How do you determine whether you buy the DVD or the Blu-ray Disc?
 

What I'm asking is this....obviously I would prefer to have blu-ray of every movie that comes out. However, that is much more expensive for me than buying standard DVDs. I tend to only buy blockbusters or action movies (special movies) that will look great in blu-ray. Happy Gilmore is awesome but I don't care so much if I see it in blu-ray or not. (Although the Bob Barker fight might be worth it!) How do you determine which DVDs you buy in blu-ray? If a new movie comes out in both formats, do you automatically buy the blu-ray even though it's $30 compared to $14?

Personally, I only buy Blu-ray if I have a choice, although sometimes I'll just rent the Blu-ray version if I don't feel like buying it.

I've never felt that certain movies "belong" on BD and others don't, so if I buy something it's on BD if available. If I don't think it's worth it, I just rent it. If I want it but think it's too expensive, I wait for a sale.

Money rarely comes into it. If its worth OWNING a movie that has a blu ray option ill buy it on blu ray. I dont buy a whole lot of movies anyway. If Ive never seen it, Ill rent because ive been burned by some blind buys recently. If a movie comes out with an awful reported quality Ill wait for a rerelease.

Happy Gilmore, for a crude little comedy, looks fantastic thanks to all the golf courses. Of course, I paid $6 for the HDDVD and can't complain :).

I only buy Blus when the price is right (< $20, preferably < $15), I only buy DVDs when it's obscure (lowkey imported movies, or stuff like The Machine Girl) and cheap. So mine is mostly money, I buy very few blus/dvds anymore.

Not an option for me. Once I went HD DVD and Blu-ray I stopped buying standard DVDs altogether. If the Blu-ray is too expensive now, I just wait for a sale or for the price to drop.

I always buy the Blu-ray version if I really want the film. The only reason why I might not is if I hear truly horrible things about the transfer. And even then, if it's a movie I really like, I'll probably rent it to check out the PQ myself.

I might hesitate if there is another cut available on DVD. The reason why I haven't purchased NBK is because I would prefer to have the director's cut on Blu.

If it's old or obscure and likely not coming to Blu-Ray any time soon, or TV. But I am getting closer every day to ceasing SD-DVD purchases altogether.

Also, if the Blu is missing significant SD-DVD extras or has a lackluster transfer, I will maybe find the SD-DVD used or if I already have it, keep it to accompany the Blu-Ray.

I have to buy it in HD whenever possible. As insane as it sounds, if I know there's an HD version available it's hard for me to enjoy the DVD.

A combination of the below criteria influence my decision:

- cost of blu-ray vs. SD-dvd: if the bluray is 25% more, I get the SD
- if I'll be watching it at friend's/family house - none of them have bluray machines
- extras - if enough extras have been compromised on the bluray, or if it doesn't have more, I get the SD.

this is pretty much my approach.

For the moment, given everything that I can read, I still buy the standard dvd.

Why?

Usually the BD discs are more expensive, too much so. The reviews I read in many cases suggest that the picture improvement is incremental. Everyone must realize that those and every other BD disc will be released again and again as a limited edition, directors cut, new transfer etc.

Also I am still waiting for a good stand alone BD player which may or may not appear in the coming weeks and/or months.

I am perfectly happy with my standard dvd's and my upconverting player until something impresses me.

I buy Blu if it's a title I don't have (Dark City), or a title that's clearly worthy of an upgrade (Godfather Trilogy).

I just bought about 10 SD DVDs that had very attractive prices, and weren't available on Blu-ray. Eight of them were Criterions...Bande a Parte, Rashomon, et al, none of which have been announced on Blu-ray and will look just fine in standard definition....especially at $16 per. ;)

I have stopped buying either actually and am trying to only rent. When I dumped 100+ DVDs (several unopened) to charity at the start of the month, I realized that I don't often watch what I own. If I'm Netflix-ing something, the pressure is there to watch it and return it for something else.

This is my approach.


With a 1000 plus DVD's im my collection, there is no way I will upgrade them all.

I went blu just a couple of weeks ago.

