Is Disney Done with DVD? (The Never Ending Blu-Ray Debate)

[ajmrowland]

It's at 1080p.

I'm not a n00b when it comes to connections - my PS3 and Xbox 360 are both using HDMI and will display up to 1080p depending on the source (The PS3 is kinda notorious for not upscaling non-HD extras on Blu-Rays)

I never questioned that you have HDMI. I would've known that someone as tech-savvy as you would. Too many people are just uneducated.

As far as I, Robot is concerned - the guy is obviously comparing them using a computer. Because in order to talk about how stuff has no grain, whatever, you have to be looking at the actual frames.
There is only one DVD that I know of - unless the single disc and 2-disc have different transfers. (I have the 2-disc version)

Yet, grain can still be noticeable on a tv with some movies(blus included), It's no surprise that this film never had grain.

I'm not saying the Blu-Ray didn't look great, I'm saying the DVD also did. Maybe the people reviewing/comparing don't have good upscaling equipment. (And using a projector should negate the need for upscaling... projectors are a ton better than HDTVs as they aren't so resolution-dependent like the TVs are... provided you have a GOOD projector, at least)

I haven't seen any Pixar movies on Blu-Ray so I can't comment on those. I've heard nothing but praise for Wall-E, but then again I've never watched the standard DVD on my HDTV either. Like I said, some films look better, others don't. Pixar would make sense as they're known for elaborate 3D animation - but not all animated movies would look different (as I already said, 2D animated shows like Family Guy look great upscaled)

Well, considering that the movies are CGI and encoded at 1080p, as opposed to the 480 encode that's on most DVDs, the added resolution is actually very clear. You can see, like, the smallest blades of grass in Madagascar, or little details in the pavement in various shots in Cars. Wall-E, with all the focus of it's cinematography, is still a perfect transfer. Hell, I could not help but watch "The Pixar Story" and marvel at how good the clips from their/disney movies look encoded in AVC/Mpeg-4 at 1080p resolution. they all looked amazing! Of course, I try not to let this get in the way of my movie-watching experience, but wow!

[DarthPrime]

If your thinking about a PS3 wait if you can... There is a rumor right now that the PS3 will receive a price drop soon (Spring/Summer 2009). The price that keeps popping up is $299 which makes the PS3 a great value over all, but I don't think it will drop that far. However its been outsold by the 360 and the Wii for awhile, and a big price drop is needed in my opinion as far as gaming is concerned.

If your computer can handle Blu-ray, Blu-ray drives for your computer are around $100 now.

[Widdi]

I don't notice the difference in anything I've seen.

Maybe it's just my shitty vision but I was watching a 50 inch tv playing Wall-E on Blu and a 50 inch TV playing Wall-E on DVD (the display was set up to show you the difference) and it looked exactly the same.

That, my dear casual internet acquaintances, is why I shall not switch to Blu till DVD is 100% dead and gone, which may or may not happen before another new format comes along.

[ajmrowland]

I don't notice the difference in anything I've seen.

Maybe it's just my shitty vision but I was watching a 50 inch tv playing Wall-E on Blu and a 50 inch TV playing Wall-E on DVD (the display was set up to show you the difference) and it looked exactly the same.

That, my dear casual internet acquaintances, is why I shall not switch to Blu till DVD is 100% dead and gone, which may or may not happen before another new format comes along.

There's stuff to factor in. Like I say a similar display with Open Season. One tv looked like it was using Blu-ray wiht HDMI, and the other looked like the DVD with the crappy standard yellow/white/red cable that comes with every single home electronic out there.

Or it may be your "crappy vision". Just know that there are a lot of people who claim not to see the difference, and also have good vision.

[drfsupercenter]

PS3 has qutie a few great games to play, and heck I'm a fairly sparse game player. My first DVD player was almost 300 bucks when they first came out, and DVDs for new releases rival some of amazon's new Blu Ray prices.

