Blu-ray vs. Standard Definition - Blu-ray Forum

Dark_Prince · 07-15-2007, 05:13 PM

Am I the only one who finds watching standard definition DVD's quite difficult now having got used to a run of Hi Def discs.

I don't even have a huge display, and it's only capable of 1080i, but after watching a string of Blu Rays recently, including Phantom of the Opera, Superman, Pirates 1 & 2, Dreamgirls, Ghost Rider and The Sentinel, I settled down to watch a film on standard DVD, and found the picture quality really lacking.

I'm really throwing myself into Blu Ray now, with the only standard DVD's I'm looking to keep being the Star Wars and Indy discs, which do still look good in Standard Definition, the Universal discs I have, which are mainly Spielberg films, the Disney Animated Classics because I can't wait 7 or 8 years for some of these films to come around again and Doctor Who - which won't benefit from being on Blu Ray anyway.

Has anyone else started to feel this way. It's very similar to when DVD took over from VHS, and I didn't expect to see such a big difference this time. I can only imagine what a noticeable difference it is on some of the large screen displays, and with more and more people switching over to big screen TV's, surely the future of Blu Ray is assured.

Dadds · 07-15-2007, 05:18 PM

I agree it is very hard to watch dvds. The only ones I still have are Universal, Band of Brothers and a few other movies that are still not coming to blu. Otherwise I gave most of them to my family.

Dark_Prince · 07-15-2007, 05:21 PM

Oh, I'm keeping my Superman Ultimate collection too until or unless Warner decide to put it out on Blu Ray, even though I have Superman: The Movie and Superman Returns on Blu Ray.

howarmat · 07-15-2007, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dark_Prince

Oh, I'm keeping my Superman Ultimate collection too until or unless Warner decide to put it out on Blu Ray, even though I have Superman: The Movie and Superman Returns on Blu Ray.

I agree, I would rather have the Ultimate Collection that just the individual Blurays.....if they release the set in BR i would pick it up though!

garak · 07-15-2007, 05:47 PM

BD is a huge improvement over SD DVD. I can barely watch SD DVDs now. It really makes me wonder why the adoption rate is so low.

Can it really be consumers are sitting out because of the format war? How many consumers even know that there is a format war?

I hope that it's not the tendency for the average person to accept adequate as good enough - meaning they are satisfied watching upconverted DVDs on their HDTV.

matthewrounds · 07-15-2007, 05:48 PM

I will take your comment one step further and proclaim that I don't even like watching standard definition television programming anymore. About the only time I do is when my son watches cartoons or perhaps the occasional, University of Arizona sports game, which is not in HD.

I have sold off nearly my entire DVD collection ~150 movies. I know others think the upscaling of the PS3 is really good, and it probably is, but it will never approach the quality of a BD movie. Too me the movies will always look grainy and never be crisp and clean like BD movies. I am trying really hard to only buy and keep movies that I think I will watch again and this is why my collection is so small, but I have watched over 100+ BD's!

zombieking · 07-15-2007, 08:02 PM

I know. Watching a standard def dvd is like looking through a dirty window

RedSnoddyBLU · 07-15-2007, 08:14 PM

My Lord of the Rings Extended Editions do look lovely upconverted by my PS3

Banjo · 07-15-2007, 08:18 PM

Well, I don't find it that "difficult" to enjoy a movie in standard definition. I'm able to tolerate it but I do prefer watching movies in HD.

Some people here are being a tad too dramatic.

Dark_Prince · 07-15-2007, 08:22 PM

Not being dramatic at all.

You needn't phrase things quite so objectionably - some people on here are being a tad too rude.

Ender · 07-15-2007, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Banjo

Well, I don't find it that "difficult" to enjoy a movie in standard definition. I'm able to tolerate it but I do prefer watching movies in HD.

Some people here are being a tad too dramatic.

