Is Blu Ray Overrated?

[lacrosse_lady72]

Do you think Blu Ray is overrated?

I think it is. I have found that somethings look better, somethings look worse, and some have negligible effect. But Blu Ray to me is something I am not going to pay more than a couple of dollars for because it's too much of a chance. And, if they're really thinking I'm going to replace my entire collection again, they need to think again.

I don't hate it or anything, but seeing people go nuts over it makes me laugh.

What do you think?

Also, there's no other because it's a yes or no question.

 

[Micca]

I don't think you notice much visual improvement with blu-ray on screens under 50 inches. The bigger the screen, the more you'll appreciate blu-ray for picture quality. My screen is 70 inches and the improvement is noticeable.
Another aspect of blu-ray is the audio quality. Again, the simpler your setup for audio/surround sound, the less the quality will mean to you. The uncompressed audio available on most blu-ray discs is amazing when you have the gear to experience it. I'll be quick to add that most DVDs do not suck when played on a device that will up-convert for HDTV. I still enjoy watching DVDs, but I'll replace them with blu-ray versions as they become available.

 

[KristaTX]

I can't really tell a difference. Maybe I could if they were side-by-side .

I did buy both parts of the Deathly Hallows in Blu-ray. But I haven't watched them yet.

I also bought Super 8 in Blu-ray because it was just about as cheap, and it also came with the Blu-ray and regular DVD. I'll probably give the regular DVD to someone else. Such a terrific movie that I want to share it .

 

[Phil'sFrontier]

After 1080p blu-rays DVD looks a little rough. It makes a big difference if you have a fifty inch tv or bigger. On say a thirty two inch, it is not as noticeable. I am sure in a few years they will come out with super hdtvs so then they will want you to buy a new format of disc.

 

[BillSears]

I've got a 60 inch HDTV and I can see a big difference.

I'm not going to go out and buy all new Blu-Rays but when I buy a new movie I usually get it in Blu-Ray format.

 

[PeterPan09]

When I first got my PS3 I got a blu ray for christmas that I already owned on DVD. So, in the spirit of the scientific method-I played both to see if I could really tell a difference, and yeah, I could. I could see that the picture was much sharper and the audio quality was much better. I do have a sound system hooked up to it and a large screen tv, so perhaps those elements made a difference in how much quality improvement I saw.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Hey no other!!! How about I could care less.

I did vote yes, though.

 

[MichelleVW]

I totally can't tell the difference.... DH gets annoyed at me when I say that...but it's true...I can't!

 

[design_mom]

I didn't vote and would have picked other.

I think this is a case of your entertainment system being "only as strong as the weakest link." We have two blu-ray players on two different TVs. On one, I don't see a big difference in quality between DVD and Blu-ray. On the other, there is a noticeable difference.

I am also not planning to replace my DVD collection and, so far, we only buy Blu-rays when they are on sale so the price is similar to DVD. For most things, the DVD quality is "good enough" for me (I don't claim to be an audio- or videophile), but if you compare side by side, there is a difference.

 

[Shutterbug]

It also depends on the movie and how the studio puts it out to blu ray.

Before buying a blu ray version of a movie I will go to blu ray review sites to see how they compare. Sometimes the blu ray version is not any better than the DVD version. Sometimes it is sometimes its not. I have both versions of the Speed Racer movie and I can tell you the blu ray version is much better.

 

[mikehn]

In my opinion, there is not just a little bit of difference, there is a huge difference in picture quality, big screen or small screen. There are many things that are overrated, but I dont think blu ray is one of them.

 

[Pixiedust34]

I honestly can't tell whether I'm watching a dvd or blu-ray.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Yes!

Unless I am watching a live stage production, no matter how technically awesome they get with the high definition or 3D or whatever ray fanciness, it just doesn't matter to me.

Most of the time, it just looks the same to me. I was irritated when they first came out because DH wanted blue ray and I suddenly couldn't play movies in our van. I do like that if you buy the sets, you can now get a DVD copy. I just wish I didn't have to spend the extra cash.

