The Ultimate Guide to Blu-ray: have your say!

[John_S]

Hi all,
Right, then – we’re about to start work on the new issue of the Ultimate Guide to Blu-ray. So, it’s time you lot had your say for the ‘Why Buy?’ feature at the front of the mag.
How would you sell Blu-ray to someone with both feet firmly planted in the standard-definition camp? What is it about the format that makes it so much better than DVD? And now, with HD projectors on the affordable side, is there even any need to go to the pictures any more?
Tell us about your first experience of watching a film in Full HD, on a proper, grown-up system, complete with uncompressed multichannel sound....
As ever, we’ll pick the best quotes and print them in the feature. The mag hits the shelves on October 22nd.
We’re looking forward to hearing about your experiences!

 

[jase fox]

John_S:Hi all,

Right, then - we're about to start work on the new issue of the Ultimate Guide to Blu-ray. So, it's time you lot had your say for the 'Why Buy?' feature at the front of the mag.

How would you sell Blu-ray to someone with both feet firmly planted in the standard-definition camp? What is it about the format that makes it so much better than DVD? And now, with HD projectors on the affordable side, is there even any need to go to the pictures any more?

Tell us about your first experience of watching a film in Full HD, on a proper, grown-up system, complete with uncompressed multichannel sound....

As ever, we'll pick the best quotes and print them in the feature. The mag hits the shelves on October 22nd.

We're looking forward to hearing about your experiences!
Well having being an avid movie & home cinema fan for the past 20yrs when i first experienced bluray i realised this is what it's all about, the quality picture i could only have ever dreamed of & uncompressed audio that was another giant leap forward from standard Dolby digital 5.1 or DTS.

The first movie i ever watched on bluray was "apocolypto" the quality of the picture just totally blew me away, a sharpness,clarity & depth of picture i had never experienced before & audio that was so dynamic crisp & clear it felt like i'd upgraded all my components to much higher end kit at the same time.

 

[Andrew Everard]

jase fox:The first movie i ever watched on bluray was "apocolypto" the quality of the picture just totally blew me away, a sharpness,clarity & depth of picture i had never experienced before & audio that was so dynamic crisp & clear it felt like i'd upgraded all my components to much higher end kit at the same time.

...And as for the dialogue...

 

[Anonymous]

I must admit that I am still one of the blue ray doubters that is perfectly happy with their DVD collection and pioneer LX50 player for upscaling. In my mind the new format discs are not the dramatic leap that VHS -> DVD was. The films are still too expensive and the players too slow to load. They also remain a niche part of the market in comparison to DVD in terms of sales.

Blue ray will have to fight with download which is a battle it will ultimately lose.

Sorry, just my humble opinion.

PS I do not want 3D either (that's another thread).

 

[Messiah]

tigerpin:
I must admit that I am still one of the blue ray doubters that is perfectly happy with their DVD collection and pioneer LX50 player for upscaling. In my mind the new format discs are not the dramatic leap that VHS -> DVD was. The films are still too expensive and the players too slow to load.

I certainly agree with this. I have not been that impressed with Blu-Ray to be honest. Whilst I have bought a few BD titles I cannot see myself buying many more. To be fair though I can only really judge it on picture quality. As for sound, the only time I heard a HD soundtrack was in the What Hifi demo in Bristol last year. Was it good? Yes. Was I blown away? Nope.....shame really but then it has saved me some money.

Still not really the response that was being looked for....

 

[Anonymous]

What are you actually looking to do with this? The Ultimate Guide to Blu-ray indicates that it will be an informative piece about the format, some of the 'killer app' titles and so forth, but you seem to be asking for users' experiences. Shouldn't it be a factual piece with the specs, pros and cons of BD? What are you actually intending to include? A detailed breakdown of the various video/audio formats and their strengths/weaknesses? The benefits (or otherwise) or Profile 1.1/2.0? Or is it going to turn into another useless magazine article that doesn't actually provide any useful information for consumers?

 

[John_S]

Mentasm:What are you actually looking to do with this? The Ultimate Guide to Blu-ray indicates that it will be an informative piece about the format, some of the 'killer app' titles and so forth, but you seem to be asking for users' experiences. Shouldn't it be a factual piece with the specs, pros and cons of BD? What are you actually intending to include? A detailed breakdown of the various video/audio formats and their strengths/weaknesses? The benefits (or otherwise) or Profile 1.1/2.0? Or is it going to turn into another useless magazine article that doesn't actually provide any useful information for consumers?