I mainly got a PS3 as it makes a good "media hub" - you can stream media files from your PC to it and watch them on your TV. I have a Wii and Xbox 360, and the majority of my gaming is on those. (As hey, about 90% of video games now are for both 360 and PS3...)
Though I rented LittleBigPlanet and it was pretty fun... maybe if I can find a cheap used copy I'll buy it. Though gaming was the least of my concerns when I bought a PS3 - there aren't that many good PS3-only games, save for maybe MGS4...

As for a price drop... I heard the reverse, actually. I heard Sony wanted to *raise* the price to $500, since they currently lose about $50 for every system they sell. (Which I just love, BTW since I hate Sony ). I also heard a rumor that they will make a lower priced one, but get rid of Blu-Ray playback (which is what makes probably 75% of PS3 owners buy it to begin with)... seems a bit unorthodox to me considering that PS3 games are stored on Blu-Ray discs, but that's just me.

Well, considering that the movies are CGI and encoded at 1080p, as opposed to the 480 encode that's on most DVDs, the added resolution is actually very clear. You can see, like, the smallest blades of grass in Madagascar, or little details in the pavement in various shots in Cars. Wall-E, with all the focus of it's cinematography, is still a perfect transfer. Hell, I could not help but watch "The Pixar Story" and marvel at how good the clips from their/disney movies look encoded in AVC/Mpeg-4 at 1080p resolution. they all looked amazing! Of course, I try not to let this get in the way of my movie-watching experience, but wow!

Well yeah, the CGI movies might need a higher resolution. But I think a large part depends on how well the DVD is done (some DVDs have really good transfers, while some new ones don't due to the companies slacking (and promoting Blu-Ray... there's a rumor that WB intentionally made a subpar DVD transfer of The Dark Knight to make people see this "huge" improvement to Blu-Ray and switch over))
But then again, the Pixar movies don't look *bad* on DVD either. I was actually surprised how pixelated Toy Story was upscaled, but it's still enjoyable nonetheless... it's not like I'm gonna not watch it because it's a little blurry.

There's stuff to factor in. Like I say a similar display with Open Season. One tv looked like it was using Blu-ray wiht HDMI, and the other looked like the DVD with the crappy standard yellow/white/red cable that comes with every single home electronic out there.

Could be the other way around, too. I've seen some stores like Costco where everything is only hooked up using component cables... so when they're showing the difference between HD and normal TV, it looks exactly the same for both.
And it actually made me smirk at HD at first, I was like "Why would I want to buy one of these TVs where everything on it is pixelated as frick?"
But then I realized that it was just their setup, and stuff can look a lot better if properly upscaled... My Panasonic TV just happens to have a great TV upscaler in it so watching standard definition channels doesn't really look bad to me.

Just know that there are a lot of people who claim not to see the difference, and also have good vision.

Like me. I have 20/20 with my glasses.

But as I said, there's no difference in some movies, and a difference in others. It's not the Blu-Ray format I hate so much, but its elitist advertising campaign. Those stupid ads saying things like "Watching non-HD content on your HDTV is like driving a sports car in first gear"... um, try third or fourth gear. And not to mention all the people on this forum who go around talking like it's "Blu-Ray or Death"... it seriously annoys me. DVDs are still great.

[CampbellzSoup]

Sony raise the price on PS3? Were you reading Team Xbox.com??


If anything in the end I just want teh best picture/sound from my disney films.

[DarthPrime]

Well according to several things I've read Sony looses money on the PS3, so they probably wouldn't mind raising the price. However they are in 3rd place on console sales overall, raising prices would kill the PS3 in my opinion.

[my chicken is infected]

You've got some kind of splinter up your butt about Blu-Ray, and I'm sick of it. "As we all know, Blu-Ray isn't catching on and isn't likely to." That's a lie. You're either ignorant, or you're intentionally spreading lies about the format. So you're either a fool, or you're a liar. I don't think you're a fool, because you have a level head on other subjects. So I can only assume the latter.

The irony of the bolded statement...it kills. I don't get why the fact that some people aren't trampling over each other to buy a Blu-Ray player is pissing you off so much. Aren't there more important things in the world to worry about?