I agree. I would prefer to watch a movie on BD, but if it's not available yet, I'll still enjoy the DVD. I'm replacing my DVDs with the BD version as they come out, but I'm not going to sell off the ones that haven't been reissued yet.

NutsAboutPS3 · 07-15-2007, 10:21 PM

Yes, I find SD material looks out of focus now, like my eyes somehow aren't focused properly on it. They are, it's just that it's all blurry compared to Blu-ray.

I think an issue for adoption is that this is actually a negative not a positive for most people in that SD looks fine till you experience Blu-ray. Given that for many people, HD TV programming is not an option (e.g. I have no way to receive HD TV broadcasts), this mental adjustment to seeing Blu-ray quality as the norm actually puts people off that I've spoken to. Their argument is that SD looks fine to them, so why would they want to watch something that will make it no longer look fine when they will still have to watch SD most of the time.

Anthony P · 07-15-2007, 11:02 PM

Quote:

Am I the only one who finds watching standard definition DVD's quite difficult now having got used to a run of Hi Def discs.

no, I am the same way. Now if it is a movie I really want to see (something new) and I really don't think it will be on BD any time soon (or ever), I will buy it and see it in DVD (lived with it so long, for some I will need to longer) but for movies I own, the truth is I have close to 40 BDs I have bought and have not seen yet, so the idea of seeing a DVD I have owned for some time is not there.

Banjo · 07-16-2007, 12:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NutsAboutPS3

Yes, I find SD material looks out of focus now, like my eyes somehow aren't focused properly on it. They are, it's just that it's all blurry compared to Blu-ray.

I think an issue for adoption is that this is actually a negative not a positive for most people in that SD looks fine till you experience Blu-ray. Given that for many people, HD TV programming is not an option (e.g. I have no way to receive HD TV broadcasts), this mental adjustment to seeing Blu-ray quality as the norm actually puts people off that I've spoken to. Their argument is that SD looks fine to them, so why would they want to watch something that will make it no longer look fine when they will still have to watch SD most of the time.

There is a way to receive HDTV programming, it's by using an antenna. You can google it up for more information. Maybe some people here can give you the information you need.

Ender · 07-16-2007, 12:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Banjo

There is a way to receive HDTV programming, it's by using an antenna. You can google it up for more information. Maybe some people here can give you the information you need.

That's assuming the TV has an ATSC tuner built in, which most didn't until the last year or so.

cruzzer cruz · 07-16-2007, 12:59 AM

As much as I love Blu-ray, I'm not gonna cry about how my SD DVDs look. They look fine. I don't necessarily have to upscale them on my PS3, but I do. The only thing that really bothers me now is tv. Now THAT looks terrible. But even so, it looks better than Youtube videos. There's always something worse lol.

darkpoet25 · 07-16-2007, 01:01 AM

Yeah I find it hard myself. When I watch something in SD I can really tell the difference in PQ. I notice the pixelation, and video noise more. I watch regular dvd's either in my room, or on my PS3. I have noticed the difference when they are upconverted as well.

easyrider · 07-16-2007, 01:16 AM

I am unloading my SD DVDs as fast as I can and while there is still a decent demand for them .... over 1,000 in the last 2 months in various e-bay job lots.
The only "keeps" are all my TV show box sets (Seinfeld, 24, CSI etc) and essential stuff like LOTR, Star Wars, Indy.
Also, maybe it's only me .... but I think the "upscaling" of SD DVDs when played on a Blu ray player is a myth. Looks exactly the same to me as when played on my SD dvd player

Mr. Joshua · 07-16-2007, 01:23 AM

Blu-ray looks so good that I took my Time Warner cable service off. Even the HD stuff on cable does not look as good as Blu-ray. I'm getting rid of my standard DVD's too. Blu-ray just looks too good. I never bought any TV shows except for The Tick. I will keep that DVD box set. Star Wars doesn't even look good when upscaled. Come on Lucas get in the game baby...

Don't you want Star Wars to be seen in blu pristine glory?

