whats so great about blue ray?

is this the right forum.
i just wanna know whats up with all this blue ray stuff, whats the big deal.. is it really that much better.

and is it true that they never scratch? that must be the hype.

is this the right forum.
i just wanna know whats up with all this blue ray stuff, whats the big deal.. is it really that much better.

and is it true that they never scratch? that must be the hype.

I can make a list and yes this is the right forum:

1) Blu-ray utilizes 1080p, which means up to five times the clarity as DVD (480i)
2) Even the best upconverting players are nowhere close to the picture quality of Blu-ray
3) Colors and fine detail are much clearer and I always find myself noticing stuff in the picture that I didn't notice before
4) Virtually all Blu-ray discs are encoded with lossless audio tracks, (Dolby TrueHD or DTS-HD Master Audio) that is, exact transfers of the original studio masters.
5) Everything is transmitted digitally over HDMI so that means one cable to carry both audio and video instead of several as in the past.

Those are just a few of the high points. I could make the list a lot longer, but that should be enough to get you to buy a Blu-ray player.

http://www.photosnag.com/img/4520/n09x0302vnsn/clear.gifI can make a list and yes this is the right forum:

1) Blu-ray utilizes 1080p, which means up to five times the clarity as DVD (480i)
2) Even the best upconverting players are nowhere close the picture quality of Blu-ray
3) Colors and fine detail much clearer and I always find myself noticing stuff in the picture that I didn't notice before
4) Virtually all Blu-ray discs are encoded with lossless audio tracks, (Dolby TrueHD or DTS-HD Master Audio) that is, exact transfers of the original studio masters.
5) Everything is transmitted digitally over HDMI so that means one cable to carry both audio and video instead of several as in the past.

Those are just a few of the high points. I could make the list a lot longer, but that should be enough to get you to buy a Blu-ray player.

I totally agree. Blu-ray is so worth it if you can afford it.

The right forum, but the wrong sub-forum. I moved the thread.

Blu-ray is great if you have the video equipment to utilize all of its goodness. The best answer to your question will probably depend on what your HDTV is and what surround system you have.

Check the thread linked below for another view on this questionable (in my opinion) technology. At this point in time, it's a work in progress, unless you like being a beta tester, waiting till standards are established may be a good idea.


http://www.highdefforum.com/blu-ray-players/98982-bd-compatibility-issues.html

Blu-ray also has pitfalls also. Longer load times, no resume feature on most BD movies, forced trailers that cannot be skipped easily from certain BD studios, getting firmware updates required to watch some new BD movie releases, and of course higher costs.

I still own 3 BD players though. :D

Funny how players have such long load times. My HTPC has practically no load times, after it is booted up of course.

is this the right forum.
i just wanna know whats up with all this blue ray stuff, whats the big deal.. is it really that much better.

and is it true that they never scratch? that must be the hype.
The above posts give you excellent information,but finally, go to a retailer and let your own eyes tell you what's up with blu-ray!

I just got a Blu Ray player to replace my upscaling DVD player.

The Blu Ray player is better, but I don't think it is worth the $5.99 to rent a Blu Ray disc vs. the $2.99 for a regular (but upscaled) DVD.

Just my opinion, but when Blu Ray discs come down in price it will be worth it. Call it future-proofing for a rationalization to spend the money.

Blue Ray sucks
Blu Ray on the other hand is the best way to watch movies, PERIOD!!!!!!!!!

I just got a Blu Ray player to replace my upscaling DVD player.

The Blu Ray player is better, but I don't think it is worth the $5.99 to rent a Blu Ray disc vs. the $2.99 for a regular (but upscaled) DVD.

Just my opinion, but when Blu Ray discs come down in price it will be worth it. Call it future-proofing for a rationalization to spend the money.

Where did you come up with $5.99? Make sure you do research before starting FUD. It costs less than $2 per BD title from Netflix or Blockbuster delivered to your door and there are also a some Redbox kiosks in the larger cities charging $1.

Where did you come up with $5.99? Make sure you do research before starting FUD. It costs less than $2 per BD title from Netflix or Blockbuster delivered to your door and there are also a some Redbox kiosks in the larger cities charging $1.


Uhhmmm, should I scan my reciept from Taken and Knowing last weekend?

They were $5.99 each at the only video rental place I can get to.

