Do Bluray discs warrant their price tags?

[rh71]

hell are dual layer DVD discs cheap yet?

 

[CZroe]

hell are dual layer DVD discs cheap yet?

Yes. Even BD25 discs can be had for well under a dollar a disc now if you know how to shop.

 

[Fingolfin269]

Have you ever actually used Netflix? I've heard similar protestations as yours from people that never used it. Then, they finally do, and fall in love, and realize that yeah, they had been wasting money by buying so many movies as they realized they had been buying movies they didn't like and/or watched once.

I own some BD movies and also subscribe to Netflix. To me the perfect model is to stream Netflix for certain things (TV shows), rent from Netflix for things I know I'll watch only once, and buy certain discs that I know I will watch a few times and/or want to have on hand for demo purposes.

You didn't say they had to be mutually exclusive but I just wanted to point out that buying BD media and also having a Netflix sub is actually the best way to go in my opinion.

 

[JackBurton]

Not necessarily true. I have a large number of BDs ripped to hard drive uncompressed. They run between 20-80gb per disc, and stream fine over a gigabit network. And I don't have to get up to change the discs.

BD's max capacity is 50GB, so I'm not sure where you are getting the 80GB figure. But I speced out how much it would cost to store all my BDs, and the effort and cost just wasn't worth it. If I was going to do that, I'd just get a Kaleidascape setup. Much more refined interface and elegant setup than anything out there.

 

[JackBurton]

Well if we're ignoring cost, then why not just buy the original films and own an IMAX theater. You can host even more people, have an even bigger display.

Of course, what are you going to do when they start releasing another format to support 2K/4K/8K?

The debate is between buying and renting BDs. If I owned an IMAX theater, then we would be having a different discussion. You're example is irrelevant. I do find it funny that you are left with extreme examples to try and defend you stance though. 🙂

And to answer your question, I'll start buying the new format if there are benefits to it. I'm not big on 3D and 4K resolution will really only benefit the people with projectors. So BD is a prefect format for my setup. I'm still open to 4K, but like I said, 3D in its current form doesn't interest me at all. Now if they come out with 3D without the need for glasses with no sacrifice to 2D performance, I'd be all over it.

You do know there will be things beyond Blu-Ray quality, right? You're going to end up like the people that bought tons of DVDs acting like they were oblivious to the fact quality can still be improved. You'll have spent so much money on one format that you can't justify it on the next one, and your current format will become practically worthless, and you'll sit there like a bitter person saying "it really isn't that much better quality" while people roll their eyes.

See my comment above. I have no problems moving to a new format. By that time, storage should be cheaper (100TB hard drives, hopefully SSDs) and I'll just rip everything to an ISO and store them on a NAS or file server to stream to whatever, and use my current shelf space to store 4K discs. 🙂 Until then, I'll have the best version of whatever movie I'm interested in just a few steps away. 😉

Have you ever actually used Netflix? I've heard similar protestations as yours from people that never used it. Then, they finally do, and fall in love, and realize that yeah, they had been wasting money by buying so many movies as they realized they had been buying movies they didn't like and/or watched once.

Yes, I was a Netflix customer for I think 2 years. I got tired of receiving movies that looked like they've been used as skates on concrete floors and the long queues for new releases. I also didn't like the rushed feeling to watch a movie because I wanted to receive the next movie in my queue. This REALLY sucks when you're watching a TV series and want to watch as many episodes as you'd like. You may want to watch 1, or 10. But if it is on the next disc, you have to wait days for the next disc to come in. But that was when I was a customer. It's now even worse. You have to wait 28 days for new releases, and your BD movies are now coming stripped without extra features. Again, way too many negatives and way too inconvenient for me.

You sound like you might should go on this show: http://www.aetv.com/hoarders/index.jsp

lol, I think I need to produce a new show called "Haters" and have you star in it. 😛

 

[Joseph Dubin]

I don't think he was trolling. He had similar questions in another thread and they seem genuine.

