How do you decide whether to get a DVD or Blu-ray?

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Terzo

Terzo

Platinum Member
Dec 13, 2005
2,589
27
91
I've been thinking about picking up some oldish movies, old enough where I can get the used dvd versions for ~3 or 4 dollars off of Amazon. If I wanted I could pick up new copies for around 6 bucks.
The blu-ray versions are much more expensive, starting around 12 bones. I'm hesitant to get a blu-ray copy when I could pick up two or more dvds for the same price. At what point does a blu-ray copy become worth the extra cost? I've looked up the movies (Hero, Crouching Tiger, House of Flying Daggers), but I don't see anything that indicates the blu-ray version is a must have (compared to something like Planet Earth, which is so much better on blu-ray).

Any suggestions?
 
J

JackBurton

Lifer
Jul 18, 2000
15,993
14
81
I only buy Blu-rays. If it is not out on Blu-ray, I'll wait until it is out on Blu-ray. Trick is, keep up with the BD deals. You'll most likely find you can pick up most BDs for ~$10 if you buy at the right time. Amazon is your friend.
 
C

Crono

Lifer
Aug 8, 2001
23,720
1,502
136
If you meet the viewing distance/size of screen for telling the difference between DVD and Blu-ray, I would get Blu-ray for any modern action movie or documentary or any film where visuals play a key role. Favorite movies of mine (like LOTR - Extended version when it comes out) I would not hesitate to get on Blu-ray, and "Reference" quality Blu-rays I would strongly consider getting (see PQ thread on AVS forums).
 
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D

DaveSimmons

Elite Member
Aug 12, 2001
40,730
670
126
I normally just rent both from Netflix. If I want to see something again I just put it back in my queue or check if it's in streaming yet.

If I want something enough to keep I'll almost always want it on blu-ray. Blu-ray has 6x the pixel resolution and the anti-scratch coating.
 
rockyct

rockyct

Diamond Member
Jun 23, 2001
6,656
32
91
I either just rent the blu ray (netflix, redbox, etc) or I wait until it's $10-15. I don't really buy DVDs anymore unless it's old TV shows or something. Once you sort of get used to blu ray resolution, DVD just doesn't cut it anymore.
 
lxskllr

lxskllr

No Lifer
Nov 30, 2004
59,071
9,481
126
I'd go with DVD unless it's something you want for collection purposes. Keep in mind that I'm not big into the visual medium, so I'm biased against Bluray. I'm pretty happy with a clean copy, and don't care so much about maximum resolution.
 
Bignate603

Bignate603

Lifer
Sep 5, 2000
13,897
1
0
lxskllr said:
I'd go with DVD unless it's something you want for collection purposes. Keep in mind that I'm not big into the visual medium, so I'm biased against Bluray. I'm pretty happy with a clean copy, and don't care so much about maximum resolution.
Click to expand...

This. If it's a very visual movie I make a point of getting the bluray but if its more story driven I don't care that much.
 
0roo0roo

0roo0roo

No Lifer
Sep 21, 2002
64,795
84
91
you rent the bluray
as said 6x the resolution, why waste your money on anything less.
read reviews for transfer quality.
even very old films can be restored to look amazing in 1080p
quality>quantity.
 
Atomic Playboy

Atomic Playboy

Lifer
Feb 6, 2007
16,432
1
81
I don't think I've purchased a single movie on DVD since I began my Blu-ray collection 3 years ago. As someone who has invested a considerable amount in a home theater capable of faithfully reproducing high definition video and lossless audio, it would be a waste of my invested time and money to buy films on an inferior medium to save a couple bucks. But that's just me. I can understand people who don't have HDTVs or expensive audio setups because they don't feel they need that to enjoy a film; if that more closely describes you, I'd think you'd get more enjoyment out of buying DVDs as you can get more entertainment for less money. It really comes down to the individual.

That said, as Crono mentioned, checking forum threads on avsforums can help you decide if a particular film is worth getting on Blu-ray for the improvement in quality. Avatar, for example, looks stunning on Blu-ray, so if you were deciding between the DVD and Blu-ray, the HD format is probably a better bet. Gladiator, on the other hand, looks pretty bad on Blu-ray, so it's not necessarily worth spending the additional money for the HD format. The PQ tier thread over there is a great place to start.
 
Aikouka

Aikouka

Lifer
Nov 27, 2001
30,383
912
126
For some older movies, it's worthwhile checking out review sites to find out how good the video and audio quality is. Recent releases typically have good encodes, but sometimes the studios just seem lazy on old releases :p.

