DVD or Blu Ray?

^ I still see a definite pattern here of downplaying the advantages of the new system and at the same time exaggerating the criticism (clearly video standards don't change every two months).

Of course you don't *have* to change your equipment, and as a matter of fact I'm not a so called early adopter myself. But the difference is striking. Isn't it odd that many of those who downplay the difference also happen to have a DVD system and probably a huge collection of DVDs, and simply maneuvered themselves into a position where they can't easily upgrade without losing much of their investment? But hey, even if you decide to upgrade your DVDs won't become useless. I still watch DVDs ... I simply now have a choice of watching films in HD when I want to (and/or when they're available).

My advice: Upgrade strategically. If you ever wanted to upgrade to blu-ray, now is the time ... full HD (1080p) displays are affordable, as are blu-ray players. Or if you have a computer, get yourself a cheap full HD computer display and a blu-ray drive - or combine your computer and TV and save some money from this synergy. Rent your discs rather than buying them, and you'll never have a problem - by the time we get another standard (probably more than 5 years from now, and more than likely it won't be physical discs anymore) your current gear will be sufficiently old to warrant an upgrade anyway. If you're not an early adopter, stay away from expensive 3D equipment until it's clear that it's not a fad.

rushfan4 wrote: Apparently, this months Playboy Centerfold will be in 3-D too.  Be careful or you might poke an eye out.

I'd be more afraid of a Playgirl 3D centerfold.

3D is a great concept for computer games ... and maybe even for movies, *if* they're shot in 3D. Since most movies happen to have been shot in 2D, I would say that going for a 3D capable blu-ray player is silly if you're just going to watch movies. But on the other hand, if you're a big fan of Avatar, maybe it would make sense.

^ well, if you think that would be the same bang for your buck, go ahead.

*Sigh* these Logitech speakers (X-530) seem to be the most underrated piece of gear on the planet.

^ well, keep in mind that you don't need a separate computer anymore, and that you probably would have gotten a LCD TV either way.

Ivan_Melgar_M wrote: This guys also talks me of 50 incredible  features that I don't understand or care about, he has reached the point where he has a PC in his living room, attached to the TV, I believe the guy is crazy.

Same here ... I like the setup, and it's very affordable, too:

- 40" LCD TV: 900 EUR
- Computer with DVD/blu-ray drive, TV receiver and software: 1000 EUR
- Logitech 5.1 system: 90 EUR
- Studio grade sound card: 120 EUR


There you go ... a wonderful setup for:

- Watching DVD/blu-ray
- Listening to music
- Internet
- Making music

A few years ago I was happy with my Sony VHS and Sony Trinitron TV, I even used the same remote control for the two....It was the Paradise

Then somebody came with the lasser disk, which I never bought, and as I thought (due to the size) it failed

After soe years  came the DVD which due to it's small size and cheap price, I bought and I'm happy with it, after a couple months I bought a 5.1 Home Theater and it's paradise..

After that came the plasma TV which I bought (very expensive), for my luck it had a designing problem that the warranty covered it, but when I went to the store they told me that Plasma was crap and LCD was great plus cheaper, so I put a little bit of money and they gave two LCD for almost the prize of the Plasma (34 Inches each one).

Now they say that if you don't have a LED TV and a Blue Ray you're in the Stone Age, but already the newspaper talks about a 3D Led.

I have a close friend that buys this new gadgets when they appear, he bought a DVD in US$ 600.00 (I bought mine in US$ 75.00 six months later), he bought a Plasma in S/. 14,000.00 (US$ 5,000), I bought mine in S/. 6,000.00 (US$ 2.000) he already has a Led.and talks about the wonders of the Blue Ray in his led, wonders that I can't find to be honest.

This guys also talks me of 50 incredible  features that I don't understand or care about, he has reached the point where he has a PC in his living room, attached to the TV, I believe the guy is crazy.

 

Please guys, I'm not a millionaire, I will stay with my DVD and LCD TV until they burn, I'm tired of supporting big companies who will change a chip in a TV and sell it as the best thing since slice bread.

 

Thefunny thing is that I was already happy with my VHS and Trinitron TV with a remote control that worked for both.

 

Edited by Ivan_Melgar_M - May 12 2010 at 13:24

WalterDigsTunes wrote: The T wrote: WalterDigsTunes wrote: The T wrote: Finnforest wrote: I buy my players from a specialty place that modifies them so they will play ANY disc from any country or region, whatever....it plays it.    When I buy the next player, which will be BR if it really does kill DVD, does BR have the same issue with region coding?   Does a Euro BR play on an USA BR machine?     If available I want a player that will play USA BR and DVD, plus foreign BR/DVD.  Possible? DVD, for example, subdivides the american continent in two, north america (Zone 1) and south america (zone 4). With bluray, all the entire continent is region A. That's a good and reasonable change. But for European and asian and else releases, some modification you will still need.  An insignificant change, since US consumers aren't exactly known for purchasing loads of Latin American films. However, there's a larger supply of material from Europe and Asia that does have demand in the States yet Blu-Ray failed to do anything. They could've gotten rid of the regional nonsense once and for all, but they didn't. Even less of a reason to switch... It makes a lot of sense for people who have to modify their players in south america to watch movies available in north america. Which, as you probably can guess, is the most likely scenario. Most movies are made in the US after all, whether they're mostly good or bad is another matter.  Regarding the "selling stuff you don't need" idea, I think, more so than bluray, the new 3D-TV thing is a waste of time and money. Again, I have to sell that sh*t but usually I only offer it when people ask me. I can't see any benefit in turning people into idiotic zombies with electronic glasses at home to see a hand reach out closer to their faces... Bluray was a leap in quality, 3D is a leap in zombiefication.  Most movies sold in Latin America are pirated DVDs that sell for a dollar. 3D-TV? Never heard of it, though it sounds extremely naff.

WalterDigsTunes wrote: The T wrote: Finnforest wrote: I buy my players from a specialty place that modifies them so they will play ANY disc from any country or region, whatever....it plays it.    When I buy the next player, which will be BR if it really does kill DVD, does BR have the same issue with region coding?   Does a Euro BR play on an USA BR machine?     If available I want a player that will play USA BR and DVD, plus foreign BR/DVD.  Possible? DVD, for example, subdivides the american continent in two, north america (Zone 1) and south america (zone 4). With bluray, all the entire continent is region A. That's a good and reasonable change. But for European and asian and else releases, some modification you will still need.  An insignificant change, since US consumers aren't exactly known for purchasing loads of Latin American films. However, there's a larger supply of material from Europe and Asia that does have demand in the States yet Blu-Ray failed to do anything. They could've gotten rid of the regional nonsense once and for all, but they didn't. Even less of a reason to switch...