Frustrated with variations in video quality

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The variation in video quality seems to swing as widely as that for audio in audio only. Compounding those video quality variations are similar associated audio problems.
This was driven home hard last night when we had some friends around looking at a variety of excerps from operatic & musical LDs & DVDs. I have held the notion that the DVD video output we are getting from component was consistently better than that from the S-video output of the LD player. However one LD set (Mozart's "La Clemenza Di Tito" a 1991 Pioneer release) we sampled last night had crisp and clear video with beautiful sound - as good or better than any DVD in the collection. A reissue on DVD of the La Scala's performance of Mozart's "Don Giovanni" was grainy by comparison with a touch of hardness to the sound.
Maybe we expect too much these days with complete operas of world class performers on DVD cheaper than a single seat to a live event but surely it costs no more to engineer a good master than it does a mediocre one. I find it hard to believe the original films or tapes are as bad in quality as some of the fare we buy.
While I'm complaining, the standard of info on LDs was bad enough but it has become even worse on DVDs. It is becoming rare to know the names of the artists on some releases. What extra cost to put in an insert if there is not enough room on the jacket? Maybe the bean counters should save a few more cents and avoid the cost of colour while they are at it!!!!
Feel a bit better now I've got that off my chest. Anyone agree?
John

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Topic - Frustrated with variations in video quality - John C. - Aussie 14:17:02 01/05/01 (3)

Re: Frustrated with variations in video quality - Estes 11:26:08 01/09/01 (0)

agreed-classical is an after thought for most companies - michaelb 15:50:34 01/06/01 (1)

Maybe the future will improve with surround sound audio - John C. - Aussie 20:22:34 01/06/01 (0)

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