PS3 and BlueRay

[Feba]

Re: PS3 and BlueRay

Kuro: In my experience, the only way to really notice the difference between normal TV and HD is to see them on the same screen-- way back when (probably 5 years ago) I went to Disney World, and at Epcot they had an example of an HDTV, with a lowres comparison on half the screen. The difference was incredible. However, just looking at a TV, it's hard to tell, really.

[Omgwtfbbqkitten]

Re: PS3 and BlueRay

I don't think its a question of quality, just value. That higher-resolution was not worth $1000 extra dollars five years ago and its still not really worth the extra money now.

HDTVs are starting to get down to that sweeter price point, but they're still not quite there yet for people to bite. When you're getting a nice sized HDTV for $300 dollars, people will go get one. There are some $300 ones out there, but the size is just too small for my liking.

[Effedup]

Re: PS3 and BlueRay

I don't know, I can see a big difference between SD and HD signals on even small screens. I mean, noticing the extra pixels on a 15" screen is near impossible, but when you're in the 19" and up sizes, there is definitely a difference. Besides, what the hell is the point of buying such a small HDTV anyway? Where I work, we always have at least one 32" TV for like $400 most of the time (which pisses me off considering I spent $1800 on mine a YEAR ago)...it may be a crap brand, but it'll play high def, and in dealing with the general public everyday while selling these things (among other grownup toys), it seems like the BIGGEST consideration to most people is the price tag.

Getting back on topic, I honestly don't think either format is going to "win", at least not anytime soon. The only people I know that actually adopted a format did so because they got a PS3 or a 360 (or both) and the ability to watch high def movies was a secondary consideration to what games they wanted to play.

To put it another way, even though it's cheaper to buy a PS3 then to get a stand alone BluRay player, my mom sure as hell ain't buying a PS3, and consequently, isn't adopting a next gen format. She doesn't play games at all, so what's the point? Until the different manufacturers start coming out with cheap reliable stand alone players, there just isn't going to be a winner. DVDs were the same way, even though they were available to the public around late 96-early 97, it still wasn't until the 2000's, and arguably, the last 3-4 years, that DVD totally replaced VHS in the market, and that was when there was only ONE new format to choose from.

If Sony and Microsoft think that the general public (i.e., the NON gamers) are going to adopt either format anytime soon they are kidding themselves.

[Mhurron]

Re: PS3 and BlueRay

HDTV will become the new standard by 200

That date is for digital broadcasts (and broadcast only, not cable or satellite) not HD. You will have smaller broadcast stations broadcasting digital SDTV. Cable and satellite can continue with analog signals as well.

1- Yes, the US has slow internet. We get it. Why, only a few years ago, I was using DSL! and before that, Dial Up! THE HORROR!

It's sort of an important point when you're arguing about digital distribution.

2- I'm not critiquing your stuff. I'm saying that you're out in the middle of nowhere. People that want to show off and/or have the best of the best (Almost everyone who buys HD) do not live out in the middle of nowhere. I've lived on both extremes of what I'm talking about here.

Don't change the subject, we were talking about digital distribution not HD.

You're also still not in a position to critique.

3- Ding, ding, ding, DVDs. Mhurron, I believe you might have subconsciously got my point.

If you're suddenly arguing my point (digital distribution has a snowballs chance in hell in the near future) then yes I do. Since you were arguing otherwise, no I think you're wrong.

One telling point of the advent of HDTV is that Best Buy just announced that they are no longer selling any analog TVs

Digital != HD.

This is in responce to the mandate for digital broadcast signals. Again, those signals are allowed to be standard definition. Congress did not dictate HD just digital to free up spectrum space.

[Malacite]

Re: PS3 and BlueRay

From what I've heard from people, once you've seen a movie in 1080p there's no going back >. > (My bro's TV only does 720p/1080i but my god there's still a pretty big difference between SD and 720p)

[Feba]

Re: PS3 and BlueRay

You know what mhurron, I could make responses, but since you have apparently stopped bothering to read what other people are saying, there's not really any point.

If anyone wants to actually discuss this, I'm open to it, but ignorance and arrogance are far too annoying a combination to deal with.

[Icemage]

Re: PS3 and BlueRay

Digital != HD.

This is in responce to the mandate for digital broadcast signals. Again, those signals are allowed to be standard definition. Congress did not dictate HD just digital to free up spectrum space.

Agreed, but the point is that there aren't very many digital CRTs being sold (nor many CRTs sold period these days). The fact that Best Buy isn't selling analog TVs anymore isn't just a nod to the regulation; it's in response to the vanishing consumer demand.

You can't even find a CRT TV in most big box retailers (you'd have to ask them to check the back room, even if they had any in stock), except for maybe Wal-Mart, and they're certainly not pushing those units much.


Icemage

[Raydeus]

Re: PS3 and BlueRay

I think that while the move to digital broadcasting is a step towards HD becoming the standard, the process is still on a very early stage to consider it having a greater impact any time soon.

It's the same with broadband vs dial up speeds. Considering the connection speed required to download HD content of Blu-Ray/HD-DVD quality at a fast enough pace for consumers to prefer digital distribution over physical discs I don't think we'll see digital distribution anytime before the next HD-movie/content generation.

A combination between better compression formats and a broadband (maybe 5Mbps+?) availability as good as what dial-up has today is required for this to happen. And while it's true we are moving towards that goal the time required for it to actually happen is still a bit far away.