Blu-ray -v- DVD

erict · 06-29-2009, 06:15 PM

I don't own a blu ray player yet but will be getting one in the future. My question is how big of a difference is a blu ray over a DVD player for HT 5.1 setup. I have a Sony upscaling DVD player right now.

**PFC5** · 06-29-2009, 08:27 PM

I think it depends on how close you sit to the display for the screen size, but you certainly have a good display so if you are about 8 feet away i think it would be fairly easy to see the improvement with most well made BDs.

I though Man on Fire looked great on SD DVD, until I compared them also on BD. As a result i bought the BD version of it. I probably have about 20+ BD/HD DVDs that are double dips from SD DVD I already owned.

erict · 06-29-2009, 10:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PFC5

I think it depends on how close you sit to the display for the screen size, but you certainly have a good display so if you are about 8 feet away i think it would be fairly easy to see the improvement with most well made BDs.

I though Man on Fire looked great on SD DVD, until I compared them also on BD. As a result i bought the BD version of it. I probably have about 20+ BD/HD DVDs that are double dips from SD DVD I already owned.

Is the sound quality a big difference between the two in a 5.1 setup?

HD Goofnut · 06-29-2009, 10:30 PM

You have a 50" plasma so if you sit about 7" feet away (assuming it's 1080p) your eyes will be able to discern 1080 lines. Yes, the difference in BD/HD DVD and SD DVD is like comparing a grenade to a claymore.

**PFC5** · 06-29-2009, 11:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by erict

Is the sound quality a big difference between the two in a 5.1 setup?

If your Yamaha receiver has HDMI inputs I think you should be able to hear some improvement with HD audio, but it also depends on how closely you listen to such things, and of course higher end audio gear will show more differences IMO. Even with just the optical inputs you should hear some improvement as well, since the non HD audio is at a higher bitrate than SD DVD has.

It is one of those YMMV type of things though with some people not hearing much difference while others hear more differences depending on the movie.

Hope this helps!

erict · 06-30-2009, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PFC5

If your Yamaha receiver has HDMI inputs I think you should be able to hear some improvement with HD audio, but it also depends on how closely you listen to such things, and of course higher end audio gear will show more differences IMO. Even with just the optical inputs you should hear some improvement as well, since the non HD audio is at a higher bitrate than SD DVD has.

It is one of those YMMV type of things though with some people not hearing much difference while others hear more differences depending on the movie.

Hope this helps!

Thanks PFC5. So if I buy a BP but put play my DVD collection on it, it will decode the sound no different then my current DVD player? The difference will only be heard when playing a Blu-ray disk?

erict · 06-30-2009, 06:02 PM

OK, I ended up buying the Panasonic DMP-BD60k from Costco. I am now a proud owner of a Blu-Ray player

**PFC5** · 06-30-2009, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by erict

Thanks PFC5. So if I buy a BP but put play my DVD collection on it, it will decode the sound no different then my current DVD player? The difference will only be heard when playing a Blu-ray disk?

It might sound better because the BD player may have better components for audio, but the limitation is the soundtrack encoded on SD DVDs. If you already have a decent SD DVD player it likely will not improve the SQ (ON SD DVDs) much, if any.

**PFC5** · 06-30-2009, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by erict

OK, I ended up buying the Panasonic DMP-BD60k from Costco. I am now a proud owner of a Blu-Ray player

Congrats & enjoy!

gcalifornia · 06-30-2009, 07:59 PM

How much was the Panasonic DMP-BD60k from Costco? (My Sony dvd player just died and I feel the call to upgrade!)
- Gil

erict · 06-30-2009, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gcalifornia

How much was the Panasonic DMP-BD60k from Costco? (My Sony dvd player just died and I feel the call to upgrade!)
- Gil

$230. That was with a $50 instant rebate.

HD Goofnut · 06-30-2009, 09:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by erict

$230. That was with a $50 instant rebate.

Not bad at all. I saw where Sam's was selling it with an HDMI cable for $208 a month or so ago, but as you can imagine that sale didn't last long.

erict · 06-30-2009, 09:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HD Goofnut

Not bad at all. I saw where Sam's was selling it with an HDMI cable for $208 a month or so ago, but as you can imagine that sell didn't last long.

Yes mine came with an HDMI cable as well.

OCgamer · 07-02-2009, 05:35 PM

I own a panasonic bd30K as bluray is still new and the standards are still being hashed out you might want to wait. Im now waiting for panasonic to send me my 9th upgrade disc for viewing problems (doing the firmware upgrade to 1.9). I own a vista computer so I cannot burn panasonic firmware discs that are compatible. At least Panasonic will send you the fixes via the snailmail. I have no experience with other manufacturers but we are still shaking out all the problems between different movie houses.

