Worth upgrading to Blu ray?

[Hunt]

I currently have a 37" HDTV that supports 720p (and 1080i). I'm wondering if there will be much difference from standard DVD picture to Blu ray since I won't be able to take full advantage of 1080p, plus the TV isn't that big. The viewing distance to the TV is around 7 or 8 feet.

I couldn't find any good articles on going from 480p to 720p. Any input would be appreciated.

[warpdrive]

How far are you sitting away? If you are less than 10 feet, then HD resolutions will start to get noticeable

http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.engadgethd.com/media/2006/12/resolution_chart.jpg

[Amourek]

Get a good upscaling DVD player.

[Hunt]

I had an upscaling player before and noticed no difference at all. I find it hard to believe that a $150 player can convert a signal from 480p to 720p any better than a good TV set. It seems like a gimmick to me.

[blainehamilton]

Here's a cheap way to find out.

Buy a clearance HD DVD player right now at Costco, Best Buy or Future Shop. Hook it up, and rent a few flicks. See how you like em.

If you decide to go Blu Ray, keep or return the HD DVD player within the 90/30 day limit at the stores above, and buy your Blu Ray player.

Make sure you get at least a BD 1.1 player, don't waste $400+ on a BD 1.0 model.

[Hunt]

Here's a cheap way to find out.

Buy a clearance HD DVD player right now at Costco, Best Buy or Future Shop. Hook it up, and rent a few flicks. See how you like em.

If you decide to go Blu Ray, keep or return the HD DVD player within the 90/30 day limit at the stores above, and buy your Blu Ray player.

Make sure you get at least a BD 1.1 player, don't waste $400+ on a BD 1.0 model.

Not a bad plan. I was planning on getting a PS3 as a player since it is supposedly upgradeable if there are any issues with the format in the future. Plus the video game option is pretty appealing as well (avid 360 user), but the main reason would be as a Blu Ray player.

[blainehamilton]

Yup. People are reporting the A3/D3 HD DVD players on clearance for $50-$70 at Future Shop and Best Buy. They come with 2 discs in the box, and you get 5 free by mail.

Hard to beat that as a starter. Even if you don't go HD right away, they are still in the top SD DVD upconverters money can buy.

All Blockbuster locations still carry HD DVD for now, so you have a decent rental base for now.

[bwlandu]

Is the PS3 a BD 1.1 player or 1.0?

I'm also trying to jump on the Blu-Ray band wagon, as my regular DVD player is kaput and I need something to play my existing DVD collection and might as well move to a Blu-Ray player at this time.

My current 37" Vierra Plasma is only capable of 720p so i realize i may not get much of an increase in picture quality on day 1 (or will I ?), but I might as well future proof myself when i purchase a new player.

As far as gaming, i'm happy playing MMO's on my PC and I have a Wii for the kiddies so I wouldn't use the PS3 for gaming that often.. a nice benefit but not necessary. I was only thinking the PS3 because it seems the price point of $399 for 40Gb is pretty darn competitive with a plain old stand alone Blu-Ray player.

Thoughts and advice would be appreciated.

Thanks all!

[Kakarot]

Not a bad plan. I was planning on getting a PS3 as a player since it is supposedly upgradeable if there are any issues with the format in the future. Plus the video game option is pretty appealing as well (avid 360 user), but the main reason would be as a Blu Ray player.

that is a good idea, good system, cheap blue ray.... cannot really go wrong. I am also an avid 360 fan, but wanted the cheapest blue ray player out (at the time)

Now that some stores finally rent them out, it is a good time.

[Rocky03]

I currently have a 37" HDTV that supports 720p (and 1080i). I'm wondering if there will be much difference from standard DVD picture to Blu ray since I won't be able to take full advantage of 1080p, plus the TV isn't that big. The viewing distance to the TV is around 7 or 8 feet.

I couldn't find any good articles on going from 480p to 720p. Any input would be appreciated.

The question you should be asking yourself is what type of signal do you get for your TV? Do you have a HD box for your signal?

There is a noticable difference when I watch HDTV 1080i (ie Jay Leno, CSI, etc) vs a Standard DVD upscalled to 1080p (ie transformers).

[gordholio]

Buy an inexpensive, upscaling DVD player and keep it for 3 or 4 years until the whole Blu-ray thing shakes out and players and discs become much cheaper.

[appleb]

Check if your TV has an ATSC tuner in it.

If it does, plug in a set of rabbit ears and find a local station broadcasting OTA in 1080i. Then you can tell if the difference is worth it.

[hightech]

Make sure you get at least a BD 1.1 player, don't waste $400+ on a BD 1.0 model.

How do you know if the player is BD 1 or 1.1?

[mlc2000]

I have a 58" plasma.
I have Blu ray and HD DVD.
Both look spectacular.
I sit about 12 feet away.

on a 42" screen, it would be marginal.


How far are you sitting away? If you are less than 10 feet, then HD resolutions will start to get noticeable

http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.engadgethd.com/media/2006/12/resolution_chart.jpg