Bullets 'n' Babes

Nope, that shows me you obviously do not have HD some films transfers will not improve much when done in HD, and the standard dvd is worth keeping as it is.

If you had endless cash then yes upgrade everything. I cannot aford to do that, only upgrading great films myself, that I know are worth upgrading again.

Its all down to cash, I can get a film on standard dvd for 50p, the HD version will be 15 quid, you work it out.

romerojpg wrote:Nope, that shows me you obviously do not have HD some films transfers will not improve much when done in HD, and the standard dvd is worth keeping as it is. If you had endless cash then yes upgrade everything. I cannot aford to do that, only upgrading great films myself, that I know are worth upgrading again. Its all down to cash, I can get a film on standard dvd for 50p, the HD version will be 15 quid, you work it out.

I don't have HD, but I hopefully will at some point when it's affordable and the BR/HD combis are available (and the region coding is bypassed). My point is: if a film is worth owning surely it's worth owning on HD? Unless the quality is worse why would you prefer a DVD? To me cost doesn't come into it as I'm only keeping my favourite films anyways. What's the point of owning films that aren't your favourites on any format? That's why I'm clearing out much of my collection. They're good films, just not favourites.

saltysam wrote:Black Hawk Down blu-ray £9.99

http://www.movietyme.com/catalog/produc ... s_id=34156

Word from MovieTyme , pity it's a lost sale from me. I'd buy it at £8.99 but not £10.99, yet anyway:

"Thanks for the mail, sorry but we have sold out of this title now at the discount price of £9.99. It is now back on the site for the regular price of £11.99."

I own many films, quality vaires, I really like some lesser films, but would not want to pay 20 quid for a HD version. Thats why I pay a few quid max. Favortites have nothing to do with it, I like some lesser films as well as the best ones.

Its up to you what you want to do.

But Getting every film on HD is too expensive for 99% of people. You have to test the waters with cheap dvds sometimes, and that cheap price is worth it, an expensive price is not.

I do not prefer the dvd any time, I would always want the HD, again cash is the thing.

romerojpg wrote:If you had endless cash then yes upgrade everything. I cannot aford to do that, only upgrading great films myself, that I know are worth upgrading again. Its all down to cash, I can get a film on standard dvd for 50p, the HD version will be 15 quid, you work it out.

I agree. I will pick up some HD Discs even if the AV isn't hugely better as the film deserves it but only titles I really want. HD Discs cost to much to go wild like we can with DVDs.

Markgway wrote:when it's affordable and the BR/HD combis are available (and the region coding is bypassed).

Obviously forgetting the LG BH100 as that's a joke the LG BH200 (okay looking) and Samsung Combo's are just around the corner.

In reality BD MR isn't really worth getting to worked up about when only Fox, New Line (likely but unconfirmed), EIV and the odd Sony title are regional coded.

Fox sell discs on both Region A (USA) and B (UK) so just get whichever country your BD Player comes from. New Line are supporting both HD-DVD and BD and their discs are owned by other studios internationally anyway. EIV discs suck anyway and the vast majority of Sony titles are region free. All Warner BDs are MR, as are Paramounts (before they went HD-DVD) and so are the majority of Sony's.

In short only Fox are of any concern and like I said just get the disc where your player was bought in. Sure it would be ideal if BD MR was out but in reality it's a long, long way off. BR regional coding is significantly stronger than DVDs. This time in DVDs life DVD MR was well out. Besides like I said in reality it's not really worth worrying about. If you wish to wait years/if ever on the off chance then that's a bit silly IMO.

Lastly Combo players around the £200 mark are 2-3 years off, assuming that is also a stickler for you.

Markgway wrote:To me cost doesn't come into it as I'm only keeping my favourite films anyways.

You must only have a handful of favourite films then

How many DVDs did you get rid of? I only managed 70 in my recent clear out of 600

I watched "The Longest Yard" last night (Burt Reynolds classic) I paid 48p for the dvd, great film, but would I want to pay HD prices for it no.

