DVDs looking like crud

[imported_Phil]

Anyone else reckon that DVDs are beginning to look a bit like crud to the trained eye? I mean, I've watched discs on my PC and on a TV and I can actually see compression artifacts and suchlike when watching.

Downloaded some HD showcases from Microsoft today, and they look good. Pity that HD won't be around in the UK for some time... :-/

 

[conjur]

You're just becoming attuned to the PQ of DVDs.

There are times I'll notice the scan lines in my HDTV when watching a DVD but other times I don't. Guess it might depend on how the transfer was done, what the bitrate is, etc.

 

[imported_Phil]

Good point. Damn my good eyes

(Having said that, they suck for long-distance and I can't wear my contacts right now, stupid styes)

BTW, I've always meant to ask how the transfer to DVD is done...? Could you elaborate?

 

[Jetblade]

Yes, I can see the imperfections when I play them on my PC.

 

[conjur]

Originally posted by: DopeFiend
Good point. Damn my good eyes

(Having said that, they suck for long-distance and I can't wear my contacts right now, stupid styes)

BTW, I've always meant to ask how the transfer to DVD is done...? Could you elaborate?

How Film Is Transferred To Video

 

[imported_Phil]

Jetblade: Thought it was just me

Maybe the quality of transfers is getting worse and worse? I saw A Knight's Tale the other day on DVD and the transfer was rubbish, nowhere near as good as, eg, the Matrix or similar.

 

[imported_Phil]

Conjur: Thanks

[Edit] While a good article, it doesn't really address the technical process of taking a film and ending up with a pressed DVD- how is the film transferred from film to digital media, why is the quality of transfers different between different films etc?

 

[kami]

Man you must be watching some bad DVD transfers if you see compression artifacting (do you even know exactly what artifacting is?). Either that your TV isn't calibrated.

DVDs blown up on my 50" HDTV look stunning, and many new transfers border on high definition quality. (Matrix Reloaded, Two Towers Extended Edition, most Pixar films, etc.)

It just takes the right equipment to get the best out of the format. Progressive scan player, component cables, calibrated HDTV.

The HD showcases from microsoft that you speak of have more resolution but actually feature more compression artifacts than a good DVD (look at the insane banding in the coral reef one!!!!)

 

[conjur]

Originally posted by: DopeFiend
Conjur: Thanks

[Edit] While a good article, it doesn't really address the technical process of taking a film and ending up with a pressed DVD- how is the film transferred from film to digital media, why is the quality of transfers different between different films etc?

Do some searching for telecine, then.

 

[imported_Phil]

Man you must be watching some bad DVD transfers if you see compression artifacting (do you even know exactly what artifacting is?). Either that your TV isn't calibrated.

Yes, I most certainly do know what compression artifacting is. And I see more artifacts when playing on any computer than a TV- they are most definitely there. A computer screen will always show artifacts more than a TV because of the inherent higher dot pitch of TVs compared to computer screens. Thus, you may not see artifacts on your ungodly-expensive setup, but I can see them on my 17" ADI.

Some of us can't afford progressive players, component cables and an HDTV to play them on, you know. Some of us make do with a 5-yr old 4:3 21" TV that I got second hand because I couldn't afford anything else.