Worry not!

The 'Why Buy?' feature is a five-page photo extravaganza at the front of the magazine. It's a lovely bit of eye-candy, backed up with choice quotes from you, the readers, about your experiences with the kit the magazine is covering.

The rest of the issue is packed with reviews, features, buying advice, tips and explanations of key terms. We've got some very special stuff planned for this one!

 

[Anonymous]

I like Blu Ray, but the increase in quality, to me, is not worth the difference in price.

DVDs look very good on my tv. The Dark Knight is a reference blu ray disc, and whilst it is very good, it is NOT worth the £30 it costs in some shops. At £13 online, it becomes far better value, but that is still over double the price of the dvd.

I sit 8-9ft from a 42" tv, maybe I would be more impressed if I were watching BD on a larger/ huge screen.

 

[Anonymous]

I have to laugh at some of the above comments ! Are you people blind & Def ? Blu-ray / HD TV Makes standard Def TV and DVD's look old and poor it blows them out of the water in terms off the better quality you see . I must admit when ever i turn on my Sky box i go right to the HD Channels . The only time i watch standard Def TV now is X-Factor and ITV Sports and that is it ! everything else i watch is in HD.

HD sound is loads better than Dolby Digital . Better Bass / Better voice sounds , Basicly the way the Director of the movie wanted us to hear it !

I will be honest and say if you have a Small TV then don't bother with HD , If you want to get the best from HD Movies and see that massive change that i have seen in picture quality then go with 42 - 50 inc Screen from ..... Sony / Panasonic or Pioneer.

All i can say is if your a True Film fan and love movies you will upgrade ! also having a Blu-ray Player Upscale a DVD is not the same as seeing the Quality from a Blu-ray Disc ..... Non of the DVDs i own that i have watched upscaled look as good as a Blu-ray !.........

Because i have seen a massive change ! DVDs to me are the same as VHS , Basicly you wont get me watching a DVD ever again unless i really really have to.

 

[professorhat]

Just a tip, but I have to say, I feel it's probably unlikely that

hmtb:I like Blu Ray, but the increase in quality, to me, is not worth the difference in price.

will make it as a quote in a magazine known as "The Ultimate Guide to Blu-Ray"...

 

[PJPro]

jasonsony735:Because i have seen a massive change ! DVDs to me are the same as VHS , Basicly you wont get me watching a DVD ever again unless i really really have to.
Lets not get carried away. The difference between VHS and DVD is much greater than upscaled DVD and Bluray. DVDs are OK. But Bluray is better.

 

[Alec]

Jason - are you saying that you don't care what you watch on telly as long as its HD? Hmmm. Do you think BR is universally great and it isn't a case of getting a good transfer? Are you saying the DVD of Transformers wasn't spiffing? Are all your points rather sweeping?

I do think some films look very good on BR on my modestly sized set, but it has'nt set my world alight.

 

[Andrew Everard]

Mentasm:What are you actually looking to do with this? The Ultimate Guide to Blu-ray indicates that it will be an informative piece about the format, some of the 'killer app' titles and so forth, but you seem to be asking for users' experiences. Shouldn't it be a factual piece with the specs, pros and cons of BD? What are you actually intending to include? A detailed breakdown of the various video/audio formats and their strengths/weaknesses? The benefits (or otherwise) or Profile 1.1/2.0? Or is it going to turn into another useless magazine article that doesn't actually provide any useful information for consumers?

I fear your cynicism is making you miss the point - it's an entire magazine, not just an article, and as John S has explained it will be covering all aspects of the format.

 

[sonycentre]

I must say that i agree with jasonsony,Blu-ray is a massive leap in picture and sound,all this talk of up-scaling,it does not make sd dvds any better,all upscaling does is fill the panel/resulution of your lcd/plasma displays.The only dvd player on the market that makes dvd,s look better is the one from toshiba,I must admit that when i watch sky i head for the hd channels aswell,blu-ray gives you goose-bumps when you see it in all its spledor.i even have a toshiba hd-dvd player and that format still blow,s me away(xde-1)mmmmmmm sweeeta.if you have hd,just love it for what it is------AWESOME.

