Page 1 of 2 1 2 LastLast
Results 1 to 25 of 38
  1. #1
    Forum Regular pixelthis's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
    Location
    tuscaloosa
    Posts
    5,528

    Cool considerations when buying a DVD player

    I have always heard something, and have found it to be true.
    mainly, that what appears to be a "good" picture changes, this is because the human mind has an amazing ability to "fill" in the gaps in picture quality.
    But what happens when something better comes along? Well, when we revisit the "old" way of doing things its somewhat lacking.
    During the transistion from VHS to DVD I rented a copy of WHAT LIES BENEATH
    in VHS, a fairly good movie, and also a revelation of sorts.
    The picture looked not like something seen through a screen door, but something seen throough a screen door while drunk
    I was so used to DVD that this tape was a bit of a surprize.
    Did I spend that much time watching this stuff when a laserdisc wasnt available?
    It didnt seem that bad at the time.
    I have been watching HDTV now for years, but lately its increased somewhat.
    All of the local channels, and a lot of basic cable is now HD, and my DVD player
    tends to sit idle quite a bit.
    When DVD came out the picture was a revelation, even in SD, it was leagues
    above anything else, and I HAVE ENJOYED IT A GREAT DEAL.
    But the other day I watched the wedding date a pedestrian "chic flick"
    on TBSHD, a channel not known for its HD presentations.
    But they hit the ball out of the park on this one, it was a beautiful picture, you could see every line in debra messings face, there was rich color saturation, great depth of field.
    And I thought, "when was the last time you enjoyed a DVD this much"?
    The point is that a lot on this board talk about buying an "upconverting" DVD player
    or using one of the fire sale HDDVD players as a sub for a Blu player.
    Well, I saw a Blu player in 1080p, and my jaw dropped.
    Its even better than HD on broadcast.
    People on this board are sticklers for quality, with the increase in HD stations, etc, you might want to consider the purchase of a new DVD player very carefully.
    Because after a lot of HD watching the "gaps" in a DVD picture are all too apparent.
    And you might find that that DVD player you bought tends to sit idle quite a bit.
    LG 42", integra 6.9, B&W 602s2, CC6 center, dm305rears, b&w
    sub asw2500
    Panny DVDA player
    sharp Aquos BLU player
    pronto remote, technics antique direct drive TT
    Samsung SACD/DVDA player
    emotiva upa-2 two channel amp

  2. #2
    Suspended
    Join Date
    Apr 2004
    Location
    Out there
    Posts
    6,777
    My DVD changer will be demoted to CD only duty after the PS3 purchase because I like the convenience of loading up five disks and walking away.

  3. #3
    Forum Regular pixelthis's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
    Location
    tuscaloosa
    Posts
    5,528

    Cool

    Quote Originally Posted by Rich-n-Texas
    My DVD changer will be demoted to CD only duty after the PS3 purchase because I like the convenience of loading up five disks and walking away.

    I have a 300 disc changer, and while I use another player for spinning discs and this one for storage its nice sometimes to just hit "random" and listen to whatever pops up.
    Like having your own radio station
    LG 42", integra 6.9, B&W 602s2, CC6 center, dm305rears, b&w
    sub asw2500
    Panny DVDA player
    sharp Aquos BLU player
    pronto remote, technics antique direct drive TT
    Samsung SACD/DVDA player
    emotiva upa-2 two channel amp

  4. #4
    Class of the clown GMichael's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Location
    Anywhere but here...
    Posts
    13,243
    Welcome aboard Pix. DVD's still look good, but they just don't campare to HD-DVD's or BR. And I only have a 720p display. Can't wait for that 1080p upgrade.
    WARNING! - The Surgeon General has determined that, time spent listening to music is not deducted from one's lifespan.

  5. #5
    Forum Regular pixelthis's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
    Location
    tuscaloosa
    Posts
    5,528

    Cool

    Quote Originally Posted by GMichael
    Welcome aboard Pix. DVD's still look good, but they just don't campare to HD-DVD's or BR. And I only have a 720p display. Can't wait for that 1080p upgrade.