I DO NOT HAVE REDBOX OR NETFLICKS.

Do some of your own research before flapping your pie hole.

Uhhmmm, should I scan my reciept from Taken and Knowing last weekend?

They were $5.99 each at the only video rental place I can get to.

I DO NOT HAVE REDBOX OR NETFLICKS.

Do some of your own research before flapping your pie hole.

$5.29 here in Portland, OR

Uhhmmm, should I scan my reciept from Taken and Knowing last weekend?

They were $5.99 each at the only video rental place I can get to.

I DO NOT HAVE REDBOX OR NETFLICKS.

Do some of your own research before flapping your pie hole.

Why would you pay $5.99 when you could get them for less than $2 from Netflix? I pay $1.40 per title myself.

Uhhmmm, should I scan my reciept from Taken and Knowing last weekend?

They were $5.99 each at the only video rental place I can get to.

I DO NOT HAVE REDBOX OR NETFLICKS.

Do some of your own research before flapping your pie hole.

Blockbuster.com rents blu ray for the same price as regular dvds. And their plans are much cheaper than renting at the store. It's all by mail, no stores necessary.

My plan comes out to about $2.00 per blu ray, with a unlimited number of rentals, one per time. I think he was just suggesting a much more economical way to get Blu Ray disks.

Blockbuster.com rents blu ray for the same price as regular dvds. And their plans are much cheaper than renting at the store. It's all by mail, no stores necessary.

My plan comes out to about $2.00 per blu ray, with a unlimited number of rentals, one per time. I think he was just suggesting a much more economical way to get Blu Ray disks.

Indeed I was. I rent 2-at-a-time via Netflix and watch about 12-15 BDs a month for $18 and change. That comes out to about $1.30-1.40 per title.

Thats all great, but if you trek down to the local video rental store in my town, Blu Rays are $5.99, regular DVD's are $2.99.

For the 2 videos I rent a month, that would still come out to about the same through Netflicks.

Thats all great, but if you trek down to the local video rental store in my town, Blu Rays are $5.99, regular DVD's are $2.99.

For the 2 videos I rent a month, that would still come out to about the same through Netflicks.

Then use Blockbuster online. They have a 2 movie per month plan for $3.99 plus tax. That is barely over $2 per bluray movie.

Thats all great, but if you trek down to the local video rental store in my town, Blu Rays are $5.99, regular DVD's are $2.99.

For the 2 videos I rent a month, that would still come out to about the same through Netflicks.

Actually it would not. You can get 2 at a time per month, but no more than 2 for about $5 I believe.

Check the thread linked below for another view on this questionable (in my opinion) technology. At this point in time, it's a work in progress, unless you like being a beta tester, waiting till standards are established may be a good idea.


http://www.highdefforum.com/blu-ray-players/98982-bd-compatibility-issues.html

What standards remain to be established? I have played over 300 Blu-ray discs at this point. I have a PS3 and various other players. Without exception, I can play ever single Blu-ray I have rented or own. I have seen some issues with some players but your post is utter nonsense. Blu-ray is affordable and offers the absolute best video and audio quality and waiting makes no sense to me.

After three years, Blu-ray is more affordable and reliable for me than DVD was and DVD was amazingly good very quickly. I am in awe of the low prices and high quality that has been achieved once again when an entire industry supports a product.

Chris

Chris, I think you need to read over the various posts on many blu ray players, on this site and others, where owners often have difficulties getting some movies to play, play through or pause for more than 5 minutes without starting over.

And I'm fully aware that updating firmware, when and if it's available will often fix the immediate problem, tho in a few weeks more movies will be released with firmware updates necessary. So we wait for updates, download them, etc., etc., etc.

I'm glad you have no problems. You are a one in a million guy! I however do not appreciate the ever evolving standards which necessitate constant "updates"...like all other formats in beta testing.

That is what I am referring to, a work in progress, and I feel people who don't want to be software update testers would be better served by waiting till the firmware updates are no longer necessary, and the two industries have agreed on standards and just rent and sell the movies we can play without doing a dance each time we watch one.

Chris, I think you need to read over the various posts on many blu ray players, on this site and others, where owners often have difficulties getting some movies to play, play through or pause for more than 5 minutes without starting over.

