DS Forums

 
 

What do you get with Blu-Ray?


Reply
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Old 20-02-2008, 14:51
Jean Luc Picard
 
Posts: n/a

No that Blu-Ray has won, can anyone tell me what features you get with it?

For instance, do you get multi-angles and DTS?
  Reply With Quote
Please sign in or register to remove this advertisement.
Old 20-02-2008, 15:49
simon69c
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Glasgow
Posts: 1,415
Well this wiki page gives an idea of the technical comparisons between Blu-ray and DVD (and HD DVD), but basically its "DVD on steroids".

The most important thing is that you get much more detail in the video - both due to less compression in the codecs, as well as a much higher resolution; PAL DVD is 720x576 (interlaced) maximum, whereas Blu-ray is 1920x1080 (progressive) - that's basically five times as much (not counting progressive versus interlaced). This results in a far clearer picture - but you'll really need an HD TV to make the most of it, and ideally a "FullHD" one (i.e. a 1920x1080 panel).

You also get better sound than DVD. The vast majority of discs carry at least a Dolby Digital soundtrack (and at a higher bitrate than on DVD), and most carry a dts track too (again at a higher bitrate than traditionally found on DVD). But it doesn't stop there - because most discs also carry a "lossless audio" track of somesort, which if your sound system supports it will provide a near perfect reproduction of the original studio master. These lossless tracks are most often found in their raw form (called PCM, aka Linear PCM aka "Uncompressed"), which all players are required to understand. Some discs feature Dolby TrueHD and/or dts Master Audio which are lossless compression codecs (should have the exact same information as a raw PCM track but they use less disc space). There are also some other codecs which are sometimes found which are somewhere between traditional Dolby Digital/dts and the lossless versions.

Blu-ray also has more options in terms of extras, though these so far haven't been exploited too much. One thing you will notice straight away though is that the menus "popup" rather than require you to stop playing back the film, so you can (for example) choose a new scene while still watching the scene you are currently on.

Best way to see what they are like is to visit a shop somewhere and ask for a demonstration - preferably one with a dedicated demo room if you want to see the most of it.
simon69c is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 20-02-2008, 16:04
Jean Luc Picard
 
Posts: n/a
but you'll really need an HD TV to make the most of it, and ideally a "FullHD" one (i.e. a 1920x1080 panel).
I presume a Full-HD Projector will do as well?
  Reply With Quote
Old 20-02-2008, 16:10
slipperydave
Banned User
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 288
it's got a native resolition of 1920x1080 (1080P), so the answer is yes
slipperydave is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 20-02-2008, 16:30
Jean Luc Picard
 
Posts: n/a
it's got a native resolition of 1920x1080 (1080P), so the answer is yes
That should make for an awesome Home Cinema.
  Reply With Quote
Old 20-02-2008, 17:01
TommyW
 
Posts: n/a
That should make for an awesome Home Cinema.
You can't really compare 1080p HD on a LCD/plasma to a HD projector on a large screen (100"), it's a different experience all together.

One thing you notice from good sourced HD, especially BD, is the detail, something that is restricted even on a 50" screen.

It doesn't get any better when you couple up a good sound system to a 1080p BD projected image, especially one that is compatible to the new HD audio formats. DTS as good as it is, is no match for some of the lossless 7.1 PCM tracks I have had the pleasure of listening too.

If you can accommodate both it is a very good investment, it really brings the cinema to the home, especially if you are into movies.
  Reply With Quote
Old 21-02-2008, 15:08
td1983
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,438
As far as I'm aware, you can connect the PS3 up to a standard tv by the Euro AV cable. If you played a blu-ray disc on it, would the picture quality look better on a normal, CRT monitor through the euro av than a standard DVD?
td1983 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 21-02-2008, 20:15
Jean Luc Picard
 
Posts: n/a
Do Blu-Ray machines play ordinary DVDs as well?
  Reply With Quote
Old 21-02-2008, 20:20
BallroomBear
Banned User
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 539
Do Blu-Ray machines play ordinary DVDs as well?
Blu-Ray machines are regionally coded, so a European player will only play region 2 standard DVDs.
BallroomBear is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 21-02-2008, 20:55
TommyW
 
Posts: n/a
As far as I'm aware, you can connect the PS3 up to a standard tv by the Euro AV cable. If you played a blu-ray disc on it, would the picture quality look better on a normal, CRT monitor through the euro av than a standard DVD?
You will see an improvement in PQ over standard DVD's due to the much higher bitrate, it won't be HD quality, but that goes without saying.
  Reply With Quote
 
Reply




 
Forum Jump


All times are GMT. The time now is 16:45.