Forum - View topicBlu-ray's killing some anime fans?
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ethanftw
 Posts: 107 |
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I'm scared ANN. For the past few years since it has been around, everyone has thought that Blu-ray would take over DVDs. However, it has yet to happen because a lot of people still buy DVDs, DVDs are still sold, produced, etc.
What do us anime fans do? People like myself have their entire collection on DVD, and I really don't care that much for Blu-rays. DVDs work just fine for me, and I want to keep using them. When do you guys think we can expect a possible shift? Also, for you people like me, what will you do? Keep on collecting but in Blu-ray? Or will you take the time and money to transfer your entire collection to blu-ray? I'm curious. EDIT: Actually I just pulled this from the blu-ray official website: "Will Blu-ray be backwards compatible with DVD? Yes, several leading consumer electronics companies (including Sony, Panasonic, Philips, Samsung, Pioneer, Sharp and LG) have already demonstrated products that can read/write CDs, DVDs and Blu-ray discs using a BD/DVD/CD compatible optical head, so you don't have to worry about your existing DVD collection becoming obsolete. In fact, most of the Blu-ray players coming out will support upscaling of DVDs to 1080p/1080i, so your existing DVD collection will look even better than before. While it's up to each manufacturer to decide if they want to make their products backwards compatible with DVD, the format is far too popular to not be supported. The Blu-ray Disc Association (BDA) expects every Blu-ray Disc device to be backward compatible with DVDs." That helps a lot! However, the question still remains. To transition to blu-rays or not? I could also see a lot of potential problems with it trying to read lots of DVDs. Any thoughts? [EDIT: Use the edit button. Don't double post. -TK] |
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Veers
 Posts: 1197 Location: Texas |
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I'm not going back and re-buying my DVD collection on BD (well, there are a few titles I would, mostly films, not series), but for new titles I look for BD first; if it's not released on BD then chances are good I won't even consider buying it.
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One-Eye
 Posts: 2269 |
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No way am I going to replace my entire collection on Blu-ray. Heck some stuff is OOP and was never made into Blu-ray anyways. Then there is the cost involved in replacing all those titles I have. However, there are a few shows and movies that I own which I will replace because I like them that much and would not mind having higher quality versions of them. For example, I think Funimation got the rights to Black Lagoon: Roberta's Blood Trail and if they released this with the first two seasons ,which I already own, on Blu-ray I would probably cough up the money for it. I'm probably going to pick up Ghost in the Shell movie, which I already own, because its my favorite movie. Now if they would only re-release the Jin-roh: Wolf Brigade Blu-ray <sigh>.
Now going forward into the future will I continue to buy DVDs? Well, as I'm going to be getting a Blu-ray player this xmas the answer is: Only if the shows and movies are not offered on Blu-ray. The HD stuff looks nicer, usually has better sound and most players can play my old DVDs so why not? |
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Anymouse
 Posts: 685 |
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I have yet to buy a DVD player, although my father does have a fairly high end one. None of my computers I have used have a Blu Ray player.
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PetrifiedJello
Posts: 3782 |
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This is not entirely accurate because how the BD is set up makes a world of difference how the DVD is played. In addition, models vary (even in the same brand line!) and the upscale power of one may not even come close to another. One thing to note: if you plan on watching DVDs on a BD player, you had best get ready for some serious issues if you want the 16:9, full 1080p output because I have the latest model Samsung, and the damn thing chokes so often, it locks up the player (forcing an unplugging of the unit). When I called customer service, they told me to use the "BDWise" feature, which takes over for having to make adjustments. I have to admit the feature hasn't locked up a DVD playback yet, but it's irritating the output doesn't do 16:9 but will vertically use all 1080 lines of resolution. Nothing like watching a 6' scaled Kagami. I'm still trying to learn the nuances of all the different resolutions and applications, but I've quickly learned how the DVD was encoded makes the largest impact on the output. They are not all the same, that's for sure. Screw you, Bandai. S.C.R.E.W you. I despise anime on BD. I'm sorry some will disagree with this, but when properly upscaled, I don't see a significant change in quality. By definition, the very application of the higher screen resolution will improve anime's visuals. Deeper colors? As compared to what, a stain on the couch? Blood- once asked us "BD crowd" to prove a reasonable person would spot the difference and I'm siding with the belief he would be right. I know I haven't, and this after watching Spice & Wolf II on BD and DVD. I saw no difference. Now, when the actual production houses start spitting out 16:9, 1080p content, then, and only then, will BD serve us fans any real advantage. It's damn lucky some in the industry got smart and realized a push of BD only would be a very, very bad mistake. On a side note: I just mentioned in another thread of double-dipping for Soul Eater on BD because my player has a problem with the upscaling. Yeah. BD. What a crock of shit this technology is. |
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Blood-
 Bargain Hunter Posts: 24538 |
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Just to clarify what PJ said about me, my point was that I wondered how many diehard BDians would be able to tell the difference between a DVD upscaled on a BD player and an actual BD ... IF THERE WAS NO SIDE BY SIDE COMPARISON AVAILABLE. In other words, you stroll into the room, watch a bit of a show then tell me if what you are looking at is a DVD or a BD. I thought of this after seeing the Oh! Edo Rocket DVDs played in a regular BD player on an HDTV. The picture looked awesome. Yes, it is entirely possible if I had a side-by-side visual comparison that I would then see that the BD was even MORE awesome, but as for being able to tell without said side by side comparison - virtually impossible.