I have only two movies left to buy in SD DVD...both Code Red releases coming in the fall (Hot Moves and Savage Streets). Since I've been pressing for the DVD releases of this for so long, it wouldn't be right not to buy them. Also, unlikely they'll hit blu for awhile, so that will be a nice little swan song to DVD for me.

My DVD exception will be a couple of tv series that might not go blu for some time. (Boston Legal, The Shield, Friday Night Lights). I may continue with those on SD. Plus, my parents like to watch them and they don't have blu-ray.

Like others, I have DVDs in the 1000's. I'm upgrading probably about 15-20 % of those max. If they had terrible DVD transfers, and/or I really watch them a lot, or they're on my "always have this title in the best format list", which is not a long list.

Otherwise, I've totally gone blu.

I'm running into that situation with a few movies that I want, and currently i've just been waiting or hesitant to buy on regular DVD now. Harold and Kumar, 21, Juno are some recent titles that the higher price of Blu-ray has made me stop and think about which to buy, and have ended up buying neither and hoping for a sale. It sucks being used to buying new releases and having to stop because of the price, but probably good on my wallet.

I try to Netflix the new release Blus to see if they are a) worth owning and b) worth owning on Blu.

In order to be worth owning on Blu, it needs to have all of the special features of the SD-DVD (I'm a special features junkie) plus amazing picture quality that is worth the cost over SD-DVD.

For example: I Netflixed Fool's Gold when it came out. While the picture quality was AMAZING, it just barely met a) and does not meet b) as I don't feel the movie is one that takes advantage of the Blu-ray quality. It's a movie that I'd like to own, but at no more than the cost of a SD-DVD sale or Columbia House price. On the other hand, I rented The Spiderwick Chronicles from the iTunes store. And ordered the Blu-ray as soon as I finished the movie, because I liked it so much, it has all the special features I want, and has the cinematography (I think that's the word I'm looking for) to take advantage of the Blu-Ray quality.

For TV shows, I'm sticking with standard def for now. All of those get converted to iPod or Windows Media format for watching on my HTPC and iPhone, and I haven't found a good Blu-to-iPhone conversion yet. Plus, I just don't feel the video quality is quite there yet, even for shows like CSI that look amazing in HD.

On Amazon the 2 disc version of Harold and Kumar is $22.99 and the Blu-Ray with all of those special features is $24.95. Also on Amazon 21 is only a $4 jump (compaired to the two disc) and Juno is also $4.

Sure $4 is more than you would want to buy, but the $2 for Harold and Kumar isn't bad. Blu-Rays are way too expensive in stores but aren't bad on Amazon.

To buy? Always Blu-ray. If it's not available on Blu-ray, then I just won't buy it. I'll rent it maybe. But I don't buy much these days.

Yeah, and i've bought most releases off Amazon lately (Batman, Dark City). But for me, I've stopped caring about special features so for me it would be more comparable to the single disc on DVD. And in that case, the price difference is high enough to price me out. It's different for a movie I know I want, but for the borderline titles i'm more unsure.

If it's new, and I must have it...then I buy blu-ray, even if I have to wait to catch it on sale (I refuse to pay more than $20 per disc). If it's TV or something not due on blu-ray, I "may" buy SD, but I've only done that on probably 5 discs in the past 2 years.

However, I will not be double-dipping on Blu. I took a bath on that on SD, an honestly, it's just not worth it. I rarely, if ever watch the supplements. I just want great audio and video.

I have to admit, I'm being very selective with HDM. I own 600+ SD's, and I really question if that was worth it after all these years.

All day and dates are purchased on Blu-ray and catalog titles that I have will only be purchased if I find them on sale and that the upgrade is worth it.

If I want to watch something that is blurry, I watch the DVD on my shelf. Otherwise, I wait for titles to go on sale below $20 and get the Blu.

Too many people on here have a disease that makes them think they need to buy every release. No, you don't. Just buy the good titles. You will thank me later.

This is bascially me as well... The only movies Ill buy in SD now is Disney classic releases, but those look to be coming in BD now as well so. I obviously don't buy as much as I used to. And its actually quite nice.

Sounds like my plan of attack.