And I'm fully aware that updating firmware, when and if it's available will often fix the immediate problem, tho in a few weeks more movies will be released with firmware updates necessary. So we wait for updates, download them, etc., etc., etc.

I'm glad you have no problems. You are a one in a million guy! I however do not appreciate the ever evolving standards which necessitate constant "updates"...like all other formats in beta testing.

That is what I am referring to, a work in progress, and I feel people who don't want to be software update testers would be better served by waiting till the firmware updates are no longer necessary, and the two industries have agreed on standards and just rent and sell the movies we can play without doing a dance each time we watch one.

Unfortunately a Blu-ray player is like a PC to the extent it will require updates to operate properly. That may be a serious problem for some, I wouldn't be surprised, but that is just the way it will be for many years. In fact I feel certain I will be updating my PC's and Blu-ray players for as long as I own the products. To suggest that waiting will eliminate the need to update firmware, I am certain you are wrong. I consider it a minor annoyance and I am no tech savvy PC guy but just a consumer that can operate a Blu-ray player without serious issues and I don't believe I am one in a million in that regard but just the norm. That some Samsung Blu-ray players are a pain in the butt won't be disputed by me, but that is not the way it should be done and Samsung is unique.

Chris

I also have never had a BD fail to play in either of my two Panasonic BD players. I do keep them updated with the latest firmware releases, so perhaps that's the reason.

Unfortunately from what I've ready, firmware updates will be here to stay due to studios constantly changing/updating DRM in an attempt to prevent pirating. Such is life, I guess.

If you're looking for BD to be as convenient or priced exactly like DVD, then don't go Blu, stay with DVD.

If, however, you want the highest quality video and audio currently available, then go Blu, and we'll just have to accept the problems associated with evolving DRM.

It appears from what Oppo stated that a lot of these compatibility issues are from the various different Java versions/implementations used by the studios, encoding houses, etc. etc.

http://www.highdefforum.com/blu-ray-players/98982-bd-compatibility-issues.html

I am starting to think they are not changing the DRM as much and it is a BD-Java issue from all these different versions used as to why so many movies need updated firmware for the SAL BD players. I suspect one reason the PS3 does not need to be updated as frequently for them is because it is basically a super computer and likely has software to recognize the different versions and runs the java version used for the encode, while the SAL players are running the Java from a SoC. It is just my Theory as the reason, but it makes some sense doesn't it?

Maybe if they decide on ONE version of Java to use we would have less issues and only DRM updates would be needed. ;)

I think if the 2nd post on this topic had been, "..if you have to ask..." and that might have ended it. LOL!

I DO NOT HAVE REDBOX OR NETFLICKS.

Why the heck not? They deliver them to your door or through the mail, its a no brainer. My local Hollywood Video went out of business because of online rental, its cheaper. Most people are smart when it comes to saving money in hard times, got to trim the fat.

Why the heck not? They deliver them to your door or through the mail, its a no brainer. My local Hollywood Video went out of business because of online rental, its cheaper. Most people are smart when it comes to saving money in hard times, got to trim the fat.

My local Hollywood charges $5.29 plus tax for a Blu-ray rental so they only get my business when I can't get a title from Netflix, which is usually about 1 movie a month.

My local Hollywood charges $5.29 plus tax for a Blu-ray rental so they only get my business when I can't get a title from Netflix, which is usually about 1 movie a month.

My local Albertsons has a Netflix machine where you put the money in (credit cards accepted) and out comes the BD movie for $2, you can also drop them off after your finished with them. Its no wonder our local Hollywood went out of business.

My local Albertsons has a Netflix machine where you put the money in (credit cards accepted) and out comes the BD movie for $2, you can also drop them off after your finished with them. Its no wonder our local Hollywood went out of business.

That would be GREAT! Wish someone would put one of them in this town!

My local Hollywood charges $5.29 plus tax for a Blu-ray rental so they only get my business when I can't get a title from Netflix, which is usually about 1 movie a month.

The local Blockbuster here charges $4.49 if I recall correctly but Wednesdays are rent one get one free and I often have a coupon for for the same deal on other days. I do rent a couple each month on average using that deal but won't pay the normal price ever.

Chris

Do some of your own research before flapping your pie hole.

I'm sorry, but that had to be one of the funniest f&*^&%%ng things I have ever read on HDF, 'CAD! :lol::lol::lol::lol::lol: