View Poll Results: How important to you is picture quality when watching a movie at home?
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How important to you is picture quality when watching a movie at home?
#1
DVD Talk God
Thread Starter
How important to you is picture quality when watching a movie at home?
So how important is picture quality to you?
Is just a regular HD picture from your BD or Netflix/Hulu good enough? Or do you want top notch and prefer a 4K UHD disc or stream?
or do you not care at all and can still watch 480p standard definition NTSC video? Or worst yet, 4:3 video.
I'm probably in the somewhat important boat. I like 4K content, but I can't really tell the difference. I'll take it as long as it doesn't cost me an arm and a leg to watch it.
Is just a regular HD picture from your BD or Netflix/Hulu good enough? Or do you want top notch and prefer a 4K UHD disc or stream?
or do you not care at all and can still watch 480p standard definition NTSC video? Or worst yet, 4:3 video.
I'm probably in the somewhat important boat. I like 4K content, but I can't really tell the difference. I'll take it as long as it doesn't cost me an arm and a leg to watch it.
Last edited by DJariya; 10-06-19 at 02:15 PM.
#2
DVD Talk Special Edition
Re: How important to you is picture quality when watching a movie at home?
On one hand I realize the mathematical difference in resolution but at the same time that doesn't always translate to my enjoyment of watching the film.
For instance I have one of those crappy RCA 480p projectors and also a nice 40" 1080p TV. I often find myself using the crappy RCA projector with a 100" image over my HDTV. With subpar DVDs, especially those in 4:3, I find the picture quality to be more pleasing to watch as the projector doesn't seem to have the mosquito noise that the same disc produces on the HDTV.
I used to fuss a lot more about the quality but I find that while I'm watching the movie my eyes (or brain) just accepts the quality for what it is and it tends to look better.
All things being equal, I prefer the HD version but it isn't essential to my enjoyment.
So far I have no interest in 4K.
For instance I have one of those crappy RCA 480p projectors and also a nice 40" 1080p TV. I often find myself using the crappy RCA projector with a 100" image over my HDTV. With subpar DVDs, especially those in 4:3, I find the picture quality to be more pleasing to watch as the projector doesn't seem to have the mosquito noise that the same disc produces on the HDTV.
I used to fuss a lot more about the quality but I find that while I'm watching the movie my eyes (or brain) just accepts the quality for what it is and it tends to look better.
All things being equal, I prefer the HD version but it isn't essential to my enjoyment.
So far I have no interest in 4K.
#3
DVD Talk Ultimate Edition
Re: How important to you is picture quality when watching a movie at home?
My perspective has evolved as I got older.
When I was younger, I insisted on watching things in the best then-current picture quality. Back in the day, this meant watching something on laserdisc.
In more recent times before 4Kbluray was released, I insisted on watching scifi, fantasy, action, etc ... type stuff in HD resolution. Though by the time 4Kbluray was on the market, I was already in the burnout phase of constant repeated disappointments with lousy scifi movies + shows.
Nowadays I don't really care as much anymore. I haven't bothered purchasing a 4K screen nor a 4Kbluray player. Too burned out and too tired to care anymore. Though when my current hd screen dies, I'll end up buying a new 4K screen. (1080p HD screens don't seem to be available anymore).
When I was younger, I insisted on watching things in the best then-current picture quality. Back in the day, this meant watching something on laserdisc.
In more recent times before 4Kbluray was released, I insisted on watching scifi, fantasy, action, etc ... type stuff in HD resolution. Though by the time 4Kbluray was on the market, I was already in the burnout phase of constant repeated disappointments with lousy scifi movies + shows.
Nowadays I don't really care as much anymore. I haven't bothered purchasing a 4K screen nor a 4Kbluray player. Too burned out and too tired to care anymore. Though when my current hd screen dies, I'll end up buying a new 4K screen. (1080p HD screens don't seem to be available anymore).
#4
Challenge Guru & Comic Nerd
Re: How important to you is picture quality when watching a movie at home?
