What exactly is a High Definition Transfer?

Gypo66 · 01-21-04, 10:59 AM

Wondering if someone can explain exactly what is meant when a DVD is said to have a high definition transfer._
As far as I'm aware, DVDs here in Region 1 Land continue to feature 525 line pictures -- which, although certainly improved by digitized images and processing, is still not technically high definition. I was under the impression that the 1080 line interlaced picture or its 720 progressive scan counterpart are still the definitions of high definition.

sdk · 01-21-04, 12:03 PM

I belive that the transfer if from a high definition master. i moght be wrong

Obey The D · 01-21-04, 02:41 PM

I think it's viewable in HD on your computer by using WM 9.

FinkPish · 01-21-04, 02:44 PM

A high definition transfer is one that has been transfered from film and usually mastered in HD. But once it is encoded to MPEG-2 format for DVD, the HD quality is compressed, resulting in the 525 or so lines of resolution.

DonnachaOne · 01-21-04, 03:13 PM

sdk and FinkPish are correct.

Some studios that like to tout (as a selling point) this are Columbia TriStar, Anchor Bay's "Divimax" series and, of course, Criterion.

BJacks · 01-21-04, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Obey The D
I think it's viewable in HD on your computer by using WM 9.

Nope. Only recent release with that feature was T2: EE.

X · 01-21-04, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by BJacks
Nope. Only recent release with that feature was T2: EE.

And Standing In The Shadows Of Motown.

steebo777 · 01-21-04, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by X
And Standing In The Shadows Of Motown.

And one of the new 2 Disc IMAX DVDs.

X · 01-21-04, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by steebo777
And one of the new 2 Disc IMAX DVDs.

Right. Coral Reef Adventure.

jough · 01-22-04, 12:29 AM

You'll sometimes see either "High Definition Transfer" or "High Definition Master" as a selling point for a film's transfer.

This is their way of saying that the transfer is new and digital and not just a re-hashed old pre-dvd telecine transfer. DVDs made from transfers designed with VHS/Laserdisc in mind are noticeably softer (after edge enhancement is used to blur out the blocky edges) because their resolution is *lower* than DVD's.

So by touting a Hi-Def xfer the studio can promote that the transfer is new and/or improved.

And it's good news for us, because it usually means a true hi-def xfer is waiting in the wings for the next format.

01-21-04, 10:59 AM	#1
Gypo66 DVD Talk Special Edition Join Date: May 2001 Posts: 1,517	What exactly is a High Definition Transfer? Wondering if someone can explain exactly what is meant when a DVD is said to have a high definition transfer._ As far as I'm aware, DVDs here in Region 1 Land continue to feature 525 line pictures -- which, although certainly improved by digitized images and processing, is still not technically high definition. I was under the impression that the 1080 line interlaced picture or its 720 progressive scan counterpart are still the definitions of high definition.

01-21-04, 02:41 PM	#3
Obey The D DVD Talk Limited Edition Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Northern NJ Posts: 5,115	I think it's viewable in HD on your computer by using WM 9. __________________ GamerTag: ntlbornkiller Goat3001: "I like when Ronnie says he has the best girl in Seaside. It's like saying you're dating the smartest girl in Special Ed."

01-21-04, 12:03 PM	#2
sdk Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: norway Posts: 218	I belive that the transfer if from a high definition master. i moght be wrong

01-21-04, 02:44 PM	#4
FinkPish DVD Talk Limited Edition Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 5,657	A high definition transfer is one that has been transfered from film and usually mastered in HD. But once it is encoded to MPEG-2 format for DVD, the HD quality is compressed, resulting in the 525 or so lines of resolution.

01-21-04, 03:13 PM	#5
DonnachaOne DVD Talk Hall of Fame Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: A place where they know how to pronounce "Donnacha" correctly Posts: 9,817	sdk and FinkPish are correct. Some studios that like to tout (as a selling point) this are Columbia TriStar, Anchor Bay's "Divimax" series and, of course, Criterion.

01-22-04, 12:29 AM	#10
jough Suspended Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: You have moved into a dark place. It is pitch black. You are likely to be eaten by a grue. Posts: 4,533	You'll sometimes see either "High Definition Transfer" or "High Definition Master" as a selling point for a film's transfer. This is their way of saying that the transfer is new and digital and not just a re-hashed old pre-dvd telecine transfer. DVDs made from transfers designed with VHS/Laserdisc in mind are noticeably softer (after edge enhancement is used to blur out the blocky edges) because their resolution is lower than DVD's. So by touting a Hi-Def xfer the studio can promote that the transfer is new and/or improved. And it's good news for us, because it usually means a true hi-def xfer is waiting in the wings for the next format.