Sylin · 07-16-2007, 03:10 AM

Lucasfilm was set to release the 6 Star Wars movies this year on Blu-ray, to commemorate the 30th SW anniversary. However, George decided that with this new technology, he wanted to replace every actor with CGI versions and also change the plot line some to include more stupid aliens and easter eggs showing where Han actually shot first but not before Greedo teased him about his mama. Oh, and Vader isn't Luke's father in this new one... he's his uncle, twice removed. C3PO is the father.

/cheek

07-15-2007, 05:13 PM	#1
Dark_Prince Member Member since:Jun 2007	Blu-ray vs. Standard Definition Am I the only one who finds watching standard definition DVD's quite difficult now having got used to a run of Hi Def discs. I don't even have a huge display, and it's only capable of 1080i, but after watching a string of Blu Rays recently, including Phantom of the Opera, Superman, Pirates 1 & 2, Dreamgirls, Ghost Rider and The Sentinel, I settled down to watch a film on standard DVD, and found the picture quality really lacking. I'm really throwing myself into Blu Ray now, with the only standard DVD's I'm looking to keep being the Star Wars and Indy discs, which do still look good in Standard Definition, the Universal discs I have, which are mainly Spielberg films, the Disney Animated Classics because I can't wait 7 or 8 years for some of these films to come around again and Doctor Who - which won't benefit from being on Blu Ray anyway. Has anyone else started to feel this way. It's very similar to when DVD took over from VHS, and I didn't expect to see such a big difference this time. I can only imagine what a noticeable difference it is on some of the large screen displays, and with more and more people switching over to big screen TV's, surely the future of Blu Ray is assured.

07-15-2007, 08:14 PM	#8
RedSnoddyBLU Member Member since:Jul 2007 Blu-ray collection:677 DVD collection:1 Blu-ray reviews: 1	Agreed, but... My Lord of the Rings Extended Editions do look lovely upconverted by my PS3

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07-15-2007, 05:18 PM	#2
Dadds Special Member Member since:Jun 2007 Location:South NJ Blu-ray reviews:3	I agree it is very hard to watch dvds. The only ones I still have are Universal, Band of Brothers and a few other movies that are still not coming to blu. Otherwise I gave most of them to my family.

07-15-2007, 05:21 PM	#3
Dark_Prince Member Member since:Jun 2007	Oh, I'm keeping my Superman Ultimate collection too until or unless Warner decide to put it out on Blu Ray, even though I have Superman: The Movie and Superman Returns on Blu Ray.

07-15-2007, 05:47 PM	#5
garak Active Member Member since:Apr 2007 Location:Arizona	BD is a huge improvement over SD DVD. I can barely watch SD DVDs now. It really makes me wonder why the adoption rate is so low. Can it really be consumers are sitting out because of the format war? How many consumers even know that there is a format war? I hope that it's not the tendency for the average person to accept adequate as good enough - meaning they are satisfied watching upconverted DVDs on their HDTV.

07-15-2007, 05:48 PM	#6
matthewrounds Expert Member Member since:Apr 2007 Location:Tucson, AZ Home Theater Gallery:19 Blu-ray collection:52 Trading Score:21	I will take your comment one step further and proclaim that I don't even like watching standard definition television programming anymore. About the only time I do is when my son watches cartoons or perhaps the occasional, University of Arizona sports game, which is not in HD. I have sold off nearly my entire DVD collection ~150 movies. I know others think the upscaling of the PS3 is really good, and it probably is, but it will never approach the quality of a BD movie. Too me the movies will always look grainy and never be crisp and clean like BD movies. I am trying really hard to only buy and keep movies that I think I will watch again and this is why my collection is so small, but I have watched over 100+ BD's!