Were you guys referring to me or someone else?:hmm:

I only have standard DVD but recently purchased the Logitech Revue and have access to Netflix. Thought it would be a good way to compare the difference between an up-converted DVD and similar title on Bluray before somebody told me that streaming wouldn't produce the same quality. That's why I asked.

Also, since the screen sizes on our two HT systems aren't too large (34 inch Sony KD34XBR960 - CRT and a 32 inch Samsung LCD) would the differences between bluray and DVD be as apparent? I've read not so.

And what is "trolling"?

 

[JackBurton]

Were you guys referring to me or someone else?:hmm:

I only have standard DVD but recently purchased the Logitech Revue and have access to Netflix. Thought it would be a good way to compare the difference between an up-converted DVD and similar title on Bluray before somebody told me that streaming wouldn't produce the same quality. That's why I asked.

Also, since the screen sizes on our two HT systems aren't too large (34 inch Sony KD34XBR960 - CRT and a 32 inch Samsung LCD) would the differences between bluray and DVD be as apparent? I've read not so.

And what is "trolling"?

I think you're fine with upscaled DVD or Netflix streaming given your TV size. I'm going to assume you probably sit further than 10-12' away, so the benefits of BD will be harder to discern. The colors will be better on BD, but I don't know if that in itself will be worth it to you. Also don't forget that picture quality is only half of what makes Blu-ray so great. The audio quality is also MUCH improved over DVD. So if you have a nice audio setup, you can take advantage of the new uncompression audio tracks offered on Blu-ray.

Don't worry about the "trolling" comment though. I think that was just a misunderstanding.

 

[darkswordsman17]

I own some BD movies and also subscribe to Netflix. To me the perfect model is to stream Netflix for certain things (TV shows), rent from Netflix for things I know I'll watch only once, and buy certain discs that I know I will watch a few times and/or want to have on hand for demo purposes.

You didn't say they had to be mutually exclusive but I just wanted to point out that buying BD media and also having a Netflix sub is actually the best way to go in my opinion.

Oh, absolutely, which was my point. If anything, I would have thought someone like him would like Netflix even more. In a single month, he'd be able to buy 1-2 less movies, but it would enable him to watch at least 12.

The debate is between buying and renting BDs. If I owned an IMAX theater, then we would be having a different discussion. You're example is irrelevant. I do find it funny that you are left with extreme examples to try and defend you stance though. 🙂

And to answer your question, I'll start buying the new format if there are benefits to it. I'm not big on 3D and 4K resolution will really only benefit the people with projectors. So BD is a prefect format for my setup. I'm still open to 4K, but like I said, 3D in its current form doesn't interest me at all. Now if they come out with 3D without the need for glasses with no sacrifice to 2D performance, I'd be all over it.



See my comment above. I have no problems moving to a new format. By that time, storage should be cheaper (100TB hard drives, hopefully SSDs) and I'll just rip everything to an ISO and store them on a NAS or file server to stream to whatever, and use my current shelf space to store 4K discs. 🙂 Until then, I'll have the best version of whatever movie I'm interested in just a few steps away. 😉



Yes, I was a Netflix customer for I think 2 years. I got tired of receiving movies that looked like they've been used as skates on a concrete floor and the long queues for new releases. I also didn't like the rushed feeling to watch a movie because I wanted to receive the next movie in my queue. This REALLY sucks when you're watching a TV series and want to watch as many episodes as you'd like. You may want to watch 1, or 10. But if it is n the next disc, you have to wait days for the next disc to come in. Again, it's just not convenient at all for me.



lol, I think I need to produce a new show called "Haters" and have you star in it. 😛

I wasn't using that to defend my stance, I was using it to point out how silly yours was (to ignore costs). I'm just saying that several thousand dollars difference is pretty significant. I personally wouldn't miss not owning say 500 of those. I'd still own 200 movies, have been able to watch those other 500 (and probably even more than that), plus have several thousand dollars.

I'd personally rather spend the money on other things that help my movie viewing experience as well (equipment, good food/refreshments, super comfy chairs).