I wouldn't buy a film on DVD if an HD Disc was out no matter how cheap the DVD was. If it's out on HD Disc the DVD doesn't interest me. I've bought so few DVDs over the last few months because of it

No way I will ever get like that. Cheap = cheap. HD is not cheap sadly.

bradavon wrote:I agree. I will pick up some HD Discs even if the AV isn't hugely better as the film deserves it but only titles I really want.

Surely you either want it enough to get the best quality or you don't? I've never really understood the concept of wanting to own a film but not enough to actually get the best quality.

HD Discs cost to much to go wild like we can with DVDs.

I'm talking about films that go into your collection, not rentals or spur of the moment buys. If a film is really good and you want to own it, would you not upgrade to the best of what's available?

Obviously forgetting the LG BH100 as that's a joke the LG BH200 (okay looking) and Samsung Combo's are just around the corner.

I haven't really looked into it as it's still early days and I'd be looking for something cheaper, mass market. I'm talking about for future reference.

Fox sell discs on both Region A (USA) and B (UK) so just get whichever country your BD Player comes from.

I wouldn't buy a player that didn't support all US and UK product. There's a lot more stuff available in America than over here. What about censorship? What about lack of extras between varients/distributors? I would never limit myself to a single country's software output.

Sure it would be ideal if BD MR was out but in reality it's a long, long way off. BR regional coding is significantly stronger than DVDs.

I'm sure some tech geek has already cracked it.

Lastly Combo players around the £200 mark are 2-3 years off, assuming that is also a stickler for you.

I don't have much money so I'd probably need to split the cost with my Dad. If I saved up a bit I could go higher than £200. I'm not desperate to get into HD but will keep my eyes peeled.

Markgway wrote:You must only have a handful of favourite films then

Honestly? Not as many as I thought. The line between good films (which I have a load of) and favourites is tricky to guage at times but I'm generally managing it. I've gotten rid of plenty good films in my recent clearout.

How many DVDs did you get rid of? I only managed 70 in my recent clear out of 600

600??? Fucking hell!!!

I only have (had) about 300 to start with and I've let go or am ready to let go about 100 so far. And I'm not finished by a long chalk. It took me about eight years to collect that amount and eight weeks to slash it down.

romerojpg wrote:I watched "The Longest Yard" last night (Burt Reynolds classic) I paid 48p for the dvd, great film, but would I want to pay HD prices for it no.

I wouldn't pay silly RRP prices either.

But if you can get it online in a few months for say a tenner... you wouldn't?

WOW and people say I love quotes

Surely you either want it enough to get the best quality or you don't? I've never really understood the concept of wanting to own a film but not enough to actually get the best quality.

Well yes. That's what I said. Did you even read what you quoted?

I'm talking about films that go into your collection, not rentals or spur of the moment buys. If a film is really good and you want to own it, would you not upgrade to the best of what's available?

I don't rent and rarely buy DVDs on spur of the moment. If I buy a film it's because I want it part of my collection. Yes to the second part. I don't know what gave you the idea I didn't. It's Romero who said he'd be happy with some on DVD not me.

I haven't really looked into it as it's still early days and I'd be looking for something cheaper, mass market. I'm talking about for future reference.

How long did you wait until you bought your first DVD player? I wouldn't say it's early days any more, that's long over. HD won't be mass market for the next 3-5 years, at least. Most people are more than happy with DVD, even on their HD Ready TVs. Happy waiting

I wouldn't buy a player that didn't support all US and UK product. There's a lot more stuff available in America than over here. What about censorship? What about lack of extras between varients/distributors? I would never limit myself to a single country's software output.

Like I said it's only Fox who're really using regional coding and they release the same disc in both USA and UK.

Have you even read up on BD regional coding? Region A covers America, Canada and the majority of Asia. So you're not just limiting yourself to one country. That's on top of most UK BDs being region free anyway. Check out this website:

http://bluray.liesinc.net/

At the end of the day I agree but BD MR won't happen for years, so again happy waiting. I'm not waiting 3-5+ years on the off chance it may come, that's deluded thinking (in the sense we have no idea it will ever come).

