[Marco33]

The DVD doesn't have ANY sort of regulation of sound or picture quality.


The space on the dvd can be used by the maker to present the film at any quality grade they wish.


Will we be subject to the same quality control when the HD-DVD comes out?


Can they call it an HD-DVD even if the picture quality is poor?


In either case, will we re-buy all our favorite films in HD-DVD?


I know HD looks great. But, after seeing the SW trilogy, I know how great a DVD can look and sound. I just can't see the market embracing a new format that, if not handled properly, may not offer any better overall quality.


I see the HD-DVD going the way of the LD.

 

[eweiss]

Quote:

Originally posted by Marco33 The DVD doesn't have ANY sort of regulation of sound or picture quality. The space on the dvd can be used by the maker to present the film at any quality grade they wish. Will we be subject to the same quality control when the HD-DVD comes out? Can they call it an HD-DVD even if the picture quality is poor? In either case, will we re-buy all our favorite films in HD-DVD? I know HD looks great. But, after seeing the SW trilogy, I know how great a DVD can look and sound. I just can't see the market embracing a new format that, if not handled properly, may not offer any better overall quality. I see the HD-DVD going the way of the LD.

However great SW looks, all my DVDs pale compared to movies on HBO HD or INHD1 and INHD2. HD-DVD is the wave of the (near) future, not the way of the LD, IMO. But unless the players are in the sub-$400 range, I may not be eager to get one for a couple years, and I likely wouldn't buy into a player or the format the first 8 mos to a year anyway - let the bugs and format wars work themselves out for awhile.

 

[Marc Alexander]

 HDTV Software Media Discussion

 

[Workindood]

I read John Dvorak's article in PC Magazine recently. He tends to believe that HD-DVD will win out to Blue-Ray. I happen to believe his "theory" as well. Even though Blue-Ray will hold more data then the HD-DVD format. I think it is available to read now on www.pcmag.com


I will wait too before I buy into HD-DVD of any format. See how it shakes out and becomes way cheaper. I have waited this long, I can wait a little bit more.

 

[Kid Red]

I think HD-DVD winds as well. We have gone this long without the need to burn 30 gigs to a disc we don't need one now. Also, HD-DVD doesn't cost anything extra to make, safe to say it would be a cheaper disc then Blu-Ray.


As for re-buying all your movies, that's the million dollar question. I just re-bought most of my VHS movies on DVD. I have a huge box of VHS movies I need to get rid of. I will be a really slow adapter if Blu-Ray or HD-DVD come out with $500 players and $30 movie discs. Especially, after getting burned on SACD and given that you may get 10-20 titles on one format only to have that one lose out. That would be a waste of money long term.

 

[Kid Red]

Quote:

Originally posted by eweiss However great SW looks, all my DVDs pale compared to movies on HBO HD or INHD1 and INHD2. HD-DVD is the wave of the (near) future, not the way of the LD, IMO. But unless the players are in the sub-$400 range, I may not be eager to get one for a couple years, and I likely wouldn't buy into a player or the format the first 8 mos to a year anyway - let the bugs and format wars work themselves out for awhile.

You need a new DVD player then. My DVD player is at the least equal to HBO and other movie channels.

 

[GreySkies]

Quote:

Originally posted by Workindood I read John Dvorak's article in PC Magazine recently. He tends to believe that HD-DVD will win out to Blue-Ray. I happen to believe his "theory" as well. Even though Blue-Ray will hold more data then the HD-DVD format. I think it is available to read now on www.pcmag.com I will wait too before I buy into HD-DVD of any format. See how it shakes out and becomes way cheaper. I have waited this long, I can wait a little bit more.

I think Dvorak's correct with this. However, if memory serves, he used similar logic in predicting that Local Bus would win out over PCI about ten years ago.

 

[Workindood]

He is not always right. But his ear is closer to the ground then mine is. I like his attitude.

 

[Dex]

Quote:

Originally posted by Kid Red You need a new DVD player then. My DVD player is at the least equal to HBO and other movie channels.

Yeah, I'm unclear on what media a channel like HBO is playing (ie. DVD, special digital version, or what), and how it ends up looking better than a DVD. Do they get special versions in non-standard formats (ie. commercial use only DVD-HD?) or are they just rolling a DVD across their network with some nice resampling technology?


Sorry if this is a stupid question but I'm really wondering what's behind the green curtain.

 

[Kid Red]

I just assumed they were essentially broadcasting a DVD over their HD lines. So, it should not look better then a DVD. I don't think HBO gets a better media then consumers just to broadcast a few times a year. So it should not be better then your equipment, if it is, then your equipment should be upgraded. (I could be mistaken tho)

 

[thirdkind]

I think you guys are confused. He says that anything he's watching on HBO HD is better than his DVD collection.


HBO HD broadcasts at 1080i. There are occasional upconverts, but most of their "HD" material comes from a true HD master.


Sounds to me like you're equating digital cable with HD broadcasts. They're not the same.

 

[Josh Z]

HBO does their own film-to-video transfers and broadcasts from 1080i digital masters.


They also crop all of their HD movies to fill a 16:9 screen.

 

[eweiss]

Quote:

Originally posted by Josh Z HBO does their own film-to-video transfers and broadcasts from 1080i digital masters. They also crop all of their HD movies to fill a 16:9 screen.

Except Lion's Gate films (we had this discussion on the HBO Matrix thread).


But you're right - I'm talking about HBO HD, and it (when it's not an upconvert) is CLEARLY better than any DVD. And even forgetting HBO HD, INHD1 and INHD2 and Discovery HD are clearly superior to any DVD I have, so HD-DVD will also be a heck of a lot better than the best DVDs, including Star Wars.

 

[Dex]

Thanks for clarifying that HD channels are using 1080i digital masters. I was wondering how they did it, now I know.

 

[SebCanadaCEO]

Quote:

Originally posted by Workindood I read John Dvorak's article in PC Magazine recently. He tends to believe that HD-DVD will win out to Blue-Ray.

I believe this to be true as well.

 

[Marco33]

Seems most believe HD-DVD will be big, but what about my other questions from my original post?


Will we be subject to the same quality control when the HD-DVD comes out?


Can they call it an HD-DVD even if the picture quality is poor?


I believe they will missuse the HDD and we will see a lot of poorly done HD disks, just like the DVD.


I believe that one point will be the downfall of the HDD. Why re-buy Xname movie when the HD version is not beter that the DVD version you already own.


I hope I'm wrong.

 

[FredProgGH]

From my perspective HD-DVD is also a clear winner in the software wars, at the moment anyway. Many more titles I want are from the studios supporting HD-DVD. And many of the big blockbusters are from HD-DVD studios. That will have a big impact on sales if people have to choose.

 

[egore]

I don't think you have to worry about the quality of HD-DVD's. HD-DVD has to compete with Blue-Ray disk's from Sony they would not sacrifice image quality. Sony would use that against them in the P.R. and marketing war when these two formats hit the streets later this year.

 

[bferr1]

John Dvorak hit upon some interesting observations in his article in PC Magazine, but he missed an important reason why HD-DVD might win out: name recognition. HD-DVD will be helped because everyone knows what "DVD" and "HD" means, and can, therefore, deduce what "HD-DVD" is. "Blu-Ray," on the other hand, sounds like something out of a cheesy '50s sci-fi film to those not in the know.

 

[Kram Sacul]

Quote:

Originally posted by Josh Z HBO does their own film-to-video transfers and broadcasts from 1080i digital masters.

Yeah, like a studio is going to give HBO an IP print and then HBO telecines it without the director or DP present.