I just purchased a Blu-ray player anticipating buying a 42" 1080 LCD t.v. in about a month. I have also bought a few Blu-ray discs on Amazon (they're incredibly cheap compared to stores or eBay) to have something to play on it. I have made the decision in advance to be extremely picky about my choices for Blu-ray movies. The criteria: It has to be a movie I will watch numerous times over the years; it has to be a film with images that will truly benefit from the upgrade (my first disc purchases have been 2001 and BLADE RUNNER. Genre films sporting wonderful effects would be preferable on Blu-ray, as would films of exceptional photographic quality, such as, say, THE DUELLISTS, BARRY LYNDON, THE ELEPHANT MAN, LAWRENCE OF ARABIA, DAYS OF HEAVEN, etc.). I am not going to re-purchase movies that look perfectly fine to me when up-converted to 1080. Many - even most - films I own I'll be happy to keep as standard DVD's. I will be a tad less selective if the price of the Blu-ray discs goes down to about what standard discs cost.

I only buy BD now. Count me as among those with hundreds of titles I've never even seen. So for casual viewing I rent, if it's a title I want to own or upgrade it's Blu.

I only purchase Hi-Def for new titles now.

I am only buying Blu-ray discs at this time. If a movie only comes on Dvd then I will not buy it till it comes out on Blu-ray. If the cost is too high I will wait but still not buy the less expensive Dvd.

Not insane at all. I would be very annoyed watching a lowly SD if I knew there was a BD version I could be watching instead.

Price is a big factor now. If I can't get it on BD because it is not available or too expensive I usually rent. I'm buying less and less all the time. I will hope for a deal on the BD down the road. I probably will not buy on DVD either unless it is a TV series I don't need in HD and its much cheaper.

I haven't bought a BD in months and maybe only 5-6 this whole year. Too expensive with the war over.

I have stopped buying SD DVDs completely

I love reading these kinds of questions. I have over 1000 Standards and only 9 BR. I only buy Blu-ray when its a "Must Own" and a deal. For Example Mummy 1, 2 and Scorpion King because I was able to get them for 15.99 with a free movie to see the new Mummy.

However I still buy cheap $3 obscure titles from places like Big Lots or wait until I can get the SD from places like Blockbuster for 3 for $20.

I buy very little Newly Released because it makes me insane to pay BR prices and I cant enjoy buying a new SD even for $14.99 knowing I will watch it and then toss it on the shelf with the other 1000 DVDS.

So my obsession is so bad I almost thought of just dumping the Standards to get the new Blu- Ray at a 10-1 ratio so I dont have to go into my wallet anymore for this addiction I have.

I want BD to succeed, so I buy BD only. DVDs don't cut it anymore. It's not just the inferior video quality compared to BD, but Dolby Digital 5.1 doesn't hold a candle to lossless audio.

Many cases? Which websites?

I've done many comparisons between a dvd version of a movie and the BD counterpart and there's no doubt which one offers up the better picture. You start watching enough HD content and you'll quickly notice the fuzzyness and lack of detail that dvds have. How many comparisons have you made? Is picture the only important part of a movie? What about the audio?

From what I gather, you still don't own any sort of HD player. Is this correct? The tone of this sentence seems like you're trying to get people to avoid buying into BD.

Is price an issue regarding your hesitation to buy a BD player? The Panasonic DMP-BD30 and the Sony BDP-S350 have gotten terrific reviews. What is wrong with these units?

:up: same here
In fact I'm unloading a lot of SD titles to spun.com

This, exactly.

I just recently bought a Blu-ray player. I only own one Blu-ray movie at this time but I rent them from Netflix. The Blu-ray is nice but it did not completely knock my socks off. I have about 300 standard DVDs that I likely will not replace. I might replace a few of them if a nice enough of an edition comes out on Blu-ray. With the high prices of Blu-ray discs I have still been buying SDVDs. It does not upset me to watch them. SDVD was fantastic for me a year ago and it is still fine with me today. Once Blu-ray goes down in price then I will likely start dipping on that side more.

I've been buying new releases Blu-ray only if available, and re-buying old releases when the mood suits me. For instance I just picked up Hunt for Red October and Clear and Present Danger 'cause of the $19 price. I'm watching everything nowadays on my projector screen, and my Blu-rays look better than the standard DVDs at 92 inches.