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Read an interesting article over web from NY Times web site.The writer said--obvious to all us--the difference between DVD and VHS was dramatic (except for my wife), but the difference between DVD and the forthcoming "hi-rez" DVD formats isn't that dramatic.
Got me to thinking. Do we videophiles really want the cost of upgrading our hardware AND software for incremental improvements? Software would probably be the greatest cost, for those of you who own 100+ movies.
Let at it this way. We thought 480i was a nice improvement over VHS. Then came 480p, anothe nice improvement. Now with these Bravo and Samsung DVD players, we are getting the picture upconverted from 480p to 720p (or so?). We're getting close to 1080, folks.
The obvious analogy here is with hi-rez audio formats: DVD-A and SACD. (I spend most of my time over there). I bought a universal player at considerable expense (1,500), and found few SACD & even fewer DVD-A titles that I like (< 10 so far), only listen to music in stereo, and I don't think the upgraded sound is overwhelming. I still don't regret my purchase, but if I were to conduct blind listening tests, I'm not sure I could distinguish either hi-rez format from a well (re-)mastered redbook CD. Now if you love listening to music in MCH, that's another matter altogether. But as one asylum writer pointed out, remastering 30-year recordings in MCH (Elton John's GBYBR) doesn't necessarily produce a listenable MCH mix.
Just wondering how others are viewing the forthcoming hi-rez DVD. I'm really not trying to stir up trouble, just discussion featuring different perspectives. Thanking you in advance for your input.
regards, townsend
Follow Ups:
hhh
"We're getting close to 1080, folks."I've got the Zenith(LG) DVB318 DVD player, and it IS 1080i. Now the bad new, the numbers don't tell the whole story. 1080 does NOT equal HD quality at all. While regular DVD's upconverted to 1080i looks a little better than 480p or 480i, it's not the difference between cable TV and HD TV. Just like when folks were going nuts with redbook CD "upsampling," which turned out to be much less than it was claimed to be.
Still, 1080i DVD does look pretty darn good, and with good quality DVD's, I sometimes can be fooled into thinking, "Wow, that looks like HD!"
> I've got the Zenith(LG) DVB318 DVD player, and it IS 1080i. Now the
> bad new, the numbers don't tell the whole story. 1080 does NOT equal
> HD quality at all. While regular DVD's upconverted to 1080i looks a
> little better than 480p or 480i, it's not the difference between
> cable TV and HD TV.DVD players spit out a resolution of 720x480. The reason the 1080i output of your DVD player only looks a little better than 480p is because, well, it is 480 upsampled to 1080i (or probably still at 480p or 720p depending on how the electronics work).
Legit 1080i is HD quality... as is 720p and 480p... these are all HD formats. 1080i is only one type of HD.
There is a new version of DVD being worked on by various groups and manufacturers to make a true HD version. Somoe groups are focusing on higher compression ratios and formats while maintaining the same types of lasers (red). While I used to be against this, I think Vxid and DivX have come a long, long way in the past 2 years and might actually work out... especially considering how much more flexible both of these formats are than the current MPG2 encoding. Other groups are trying to focus more on using blue laser technologies which gives a much narrower beam and will allow much more information to be placed on the same size disc. I'm not sure where the technology is at this point, but I believe they were pretty close to a working model a year ago.
I know that Microsoft is pulling for the compression version... the T2 Ultimate Edition DVD that came out last summer showed off some of their work using the WMV9 codec. I haven't seen it, but apparently it's pretty good. Not sure I like the idea of Microsoft using their codec, but if they get results and don't charge an arm and a leg to the industry... maybe.
Sounds like there's a loose nut between the seat and the steering wheel . Know what I mean, Vern?DVD will become the new VHS when movies in the blue laser format are released. That's because creating new/more information is not equal to starting off with more information in the first place and downconverting to a lower resolution to be displayed. If you've ever seen a native High Definition signal and directly compared it to a Standard Definition signal, even upconverted, the difference is rather obvious. And no, it is not incremental. That's with broadcast HDTV. D-Theater offers even better picture quality than HDTV, so it's even more apparent. If the HD-DVD and BlueRay groups can get the studios to release 1080p material, displays that have the capability will really show off the new formats. *
LG and Samsung are scheduled to release 70" and 71" 1920x1080p plasma displays in Q4 2004. Both companies, along with a few others, are should be releasing 50"+ 1920x1080p flat panel LCD displays by Q4 2004 / Q1 2005. Sometime in 2005, Samsung will release an 80" 1920x1080p plasma display and we may see 50" 1920x1080p plasma displays by Q4 2005.
Anyway, that's my input .
* I'm talking about 50" and up High Definition displays. Making comparisons pertaining to HD-DVD/BlueRay and SD-DVD on smaller displays obviously diminishes the differences.
Its too soon to say. I've seen true HD signal, and its very very good. Of course, some HDTV is better than others, but thats not the point. Blue laser DVD has the potential to blow away regualr DVds, but will it? We'll see.
More importantly, will the masses want it? Superiority is not a gauranty of success. Without the support of the masses, it would be doomed. Will people want to buy all new equipement? Replace their Video library? We'll see. It could be a breakthrough, or it could end up like the flying cars envisioned many years ago.
Time will tell.
Jack
Both blue laser camps (HD-DVD and BluRay) have stated that the new players will be compatible with today's DVDs. However, to get the full potential of the blue laser discs, a High Definition display will definitely be needed. I'd like to see 1080p transfers of all movies. Even current displays, except for a select few, cannot display this resolution. Players will have to downconvert the signal. The plus side to this is that the blue laser software and hardware will be a few years ahead of the hardware to display it on. When a consumer steps up to a 1080p capable display, he/she will also be simultaneously stepping up the quality of the software/hardware "for free".
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