HDTV movie question

[Narmer]

Is what I'm watching on my HD-HBO, Starz, Cinemax, Showtime, Starz, etc... the same as what to expect from blu-ray and hd-dvd?

If so, I think I can wait because the difference from dvd isn't that big of a leap to justify the premium for me.

 

[dwell]

Originally posted by: Narmer
Is what I'm watching on my HD-HBO, Starz, Cinemax, Showtime, Starz, etc... the same as what to expect from blu-ray and hd-dvd?

If so, I think I can wait because the difference from dvd isn't that big of a leap to justify the premium for me.

It's pretty much the same as HBO, etc with the exception that those feeds are 1080i and BD and HD-DVD are 1080p24. If your set has a decent de-interlacer you're pretty much seeing the same thing, though BD and HD-DVD have less artifacts as there's less compression. If you have a good set and BD player you can also play in the film's native 24fps mode which has much smoother playback.

Don't expect night and day though.

 

[DAPUNISHER]

All I know is, I watched Shooter in blu-ray the other night, and DVD can kiss my ass *smooch* kiss it! 😉

 

[cubby1223]

There is a sizable difference between cable HD and HD DVD / Blu-ray. The movies on cable are softer, seem to have a color tint to them, and do get pixelated during the high action scenes (which is why you went hi def in the first place, to see the action in detail).

 

[PurdueRy]

Watch a hi def movie on a local station via OTA HD and then you are seeing what blu-ray and/or HDDVD would look like

 

[jtvang125]

Originally posted by: PurdueRy
Watch a hi def movie on a local station via OTA HD and then you are seeing what blu-ray and/or HDDVD would look like

Isn't OTA HD still slightly compressed as well? Seems kind of hard to believe that OTA can support the full bitrate of hd.

 

[Tegeril]

Originally posted by: PurdueRy
Watch a hi def movie on a local station via OTA HD and then you are seeing what blu-ray and/or HDDVD would look like

If you honestly believe this, it's time for glasses.

HDDVD/Blu-Ray picture quality is certainly superior to OTA HD.

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: jtvang125

Originally posted by: PurdueRy
Watch a hi def movie on a local station via OTA HD and then you are seeing what blu-ray and/or HDDVD would look like

Isn't OTA HD still slightly compressed as well? Seems kind of hard to believe that OTA can support the full bitrate of hd.

From looking up the numbers a bit, it seems what I am seeing is both HD DVD and OTA HD broadcast at about 18mbps with OTA HD maybe being slightly less per channel.

I still stand by my statement that if you watch OTA HD movies(provided the station is good) they look VERY SIMILAR to their HDDVD and BR counterparts. I do think sound takes a big hit though from what I have heard.