Does everything need to be in High def?

rmslives · 12-21-2006, 08:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyJames

The Wal-Mart "$5.00" bins are interesting. Most of it is crap, but if you have a few extra minutes to spare, look through it. Sometimes you find "diamonds in the rough"...Titles in Widescreen and 5.1 and actually good older films that you wouldn't expext to be that cheap. Like I said, most of it is junk but there are some goodies to be found.

For example, Enemy at the Gates. Not the best war movie ever, but way worth $5.

**bruceames** · 12-21-2006, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockaway1836

Anyone that finds the prices for players or discs too high in either format should not be getting into it right now.

I don't really think that's the case with anybody here if they own an HDTV, because if they could afford that, then they could afford an HD DVD player. HD disc prices are a non issue. More than half of my HD DVD were purchased on Amazon for $17.95 (no tax or shipping) and overall the average disc price for my whole HD collection (75 in all) is about $20. When you compare new and recent releases, SD and HD have only a few bucks price difference (of course, combos will add a few bucks more to that, too), but the DVD catalog prices have been plummeting (I think a lot has to do with the competition from TV on DVD) so there are many DVD bargains available at such a good price that it may make, for some, the choice between buying HD or SD (assuming both versions are available) a difficult one.

Having said that, I would never buy an action movie in SD, no matter what the price difference is, nor a great movie that I would watch repeatedly. But I think I would enjoy Christmas Vacation just about as much in SD or HD.

360kid · 12-21-2006, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bruceames

I don't really think that's the case with anybody here if they own an HDTV, because if they could afford that, then they could afford an HD DVD player. HD disc prices are a non issue. More than half of my HD DVD were purchased on Amazon for $17.95 (no tax or shipping) and overall the average disc price for my whole HD collection (75 in all) is about $20. When you compare new and recent releases, SD and HD have only a few bucks price difference (of course, combos will add a few bucks more to that, too), but the DVD catalog prices have been plummeting (I think a lot has to do with the competition from TV on DVD) so there are many DVD bargains available at such a good price that it may make, for some, the choice between buying HD or SD (assuming both versions are available) a difficult one.

Having said that, I would never buy an action movie in SD, no matter what the price difference is, nor a great movie that I would watch repeatedly. But I think I would enjoy Christmas Vacation just about as much in SD or HD.

For me price is a factor, I will eventually get the $200 add on for my 360. The reason I bought an HDTV was for my 360. I've seen many HD movies, in store, online, and downloaded from XBL. I have a 32" LCD and when I sit 6 feet away I do not notice a huge difference. It does look a bit better, but not enough to warrant $200 right now. I'm not saying $200 is too much, Just saying I can have almost the same experience for free with my current players.

The price of the DVD's is also a factor. I can easily afford $20 - $30 per movie, but do I want to, HELL NO. I haven't paid more than $15 for a new DVD in forever. The last few I bought I got either 2 for $20 or 3 for $20. Click + 50 First Dates for $20. All three M.I. including MI 3 for $20. All three of the Xmen for $20 including the third one. These prices add up. Between my GF and myself we buy a lot of movies. I just cannot justify the price for what you get. I love HD, but not that much. Content over PQ always.

I may get the add on in the near future, more because I want a new toy to play with. And it would mainly be for our Netflix account, that is if I choose to go that route, I have no plans at this point.

To answer your question, NO... Everything does not have to be on HD. Content wins over PQ and until HD becomes the standard and truly affordable, I pick and choose what must be in HD. Not being able to afford and not wanting to invest in is two different things. Many can afford but simply don't feel the payoff is quite there yet.

**bruceames** · 12-21-2006, 12:15 PM

A 32 inch LCD and an add-on is a perfect match, IMO. You will notice quite a difference, even from 6 feet away. IFAIK the add-on is still bundled with King Kong and the 360 remote, so the add-on is really only about $140.00 when you take those into account.

As far as movies, just sign up for Netflix and rent the movies you deem not worth it to buy. Keep in mind that Amazon, with the 10% off for a year promotion and no tax, the price for the catalog titles come to $17.95. BB's price would have to be under $17.00 (when you factor your local sales tax in) to equal that of Amazon. And there are many, many HD titles that are worth this in my opinion. Even mediocre movies like Sahara, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Chronicles of Riddick come alive in HD, and for me I wouldn't appreciate them otherwise.

sufs · 12-21-2006, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rmslives

There's still something inside me, though, that cannot bring myself to pay an extra $10 just to see A Christmas Story in HD. I don't think I would enjoy it $10 more!

