Video Asylum

Posted by Audiophilander (A) on October 24, 2007 at 14:25:16

In Reply to: RE: I don't know, but since folks can apparently get a 1080 upscaled picture with the standard defintion version, ... posted by David Aiken on October 24, 2007 at 02:25:08

I'm not knocking the high definition formats, just the dashed expectations based upon the high desirability of Kubrick's releases.

>>> "The same impetus they have to upgrade any component in an audio or video system: to get something that gives them a little more pleasure." <<<

We weren't discussing components here, we were discussing a comparison of standard and high definition releases.

>>> "There's definitely a cost benefit factor at work but that will be less critical for some than others. Some will be prepared to spend more to get a small improvement than others." <<<

Sorry, that's an old humbug; no offense, but I don't buy it. By way of example, maybe some folks would justify spending $100,000 on a low wattage imported single-ended tube amplifier made out of solid silver and wax poetic about the subtle differences between that amplifier and one that costs a hundred times less, but is that what that hypothetical audiophile is really buying, or is it prestige of ownership?

More importantly, are those incremental improvements a justification for any upgrade if the pleasure is virtually imperceptable or rather only psychologically perceptable AND performance glitches negate the value of the perceived improvement? Food for thought.

>>> "You ask the question as if it's rhetorical and the answer is "None". That will be the answer for some people but it won't be the answer for all." <<<

Not exactly. Yes, it was rhetorical, but it is also a rational viewpoint that each individual will have to address at some point, especially when incremental improvements and trade-offs are involved.

>>> "In reality the amount of impetus will be slightly different for everyone and range along a scale from "none" to "compelling". We all choose where we sit on the scale and the scale is large enough to accommodate us all." <<<

What you've just described is politics in the real world, so I'm not so sure about your final conclusions. ;0)

Cheers,
AuPh