Should I pick up Blu-Ray in the near future ?

[sega fan]

I don't know. Every time a release of a great movie comes out, I get all excited and then come to find out, how little there is on the Blu-Ray side of things. The Bond Collection got me excited but it only had

Dr. No
From Russia with Love
Thunderball
Live and let Die
For Your Eyes Only
Die Another Day
Casino Royale

Okay, BUT THEY ONLY PICKED 7, OUT OF HOW MANY ? Some, of them are great picks, like From Russia With Love, but where the hell are big name Bond Titles like

Goldeneye
Moonraker
Goldfinger
Tommorow Never Dies
(Not to Mention they picked Brosnon's least awesome movie, and left out some of Connery's greatest work, on the plus side they picked good Rodger Moore films.) On the topic of other movies, The Nightmare Before Christmas was a solid release but hey, where are off the wall releases like The Beatles in Help, or what about some of Steven Segal's work, and even though I'm not a fan at all of Steven, (never given him the time) my dad sure as hell is. All I really see that I'm a fan of is Rambo, as far as run-n-guns. Yeah, and I'm not buying Blu-Ray of DVD's I've watched to death, like Terminator 2 or Spider-Man 2. And I don't want a collection of current-day disney movies like Wall-E.

AND JOE BEFORE YOU GO OFF AND MAKE A SARCASTIC COMMENT ON HOW BLU-RAY PLAYS DVD'S, WE KNOW. BUT WHY WOULD WE DROP A HUNDREDS OR A THOUSAND DOLLARS JUST TO PLAY A PRIMATIVE FORM OF MOVIE. IT'S NOT LIKE YOU'D BUY A PLAYSTATION 2 JUST TO PLAY PS1 GAMES. OR YOU'D BUY A GBA JUST FOR ORIGINAL GAMEBOY GAMES.

Overall, I don't know what I should do. It seems interesting, but will it go the way of my Wii and just sit on my desk and take up room, gather 20 pounds of dust, not even making itself worthy of my purchase.

[Joe Redifer]

SEGAFAN I ONLY SAY THOSE THINGS BECAUSE IDIOTS SEEM TO THINK THAT THEY NEED TO REBUY THEIR ENTIRE COLLECTION IF THEY UPGRADE TO BLURAY BOY THOSE PEOPLE SURE ARE DUMB OH FUCK MY CAPS LOCK BUTTON IS STUCK TOO YAY DON'T I LOOK LIKE AN ASS?

[David J.]

First off... Calm down dude, you're acting like someone is putting a fucking gun to your head forcing you to get one. Now I know people who bought a PS2 back in '00 or so (god I'm old) to enjoy PS1 games since the early PS2 games where... eh... a bit trash. Anyway...

Do you really even have an HDTV? A good one at that? Do you care about the special features? Are you happy with DVD Quality?

Those are the questions you need to ask.

Now I don't have any Blu-Ray movies, nor really plan on buying any in the future, but since I was building a new PC and LG has this sweet Blu-Ray drive for the PC I picked it up, since I built my new PC with some primitive HTPC features (media remote, TV tuner, etc) so why not be a bit head of the game while I am at it?

[sega fan]

SEGAFAN I ONLY SAY THOSE THINGS BECAUSE IDIOTS SEEM TO THINK THAT THEY NEED TO REBUY THEIR ENTIRE COLLECTION IF THEY UPGRADE TO BLURAY BOY THOSE PEOPLE SURE ARE DUMB OH FUCK MY CAPS LOCK BUTTON IS STUCK TOO YAY DON'T I LOOK LIKE AN ASS?

I ussually have to point crap like that out so people don't split hairs and miss points. And atleast I put proper punctuation wjen I have caps lck on and look like an ass. The only person who can make an ass out of me IS MAHSELF. ;)

[sega fan]

First off... Calm down dude, you're acting like someone is putting a fucking gun to your head forcing you to get one. Now I know people who bought a PS2 back in '00 or so (god I'm old) to enjoy PS1 games since the early PS2 games where... eh... a bit trash. Anyway...

Do you really even have an HDTV? A good one at that? Do you care about the special features? Are you happy with DVD Quality?

Those are the questions you need to ask.

Now I don't have any Blu-Ray movies, nor really plan on buying any in the future, but since I was building a new PC and LG has this sweet Blu-Ray drive for the PC I picked it up, since I built my new PC with some primitive HTPC features (media remote, TV tuner, etc) so why not be a bit head of the game while I am at it?

First off, I'm not bashing Blu-Ray this time, I'm acctually considering picking one up.

Second off, I am okay with DVD's quality, but all my favorite movies I have yet to pick up for DVD, only VHS, I'm wondering should I just forget DVD and skip right to Blu-Ray, And yes I have a Hitachi HD and I hate to have an HD and never ever ever use it to it's full potential.

