When I moved recently, I almost didn't even unpack my DVDs.  I watch exactly none of them now.  The only reason that I did was so that my DVD rack wouldn't look so empty.

I'm on vacation currently and watched the playoff games yesterday in SD on a tube TV and I thought I was gonna die.  LOL

I think everybody is missing the key difference.

 Yes, the picture is better, but the big difference is the audio quality, especially for those of you who don't own a SACD.

 Just bought "Chris Botti - Live in Boston" 96 hz 24 bit of true HD audio bliss.

 BlueRay = better audio than DVD by far!

jamesjdohertyiv:

I think everybody is missing the key difference.

 Yes, the picture is better, but the big difference is the audio quality, especially for those of you who don't own a SACD.

 Just bought "Chris Botti - Live in Boston" 96 hz 24 bit of true HD audio bliss.

 BlueRay = better audio than DVD by far!

You'll get no argument from me there.  I myself am hoping that Blu-Ray audio catches on since Sony seems to be abandoning SACD. 

Jason Hicks:

It was the same way with DVD too, I pulled out my old SD copy of The Hudsucker Proxy the other day and the PQ was so grainy that I doubt it looked much better than a VHS. 

I have some "adult movies" on DVD and the PQ is atrocious.  LOL.  I've used a PS3 as my Blu-Ray player for a couple of years now and admit I wasn't blown away by the PQ compared to upscaled DVD when I first got it.  But, like others have said, some movies looked better than others.  Also, as I watch more and more movies on Blu-Ray, it's apparent when I watch the rare title on regular DVD how much clearer and crisper Blu-Ray is.  Even the menu screen and credits have a sharpness on Blu-Ray that regular DVDs can't touch.

nbuchen:

I have some "adult movies" on DVD and the PQ is atrocious.

There are some things that are not improved by better PQ.  Most people in the porn industry are wrecked in high-def.

  It's been about 1.5 years since i ditched my Yamaha RX-V661 in favor for the awesome Denon AVR 3805.  That means it's been 1.5 years since i've been able to enjoy lossless HD  audio from my blue rays.  So Income Tax time comes around and i'm able to squeeze a new Samsung BD-C6500 out of the Wife.   And i'm happy to tell you I'm enjoying the results a lot more so with the Denon 

I've basically got the Blu Ray Player hooked up to the Denon with the analog audio imputs. 

Couple Observations:

1.  Getting a bit more depth and width in terms of soundstage from the Aperions.  The bubble has become about 25-30% bigger.  Environments are more expansive and i hear more background naunces in the soundtrack. 

2.  Don't have to turn the volume as loud.  I think this can be contributed to point 1 as well as the lossless audio being a cleaner signal than standard DD or DTS. 

Overall, the Aperions just sounds bigger, wider, clearer and more effortless with the lossless audio.  Definately more enjoyable and comfortable.  It's like upgrading the speakers.

Bonus Stuff.

I am pleasnatly pleased to know that the channel levels set in my AVR are not affected by the EXT In hookup.  I was affraid i would have to use the BD player to re-measure speaker SPL's, but that is not the case.

There is also a EXT In Subwoofer setting on the AVR that can be used to help boost the subwoofer level.  I've heard you will need to boost it to +10 or +15. Not sure the exact reason why....Maybe cuz the Player doesn't give it the Added +15 db boost found in the LFE? 

Pure Direct Modes Still works with the EXT IN.

The only things on the AVR that don't really work are the EQ Setting from the Auddysey and the Speaker size settings with crossover. But that can be adjusted via the DVD Player.

I only point this stuff out becuase others might want to consider these things if they are going to be a dinasour like me and still use and older AVR.

But being a Dinasour has it's advantages in regards to monies..

Denon AVR 3805  = $190 from Ebay
Blu Ray Player =  $200

You're right for sure Jason. Audio is better on Blu-Ray releases.

It's garbage in garbage out with picture quality in post production (compression and grading). It really matters. A bunch. The noisier the film stock the harder to keep away the compression artifact for example.

I think that the folks that "can't" see the difference are simply sitting too far from their sets to see it mostly. It's what slowed the Blu-Ray adoption in the first place. Flat panels large enough to see it at 15' were very expensive. The market bought 40-42" sets and sat too far away. You should be within about 100 inches to see it if you're upconversion is good. If it's not, you'll see it further away from the panel.  You just need to know where to look. Look close at intense colors and contrast with lots of detail in the shot Look at them in up-converted signals then look at them in 1080p. Night and day.

Jerry 

Jerry Hofmann:

You're right for sure Jason. Audio is better on Blu-Ray releases.

It's garbage in garbage out with picture quality in post production (compression and grading). It really matters. A bunch. The noisier the film stock the harder to keep away the compression artifact for example.

I think that the folks that "can't" see the difference are simply sitting too far from their sets to see it mostly. It's what slowed the Blu-Ray adoption in the first place. Flat panels large enough to see it at 15' were very expensive. The market bought 40-42" sets and sat too far away. You should be within about 100 inches to see it if you're upconversion is good. If it's not, you'll see it further away from the panel.  You just need to know where to look. Look close at intense colors and contrast with lots of detail in the shot Look at them in up-converted signals then look at them in 1080p. Night and day.

Jerry 

Good talking to you yesterday Jerry and thanks for posting!