HAHA reminds me of a line by MR. Burns " 1$ for eternal happiness ah, I'd be happier with the dollar"

Yeah some movies are not worth the extra money, but I have to admit my ideals are quicklly changing with Amazons prices. I am getting every 10 movies for $200 with shipping to Lebanon, and that is a good enough deal for me.

rmslives · 12-22-2006, 07:16 AM

I love a good Simpsons quote!

markfoto · 01-01-2007, 11:26 PM

Will I replace the 100 or so SD movies I have? No. Most look great on the A2. I have replaced a couple though (Full Metal Jacket, Casablanca). New movies, probably only HD. Netflix is pretty good for rentals, if I want to own it, might as well be HD at this point.

**PFC5** · 01-02-2007, 01:46 AM

Good viewpoint Mark!

I am not replacing all 350+ SD DVDs I have and I would say that only half are worth buying at all in hindsight. I will be more selective this time around.

Funny thing is my wife always thought I was crazy for buying SD DVDs until the whole family (6 of us) went to the movies 2 years ago. It cost me over $100.00 between ticket prices and snacks/drinks for everyone versus $15.00 to buy the SD DVD. After that SHE started buying them like crazy and that accounts for many of the dogs we own for titles now. She never checks a review before buying them.

SLedford · 01-02-2007, 12:59 PM

PFC5,

I think I have shared this same thought process in another thread, but at $8 for the feature ($5 for the matinee) the SD-DVD is a super buy. Kids can watch the same thing over and over, so that $15 keeps paying dividends.

Bladder problem? Hit pause and take care of business. Need more popcorn (cost = 79 cents per bag, which makes enough popcorn for a month)? Same process.

Do I miss the big picture & sound? Last two movies I went to had focus problems. If I want the same sound as the theaters, I can crank up the volume and have someone in the back talk out loud (or on their cell phone). For the full theater experience, I need to pour sticky Coke on my floor and scatter popcorn. Perhaps drop old chewing gum on the floor as well.

I WUV HD · 01-02-2007, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SLedford

Do I miss the big picture & sound? Last two movies I went to had focus problems. If I want the same sound as the theaters, I can crank up the volume and have someone in the back talk out loud (or on their cell phone). For the full theater experience, I need to pour sticky Coke on my floor and scatter popcorn. Perhaps drop old chewing gum on the floor as well.

Don't forget, for the full experience you'll need to hire several 12-14 year-old brats to walk in and out of the theater during random parts of the movie. They'll need to be loud, rude, and completely oblivious to everyone else around them.

Only then will you have faithfully recreated the movie theater experience.

**PFC5** · 01-02-2007, 03:33 PM

Yeah, movies in the theater are not what they used to be. Remember when they used to have Ushers to make sure no one was being disturbed by others? I do not think I EVER see any Ushers anymore, and if they were there they would just ignore everything anyway to not cause a fuss and are just there for the paycheck.

stchman · 01-02-2007, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rmslives

I get the feeling that some people who have gone high def are now just going to be purchasing High Def DVDs from now on; no more SD. I would be interested in knowing how many of you are planning on going this route.

Personally, I see no point in paying extra to watch a comedy or a romantic movie in high def. How will that really improve my viewing experience - is Blazing Saddles more funny because it went high def? To me, the extra money I would spend to see that in high def is wasted, whereas movies like Kingdom of Heaven, Lord of the Rings, etc. would actually be improved experiences because of the high def treatment the most.

I also don't see the big deal in having extra features that are high def: does it really matter that the documentary is high def? I read one review in which the reviewer stated he was tired of having to watch the features in SD. Does that strike anyone else as being a bit too devoted to high def? Just curious.

I am sure someone said the same thing about color. Why does everything have to be in color. Does a comedy become more funny in color? No, but it does enhance the overall enjoyment of your watching experience.

As far as HD, no a comedy is no funnier in HD, but it does enhance the overall enjoyment. I wish everything was in HD.

**PFC5** · 01-02-2007, 06:01 PM

EXCELLENT point stchman!

I prefer everything in HD but for some material it matters more than others but you make a compelling example of what many said about the transition from B/W to color back in the day.

tvine2000 · 01-02-2007, 06:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rmslives

I get the feeling that some people who have gone high def are now just going to be purchasing High Def DVDs from now on; no more SD. I would be interested in knowing how many of you are planning on going this route.

Personally, I see no point in paying extra to watch a comedy or a romantic movie in high def. How will that really improve my viewing experience - is Blazing Saddles more funny because it went high def? To me, the extra money I would spend to see that in high def is wasted, whereas movies like Kingdom of Heaven, Lord of the Rings, etc. would actually be improved experiences because of the high def treatment the most.

