Blu-Ray vs. DVD: The New Format War?

[Pirate]

RE: Toshiba's new upcon players.

Toshiba’s New BD Attack Vector: Modify DVD for HD Content — Audioholics Home Theater Reviews and News

[Ruined]

Originally Posted by Pirate

RE: Toshiba's new upcon players.

Toshiba’s New BD Attack Vector: Modify DVD for HD Content — Audioholics Home Theater Reviews and News

Format War v2.0...

[biglyle]

Originally Posted by Ruined

Format War v2.0...

LMAO, keep dreaming the dream big guy

[Loiosh]

DVD is good enough. The only time I have purchased a BluRay is because I wanted more behind-the-scenes stuff than the DVD offered.

The Toshiba plan is (forgive my rudeness) stupid. There are two vectors BluRay has to battle, #1 is DVD and #2 is online media.

I know what our elite here say, I've been reading since the site opened, but the fact is most < 30 these days are quite happy to get all the media online, legally or illegally. Those who would have become home theater junkies in the day are progressing to digital-home junkies.

DH Junkies: Use a console or stand-alone device (AppleTV) to centrally store content and provide it to the rest of the home. A number of my friends do not even have cable hookups or DVD players and get -all- of their media online. (They would be one of the AppleTV sets)

[No6PackJoe]

Originally Posted by Loiosh

DVD is good enough. The only time I have purchased a BluRay is because I wanted more behind-the-scenes stuff than the DVD offered.

The Toshiba plan is (forgive my rudeness) stupid. There are two vectors BluRay has to battle, #1 is DVD and #2 is online media.

I know what our elite here say, I've been reading since the site opened, but the fact is most < 30 these days are quite happy to get all the media online, legally or illegally. Those who would have become home theater junkies in the day are progressing to digital-home junkies.

DH Junkies: Use a console or stand-alone device (AppleTV) to centrally store content and provide it to the rest of the home. A number of my friends do not even have cable hookups or DVD players and get -all- of their media online. (They would be one of the AppleTV sets)

from appleinsider

Apple also said that iTunes customers are now renting and purchasing over 50,000 movies every day, or a yearly run rate of over 18 million, making iTunes the world's most popular online movie store as well.

[ganthc]

Looks like SUC met some skeptics in the Toshiba press conference:

Tech Digest: Toshiba controversially announces their new 1080p upscaling technology will rival Blu-ray

[plissken99]

The more I think about this, the dumber and more disgusting it sounds. Telling people their presenting SD in HD? The public is dumb and confused enoughwithout being told this. Moreover they can't add resolution, DVDs still sound like crap, and ya can't remove edge halos! No, DVD is not good enough.

[chlngr1970]

Originally Posted by plissken99

The more I think about this, the dumber and more disgusting it sounds. Telling people their presenting SD in HD? The public is dumb and confused enoughwithout being told this. Moreover they can't add resolution, DVDs still sound like crap, and ya can't remove edge halos! No, DVD is not good enough.

But, to many it is. You are part of a select few that can see the difference between Blu Ray and upconverted DVD. Hell, even I will admit that it is better. But, is it THAT much better to justify buying a new player ( and in some cases, a TV ) and replacing your movie that you already have on DVD? IMHO, yes, it is worth it, if you have that passion for home theater.

I am constantly hearig out in the field ( usually from wives, BTW ) that they don't see a difference betweek DVD and HDM. Remember, my customers don't give two shits about cost ( just started a ML theater with the Denon AVP, and McIntosh amp. This thing is going to kick some MAJOR ASS!) Most of the time, the one doing the purchasing see's the value in it. It's their spouce that doesn't. Even my dad asked what all the fuss was...

That is going to be Blu Rays biggest hurdle...getting those people to buy in.

[Derb]

If one has never seen HD DVD & Blu-Ray, but has seen a crap load of DVD, I advise them to stick with DVD.

There is no point in telling someone who can't see a difference that they need to update their eyes to firmware BD.

Obviously they are happy with DVD & just want to watch the stupid film. Its not too late for these individuals. By that I mean if you have seen a crap load of HD, you wouldn't settle for anything less. Thankfully, the DVD watchers can settle for less.

[DakotaDave]

I have seen Blu-Gay and yes; it is a sharper picture, but its not great enough for me to switch from DVD. Last night I rented a few movies, and was amazed at the great picture it was through the upconverting DVD player. I refuse to switch!

[Iguana Man]

Originally Posted by DakotaDave

I have seen Blu-Gay and yes; it is a sharper picture, but its not great enough for me to switch from DVD. Last night I rented a few movies, and was amazed at the great picture it was through the upconverting DVD player. I refuse to switch!

What about the audio though. Isn't that worth a mention too?

[DakotaDave]

Originally Posted by Iguana Man

What about the audio though. Isn't that worth a mention too?

No! Unless you have super sharp hearing; it isnt that noticeable enough to change formats. Sometimes I forget to turn on my 5.1; because the tv is enough for me.

[Wirehed]

You do know this is a movie technology enthusiast site, right Dakota?

[DakotaDave]

Originally Posted by Wirehed

You do know this is a movie technology enthusiast site, right Dakota?

So what are you saying? You have to like the new technology to be an enthusiast?! NOT SO! I have a 1080p 42" LCD, and I think DVD/Upconverting is enough. You can be an enthusiast and watch the movie too.

[Wirehed]

If you are happy with what you have, then that's great, but ruining OTHER people's discussions isn't beneficiant to anyone.