    Well, a lot seem to think DVD will surrive somehow, and I used to think so also.
    DVD was the revolution, BLU is evolution.
    But dang it, DVD just looks plain after watching HDTV all day.
    I hardly watch it anymore.
    And I have heard this from others, but always thought they were overstating the point.
    But to paraphrase an old song, how will you keep em using DVD, after they've seen HD?
    I mean, crappy HD still KICKS DVD'S A$$
    LG 42", integra 6.9, B&W 602s2, CC6 center, dm305rears, b&w
    sub asw2500
    Panny DVDA player
    sharp Aquos BLU player
    pronto remote, technics antique direct drive TT
    Samsung SACD/DVDA player
    emotiva upa-2 two channel amp

  6. #6
    Suspended
    Join Date
    Apr 2004
    Location
    Out there
    Posts
    6,777
    And what would your "old one" be there movetom? What does Deal Studio have to offer this week?

  7. #7
    Loving This kexodusc's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2003
    Location
    Department of Heuristics and Research on Material Applications
    Posts
    9,025
    Quote Originally Posted by pixelthis
    Well, a lot seem to think DVD will surrive somehow, and I used to think so also.
    DVD was the revolution, BLU is evolution.
    But dang it, DVD just looks plain after watching HDTV all day.
    I hardly watch it anymore.
    And I have heard this from others, but always thought they were overstating the point.
    But to paraphrase an old song, how will you keep em using DVD, after they've seen HD?
    I mean, crappy HD still KICKS DVD'S A$$
    I'm sure DVD will linger on refusing to die for quite a few more years, but I will be very surprised if by 2010 BluRay hasn't become the defacto standard for the majority of people.

    http://www.cepro.com/article/blu_ray...esearch_finds/
    Although this market research firm doesn't think BluRay will even be a major player for another 3 or 4 years. They call for BluRay to only be at 25% of US households by the end of 2011!!! That's not exactly mass adoption.

    If they're off on their sales growth targets by even 100% that's still 3-4 years of DVD being the dominant format before BluRay overtakes. The message I read is that BluRay is more about revenue growth than absolute sales numbers though. My guess is people continue to use a healthy combination of DVD, BluRay and VOD services then.

    The one thing that might influence the outcome sooner is if the Studios just decide to force BluRay on the market by artificially phasing out DVD at an accelerated pace. Very possible.

    Either way, I'm with you on this one Pix. Most upscaling I've seen makes picture quality look a bit better - like a pretty good DVD. But it's not as good as bad, cable provided HDTV.

  8. #8
    way up in Canada eh f0rge's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2003
    Posts
    413
    i use my PS3 to upconvert dvds, and i still watch a lot of dvds since my blockbuster has a limited selection of bluray. i have to say that dvds still look good.

    some look REALLY good, a perfect example would be Rescue Dawn.

    of course bluray blows dvd out of the water, but a dvd can still look very good, IMO better than HDTV, which i would imagine is running through much fewer Mbps
    Home Theatre:
    50" Panasonic TH-50PZ77
    Denon AVR-3808CI
    B&W 603 S3
    B&W LCR600 S3
    Paradigm Cinema ADP v.3
    SVS PB12-NSD
    Xbox 360 250GB
    Playstation 3 60GB
    Explorer 8300HD PVR 320GB
    Netgear ReadyNAS NV+ 8TB
    Harmony One

    2-Channel:
    Paradigm Studio 20 v.5
    NAD C320BEE
    NAD C521BEE

  9. #9
    Forum Regular pixelthis's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
    Location
    tuscaloosa
    Posts
    5,528

    Cool

    Quote Originally Posted by f0rge
    i use my PS3 to upconvert dvds, and i still watch a lot of dvds since my blockbuster has a limited selection of bluray. i have to say that dvds still look good.

    some look REALLY good, a perfect example would be Rescue Dawn.

    of course bluray blows dvd out of the water, but a dvd can still look very good, IMO better than HDTV, which i would imagine is running through much fewer Mbps
    I used to think the same thing.
    But nowadays I find that watching a HD edition of househunters is usually better than a DVD(the sound on that show is amazing, BTW)

    Thats the point of this thread BTW, when DVD came out the vcr died rather quickly,
    but laser, long the domain of HT perfectionists turned "tits up" almost overnight.
    Early versions of blu and HDDVD werent that impressive, but with the advent of 1080p
    well, wow.
    people get used to things, we had black and white tv when I was a child, I stayed
    with a nice lady with a color set, talk about magical!
    My folks had to get color eventually, just to get me to come home.
    WHEN HD hit TV I knew it was something special, and it still is, but now its the
    standard better HD is the goal, not a format that at best, will be a lesser presentation.