Most of us can very reliably tell if what we are seeing is a DVD being played in a DVD player hooked up to a 480p or 480i screen versus a BD being played in a BD player on a 1080p HDTV. Play a DVD on that same set up and you may be shocked at the trouble you have telling if it is a DVD or BD without a side-by-side comparison. |
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Beltane70
 Posts: 4021 |
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I see no reason to replace my DVDs with Blue-rays. New titles, yes, especially with the newer titles being released in HD.
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wcsinn
 Posts: 186 |
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So what's the big deal? Technology has, and always will, evolve - DVDs will eventually die out and BDs are clearly what will kill them off eventually.
As long as the newer BD players are backward compatible (and it looks as if almost all are or will be) what's to worry about. You'll do what everyone before you did. As CD/DVDs replaced VHS we initially kept our existing collections and started making new purchases on the new technology. With DVDs and BDS at least you have backwards compatibility - no such luck with VHS and the conversion to discs. |
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PetrifiedJello
Posts: 3782 |
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What I'm saying, even with a side-by-side comparison, the argument's very valid. I saw no difference. I was very lucky to see the first episode had many visual cues to monitor, especially grain patterns in tables. I saw no changes in clarity, color, or contrast. I would have taken screen shots, but remembered monitors would destroy what the eyes can see. Now, if we're talking BD movies, that I will disagree with because I noticed an immediate change in clarity. Most would, even without a side-by-side comparison. But thankfully, we're not talking movies, for that's the only spotlight BD has for me. My goodness, does Blade Runner look good. 
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Veers
Posts: 1197 Location: Texas |
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Well, as said before, the source material's resolution as well as its style can make a big difference in something looking "worse" on DVD. Thinner linework and detailed background suffer more on DVD because of pixel zoom, while bolder linework, heavier shading, and less detailed backgrounds fare better on DVD than the aforementioned styles. That said,
 My Lucky Star DVDs look just fine on my PS3/TV after switching the picture mode to properly stretch the source, because by default it looks "scrunched." I'm glad they went that route instead of letterboxing to try and preserve the aspect ratio inside a 4:3 boundary.
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Tony K.
 SubscriberModerator  Posts: 11506 Location: Frisco, TX |
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Well, you have to consider a couple of things: 1) Do you even care for the difference in quality between audio and video specifications? Some of the older series that just aren't very flashy at all might look and sound good enough on DVD. And if that works for you, why force yourself to spend the extra money on BDs and equipment? 2) You have to consider the source. And when I say this I mean when the anime was made and if that title was either created or re-mastered in HD. I've watched a lot of my anime DVDs on both my PS3 and the BD player in my computer and the upscaling quality greatly varies (and yes, it depends on how the company encoded it). But I've watched so many things in HD and SD ever since I converted to BD (back in '07) that I know the difference. Video-wise, the main benefits of animation on BD, to me anyway, are line detail, color vibrancy, and fluidity of motion. Sound-wise, the main benefits are clarity, depth, and immersion of all the sound, music, and voice effects. But of course, everything will depend on how the studio decides to create the anime in the first place. While a lot of shows are being produced in HD these days, most of the time they still only do 2-channel sound designs. Unless it's a full-length feature film, an OVA, or a higher-budgeted series (i.e. anything by Kenji Kamiyama), chances are that title won't have 5.1 surround sound. But let me tell you, lossless audio makes a big difference when done properly. But if you simply can't see or hear any of these differences either because of personal preference, your equipment, or whatever in the first place, then don't worry about it. Stick with your DVDs.
