Blu-Ray vs. HD DVD?
The sizzle in the Steak
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 71,436
Likes: 1,877
From: Southern California
I dont really buy either one. I just netflix.
After selling off a huge chunk of my DVD collection because of space, and realizing how much I initially spent on them vs. how often they got watched and what I was given in return for selling...well, not worth it to me anymore.
It was just another thing I was spending money on and collecting. I put a stop to that.
After selling off a huge chunk of my DVD collection because of space, and realizing how much I initially spent on them vs. how often they got watched and what I was given in return for selling...well, not worth it to me anymore.
It was just another thing I was spending money on and collecting. I put a stop to that.
I came to that conclusion a few years back. I used to pick up a DVD a week..pretty much. What a waste of $$$ 
I still have a bunch still in plastic.
I rent 'em now...and buy very few.
More $$$ for me!
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 10,497
Likes: 279
Lately I've been watching more online tv than my cable...(which is not real hi-def anyways)
sites like www.bedroommedia.co.uk (watch any movie, but it seesm to be down since yesterday)
and www.veoh.net you can watch any show you want...
All free, there are others, I'll try to compile a list.
And if you guys have Satellite dishes, I suggest you check out Nfusion boxes.
P.S. I basically bought an upconverting dvd player with usb port (like philips, oppo), and I just copy files there to the usb flash, stick into the dvd player, and watch it... Yes, it's not the 1080p you are getting from blue-ray, but still it's cheaper... with the internet improving, you are about to forget about the existence of blue-ray or hd. Mind you, and I'm a videophile, just very patient.
sites like www.bedroommedia.co.uk (watch any movie, but it seesm to be down since yesterday)
and www.veoh.net you can watch any show you want...
All free, there are others, I'll try to compile a list.
And if you guys have Satellite dishes, I suggest you check out Nfusion boxes.
P.S. I basically bought an upconverting dvd player with usb port (like philips, oppo), and I just copy files there to the usb flash, stick into the dvd player, and watch it... Yes, it's not the 1080p you are getting from blue-ray, but still it's cheaper... with the internet improving, you are about to forget about the existence of blue-ray or hd. Mind you, and I'm a videophile, just very patient.
Moderator Alumnus
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 4,295
Likes: 121
From: Ronkonkoma, NY
Blu-ray is definitely starting to get cheaper.
I picked up the well regarded Panasonic BD30K for $244 recently.
I also netflix, although I have a pretty decent collection.
I like to loan movies out to other people, though, so that's a bit of a turnoff in regards to actually buying HD-DVD/Blu-ray disks. Although I will likely buy one just for demo purchases if people come over.
- Frank
I picked up the well regarded Panasonic BD30K for $244 recently.
I also netflix, although I have a pretty decent collection.
I like to loan movies out to other people, though, so that's a bit of a turnoff in regards to actually buying HD-DVD/Blu-ray disks. Although I will likely buy one just for demo purchases if people come over.
- Frank
The sizzle in the Steak
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 71,436
Likes: 1,877
From: Southern California
The Third Ball
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 50,494
Likes: 5,869
From: Los Angeles, Ca
I Shoot with a Camera
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 23,082
Likes: 3,684
From: Vancouver BC
I'll admit... everytime I see that millenium falcon at Target, I say to myself... "damn... if I was 8 again... I'd sooooooooo buy that thing in a heartbeat..."
but you're right.... they're not the same as they used to be...
but you're right.... they're not the same as they used to be...
The Third Ball
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 50,494
Likes: 5,869
From: Los Angeles, Ca
Last Star Wars thing I bought was a TRU exclusive "Disturbance at the Lars Homestead" it was so morbid I couldnt not get it
There is also a Sarlacc Pit Playset coming out at as a Target Exclusive..I'll get that, too. But thats about it.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 28,435
Likes: 1,573
From: Miami, FL
Racer
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 376
Likes: 0
From: Pasadena, CA
The sizzle in the Steak
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 71,436
Likes: 1,877
From: Southern California
That one is actually really cool because its an all new mold and much bigger. But they had to go and be gay and make a little removable ship out of part of it. Its cool but I'm not buying it.
Last Star Wars thing I bought was a TRU exclusive "Disturbance at the Lars Homestead" it was so morbid I couldnt not get it
There is also a Sarlacc Pit Playset coming out at as a Target Exclusive..I'll get that, too. But thats about it.
Last Star Wars thing I bought was a TRU exclusive "Disturbance at the Lars Homestead" it was so morbid I couldnt not get it
There is also a Sarlacc Pit Playset coming out at as a Target Exclusive..I'll get that, too. But thats about it.
The Third Ball
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 50,494
Likes: 5,869
From: Los Angeles, Ca
The sizzle in the Steak
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 71,436
Likes: 1,877
From: Southern California
The Third Ball
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 50,494
Likes: 5,869
From: Los Angeles, Ca
Big Block go VROOOM!
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 8,578
Likes: 1
From: Chicago Burbs
x10I may have to take release day off from work.
