When the Watchmen motion comic was released on March 3rd, I found myself wondering which version I should purchase. Should I buy the high-definition Blu-ray version or the regular DVD version? Would I really see a difference between to the two formats?
I went ahead and picked up the Blu-ray version.
I’ll be perfectly honest and admit that I sometimes can’t tell a difference in quality between Blu-ray and regular DVD. Not that I’ve watched the same movie in each format side-by-side. That would be a fun experiment to stage, if it were at all possible.
When I moved from VHS to DVD, I noticed a huge difference in quality. When I moved from cassette tape to CD, I noticed a huge difference. When I moved from regular definition TV to high definition TV, I noticed a huge difference. When I moved from DVD to Blu-ray, I didn’t really see much of a difference.
I can only imagine that an animated movie with a limited spectrum of colors will have even a less pronounced difference in quality than a live-action motion picture.
I noticed recently at Suncoast that the Japanese anime classic Akira is now available in the high-def, Blu-ray format. Would I notice the difference between it and the DVD version I already own?
Jenny
/ March 19, 2009Here is what I have noticed: when I watch an older movie that has been converted to the blu-ray format, I really don’t notice a difference. When I watch a recently made animated movie like “Kung Fu Panda” or “Horton Hears a Who” in the blu-ray format, I notice a HUGH difference.
It is not worth buying the older stuff in blu-ray but the new stuff definitely — that is my 2 cents.
Bentcorner
/ March 20, 2009@Jenny: Thanks Jenny! Good to know.
Animation on Blu-ray
/ March 27, 2009There is a huge difference in animation on SD and HD. I’m actually starting a blog dedicated to animation on blu-ray, and it should launch next week. So far Wall-e and Kung Fu Panda are my favorites, but Bolt looks pretty awesome on blu-ray too.
Rick
/ March 27, 2009@Animation on Blu-ray: Thanks for the info. I just bought Tales of the Black Freighter on old fashioned DVD today after work and now I’m guessing I should take it back and get it on Blu-ray.
I’ll definitely be checking out the blog. I’ve already subscribed to your RSS feed.
Animation on Blu-ray
/ March 31, 2009Thanks Rick! It should be soft-launching later this week, but it will take a while to get all the back release pages fleshed out and stuff.
zombi
/ October 4, 2009Stumbled across the post when searching google… I know it’s old but since you mentioned Akira I thought I would throw my 2 cents in here. I just got a ps3 and it is the only movie that I have noticed a real big difference between the blu-ray and dvd. I had some friends and made them turn around as I switched between my upscale DVD player and the blu-ray both connected through HDMI and they could see a difference as well, the blu-ray is much more crisp and colorful. Tried 3 other movies (dark knight, serenity and advent children) and the difference was much less noticeable with dark night showing more minor details but nothing as drastic as akira was. If you haven’t jumped on the Akira blu-ray yet though it is definitely worth it.
Bentcorner
/ October 4, 2009@zombi: Thanks for the info.