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Are you buying blu-ray versions of older movies?

Because our DVD player happens to be close to the end of its life, I posted a question in another thread whether to replace it with a very good conventional player like Oppo or a Blu Ray one. I have learned greatly from all the replies and thank everyone who posted one.

I guess what it comes down to is this: BD format just "won". Therefore, if I am not buying Blu Ray DVD's now, it would be better to postpone the player purchase and get an Oppo instead, as BD units are expected to get better and cheaper in near future. However, if I am buying Blu Ray DVD's now, then of course we need a player to play them.

Looking at our DVD purchase requirements, what is desired in our family right now are older "Nature" type films, from PBS and BBC, as well as March of the Penguins etc. None of these were shot in HD. Therefore does it make sense to buy their BD versions or would SD ones be just as good? That will decide the player we buy for the time being...

I can see the jump in convenience if not always quality from VHS to DVD (for older material), but would you buy the BD version of the older movies or stick to SD?

All advice greatly welcome.
aktchi
kennyt's avatar
kennyt
1,226 posts
 
Rakuennow,

You would think so, but you are very wrong, only one or two movies have to date been recorded in native 4K!!! Yes, this is true!
drew_eckhardt
394 posts
 
>Looking at our DVD purchase requirements, what is desired in our family right now are older "Nature" type films, from PBS and BBC, as well as March of the Penguins etc. None of these were shot in HD. Therefore does it make sense to buy their BD versions or would SD ones be just as good? That will decide the player we buy for the time being...

Most commercial films are shot on 35mm film which has a projected resolution (the negatives and early prints have a highe resolution, but release prints are worse and you loose some effective resolution as the film wiggles around while being projected) comparable to 1920x1080 HD.

SD doesn't even compare to 16mm film.
ejliu
109 posts
 
Yes. I want to get Godfather trilogy and Band of Brothers for starters on Bluray. Maybe Dirty Harry series. Maybe a few more classics if the transfer is from original film.

I just hope the transfer does not include tons of digital enhancement and etc. I love the film grain look.

It's really like buying SACDs of Kind of Blue. I think I have at least 6 different versions of the same CD/LPs.

The main problem for me is actually lack of Bluray player in the bedroom. Buying all bluray means I can only watch it in the main TV.
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