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A theoretical answer

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In Reply to: Which ultimately is the better quality format, laserdisc or DVD? posted by John C. - Aussie on November 19, 2001 at 20:23:29:

I did some research after posting this and found the following on http://www.cs.tut.fi/~leopold/Ld/FAQ/Introduction.html -
" Here are some reasons why DVD is superior to LD:
* Horizontal resolution. NTSC DVD has a resolution of 500 lines against NTSC LDs 420 lines. This is a 19% improvement.
* Vertical resolution. While the vertical resolution of a 4:3 transfer is the same for both of the systems, an anamorphic transfer of a widescreen film on DVD has a 33% higher vertical resolution than its LD counterpart.
* Component picture. While laserdiscs are recorded in the composite domain, DVDs are not. Thus using a DVD player with Y/C or component connections avoid the need to use comb filters, greatly improving picture quality both in pureness and resolution.
* Chroma resolution. On NTSC LD, chroma resolution is 10% of the luma resolution horizontally, and 100% vertically (actually less because of comb filtering). In DVD chroma resolution is 50% of luma in both directions. Also, chroma noise is a non-issue with DVD. It simply doesn't exist.
* Luma dynamic range. DVD has a slightly higher dynamic range than LD. This makes blacks richer. This is however a small point compared to the previous ones.
The result of this is that the difference between LD and DVD is quite clear with good equipment. It is not quite as big as the difference between VHS and LD, but there is a definite distinction: I've not found one person yet who wasn't able to tell the difference between DVD and LD versions of the same title in just a few seconds. This includes several non-technical people."
So, in line with those who replied, another DVD player seems to be the answer. When does this merry go round stop?
John

Follow Ups:

Those specs are moot - GMan 19:28:37 12/04/01 (0)
All of those specs are merely the electronic capability of the DVD player's circuitry. Not the material being played.
COMPRESSION kills the benefits right away. Take a DVD of a major movie, and find a scene where the camera is stationary. Now watch the images in the background refresh only three or four times a second, amidst coarse color and luminance gradation. That's pathetic.
So, with DVD we get pixelated crap delivered to our TVs with perfect clarity. What a step forward.
Re: A theoretical answer - Michael 08:12:51 11/21/01 (1)
> > The result of this is that the difference between LD and DVD is quite clear with good equipment. It is not quite as big as the difference between VHS and LD, but there is a definite distinction: I've not found one person yet who wasn't able to tell the difference between DVD and LD versions of the same title in just a few seconds. This includes several non-technical people." < <
As you very well know now, there are big differences between the output video quality among LD players. Most people have never viewed a LD using a player of the caliber of the LD-S9 or HLD-X9. I have people over all the time that comment that the LD has a more film like quality vs. the more video like quality of the DVD.
- Yes, given a preference I reach for LDs before DVDs - John C. - Aussie 13:24:14 11/21/01 (0)
  Your comment re "film like" sums up my feelings nicely. Most DVDs with the present player look more grainy than the LDs. However that was how the LDs looked before the HLD-X9 so maybe there are much better pictures to be extracted from DVDs with a better player. I'm trying to resist but guess I will not :-)
  John
Re: NOT a theoretical answer - gialitt 14:57:26 11/20/01 (2)
dvd wins hands down; this from a laserdisc diehard with a collection that seldom sees the light of day anymore. technology marches on ...
- Just the opposite for me - Michael 07:58:20 11/21/01 (1)
  Funny thing is, since getting a HLD-X9 LD player I have been watching more LDs then DVDs. It is now very rare that I even watch a DVD anymore. Putting up with all the forced commerical advertisement, which seems to have increased, on DVDs is rediculous. And let's not forget about the DVD software/hardware incompatibilities.
  - Re: Just the opposite for me - gialitt 14:43:06 11/24/01 (0)
    yeah, i hear what you say. but i have to resort to noise reduction on pioneer elite dvl-91 to make even recently released laserdiscs look good. color saturation, resolution, dot crawl, you name it and i find it more lacking. ld software is limited and sure the format is - oops - was, aimed at video(film)philes but i don't quite have the romaticism with the format. yes, some dvds are over the tip with their ads, enhanced edges and shrill (almost always DD, not DTS) audio tracks but on a well mastered disc there is really no contest which looks better on a xbr direct view big screen. and since i like engaging sound presentations i practically drool over a remastered film like north by northwest that finally! gets the sound right (lfe) on latest dvd :-)

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