View Poll Results: Does anyone prefer DVD video quality over Blu Ray video quality?
Yes, I prefer DVD video quality over Blu Ray video quality
31
13.78%
No, I prefer Blu Ray video quality over DVD video quality
173
76.89%
I like both equally.
21
9.33%
Voters: 225. You may not vote on this poll
Does anyone prefer DVD video quality over Blu Ray video quality?
09-06-08, 05:54 PM
#51
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Here's an analogy (this analogy may be more appropriate for people that prefer VHS over Blu Ray which is not the topic here): some people prefer the graphics of old school Nintendo or Sega Genesis video games over Wii or PS3 video games. The technology may be better, but I personally like the video quality of the old Nintendo system and the Sega Genesis games more than the graphics of the new video game systems.
09-06-08, 06:04 PM
#52
DVD Talk Legend
Electronic store setups are not to be judged on quality, because they intentionally have the brightness and contrast turned up much higher than normal to make the TVs stand out more. In the display menu, it's the 'daylight' setting or some similar name, also referred to as 'torch mode'. No one would watch any kind of TV like that at home unless they didn't know how to set it up properly.
They need the TV's to look bright under the florescent lighting.
09-06-08, 07:01 PM
#53
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Here's an analogy (this analogy may be more appropriate for people that prefer VHS over Blu Ray which is not the topic here): some people prefer the graphics of old school Nintendo or Sega Genesis video games over Wii or PS3 video games. The technology may be better, but I personally like the video quality of the old Nintendo system and the Sega Genesis games more than the graphics of the new video game systems.
09-06-08, 08:58 PM
#54
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09-07-08, 01:44 AM
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09-07-08, 01:46 AM
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A visual comparison leaves out one important element: the longevity of the Blu-ray format. SD DVD players have been around in large quantities since 1996. Even now, over 95% of DVDs sold are SD format. The way data storage technology is now changing, it is unlikely that the Blu-ray DVD players will have such a long run as a widely used consumer product.
If Blu-ray remains a niche market, bought only by early adapters and technophiles who only want the best quality, then Blu-ray could end up like laserdiscs. Laserdiscs were a superior video technology that was too expensive for most consumers, so when DVD players came along, LD players vanished from the marketplace almost overnight. Sony has to hope that a new storage technology does not come along in the next few years that is cheaper and almost as good as Blu-ray. When Blu-ray beat out HD-DVD in the format war, HD-DVD players became obsolete within weeks as Toshiba dropped its support for HD-DVD technology.
So thinking in terms of cost vs. benefit, sticking with the SD DVD format makes economic sense on a short term basis.
If Blu-ray remains a niche market, bought only by early adapters and technophiles who only want the best quality, then Blu-ray could end up like laserdiscs. Laserdiscs were a superior video technology that was too expensive for most consumers, so when DVD players came along, LD players vanished from the marketplace almost overnight. Sony has to hope that a new storage technology does not come along in the next few years that is cheaper and almost as good as Blu-ray. When Blu-ray beat out HD-DVD in the format war, HD-DVD players became obsolete within weeks as Toshiba dropped its support for HD-DVD technology.
So thinking in terms of cost vs. benefit, sticking with the SD DVD format makes economic sense on a short term basis.
09-07-08, 02:09 AM
#57
DVD Talk Legend
A visual comparison leaves out one important element: the longevity of the Blu-ray format. SD DVD players have been around in large quantities since 1996. Even now, over 95% of DVDs sold are SD format. The way data storage technology is now changing, it is unlikely that the Blu-ray DVD players will have such a long run as a widely used consumer product.
If Blu-ray remains a niche market, bought only by early adapters and technophiles who only want the best quality, then Blu-ray could end up like laserdiscs. Laserdiscs were a superior video technology that was too expensive for most consumers, so when DVD players came along, LD players vanished from the marketplace almost overnight. Sony has to hope that a new storage technology does not come along in the next few years that is cheaper and almost as good as Blu-ray. When Blu-ray beat out HD-DVD in the format war, HD-DVD players became obsolete within weeks as Toshiba dropped its support for HD-DVD technology.
So thinking in terms of cost vs. benefit, sticking with the SD DVD format makes economic sense on a short term basis.