    DVD might be fine for the great unwashed for awhile, but if you get a DVD player you're wasting your money, IMHO.
    Because someday the price is right is gonna come on in HD (already has on the evening edition) and you'll find it a lot more captivating than you latest DVD.
    LG 42", integra 6.9, B&W 602s2, CC6 center, dm305rears, b&w
    sub asw2500
    Panny DVDA player
    sharp Aquos BLU player
    pronto remote, technics antique direct drive TT
    Samsung SACD/DVDA player
    emotiva upa-2 two channel amp

  10. #10
    Class of the clown GMichael's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Location
    Anywhere but here...
    Posts
    13,243
    Quote Originally Posted by pixelthis

    DVD might be fine for the great unwashed for awhile,.
    Hey! YOU TAKE THAT BACK SUCKA!
    WARNING! - The Surgeon General has determined that, time spent listening to music is not deducted from one's lifespan.

  11. #11
    way up in Canada eh f0rge's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2003
    Posts
    413
    i dont think dvd is going anywhere any time soon. here's some reasons.

    1. a lot of TV is still in SD, and yes it looks like crap, but it's still extremely watchable. compared to SDTV, DVDs looks amazing.

    2. most of the public doesn't understand, care about, or want to pay for HD. my parents are a perfect example, they have an HD LCD, an HD PVR and never watch HD channels. every time i'm over there and i see my dad watching sports i change the channel to the HD version and all he says is "oh thanks". yet low and behold every time i'm over there he's still watching in SD.

    3. bluray hasn't "won" and i dont think it will ever get the kind of market penetration that DVD has. long before that ever happens we will be seeing much more digital media, either dowloaded or streamed, or "on demand". if you ask me this is the wave of the future. purist who need every pixel of that 1920x1080 to be perfect will still gravitate towards things like bluray, but the general public prefers convenience and ease of use over pure quality.

  12. #12
    Class of the clown GMichael's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Location
    Anywhere but here...
    Posts
    13,243
    But as prices come down, and they will eventually, average Joe will start to move over to HD. Little by little it will happen.
    WARNING! - The Surgeon General has determined that, time spent listening to music is not deducted from one's lifespan.

  13. #13
    way up in Canada eh f0rge's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2003
    Posts
    413
    i still think we'll see digital distribution before bluray gets a foothold in the market

  14. #14
    Forum Regular pixelthis's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
    Location
    tuscaloosa
    Posts
    5,528

    Cool

    Quote Originally Posted by GMichael
    Hey! YOU TAKE THAT BACK SUCKA!
    My apologies (does your wife still need the clothespin for her nose?)
    LG 42", integra 6.9, B&W 602s2, CC6 center, dm305rears, b&w
    sub asw2500
    Panny DVDA player
    sharp Aquos BLU player
    pronto remote, technics antique direct drive TT
    Samsung SACD/DVDA player
    emotiva upa-2 two channel amp

  15. #15
    Forum Regular pixelthis's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
    Location
    tuscaloosa
    Posts
    5,528

    Cool

    Quote Originally Posted by f0rge
    i still think we'll see digital distribution before bluray gets a foothold in the market

    That may be the case, but blu or hdtv on vod or cable, it still proves my point.
    I DONT HAVE A BLU, BUT HD on cable has pretty much kicked DVD to the curb.
    And the SD on my cable is 480p, so a dvd isnt better, just THE SAME
    LG 42", integra 6.9, B&W 602s2, CC6 center, dm305rears, b&w
    sub asw2500
    Panny DVDA player
    sharp Aquos BLU player
    pronto remote, technics antique direct drive TT
    Samsung SACD/DVDA player
    emotiva upa-2 two channel amp

  16. #16
    way up in Canada eh f0rge's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2003
    Posts
    413
    the problem with HDTV is bandwidth, namely it sucks. you dont see anywhere near the same bandwidth over TV that would from a DVD, so even if they're both 480p i can guarantee the DVD will look better.