The story is all that matters. I can get immersed in a good story on a 5” b&w TV on vhs almost as much as in a state of the art theater.
#5
DVD Talk Hero
Re: How important to you is picture quality when watching a movie at home?
I'm not 4k yet, so the middle and bottom option. I also check out a lot of DVDs from the library and those do just fine. I also go to the movies alot, too, so that's how I get my 4k/Atmos/IMAX fix.
#6
Inane Thread Master, 2018 TOTY
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Re: How important to you is picture quality when watching a movie at home?
Tbh: since I wear prescription glasses and do need a new prescription, it really all looks the same to me. HD and 3D is enough for me for awhile to come. I mean I know shit from good pic and audio, but if great story, great movie, that’s mostly what matters. Perhaps if I ever update my script
#7
DVD Talk Hero
Re: How important to you is picture quality when watching a movie at home?
I picked it's very important but I don't want the best of the best. I recently moved to 4k but I'm super selective as to which movies I buy.
#8
Re: How important to you is picture quality when watching a movie at home?
I have Paramount's The Warriors on DVD and that disc is 480P and looks awesome on my 4K TV, 4K Oppo player. I don't own the blu-ray because it's the Director's Cut but I'm happy with the DVD and hoping for a 4K release without the Director's Cut crap comic book footage.
However if a new movie don't look good on 4K that's a huge problem. If an old movie can look great on HD why can't a newer release? So in that regard image is very important depending on the release of the movie.
However if a new movie don't look good on 4K that's a huge problem. If an old movie can look great on HD why can't a newer release? So in that regard image is very important depending on the release of the movie.
#9
DVD Talk Reviewer/ Admin
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Re: How important to you is picture quality when watching a movie at home?
I went with "Very important", but it's not a hard and fast rule. There are so many movies that are streaming in 4K/HDR and yet don't get an Ultra HD Blu-ray release. I've generally been going physical for those, even if the resolution is lower. But I'm starting to see the allure of just renting 'em digitally instead, especially since it's a quarter the cost and I'm typically only going to watch them once anyway.
Plus I don't see myself upgrading everything to Ultra HD Blu-ray, so I can see myself watching a fair number of movies in HD no matter what else is available. I'll admit that it's very rare for me to watch a DVD anymore, and when I do, it's mostly stuff that isn't on Blu-ray (Now and Then, Arsenic and Old Lace, etc.).
Plus I don't see myself upgrading everything to Ultra HD Blu-ray, so I can see myself watching a fair number of movies in HD no matter what else is available. I'll admit that it's very rare for me to watch a DVD anymore, and when I do, it's mostly stuff that isn't on Blu-ray (Now and Then, Arsenic and Old Lace, etc.).
#10
DVD Talk Special Edition
Re: How important to you is picture quality when watching a movie at home?
Its important to the point that i'd like to see everything clearly. I dont see the point in 4K it looks the same as Blu Ray to me, and most of the time Blu Ray looks the same as Dvd to me. But being that is it is. I also will watch movies On Vhs that havent come out on Dvd and im happy with that quality. So if its clear and playable Im happy. I just like the movie I dont need maximum resolution for my eyes that cant tell a difference. But I do understand why its important for alot of people though
#11
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Re: How important to you is picture quality when watching a movie at home?
I have Paramount's The Warriors on DVD and that disc is 480P and looks awesome on my 4K TV, 4K Oppo player. I don't own the blu-ray because it's the Director's Cut but I'm happy with the DVD and hoping for a 4K release without the Director's Cut crap comic book footage.
However if a new movie don't look good on 4K that's a huge problem. If an old movie can look great on HD why can't a newer release? So in that regard image is very important depending on the release of the movie.
However if a new movie don't look good on 4K that's a huge problem. If an old movie can look great on HD why can't a newer release? So in that regard image is very important depending on the release of the movie.
#12
Re: How important to you is picture quality when watching a movie at home?
