A friend of mine has been wondering whether he should just skip blu-ray altogether. Since On-Demand and download options are growing, is skipping blu-ray a viable option?
robidoux wrote:A friend of mine has been wondering whether he should just skip blu-ray altogether. Since On-Demand and download options are growing, is skipping blu-ray a viable option?
I believe that your very question is being addressed in one of the next issues of Playback magazine (www.playbackmag.net). Unfortunately, I don't know what the conclusion is, but I'm as curious about the results as you.
Steven Stone Contributor to The Absolute Sound, EnjoytheMusic.com, Vintage Guitar Magazine, and other fine publications
Robert Harley -- Wed, 06/04/2008 - 09:53
I agree with Steven; downloads of high-def video aren't practical today or in the immediate future. Moreover, for the price of a BD player, you can have hD content today.
.up to 5 Mbps, Progressive Main Profile (CAVLC) with AAC-LC audio up to 160 Kbps (maximum resolution 1280x720 @ 24fps, 960x540 @ 30fps) in .m4v, .mp4, and .mov file formats
• iTunes Store purchased video, 320x240, 640x480, 720 by 480 pixels (anamorphic), or high-definition 720p
How is that not HD? Is it that most of the available files don't actually use the HD options?
While the i-Tunes store supports 720P HD, not much is available AND it takes most DSL lines a LONG time to download full-length movies. HD trailers are more plentiful and accessible. And yes, most of the material available at the i-tunes store is standard def.
Some videophiles argue that anything less than 1080P isn't REAL HD since 720P and 1080i require some scaling and/or de-interlacing to be shown on a 1080P display.
I've heard that the Apple TV has the internal hardware to support 1080P and may sometime in the future support that as well...
Would be nice if blu ray prices dropped down to their Xmas lows. Fat chance since there no competition now. Boycott Blu Ray until the prices drop!!!
Sheepherder
Shenandoah Valley, VA
A friend of mine has been wondering whether he should just skip blu-ray altogether. Since On-Demand and download options are growing, is skipping blu-ray a viable option?
robidoux wrote:A friend of mine has been wondering whether he should just skip blu-ray altogether. Since On-Demand and download options are growing, is skipping blu-ray a viable option?
I believe that your very question is being addressed in one of the next issues of Playback magazine (www.playbackmag.net). Unfortunately, I don't know what the conclusion is, but I'm as curious about the results as you.
Maybe somebody can give us a peak?
Jim
The primary problem with hi-def over the net will be download times for many would-be customers.
Imagine waiting 10 hours for your hi-def movie to download. If you have a slow DSL that could be you...
Blu-ray players offer a way for DVD player owners to get a far superior up-sampling machine and HD capability in one box.
On both of my projectors BR delivers a far superior picture than broadcast HD in terms of motion artifacts, sharpness, and video noise.
If $399 is too much to pay for a BR machine, it won't be long before $200 BR machines arrive on the scene.
Steven Stone
Contributor to The Absolute Sound, EnjoytheMusic.com, Vintage Guitar Magazine, and other fine publications
I agree with Steven; downloads of high-def video aren't practical today or in the immediate future. Moreover, for the price of a BD player, you can have hD content today.
Here are the specs for Apple TV:
.up to 5 Mbps, Progressive Main Profile (CAVLC) with AAC-LC audio up to 160 Kbps (maximum resolution 1280x720 @ 24fps, 960x540 @ 30fps) in .m4v, .mp4, and .mov file formats
• iTunes Store purchased video, 320x240, 640x480, 720 by 480 pixels (anamorphic), or high-definition 720p
How is that not HD? Is it that most of the available files don't actually use the HD options?
Discman wrote:
<>
While the i-Tunes store supports 720P HD, not much is available AND it takes most DSL lines a LONG time to download full-length movies. HD trailers are more plentiful and accessible. And yes, most of the material available at the i-tunes store is standard def.
Some videophiles argue that anything less than 1080P isn't REAL HD since 720P and 1080i require some scaling and/or de-interlacing to be shown on a 1080P display.
I've heard that the Apple TV has the internal hardware to support 1080P and may sometime in the future support that as well...
Steven Stone
Contributor to The Absolute Sound, EnjoytheMusic.com, Vintage Guitar Magazine, and other fine publications
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