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Solid proof: HD really is much better than DVD
For those of you who dare to doubt the power of the One Ring… er, HDTV, check out this blogger's in-depth comparison of DVD (top) and HD (bottom) picture quality. Putting specific frames side by side, he showed that in the high-definition version of the The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, the maps are sharper, the backgrounds are clearer, and that each of Gandalf's gray (or is that white?) hairs is more distinguishable from the others. He's taken the screenshots and sized them in a way that sets them up for a fair comparison, showing the DVD shots resized match the HD shots, and the reverse, both with definitive results. Looks like you may have to replace that DVD collection after all.
HD may be noticeably superior to DVD, but for those who are opting not to buy a 720p/1080i-capable screen in favor of a 1080p set, this juxtaposition indicates that it may not be worth the bother. For a primer on high-definition line comparisons, check out our handy decrypter.
Crazy Talk, via Geekologie
By d3bruts1d at 10:07 AM ON 12/19/06
Umm... it may just be me, but looking at the image posted (can't follow the link ATM) the top looks like the "best" of the two for me. It's sharper, more detailed, while the bottom appears more blurry and darker.
Are you sure the images weren't reversed? O.o
By dimesio at 9:51 AM ON 12/21/06
I was able to follow the link. To me the HD images look darker overall. This adds a bit of detail to some images that are overly bright, but in others (like the shot of the hobbits hiding in the tree) it actually makes it harder to see details because they are lost in the deeper shadows.
By Morfedel at 9:56 AM ON 12/21/06
I can't tell a difference between the two.
By phrelin at 1:46 PM ON 12/21/06
Uh...at this point, it seems like someone is really "splitting hairs." Nothing in this comparison says to me "spend alot of money."
By blzrd at 1:47 PM ON 12/21/06
To me, the DVD is like looking at a satellite photo and the HD is like looking at the real thing. Expecially in the hobbits under the tree picture. Everything looks so much more alive when it is in HD. I never realized how sucky the DVD codec was until I saw this blog. I would save up for an HDDVD player, but I don't have an HD TV, so it would be pointless.
By arktek at 8:36 PM ON 12/21/06
uhh... when i play DVDs they dont look that crappy... to me it seems like it might be a ploy to get people to buy HD players/TVs... and seeing a movie a tiny bit clearer is not worth hundreds or thousands of dollars IMO =/
By vargas at 5:02 PM ON 03/19/08
I don't a difference that is so great that it tells me:"Run out and replace your DVD collection, fool!"
But then fools and their money are easily parted.
By jigsawpunish at 11:22 AM ON 01/07/09
ok
By thisguy at 7:52 PM ON 10/03/09
The top image (DVD) looks better than the lower image (HD). The top looks brighter, cleaner, and more in your face, whereas the HD picture looks bland, foreground picture seems to blend into the background, and the colors are dark.
on your cellphone!
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thisguy:
The top image (DVD) looks better than the lower image (HD). The top looks brighter, cleaner, and more in your face,...More »