The transition is well under way in Japan and has been for a while, but I attribute this solely to fact that their industry is way bigger than we could ever hope to have it in the U.S. They put all kinds of series on BD over their that are both re-mastered or upscaled. And I have to say they look better than my DVDs and/or fansubs by a good distance. I don't think the U.S. will ever catch up in terms of content, but it seems to be fairly stable for now. I try to buy U.S. anime BDs when I can to support the respective companies, though there's still very little to actually choose from. For your DVD collection, however, I'd say it just comes down to doing your homework, or considering those points I made above.
I'm not a believer in letting the player upscale. I've watched my DVDs be upscaled onto an HDTV and I've watched the same series as a fansub that used the Japanese BD as its video source and there's just no comparison. Pending on the actual series and its construction, yes, the difference can vary, but upscaling is shit for the most part. Again, it goes back to those two points I made. Was the title created or properly re-mastered in HD, and do you care how it looks in comparison to its SD counterpart? If you can objectively tell the difference and want the best possible quality, then yes, convert when you can be it by purchasing what's available, or in my case even downloading a few that will most likely never see the light of day here in the States because our market sucks balls. |
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SeigiNoSenshi
Posts: 166 |
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My biggest problem with BDs is the huge level of inconsistency among the R1 industry, whether it be through licensing issues, sheer ignorance on the companies' part, or maybe I'm missing a large collective of the fans that have yet to upgrade (~$90 for a player is really not that much anymore is it?) nothing bugs me more than DVD-only HD shows. Is it wrong to really ask for either combos or both released at the same time instead of being all over the place and looking like idiots that don't know how to run a business?
As far as upgrading goes, I'd be glad to upgrade given a low enough price (FMP trilogy and Chobits I've done so far), but selling BD-owners DVDs of things like Amagami, Squid Girl, Oreimo, Sound of the Sky, Durarara!, etc. now and then (possibly) going back and saying "buy it all again even though you could have had it Day 1" is just a huge middle finger. Clannad BD still bugs me a ton, having waited long enough to avoid the sub-only version only to buy the dub DVDs, and then no upgrade program for the BDs. I'm trying to cut my post down as much as I can, but this is a gigantic pet peeve of mine, so I'll just cut myself off there. |
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PetrifiedJello
Posts: 3782 |
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It's facetious to say Kagami is "6 feet" because this only happened when I did the settings before using BDWise (though after re-reading seemed it was at fault. Oops. Sorry about that). BDWise reads the DVD encoding and automatically adjusts both the player and TV for optimum output. It's been a blessing, actually. I do miss my 16:9 ratio (I set up), but a small sacrifice rather than having to crawl and disconnect the power source because the player locked up thanks to Bandai's cheap-ass decoding option it used on these disks. |
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Veers
Posts: 1197 Location: Texas |
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Spastic Minnow
Bargain Hunter Exempt from Grammar Rules  Posts: 4640 Location: Gainesville, FL |
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Even if you buy a BLu-Ray Player it doesn't mean you have to throw away your DVD player. On the off chance your BD player doesn't play your DVD correctly, use the DVD player. If, for some silly reason, you did get rid of your old one, buy a new one. Because BD's are becoming the standard you can buy a new, decent, very compact, upscaling DVD player for less than fifty bucks, and occasionally an el cheapo for 20 bucks at the drug store on the shelf next to the slap-chop.
I've only had one DVD not play correctly on my BD player. Adult Swim's cheapo "create your own DVD" product, which allowed me to finally get a legal copy of Perfect Hair Forever. A 4:3 show that my BD player refused to play in 4:3, and it didn't stretch it either, it cut off the top and bottom of the picture- weird. So, I used my computer's DVD player (hooked up to my TV). Fine. Now, until Blu-rays start inserting blipverts into their anime product and blowing up our heads stop scaring me with your frightening thread topics! 
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