View Full Version : High Def DVD.....do we really NEED this??
Hooper
11-16-2003, 02:35 PM
At least not for a long long while.
Honestly, with the quality of dvd transfers gettting better and better all the time I don't see the need for the dvd format to change any time soon.
I look at a movie like Lord of the Rings: Two Towers DC on my high def and am simply amazed! The clarity and cleanliness of this NON DIGITAL film is stunning! All this at 480p and honestly cannot imagine anything much better.
Pixar's stuff is even more amazing being fully digital. I bought Nemo the other day and my jaw hit the floor.
Seriously, I hope the industry dosen't move too fast toward high def dvd because the quality right now is more than acceptable.
Hooper,
I couldn't agree more, "except", have you seen 'U-571' played on a D-VHS unit and displayed on a 'big screen'?
It will make you change your mind :) or surely make you think about it.
When we do go HD DVD I want it done right and not a dozen different formats. I don't want the DVD's so fragile you can't breath on them. Right now a fingerprint will screw our present DVD's up.
Lee
paulszpet
11-16-2003, 05:15 PM
Need????? No probably not, however, I'll bet you that a considerable number of people who read this forum are highly interested in purchasing such equipment and disks. I am presently curtailing buying many new disks because I know I will have to replace them when HD disks become available in the near future. Current DVD's look nice but they are no match for a good HD program. I knew my VHS collection was doomed the first time I saw a DVD, I have no doubt this will be the same.
I knew my VHS collection was doomed the first time I saw a DVD, I have no doubt this will be the same.
Gasp! You missed Laser Disc and $50 a copy?
Lee :D
Lowpro
11-16-2003, 05:59 PM
After watching flics in HD on my local networks, HDNet Movies, HBO-HD, SHO-HD, and PPV-HD I am "VERY" hungry for the HD-DVD platform to arrive. I have not used my DVD player very much since I started enjoying HD programming. The difference in picture quality to me is simply stunning!
paulszpet
11-16-2003, 10:17 PM
Hi Lee,
Actually, I didn't miss laser disk. I had one of the early Pioneer gas powered laser units. It was broken down more than it was working. Many disks I purchased were defective and had to be replaced. I also hated the large size of the disks and the need to turn the disk over every 30 minutes when watching a CAV program. I also noticed that reds had a tendency to bleed.
No I don't miss laser disks and would never care to return to that particular technology. They pretty much vanished overnight with the introduction of DVD.
Please note that I am not trying to insult anyone who likes laserdisks, I simply just didn't care for them.
Please note that I am not trying to insult anyone who likes laserdisks, I simply just didn't care for them.
No offense taken :) I wouldn't even think of comparing the two (laser disc and DVD). I got into it later than you did. I had a player that would do both sides and had very good PQ. I DON'T miss the price of the discs. When the last three episodes of Star Wars get remastered to DVD I'll retire the old player. I've saved a place in the garage next to other retired A/V equip. :)
Geez, now I wonder what they will do with me when I'm old and useless. :)
Lee
DoubleDAZ
11-16-2003, 10:45 PM
Originally posted by LeeS
Geez, now I wonder what they will do with me when I'm old and useless. :)
Lee I think you'll get an idea when they release Soylent Green on DVD, if they haven't already. :D
Sorry, couldn't resist. :)
namechamps
11-16-2003, 11:55 PM
HDTV is what will make a push for HD-DVD.
Digital 480p is amazing but a good transfer to 720p or 1080i is jaw dropping.
Right now most "HD" content is really just upconverted. However there are some gems out there that are amazing. "HD" content will get better and better as studios invest in equipment to take full advantage of 1080i
Over next years or two HDTV will get better and better.
Durring same time more and more people buy HD equipment, making it more mainstream.
"Why does Sopranos look so much better on HBO-HD then when we buy it on DVD?"
Now granted me & you understand this, but joe consumer doesn't. He will feel ripped off paying $99 to buy sopranos on DVD which looks WORSE than what he watches on HBO.
At which DVD sales will suffer and more people will buy HD recording equipment to record their vastly superior HD broadcast.
That will drive studios to push for DVD-HD to recover those lost DVD sales/rentals.
Last year DVD Sales/Rentals was $11B thats 10% than movie ticket sales. Studios make more money off DVD than they do the theater release!
Basicly like most things in good ole USA it's all about the $$$.
(I REALLY hope HD-DVD or whatever is a protected media like minidisc. I wouldn't mind paying an extra $3 per movie if I never had to worry about scratches, dust, fingerprints, etc. It will never happen but it would be nice).