Since I don't have any 4K tvs I guess I have to go with the middle option. I'll go 4K when they break ... but even then, I don't see myself needing to go through all the double (and triple and quadruple) dipping silliness I've already gone through with my favorite movies.
#13
DVD Talk Ultimate Edition
Re: How important to you is picture quality when watching a movie at home?
I still have my 65" DLP since I can swap out the bulb for $35, I'm tempted to upgrade to a 4K etc, but this picture is still pretty good and I hate the idea of tossing something that still looks pretty good.
#14
DVD Talk Ultimate Edition
Re: How important to you is picture quality when watching a movie at home?
Still on 42" and 40" 1080p TVs... When one breaks I'll get a 4K model but until then mine are plenty good enough for me.
#15
DVD Talk Legend
Re: How important to you is picture quality when watching a movie at home?
Somewhat important. I've got a lot of DVDs we still watch on our hidef display that are starting to show their age, but it depends on the disc. Some DVDs just look like slightly fuzzier than others on a bigger display, and those are okay. But the ones that have macro-blocking and such I can't stand to look at and I'll try to upgrade those.
#16
#17
DVD Talk Ultimate Edition
Re: How important to you is picture quality when watching a movie at home?
I immediately thought very important until I remembered I haven’t switched to 4K yet. I still watch a lot on dvd, but it’s mostly a cost/availability thing. If it’s something I watch often, I’ll keep upgrading. When I do finally cross the border and get a Panasonic next year, the first purchases I make will be Gremlins, Ghostbusters and Dawn Of The Dead.
#18
DVD Talk Legend
Re: How important to you is picture quality when watching a movie at home?
My 'somewhat important' response is also due to not having a 4K setup, at this point.
#19
Re: How important to you is picture quality when watching a movie at home?
Since I'm at our library's mercy for most of our viewing content, I can't be too picky for content that I'm not paying for. Thankfully they have been carrying more blu rays though.
#20
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Re: How important to you is picture quality when watching a movie at home?
Audio quality is slightly more important, but both need to be the best of the best. Most of my friends make fun of me for still using discs (4K and BD only), but if it is Dolby Atmos and uncompressed video, then I am totally cool with that over ease of use.
#21
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Re: How important to you is picture quality when watching a movie at home?
Happy with regular HD. 1080p with 5.1 channel surround is my sweet spot.
#23
DVD Talk Legend
Re: How important to you is picture quality when watching a movie at home?
I refuse to watch a movie or almost anything in SD.
If I get a DVD from Netflix and not a Blu-ray I will return it immediately.
I will rewind or pause a Netflix streaming movie if it is in 480p until it reaches 720 or 1080p
If I get a DVD from Netflix and not a Blu-ray I will return it immediately.
I will rewind or pause a Netflix streaming movie if it is in 480p until it reaches 720 or 1080p
#24
DVD Talk Godfather
Re: How important to you is picture quality when watching a movie at home?
Very.
BD isn't "good enough" once you've gone 4k HDR w/ some form of ultra-black. Just stunning.
Like any format change though, I'm not replacing my BD collection, just not buying anymore and opt for 4k. No sense in going back.
BD isn't "good enough" once you've gone 4k HDR w/ some form of ultra-black. Just stunning.
Like any format change though, I'm not replacing my BD collection, just not buying anymore and opt for 4k. No sense in going back.
#25
DVD Talk Legend
Re: How important to you is picture quality when watching a movie at home?
It depends on the source of the film that I am watching.
If it's a newer film, I would like the quality of the Blu-Ray to be great.
If it's a 2K/4K Restoration, I also would like the quality of the Blu-Ray to be great.
If it's a film that was shot on an extreme budget (such as SOV Genre Films from the 80s), I don't need the quality to be great, just the film to be complete.
If it's a newer film, I would like the quality of the Blu-Ray to be great.
If it's a 2K/4K Restoration, I also would like the quality of the Blu-Ray to be great.
If it's a film that was shot on an extreme budget (such as SOV Genre Films from the 80s), I don't need the quality to be great, just the film to be complete.