I've not heard of anyone being stuck because they cannot buy a BD disc due to not being able to play it back. We're haven't even mentioned HD-DVD which doesn't even have any regional coding.

I'm sure some tech geek has already cracked it.

The first encryption protection on HD-DVD has been cracked, it's the same protection also found on BD but that just allows you to copy the film on to your PC (and play it back). It doesn't let you copy the disc.

BD also has another level of protection, which I hear is significantly harder to crack. It's not been done yet. It would be big news if it had. This protection so far no BD maker has actually used anyway.

No one has worked out how to bypass BD regional coding though. The Americans don't give a shit in the first place. It will be a European who breaks it, like it was a European who broke DVD regional coding.

I don't have much money so I'd probably need to split the cost with my Dad. If I saved up a bit I could go higher than £200. I'm not desperate to get into HD but will keep my eyes peeled.

You can buy HD-DVD Players which also upscales SD DVD very well for £200 but not BD. Hell even the PS3 is £300. £489 for the Samsung is a fair price. I paid £550 for my DVD Player and £380 for my Hard Disk/DVD Recorder Combo.

I don't have much money either but don't want to buy cheap hardware, it may not last and the quality of it just isn't as good as better hardware (in AV and features), you pay for this though. I'd take a £400 Combo over a £200 Combo any day. My DVD Player looks much better than my DVD Recorder (both high end Pioneer equipment).

Seriously how long did you wait until you got into DVD? Were you one of those people saying DVD is pointless as it cannot record. VHS is fine

600??? Fucking hell!!!

It's not that many by many people's standards. Romero (and the Jenz of old) has well over 1000.

I tried to get rid of more but I just couldn't. Some films I'd not seen but are considered by everyone classics and some I just like. I don't know how you shaved off a third of your collection.

It took weeks to even sell 70 on eBay, by the end I was getting so bored of it. I don't know how you managed to sell that much and stay sane.

And I think 300 is a lot...

bradavon wrote:WOW and people say I love quotes

I find it easier to respond using quotes... except when...

Well yes. That's what I said. Did you even read what you quoted?

I, er, think I made mistake as that comment was aimed at Romero.

I don't rent and rarely buy DVDs on spur of the moment.

How do you see new films then? What about when a back catalogue title comes out that looks interesting?

How long did you wait until you bought your first DVD player?

Summer of 1999. Not sure when the first ones came out in the UK.

HD won't be mass market for the next 3-5 years, at least.

Don't think it'll take as long as that... (?) When I say mass market I don't mean as a replacement for DVD but a viable alternative. As soon as the costs come down the sales of players and software will increase and I can't see them waiting 3-5 years.

Like I said it's only Fox who're really using regional coding and they release the same disc in both USA and UK.

So you don't think it'll be like DVD then... as Region 1 product is often different to R2.

Have you even read up on BD regional coding?

Not yet. Like I said early days for me... I'm just gathering bits and pieces of info.

We're haven't even mentioned HD-DVD which doesn't even have any regional coding.

Thanks, I didn't know that.

I paid £550 for my DVD Player and £380 for my Hard Disk/DVD Recorder Combo.

Whoa! Well out of my league!!

Were you one of those people saying DVD is pointless as it cannot record. VHS is fine

No. For years I used DVD for playback and VHS for recording.

It's not that many by many people's standards. Romero (and the Jenz of old) has well over 1000.

That's just silly unless your name happens to be Mr. Blockbuster.

Some films I'd not seen but are considered by everyone classics

That's just opinion. Would you keep Citizen Kane? It's regarded as a classic. If you don;t like something get rid otherwise you might as well keep everything you buy and rent a warehouse.

I don't know how you shaved off a third of your collection.

Not done yet! Like I said I'm only keeping favourites. Cool films I'll go back and rewatch. Being good isn't enough for me any more.

I don't know how you managed to sell that much and stay sane.

Who says I'm sane? 8)

How do you see new films then? What about when a back catalogue title comes out that looks interesting?

