|
|
|
DVD-9 to DVD-5 backups: Quality issues on new HDTVs (1080p)
|
|
|
SuperMonk
Newbie
|
16. January 2006 @ 17:35 |
Link to this message
|
|
Hello,
This is my first post to the forum, so please be kind!
Currently at my home, we are in the process of upgrading our entertainment system and shopping for TVs. Today, I had a chance to go to Circuit City and got a chance to see the new Samsung 67" DLP HDTV with 1080p native resolution. I must say, I was blown away. I've never seen a TV that large with such amazing quality. It was sharper and more vivid than any plasma TV I've seen. So, needless to say, we are thinking of buying it. All we have had previously is a 35" 4:3 Sony from the mid-nineties.
However, my family has a fairly large stock of backed-up DVDs. Many of the originals are away at college with siblings, etc. These are mostly all DVD-5 backups shrunk down from original DVD-9s using DVD2oneX. The compression rate on these discs ranges anywhere from 50% to 70%. My questions are these:
1) On such a large TV, and at 1080p, what will be the general quality loss on these backup DVDs be when compared to the original DVDs? On our 35" tube, using a standard DVD player, there is no noticable loss in quality whatsoever.
2) What, exactly, does this new generation of HD DVD players mean for SD quality DVD backups? I know that playing superbit movies like Spider-Man 2 with an HD player gives something near to HD quality, but what about these backups? (I am referring to the true HD players, not HD upconverter players)
Thank You!
|
|
Advertisement
|
 |
|
|
|
david66
Senior Member
|
17. January 2006 @ 14:15 |
Link to this message
|
if the backup disc is of good quality the playback on the tv will be good. there is no 1080p material avalible at the present time all HDTV is either 720p 1080i hd players will play back sd dvds with no change in quality but price is going to be a problem samsung is going to release a player soon for $1000.00 also the manufactures cannot make up there minds there are 2 formats there are no standards so buyer beware vhs or betamax?
|
|
SuperMonk
Newbie
|
17. January 2006 @ 20:25 |
Link to this message
|
|
Thanks for the response David. So, then, as far as playback for these DVDs is concerned, getting an HD player or upconverter wouldn't change the quality? It'd still be playing back at 480i? Sorry, I'm a bit new to the whole HD thing.
Jason
|
|
sytyguy
Senior Member
|
18. January 2006 @ 07:11 |
Link to this message
|
Quote:
SuperMonk said: So, then, as far as playback for these DVDs is concerned, getting an HD player or upconverter wouldn't change the quality? It'd still be playing back at 480i?
Actually an upconverter will change the quality, there are DVD players that can upconvert to 720p or 1080i resolutions, like the Denon DVD-1920, to name one. Go to Cnet.com and see a list of the DVD players that have this ability.
HTH,
Rich
|
|
david66
Senior Member
|
18. January 2006 @ 10:24 |
Link to this message
|
if you have progessive scan on your dvd player they will play back as 480p the results will depend on your tv. all new tvs have Progressive scan
|
|
Bruce999
Member
|
18. January 2006 @ 11:10 |
Link to this message
|
|
As far as the type of quality you might expect, I have been viewing a 65 inch carefully calibrated Mits CRT-based set (which is high definition, at 1080i). Because of the size of the screen, and the fact that it "does a better job at displaying any and all picture imperfections," I made the decision early on to avoid any compression when I back up my own DVDs. I always split DVD9 discs to two bolank DVD5s (or I use dual layer blanks). I tried an experiment early on using 84% compression, and I could see the difference easily on my set. I could not see it on any of the other sets in our house (35 inch, and three 27 inch sets). Once I saw what a larger display, and a finely tuned display would do with an awful image, I avoided any compression from that point on.
Don;t forget, even the original DVD was mastered using compression. Do you really want to add more? Even if you "cannot see the difference" right now, one should keep in mind that their next set might be larger. And, capable of better resolution. At that stage, will you want to begin re-burning all your original discs?
Just my own thoughts, as I am definitely in the minority on this issue...