[ajmrowland]

PS3 has qutie a few great games to play, and heck I'm a fairly sparse game player. My first DVD player was almost 300 bucks when they first came out, and DVDs for new releases rival some of amazon's new Blu Ray prices.

I mainly got a PS3 as it makes a good "media hub" - you can stream media files from your PC to it and watch them on your TV. I have a Wii and Xbox 360, and the majority of my gaming is on those. (As hey, about 90% of video games now are for both 360 and PS3...)
Though I rented LittleBigPlanet and it was pretty fun... maybe if I can find a cheap used copy I'll buy it. Though gaming was the least of my concerns when I bought a PS3 - there aren't that many good PS3-only games, save for maybe MGS4...

Yeah, that was my primary reason for getting a PS3. It was(and still is) the best value for being both a game console and a blu-ray/upscaling DVD player. I've got some games for it, Wall-E(just for the graphics), Oblivion, Madagascar 2, and CoD: Modern Warfare.

As for a price drop... I heard the reverse, actually. I heard Sony wanted to *raise* the price to $500, since they currently lose about $50 for every system they sell. (Which I just love, BTW since I hate Sony ). I also heard a rumor that they will make a lower priced one, but get rid of Blu-Ray playback (which is what makes probably 75% of PS3 owners buy it to begin with)... seems a bit unorthodox to me considering that PS3 games are stored on Blu-Ray discs, but that's just me.

Can't comment there, except that people are stupid.

Well, considering that the movies are CGI and encoded at 1080p, as opposed to the 480 encode that's on most DVDs, the added resolution is actually very clear. You can see, like, the smallest blades of grass in Madagascar, or little details in the pavement in various shots in Cars. Wall-E, with all the focus of it's cinematography, is still a perfect transfer. Hell, I could not help but watch "The Pixar Story" and marvel at how good the clips from their/disney movies look encoded in AVC/Mpeg-4 at 1080p resolution. they all looked amazing! Of course, I try not to let this get in the way of my movie-watching experience, but wow!

Well yeah, the CGI movies might need a higher resolution. But I think a large part depends on how well the DVD is done (some DVDs have really good transfers, while some new ones don't due to the companies slacking (and promoting Blu-Ray... there's a rumor that WB intentionally made a subpar DVD transfer of The Dark Knight to make people see this "huge" improvement to Blu-Ray and switch over))
But then again, the Pixar movies don't look *bad* on DVD either. I was actually surprised how pixelated Toy Story was upscaled, but it's still enjoyable nonetheless... it's not like I'm gonna not watch it because it's a little blurry.

Neither am I. Although I love Blu-ray, that doesn't stop me from getting titles that are only available in DVD format. I've actually been purchasing more Disney DVDs since being on this site, for the sake of expanding my collection and because there are some out there I haven't seen in a while. Just got 101 Dalmatians(live action) today, as a matter of fact, and am going to watch it.

There's stuff to factor in. Like I say a similar display with Open Season. One tv looked like it was using Blu-ray wiht HDMI, and the other looked like the DVD with the crappy standard yellow/white/red cable that comes with every single home electronic out there.

Could be the other way around, too. I've seen some stores like Costco where everything is only hooked up using component cables... so when they're showing the difference between HD and normal TV, it looks exactly the same for both.
And it actually made me smirk at HD at first, I was like "Why would I want to buy one of these TVs where everything on it is pixelated as frick?"
But then I realized that it was just their setup, and stuff can look a lot better if properly upscaled... My Panasonic TV just happens to have a great TV upscaler in it so watching standard definition channels doesn't really look bad to me.
Yeah, colorwise, they're exactly the same.

I'll admit that the campaign is a little exaggerated. But there is some truth, despite how big they try to make the difference look.

Just know that there are a lot of people who claim not to see the difference, and also have good vision.

Like me. I have 20/20 with my glasses.

But as I said, there's no difference in some movies, and a difference in others. It's not the Blu-Ray format I hate so much, but its elitist advertising campaign. Those stupid ads saying things like "Watching non-HD content on your HDTV is like driving a sports car in first gear"... um, try third or fourth gear. And not to mention all the people on this forum who go around talking like it's "Blu-Ray or Death"... it seriously annoys me. DVDs are still great.