If it's a new film I go to the cinema and very, very occasionally download it which I don't like doing. If it's a catalogue title and looks decent I buy the DVD. I rarely pay more than £10 though, unless it's a special release like a Criterion or a box set.

So you don't think it'll be like DVD then... as Region 1 product is often different to R2.

No so far. Fox haved released the same discs in both countries. Remember it's only one studio and like I said it's not as if we have much choice.

Also remember DVD has the PAL and NTSC issue so studios are more inclined to create new masters. In the case of HD Discs it's all the same so it's much cheaper just to reuse the same disc.

It's rumoured this is why Warner finally resubmitted The Matrix to the BBFC. The HD-DVD side of their recent box set is the exact same disc America got, the DVD extras side is PAL and local to us. The DVD box set if you remember was still cut.

Thanks, I didn't know that.

No worries I thought everyone knew HD-DVD had no regional coding. I've even heard from several sources they've not even agreed on a regional coding specification. Not that that is important now, it's not as if they can suddenly release one with all the hardware out there.

The discs technical aspect is identical no matter where you buy HD-DVD, except some are encoded in MPEG4 AVC and some MPEG VC1. Which are different MPEG4 encoding methods. All players can handle both. Blu-ray also uses those as well as the older MPEG2. It depends what the studio opts to use.

Sony are fans of MPEG2 but due to the amount of space it needs are now often using MPEG4 still. Warner only ever use MPEG4 but Fox seem to be inconsistent and use MPEG4 or MPEG2. I cannot remember which MPEG4 for all of them.

Whoa! Well out of my league!!

I know, out of most people's league or rather what they're willing to pay. You can often get away with paying a few hundred quid for sure, but it is more of a risk. My Dad paid £200 for his DVD Recorder (no hard disk) back when they were still expensive and oh boy it's a heap of junk. He's taken it back to the store 3 times (good job he took extended warranty). I've no idea why he didn't just demand a new model.

No. For years I used DVD for playback and VHS for recording.

Most people still do. I did for years too, although in reality due to VHS's awful picture quality over the last 2-3 years I never bothered recording anything. I now have a proper Pioneer Hard Disk/DVD Recorder and it's considerably better in every way. It really was worth the cash, you has so many features (all useful).

I'd definitely recommend paying the extra and getting a model with a hard disk, especially when they can be picked up as low as £230 now (even from the likes of Sony). Sub £200 DVD Recorders only units are 1980s technology IMO. I can't remember the last time I faffed around with a disc/tape based format to record, compared to a hard disk it's so much hassle. Being able to rewind/pause is great too (not possible in the same machine, on most models).

Unless your budget is under £100 forget DVD Recorder only units. I suspect in a few years they'll start to disappear.

That's just silly unless your name happens to be Mr. Blockbuster.

It is. Grim has 306. I'd like to get my collection closer to 400 but I cannot see that happening. I have so many possibly great films unseen.

That's just opinion. Would you keep Citizen Kane? It's regarded as a classic. If you don;t like something get rid otherwise you might as well keep everything you buy and rent a warehouse.

Hell no it's an absolute borefest.

I'm talking about films considered classics I've never seen and feel I should before I get rid. About a third of the 75 DVDs I sold on were for films I've never seen and decided it's likely I never will. Pity as they could've been excellent but I got rid of them. I have way more than I can get through, silly really.

Being good isn't enough for me any more.

Fair point. I'll probably have another go in a few months. It takes so long to get through them. I have most of my DVDs on display but have a box full in a cupboard I couldn't find anywhere to put them.

It did take forever to sell the 75 I did end up selling so I'm glad I stopped there. It was shortly before I moved house (really not the best time to do it) and I did end up selling stacks of other stuff too, which didn't help. I did end up making £250 for the lot overall though, so that was worth it.

Hopefully my collection will stay around 300 or thereabouts now.

Unless you get rid as much as you buy it won't

Don't know if I'll keep everything now, got so many I just havent seen And quite a lot lately have been "spur of the moment" buys as well as ones on my wishlist (Profiler). Eg I dont think I'll keep End of Days.

Mark you've inspired me to have another go. I agree with your mantra -

Being good isn't enough for me any more.