[Melf]

Once I got a PS3 and an HDTV, I decided to go only Blu-Ray. I won't update my DVD collection until prices come down, and I can buy the movies little by little.

[sega fan]

Any Blu-ray downsides. I'm open to try it, but will it be another Wii, and do as I said Before. Sit on My desk, Take up Space, not use it for months, Gather 20 lbs of dust, and not make it worthy of the $250 to $300

[Joe Redifer]

I doubt it since they actually release stuff... good stuff, for Blu-ray. Just make sure you do your research and don't get a player that takes a long time to load and has compatibility issues. Right now the best Blu-ray player is clearly the PS3.

[sega fan]

Thanks Joe, I appreciate your cooperation. I thought something was weird, I see Blu-Ray players for 2 thousand dollars, then there are ones on the same Best Buy page for $199

[Rassilon]

If you have an HDTV, then YES.
If you also have a good home theater surround sound setup, then DOUBLE YES.
The sound and picture quality of blu-ray is amazing. Check out the BBC planet earth set for some astounding video photography.

I buy blu-ray movies whenever a new movie that i really want comes out, or whenever there is a good sale with some movies i like (amazon has had several 3-for-2, and similar deals).

you dont need a $2000 player... hell, there are still DVD players that cost over $1000.
The PS3 is an excellent player. the remote is a separate purchase, but it works really well (and is better than using a controller).
There are a few sony, panasonic and samsung players that are around the same price as a ps3 that are good as well. I'd stay away from the super cheap no-name or store brand stuff..

[Zebbe]

Blu-ray has pretty bad quality. I'd say wait until they come up with something better.

[Rassilon]

Blu-ray has pretty bad quality. I'd say wait until they come up with something better.

???
Care to explain? Are you being sarcastic, or just ignorant?

[sega fan]

If you have an HDTV, then YES.
If you also have a good home theater surround sound setup, then DOUBLE YES.

Yeah, my Hitachi HD is great, although not much use outside of standard tv and gaming. I also have a surround sound 4-speaker setup under my bed but never had the needs to use it once I moved to america.

[Joe Redifer]

Are you being sarcastic, or just ignorant?

He is being sarcastic.

However he may be one of those people who expects a new format every few years. I like to ask those people: Did you expect HDTV to come out and there NOT to be an HD movie format? Did you expect HDTV to NOT come out?

[Rassilon]

He is being sarcastic.

haha, ok. my sarcasm detector is on the fritz today.


Yeah, my Hitachi HD is great, although not much use outside of standard tv and gaming. I also have a surround sound 4-speaker setup under my bed but never had the needs to use it once I moved to america.
You should get the surround sound setup out (or pick up a new 5.1 setup). Sound is 50% of a movie, and a good audio setup is at least as important as a good TV.

[GameUser-16-32-128]

Frankly, I don't care about Blue Ray as being the new format to see Movies. As a storage medium it is the way to go. Playing regular dvds with a dvd player that can upscale dvd movies on an hdtv looks wonderful. I think Blue Ray will go the way of the Beta and CED's unless they release this movie:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/e/e1/Keepposter.jpg

[VinnyT]

I'm still planning on getting a 360 and a Blu-Ray when I come into a real job again. I like the idea of it helping out old DVD's (and by old I mean the first string of DVD's when THAT format first came out) and I figure one day DVD will die, and Blu-Ray will become normal, then discs just may go down to $20 like everything else now.

This is coming from the perspective of someone who's been following this is retail for the last two years.

[Rassilon]

So you dont care about having an HD movie format? In that case, why even bother with an HDTV? DVDs looked fine on an SDTV (actually better than upscaled. You cant add information, and displaying something at its native resolution gives you the best picture).

Upscaled DVDs can look decent (given a good scaler), but blu-ray is SIGNIFICANTLY better.

[Rassilon]

I'm still planning on getting a 360 and a Blu-Ray when I come into a real job again. I like the idea of it helping out old DVD's (and by old I mean the first string of DVD's when THAT format first came out) and I figure one day DVD will die, and Blu-Ray will become normal, then discs just may go down to $20 like everything else now.

This is coming from the perspective of someone who's been following this is retail for the last two years.
I havent paid over $20 for any of the blu-ray movies i own (the bladerunner 5 disc suitcase special edition may have been more, but it was a gift)

[Zebbe]

???
Care to explain? Are you being sarcastic, or just ignorant?

Both. Just wait 'til you see the stuff from the future. It blows Blu-ray away and you will need to upgrade your collection once again so the movie companies get that money they say they lost due to file sharing.

[Melf]

Yeah, they're already pretty cheap, unless you go someplace like Borders. I saw T2 and Predator at Walmart yesterday for only $10. Of course, they were sold out. :(

[Rassilon]

right... I guess i shouldnt buy a computer either, since the stuff in the future will be so much better.

