[kccarl]

Its all personal opinion. Mine, which I have said before in threads, is to look at the movie itself. Ask yourself if its really worth buying a 25 dollar blu ray of the godfather? Or other films that are acting oriented as opposed to special effects oriented.

Keep in mind that you don't need to have Arnold level special effects to have a film benefit from blu ray. Sometimes, scenes with rain can make all the difference. I replaced Crimson Tide not for the color schemes, but for the sound. Blu ray definately is needed for advanced sound processing.

In the end, my opinion is that no, you do not need to replace your films with blu ray in total. Yes, many many films are worth the extra money, but many are not. I just bought Meet Joe Black, the Kill Bills, the Godfathers, all for 4.99 a piece, and am glad I did.

Of course, I wouldn't hesitate to replace Predator for blu ray. I, Robot, and many others.

KCCARL

[The Shrike]

I have only seen two Blu-rays that were no better than an upconverted version of the films on SD DVD, and they were Tomb Raider and Stealth. Every other time I've double dipped, it has been worth it. Even the transfers everyone bemoans, including Hard-Boiled, RoboCop and Terminator. RoboCop, for instance is not a reference quality disc, but if you like the film, it is worth it, as the quality is far superior to the upconverted version. If you personally can't tell it looks better, lucky you. Me? I can INSTANTLY see the improvement. Also, WOW do I hate standard DVD menus now. HATE THEM. I feel like I'm in the dark ages when I use them.

[Beta Man]

Originally Posted by kccarl

Its all personal opinion. Mine, which I have said before in threads, is to look at the movie itself. Ask yourself if its really worth buying a 25 dollar blu ray of the godfather? Or other films that are acting oriented as opposed to special effects oriented.

Keep in mind that you don't need to have Arnold level special effects to have a film benefit from blu ray. Sometimes, scenes with rain can make all the difference. I replaced Crimson Tide not for the color schemes, but for the sound. Blu ray definately is needed for advanced sound processing.

In the end, my opinion is that no, you do not need to replace your films with blu ray in total. Yes, many many films are worth the extra money, but many are not. I just bought Meet Joe Black, the Kill Bills, the Godfathers, all for 4.99 a piece, and am glad I did.

Of course, I wouldn't hesitate to replace Predator for blu ray. I, Robot, and many others.

KCCARL

I agree with you in principal, but when you're talking about movies as great as the Godfather, even a MARGINAL improvement is worth $30-$40 in my opinion!