Like I just posted, I ,for one, still buy DVDs.

[2099net]

Sony raise the price on PS3? Were you reading Team Xbox.com??


If anything in the end I just want teh best picture/sound from my disney films.

The strength of the yen compared to other currencies has actually made Sony raise the price on some other electronic goods they manufacture, such as TVs and yes, again the strength of the yen is making them loose more money per PS3 sold. However, I doubt that they will raise the price - simply put, they can't. I do doubt the price cut rumours though. The only price cut they can do is if they some how downgrade the spec of the console again IMO.

Oh and DRS, you know the Xbox360 is just as good a media hub as the PS3 don't you? In fact, its better - I can stream my DRM protected BBC iPlayer downloads to my 360, but the PS3 refuses to play them due to the Microsoft DRM. Oh, and being as you're so keen on upscaling, the 360's ANA chip arguably has superior upscaling too.

As for the never ending Blu-ray arguments: let's all just agree to disagree. Like politics and religion, it seems like no minds are going to be changed by no matter how many posts people read either pro or con on this forum.

[Marky_198]

2099net, I agree.

Let's all agree to disagree about the dvd/blu ray thing.

Because the funny thing is, years ago I had the same discussion over and over again, with people who said the laserdisc would be the new format because it was superior to vhs. I said that the general audience just wasn't interested in laserdisc enough, and those people did spend lots of money on buying the newest equipment, they wouldn't believe me, no matter what. But after a while, you know.........
So let's just wait and see

[drfsupercenter]

Sony raise the price on PS3? Were you reading Team Xbox.com??

No. I can't find the URL of that article I read (I think it was at Slashdot or somewhere though), but there's also this article saying that they're not gonna lower the price anytime soon.

I have heard about dropping Blu-ray. Don't think it would work now, although it might have been a good strategy for them 2 years ago. A Blu-ray less PS3 would fit into the other rumor going around saying that Sony wants to distribute new games over PSN. For $39.99 you can download the game, or for $59.99 you can still buy the disc version.

Didn't the first Xbox have a DVD drive in it because the games were on DVD discs? But I remember you had to buy a separate addon to play DVD movies on your Xbox. I think they just intentionally didn't give it the software needed to play DVDs in order to get more money out of people. I could see Sony doing something like that - because Sony is evil. Luckily I already have a PS3 (though sadly the newest one that doesn't do any PS2 stuff...) so I have nothing to worry about.

Neither am I. Although I love Blu-ray, that doesn't stop me from getting titles that are only available in DVD format. I've actually been purchasing more Disney DVDs since being on this site, for the sake of expanding my collection and because there are some out there I haven't seen in a while. Just got 101 Dalmatians(live action) today, as a matter of fact, and am going to watch it.

I'm saying I buy DVDs even WHEN there is a Blu-Ray available. The only times I buy Blu-Ray is if it's cheaper than the DVD (I've seen some Blu-Ray for $16.99 where the 2-disc DVD is like $22 ) or it's one of those that just looks a ton better on Blu-Ray.
And I think all the movies I have on Blu-Ray I also have on standard DVD. As much as I hate double-dipping, I just don't see myself buying movies ONLY on Blu-Ray as I can't do anything with them aside from watching them on my PS3. (I did buy a couple of those HD-DVD/Standard DVD combos though, which is why I'm hoping they do that with Blu-Ray)

Oh and DRS, you know the Xbox360 is just as good a media hub as the PS3 don't you? In fact, its better - I can stream my DRM protected BBC iPlayer downloads to my 360, but the PS3 refuses to play them due to the Microsoft DRM. Oh, and being as you're so keen on upscaling, the 360's ANA chip arguably has superior upscaling too.