If Blu-ray remains a niche market, bought only by early adapters and technophiles who only want the best quality, then Blu-ray could end up like laserdiscs. Laserdiscs were a superior video technology that was too expensive for most consumers, so when DVD players came along, LD players vanished from the marketplace almost overnight. Sony has to hope that a new storage technology does not come along in the next few years that is cheaper and almost as good as Blu-ray. When Blu-ray beat out HD-DVD in the format war, HD-DVD players became obsolete within weeks as Toshiba dropped its support for HD-DVD technology.
So thinking in terms of cost vs. benefit, sticking with the SD DVD format makes economic sense on a short term basis.
09-07-08, 02:23 AM
#58
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After watching Blu-rays, there's no way I can go back to standard dvds. For those of you complaining about the price, maybe try some Hd-dvds first, since the price on those are cheaper than their dvd counterparts, to see if hi-def is something you can appreciate and then invest in Blu-ray.
Since a lot of us here pride ourselves on our collections and HT setups, it's only logical to get the disc that gives you the best presentation possible for film media.
Since a lot of us here pride ourselves on our collections and HT setups, it's only logical to get the disc that gives you the best presentation possible for film media.
09-07-08, 02:26 AM
#59
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The video (???) quality you see in the movie theater is FAR AND AWAY from being transportable to SDVD.
I prefer Blu-ray.
Pro-B
09-07-08, 02:29 AM
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Last edited by blued888; 09-07-08 at 02:35 AM.
09-07-08, 06:47 AM
#61
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Pro-Bass,
I always thought that DVD video quality is cleaner than a movie theater presentation. It probably has to do with size and things look different blown up on a huge screen when compared to it being shrunk down to a 37 inch screen. Even if I sit all the way in the back (making screen look smaller), I still thought that DVD video quality is a cleaner presentation. Once again, I don't care which is considered better - I only consider what I prefer (1st movie theater, and then at home on the DVD). The only time that I saw a perfectly clean movie (which I personally don't like) in the theater was the digital presentation of Once Upon a Time in Mexico - that felt like I was watching a DVD. All our eyes see different things...
I always thought that DVD video quality is cleaner than a movie theater presentation. It probably has to do with size and things look different blown up on a huge screen when compared to it being shrunk down to a 37 inch screen. Even if I sit all the way in the back (making screen look smaller), I still thought that DVD video quality is a cleaner presentation. Once again, I don't care which is considered better - I only consider what I prefer (1st movie theater, and then at home on the DVD). The only time that I saw a perfectly clean movie (which I personally don't like) in the theater was the digital presentation of Once Upon a Time in Mexico - that felt like I was watching a DVD. All our eyes see different things...
09-07-08, 08:07 AM
#62
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I think the argument that movies look "too good" in HD is naive. If you've ever seen a film in a theater, it's higher-def than HD. When I saw The Wizard of Oz in 35mm (dye-transfer Technicolor no less), it was thrilling to see it with detail bursting off the screen.
Look at it as seeing a painting in person rather than a photograph. Then seeing all the wonderful details that are less visible in a reproduction. It gives a more satisfying experience.
This goes for anything from movies shot on 16mm to those shot in Cinerama.
HD brings out more of what the image should look like in a theatrical showing rather than too much. This is why I'm upgrading to BluRay sometime next month. I love the idea of being able to get closer to a proper theatrical presentation in my own home. DVD brought us closer, but BluRay goes farther.
Look at it as seeing a painting in person rather than a photograph. Then seeing all the wonderful details that are less visible in a reproduction. It gives a more satisfying experience.
This goes for anything from movies shot on 16mm to those shot in Cinerama.
HD brings out more of what the image should look like in a theatrical showing rather than too much. This is why I'm upgrading to BluRay sometime next month. I love the idea of being able to get closer to a proper theatrical presentation in my own home. DVD brought us closer, but BluRay goes farther.
09-07-08, 09:13 AM
#63
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My first full-length BD viewing was earlier this week. I've read that the video quality of the "Independence Day" BD isn't what people were hoping for, but I must say, I was VERY impressed by it.
Why?
Because it did not look like I was watching the movie in "High Definition".
It looked like I was watching actual film, only it was on a television screen.
I've seen it hundreds of times, but that was the first time it made me feel like I was watching it in a theater back in 1996.