I also don't see the big deal in having extra features that are high def: does it really matter that the documentary is high def? I read one review in which the reviewer stated he was tired of having to watch the features in SD. Does that strike anyone else as being a bit too devoted to high def? Just curious.

i still will be buying sdvd not has many but some

tvine2000 · 01-02-2007, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rmslives

Yeah, I've already decided what types of movies I'll be getting in high def, and which ones I will stick with SD. I know it will be tempting to keep getting HD DVDs, but I just can't see how everything I buy has to be high def from now on.

Having said that, there are some extra features I would like to see in HD.

me to i will keep buying sddvd and pick carefully hd movies until they drop in price also hd plyers upconvert very will so it a good deal

01-01-2007, 11:26 PM	#52
markfoto Ah, HDTV Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: West of the Rockies, from Montana to Mexico Posts: 178	Will I replace the 100 or so SD movies I have? No. Most look great on the A2. I have replaced a couple though (Full Metal Jacket, Casablanca). New movies, probably only HD. Netflix is pretty good for rentals, if I want to own it, might as well be HD at this point. __________________ In My Motorhome: Panasonic TH-42PHD7UY Plasma Monitor (w/Component and HDMI blades) Samsung BDP-UP5000 Duo Format Player Panasonic XR55K Receiver Polk Surround Bar Polk sub Dish Network ViP 211 receiver 1000.2 dish Harmony 880 remote 51 HD DVDs 12 Blu Ray discs

01-02-2007, 01:46 AM	#53
PFC5 Super Moderator Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 28,420	Good viewpoint Mark! I am not replacing all 350+ SD DVDs I have and I would say that only half are worth buying at all in hindsight. I will be more selective this time around. Funny thing is my wife always thought I was crazy for buying SD DVDs until the whole family (6 of us) went to the movies 2 years ago. It cost me over $100.00 between ticket prices and snacks/drinks for everyone versus $15.00 to buy the SD DVD. After that SHE started buying them like crazy and that accounts for many of the dogs we own for titles now. She never checks a review before buying them. __________________ 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

01-02-2007, 12:59 PM	#54
SLedford HD Fan Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Little Rock, Arkansas Posts: 1,023	Same thought process here PFC5, I think I have shared this same thought process in another thread, but at $8 for the feature ($5 for the matinee) the SD-DVD is a super buy. Kids can watch the same thing over and over, so that $15 keeps paying dividends. Bladder problem? Hit pause and take care of business. Need more popcorn (cost = 79 cents per bag, which makes enough popcorn for a month)? Same process. Do I miss the big picture & sound? Last two movies I went to had focus problems. If I want the same sound as the theaters, I can crank up the volume and have someone in the back talk out loud (or on their cell phone). For the full theater experience, I need to pour sticky Coke on my floor and scatter popcorn. Perhaps drop old chewing gum on the floor as well. __________________ Toshiba 57H83 television, Paradigm Monitor 5 front speakers, Paradigm CC370 center speaker, Paradigm Mini Monitor surround speakers, Sony subwoofer, Yamaha HRT-5590 receiver, Denon DVD-2800 II, Toshiba HD-DVD A2, Play Station 3 - 40 Gig, Comcast HD Cable

01-02-2007, 03:33 PM	#56
PFC5 Super Moderator Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 28,420	Yeah, movies in the theater are not what they used to be. Remember when they used to have Ushers to make sure no one was being disturbed by others? I do not think I EVER see any Ushers anymore, and if they were there they would just ignore everything anyway to not cause a fuss and are just there for the paycheck. __________________ 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

01-02-2007, 06:01 PM	#58
PFC5 Super Moderator Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 28,420	EXCELLENT point stchman! I prefer everything in HD but for some material it matters more than others but you make a compelling example of what many said about the transition from B/W to color back in the day. __________________ 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

12-21-2006, 12:15 PM	#49
bruceames Moderator Join Date: May 2006 Location: San Rafael, CA Posts: 10,171	A 32 inch LCD and an add-on is a perfect match, IMO. You will notice quite a difference, even from 6 feet away. IFAIK the add-on is still bundled with King Kong and the 360 remote, so the add-on is really only about $140.00 when you take those into account. As far as movies, just sign up for Netflix and rent the movies you deem not worth it to buy. Keep in mind that Amazon, with the 10% off for a year promotion and no tax, the price for the catalog titles come to $17.95. BB's price would have to be under $17.00 (when you factor your local sales tax in) to equal that of Amazon. And there are many, many HD titles that are worth this in my opinion. Even mediocre movies like Sahara, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Chronicles of Riddick come alive in HD, and for me I wouldn't appreciate them otherwise.

12-22-2006, 07:16 AM	#51
rmslives High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 314	I love a good Simpsons quote!