Sometimes I just buy BRs when they're on sale. Like I got 30 Days of Night (a decent movie) today at Wal-Mart for $9.99.
 
0roo0roo

0roo0roo

No Lifer
Sep 21, 2002
64,795
84
91
yea theres just no point buying dvds at this point, they are basically worthless/obsolete.
 
D

darkswordsman17

Lifer
Mar 11, 2004
23,444
5,847
146
I pretty much only buy movies now if I really like them, in which case I'd want the best quality version. The only other real deciding factor is if there is a Blu-Ray version or not.
 
Whoozyerdaddy

Whoozyerdaddy

Lifer
Jun 27, 2005
19,216
1
61
Terzo said:
I've been thinking about picking up some oldish movies, old enough where I can get the used dvd versions for ~3 or 4 dollars off of Amazon. If I wanted I could pick up new copies for around 6 bucks.
The blu-ray versions are much more expensive, starting around 12 bones. I'm hesitant to get a blu-ray copy when I could pick up two or more dvds for the same price. At what point does a blu-ray copy become worth the extra cost? I've looked up the movies (Hero, Crouching Tiger, House of Flying Daggers), but I don't see anything that indicates the blu-ray version is a must have (compared to something like Planet Earth, which is so much better on blu-ray).

Any suggestions?
Click to expand...

Really? The extra $6 is gonna break you? This is your big question for ATOT? :colbert:

Yes... I went Colbert on your ass...
 
J

JackBurton

Lifer
Jul 18, 2000
15,993
14
81
Atomic Playboy said:
I don't think I've purchased a single movie on DVD since I began my Blu-ray collection 3 years ago. As someone who has invested a considerable amount in a home theater capable of faithfully reproducing high definition video and lossless audio, it would be a waste of my invested time and money to buy films on an inferior medium to save a couple bucks. But that's just me. I can understand people who don't have HDTVs or expensive audio setups because they don't feel they need that to enjoy a film; if that more closely describes you, I'd think you'd get more enjoyment out of buying DVDs as you can get more entertainment for less money. It really comes down to the individual.

That said, as Crono mentioned, checking forum threads on avsforums can help you decide if a particular film is worth getting on Blu-ray for the improvement in quality. Avatar, for example, looks stunning on Blu-ray, so if you were deciding between the DVD and Blu-ray, the HD format is probably a better bet. Gladiator, on the other hand, looks pretty bad on Blu-ray, so it's not necessarily worth spending the additional money for the HD format. The PQ tier thread over there is a great place to start.
Click to expand...

Actually they quietly released a MUCH better transfer of Gladiator on BD. It actually looks very nice now. Best of all, I now have flaming arrows. ;)

But I think you are on to something. People that haven't invested much in their HD setup, may not be that anal about video and audio quality. I'm like you, I've invested quite a bit of money on my HD setups, and refuse to run anything less than the best on it. DVDs are just not an option. I did have to make an exception though. Since "Raiders of the Lost Ark" isn't available yet on BD, and given that my BD player does a fantastic job of upscaling DVDs, I just had to watch it. It was actually beautiful looking, but I can't wait for the BD version to be released. :)
 
Terzo

Terzo

Platinum Member
Dec 13, 2005
2,589
27
91
Thanks for the tips so far. Those AVS forums are a great resource, and I've found a reviews sections so I'm looking up the appropriate ones now. I forgot to take into account the better resilience of blu-ray. I don't think it's common, but I have run into old dvds that cut out half way into the disc.

Whoozyerdaddy said:
Really? The extra $6 is gonna break you? This is your big question for ATOT? :colbert:

Yes... I went Colbert on your ass...
Click to expand...

Six bucks is the minimum difference. Some of the movies are closer to 20. Plus, a penny saved is a penny more I can spend on hookers and blow.
 
irishScott

irishScott

Lifer
Oct 10, 2006
21,562
3
0
I'll buy a used DVD of a movie that doesn't rely on many special effects. That's about it. I figure I'm going to upgrade anyway, might as well save myself the cost of buying two formats. However, I've yet to break my rule of never paying more than $20 for a BD.
 
J

Jumpem

Lifer
Sep 21, 2000
10,757
3
81
I don't buy movies because they are overpriced. I also rarely want to watch one more than once.

New release blu-rays should be $3. Older movis on blu-ray should be $1-2.
 
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