What works better? Blu Ray or Upscaled DVD?

Question

Hey guys. I'm about to lash out on some movie purchases but I do not know whether to get the Blu Ray iterations or the DVD ones. Now, will an upscaled DVD look good on an HDTV? Is there a significant different from Blu ray to DVD? See, I've been hearing that Blu Ray looks way better than an upscaled DVD, but DVD's are more simple, because I can watch them anywhere. In the car, someone else's house, etc. Blu Ray's restrict me to my PS3 only. Does Blu Ray make that much of a difference?

Answer 1

right now they are probably about the same, but blu ray still has growth coming so it will blow away dvd soon

also dvd is cheaper (at least what ive seen)

Answer 2

It depends on your viewing distance, the size of the tv and it's resolution, but also on the quality of the blu-ray discs and dvds in question.

Upscaling can make things "sharper", but it can't create any information thats not there. So if the blu-ray disc utilizes the maximum resolution well there could be much more image information for each frame of the movie. The question is whether you'll notice it or not. talking about a viewing distance of maybe 2 to 3 meters: If you use a 32" screen that doesn't support Full HD (= no 1080p) you will see a slight, but by all means no impressive difference between a good DVD and a blu-ray disc. Starting from 37" 1080p TVs the differenced becomes more obvious. (especially if you don't use the larger size of the tv to increase your viewing distance, but instead really use it to 'cover' a larger area of your field of vision) From 40" or 42" onwards with a viewing distance of less than 4 meters (or better: about 3 meters) the difference becomes so incredibly obvious that, if you do a direct comparison, you'll likely not want to look at the dvd pic too long. That being said: If you don't do a direct comparison, but just watch the stuff: A well-done upscaling on a good DVD will still yield you impressive results and you could have many great "home theatre" sessions ... it's just that on larger screens the blu-ray is so much more impressive.

Even if you don't have such a large screen, yet: Who knows what may come. That's why I for my part (using a 32" HD ready TV) buy visually impressive Films and blockbusters on blu-ray, but older films on DVD. (The difference of the prices is significant after all. ;) )

Answer 3

BluRay is true HD with a LOT more information per screen than standard def.

If you want cheap disks to drag around to the car/friends houses - go with standard DVD.

But if you look forward to a favorite movie coming out on DVD/BluRay, have a calibrated 5.1 surround system and make an 'event' out of watching a movie on your home theater - then you are a movie lover.  You want the BluRay copies.

Answer 4

DJ Kari your answer is completely wrong.  Here's why, with DVD's upconverted it still is going off the 480p signal which means that there are 480 lines (one on top of the other) to create the image you see.

With Bluray the image is 1080p which means that there are 1080 lines stacked on top of each other to create the image.  So there is far more clarity, sharpness, depth and color reproduction (because of the higher memory on Bluray discs).

Granted upscaled DVD looks "better" than a regular DVD player, it is constructing pixels which match surrounding pixels to appear sharper.  But if you place an upconverted movie next to a Bluray movie, you will see a huge difference between the two.

The thing about the PS3 is that if connected to a TV via the HDMI it has upconversion and will make your regular DVD's look better, but also plays Bluray movies.

An upconerting player by itself, will only play regular DVD's and not Bluray at all.

With a modern reciever you can also get the new lossless audio features via Bluray which will immerse you even further in the movie with great sound.  i would go with the PS3 all the way.