I bet you never thought you'd see me write "Mark you've inspired me" . I do have too many. So many good films though, it's so hard to pick. I spent hours last time picking the ones to sell and I only managed 70-75.

Since selling my DVDs I've bought about 10 new ones so it will only start all over again. At least with HD Discs a lot of them will be titles I'm replacing and selling the DVD on.

Too much quoting, I have fell asleeepppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppp

bradavon wrote:If it's a catalogue title and looks decent I buy the DVD.

So you do sometimes buy on spec...

I rarely pay more than £10 though, unless it's a special release like a Criterion or a box set.

Same here. In fact, even a tenner is high end for me.

Fox haved released the same discs in both countries.

Really? I thought I saw a load of USA exclusives, but then maybe not from Fox??

Also remember DVD has the PAL and NTSC issue so studios are more inclined to create new masters.

So what's the TV format then? Or does the HD resolution wipe that out?

No worries I thought everyone knew HD-DVD had no regional coding.

I really know very little about HD. I didn't want to get myself too immersed at a point where I couldn't afford to buy. But I'm trying to pick up bits and pieces of info now.

The discs technical aspect is identical no matter where you buy HD-DVD, except some are encoded in MPEG4 AVC and some MPEG VC1. Which are different MPEG4 encoding methods. All players can handle both. Blu-ray also uses those as well as the older MPEG2. It depends what the studio opts to use.

Lol, that's Chinese to me. As long as they look and sound great I'm happy.

I know, out of most people's league or rather what they're willing to pay. You can often get away with paying a few hundred quid for sure, but it is more of a risk. My Dad paid £200 for his DVD Recorder (no hard disk) back when they were still expensive and oh boy it's a heap of junk. He's taken it back to the store 3 times (good job he took extended warranty). I've no idea why he didn't just demand a new model.

We got our DVD Recorder for about £80. Had it for over a year and no problems with it.

Most people still do. I did for years too, although in reality due to VHS's awful picture quality over the last 2-3 years I never bothered recording anything.

We just waited until our VHS died and rather than replace with another VHS we got a budget DVD-Recorder (I think it was budget... maybe it was on sale... lol?)

I'd definitely recommend paying the extra and getting a model with a hard disk, especially when they can be picked up as low as £230 now (even from the likes of Sony).

We don't keep anything we record really so it's not worth the extra cost. It's just watched and wiped. We don't have a hard disk but got a couple of RAM discs and that does us 98% of the time.

Being able to rewind/pause is great too (not possible in the same machine, on most models).

Ours can pause or rewind. Is that a rare thing?? Seems basic to me.

I have so many possibly great films unseen.

Then watch them and find out... You might be sitting on some real shit!

I'm talking about films considered classics I've never seen and feel I should before I get rid.

Oh yeah, you should watch them first.

I have way more than I can get through, silly really.

If Romero started watching all his unseen DVDs now he'd be collecting his pension by the time he's finished.

Fair point. I'll probably have another go in a few months. It takes so long to get through them. I have most of my DVDs on display but have a box full in a cupboard I couldn't find anywhere to put them.

Yeah, unlike CDs it does take time to go thru DVDs. But it gets easier the tougher the stance you take. If you commit yourself to only keeping your faves or great movies (whatever your particular criteria) it becomes easier I promise.

i have well over 1000 dvds and now close to 100 hd/blu-ray discs. i am in the process of whittling down my dvd collection,too many ok films there i have no need to keep.

Markgway wrote:So you do sometimes buy on spec...

On spec. alone? No. I thought only Romero does that

Markgway wrote:Really? I thought I saw a load of USA exclusives, but then maybe not from Fox??

I don't think there are too many, except from the USA only studios of course like Lionsgate but then that happens with UK studios too.

Markgway wrote:So what's the TV format then? Or does the HD resolution wipe that out?

PAL and NTSC if you break them down are frames per second, hertz and resolution that's all. I'm no expert but I understand that's all it really boils down to.

HD uses the exact same specification no matter where it's produced. It effectively fixes PAL speedup. There are some minor alterations used by some studios but by far overall they've all agreed to use the same standard.