**PFC5** · 07-02-2009, 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OCgamer

I own a panasonic bd30K as bluray is still new and the standards are still being hashed out you might want to wait. Im now waiting for panasonic to send me my 9th upgrade disc for viewing problems (doing the firmware upgrade to 1.9). I own a vista computer so I cannot burn panasonic firmware discs that are compatible. At least Panasonic will send you the fixes via the snailmail. I have no experience with other manufacturers but we are still shaking out all the problems between different movie houses.

At least Panasonic, Sony & Oppo are proactive and have the updates out by the time the movie is released on BD. Samsung has been horrible with this so i wouldn't buy their BD players myself.

It is the studios who keep changing everything with new releases because they can have dynamic copy protection that wasn't possible with SD DVD. The problem is they change it fairly often and that is why it is important to buy a BD player from a mfg with a good track record with updates. I do not expect this situation to change because the studios want to protect their movies/revenue and with BD they can make it more difficult to pirate.

06-29-2009, 06:15 PM	#1
erict High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Mich Posts: 909	Blu-ray -v- DVD I don't own a blu ray player yet but will be getting one in the future. My question is how big of a difference is a blu ray over a DVD player for HT 5.1 setup. I have a Sony upscaling DVD player right now. __________________ Panasonic 50PZ85U Vizio VO32L Sony HT-CT100 Yamaha V663 Energy C-300(frt L/R) Energy C-C50 (center) Energy C-R100 (surrounds) Energy ESW-10 & eD A2-300(subs) D* 5LNB Slimline HR21-100 (Panny) H23-600 (Vizio) R22-200 (Zenith CRT) Harmony One Remote

06-29-2009, 08:27 PM	#2
PFC5 Super Moderator Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 28,040	I think it depends on how close you sit to the display for the screen size, but you certainly have a good display so if you are about 8 feet away i think it would be fairly easy to see the improvement with most well made BDs. I though Man on Fire looked great on SD DVD, until I compared them also on BD. As a result i bought the BD version of it. I probably have about 20+ BD/HD DVDs that are double dips from SD DVD I already owned. __________________ Denon AVR-887 Klipsch RP-5 Pwred Towers (mains) (525 watts peak each 12"Subs) All Klipsch RC-25(ctr),(2)SS1(surr),(2)SS1(rearSurr) Toshiba (2)HD-A20,PS3,BD35 For SACD/DVD-A Samsung HD-841 Panny 50pz80u plasma SETTINGS RCA HD50LPW162 50"DLP w/HD2+ SA 3250HD 47" LCD+Yamaha5790+HD-A1(bedroom) Harmony 680 + (2) 670s (amazing remote/support) Game room with Onkyo receiver & B&W Speakers The_Cable_Game Take the high ground and be happier

06-29-2009, 10:30 PM	#4
HD Goofnut HDF Official Reviewer Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Mississippi, U.S.A. Your resident Dune, Star Wars, and war film expert Age: 27 Posts: 6,761	You have a 50" plasma so if you sit about 7" feet away (assuming it's 1080p) your eyes will be able to discern 1080 lines. Yes, the difference in BD/HD DVD and SD DVD is like comparing a grenade to a claymore. __________________ Official High Def Forum Reviewer Have a review request? Send it to me. Display: Sanyo DP46848 46" 1080p LCD A/V Receiver: Onkyo TX-SR606 7.1 HD Receiver: DirecTV HR21-100 HD DVR Speakers: Onkyo SKS-HT540 7.1 System Players: LG BH200, Toshiba HD-A20 & A2, Sony 40 GB PS3, Magnavox NB500MG9 156~199~My Movie Collection~Latest Bought: Death Race & The International Latest Review: *Role Models*

06-30-2009, 06:02 PM	#7
erict High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Mich Posts: 909	OK, I ended up buying the Panasonic DMP-BD60k from Costco. I am now a proud owner of a Blu-Ray player __________________ Panasonic 50PZ85U Vizio VO32L Sony HT-CT100 Yamaha V663 Energy C-300(frt L/R) Energy C-C50 (center) Energy C-R100 (surrounds) Energy ESW-10 & eD A2-300(subs) D* 5LNB Slimline HR21-100 (Panny) H23-600 (Vizio) R22-200 (Zenith CRT) Harmony One Remote

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07-02-2009, 05:35 PM	#14
OCgamer High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: central pennsylvania Posts: 64	I own a panasonic bd30K as bluray is still new and the standards are still being hashed out you might want to wait. Im now waiting for panasonic to send me my 9th upgrade disc for viewing problems (doing the firmware upgrade to 1.9). I own a vista computer so I cannot burn panasonic firmware discs that are compatible. At least Panasonic will send you the fixes via the snailmail. I have no experience with other manufacturers but we are still shaking out all the problems between different movie houses.