[JustinN05]

Ok, here's the setup. I've got a full 1080 Panasonic plasma and a decent Toshiba HD-DVD player (Blue-ray coming soon) which will upscale standard definition DVDs to 1080p. What I want to know is whether it's worth me replacing some of my standard DVD films for HD or Blue-ray versions? Will I be able to tell the difference between a 1080p upscaled standard DVD and a 1080p/24 HD or Blue-ray film? It will be costly to replace my vast collection!

Any advice or experieces would be greatly appreciated.

J.

[Jarrak]

Well I have HD DVD (lots of movies) and will be getting Blu-ray later in the year but even so I am only looking at replacing perhaps 10% of my existing DVD collection with HD versions. I just watched Fish called Wanda from the 2 disk SE DVD, very nice and loaded with extras so won't be replacing that however Spiderman and Pirates plus Indy and Aliens will all be bought on HD.


As for telling the difference well yes you should be able to tell the difference between DVD upscaled (by the TV or player) to 1080i or 1080p compared to 1080i, 1080p and 1080p/24.


Of course if HD movies are a fiver a pop then that makes replacing DVD's very easy

[JustinN05]

Thanks, Jarrak. Can you really get HD movies for a fiver a pop, or is that just a prediction for the death of HD??!

[sancheeez]

You can definitely see the difference.

Whether or not you'd want to replace an entire collection is up to you. As you say, won't be cheap.

I'm not even contemplating it unless I win the lottery!

[JustinN05]

I think I'll just look at replacing my action ones - Matrix, Spidey, etc and leave the others as they are!
Whilst we're talking about hi-def, what's the story with region-coding on HD. Can I buy HD and Blue-ray abroad any cheaper and play them here or is it like the standard DVDs?

[Jarrak]

Quote:

Originally Posted by JustinN05

Thanks, Jarrak. Can you really get HD movies for a fiver a pop, or is that just a prediction for the death of HD??!

Not yet but if the format takes off then there will bargain bins just as with DVD and who hasn't picked up a few movies that would simply not have paid £12-£15 for
There have been a few Blu moves for £7 on special offer and of course the recent US BOGOF deals don't work out a lot more.

Like DVD before it you buy the must have movies and pick up the rest over the years.

[Jarrak]

Quote:

Originally Posted by JustinN05

I think I'll just look at replacing my action ones - Matrix, Spidey, etc and leave the others as they are!
Whilst we're talking about hi-def, what's the story with region-coding on HD. Can I buy HD and Blue-ray abroad any cheaper and play them here or is it like the standard DVDs?

Matrix trilogy on HD DVD is fantastic, should look excellent on Blu-ray as well


Blu-ray is split into three regions (A, B and C), we are B.
Now some studios don't use region coding at all, some only use it on brand new releases and others seem to slap it on all the time.

If you are considering importing there are a number of websites that tell you of any region coding on the disk, googling will find them or use a US dealer who tests these things out .

If you are still considering buying a few HD DVD's while they crash in price then there is no region coding issue at all, check out Movietyme(who also tell you about Blu-ray regions), just ordered 4 HD DVD movies at £7.50/£7.99 which is cheaper than ebay

They also have PULSE and Feast on offer at £5.99, not seen the movie and I don't really like blind buying.

[Jumbo_Holden]

What I'm planning

Keeping a large part of my collection (around 80%) as standard DVD's (upscaled).

Re-buying 'some' on blu-ray.

Buying all 'new' titles on blu-ray.

Only buying 'new' DVD's of TV Series, all new movies will 'ONLY' be bought on blu-ray.

[atvmidlands]

I only have a 32" set but the difference between upscaled dvd and genuine HD is hard to miss.

Having said that the difference is not as much of a quantum leap as it was from VHS to dvd so I wont be rebuying run of the mill stuff unless its very cheap.

On top of that there's the problem that a lot of high def discs dont even bring the dvd extras with them and when they do the sd content on BD is not upscaled so the extras actually look better on dvd(I'm hoping the PS3 will change this with a future update).

Movietyme appear to be offloading most HD DVD for £7.99.

If you buy region free US BD via Amazon UK you can get many discs for under £12 delivered

[Jumbo_Holden]

One issue I have with blu-ray now is that is still very expensive at the moment so won't yet be doing what I currently do with DVD sometimes and that is buying stuff without ever even 'seeing' it.

For example. I had planned to get the movie 'Jumper' on blu-ray when the release happened however now actually having seen the movie and knowing it's a pile of crap. Won't even touch a standard DVD copy of it.

However it worked the other way. I borrowed Ratatouille from a friend (DVD) and really enjoyed it so I will be buying it on blu-ray soon. (CGI is suppose the be the ultimate dogs b****** in HD)

[sancheeez]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jumbo_Holden

(CGI is suppose the be the ultimate dogs b****** in HD)

Actually, animation is probably the easiest format to encode in HD.

Animation generally has less fine detail than live action. It's simply the nature of animation as it tends to have large areas of the same colour that don't occur in live action.

Have a look at the filesizes for HD rips .... animations tend to be much smaller files as theres less info (detail) in there.

They certainly do look good though. I have Ratatouille in HD myself and it is very, very slick. Although, for me, it doesn't have the same WOW! as, say, Transformers. (Total nonsense of a film but damn it looked good!)

[Jumbo_Holden]

Quote:

Originally Posted by sancheeez

Actually, animation is probably the easiest format to encode in HD.

Going to get The Simpsons movie on BD too, but that is currently £25 RRP the cheapest price being £23 on play.com so I'm going to try and pick it up on ebay for less.

It wasn't a fantastic movie (but I still rather enjoyed it) but I just think it's one that will look good in HD. (It looks great upscaled)

[sancheeez]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jumbo_Holden

It wasn't a fantastic movie (but I still rather enjoyed it)

Agreed on The Simpsons Movie.

If you want something that looks good, check out Transformers. It's bubblegum film-making but looks amazing in HD. Best thing (visually) I've watched in HD so far I reckon.

Beowulf was pretty nice too mind you.

[atvmidlands]

PLAY are just about the most expensive online retailer for Bluray discs.

Tesco shops are often cheaper

Check to see if the title you want is region free then get the US disc.

Unless its a Fox title there's a good chance it will be region free

[Jumbo_Holden]

Quote:

Originally Posted by atvmidlands

Check to see if the title you want is region free then get the US disc.

This I know already, I've got 2 US Blu-Ray imports already. This is my really obbessive compulsive nature now but the US cases are 'thiner' and look out of place on my shelf. and thanks for the tip Simpsons movie is only £18 on tesco.

[mgroves]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jumbo_Holden

This I know already, I've got 2 US Blu-Ray imports already. This is my really obbessive compulsive nature now but the US cases are 'thiner' and look out of place on my shelf. and thanks for the tip Simpsons movie is only £18 on tesco.

Check Tesco Jersey - save on VAT!

[atvmidlands]

Unless the title is a very recent release its possible to use the UK Amazon site to buy from US sellers who will supply US BD for under £12 delivered on many titles

The Kubrick collection films are available at that price now and the UK discs are £18 on PLAY