Comments on: High-Def Discs Need a Blu Christmas in ’09

By: MarcD

MarcD — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 15:24:33 +0000

I have a HDTV set and a Bluray player (their prices have dropped so much that you can get a good brand name now for $150 or less), but I mainly use it to upconvert my DVD library as the viewing quality is very close to a Bluray disc and I can purchase good used DVDs for a lot less. Plus the last I’ve heard there are well over 90,000 existing DVD titles compared to roughly 1,000 Bluray so you’ve got the point there. The Blu format still has a long way to go to compete with DVD even as it holds a slight advantage in picture and sound quality, but it’s no where near the difference between DVD and VHS as most people can tell!

By: Carson

Carson — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 20:00:01 +0000

Edit:
lost *to* streaming

By: Carson

Carson — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 19:58:52 +0000

newsflash, they are over, Blu ray has won the battle.

but the war will eventually be lost by streaming….

By: dkarli@hbci.com

dkarli@hbci.com — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 14:53:08 +0000

I’m waiting for the HD and Blu ray wars to be over before I upgrade

By: mike

mike — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 01:05:22 +0000

exactly. From what I’ve seen yes the Blu ray picture is better, but it’s not better enough in order for me to buy a new expensive tv and a bluray dvd player. It’s not like you’re making the jump from vhs to dvd. I just don’t think it’s worth what it’s priced right now.

By: Sean

Sean — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 21:28:59 +0000

I agree. Sets and props look pretty fake when you see them in person. And if “picture quality so good you feel like you are right there” is blu-rays sale point, they lost me.

But either way, if I have to re-stock my entire living room with expensive hardware just to see a more clear picture, it’s not worth it. DVDs are pretty damn clear themselves. Until it becomes practical price-wise, I am not considering going blu.

By: Shane Smith

Shane Smith — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 03:18:42 +0000

Unfortunately, a fluorescently lit store is about as far from the ideal Blu-ray audition spot as possible. All the TVs have the brightness and contrast settings pegged to max to catch shoppers’ attention, which gives HD content the unreal “campy and fake” look you mention. The TVs are on demo “torch” mode and haven’t been properly calibrated.

In my opinion, nothing compares to a well-transferred Blu-ray disc on a calibrated, high quality plasma in a darkened room. All my friends and family who have seen my setup agree with me: once you go Blu, it’s hard to go back. I’d encourage you to give Blu-ray another shot, in a proper setting. Your eyes will thank you, if not your wallet…

By: DANIEL

DANIEL — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 02:57:49 +0000

As a former manager for Hollywood Video I know exactly what your talking about. RedBox is the best!

By: Carson

Carson — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 02:50:59 +0000

I was at Ultimate Electronics today watching Dead Man’s Chest in Blu Ray, and I think it must have been the first time I got a good look at BR on a larger screen. The quality was so good that it looked like the actors were on a cheap set with fake lighting. I felt like I was watching a play from the front row, everything looked so campy and fake, it totally ruined the movie. Maybe its something you have to get used to, but it definitely did not make me want to get it at all. I like the way my DVD movies look way better…

By: ChadCronin

ChadCronin — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 20:57:13 +0000

I definitely see a difference. Most people are using cheap walmart uncalabrated tv’s without an HDMI cord, what do you expect to see in those cases? Why cling on to the past when we can all embrace Blu-ray for what it is, superior picture and sound to go with our tv upgrades. I just think this format came during a bad time for the economy, but I don’t think time is running out. If people need to be told what Blu-ray is, then they probably don’t purchase much, especially if they don’t even use DVD. Winning them over is not relevant because they aren’t the viewers of this product. I think enough people are aware now, it just comes down to pricing and affordability. This Holiday and the next will bring in alot of additional customers and a year from now we’ll be hearing about 50% of sales of a title is on Blu-ray for alot more titles. I just wish Redbox would start renting them everywhere!