Yeah I never said the Xbox 360 wasn't good for that purpose. I was just saying that the PS3 makes a better media hub than gaming console. (And is why I got a PS3 rather than a settop Blu-Ray player, because I can stream stuff to it)
I think they use different types though - the Xbox 360 needs its stuff in WMV or mp4, while the PS3 works with other types. I haven't actually gotten the media sharing on the Xbox 360 to work right - because I refuse to upgrade to Vista/WMP11, so the Zune software is all I have to enable computer/Xbox sharing with. And only the music is working - the videos give me some filetype error.

And I know the Xbox 360 does a good job of upscaling too. It's odd, though, I think the two consoles have a different style of doing it. With the PS3, the picture isn't blurry at all, rather it's pixelated. With the Xbox 360 there's no pixelation, but it's kinda blurry. Both look the same from a distance. Ultimately I just wanted the Blu-Ray feature, and I like the Bluetooth remote of the PS3 better so I'm using that for DVDs now too. (though I have the HD-DVD addon for my Xbox 360 so I can play all types of video disc)

[PatrickvD]

I don't see Blu-Ray disappearing. The BD players play dvd's so it's not like consumers have some gun pointed to their heads.

The reason BD isn't catching on as quickly as dvd is because the difference in quality is smaller. Doesn't mean things won't go Blu down the line.

As for Pinoke, it looks great. The 2002 SE was already really good, so it'll be interesting to see just how much better this one is.

[ajmrowland]

Neither am I. Although I love Blu-ray, that doesn't stop me from getting titles that are only available in DVD format. I've actually been purchasing more Disney DVDs since being on this site, for the sake of expanding my collection and because there are some out there I haven't seen in a while. Just got 101 Dalmatians(live action) today, as a matter of fact, and am going to watch it.

I'm saying I buy DVDs even WHEN there is a Blu-Ray available. The only times I buy Blu-Ray is if it's cheaper than the DVD (I've seen some Blu-Ray for $16.99 where the 2-disc DVD is like $22 ) or it's one of those that just looks a ton better on Blu-Ray.

I know you do. I'm just saying that I don't ignore DVD or hold out for another version. I thought you would've gotten that.

And I think all the movies I have on Blu-Ray I also have on standard DVD. As much as I hate double-dipping, I just don't see myself buying movies ONLY on Blu-Ray as I can't do anything with them aside from watching them on my PS3. (I did buy a couple of those HD-DVD/Standard DVD combos though, which is why I'm hoping they do that with Blu-Ray)

That's why i like the Digital Copies and extra DVDs.

You have the Add-on to the Xbox. The format War was almost epic.

[ajmrowland]

I don't see Blu-Ray disappearing. The BD players play dvd's so it's not like consumers have some gun pointed to their heads.

The reason BD isn't catching on as quickly as dvd is because the difference in quality is smaller. Doesn't mean things won't go Blu down the line.

What part of "twice the adoption rate" font you understand?

It may not be catching on now, but It seems that's also due to the economy, and should take up at least half the market in the US by 2012.

As for Pinoke, it looks great. The 2002 SE was already really good, so it'll be interesting to see just how much better this one is.

I haven't seen the 2002 DVD, so as hell yeah, I'm getting this one!

[drfsupercenter]

That's why i like the Digital Copies and extra DVDs.

You have the Add-on to the Xbox. The format War was almost epic.

Ew, Digital Copy.

And yeah I have that addon... I got it before my PS3, it was like $40 on eBay. HD-DVD movies are cheaper, too, where I can find them.

[DarthPrime]

Sony raise the price on PS3? Were you reading Team Xbox.com??


If anything in the end I just want teh best picture/sound from my disney films.

The strength of the yen compared to other currencies has actually made Sony raise the price on some other electronic goods they manufacture, such as TVs and yes, again the strength of the yen is making them loose more money per PS3 sold. However, I doubt that they will raise the price - simply put, they can't. I do doubt the price cut rumours though. The only price cut they can do is if they some how downgrade the spec of the console again IMO.

Oh and DRS, you know the Xbox360 is just as good a media hub as the PS3 don't you? In fact, its better - I can stream my DRM protected BBC iPlayer downloads to my 360, but the PS3 refuses to play them due to the Microsoft DRM. Oh, and being as you're so keen on upscaling, the 360's ANA chip arguably has superior upscaling too.