-Bruce
This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 18. January 2006 @ 11:11
|
|
SuperMonk
Newbie
|
18. January 2006 @ 12:56 |
Link to this message
|
Thanks for your opinion Bruce. Everything you said seems to be sound, and it's what my main concern is. On the other hand, as you mentioned, there are lots of folks who disagree and report no quality loss. I guess this is depedent, though, on original DVD compression quality as well as what resolution their DVD players are outputting at. What DVD player do you use with your 65" HDTV?
Also, maybe I should start a new thread for this, but as far as compressing from DVD-9 to DVD-5 goes, are there any programs out there for OSX that use CCE compression? I know for PC there is DVD Remaster, but I'm on a G5. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Jason
|
Member
1 product review
|
18. January 2006 @ 17:25 |
Link to this message
|
|
If I was going to make a large investment like that I would make the salesman play one of your DVD's on it. It would be disappointing to get it home and be dissatisfied with the picture.I have also been looking at a samsung 67" and was told that there isn't even a cable provider that broadcasts in 1080 which means that what I saw at the store is not what I will get at home. If you do purchase it please post your thoughts for the rest of us.
 Protecting coffee tables everywhere! |
|
brobear
Suspended permanently
|
18. January 2006 @ 20:51 |
Link to this message
|
One of my friends put in a viewing room with a projector system. He quickly noticed that due to the magnification that he was seeing compression errors not visible on a smaller video system such as regular sized TVs. Exaggerated a bit with that much magnification, but with a 67 inch set, you'll be seeing things not as visible on a 35 inch set. He went to RB for encoding and also recording special projects with DL media.
That said, a lot depends on the software used for the backups. Not all software are equal. Then there are trade-offs between quality and time. Rebuilder with CCE is a good system for backups and with the installation loader, the program is no longer just for advanced beta testers. I use it with CCE and get excellent results. I just did some full disc backups at near 55%, in fact a couple were below. That's a compression load of 45% or better for the software to compensate for. I have a 60 inch set and I'm not seeing any errors. I don't have HD, but errors would show up anyway.
The advice to try playing one of your DVD backups if using backups is a major issue was sound advice. The kids should have had the backups at college and the originals stayed at home. Another option is to use a high quality backup program if the older ones aren't up to your standards. As I've mentioned on other threads, Rebuilder with the Cinema Craft Encoder is almost unbeatable. The free HC Encoder works well with it. You can try the trial RB with HC from http://www.dvd-rb.com (freeware) to see if you like it. The Pro is worth the price though with it's superior options. Another option is to redo the backups recording to dual layer media and booktyping to DVD ROM to help insure player compatibility. One of the new Plextor burners will do the job. There's a bunch of brands, but only certain burners booktype. Just something to think about when buying equipment. DL prices are now getting to where they're usable. Personally, I'd use those for the big movies and use RB/CCE for the more moderate sized ones, if any compression errors were visible with HD. You can try a few encodes to see how far you want to push the compression. In the prepare stage, RB gives the compression level on the log screen and records the log as well.
Check out the threads on DL recording though, some people have found it isn't quite as dependable as the DVD5 recording.
This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 18. January 2006 @ 20:56
|
|
SuperMonk
Newbie
|
20. January 2006 @ 08:14 |
Link to this message
|
Thanks BroBear. Really appreciate the feedback. I still have a question, though. Is there any software for Macs that's the equivalent of RB with CCE? I have an older PC, but no DVD burner for it. The only computer I have with a DVD burner attached is a G5.
Jason
|
AfterDawn Addict
|
20. January 2006 @ 09:12 |
Link to this message
|
|
Saw a 52" LG DLP TV at the weekend, it blew the equivilant samsung out of the water as regards clarity, sharpness & overall quality! Will be seriously considering one of those in the near future.
There was a rep from Texas (the company that started it all) in the shop, he said that digital cinemas use the same Texas DLP "chip" to project the image. Simply awesome. The amount of mirrors vary between 1.2 & 2 million, dependant on the application!
Gif by Phantom69
 |
|
Advertisement
|
|
|
|
brobear
Suspended permanently
|
20. January 2006 @ 10:04 |
Link to this message
|
|
|