Blu-ray will be THE movie media for the foreseeable future. If you dont buy something because something else in the future might be better, you would never buy anything.

[GameUser-16-32-128]

So you dont care about having an HD movie format? In that case, why even bother with an HDTV? DVDs looked fine on an SDTV (actually better than upscaled. You cant add information, and displaying something at its native resolution gives you the best picture).

Upscaled DVDs can look decent (given a good scaler), but blu-ray is SIGNIFICANTLY better.

So that I can watch the Simpsons on HDTV. Will they still be around next year on Standard TV broadcast next year? Plus I got my HDTV for cheap when I moved here on my own a year and a half ago. Upscaled DVDs may look decent to the technophile geeks and experts out there, but to the average don't know everything about technology like my wife the difference is minimal.

[Rassilon]

Have you actually SEEN blu-ray? or are you just assuming that since upscaled DVDs look "good enough" that the difference is minimal?

If you dont notice a dramatic difference, either your TV is broken, or your eyes are.

And yes, simpsons will be likely be in standard def TV broadcast next year (is it in HD now? i havent watched the simpsons for years). The Digitial broadcast changeover is NOT changing to all HD broadcasts. The majority of the content will (sadly) still be SD as it is now, just in digital (vs analog) broadcast format.

[GameUser-16-32-128]

The jump from VHS to DVD was dramatic and obvious. The jump from DVD to Blue Ray does not provide any benefits other than higher resolution, which to be fair is a great reason to want that upgrade, but there is nothing else. Cool menus and new interactive layer? Wow! In reality people like me, my wife and millions of others just want to watch the stinking movie. Better sound? 5.1 Dolby or DTS is pretty much the best it's going to get.

[Rassilon]

5.1 Dolby or DTS is pretty much the best it's going to get.
so your ears are broken too? lol
The Dolby TrueHD or DTS HD Master LOSSLESS audio tracks on blu-ray are incredible.

The picture and sound quality are a bigger jump over DVD than DVD was over VHS.
If you dont care about quality, thats your own problem, but many people appreciate the obvious and noticeable improvements blu-ray gives us.

[Melf]

I also like not having movies like The Lord of the Rings take up three discs. Larger storage space FTW.

[GameUser-16-32-128]

I only care about big leaps of quality not slightly better enhancements which is what Blue Ray basically is. So now I have to listen to "True" Loss Less audio in my music and sound effects because Dolby 5.1, Dolby Stereo, and plain everyday sounds I hear everyday like the train rumbling by my apartment, birds chirping and the annoying neighbors who argue in the middle of the night isn't good enough? I definitely need a pair of robot ear implants to notice the difference then. How much high quality can you get with sound and music? I seriously think that these new decoders and music formats have hit their plateu. Hell even vinyl sounds better than CD! How can you argue that new technology like Blue Ray will be the best thing ever if people are still sticking to their DVDs and huge collections? There is no guarantee that every single movie will be converted into blue ray format from the previous one. There are still movies out there in VHS format that I still can't find on DVD! Now that blue ray is almost here (but not quite and still expensive), it's going to get worse. Not everyone has the technical know how on how to convert a vhs or beta tape of their favorite movie to blue ray. Maybe when prices are low and affordable in the future 5 years from now I'll get a blue-ray, but by that time they'll introduce another format that'll just make blue-ray obsolete. Right Zebbe?

[Iron Lizard]

Once again all the stuff is neat but requires me to buy a new TV and receiver to take advantage of it. Until I do I don't really care I would rather spend my money on gofast parts ,old video games, rent, and food. If I had money to throw around I wouldn't think twice. Burning DVD's is also pretty cool.

[Rassilon]

I only care about big leaps of quality not slightly better enhancements which is what Blue Ray basically is. So now I have to listen to "True" Loss Less audio in my music and sound effects because Dolby 5.1, Dolby Stereo, and plain everyday sounds I hear everyday like the train rumbling by my apartment, birds chirping and the annoying neighbors who argue in the middle of the night isn't good enough? I definitely need a pair of robot ear implants to notice the difference then. How much high quality can you get with sound and music? I seriously think that these new decoders and music formats have hit their plateu. Hell even vinyl sounds better than CD! How can you argue that new technology like Blue Ray will be the best thing ever if people are still sticking to their DVDs and huge collections? There is no guarantee that every single movie will be converted into blue ray format from the previous one. There are still movies out there in VHS format that I still can't find on DVD! Now that blue ray is almost here (but not quite and still expensive), it's going to get worse. Not everyone has the technical know how on how to convert a vhs or beta tape of their favorite movie to blue ray. Maybe when prices are low and affordable in the future 5 years from now I'll get a blue-ray, but by that time they'll introduce another format that'll just make blue-ray obsolete. Right Zebbe?
Then why do you have an HDTV? its only a "slightly better enhancement" over an old SD set.
I suppose you're happy with the stock earbuds that came with your iPod, and think that 128kbps mp3s are good enough too?