 

[Becky2005]

I don't have Blue Ray... I just figured they are pushing it so that you WILL replace your entire collection, as is the way with technology.

You know the Beta vs. VHS stuff, then had to go from VHS to DVD's and now to Blue Ray and in about what 2-3 years, something else will come along. I did forget the Laser Disc in there but I don't think that took off that much.

Hmm...maybe that is the answer... I think our TV is something like 30 inch? It's a smaller size, nothing fancy set up for audio and not HDTV at all...heck we still play VHS movies on it...they look fine although you can tell some coloring differences.

I do know when I was in Wal-Mart a while ago and they had Toy Story 3 playing on a tv in the Subway there....it was definitely better quality but the TV was about twice the size of the one we had at home & I'm sure it was the newer ones everyone had to switch over to or get the converter a while ago. I also think it was Blue-Ray they were playing.

BUT I have no intention of running out and getting a bigger TV or switch to all Blue-Rays....I'll wait until they go cheap (or somehow we get one for free which tends to happen when the newer technology comes out).

 

[disneychrista]

I have no clue. Don't have a Blu-Ray nor a HDTV.

 

[SandrA9810]

There is a noticeable difference, but it also depends on the equipment.

I have no problems watching DVD's that are upscaled for the bigger TV. And I have no problems with regular DVD's for older/smaller TVs. Heck, I found a Mickey TV a little while back and it's great for watching old VHS. There's some pro's and con's for every variety of TV. And in the technical world, you really can't get a better picture quality than tube tv's. Especially when watching something that was made for it.

My bf got a game that was a remake of an older game that came out in the 90's. On the 40" TV, it looks like crap, pixelated and blocky, even with the smoothing texture put over it. He hooked up the system to my Mickey TV and the picture quality looked amazing.


I don't think there's going to be a better home quality above blu ray in the next few years. Technology isn't cheap enough for the average person to go above that. And above that, you're looking at a movie theater.

I do prefer the Blu Ray discs because they're harder and stronger than traditional DVD's. It's also helped significantly in the gaming industry. There's PS1 games that are 4-5 discs long because the space was just not available on CD at the time. Now it'd only take up a fraction of the space available on a Blu Ray.

Blu Rays are becoming just as cheap as DVD's. I've also increased my collection from Blockbuster. The store I go to is always doing 5 for $20, and I've picked up a few Disney ones too. They come in the horrible cases, but you can order standard blu ray cases at Amazon for like 50 cents. The real cover is just stuck to the blue paper.

 

[Squirlz]

Absolutely not! It's a very noticeable difference when you have good equipment. I always look for the best deals on movies and I have traded a DVD for the same movie on BluRay for a $5 discount.

 

[ilovemk76]

I don't think you notice much visual improvement with blu-ray on screens under 50 inches. The bigger the screen, the more you'll appreciate blu-ray for picture quality. My screen is 70 inches and the improvement is noticeable.
Another aspect of blu-ray is the audio quality. Again, the simpler your setup for audio/surround sound, the less the quality will mean to you. The uncompressed audio available on most blu-ray discs is amazing when you have the gear to experience it. I'll be quick to add that most DVDs do not suck when played on a device that will up-convert for HDTV. I still enjoy watching DVDs, but I'll replace them with blu-ray versions as they become available.

ITA


We have a large HDTV with surround sound and we can tell a Blu-ray froma regular DVD. Our player also up-converts the DVD and makes them better but not BR quality. There is also differences in players.

 

[SandrA9810]

A Playstation 3 is still considered the best blu ray player out there. And for a long time, considered one of the cheapest available. It's still not a bad price point at $200.

Heard from a person one time... they were talking about how they bought the best blu ray player out there. Then later one said "and it plays games too, I couldn't figure out why it came with a controller".

 

[palmtreegirl]

Just got our first Blu ray player on Black Friday and we love it. The picture is awesome, definitely not over rated.