Video Quality: DVD and HDTV

[jvang125]

Say you're watching a movie on DVD using the best DVD player out there on a high definition TV. How close is the video quality to watching a HDTV program on a high definition TV? Is quality pretty close or will the HDTV broadcast still blow away DVDs?

One more thing. How does a computer monitor compare to a HDTV playing a program in high def? I've downloaded a few high def samples and they are nothing short of jaw dropping even on a computer monitor.

 

[dmurray14]

Um....HDTV, by a lot. Best DVD can do (right now, at least) is 480p. HDTV is 1080i.

For your second question - they will be the same quailty assuming you are watching a 1080i video on a projector or tv capable of displaying 1080i. If you're watching a 1080p video on the PC, the pc will be a little bit better, but not by THAT much.

 

[Dulanic]

DVD is 480p at the highest.... HDTV is 720P or 1080i... DVD is lower resolution... HD DVD will take it all tho with 1080p.

 

[Ameesh]

the HDTV standard has a better maximum resolution

 

[kyparrish]

HDTV

 

[arod]

its not even close, HDTV by far.

 

[Isshinryu]

Betamax

 

[spidey07]

Originally posted by: arod
its not even close, HDTV by far.

Not even a comparison. Its not even close. Completely different leagues.

HDTV looks like w window. Its that real.

speaking of which getting ready to watch T3 on HD-HBO.

 

[Apex]

HDTV is definitely better:

1280x720 progressive or 1920x1080 interlaced for HDTV
720x480 for DVD

However, bitrates do vary quite a bit with HDTV.

 

[Wingznut]

How about those DVD players that upconvert to 1080?

 

[50]

Originally posted by: Wingznut
How about those DVD players that upconvert to 1080?

that's what i was thinking... I think I am going to get the zenith one that does 1080 via component when it comes out

 

[Apex]

Originally posted by: Wingznut
How about those DVD players that upconvert to 1080?

The upconverting players do increase the perceived quality a bit, especially if the scaler in your DVD player is better than the one in your TV. This being said, it's still nowhere near the quality of HDTV.

 

[MustISO]

HDTV no question. The scaling players are interesting but they're starting with a lower res source, there's only so much you can do with that.

 

[spidey07]

Originally posted by: 50

Originally posted by: Wingznut
How about those DVD players that upconvert to 1080?

that's what i was thinking... I think I am going to get the zenith one that does 1080 via component when it comes out

you cannot add resolution.

Depending on the display however you can achieve good results with the upconverting players via the video processing they provide.

 

[CTrain]

How about this ??

You watching some movie on DVD through a HDTV.
Or you're watching the same movie broadcast in HD like HBO or something.

Always wondered if they are the same .

 

[prvteye2003]

Originally posted by: CTrain
How about this ??

You watching some movie on DVD through a HDTV.
Or you're watching the same movie broadcast in HD like HBO or something.

Always wondered if they are the same .

They just went through this above.

 

[Sephy]

I want HDTV so badly

 

[Dunbar]

HDTV is capable of looking better but in the real world better quality DVD's look just as good if not better than HD. Satellite and cable compress HD just like other programming so it doesn't always look as good as it can. The big advantage to HD and good DVD's is the ability to watch them on a large screen and still have it look good. I can't wait for HD-DVD

 

[Goosemaster]

Originally posted by: Dunbar
HDTV is capable of looking better but in the real world better quality DVD's look just as good if not better than HD. Satellite and cable compress HD just like other programming so it doesn't always look as good as it can. The big advantage to HD and good DVD's is the ability to watch them on a large screen and still have it look good. I can't wait for HD-DVD

welll said.

 

[Dunbar]

Originally posted by: CTrain
How about this ??

You watching some movie on DVD through a HDTV.
Or you're watching the same movie broadcast in HD like HBO or something.

Always wondered if they are the same .

Depends on how HBO converted the movie to HD. If it's a simple upconversion the DVD would probably look better. If it's "true HD" than it should look better on HBO. HDTV's do "line doubling" of a DVD signal (480i to 480p) so it can look really great. If you go over to AVS forums a lot of people are complaining about the HBO, Showtime and Cinemax HD channels. Apparently the quality isn't that great on most movies. I'm a big HDTV fan but the content just isn't there yet.

 

[CrazyDe1]

Originally posted by: Dunbar
HDTV is capable of looking better but in the real world better quality DVD's look just as good if not better than HD. Satellite and cable compress HD just like other programming so it doesn't always look as good as it can. The big advantage to HD and good DVD's is the ability to watch them on a large screen and still have it look good. I can't wait for HD-DVD

John J Dunbar...Dun-bar Du dunbar

 

[0roo0roo]

dvd 740x480 355,200pixels. about 1/3 megapixels. slight detail lost if not progressive
hdtv 1920x1080 2,073,600pixels about 2megapixel slight detail lost if not progressive
hdtv 1280x720 921,600pixels about 1megapixel

dvd is nothing. well esp when hddvd finally comes out.

 

[Nebor]

Originally posted by: Dunbar
HDTV is capable of looking better but in the real world better quality DVD's look just as good if not better than HD. Satellite and cable compress HD just like other programming so it doesn't always look as good as it can. The big advantage to HD and good DVD's is the ability to watch them on a large screen and still have it look good. I can't wait for HD-DVD

All my HD channels come in at around 19.2 mb\s.

And they slaughter a DVD for quality. Plus they're free. I get 20 digital channels w/ a little antenna for free.

 

[Bassyhead]

HDTV

 

[conjur]

Originally posted by: Dunbar
HDTV is capable of looking better but in the real world better quality DVD's look just as good if not better than HD. Satellite and cable compress HD just like other programming so it doesn't always look as good as it can. The big advantage to HD and good DVD's is the ability to watch them on a large screen and still have it look good. I can't wait for HD-DVD

Perhaps you're thinking of upconverted material on the HD channels.

True HD-sourced material will blow DVDs out of the water every time.