 

[Anonymous]

The first Bluray I saw was when I went for a cinema reciever and speaker audition in Richer Sounds. I only went with the intention of buying those components until I saw Disney's Cars on Bluray, a film I had seen on DVD numerous times as it was a favourite of my 2 year old son. I'd never been that impressed with Cars but on Bluray the picture was far sharper, the music had far more involvement and the sound was outstanding. I knew it was a fairly accurate comparison as they had a Pionner Plasma in their demo room and I had one at home. When a car engine fired up it was if a 6 litre engine was being reved in the room with me, on DVD this is just not the case. From that moment I knew I needed a Bluray player to really get the best from my home set up, my Sky HD just wasn't enough on it's own to really justify the amount I was about to invest on a reciever and speakers.

The next film I saw on Bluray was Dark Knight and again the diference in picture quality (compared with DVD) during the opening scenes and especially the sound during the bank job between formats is very noticeable. I have also been impressed with the picture quality on BBC's Planet Earth, especially during the long distance shots, the detail is staggering. I don't usually enjoy nature programmes but the picture detail on this disc is stunning and really draws the viewer into the subject matter. Finally the collectors edition of Blade Runner on Bluray is fantastic, the sharpness of the opening flight over LA, the lighting in the interview with the first Replicant and the Vangelis soundtrack are exceptional.

I think if you have a good quality TV, cinema reciever and surround sound speakes but don't own a Bluray Player yet then the question shouldn't be "Should you buy a Bluray Player yet?" but instead "Why don't you own a Bluray player yet?".

I believe you really aren't getting the best from the substantial investment you have made in your system if you are still relying solely on DVD's when compared against the current crop of Bluray players.

 

[Anonymous]

Its still a niche market where you need to spend thousands to get the benefits from it in both audio and visual. Audio is a major factor of the HD experience and to be honest in times of recession buying a tv and blu ray player is one thing but then forking out over a grand for an amp and speakers is not what people want to do. Until the cost comes down it will not be adopted by the majority.

A true movie fan can enjoy the movie through their SD equipment, afterall bein a movie fan means you become engaged in the story not sit wondering wow my blacks r even blacker than before and omg i only noticed 2 trees in my sd version but now i can see 3 on my BD lol ..I bet after 5 mins into a blu ray most of you guys dont even notice the HD detail anymore and instead just get stuck into whatever your watching.

If people can enjoy movies through poor pirate copies then that must mean something too..enjoy the content the rest is just fancy dress.

As for the OP's question i would say... Blu ray: Bringing The Cinema Into Your Home

 

[Alec]

Ginder:...and omg i only noticed 2 trees in my sd version but now i can see 3 on my BD...

Now if it were that good id be evangelising all the time.

However, I've had speakers that have revealed whole backing vocal lines I've never heard before.

Um...I'm not gonna be quoted am I?

 

[Anonymous]

I've just succumbed to the Blu-ray thing and got a Pana BD60 this week. My TV is a Pana PZ700 42". I loaded my new copy of Hancock on last night and had to wait an age to get going!! Having watched it I have a few comments.

I have Sky HD and watch a lot of stuff on it. The quality of Blu-ray is not any better than what I get watching Sky HD, possibly not surprising. So will I watch a film on Blu-ray rather than Sky HD in future? No, I'm already paying a fortune for Sky, and it's the same quality.

I have to say that all of my comments must be viewed in the context of my 42" TV, as a much bigger TV may show differences which simply aren't apparent at 42". Having said that...........

My Pana DVD recorder does a great job of upscaling SD DVDs, so much so that the picture quality is ALMOST (IMO) as good as Blu-ray. Also the machine is FAR MORE responsive to remote control commands and generally works far faster. Blu-ray discs are a waste of time because of the price. Why pay twice as much for an experience which is poss 5% better at best on a fairly large TV? I have no interest in pressing my nose into the TV screen to see the extra detail, I watch films for enjoyment. The extra tat that you get on Blu-ray discs is just that, put on there so that they can "justify" the extra cost of the disc. I will NOT watch it as I have a life.