Most of that last part was more a joke about the people claiming Blu-Ray isn't a major improvement in quality over DVD. I know some people that were pissed about Blu-Ray, they thought DVD was the end all be all format.

I've seen Netflix save lives. People, that were the same as you, had to own. It finally got out of hand, it was more like the movies owned them. After an intervention, they started using Netflix, and it was like they finally understood. They were able to overcome their problem and live perfectly normal lives. :biggrin: Okay, just kidding.

Initially I was just, perplexed at you saying you hate Netflix. I'm just pointing out that you could be better off both buying many movies and using Netflix.

Were you guys referring to me or someone else?:hmm:

I only have standard DVD but recently purchased the Logitech Revue and have access to Netflix. Thought it would be a good way to compare the difference between an up-converted DVD and similar title on Bluray before somebody told me that streaming wouldn't produce the same quality. That's why I asked.

Also, since the screen sizes on our two HT systems aren't too large (34 inch Sony KD34XBR960 - CRT and a 32 inch Samsung LCD) would the differences between bluray and DVD be as apparent? I've read not so.

And what is "trolling"?

It depends on where you're sitting how big the difference in resolution will be.

Blu-Ray will provide the best quality though, and should surpass DVD even in that case. Colors and audio is generally considerably better, although you wouldn't probably notice without being able to see/hear the difference in a more direct comparison. But it might not be worth it for you.

 

[JackBurton]

I wasn't using that to defend my stance, I was using it to point out how silly yours was (to ignore costs). I'm just saying that several thousand dollars difference is pretty significant. I personally wouldn't miss not owning say 500 of those. I'd still own 200 movies, have been able to watch those other 500 (and probably even more than that), plus have several thousand dollars.

I think you missed my point. The reason I said to ignore cost is because I already gave my reasons for buying, and felt that the additional cost was worth it to me. No need to keep harping on the same thing (cost) when in the end it just comes down to personal preference and someone's financial situtation.

I'd personally rather spend the money on other things that help my movie viewing experience as well (equipment, good food/refreshments, super comfy chairs).

I have that too.

Initially I was just, perplexed at you saying you hate Netflix. I'm just pointing out that you could be better off both buying many movies and using Netflix.

Again, I was with Netflix for 2 years and when it comes to BDs, I prefer buying MUCH more. Cost is the only advantage Netflix offers over purchasing BDs, and like I said, the added convenience and extra content that comes with buying BDs is well worth it to me.

 

[Joseph Dubin]

It depends on where you're sitting how big the difference in resolution will be.

Blu-Ray will provide the best quality though, and should surpass DVD even in that case. Colors and audio is generally considerably better, although you wouldn't probably notice without being able to see/hear the difference in a more direct comparison. But it might not be worth it for you.

We sit about six feet away from the Sony 34 inch CRT (it is 26 inches deep so the screen is almost three feet off the wall). It's been calibrated and still rates among the top HD monitors despite the advances in flat screen technology over the years. I've read that it not being a fixed pixel helps in the up-conversion so being a CRT might be an advantage in this case.

Sit about five feet away from the 32 inch LCD in the den.

About two years ago I saw a bluray demonstration disc on a 46 inch Sony LCD at a local Best Buy - the type that compares bluray to standard DVD. What I did notice was that the DVD example seemed much softer than what I see on the CRT at home and that there is much more detail on smaller objects that what the comparison showed.. Could have been due to a variety of things - larger screen, it being LCD and perhaps a bit of exaggeration on the part of the demonstration - with the DVD portion appearing as it might be in 480i without any up-conversion.

Will not argue that bluray provides the best picture quality available, but that perhaps in my situation (smaller screen, CRT technology) the significance is more minimal than with other set ups.

This might be a bit off topic but is related somewhat. The DVD-Rs that I record play back beautifully up-converted on the CRT but awful on the LCD (color distortion, too harsh a picture , etc. no matter how the settings are adjusted) and the movement is choppy. For there, I must play the disc back at 480p. Is that due to LCD technology versus CRT or just one of those things?