07-15-2007, 08:02 PM	#7
zombieking Special Member Member since:May 2007 Location:CANADA Blu-ray collection:304 Blu-ray reviews: 18	I know. Watching a standard def dvd is like looking through a dirty window

07-15-2007, 08:18 PM	#9
Banjo Blu-ray Guru Member since:Dec 2006 Location:Ontario, Canada Blu-ray collection:143	Well, I don't find it that "difficult" to enjoy a movie in standard definition. I'm able to tolerate it but I do prefer watching movies in HD. Some people here are being a tad too dramatic.

07-15-2007, 08:22 PM	#10
Dark_Prince Member Member since:Jun 2007	Not being dramatic at all. You needn't phrase things quite so objectionably - some people on here are being a tad too rude.

07-15-2007, 10:21 PM	#12
NutsAboutPS3 Expert Member Member since:Apr 2007 Location:UK Blu-ray reviews:1	Yes, I find SD material looks out of focus now, like my eyes somehow aren't focused properly on it. They are, it's just that it's all blurry compared to Blu-ray. I think an issue for adoption is that this is actually a negative not a positive for most people in that SD looks fine till you experience Blu-ray. Given that for many people, HD TV programming is not an option (e.g. I have no way to receive HD TV broadcasts), this mental adjustment to seeing Blu-ray quality as the norm actually puts people off that I've spoken to. Their argument is that SD looks fine to them, so why would they want to watch something that will make it no longer look fine when they will still have to watch SD most of the time.

07-16-2007, 12:59 AM	#16
cruzzer cruz Active Member Member since:Jun 2007 Location:Bronx, NY Blu-ray reviews:1	As much as I love Blu-ray, I'm not gonna cry about how my SD DVDs look. They look fine. I don't necessarily have to upscale them on my PS3, but I do. The only thing that really bothers me now is tv. Now THAT looks terrible. But even so, it looks better than Youtube videos. There's always something worse lol.

07-16-2007, 01:01 AM	#17
darkpoet25 Blu-ray Samurai Member since:Feb 2007 Location:Indianapolis, IN Home Theater Gallery:45 4K collection:50 Blu-ray collection:297 Blu-ray reviews: 4	Yeah I find it hard myself. When I watch something in SD I can really tell the difference in PQ. I notice the pixelation, and video noise more. I watch regular dvd's either in my room, or on my PS3. I have noticed the difference when they are upconverted as well.

07-16-2007, 01:16 AM	#18
easyrider Special Member Member since:May 2007 Location:Bathurst NSW, Australia	I am unloading my SD DVDs as fast as I can and while there is still a decent demand for them .... over 1,000 in the last 2 months in various e-bay job lots. The only "keeps" are all my TV show box sets (Seinfeld, 24, CSI etc) and essential stuff like LOTR, Star Wars, Indy. Also, maybe it's only me .... but I think the "upscaling" of SD DVDs when played on a Blu ray player is a myth. Looks exactly the same to me as when played on my SD dvd player

07-16-2007, 01:23 AM	#19
Mr. Joshua Blu-ray Guru Member since:May 2007 Home Theater Gallery:6 Blu-ray collection:153	Blu-ray looks so good that I took my Time Warner cable service off. Even the HD stuff on cable does not look as good as Blu-ray. I'm getting rid of my standard DVD's too. Blu-ray just looks too good. I never bought any TV shows except for The Tick. I will keep that DVD box set. Star Wars doesn't even look good when upscaled. Come on Lucas get in the game baby... Don't you want Star Wars to be seen in blu pristine glory?

07-16-2007, 03:10 AM	#20
Sylin Blu-ray Samurai Member since:Jun 2007 Location:Nashville Blu-ray collection:1 Trading Score:159	Lucasfilm was set to release the 6 Star Wars movies this year on Blu-ray, to commemorate the 30th SW anniversary. However, George decided that with this new technology, he wanted to replace every actor with CGI versions and also change the plot line some to include more stupid aliens and easter eggs showing where Han actually shot first but not before Greedo teased him about his mama. Oh, and Vader isn't Luke's father in this new one... he's his uncle, twice removed. C3PO is the father. /cheek

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