As for the never ending Blu-ray arguments: let's all just agree to disagree. Like politics and religion, it seems like no minds are going to be changed by no matter how many posts people read either pro or con on this forum.

I can see where a price cut would be bad. Sony is loosing money on each system sold right now. They have already dropped about all the features you can think of besides wireless and Blu-ray. You have to keep Blu-ray, and wireless doesn't cost that much to add. Since some games require an install you also can't get rid of the hard drive like the 360 did with the Arcade/Core.

Dropping the price to $299 would also hurt other Blu-ray players on the market. Comparable players to the PS3 are still $250 to $300. If the PS3 is the same price its a no brainer on which to pick in my opinion because of the added features to the PS3. However you have to keep in mind that the PS3 is technically a game console first. Keeping it at $399 is not good for the game division. Microsoft already has a console at $199, and the Wii is at $249. Even though the PS3 has more features than both these systems the price is hurting it right now. I just don't see the PS3 coming back from 3rd right now without a major price drop. Sony used the PS3 to push Blu-ray forward. However in the end its provided little benefit to current games in my opinion, and its hurt the PS3 as a game console. HD DVD was also brought up... I think without Blu-ray in the PS3 things would be a lot different now. HD DVD already had cheaper players. Without the PS3 I think the format war would have went on longer, but HD DVD would have had a lot better chance to come out the "winner" when it was over. However it could have also ended up with both formats not going away and no clear winner, which would have hurt HD media completely...

Anyway back on topic. Thanks for the pictures of the Blu-ray. Looking forward to picking this up. I haven't seen this movie in at least 10 years.

[Anton Ego]

2099net, I agree.

Let's all agree to disagree about the dvd/blu ray thing.

Because the funny thing is, years ago I had the same discussion over and over again, with people who said the laserdisc would be the new format because it was superior to vhs. I said that the general audience just wasn't interested in laserdisc enough, and those people did spend lots of money on buying the newest equipment, they wouldn't believe me, no matter what. But after a while, you know.........
So let's just wait and see

In the US, Blu-ray penetrated into more homes and sold more software in its first two years (most of that during the format war) than did laserdisc in its first decade and a half.

Too expensive/not enough of a quality upgrade/people just don't want it: these and related complaints all seem sensible and logical, but they're speculative. It's interesting that so many of the same arguments attached to laserdisc have been used to illuminate Blu-ray's impending failure. It's at least as interesting that the same laundry list was used to explain why DVD would be a colossal flop.

[Rudy Matt]

The irony of the bolded statement...it kills. I don't get why the fact that some people aren't trampling over each other to buy a Blu-Ray player is pissing you off so much. Aren't there more important things in the world to worry about?

The fact that some people aren't adopting it isn't a concern to me. Blu-Ray is on track to sell 100 million units this year - up from 30 million in 2008. I don't care what some NTSC luddites do with their money

What IS a concern is constant bashing of the format by people who seem to have a vested interest in the format's death, and have no problem telling outright lies about the format. "As we all know, Blu-Ray isn't catching on, blah blah blah". It's pathetic. Try this on for size: "As we all know, Chernabog hates Blu-Ray, and lies about it constantly in every thread that concerns the format."

[CampbellzSoup]

The irony of the bolded statement...it kills. I don't get why the fact that some people aren't trampling over each other to buy a Blu-Ray player is pissing you off so much. Aren't there more important things in the world to worry about?

The fact that some people aren't adopting it isn't a concern to me. Blu-Ray is on track to sell 100 million units this year - up from 30 million in 2008. I don't care what some NTSC luddites do with their money

What IS a concern is constant bashing of the format by people who seem to have a vested interest in the format's death, and have no problem telling outright lies about the format. "As we all know, Blu-Ray isn't catching on, blah blah blah". It's pathetic. Try this on for size: "As we all know, Chernabog hates Blu-Ray, and lies about it constantly in every thread that concerns the format."

I agree!