Your problem is that you are projecting your lack of interest/appreciation in better quality onto others (and it doesnt require any technical knowhow to notice and appreciate what blu-ray offers on a nice HDTV with a nice sound system).

PS: there is no point in converting a vhs tape to blu-ray, as you still have the (lack of) quality of the original source.

[The Sports Guy]

I have a HDTV but no DVD player other than the standard Xbox 360 one. I was mildly thinking about buying the cheap a** HDDVD player for asthetic reasons, but I thought buying chinese food for dinner that night would be better lol.

Shouldnt Microsoft release one for 360? I would snatch one up most likely.

[Black_Tiger]

The one downside of bluray movies right now is that most people don't have three players in their house and a portable one for traveling. So you can't play your movies anywhere you want the way you can dvds at the moment.

It's nice to be able to play a bluray movie in my bedroom instead of having to stay up late in the living room where my PS3 is. When I bought a laptop recently, I picked one with a bluray drive so it functions as a second player for my bedroom and I can use it on upcoming road trips.

I wouldn't mind watching things on dvds in these situations, but every new movie/show I now buy on bluray I don't have a version of it on dvd.


But yeah, if you care about movies/shows and have decent vision/hearing, you should switch to bluray, the sooner the better. If you really like watching movies at home, it's worth upgrading to 1080p if you don't have it.

[Joe Redifer]

Regarding VHS vs DVD compared to DVD vs Blu-Ray:

The jump from VHS to DVD was much more apparent? Surely you are not talking about picture quality. Yes, it was definitely better, but was less than twice the resolution of VHS. What most people liked and thought were better were the fact that they didn't have to rewind, chapter searching, surround sound and special features. All of the things they ignored on LaserDiscs which did the same thing eons before DVD. So even then DVD wasn't really new. It just offered the same ol' stuff on a more convenient, smaller disc with unskippable and annoyingly animated menus. Blu-ray offers MORE than 5 times greater resolution than DVD. Maybe it won't blow you away the second you see the first frame on a Blu-Ray movie, but you do get used to it and after a while watching a DVD will make you feel like a registered sex offender.

[Black_Tiger]

I was amazed even by the jump in quality of bluray movies from my 720p TV to my new 1080p TV.

And the upscaling of all your old dvds is a huge additional benefit. It's very noticeable over un-upscaled dvds on the same TV, but bluray is still so much better.

So even if you don't want to re-buy a film, it's worth it just to watch your old dvds on and continue to buy new release on bluray.

[GameUser-16-32-128]

Then why do you have an HDTV? its only a "slightly better enhancement" over an old SD set.
I suppose you're happy with the stock earbuds that came with your iPod, and think that 128kbps mp3s are good enough too?

Your problem is that you are projecting your lack of interest/appreciation in better quality onto others (and it doesnt require any technical knowhow to notice and appreciate what blu-ray offers on a nice HDTV with a nice sound system).

PS: there is no point in converting a vhs tape to blu-ray, as you still have the (lack of) quality of the original source.

Okay when I said standard tv, I meant analog standard tv. I got an HDTV because it was dirt cheap a year and a half ago (back then they were expensive weren't they!?) plus I got a free microwave oven and was moving out on my own. What was I going to do? Take the family TV with me? So the difference in 128 kbps is not the same as 190 kbps!? Frankly I can't tell the difference between 16-Bit Stereo and 1 million bit stereo. I would have to get giant speakers to notice those audible differences now would I? Now if you compare that to say mono, then we're getting somewhere! Too bad I don't have indespensible income to buy ipods, a new computer and a blue ray player. I'm quite happy with my 8 year old Mac that still performs within optimal standards as long as I don't throw 100 things at it at the same time and also still have a kick ass time playing with my genesis, saturn and dreamcast. No watered-down gameplay versions of the same games on the next-gen consoles for me. Inconceivable!

The only problem I have is I can't afford to buy technology that isn't "all that" if I can't see great out of print classics such as

http://www.cultrararevideos.com/coco.jpg

For sega fan: If you got the dough, then go ahead and blow it on the new format! If you're strapped on cash then I'd suggest waiting till it's more popular and dirt cheap.

[Melf]

Blu-Ray players are as cheap as $150 now, so you won't have to wait long. The more HDTVs are adopted, the more people are going to switch to BR.

[Flygon]

Think of it this way, in 4 years time if you want to get new movies you have to have a blu-ray player.

[Megadragon15]

Everyone should buy Blu-ray. Sony needs the money after all...

[Joe Redifer]

I'm sold.