neocheddar02

So I finally bought a Hi-def TV. And it won't arrive for about a week. The next obvious step would be to buy a Blu-Ray player. The only problem is, all of the Blu-rays I've seen look odd to me. It seems to me the quality is so good that it no longer looks cinematic; like it's a TV show shot with a different frame rate.

I guess what I would like is to be sold on blu-ray. I get the specs, and why it should be awesome, but it just seems like Blu-ray looks odd. Have I just had a few odd isolated experiences, or do I need to 'get used to it?'

I've seen mentions of 'motion settings.' I doubt it, but could it be as simple as changing a TVs settings to make it look more 'normal?'

MEJHarrison

Most big chain stores have them setup to be eye catching. Which is usually not anywhere near an ideal setup for home viewing. Find a high end store with a good setup. Or find a place with a good return policy. And it's not for everyone. Some people just don't see the different and/or care. But at least see a proper setup before jumping to conclusions. Setup properly, a good Blu-ray should NOT look like it was shot on video.

davidh777

Here's one thread to start with

http://forum.dvdtalk.com/hd-talk/594...-new-hdtv.html

neocheddar02

Thanks for the quick replies. This puts me more at ease, I finally ordered a player. Step 2: develop another OCD collection.

OldBoy

it's great

EdTheRipper

That's what happened with me. I ordered my first HDTV from Amazon back in February. The same day it arrived, I stopped off at Target and grabbed a player. Now, I'm over 400 BDs deep into my newest obsession.

SterlingBen

It is that simple.

Obi-Wanma

The effect you describe is 100% caused by motion enhancement on LCD TV's, which can and should be turned off. It has nothing to do with blu rays. If you don't turn it off on the TV, you will notice it on everything you watch, even SD content.

mhanlen1

Yep, it's the setting that deals with the "120hz" or "240hz" or whatever bullshit TV's are using these days. I have never understood how this setting became a factory default on most new TVs. Never once in my life have I ever heard someone watching a movie say, "man this would be better if it was filmed like a soap opera." Maybe I don't run in the right circles?

Eddie W

Just make sure you turn off this 'feature' as soon as you turn your new TV on. TV manufacturers are in love with this for some ungodly reason. I had to go in & turn it off for every single input individually. And even then there is no way to disable it on the smart features built into the TV. So Netflix/Vudu, etc are completely useless.

The evil thing about it, as mhanlen1 stated, it's become the factory default. So most people buying new TV's think that's just the way HD looks.

PatD

One caveat:

If you love special features; especially with catalog titles, things get a little...murky.

For example, if you have 4-disc 2004 The Star Wars Trilogy on DVD, and you buy the BD thinking it has all the special features, (so you can out and out replace your DVD copy)--think again.

Often, there will be special features not carried over from their DVD counterparts.

However, there are exceptions like The Ultimate Matrix Collection or The Alien Anthology that go the full nines and have every fricking special feature from all previous DVD releases, and that's a good thing!

In short: if you like special features, be sure to hold on to your DVDs, until you know for sure.

milo bloom

And in my opinion, which may be considered hersey in these parts, many DVDs still look good enough (especially with up converting) that they won't need immediate replacement.

So if you've invested a lot into your DVDs, give them another look on your new screen before selling them, especially of they have a lot of extras.

mhanlen1

^^^ I agree. Before I upgrade any Blu-ray, I make sure to compare screenshots on review sites like DVD Beaver or strictly screen cap websites like caps-a-holics, to see if the upgrade to high-def is a marked improvement. If it's not, then I don't upgrade.

JimRochester

I agree wholeheartedly. There were some pretty crappy BR releases. I upgraded Total Recall and the Blu was uglier than the SD. I probably won't upgrade Titanic because I don't really rewatch the entire movie and the SD upconverted looks as good and many Blu-rays.

I don't give a crap about extras but will upgrade most of the time and have been happy with most upgrades. there is even a thread somewhere which discusses circumstances or criteria where people upgrade. That may be helpful too.

davidh777

Good move. With the way new releases are priced these days, there's little reason to keep buying SD and not go BD. But for catalog titles, there's no need to upgrade at all. Your DVDs will generally look good on your BD player. If you find a great price on a well-reviewed disc of a movie that you love and will rewatch, go ahead and upgrade. You'll get a better feel for it as you watch more BDs, and it can help to rent a few catalog titles on BD and compare them to your current DVDs.

PatD

Blu rays have 6 times the resolution of a DVD. So, if you ever get a digital projector in the future...you're in for a treat.

Spiderbite

What size screen did you buy?

Strevlac

Yes, for the love of God, please turn off any motion interpolation features as soon as you turn the monitor on.

Bluray is a godsend for those of us who want the experience of film in our homes, not just a big sharp video image. A bluray mastered correctly without a lot of digital tinkering and noise reduction, played back on a 1080p projector is pure bliss. With some blurays it's almost like watching a perfect 35mm print on a nine foot screen in my home (almost).

If you value film the way I do, it's frustrating reading negative comments about great BD's because they can see grain or that titles and transitions look "bad" because they don't understand film or old-school optical printing. Heaven forbid there be a piece of printed in dirt or maybe a scratch here and there, even though the rest of the film is sharp as a tack and has beautiful color.

BD is a miracle and a cinema lover's dream.

MEJHarrison

Also, don't forget (because most do) that one of the most important factors in getting a good picture is distance from the screen. You can get a 4K TV, but if you sit too far back, your eyes won't be able to discern the difference.

Nick Martin

But will never look remotely as good as the Titanic Blu-ray. The image destroys the DVD.

JimRochester

I'm sure it does but I've already double dipped on the 1st gen DVD, then the SE but haven't watched the movie since the VHS

I upgrade from any of the flipper disc, snapper case, Dolby 2.0, non-anamorphic stuff. The nice SE's I don't bother unless a smokin deal comes along

neocheddar02

Just a 32". We have a small place so it'll get the job done (for now).

Yeah, now I'm just worried I'll go ape-shit on Blu-ray buying like some of you. Of course I'll justify it by being a film major. But that argument can only go so far with the GF.

As far as upgrading from DVD, I'm sure I'll upgrade the classics, and some good action flicks, but I'm sure a Blu-ray of Wayne's World or Dumb & Dumber will be fine on DVD.

Gizmo

Sell you?

Players are $50.

stvn1974

Even if blu-ray looked like VHS the sound upgrade alone would be worth it.

Spiderbite

With a 32", you are fine sticking with dvds. I know many will argue but there just isn't enough of a difference with a TV that size in my opinion. Just buy a nice upconverting BD player and only buy the BD if don't already own it.