Blu Ray related movie question???

InisMor

Hello,

I wasn't sure if I should post this here but the question relates more to movies than the technology of Blu Ray, so I figured here is best.

Based solely on Extra Features content, is it worth investing in Blu Ray?

Most movies on DVD fail to utilise the format to even half its potential, with some honest to goodness muck for Extra Features.

Is it the same for Blu Ray? I done some checking but I can't find any website that compares DVD to the Blu Ray version.

Is the only real difference in picture quality?

Regards

krudler

Yes, if you're a completist then a lot of blu-rays have multiple versions of the movie on one disc, the T2 Skynet Edition has 3 versions plus 2 commentaries a multitude of other stuff. and the pic and sound quality are amazing.

There are a lot of gimmicky things like D-box and online features but picture in picture video commentary and the ability to scroll through the menus without having to stop the film (they pop up on screen unlike going back to a main menu like dvd).

For me its movies that deserve to be seen in hi-def that warrant a blu purchase, Pixar movies are a must, same as blockbuster stuff like Iron Man, TDK, Speed Racer (its still the best looking blu-ray imo) or tv shows like Planet Earth.

Plus the players upscale your dvds to look even better, theres really no excuse, get one or just get a PS3, then you have a blu-ray player, games console and media hub all in one.

InisMor

Thanks for the lightening response, krudler.:D

How would you compare the Extras on the Pixar Blu Rays to the DVD?

Do you own any in both formats?

Basq

InisMor wrote: »

Do you own any in both formats?

I've "double-dipped" many times for films like The Matrix, Reservoir Dogs, Toy Story 1 & 2 etc.

They are well worth it.. as I've said before, it's not just picture quality, it's glorious uncompressed sound!

InisMor

Thanks, but what about the extra features themselves?

not just menus, but behind the scenes, deleted scenes - does Blu Ray make more effort, less or the same?

Basq

InisMor wrote: »

Thanks, but what about the extra features themselves?

not just menus, but behind the scenes, deleted scenes - does Blu Ray make more effort, less or the same?

Do they differ in terms of special features from the same release on DVD? Not typically as far as I'm aware!

Special editions will obviously, but Blu-ray / DVD releases of new films will generally have the same special features.

InisMor

Thanks.:)

krudler

Some are the same features, but take the upcoming Alien saga blu-ray, now the Alien Quadrilogy dvd set is rightly acclaimed as the best dvd boxset ever feature wise, comprehensive doesnt even cover it, but the blu-ray has even more stuff on it. I swore I'd never buy the Alien movies again as I've owned them on vhs and twice on dvd, but the thoughts of nicer pic and sound quality as well as an updated version of Alien 3 (the dvd workprint version had scenes put back in that were never mastered so had awful audio quality as they didnt redub the dialogue from the on set shooting, they've gone back and rerecorded the dialogue with the actors this time). People who dont get hd can moan that there "isnt much difference" between dvd and blu (they'd be wrong though ) now I'm no hd-whore who notices the most silly imperfections on a transfer and moands about film grain, to me grain is inherent in making film look like film, when everything is too pristine a movie loses it soul, but given the choice I'll get the blu-ray over the dvd if it has a great transfer.

krudler

Also, if you're looking for a site with screenshots of blus then blu-ray.com has a lot of them in its reviews, very handy for getting a look at transfer quality.

Basq

krudler wrote: »

Also, if you're looking for a site with screenshots of blus then blu-ray.com has a lot of them in its reviews, very handy for getting a look at transfer quality.

Yep.. agreed. Very useful that they give full resolution screenshots of the Blu-ray's they review!

InisMor

Thanks guys.

I've two more questions.

I was reading a review of the SHERLOCK HOLMES Blu Ray and the the guy mentioned that "the high-def clarity actually hinders some of the less-than-credible CGI; we can see the seams showing in ways we might not have in standard definition." - Is this one of those "hd-whore" things you mentioned, krudler?
I've read DVD reviews before with the guy going about artifacts, etc. in a picture that looked just fine to me.

And if a DVD/BluRay has DTS 6.1/7.1 , but your sound system is only 5.1, does it just sound like DTS 5.1 and not sound "wrong"?

krudler

InisMor wrote: »

Thanks guys.

I've two more questions.

I was reading a review of the SHERLOCK HOLMES Blu Ray and the the guy mentioned that "the high-def clarity actually hinders some of the less-than-credible CGI; we can see the seams showing in ways we might not have in standard definition." - Is this one of those "hd-whore" things you mentioned, krudler?
I've read DVD reviews before with the guy going about artifacts, etc. in a picture that looked just fine to me.

And if a DVD/BluRay has DTS 6.1/7.1 , but your sound system is only 5.1, does it just sound like DTS 5.1 and not sound "wrong"?

TBH yeah, higher pic quality can lessen effects, especially average to bad effects. rubber prosthetics in older movies can look even more rubber, but it really depends on the movie, I've never let it get in the way.

In a way its cool to see the details you cant see on dvd transfers, take Batman the 1989 one, you can see that the suit and cowl of the Batman costume arent perfect, theres rubber imperfections and sloppy cutting everywhere, to me that adds to it as he's meant to have made the costume himself, I'm wierd that way though

Some movies just have to watched in HD though, take Speed Racer, I'll keep going on about it as more people need to see it. If tv shops had this on repeat on their HD setups it'd sell tvs itself, its that good looking. Flawless picture quality and colour that will blow your mind, say what you want about the movie but a visual masterpiece it most definitely is.

The sound thing isnt very noticable, and blu-rays hav multiple sound options as well, stereo, dts, 5.1,6.1 and 7.1 are all fairly common, sometimes a mixture of a few of them, I think T2 has about 4 audio options, one even specifically for headphones, so you've got choices

InisMor

Thanks, krudler.

Skerries

so something like Lord of The Rings would really benefit from Blu-Ray because of the detail they went into with costumes and stuff?