Sorry but I cannot remember what the technical aspects are exactly, it tends to lose me a bit. In short PAL and NTSC is a SD issue. The only reason DVD is stuck with it is because they never managed to agree on an SD standard, as you know. This isn't the case for HD.

Markgway wrote:Lol, that's Chinese to me. As long as they look and sound great I'm happy.

All that technical babble boils down to is three different compression techniques are being used. The early BDs you may have heard didn't fair to well, it's because Sony (mostly) were trying to cram MPEG2 compression (which is very old) on to a Single Layer Blu-Ray disc and also stick on a PCM soundtrack, which is completely uncompressed lossless sound thus takes up oodles of space.

As I'm sure you can imagine this doesn't leave much room left for decent bitrates. Thankfully this old news now, what with Blu-ray Dual Layer being released and even Sony now using MPEG4 compression. Sony claimed at the time MPEG2 despite being older looked better. I don't know if this is true.

This only effected Blu-Ray, the HD-DVD camp always used MPEG2. In short except for the first batch of Blu-ray discs they should all look awesome.

Markgway wrote:We got our DVD Recorder for about £80. Had it for over a year and no problems with it.

What make?

The thing is if you were to compare it to a Hard Disk/DVD Recorder you'd soon see how limited it is. That's not to say what you have isn't bad, it's just there is much, much, much better out there. Especially now they're selling them for a bargain £230.

Markgway wrote:We just waited until our VHS died and rather than replace with another VHS we got a budget DVD-Recorder (I think it was budget... maybe it was on sale... lol?)

I did the same. I actually was going to replace it anyway and the kind machine decided to die around the same time

I do have a spare VCR in the loft (no remote though) that someone gave me. I've only used it once to backup all my VHS tapes worth keeping to the hard disk.

Markgway wrote:We don't keep anything we record really so it's not worth the extra cost. It's just watched and wiped. We don't have a hard disk but got a couple of RAM discs and that does us 98% of the time.

Ah good man for using DVD-RAM they're awesome, it's a shame very few DVD Players can read them.

I know what you mean I don't re-watch much but do sometimes. Think of it like this I bet you've re-watched some of your DVDs, same thing.

Besides it's more for the easy of use than re-watch value. I can set a whole series off with literally 2 remote button presses and that's it. I'm currently recording the Michael Palin New Europe documentary and each week it records without fail. I know it's all set and done, and I can just forget about it.

If I had to use a disc based format every week I'd have to remember to put a disc in and maybe reset the scheduler. All I'm saying is next time get a hard disk/dvd recorder and you'll so quickly see how much better they are.

The 7 day electronic program guide is also very useful, it makes setting recordings so much easier then messing with a scheduler. I was as sceptical as you at first but now couldn't live without it, you know what I mean.

Put it this way they're Hard Disk/DVD Recorders are as advanced compared to a DVD Recorder, as a DVD Player is against a VCR (for playback). The jump is that big!

Markgway wrote:Ours can pause or rewind. Is that a rare thing?? Seems basic to me.

But only after you've messed around putting a disc in, then you have to remember to wipe the disc before you can reuse it. It's not the same as a hard disk based system which is completely seamless, always recording so without a seconds thought you can rewind.

The DVD Recorders that cannot read DVD-Ram are even worse. DVD+ and DVD- really aren't equipped for such features.

Markgway wrote:Yeah, unlike CDs it does take time to go thru DVDs. But it gets easier the tougher the stance you take. If you commit yourself to only keeping your faves or great movies (whatever your particular criteria) it becomes easier I promise.

Thanks

Actually I find it dead simple to get rid of CDs. I do that once or twice a year. I have two CD racks that as soon as they start overflowing I get rid. It's even easier now all my collection is on MP3 so the lesser CDs I still have access to.

It stresses me out trying to think which films I should sell, because I own films which are only 'good', but that I like to watch from time to time.

P.S. Bloody hell, what's with all the gigantic quote-fests nowadays?!

Mark and I are addicted to it