The other point I'd like to make is that the difference in quality is similar to watching a programme filmed in HD; if you watch (eg) Dragon's Den on BBC1 and then flick over to BBC HD to watch the same programme, how much of a difference is there? Virtually none. Watch a BBC programme broadcast without an HD camera and the difference is huge. For this, read video to upscaled DVD to Blu-ray.

In short, by all means go for Blu-ray, BUT you wil be disappointed. I am defo not going to be buying any more Blu-ray discs until I get a 60" TV. Grrrrrrrrrrrrr

 

[Messiah]

Ginder:

A true movie fan can enjoy the movie through their SD equipment, afterall bein a movie fan means you become engaged in the story not sit wondering wow my blacks r even blacker than before and omg i only noticed 2 trees in my sd version but now i can see 3 on my BD lol ..I bet after 5 mins into a blu ray most of you guys dont even notice the HD detail anymore and instead just get stuck into whatever your watching.

I think this is a fair point!

It is also another reason why the jump between VHS to DVD was much more of an improvement then from DVD to BD. How often did you have to watch a video and need to alter the tracking?? How many times was the artifacts on screen or a line running through the picture?? There was usually something that brought your focus to the picture but with DVD this was eradicated.

I was watching channel 4 HD the other day and didn't even realise it was the HD channel..............

 

[Alec]

Messiah:I was watching channel 4 HD the other day and didn't even realise it was the HD channel..............

If you had switched over to the SD channel 4 you would have noticed the difference tho.

 

[daveh75]

al7478:
Messiah:I was watching channel 4 HD the other day and didn't even realise it was the HD channel..............

If you had switched over to the SD channel 4 you would have noticed the difference tho.
You also need to take into account that a lot of 4HD content isn't HD!!!!

 

[Alec]

Thats interesting Beasties. I think BDs are a a little better than my Sky HD, with good BDs at least. Tho i admit id need to check to confirm that.

Your point about shows filmed in HD is interesting too. Firstly, i dont know how to identify for sure which are and are not filmed in hd...?

Secondly, BBC HD doesnt have the same schedule as any other BBC channel (they should have copied channel 4 and just had an equivalent channel to their main channel). So Im not sure you can just switvh over and compare with the BBC liek you can with channel 4, but you sound like you have...?

 

[Alec]

daveh75:al7478:

Messiah:I was watching channel 4 HD the other day and didn't even realise it was the HD channel..............

If you had switched over to the SD channel 4 you would have noticed the difference tho.

You also need to take into account that a lot of 4HD content isn't HD!!!!

Speaking of which, theyre curently showing Friends with those irritating black bars down the side.

 

[smuggs]

i think im not the only one even if poor blu rays are simliar to dvd they are still better good blu rays are far better, the sound is not miles apart. But the another day i watched a dvd and i could not relax sitting there thinking why am i watching a format that there is something better. Why people will say i have 23 blu rays i could of had 75 dvds i know in 5 years they will still be around and players/tvs will show them off even more.And i like the look of them on show ,better size cases it feels good when watching a film on blu ray knowing you are getting the best of your equipment.

 

[professorhat]

Well, I'm going to defend Blu-Ray here (as some would probably expect!) - ever since I watched Casino Royale which arrived with my PS3, I knew I would likely never buy a DVD again and this was a long time before I bought an amp which would enable me to enjoy the HD sound. It was also on the same TV I have today, a 42" Panasonic HD Ready TV (so I'm not even experiencing Full HD yet). Of course now I have an amp capable of decoding the HD formats, it's even better!

The picture quality is a large step up from upscaled DVD (in my opinion) - yes I'm a film fan and yes, I would enjoy watching a film on any format (just like I can enjoy listening to music on a ropey car radio as well as within my Hi-Fi setup). However, just because I am able to enjoy a film at lower quality, why would I? It's because I'm a film fan that I want to see and hear a film in the best way possible - without question, the only way to do this at the moment is to experience it on Blu-Ray. When I'm at home, I listen to music on my Hi-Fi, not on my portable radio because I enjoy the experience more when listening at a higher quality - it's the same with movies.

Blu-Rays are more expensive than DVDs, but not by a lot - some people like to throw around they are double the price and while this may be true for a few releases, generally, if you're willing to spend a few moments researching online, there is only £3 - £4 difference between the two. If you don't want to pay the extra for the quality, that is of course your decision but for me, for the extra enjoyment I get from the increase in quality, it's easily worth the money without question.