  17. #17
    Class of the clown GMichael's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Location
    Anywhere but here...
    Posts
    13,243
    Quote Originally Posted by f0rge
    the problem with HDTV is bandwidth, namely it sucks. you dont see anywhere near the same bandwidth over TV that would from a DVD, so even if they're both 480p i can guarantee the DVD will look better.
    The DVD's I have do look better than the 480p I get over cable. Some more so than others, but always better.
    WARNING! - The Surgeon General has determined that, time spent listening to music is not deducted from one's lifespan.

  18. #18
    Class of the clown GMichael's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Location
    Anywhere but here...
    Posts
    13,243
    Quote Originally Posted by pixelthis
    My apologies (does your wife still need the clothespin for her nose?)
    She likes me better when I'm dirty.
    WARNING! - The Surgeon General has determined that, time spent listening to music is not deducted from one's lifespan.

  19. #19
    Suspended
    Join Date
    Apr 2004
    Location
    Out there
    Posts
    6,777
    Quote Originally Posted by GMichael
    The DVD's I have do look better than the 480p I get over cable. Some more so than others, but always better.
    You guy realize that cable's HD delivery uses the highest amount of compression right? Another reason why I won't be going back to it.

  20. #20
    Class of the clown GMichael's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Location
    Anywhere but here...
    Posts
    13,243
    Quote Originally Posted by Rich-n-Texas
    You guy realize that cable's HD delivery uses the highest amount of compression right? Another reason why I won't be going back to it.
    I don't have much choice. Too many very tall trees around us. It's cable or nothing.
    WARNING! - The Surgeon General has determined that, time spent listening to music is not deducted from one's lifespan.

  21. #21
    Suspended
    Join Date
    Apr 2004
    Location
    Out there
    Posts
    6,777
    Just build a really tall satellite pole!

    And don't forget you'll need about 1000' foot of coax.

  22. #22
    Class of the clown GMichael's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Location
    Anywhere but here...
    Posts
    13,243
    Quote Originally Posted by Rich-n-Texas
    Just build a really tall satellite pole!

    And don't forget you'll need about 1000' foot of coax.
    How about if I just tape a bunch of yard sticks together?
    WARNING! - The Surgeon General has determined that, time spent listening to music is not deducted from one's lifespan.

  23. #23
    Suspended
    Join Date
    Apr 2004
    Location
    Out there
    Posts
    6,777
    Gonna need a LOTTA yard sticks and some really good tape. Can't use duct tape though because of its metallic properties.

  24. #24
    all around good guy Jim Clark's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2003
    Location
    In a dead sea of fluid mercury
    Posts
    1,901
    I'll tell you what it's gonna take for BluRay to take off-pirateability. The day there are recordable bluray discs, blueray burners, and software or freeware utilities to rip and burn bluray titles is the day the format finally starts taking off for real. Until then it's going to be slow at best.

    jc
    "Ahh, cartoons! America's only native art form. I don't count jazz 'cuz it sucks"- Bartholomew J. Simpson

  25. #25
    Forum Regular filecat13's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2003
    Location
    Los Angeles, CA
    Posts
    492
    Quote Originally Posted by f0rge
    i still think we'll see digital distribution before bluray gets a foothold in the market
    Today's news adds an interesting development:

    http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2008/05/01itunes.html

    I think most people felt that two things would slow down the growth of digital distribution: bandwidth and availability.

    Suddenly, connected folks can get the latest movie at 12:01 AM while the neighbors have to wait until Blockbuster or Target opens the next morning. I think there's more money in distributing media fast, when the consumer wants it, than there is in delivering the absolute highest quality.

    Making it easy to get this stuff quickly, without even leaving home, and making it available to play on multiple devices is a big deal. I didn't think the labels would go for this so soon. Apparently there's something they're seeing that we don't. It appears that HD isn't even a real part of the announcement. That's a very interesting silence.
    I like sulung tang.

Page 1 of 2 1 2 LastLast

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •