Does everything need to be in High def?

rmslives · 12-20-2006, 01:41 PM

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.

360kid · 12-20-2006, 01:48 PM

Couldn't have said it better myself. Your opinion on this forum is a rare one though. So many times you see people asking "what movie looks the best in HD?" How about "what is a good movie?"

It doesn't matter how good the movie PQ is if the movie itself is crappy. I know you HD junkies out there will sit through a bad movie as long as the PQ is blowing you away. I keep hearing about the PQ of the new Superman movie. I went to that opening day last summer, lets just say I'll never get that 3 hours of my life back. The new Superman is horrible, but since it "Looks Good" people are buying it left and right.

Basically a shitty movie with awesome High Def PQ is still just a shitty movie. Same applys to video games. A shitty game with great graphics is still just a shitty game.

JimmyJames · 12-20-2006, 01:53 PM

Look where you're posting. I agree to the extent that I will not replace every one of my DVD's with HD-DVD's - I couldn't afford it and there are many that simply won't get viewed enough or at all. For my favorites, yes, I would replace a few of them with their HD-DVD counterparts, then make new purchases in the new format.

But the special features? I could go either way on those. Many movies I don't even bother with some special features - unless it's one of my more preferred films.

Yes, some people are 100% HD and anything less is unacceptable. And there's nothing wrong with that - to each their own. But I am content over quality - I will watch Pulp Fiction in SD before I would watch Gigli in HD.

But that doesn't mean I don't want to see as much content as possible in an HD format. Hope this helps....

rmslives · 12-20-2006, 01:54 PM

And it's not just a crappy movie; I love comedies, but fail to see how such a movie will be improved because it is in high def. Yes, it will look better, but since a comedy does not rely on special effects, a booming soundtrack, exotic locations, etc., I doubt I will enjoy the movie that much better.

rmslives · 12-20-2006, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyJames

Look where you're posting. I agree to the extent that I will not replace every one of my DVD's with HD-DVD's - I couldn't afford it and there are many that simply won't get viewed enough or at all. For my favorites, yes, I would replace a few of them with their HD-DVD counterparts, then make new purchases in the new format.

But the special features? I could go either way on those. Many movies I don't even bother with some special features - unless it's one of my more preferred films.

Yes, some people are 100% HD and anything less is unacceptable. And there's nothing wrong with that - to each their own. But I am content over quality - I will watch Pulp Fiction in SD before I would watch Gigli in HD.

But that doesn't mean I don't want to see as much content as possible in an HD format. Hope this helps....

Thanks! I don't think there is anything wrong with just buying high def DVDs from now on; I was just curious as to how many people are ONLY going to buy high def from here on out, even though a movie like "Wedding Crashers" is not going to be any funnier just because it is high def. It was absoultely hilarious (IMO) the last three times I saw it; how will improved picture quality change that?

I hear some people debating whether or not they should junk all their old DVDs and just start buying new. I will do that for some of the ones I really want to see in high def, but anyone who trades in their Simpsons boxed sets to be them in high def is getting fleeced, again IMO.

JimmyJames · 12-20-2006, 01:59 PM

Sure, I'll enjoy the experience better if it's in HD - but at what price? I won't spend $20.00 a pop to replace every movie I own. I did that once already with VHS to DVD. It's simply too costly for me. So you choose your battles. Replace "Heat", "Pulp Fiction", and "Goodfellas", but leave "School of Rock" well enough alone. Is Jack Black running around like a jackass going to be worth $20.00 more to see him doing it in HD?

rmslives · 12-20-2006, 02:02 PM

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.

JimmyJames · 12-20-2006, 02:09 PM

The key also is compatibility. With the switch from VHS to DVD, there was an inherent pressure to replace my collection of VHS with DVD because VHS tapes were not compatible with DVD players. My thought was that VHS tapes degrade over time, and VCR's break over time so if I didn't replace them, eventually I would be SOL. Also, there was a SIGNIFICANT jump in quality, reliablilty and features from VHS to DVD.

With this format change (DVD to HD-DVD), I see less pressure and signifcance to make the jump right away. Players are backward compatible, so you're existing collection can remain intact without worrying about obsolesence. You can take you time, pick your battles, and gradually make the switch.

ja2935 · 12-20-2006, 02:14 PM

I got an HD-A2 last week and immediately signed on to Netflix which has both HD DVD and BD at no extra cost. I did buy Aeon Flux and Chronicles of Riddick though - and will buy 2001 and Blade Runner when they come out.

I have plenty of SD DVDs in the 'watch and forget' category that seemed a good idea to buy at the time - I don't intend repeating this with HD DVDs. Of course I will rent SD DVDs as well that will probably never come out on either format and may even buy one or two, but my days of buying DVDs on spec are practically over!

anythingwt · 12-20-2006, 02:14 PM

Most of us here, including myself, are HD spoiled. Sure, i'll still watch SD, because unfortunately, there isn't nearly enough HD content out there yet. It would be amazing to be able to watch only HD content, but in most cases not practical. As you have mentioned, a comedy flick isn't necessarily enhanced as much as an action movie, but it is still certainly more appealing in HD. Even skin details and colors in general are just enhanced so much compared to SD. On top of that, you really are getting what you paid for and have put into your HT while viewing an HD movie, on your HDTV, with an HD audio track.

SLedford · 12-20-2006, 02:36 PM

This is an interesting thread that is bringing out views not expressed very often. I am fairly satisfied with the way DVDs look on my wide screen TV, and am still buying SD DVDs. What has changed is that I only buy widescreen DVDs.

When I finally do get into high def movies on disk, I will probably buy the new releases (and only new releases) high def version over the standard def. No plans right now to replace existing movies.

On the other hand, I am frustrated with the lack of HD content on television. Guess that puts me in the middle on this matter.

The opinions really are all over the place in this forum, sometimes approaching the level of religious fervor. Hard for me to get really worked up on this matter.

There are differences in the way people look at cars as well. Some people love their cars, polish, clean, shine, park at funny angles in parking lots and pay more than I paid for my first house. I look at cars as transportation and think it is a shame to wash off the protective layer of dirt on the outside.

Differences are what make people different.

JimmyJames · 12-20-2006, 02:53 PM

I agree totally with Sledford. I get more annoyed with the lack of HD content on TV. Broadcast channels for the most part got it right with their prime time schedules - with the exception of Reality TV (Survivor) and Gameshows (Deal or No Deal). Dramas and Comedies on the "big 4" (& CW & MeNetwork TV as well) are almost all in HD. But sports needs work (CBS NFL coverage) as well as specialty channels (or lack thereof).

And yes, widescreen is a MUST for me. For DVD's especially. I can't stand it when I can't get a movie on Widescreen DVD.

Plus TV shows. Law & Order has been done in HD widescreen (and Dolby 5.1) for a number of years now, and all of their DVD releases are converted to Full Screen (& Dolby 2.0)- Where's the logic there?

CSI, 24 and the Office got it right with their DVD releases...

rmslives · 12-20-2006, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyJames

CSI, 24 and the Office got it right with their DVD releases...

And Alias, Without a Trace, and Smallville. I'm sure there are others, too, that I don't have.

These are all shows I would rebuy on HD, by the way.

ja2935 · 12-20-2006, 03:18 PM

Not being a purchaser of TV series I'm curious as to how owners view these? Favourite episodes or start at the beginning and watch all through again?

Jimmy Smith · 12-20-2006, 03:26 PM

Answer to thread

Yes everything has to be in high def

12-20-2006, 01:41 PM	#1
rmslives High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 314	Does everything need to be in High def? 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.

12-20-2006, 01:53 PM	#3
JimmyJames The Bishop of HD Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Sirkl Country, PA Posts: 194	Look where you're posting. I agree to the extent that I will not replace every one of my DVD's with HD-DVD's - I couldn't afford it and there are many that simply won't get viewed enough or at all. For my favorites, yes, I would replace a few of them with their HD-DVD counterparts, then make new purchases in the new format. But the special features? I could go either way on those. Many movies I don't even bother with some special features - unless it's one of my more preferred films. Yes, some people are 100% HD and anything less is unacceptable. And there's nothing wrong with that - to each their own. But I am content over quality - I will watch Pulp Fiction in SD before I would watch Gigli in HD. But that doesn't mean I don't want to see as much content as possible in an HD format. Hope this helps.... __________________ Monitor #1 - Toshiba 34" ColorstreamHD CRT Monitor #2 - Daewoo 20" Flat Screen CRT Home Theater - Sony 5.1 HT-6600DP HTIB DVD - Sony 5 Disc Progressive Scan VCR - Panasonic Hi-Fi Cable HD DVR - Motorola HD Dual HD Cable Provider - Service Electric (Eastern PA) HD Channels Received - NBC/CBS/ABC/FOX/CW/MyNetTV/PBS/ESPN/ESPN2/NFL/VSGOLF/Big10/TNT/TBS/HDNet/HDNetMovie/UniversalHD/Outdoor/Discovery/HBO/Cinemax/Comcast SportsNet/HGTV/Food/A&E/National Geo

12-20-2006, 01:59 PM	#6
JimmyJames The Bishop of HD Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Sirkl Country, PA Posts: 194	Sure, I'll enjoy the experience better if it's in HD - but at what price? I won't spend $20.00 a pop to replace every movie I own. I did that once already with VHS to DVD. It's simply too costly for me. So you choose your battles. Replace "Heat", "Pulp Fiction", and "Goodfellas", but leave "School of Rock" well enough alone. Is Jack Black running around like a jackass going to be worth $20.00 more to see him doing it in HD? __________________ Monitor #1 - Toshiba 34" ColorstreamHD CRT Monitor #2 - Daewoo 20" Flat Screen CRT Home Theater - Sony 5.1 HT-6600DP HTIB DVD - Sony 5 Disc Progressive Scan VCR - Panasonic Hi-Fi Cable HD DVR - Motorola HD Dual HD Cable Provider - Service Electric (Eastern PA) HD Channels Received - NBC/CBS/ABC/FOX/CW/MyNetTV/PBS/ESPN/ESPN2/NFL/VSGOLF/Big10/TNT/TBS/HDNet/HDNetMovie/UniversalHD/Outdoor/Discovery/HBO/Cinemax/Comcast SportsNet/HGTV/Food/A&E/National Geo

12-20-2006, 02:09 PM	#8
JimmyJames The Bishop of HD Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Sirkl Country, PA Posts: 194	The key also is compatibility. With the switch from VHS to DVD, there was an inherent pressure to replace my collection of VHS with DVD because VHS tapes were not compatible with DVD players. My thought was that VHS tapes degrade over time, and VCR's break over time so if I didn't replace them, eventually I would be SOL. Also, there was a SIGNIFICANT jump in quality, reliablilty and features from VHS to DVD. With this format change (DVD to HD-DVD), I see less pressure and signifcance to make the jump right away. Players are backward compatible, so you're existing collection can remain intact without worrying about obsolesence. You can take you time, pick your battles, and gradually make the switch. __________________ Monitor #1 - Toshiba 34" ColorstreamHD CRT Monitor #2 - Daewoo 20" Flat Screen CRT Home Theater - Sony 5.1 HT-6600DP HTIB DVD - Sony 5 Disc Progressive Scan VCR - Panasonic Hi-Fi Cable HD DVR - Motorola HD Dual HD Cable Provider - Service Electric (Eastern PA) HD Channels Received - NBC/CBS/ABC/FOX/CW/MyNetTV/PBS/ESPN/ESPN2/NFL/VSGOLF/Big10/TNT/TBS/HDNet/HDNetMovie/UniversalHD/Outdoor/Discovery/HBO/Cinemax/Comcast SportsNet/HGTV/Food/A&E/National Geo

12-20-2006, 02:14 PM	#9
ja2935 High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 1,034	I got an HD-A2 last week and immediately signed on to Netflix which has both HD DVD and BD at no extra cost. I did buy Aeon Flux and Chronicles of Riddick though - and will buy 2001 and Blade Runner when they come out. I have plenty of SD DVDs in the 'watch and forget' category that seemed a good idea to buy at the time - I don't intend repeating this with HD DVDs. Of course I will rent SD DVDs as well that will probably never come out on either format and may even buy one or two, but my days of buying DVDs on spec are practically over! __________________ Toshiba 34HF84 Comcast Motorola DCT 3416 (all digital), Component/Fiber Optic Toshiba SD4900 (Region Free), Component/Digital Coax Toshiba HD-A2, HDMI/Fiber Optic Yamaha YHT-160 Home Theater System

12-20-2006, 01:48 PM	#2
360kid Life Is Expensive Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 838	Couldn't have said it better myself. Your opinion on this forum is a rare one though. So many times you see people asking "what movie looks the best in HD?" How about "what is a good movie?" It doesn't matter how good the movie PQ is if the movie itself is crappy. I know you HD junkies out there will sit through a bad movie as long as the PQ is blowing you away. I keep hearing about the PQ of the new Superman movie. I went to that opening day last summer, lets just say I'll never get that 3 hours of my life back. The new Superman is horrible, but since it "Looks Good" people are buying it left and right. Basically a shitty movie with awesome High Def PQ is still just a shitty movie. Same applys to video games. A shitty game with great graphics is still just a shitty game.

12-20-2006, 01:54 PM	#4
rmslives High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 314	And it's not just a crappy movie; I love comedies, but fail to see how such a movie will be improved because it is in high def. Yes, it will look better, but since a comedy does not rely on special effects, a booming soundtrack, exotic locations, etc., I doubt I will enjoy the movie that much better.

12-20-2006, 02:02 PM	#7
rmslives High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 314	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.

12-20-2006, 02:14 PM	#10
anythingwt free as a bird Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Scottsdale, AZ Posts: 4,405	Most of us here, including myself, are HD spoiled. Sure, i'll still watch SD, because unfortunately, there isn't nearly enough HD content out there yet. It would be amazing to be able to watch only HD content, but in most cases not practical. As you have mentioned, a comedy flick isn't necessarily enhanced as much as an action movie, but it is still certainly more appealing in HD. Even skin details and colors in general are just enhanced so much compared to SD. On top of that, you really are getting what you paid for and have put into your HT while viewing an HD movie, on your HDTV, with an HD audio track.

12-20-2006, 02:36 PM	#11
SLedford HD Fan Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Little Rock, Arkansas Posts: 1,023	An interesting thread on a subject not discussed much. This is an interesting thread that is bringing out views not expressed very often. I am fairly satisfied with the way DVDs look on my wide screen TV, and am still buying SD DVDs. What has changed is that I only buy widescreen DVDs. When I finally do get into high def movies on disk, I will probably buy the new releases (and only new releases) high def version over the standard def. No plans right now to replace existing movies. On the other hand, I am frustrated with the lack of HD content on television. Guess that puts me in the middle on this matter. The opinions really are all over the place in this forum, sometimes approaching the level of religious fervor. Hard for me to get really worked up on this matter. There are differences in the way people look at cars as well. Some people love their cars, polish, clean, shine, park at funny angles in parking lots and pay more than I paid for my first house. I look at cars as transportation and think it is a shame to wash off the protective layer of dirt on the outside. Differences are what make people different. __________________ 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

12-20-2006, 02:53 PM	#12
JimmyJames The Bishop of HD Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Sirkl Country, PA Posts: 194	I agree totally with Sledford. I get more annoyed with the lack of HD content on TV. Broadcast channels for the most part got it right with their prime time schedules - with the exception of Reality TV (Survivor) and Gameshows (Deal or No Deal). Dramas and Comedies on the "big 4" (& CW & MeNetwork TV as well) are almost all in HD. But sports needs work (CBS NFL coverage) as well as specialty channels (or lack thereof). And yes, widescreen is a MUST for me. For DVD's especially. I can't stand it when I can't get a movie on Widescreen DVD. Plus TV shows. Law & Order has been done in HD widescreen (and Dolby 5.1) for a number of years now, and all of their DVD releases are converted to Full Screen (& Dolby 2.0)- Where's the logic there? CSI, 24 and the Office got it right with their DVD releases... __________________ Monitor #1 - Toshiba 34" ColorstreamHD CRT Monitor #2 - Daewoo 20" Flat Screen CRT Home Theater - Sony 5.1 HT-6600DP HTIB DVD - Sony 5 Disc Progressive Scan VCR - Panasonic Hi-Fi Cable HD DVR - Motorola HD Dual HD Cable Provider - Service Electric (Eastern PA) HD Channels Received - NBC/CBS/ABC/FOX/CW/MyNetTV/PBS/ESPN/ESPN2/NFL/VSGOLF/Big10/TNT/TBS/HDNet/HDNetMovie/UniversalHD/Outdoor/Discovery/HBO/Cinemax/Comcast SportsNet/HGTV/Food/A&E/National Geo

12-20-2006, 03:18 PM	#14
ja2935 High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 1,034	Not being a purchaser of TV series I'm curious as to how owners view these? Favourite episodes or start at the beginning and watch all through again? __________________ Toshiba 34HF84 Comcast Motorola DCT 3416 (all digital), Component/Fiber Optic Toshiba SD4900 (Region Free), Component/Digital Coax Toshiba HD-A2, HDMI/Fiber Optic Yamaha YHT-160 Home Theater System

12-20-2006, 03:26 PM	#15
Jimmy Smith 50>30 Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 2,998	Answer to thread Yes everything has to be in high def