That's about the highest compliment I could give.
Why?
Because it did not look like I was watching the movie in "High Definition".
It looked like I was watching actual film, only it was on a television screen.
I've seen it hundreds of times, but that was the first time it made me feel like I was watching it in a theater back in 1996.
That's about the highest compliment I could give.
Last edited by Nick Martin; 09-07-08 at 09:15 AM.
09-07-08, 09:19 AM
#64
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I can understand an argument that you prefer to keep your DVD and not upgrade to a blu-ray disc due to a poor transfer, because it doesn't look truly like HD, but even then that person would be wrong. Even if you have an HD title with grain on it, you still will get a sharper image and better color saturation than on a SD disc.
09-07-08, 09:35 AM
#65
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well, I do like a nicely mastered video quality DVD, but I guess i'm not a video quality junky like most people in here...I'm happy with DVD and I don't see any reason for myself to "upgrade".
09-07-08, 09:46 AM
#66
DVD Talk Legend
Perhaps because this is the only place I have to see this product and I do not know anyone who owns Blu ray.
I would have thought most people would not judge others without all the facts.
09-07-08, 01:12 PM
#67
DVD Talk Legend
I can understand an argument that you prefer to keep your DVD and not upgrade to a blu-ray disc due to a poor transfer, because it doesn't look truly like HD, but even then that person would be wrong. Even if you have an HD title with grain on it, you still will get a sharper image and better color saturation than on a SD disc.
It would be interesting to see what non-knowledgeable people think of titles like Patton, Face/Off, and Pan's Labyrinth (US version). I bet they would really like them, which is unfortunate for those of us who want to preserve the real look of these films.
09-07-08, 02:17 PM
#68
DVD Talk Reviewer
I haven't seen Patton or Face/Off but I know what you mean about Pan's Labyrinth. As long as grain is intentional, it needs to be there. It looks awful when you over-process a movie to get the grain out of there. Pan's Labyrinth looks pretty, no doubt, but man, I wish they just left it as was. DNR needs to GO BYE BYE. What I was talking about was movies that weren't presented as they were meant to be, and didn't look much better than their DVD counter-part.
I agree the discussion of what HD SHOULD look like vs a poor transfer should make someone decide if their DVD looks 'good enough' compared to the HD version to upgrade. However, that's not the question of this thread, it's strictly 'does anyone prefer DVD video quality over Blu-Ray'. There's different reasons to appreciate DVD over Blu-Ray depending on the film and transfer. There are movies out there that just look like spruced up versions of the DVD master, and be that they may not be worthy of an upgrade, they'll still look better in quality grain or not, because they'll still have better color penetration and they'll look a little sharper.
I agree the discussion of what HD SHOULD look like vs a poor transfer should make someone decide if their DVD looks 'good enough' compared to the HD version to upgrade. However, that's not the question of this thread, it's strictly 'does anyone prefer DVD video quality over Blu-Ray'. There's different reasons to appreciate DVD over Blu-Ray depending on the film and transfer. There are movies out there that just look like spruced up versions of the DVD master, and be that they may not be worthy of an upgrade, they'll still look better in quality grain or not, because they'll still have better color penetration and they'll look a little sharper.
09-08-08, 02:18 PM
#69
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Yeah, I just don't get that, or the people that day, they can't tell the difference b/w a Blu-Ray or a movie on there little 27" 4:3 TV, or what have you.
...
I really think for the most part, anyone that prefers a DVD over a Blu quality wise, just doesn't have the proper set-up.
...
I really think for the most part, anyone that prefers a DVD over a Blu quality wise, just doesn't have the proper set-up.
And I, like many I would wager, am not ready to junk my otherwise perfectly fine 32" SDTV in order to spend $2000+ for what has thusfar looked to be a mediocre return on my investment in terms of PQ.
My favorite Best Buy location has a side by side of a massive gathering of warriors preparing for battle. While the Blu-ray half looks nice and sharp, the DVD half seems a little too undefined. I keep wondering if it's been tweaked to make the Blu-ray side look all the better.
--THX
--THX
My vision is better than 20/20 and I don't see a big difference. I certainly don't see a $2,000 difference. Again, I *want* to, I just don't.
09-08-08, 02:49 PM
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