Terms like "Blu-Gay" and "anything but Sony" are not helpful at best, and offensive at worst. They also have nothing to do with enjoying movies.

Your posts seem to be 100% about bashing Blu-ray and ZERO about enjoying movies.

[plissken99]

Originally Posted by DakotaDave

I have seen Blu-Gay and yes; it is a sharper picture, but its not great enough for me to switch from DVD. Last night I rented a few movies, and was amazed at the great picture it was through the upconverting DVD player. I refuse to switch!

Dude you are showing yourself to be a total technophobe. You want to upgrade, but you have to justify not doing so for some reason, so you feel some need to shout your opinions at us, in order to validate your own. Blu Gay? Are you in middleschool by chance?

You don't want to upgrade, thats fine, we're cool with that. If your not cool with us liking the extra sharpness, please deal with it in private.

[brian]

Originally Posted by DakotaDave

Blu-Gay

You should be embarrassed for making this post.

[dugpa]

Originally Posted by DakotaDave

I have seen Blu-Gay and yes; it is a sharper picture, but its not great enough for me to switch from DVD. I refuse to switch!

Well good for you Spartacus, thanks for sharing.

[No6PackJoe]

Originally Posted by DakotaDave

No! Unless you have super sharp hearing; it isnt that noticeable enough to change formats. Sometimes I forget to turn on my 5.1; because the tv is enough for me.

I find this hard to believe, I only have a modest system, and the difference is night and day.

[littlebib]

Originally Posted by No6PackJoe

I find this hard to believe, I only have a modest system, and the difference is night and day.

Is the difference more pronounced than the difference between DD and DTS? (no, I'm not trying to open up that particular can of worms). The reason I ask is that I don't hear a difference between the two on my system. If the audio from Blu-Ray isn't a huge jump, I would bet I wouldn't hear the difference there either.

[plissken99]

Originally Posted by littlebib

Is the difference more pronounced than the difference between DD and DTS? (no, I'm not trying to open up that particular can of worms). The reason I ask is that I don't hear a difference between the two on my system. If the audio from Blu-Ray isn't a huge jump, I would bet I wouldn't hear the difference there either.

No it's much more pronounced than that difference. Flatscreen TVs have even crappier sound than tube TVs, to suggest that TV sound is better than even the cheapest HTIB is beyond ridiculous.

[littlebib]

Originally Posted by plissken99

No it's much more pronounced than that difference. Flatscreen TVs have even crappier sound than tube TVs, to suggest that TV sound is better than even the cheapest HTIB is beyond ridiculous.

Ahh...sorry. I missed the TV comparison. That I would agree with you guys totally. I guess my question is really for someone who doesn't hear much (if any) difference between DD and DTS, would I notice the difference up to one of the newer formats offered by Blu-Ray?

[ganthc]

Originally Posted by littlebib

Is the difference more pronounced than the difference between DD and DTS? (no, I'm not trying to open up that particular can of worms). The reason I ask is that I don't hear a difference between the two on my system. If the audio from Blu-Ray isn't a huge jump, I would bet I wouldn't hear the difference there either.

I think it also depends on your receiver and speakers. But even with modest sound equipment, if you have the capability of hearing lossless audio (which is between 1.5-6.9mbps) versus a 320-480 kbps soundtrack. Discrete sounds are actually audible, dialog is crisper than on dvd, and the whole movie seems to come alive. I would say there is a significant difference between dvd audio and HD audio.

[DakotaDave]

Originally Posted by plissken99

Dude you are showing yourself to be a total technophobe. You want to upgrade, but you have to justify not doing so for some reason, so you feel some need to shout your opinions at us, in order to validate your own. Blu Gay? Are you in middleschool by chance?

You don't want to upgrade, thats fine, we're cool with that. If your not cool with us liking the extra sharpness, please deal with it in private.

I am far from a technophobe! Just because I think that Blu-Gay is too much, too soon, and too much money; doesn't mean that I am a technophobe. DVD is still too new to be replaced; especially with these new upconverters out now. They have a great picture, and DVD sound great as it is; it needs no upgrade.

To me it seems that nothing is good enough for you technogeeks. Soon ya'll will be bitching that this Blu-Gay stuff you people rave about; needs to be better.

[Astrakan]

Originally Posted by DakotaDave

I am far from a technophobe! Just because I think that Blu-Gay is too much, too soon, and too much money; doesn't mean that I am a technophobe.

While technophobe might be a little too strong a word, I don't think it's that far off the mark. And I'm not saying that because you don't see the need to upgrade, but because you seem angered by the idea that others do. I have still not figured out why it bothers you so much.

To me it seems that nothing is good enough for you technogeeks. Soon ya'll will be bitching that this Blu-Gay stuff you people rave about; needs to be better.

Of course we will. And I'm quite happy to admit it.

KM

[Pirate]

Dave, just to put things into perspective, the reason must of us early-adopters jumped on Blu-ray is because we're always trying to reach that true cinema experience. Blu-ray takes us a step closer than DVD did, and since Blu-ray still falls short of 35mm or DLP, we will absolutely be crying out for bigger and better in the future.

For example, a lucky few of us have had the opportunity to see Lawrence of Arabia in 70mm. Since many will not have that experience, formats like Blu-ray are the closest they'll ever come--until something better than Blu-ray appears, of course. For film fans, that means everything.

That may not be a priority for you, but there’s no reason to begrudge others for wanting that excellence. Sure, some of us take it too far and probably seem too concerned with the tech side rather than the actual films, but I think most of us have our heads in the right place.