Blu-ray Discs - are the new features really worth the price?

[Andrew]

The price of the BD discs came up in the high-definition topic, and it reminded me of a recent discussion I had with a friend who is in the business. We were discussing the new features that Blu-ray discs have, and he said that he wondered if many people actually even bothered using most of them. So in essence, for most people, the only point in buying films in Blu-ray was for the better video quality and sound (though even here I've had several people indicate that the sound isn't that remarkable). So what I'd like know is, apart from the obvious better video quality, if you compare what you get content-wise on a DVD compared to a Blu-ray disc, do you feel the price difference is really that justified?

[gifs]

I think it all depends on the title itself and is not really a feature of blu-ray per se. Some titles have lots of extras, even a second disc full of it. But then you can probably get the collector's edition DVD with the same features. For some people the extra content is important, but to me not so much. I
might watch it if I'm bored or really a die-hard fan of the specific movie.

Blu-ray Live is really stupid to me. Especially in South Africa where bandwidth is really expensive. Why not just include the "exclusive features" on the disc, there should not be a space problem.

What makes a blu-ray disc, is ultimately the picture quality and to a lesser extent the improved audio as you have already said.

[GearSlave]

I would seriously consider moving to BR and HD when I see more titles available for rent. At the local video shop there's only two BR titles for rent and I would hardly bother buying a DVD, let alone BR

[Andrew]

Which of course brings an entirely new element into it, I guess: when DVDs went into the video shops, the loss rate due to damaged discs being returned was huge. People didn't seem to understand the concept of stopping them from being scratched. I'm assuming that with BD the damage risk is going to be higher?

[KenMasters]

On the plus side, Blu-Ray discs are both less susceptible to scratches and use a more robust error correction system.

Really the problem is the generally disrespectful nature of many South Africans. I was really pleasantly surprised to find that rental DVDs here in Denmark are generally in pristine condition. I do think however, that the sort of people who would rent Blu-Ray discs would probably be a little more careful with them than your average renter with their supermarket special DVD player, as elitist as that may sound. For the time being at least.

[AudioEngineer]

Once again the local consumer is being exploited and getting screwed with the pricing of blu-ray discs. Most of them cost in the region of R300 - the imported ones (see kalahari) start from at R360 to R400. I already own more than 100 blu-ray discs, but I buy most of them in the USA and have them sent over here. The landed price per disc averages between R150 and R200 (much closer to the price of DVDs). I would wholeheartedly support the local distributors/sellers, but I refuse to do that when I KNOW I'm being exploited. So, until they wake up and smell the roses I will vote with my wallet and buy elsewhere.

[Prince]

Once again the local consumer is being exploited and getting screwed with the pricing of blu-ray discs. Most of them cost in the region of R300 - the imported ones (see kalahari) start from at R360 to R400. I already own more than 100 blu-ray discs, but I buy most of them in the USA and have them sent over here. The landed price per disc averages between R150 and R200 (much closer to the price of DVDs). I would wholeheartedly support the local distributors/sellers, but I refuse to do that when I KNOW I'm being exploited. So, until they wake up and smell the roses I will vote with my wallet and buy elsewhere.

I agree fully!! -because the media is so expensive, it deters and drives away alot of blu-ray adopters. And like in the why go HD, as Andrew AVSA asked, I'm still also disappointed that there is no direct competitor for the blu-ray brand to drive prices down even more. I think we need a middle of the road alternative to blu-ray, otherwise Sony will monopolise this area, as it is already doing!!

just my 2 cents...

 

[georgev]

At the current prices of BD in RSA, I am not fully convinced that it is the way to go. If you have a decent up converting player and a good display panel, the difference is really not huge.
I have gone blu ray with an Hd pj, but I also run an upconverting player and I don't feel the need to buy a lot of BD's. Certainly not at the current prices.
My 0.o2cents worth.

[AudioEngineer]

@Prince, I think you misunderstood what I tried to say. The BD media is too expensive *in South Africa*. When you source it from elsewhere you can get it for almost half the price. That's what I was trying to convey. Also, we do not want competition for Blu-ray. We've just been through the HD-DVD vs. Blu-ray battle and it is not good for the consumer, as was shown with the VHS vs. Betamax situation many years ago too. The nature and dynamics of these markets are that there has to be only one survivor.

@georgev, I'm not sure what you mean, but there is a HUGE difference in image quality between DVD and blu-ray. I have a very good upscaling DVD player (Oppo DV983) and it's output at 1080p compared to blu-ray at 1080p is not bad, but really, really obvious. Does your projector do 720 or 1080 lines? Maybe that's why you don't see such a big difference?

[georgev]

@georgev, I'm not sure what you mean, but there is a HUGE difference in image quality between DVD and blu-ray. I have a very good upscaling DVD player (Oppo DV983) and it's output at 1080p compared to blu-ray at 1080p is not bad, but really, really obvious. Does your projector do 720 or 1080 lines? Maybe that's why you don't see such a big difference?

Audioengineer, My Pj does the 1080lines. Optoma HD 81. I do have the oppo 983 and I also have the BD S-550(which also upscales). I must confess, that I do not see a huge difference at all b/w the two. But then again, perhaps my vision is not as good as it should be(Maybe I haven't got golden eyes). I tried it again on Saturday because a friend wanted to see the difference b/w the two. With the observed(perceived) differences is the cost of the software worth it?
Check out the review by readers in the What HiFi b/w Full HD and upscaled pictures. None of them saw "Huge" differences, but then again it boils down to the eyes.

[Andrew]

Hmm, I think I'l give Joel some work to do and see if he can put one straight BD set-up and one with upscaling together in our sound room, to see if we can get a side-by-side comparison, for interest's sake.

[Prince]

Hmm, I think I'l give Joel some work to do and see if he can put one straight BD set-up and one with upscaling together in our sound room, to see if we can get a side-by-side comparison, for interest's sake.

-that would be an interesting idea..

-thanx

 

[georgev]

Sounds like a great idea. Keep us posted.
Better still, get a few non experts to come in and do a blind comparison.
And while you are about it, throw in a couple of drinks and perhaps even some pizzas.

[Andrew]

*Taps on Joel's computer screen* Joel? You there? Is it possible, you think?

[joel]

Sounds like a good idea.Will make a few calls.