From Roger Ebert:
The film was photographed over 14 months by director Ron Fricke, who invented a time-lapse camera system to use for it. In 1992, it was the first film since 1970 to be photographed in Todd-AO, a 65mm system, and in 2008, it seems to have been the last. The restored 2008 Blu-ray DVD is the finest video disc I have ever viewed or ever imagined. It was made from the Todd-AO print, which was digitally restored to a perfection arguably superior to the original film. It is the first 8K resolution video ever made of a 65mm film, on the world's only scanner capable of it. It is comparable to what is perceptible to the human eye, the restorers say. "Baraka" by itself is sufficient reason to acquire a Blu-ray player.
The Third Ball
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 50,494
Likes: 5,869
From: Los Angeles, Ca
x10I may have to take release day off from work.
From Roger Ebert:
http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/...WS08/810150290
I havent watched it since I saw a brand new 70mm print back in 2002.
Big Block go VROOOM!
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 8,578
Likes: 1
From: Chicago Burbs
Sarlacc & Dan, you guys both know there's a sequel currently in production, right?
http://www.in70mm.com/news/2008/samsara/index.htm
http://www.in70mm.com/news/2008/samsara/index.htm
Has anybody used the Digital Video Essentials: HD Basics to calibrate your TV? Is it worth it?
Big Block go VROOOM!
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 8,578
Likes: 1
From: Chicago Burbs
Has anybody used the Digital Video Essentials: HD Basics to calibrate your TV? Is it worth it?
Ya, it's only $15. I was just curious if it actually worked. I've heard there is a "secret" calibration on Sony Blu-Ray discs you can get to by pressing 7-6-6-9. Have you heard about the latter? No sense in buying it if the Sony one works.
I just did the 7-6-6-9 on my Casino Royale disc. I used these instructions:
http://www.highdefforum.com/high-def...libration.html
Turned out pretty good.
http://www.highdefforum.com/high-def...libration.html
Turned out pretty good.
The Third Ball
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 50,494
Likes: 5,869
From: Los Angeles, Ca
x10I may have to take release day off from work.
From Roger Ebert:
http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/...WS08/810150290
Kang Ho
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,872
Likes: 0
From: SJ, CA
I just did the 7-6-6-9 on my Casino Royale disc. I used these instructions:
http://www.highdefforum.com/high-def...libration.html
Turned out pretty good.
http://www.highdefforum.com/high-def...libration.html
Turned out pretty good.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 28,435
Likes: 1,573
From: Miami, FL
Which Blu-Ray do you guys think is the best one right now to show off the equipment and with a good story. I hear that Ironman is a very strong (I haven't seen it) in both regards. I hear that Speed Racer's color is 2nd to none but story is meh. Transformers looked pretty good when I saw it in Costco but I already have the DVD.
Go Giants
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 70,003
Likes: 1,260
From: PA
Which Blu-Ray do you guys think is the best one right now to show off the equipment and with a good story. I hear that Ironman is a very strong (I haven't seen it) in both regards. I hear that Speed Racer's color is 2nd to none but story is meh. Transformers looked pretty good when I saw it in Costco but I already have the DVD.
The Third Ball
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 50,494
Likes: 5,869
From: Los Angeles, Ca
That doesnt do any any good unless they have a wratten blue #2 gel to look at them through...Unless you TV actually has a "blue" display which I'd be surprised to hear.
Moderator Alumnus
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 4,295
Likes: 121
From: Ronkonkoma, NY
I'm thinking of getting the Fifth Element, just cuz it's soooo much fun.
(The remastered one, of course, not the original **** release)
I'm pretty curious about Baraka, too. Too bad it's 'long wait' on netflix.
- Frank
It's a few different screens. One is color bars, one is B&W with M.C. Escher like symbols on it. It has the 16:9 arrows at the corners. There were 2 other screens that I wasn't sure how to use. I just adjusted the TV's settings on the first to screens. The picture seems slightly better than before I made the adjustments. Just a quick calibration.
I figured since it was already on the disc, I wouldcheck it out.
Does the Digital Video Essentials disc go through a more in-depth calibration?
Big White Chocolate
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 6,487
Likes: 7
From: San Francisco, CA
For video:
Ratatouille
Cars
I, Robot
I Am Legend
Apocalypto
Black Hawk Down
For audio:
Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds at Radio City Music Hall (has great video, too, but can be deemed a little boring as it's just two guys on stage)
Apocalypto
Black Hawk Down
Die Hard 4
Matrix Trilogy
U-571
Master & Commander
The Third Ball
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 50,494
Likes: 5,869
From: Los Angeles, Ca
Its has the sharpness charts, the framing charts.
It also has the color bars, but comes with the filter you need to look through to acurately calibrate them.
Moderator Alumnus
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 4,295
Likes: 121
From: Ronkonkoma, NY
Geesh, look at this review of Baraka Blu-ray:
http://www.thedigitalbits.com/review...untbaraka.html
I might have to get it as a demo disk.
- Frank
http://www.thedigitalbits.com/review...untbaraka.html
I might have to get it as a demo disk.
- Frank